Two years after the events of the Bone Shard Emperor, Lin is trying to hold power against increasingly hopeless odds. With dwindling support from the governors, Lin must make impossible decisions between the safety of her people or the success of her dynasty.

Every moment of this book is nail biting, anxiety inducing, heart-breaking, and an absolutely perfect end to a perfect series. The character development between all parties in this final installment is phenomenal. Lin and Jovis left me with a physical ache during their POV chapters. Which must have been a theme through out the book because Renami and Phalue had me in tears. Mephi and Thrana as always are perfect.

The Drowning Empire Series is one of my favorite fantasy series. I can't wait to read it again.

The magic system in this trilogy is so unique and fun. So many things about this series make it a wonderful, bingeable read. I physically read the first two, so this was my first audiobook experience. The narrators did a wonderful job in my opinion, and I'm happy with how the trilogy has ended.

I read the entire trilogy back to back and I must say, it was a fun ride!
The magic system is quite unique and lends itself to some interesting plot points.
I gasped with this book, was stunned by this book, was happy because of this book,...
I would definitely recommend the entire trilogy.
And Mephi, you will stay in my heart forever.

*The Bone Shard War* by Andrea Stewart
4/5
I received copies of this book from Orbit Books and NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was by far the book I was most anticipating this year after reading the first two around the release of book two and absolutely adoring them. In preparation of this finale I reread both of the first books and enjoyed book 1 just as much if not more than I did the first time around, but was a bit let down by book 2 which was slower than I had originally remembered which is also how I felt about this final entry. I think this is still a strong and fitting ending to the trilogy and I don't have any significant faults with the story or character work, but the whole book just felt very slow and meandering, and some of the plot points felt a bit contrived and unreasonable. There aren't any major surprises in the worldbuilding, and most of the reveals are telegraphed well throughout the first two books without being too obvious in my experience while still rewarding attentive readers or people going through the book multiple times and coming up with predictions on why things in the world work the way they do. While not the resounding triumph that I originally thought this series was, it is still very strong and enjoyable throughout its majority and something I would recommend to most if not all fantasy readers, but there are some pain points along the way. You can certainly see Andrea Stewart's growth as a writer as the series progresses though and I'm as excited as ever for whatever her next work may be.

The final book in this trilogy wasn't quite what I was looking for. The first book was so interesting and a wonderful adventure, but as the story continues through book 2 and 3, it felt like it was very drawn out and could have been sped up. The good news is the story does wrap up neatly and feels like a true conclusion, but it was not much fun for me to get to the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for an ARC of the audiobook.

Feel free to continue to my Goodreads review for more of my feelings hidden under the spoilers section.

This was my most anticipated release for the year and, let me tell you, it was worth the wait. There is so much room for this world to be explored, but all of the important pieces came together in this conclusion. There were times that I paused the audio, put down my Kindle and just kinda stared at the wall for a bit processing the information I'd just been given. There were other times when I needed to put it down and go to bed, but I just couldn't stop.
There was so much growth of the characters across this series. It's incredible to think about where they all started out and how they perceived the world then compared to what they know now and how they have responded to their experiences. These characters had depth and emotion and indecision. I loved that every character was given a fair arc. It's easy to write a hero or a villain and have them consistently do heroic or villainous things. You can still write a great book if that's all you do. Stewart went so above and beyond that. She had her heroes do villainous things and she had her villains call out her heroes for those villainous things. She left doors open for her villains to have redemption and she let her heroes have compassion for their enemies. I won't go into any specific arcs because I don't want to spoil anything, but every character has an arc that makes complete sense for them, flaws and all.
As for the world building, my mind is blown. This series asked so many questions over the course of the last few books and the answers have been revealed so perfectly and strategically. There are so many more questions I would love to have answers to, but as I said, I'm so satisfied with this ending that I'll be content if we never get another story from the Drowning Empire. I'll just re-read this series forever and pull out as many hints as I can to answer my own questions.
The audio narrators captured each POV wonderfully and I especially loved the voicing of the ossalen (specifically Mephi).

