The Bone Shard Daughter

The Drowning Empire, Book 1

By: Andrea Stewart

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

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2020 Andrea Stewart (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"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)

Amazing Fantasy Debut!

I loved this book!!

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

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.

Masterful

Probably the most delicious thing about this novel is it’s skillful use of point-of-view. The alternating protagonists have very different agendas and, at least at times, hold diametrically opposed ethical views. When the reader is in the head of any one of them, that character’s particular views seem entirely correct, and the others’ flawed.

Normally I don’t compliment worldbuilding, as I think of it as a technical exercise. But the world here is so delightfully weird, with so many horrifying, mysterious, and wacky aspects, that I couldn’t help chortling over it.

There is also love, adventure, all-too-familiar political struggle, emergence from privilege into social consciousness, the struggle between the personal and the social, exciting combat, superheroes, and even an evil quasi-Frankenstein. What a treat!

meh

the voice performance was ok. lots of constant excitement or constant apprehension regardless of whats going on. plot was ok I guess. the journeys of each character seemed only remotely related.