The Bone Shard Emperor

By: Andrea Stewart

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

In this action-packed magical fantasy epic, a heroine at the head of a powerful empire confronts a raging battle as she’s forced to do whatever it takes to restore peace.

The Emperor is Dead. Long live the Emperor.

Lin Sukai finally sits on the throne she won at so much cost, but her struggles are only just beginning. Her people don’t trust her. Her political alliances are weak. And in the north-east of the Empire, a rebel army of constructs is gathering, its leader determined to take the throne by force.

Yet an even greater threat is on the horizon, for the Alanga–the powerful magicians of legend–have returned to the Empire. They claim they come in peace, and Lin will need their help in order to defeat the rebels and restore peace.

But can she trust them?

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."—New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas on The Bone Shard Daughter

"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, author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January, on The Bone Shard Daughter

"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."—Booklist on The Bone Shard Daughter

"Stewart gives us eerie, grungy bone magic that permeates through every layer of a fascinating and dangerous world. Strange monsters--some friendly, most not--unsettling rituals, and a cast of wonderful characters trying to fix a world on the brink of shattering, The Bone Shard Daughter is utterly absorbing. I adored it."—Emily Duncan, NYT bestselling author of Wicked Saints, on The Bone Shard Daughter

"There's a bold, ambitious imagination at work here - and this is a world you'll want to linger in."—M. R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts, on The Bone Shard Daughter

"A triumph of fantasy and science fiction populated with memorable characters and bone-chilling secrets that keep you turning the pages."—K. S. Villoso, author of The Wolf of Oren-Yaro, on The Bone Shard Daughter

"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."—Hafsah Faizal, NYT bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame, on The Bone Shard Daughter

"Stewart etches this story into your heart, filling it with everything I love about fantasy: a well-realized world, dark magic that challenges your presumptions, and deep questions about identity. Highly recommended."—Marshall Ryan Maresca, author of The Maradaine Saga, on The Bone Shard Daughter

"The Bone Shard Daughter is intricate and expansive, incisive and thoughtful -- a complex web of political and personal intrigue spun around questions of privilege, duty, and love. Stewart's debut is bound to have fantasy readers clamoring for the next installment."—Kerstin Hall, author of The Border Keeper, on The Bone Shard Daughter

the tenor flipped

in the first book, I liked almost all the characters, in the second book, I disliked almost all of the characters ... I hope that the third books allows me to settle their personalities, with comfort

Even better

The first book was solid. This was masterful. Every turn was gripping, every resolution satisfying, the mysteries left still very mysterious. I was especially delighted to see Lin's improvement as a character - much more well defined and relatable in her new role.

a journey i can't wait to continue

incredible storytelling, complex characters, and a unique performance. looking forward to more from the drowning empire.

This world is amazing!!!

The magic system is the best I’ve read in fantasy lately!! This is one of the best series I’ve read so far!!

Mostly Good

I would have given this five stars like the first one, but the author committed the mortal sin of forcing characters to behave contrary to their nature for the sake of the plot. Please see more or less all of Jovis's actions in the first half of this book in comparison to how he felt (especially about the Shardless Few) at the end of the last book for the prime example. All said, though, once you swallow the bad taste, the book is exciting and thoughtful. My favorite aspect is the conflict between all the things that gives a person their identity and how that identity affects the way people view them. And poor Linn, who is so many different things at once that she doesn't fit anywhere. If there is another book in the series, I hope things go well for her.

Grate

This book started out a little bit slow but it got better as it went on. I’ve always liked Lynn and Jovis from the beginning. The constructs remind me of a zombie apocalypse. Lynn also finds out that there are more Alanga popping up then she thought.

Excellent Sequel!

Bone Shard Daughter was great, and this was a great sequel. Obviously there's another, I can't wait!

Incredible beginning to a wonderful trilogy!

This first book had me hooked! What a unique Magic system and colorful world! I love discovering the secrets of the world along with the characters. Can’t recommend enough!

Can we get the third book please?

I would love to just erase my memories and start this book all over again. I am enamored by these characters and wish that I could live in this beautiful world.

I did not want it to end.

When a book is able to transport me to a time and place so well defined and imagined, I consider it a success. When that same book has me so involved with the characters and on the edge of my seat anticipating the conclusion of the story it is doubly successful. Now however, I am forced to patiently await the next book in the sequence. As soon as it is announced, I will preorder it.