A fitting end to an original trilogy! I loved the magical system in this & the characters throughout. The ossalen were so likable, even if their Alanga were not always. While I did think the last one ran a little longer than necessary, I did really enjoy how everything came together in the end!

The audio was pretty good. We had a narrator for each character & that always gives an extra layer to an audiobook!

Synopsis:

Following her victory as Emperor, Lin Sukai is faced with a precarious future for the Phoenix Empire as she lacks allies. The situation is exacerbated by her own governors planning treason and the Shardless Few reigniting hostilities. To make matters worse, Lin discovers that her arch-nemesis Nisong has teamed up with the rebel Alanga, Ragan, both of whom have set their sights on eliminating Lin. However, the key to reversing this tide of adversity could lie in ancient history. Legend speaks of seven mythical swords forged centuries ago, and if Lin can locate them before her enemies do, she may yet have a chance to turn things around. However, if she fails, the Sukai dynasty and the entire empire will crumble.

Thoughts:

WHAT AN ENDING TO AN EPIC SERIES!

From the moment I first read The Bone Shard Daughter, I was captivated by Andrea Stewart's incredible narrative, brimming with suspense and mystery. And now, with the arrival of The Bone Shard War, the long-awaited conclusion to this epic tale, I can safely say that the author has exceeded all expectations. This thrilling finale delivers on its promise to unveil the enigmas of the drowning empire, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final page. It is a truly satisfying conclusion that will not disappoint.

Andrea Stewart's world-building in The Bone Shard War is a testament to her skill as a writer, as she expertly weaves together a complex tapestry of mysteries, secrets, and revelations that culminate in a thrilling and satisfying finale. From the very beginning, Stewart has kept readers on the edge of their seats, slowly revealing information about the world and its characters in a way that is both tantalizing and rewarding. As the series has progressed, the scope of the world has expanded, with new details and hidden depths being uncovered at every turn. Stewart's decision to immerse readers in this world, allowing them to discover its secrets alongside the characters, is a stroke of genius, and it pays off in spades as the story builds towards its climax. By the end of the series, every piece of the puzzle has fallen into place, and the world that Stewart has created feels like a living, breathing entity that has grown and evolved alongside its characters. It is a remarkable achievement and a testament to Stewart's talent as a writer.

The Drowning Empire trilogy features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique character arc that adds depth and richness to the story. While there are many noteworthy character arcs in the series, I will only highlight a few standout characters who have left a lasting impression on readers throughout the series.

Lin is a phenomenal character that resonates with readers due to her genuine nature and her character growth throughout the series. Her journey from a questioning daughter to a powerful ruler is an inspiring one that keeps readers engaged throughout the series. Despite the challenges she faces, including the burden of leading an empire and dealing with opposition from her people, Lin remains endearing and inspiring. Her story is both heartwarming and thrilling as she navigates her personal journey while also taking on the responsibility of leading an entire nation.

Jovis' character development is an enthralling journey that showcases his bravery and compassion. The Bone Shard War sees Jovis facing his biggest trial yet, confronting his fears and fully embracing his character. Throughout the series, Jovis' character arc is both compelling and intense, as he transforms into a brave and compassionate man. His actions often contradict his words, making him a beloved character. Moreover, Jovis' friendship with Mephy is one of the highlights of the series, and I was captivated by their bond since the first book. Overall, Andrea Stewart has created a nuanced and layered character in Jovis, whose growth and development make for a riveting read.

Ranami and Phalue are a couple with different backgrounds, who overcame their differences through love and understanding, and showed how conflicts can lead to personal growth. Initially, Ranami's character was not very likable in the first book, but throughout the series, she developed into a wonderful character. The growth of Ranami and Phalue complemented each other, and they shared many moments together in the series, especially in The Bone Shard Emperor where they reached their fullest potential. However, in The Bone Shard War, they are separated, and they have to take on new roles that will change the direction of the story. Ranami evolves from being a follower to a leader and rises like a phoenix from the ashes. Meanwhile, Phalue has been a supportive companion throughout Ranami's journey and knows her full potential.

