Series: The Drowning Empire #1
Published by Orbit on September 8, 2020
Genres: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 448
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“Father told me I’m broken.”
From the first line, Andrea Stewart hooked me with her beautiful writing and way of bringing the characters to life on the page.
The emperor possesses a unique bone shard magic that he uses to create constructs—unnatural, sometimes monstrous creatures—and maintain control over the islands that make up his empire. His hold over his empire has been weakening, however. Whispers of revolution flicker across the islands. People believe that the Alanga, the enemy, are long dead or gone. Seeking to protect her country, Lin, the emperor’s daughter, strives to earn her father’s approval while secretly trying to recover her lost memories and master bone shard magic.
Elsewhere, Jovis, smuggler extraordinaire, searches for a mysterious boat that he knows only through rumors and a brief glimpse years past. Along the way, he picks up a strange sea creature and an unexpected reputation. Through his character, Stewart reveals snapshots, on multiple islands, of the people’s everyday lives and struggles under the emperor’s regime. She explores also the effects of loss and grief. Tagging along with Jovis is my favorite side character, Mephi: an adorable, intelligent, fiercely loyal animal companion.
On another island, the (f/f) romance between Phalue and Ranami explores the difficulties of crossing class divides in a committed relationship. While two people may love each other, and while we may wish for them to peacefully achieve happiness, their upbringing would realistically result in differing worldviews. Although Phalue tries to understand Ranami and her fight for the working-class people, Phalue has lived a privileged life, and she can’t imagine a world where hard work alone cannot better a person’s life. I appreciate how, in spite of her initial lack of clarity, Phalue makes a sincere effort to understand Ranami. Phalue genuinely desires to do right by her lover and her people, even if her belief in her duty wars with her filial piety to her father.
In total, The Bone Shard Daughter features five POV characters. Among the main characters, Lin and Jovis’s POVs are told in the first person, Phalue and Ranami’s POVs are told in the third person. The POV of Sand, a side character, is also told in the third person. Each chapter is titled with the POV character followed by the character’s location, which helped immensely since the POV characters are scattered across the various islands, and at least one character moves around islands.
The Bone Shard Daughter promises to be my favorite fantasy debut of 2020. The characters come to life on the pages with all of their hurt and struggles, joy and hard-earned victories. While this novel features few battle scenes, the characters’ conflicts (with, to name a few, family, identity, love, and duty), and the intrigue surrounding them, drive the plot forward, faster and faster as worlds collide and (seriously) shocking revelations come to light. I couldn’t put this book down.
Content Rating: PG-13
View Spoiler »Bias Notes
As an Asian, I’m predisposed to liking books that feature an Asian-inspired world and characters. Some elements I could relate to: making dumplings, the strict parent, the concept of social duty, the conflict between filial piety and self identity.
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Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts says
Ooooo multiple POVs is tricky sometimes and can get confusing really quickly especially with five of them, but I’m glad having the location of the characters helps a lot especially with following the story without confusion. This one definitely sounds like its up my alley though, and do I see making dumplings as part of the story? (I love a good dumpling.)
Crystal (Kester) says
Yeah, multiple POVs can be tricky. I think Andrea Stewart did a great job with The Bone Shard Daughter. And YES! There is a scene where characters make dumplings. I love a good dumpling too 🙂
Lindsi says
This sounds excellent! I just added it to my TBR! 🙂
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Crystal (Kester) says
It’s fantastic! I hope you enjoy The Bone Shard Daughter!