The Bone Shard Daughter

The first book in the Sunday Times bestselling Drowning Empire series

By: Andrea Stewart

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller, Feodor Chin, Natalie Naudus

'One of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time...This book is truly special' Sarah J. Maas

'Epic fantasy at its most human and heartfelt . . . inventive, adventurous and wonderfully written' Alix E. Harrow

'Brilliant world-building, deep intrigue and incredible heart' Megan E. O'Keefe

The Sukai Dynasty has ruled the Phoenix Empire for over a century, their mastery of bone shard magic powering the monstrous constructs that maintain law and order. But now the emperor's rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire's many islands.

Lin is the Emperor's daughter, but a mysterious illness has stolen her childhood memories and her status as heir to the empire. Trapped in a palace of locked doors and old secrets, Lin vows to reclaim her birthright by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic.

But the mysteries behind such power are dark and deep, and wielding her family's magic carries a great cost. When the revolution reaches the gates of the palace itself, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her throne - and save her people.

The Bone Shard Daughter is an unmissable fantasy debut for 2020 - a captivating tale of magic, revolution and mystery, where a young woman's sense of identity will make or break an empire.

'A bold, ambitious debut' M. R. Carey

'Utterly absorbing. I adored it' Emily A. Duncan

'A triumph. Memorable characters and bone-chilling secrets that keep you turning the pages' K. S. Villoso

'Begins with a spark of intrigue that ignites into a thrilling adventure' Hafsah Faizal

'Intricate and expansive, incisive and thoughtful - a complex web of political and personal intrigue' Kerstin Hall

'A thoroughly fantastic read and I eagerly await the sequel' Kevin Hearne

'Groundbreaking epic fantasy for a new age' Tasha Suri

©2020 Andrea Stewart

Critic reviews

The Bone Shard Daughter is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time. With stunningly intricate world-building that leaps off the page and characters who are so vibrant that you wish they were real, it grabs you by the heart and the throat from the first pages and doesn't let go until long after it's over. This book is truly special

As the narrative gains pace and change sweeps the islands, Stewart skilfully orchestrates her diverse cast towards a satisfyingly gripping climax

The Bone Shard Daughter is epic fantasy at its most human and heartfelt, concerned with the real lives caught in the gears of empire and rebellion. Inventive, adventurous, and wonderfully written (Alix E. Harrow)

A complex and dark tapestry of a fantasy woven through with brilliant world-building, deep intrigue, and incredible heart (Megan E. O'Keefe)

The Bone Shard Daughter begins with a spark of intrigue that ignites into a thrilling adventure you cannot miss - with a unique (and painful!) magic system to boot

Action-packed, must-read epic fantasy . . . One of the best debut fantasy novels of the year

A rich and rewarding novel, original and thought-provoking, and I didn't want it to end

There's a bold, ambitious imagination at work here - and this is a world you'll want to linger in

The Bone Shard Daughter seized my attention and wouldn't let go. It's a thoroughly fantastic read and I eagerly await the sequel

A grand, ingenious and sweeping tale of power, magic and heart, The Bone Shard Daughter is groundbreaking epic fantasy for a new age'

An unforgettable tale of magic and intrigue, and the start of a fascinating trilogy

Richly told, emotional, [and] action-laced

I couldn't put Andrea Stewart's BONE SHARD DAUGHTER down. A kaleidoscopic cast, a fascinating world, captivating magic and enthralling politics -- I'm already looking forward to the next book! Meantime, I can't stop thinking about this one. A fantastic adventure

Stewart has drawn a fascinating world with characters who have deep foundations, and who will quickly capture readers' hearts . . . Stewart's debut is sharp and compelling. It will hook readers in and make them fiercely anticipate the rest of the series

This brilliant fantasy debut has announced Andrea Stewart as quite possibly the best newcomer of the year

There is a fantastic cast of characters, a compelling plot, a unique magic system and a vividly written world. I cannot wait to see what is going to happen next... This will definitely be on my favourite books of 2020 list and will probably be my favourite fantasy debut of the year

THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER is full of atmospheric delights: a spooky palace full of locked doors and awful secrets! Wonderful characters struggling with hard choices! Intriguing worldbuilding! An endearing yet mysterious animal companion! Profoundly creepy bone shard magic! This is a fantastic read well worth your time. I can't wait for the sequel!

Amazing Fantasy Debut!

I loved this book!!

The bone magic, multiple POV, politics & characters were well done. I cannot wait until book 2.

Original story ! finally

the narrator was good and fluent, I liked her voice. the story was new to me it wasn't original finally something that actually flowed, had a good beginning a middle and then a twist and an end I liked it I actually did not see it coming till the very end and I'm 49 years old so it wasn't childish. I highly recommend it.

unique premise

I really enjoyed this book. Alternate viewpoints added to the drama. want more of this story, hope there is a sequel.

Can’t wait for a sequel!

Excellent story, imaginative, well paced. Great characters and the reading was superb. I’m hoping there is a sequel.

Such a Great Book!

This was so much more sophisticated than the description led me to believe. The story is told from the perspective of four different characters, each of which having stories that are seemingly unrelated. However, as the story progresses, the threads slowly start to intermingle and the reader gains insights into all the mysteries of this world. The characters themselves are also wonderfully constructed. I think my favorite was actually Jovis, whom I don't think the description even mentions. Rounding out the awesomeness is the narrator, who is pleasant to listen to and quite competent. This is definitely worth a listen.