Sand is a unique character in The Drowning Empire series, serving as the wildcard among the antagonists. When first introduced in The Bone Shard Daughter, her purpose was not clear. However, in The Bone Shard Emperor, it became apparent that Sand would be a character who would constantly surprise readers. Throughout the series, Andrea Stewart skillfully developed Sand's character, allowing her motivations and intentions to align with the plot's development. In The Bone Shard War, we see how Sand's character arc is shaped by her psychological trauma from her memories. Although she has committed terrible acts throughout the series, I could never help but feel sorry for her. In the end, seeing her character arc come to a hopeful and joyful conclusion left me with a satisfying feeling.

As a devoted reader who has been following this series since the beginning, it brings me great joy and honor to have witnessed the growth and development of its characters. The genuine relationships that blossomed throughout the series have left an indelible mark on me. Although I am content with the way Stewart concluded this epic tale, I am also saddened by the fact that I must bid farewell to these beloved characters. For those who have followed this series and plan to read The Bone Shard War, be prepared for an exhilarating and emotional journey from beginning to end. For those who are contemplating reading this series, I highly recommend that you do so as each book is an impressive work of fiction. I hold this series in the highest esteem, and I eagerly anticipate reading more works from the talented author, Andrea Stewart.

This book and this series have my heart forever. the Audiobook was amazing. I can’t wait to end up rereading this series and give the previous Audiobooks a try. Mephi has taken spot as my favorite animal companion

One of my most anticipated releases this year and Andrea Stewart did not let me down! A great conclusion to the Drowning Empire trilogy. Stewart left no stone unturned and answered every lingering question the reader had, gave us characters that had strong development, and just gave us characters to love and root for. I’m pretty partial to Lin’s and Jovis’ chapters. One, because I’m a Mephi and Thrana fan, and two, their chapters being first person POV really helped get me invested in their characters. Jovis is the lovable Han Solo outlaw character type, as we see him grow from an anti-hero into a proper one. His ending in particular was an emotional one, but very fitting and appropriate. Lin, for me, had the best story arc in this book and I loved following her on this journey. Not to say that Nisong, Phalue, and Rashimi weren’t great because they totally were. Not a dud POV in this book. If you read the first two books in this trilogy, you’ll be very happy with this conclusion. If you haven’t, what are you waiting for?! Highly recommend to fans of more sci-fi fantasy (at least in terms of the magic system), high stakes, A+ world building, and multiple POV.

In terms of narration, I loved this on audio! I plan on revisiting the two books via audio as well now. I think this book is easier to understand through audio since it helps distinguish each character. I would happily listen to these narrators again.

What an ending. Truly something special. This has all the things I loved from each of the previous books, only MORE.

<b>“Power always did have a way of warping those surrounding it.”</b>

There’s complex character development and growth, there’s the reveal of secrets culminating from crumbs Stewart has dropped over all 3 books, epic battle and intrigue, and exciting political scheming and machinations. This truly delivered on all fronts, forcing every character to take a good, hard, long look at themselves. For some that might mean a welcome change or next step, for others it won’t change the path they’re on, but it still forces the reader and audience to acknowledge the circumstances that have made the characters who they are.

“I was a villain. I just hadn’t admitted it yet to myself.”

I was gasping, sweaty, and truly STRESSED at several times throughout as Stewart takes us on an epic journey and battle of wills between 3 conflicting power schemes and parties that I truly wondered how it would all end.

<b>“Maybe no one was a hero. Maybe I’d gotten it wrong from the beginning. Maybe there were only heroic moments and decisions and we all had to keep choosing those as best we could. When we could.”</b>

For Lin, I truly enjoyed seeing her throughout this book as each step forward and giant step back brings her closer and closer to her own realizations. She comes so far from the emperor’s daughter that we see in book 1, that I loved rooting for her, even knowing she’d stumble, and badly, often. Jovis, the dashing and charming liar I have come to love, was really interesting in this book because so much of the bravado and charm he uses as a veneer is stripped at times to almost make him unrecognizable. It was hard to read some of his passages and at other times o truly found myself cooling off on him, and yet I would always be brought back in by the searing and raw kindness beneath. He struggles through trauma and his own identity in this book and although tough, I think it was so needed. This is the kind of character development that you don’t often see, because it forces even the audience to really judge and pick him apart before accepting him back in.

