I really enjoyed this series, I'm surprised I don't hear it talked about more! This third instalment was strong and satisfying. I'm very happy the author took the time in book two to really let us get to know the characters, it payed off in this book and led to several moments that were quite emotional for me. Other than the cool bone shard magic, I really appreciated that the author developed the side characters so well. They all felt complex and dynamic - they are unique, each have their flaws and struggles and I couldn't help but root for them to triumph (well most of them lol)!

All in all a great series that blends action, magic, political intrigue and romance wonderfully.

Content warnings: animal death, death, blood, violence, war, murder, sexual content.

A huge thanks to Hachette Audio, Orbit and Netgalley for the ARC for review. All opinions are my own.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook through NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this series, and each book is strong and has a satisfying ending. This book is no exception. The author created a fascinating world and magic system. I love how all the details came together, turning unrelated mysteries into something that made complete sense.

I especially loved Mephi (I had a cat named Mephi, short for Mephistopheles, when I was a kid, and it was almost as though Andrea Stewart brought him to life on the pages. If my Mephi could have talked, he would have sounded just as irreverent as the one Ms. Stewart wrote.)

I enjoyed Jovis's story. He was such a wonderfully flawed hero, and the parts where he grappled with human frailties while also trying to be heroic were very well done. I loved the conclusion he drew regarding heroic moments.

Nisong was the perfect example of an abused woman who finds inner strength and the courage to move forward. I particularly enjoyed her arc in this final book, and I especially liked the part where she literally confronted her past, face-to-face, and triumphed.

The characters in this book were rich and dynamic, with fascinating histories that shaped them, and those histories made their choices throughout the book rational and understandable. I loved the introspection/self-reflection as each person grappled with their decisions.

Thank you, too, for leaving the ending of the book on a hopeful note. I won't go into detail here since I don't want to leave spoilers, but suffice it to so, I was satisfied.

I loved, loved, loved this series and the final installment did not disappoint. My only complaint is that I can't live in the world that Stewart created longer.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

First I would just like to say how excited I was to get a copy! The first two books were two of my favorites of 2022, and the third was definitely bittersweet for me. It was bitter because the series is now over and I wanted to live in the world for a little bit longer. Sweet because it was such a good ending! I found it to be a perfect blend of politics, romance and action.

Very much enjoyed this entire series :)

Thank you netgalley and Orbit for the advanced audio copy of this book!

I loved this and I loved the narrators. A really great job done distinguishing each character's emotions and personalities!

The last book in the Drowning Empire series really brought everything together but it took a long time to get there.

All of our characters get separated at the end of book 2 and their singular adventures seemed very slow moving. It took me until around the 60% point to get really invested in the book.

With that said, the ending really got me. It was wonderful and I thought it was well thought out. As a first series done by Andrea Stewart, I thought it was very well done and will continue to recommend this series. I could see this being even better on reread.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Out April 18, 2023.

I've just finished listening to an audiobook of The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me access to it. I'm very glad it happened because it's been a long time since I've read the first part of this series and I'm really happy that getting the audiobook motivated me to continue and finish the series. I've liked both the second and the third part better than the first one.

I won't really dive very deep into the review here as I wouldn't want to spoil anything for people that haven't read the previous two yet, but I feel like the characters got deeper, we had also growth (not only in size!) of the animal companions and a few reveals that tied the whole world together nicely. The action felt a bit too drawn out sometimes and that's the reason it wasn't a full 5 star read for me- it was pretty long and I feel like some parts could have been a bit shorter. That being said, I feel like everything that happened made sense with the history of people and politics here, we also dove a bit deeper into themes of recovering from trauma and ways in which the past can shape us. I liked different kinds of relations we've seen in the series and I loved that the ending, while tying everything nicely, wasn't sickly sweet- it can sometimes feel forced when I read many pages of troubles but in the end everything is great as if nothing has happened.

I recommend trying out the series- the first part was the weakest for me personally and it got much better afterward. The magic system is really interesting, and again- animal companions! Who doesn't love them?

This was a decent book, but a kinda disappointing finale to the trilogy.

I was pretty engaged the whole time and I still cared about all of the characters, but it felt a bit repetitive and seemed like it tried to be heartbreaking but fell a little short. This book picks up two years after the events of the Bone Shard War, and I think I would've been a lot more into this book if it had picked up right after the Bone Shard War.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The entire series was a captivating journey from start to finish. While the conclusion left me with some lingering questions, the overall experience was undeniably enjoyable. The intricate characters and inventive magic system were undoubtedly the highlights of this trilogy, keeping me fully engaged even during moments where the plot may have been a little slow or disjointed.