“But I knew, deep down, I’d weighed my life against the lives of the people I’d hurt and not knowing them had made it easier to sway me toward survival.”

The previous side characters, Phalue, Ranami, Nisong, and Ragan all play central roles in the conflicts though some are much stronger than others. For Nisong, I felt this did relaxer her a bit too much to just aiding Ragan. Given her actions in book 2, I found myself constantly expecting more from her and I’m not very keen on the resolution with her in the end. I expected much more of a powerhouse and presence, especially as a female villain of sorts to fight against Lin, but she was just a tool for Ragan to use here, which felt a shame given all she could have done (and did) on her own.

With Ragan, Stewart continues to shine and demonstrate how villains can be shaped and made. There aren’t excuses for Ragan and what he does, but she does give us layers to him and an understanding of his why which I think is so smart and was well executed. Dione was much less present as a third power player, but ultimately I don’t think this is a bad thing as it would have just been too much.

Ranami and Phalue are the power couple of my dreams and I loved how Stewart shifts the focus here to Ranami and her quiet political strength of Phalue’s military and traditional power. There’s a lot of plotical scheming and power brokering that happens and I liked how Stewart included both that and epic magic battles throughout to show different scales of influence and might.

Overall this, and the series as a whole, is incredibly ambitious. The magical world and powers are fairly well explained by the end of this, though there are definitely some open threads to follow should Stewart decide to return to this world (and I hope she does)! For some, it may not be as neat and buttoned up as they want but to me this feels right and would have felt too cheap of an ending to make everything so perfectly explained and polished. Throughout the war we’re told again and again that there’s a cost to every decision, and we see how there are no east answers, there’s no magic bullet to make and remake the world equally, so I think the ending is fitting in giving us hope and a path, thought not yet a reimagined and balanced future.

<I>“It belongs to us. We are the ones who’ve toiled, unseen, building the pieces that make this world work. We deserve a say in how it’s run.”</I>

In case you’re wondering, yes, WE GET MORE OSSALEN!!!! Ossalen are the coolest fucking magical pets and sidekicks and I desperately want my own. These literal killer otter kittens that become giant beasts and more are EVERYTHING. Mephi and Thrana will always hold my heart and truly I would read a novella just from their POVs any day.

Sigh, I’m sad it over, but what an epic journey it was. Perhaps a tiny bit too long at parts, I still enjoyed all of this, absolutely glued to the pages. I can’t recommend this series enough— it’s smart, it’s riveting, it’s fantastical. The audiobook was also especially well done by 3 amazing narrators to bring Lin, Ranami, and Jovis to life brilliantly. That you Macmillan for my ALC and orbit for my galley!

One of my most anticipated reads of the year and it absolutely it did not disappoint!

What an absolutely wonderful conclusion to this series. There were quite a few moments where I had to pause the audio and regroup (or shout nonsense at my partner about the book) before going on. I'd love to know more about the magic system in the world; the author included exactly as much information as the story needed and left the rest a mystery. That isn't a criticism though. The story would have been bogged down by more, but I'd absolutely read a companion novel that delved deeper into those mysteries.

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! What an ending to the trilogy! I felt like this started off a bit rocky and jumped 2 years from where the second book ended, but then it got going and kept you on the edge of your seat the whole rest of the book.

I cannot believe how amazing this whole series was and I cannot recommend it enough!

I really wanted this book to completely blow me away, and while it may not have been a hurricane, it was at least a pretty breezy day.

I kind of forgot what had happened at the end of the previous book, so the two year time jump was a bit of a shock for me (my fault for not being better prepared, not the author's). And oh, how I missed Jovis and Mephi. Yes, everyone else too, but those two especially.

I won't give too many spoilers, but from here on out, please tread cautiously if you don't want anything potentially ruined for you.

One thing I wish we had more story building on were the magical waters. We get a very quick explanation, but I want to know HOW these waters stole memories and HOW they were able to be bottled up to become memory potions. I WANT TO KNOW!

Second... I get why Stewart did what she did to Jovis. I understand the character arc. BUT TO MAKE HIM FORGET EVERYTHING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO HIM?? UNCALLED FOR!! (I will say that I was ready to give this book 2 stars after thinking she had broken his bond with Mephi for good but when she fixed it, I gave it back it's original 4 star rating.)

Lin is my idol, because she isn't perfect but she wants to do good. Ranami was an amazing leader, even if she wasn't a soldier. Nisong... had her moments. Dione was a boring antihero. Phalue was a bamf. Ragan was a little bitch. And that's all you need. to know.

Overall, a decent conclusion to this series. I was pleasantly content.

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WHAT A CONCLUSION!

Additionally props to Natalie Naudus who is one of my favorite narrators for a truly outstanding performance.
I have nothing other than spectacular things to say regarding The Bone Shard War other than the fact that my heart is crushed that this series has finally come to an end.

I felt an entire range of emotions throughout not only this final book but through the entire series. It's spectacularly written, you are wholeheartedly invested in the characters and their story, regardless of their flaws and struggles. I would give this series SIX STARS if I possibly could. I cannot wait to see what else Andrea Stewart as up her sleeve! I certainly will be first in line to read her later works! 6/5 stars. magnificent.

Hoo boy!! When I tell you that I have been waiting to read this since I finished the second book? I MEAN IT. I was absolutely thrilled to get to review a copy of the ARC for this, because the tension I felt waiting for the final book in this trilogy was overwhelming me.

So was it worth the wait?

In a word: YES.

In more detail:

This book continued doing what Andrea Stewart did really well with the the first two books in the series. It fleshed out an extremely unique magic system and world through the POV’s of a wide cast of characters. The primary conflict, between humans, bone shard constructs, and Alanga is thought provoking. Even more so because of the differences between the characters who narrate for us.

The more personal storylines we’ve been following accord the trilogy also march forward. One of the things I love about this series is how well we come to understand each of the main characters and their motivations and desires, it makes it easy throughout to empathize and root for Lin, Jovis, Ranami, Phalue and even in her own way Sand. Having that connection to them makes the culmination of each of their arcs so much more impactful and I was, personally, happy with where everyone ended up

The culmination of the trilogy was packed with action scenes, wrapped up a lot of loose ended mysteries and I enjoyed every minute of it!

As for the audio performance I have few complaints, a few pronunciation differences between narrators but overall I thought all three did a great job! 9/10!

I cannot believe the Drowning Empire trilogy is over, and I'm so excited that I got to end it with the audiobook. I'd heard the full cast was phenomenal for this audiobook, and y'all they delivered! The narrators alone made this book so dynamic.

Now as a mini recap to my feelings for this trilogy—I adored The Bone Shard Daughter, but I was slightly disappointed coming out of The Bone Shard Emperor. It felt very second book syndrome to me with a slower plot and pacing, so all of my hopes were resting at the feet of this finale, and it MOSTLY delivered. There's some plot decisions that felt unlike the characters I have come to know, but arguably that's because of the two year time jump going into The Bone Shard War. I kept reminding myself that a lot of the characters changed due to the passage of time, but it's a hard reminder to remember when you feel disconnected to your favorite characters. This decision is basically why my rating is a four star because it ultimately affected the entirety of the story.

The shining light of this finale was that Ranami and Phalue got more screen time than The Bone Shard Emperor! I missed my two wives sooo much, and while they are separated for a majority of this story, I could not get enough of their pining to get back to one another. Ayesh and Shark also just made me smile relentlessly. I wish we could've seen the start to their blossoming bond, but it was fantastic to see Ayesh begin to come into her own, particularly through her deep loyalty for her mothers. Ranami and Ayesh had such a tumultuous relationship in the previous book, so getting to see them as mother and daughter warmed my soul. They had to survive without Phalue, and it certainly put them through the ringer. Honestly, Ranami was probably my favorite POV. I find myself drawn to characters without powers/ no fighting abilities because they have to use their empathy, intelligence or whatever other trait to survive.