The author demonstrated a remarkable ability to weave complex and multilayered characters that evolved significantly throughout the series. The protagonist's transformation was particularly noteworthy, as the author deftly navigated their personal growth in a way that felt authentic and natural. The nuanced relationships between the characters added an extra layer of depth to the story, making it feel like I was truly invested in their lives.

The magic system was equally captivating, offering a fresh and innovative take on the genre. The rules of the magic were well-defined, yet flexible enough to keep me intrigued as I learned more about the system throughout the trilogy. The way the characters interacted with the magic felt believable, and I appreciated how the author utilized the magic system to further the plot and create tension.

While the plot may have been a little slow and choppy at times, the exceptional character development and imaginative magic system more than made up for it. As a fantasy lover myself, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a captivating read that will transport them to a world unlike any other.

An EPIC fantasy series! This is my FAVORITE fantasy series. I am in awe of how this series came together. There was mystery, an intriguing, unique magic system, rebellion, multiple POVs, and bonding creatures you’d sell your soul to protect. So much action and magic!! I haven’t read anything like this. I only loved each book more as the series went on. I am sad for it to be over. The audio book was great! I loved the narrators. I can’t wait to see what Andrea comes up with next! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen in exchange for a review!!!

I have read the first two books of The Drowning Empire in the last two months, so I was so happy to get the audiobook of The Bone Shard War on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
 
The book starts off two years after the ending of the second one and finally concludes all that has been built up and gives us almost all the answers we had.
 
I really liked how the characters in the series, specifically the main character, have a lot of responsibilities: they don't just follow their goals but after certain things happen they actually stop and recalculate if it was the necessary path to take or if it all could have been resolved in another way.
This made all of their choices and thoughts a lot more believable and it made them grow, as they realized they might have been losing focus on what was really important or when they realise they might've been wrong all along.
 
I also really liked the setting and how, despite it beeing not so vast, it plays a role in the story.
The key to the series to me is the magic system:
Althogh I was struggling to understand how it could all make sense; I am happy to say now I know how it all it works and I really like how everything was connected.
 
Overall, I really liked this last installment although it's probably my least favourite of the series (but that is only because this one is the most action packed).

An astounding ending to a phenomenal series. The series takes the higher stakes to win the throne.

I do love how Stewart manipulates every turn events and established a solid ground to each characters.

No waste for every characters. Stewart managed to make it a holistic story for each character.

The Drowning Empire is another great addition to the fantasy world. Can't wait for another books by Ms. Stewart!

I feel I need to read these books again as I loved this stories and I'm not read to leave the Drowning Empire and say goodbye to the characters.
This is the excellent closure of an excellent and epic series, an entertaining and riveting read.
The storytelling and the plot kept me hooked and the audiobook made it an immersive experience.
I love the narrator who did an excellent job
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart is EVERYTHING! I read the first book a few weeks ago, it had been on my TBR and I owned a copy and wish I'd read it sooner because it is officially one of my favorite books. The entire Drowning Empire series is heart-poundingly AMAZING! The prose, the plot points, the storylines, the action, and the relationships are all soooooo good! This latest installment, The Bone Shard War... I mean.... way to wrap up a trilogy! I'm officially an Andrea Stewart fan girl. And the covers are just gorgeous! Also, the audio quality and narrator were perfect!

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The first book in this series is one of my favourite fantasy debuts so I’ve been dying to see how this trilogy would wrap up.

I enjoyed turning to this world and spending more time with the characters. Like the second book, this third one is heavily relationship focused in a way that I found frustrating.

I think the challenge of this trilogy is that the first book almost worked too well as a standalone. For that reason, the second book created inter relationship turmoil in order to predictably resolve it in book three. I felt like the main resolution of the trilogy could have simply worked in an epilogue, which made the climax feel rather underwhelming.

I would still highly recommend the first book in this series, The Bone Shard Daughter, but I will admit I have mixed feelings towards the sequels.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This wasn’t really my style. I thought the pacing was really great and the story was really well done and well developed, but it didn’t fall into my taste. I think it’s definitely for people who like lord of the rings, game of throne, V.E Schwab and Brandon Sanderson books. I really enjoyed getting to know the multitude of characters and how each progressed, but I’m not the target audience for this book.

Lin was a really strong female character and her grasp on her own power is slipping. I enjoyed getting to know her character more deeply and how her strength grew overtime.

But overall, I did finish the series for the sake of the plot, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of the number of voices. I did liked the style, pacing and plot of the book. I believe it would appeal to many many other people, who likes a more political fantasy with the likes of the authors mentioned above.