While Lin is the core lead (alongside Jovis), this book did not feel like hers. She felt more like a background/side character, which is weird to say considering the fact that she has tons of chapters, definitely more than Phalue or Ranami. Her chapters pretty much blended together into fighting Dion/the Shardless Few or Ragan/Nisong. She was 75% on the water too. All of her substantial character growth happened in The Bone Shard Emperor, in my opinion, so she was basically just protecting the empire as much as she could. Lin does make a couple decisions that the version of her two years ago would've never made, but again, I think the sudden change is due to the elapsed two years via time jump. Thrana was just a soothing balm to my soul because she's always protecting Lin. The moments where Thrana urges Phalue to be more empathetic to Lin were among some of my favorite scenes because, of course, a creature would get through to a person rather than an actual human being.

Now Jovis... probably my most controversial opinion. While I understand the arc of his story, specifically the one told through this finale, it felt unnecessary at the same time. Was I stressed to the max for him? Yes. Did his chapters leave me cringing in sympathy? Yes. But I think if him being controlled by bone shard magic against his will was the trajectory of his story... it needed to have happened to him back in The Bone Shard Emperor. It felt very sudden for all of this change to his character to occur only within the finale book. He had tons of growth throughout the first two books, and to have his character essentially decimated beyond his control is something I'm still trying to come to terms with. Everything about his journey was further upsetting when the final scene happens with him. After everything(!), he loses his memories of basically the entire trilogy?? I know a couple memories slink through his mind by the time the epilogue rolls around, but everything about his character felt purposeless. And maybe that was the point.

I probably speak for everyone when I say that Mephi losing Jovis was truly one of the hardest things to read. I've always championed the relationship between these two, and after losing my own soul kitty in December, this moment hit even harder. Jovis needed that redemption for himself, but all I could hear were Mephi's screams following him right at his heels.

The most surprising part of this book rested with Nisong. I was curious what would happen to her arc now that all her friends are dead. Of course, she had to be tied to Ragan. Literally despise him with my entire heart and soul. I went from enjoying her chapters the most in The Bone Shard Daughter to wanting to throttle her in The Bone Shard Emperor and The Bone Shard War. Nisong is completely lost at the start of this finale, and she stays that way for a long time, basically until the big battle at the end. Her connection to Loezhi (idk if I'm spelling that right) made her POV worth every second because her other moments being intimate with Ragan certainly left me gagging. She's the most imperfect of all the leads, in my opinion, so her arc was the most beautiful. She lost everything, even her sense of self, but it was through the bond between her and Loezhi that Nisong rediscovered her old self from the early pages of The Bone Shard Daughter. The return of Sand was unexpected but perfect.

Moving onto the reveals, I was stunned to learn the truth about the sinking islands. Andrea Stewart certainly pulled the hood over my head with that one. It seems so obvious in retrospect but also not at the same time?? I still have eons worth of questions about the particular mechanics of this magic system. I definitely think more detail could've been given when we go down into that cavern in the climax scene because I just don't feel I have quite the understand that I'd like. Maybe I'll have to reread it again when I get my finished copy. Overall, I wish the Alanga, ossalen, and island lore were detailed more in the previous books because it felt akin to whiplash to learn all of these reveals in only one book.

Overall, I am content with where this trilogy ended. I know I nitpicked quite a bit, but I do so with love for these characters and this world. I'm so excited to see where Andrea goes next with her writing because if this was the start then... Wow, I'm impressed.

Thank you Orbit Books and NetGalley for the ARC audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The three narrators of this book make it so dynamic and entertaining, each of them able to give each characters a different voice and make the characters seem unique. The performance and the experience that the narrators bring to the table make for a really fun and engaging audiobook experience, and the story itself was really well done too; concluding the series in an all hell breaks loose race against the clock situation.

Great finale to the trilogy. Stewart ends on a satisfying note that draws all the loose threads together. I especially enjoyed the magic system which had a Robert Jckson Bennet Foundryside flavour to it.

First half of this book was a bit repetitive but the payoff was worth it in the second half, which I couldn't stop listening to. Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion of the trilogy.
Audiobook was fantastic.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.