Andrea Stewart has done it again and wrote another amazing book. This finale to the trilogy was so enjoyable to read even when I wanted to scream or cry because of what was happening in the story. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of this book, but now I am so disappointed that it's over. I want to read more in this world. Since I read a combination of the ebook and the audio book, I have to say that Emily Woo Zeller is one of my absolute favorite audiobook narrators, she really knocks it out of the park every single time.

The Bone Shard War is the triumphant conclusion to The Drowning Empire trilogy. In a world once built on a strong and unforgiving empire, a revolution against Lin simmers as she attempts to pick up the broken pieces of government that her father left her. Lin, Jovis, and their enemies will be forced to make impossible decisions and choose how much they will sacrifice for the empire.

The ossalens (especially Mephi) were one of my favorite parts!! Throughout the series, they were both the fantastic animal companions that everyone wishes they had growing up and still integral to the plot. I absolutely loved Jovis and Lin’s relationship; I felt unable to look away! Both of them have grown so much throughout the series, it was so satisfying to see them fight for what they believe in and decide what matters most.

It is not easy to sustain pacing and unfurl story threads at the exact right moment throughout an entire trilogy- yet Andrea Stewart does it gracefully. I was so invested in the stories being told, the intricate magic system, and poignant prose. The magic system is complex and shifts as the characters learn more about the roots behind the magic. I love the queer rep and Phalue & Ranami’s beautiful relationship. Stewart expertly depicts the emotions of her characters, so you’ll feel that you’re there with them as they make heartbreaking choices.

I listened to the audiobook and it was spectacular. There are three narrators who are all excellent at embodying the characters that they voice. The audio always pulled me deeply into the story and I found it hard to stop listening once I started!

The Bone Shard War is the perfect book (and trilogy) for readers who enjoy Fonda Lee (Jade City), Leigh Bardugo (Shadow & Bone), Jenn Lyons (A Chorus of Dragons), and Amélie Wen Zhao (Song of Silver, Flame Like Night). Readers who enjoy complex politics, intricate magic systems, and adorable animal companions must read this book! I would highly recommend this trilogy, either in book format or via the audiobook. Or, why not both? I can’t wait to read whatever Andrea Stewart writes next!!

The Bone Shard War releases April 18, 2023. Thank you so much to Andrea Stewart, Orbit Books, Hachette Audio, and Netgalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

Check me out on Instagram @books_boards_and_brews

Bone Shard War (The Drowning Empire #3)
Written by Andrea Stewart
Read by Natalie Naudus, Feodor Chin, and Emily Woo Zeller
Book 88/200
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 624
Published: 2023
Rating: 9.5/10

Back-Cover Blurb:
With the help of the Shardless Few, Jovis and Lin have defeated the construct army and the treacherous Ragan. But not all alliances are easy. The leader of the Shardless Few has debts to pay and a world to make over. And this new world does not need or want an Emperor.
But this is not the only thing to threaten the fragile peace. Now that fewer people are undergoing the Tithing Festival, the Alanga are returning, and not all of them are peaceful. While Jovis and Lin find allies in unlikely places, other Alanga begin to choose sides–and many are none too happy with the current regime or with the commoners.
With enemies on all sides, Empress Lin must decide if she should follow in the destructive steps of her forebears to save the Empire's citizens and bring peace.

Stewart delivers on the conclusion to the epic Drowning Empire Trilogy! The Drowning Empire cements itself as one of my favorite fantasy trilogies. Stewart packs this book full of intense action, heartfelt character interactions, and intrigue that makes Bone Shard War un-put-down-able.

Stewart's character work is next level throughout this entire series. At this point, we've been on a journey with Lin, Jovis, Ranami, and Phalue for three books and the character endings were both heart-breaking and heart-warming. This is such an great and satisfying series, I am sure that I will be reading it again before long.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the eArc and eArc Audiobook.

The Bone Shard War was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, and it delivered. The Book starts two years after the events of the Bone Shard Emperor. The audiobook of these series is fantastic, the narrators are the same as the first two books in the series and i am so grateful for that.

I adored the first two books in the series, and rereading them before starting the third was truly a joy. This world is woven together so beautifully and the characters are flawed but full of heart.

The Story was:
Well paced, there was not any lulls in the story.
The Ossalens are wholesome, loveable, and Mephi is the best
Ranami & Phalue's Story arch and growth was *chef's kiss*

If you are looking for a high fantasy / Sci fi book pick up the drowning empire