Review: The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

I’ve sat on this review for months, and I always enjoy revisiting my thoughts on a book I haven’t read in a while. I gave The Bone Shard Daughter a raving 5 star rating after the Wyrd and Wonder read-along wayyy back in 2021. I returned to the series in 2023 when I started listening to the audiobook version of The Bone Shard Emperor during my long drives to visit home in the fall. Andrea Stewart’s Drowning Empire series has a lot to offer in terms of worldbuilding, political conflict, and mystery, that makes it a very fun series to talk about so I’m happy to finally be sharing my thoughts!

*This review contains minor spoilers for The Bone Shard Emperor. Please note the start and end of spoilery sections! *

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Blurb

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?

Review

• Format: audiobook
• Pacing: medium
• Plot or character-driven: plot
• Multiple POVs: yes
• Representation: sapphic couple/main characters

Style and Tone

After more than a year, I’ve finally come back around to read the second book in The Drowning Empire series, The Bone Shard Emperor. Lin has ascended to the throne and in an attempt to win the favor of the empire’s people, she appointed Jovis as her captain of the guard. Little does she know that Jovis already owes his loyalty to those who oppose her rule. Meanwhile, Phalue and Ranami have succeeded in taking control of their island. As Lin and Phalue attempt to right the wrongs of their fathers, other powers rise to claim the empire.

The Drowning Empire series continues to be driven by mystery and many intertwining stories. I was so excited to see many of the questions I had after the first book answered in The Bone Shard Emperor. However, the conclusion to this installment left me disappointed. I felt that the climax of this story fell flat compared to the long buildup of tension between characters.

*Spoilers*

At the end of The Bone Shard Daughter, we learn that “Sand” is a reincarnation of Nisong. She is then built up to be a cunning and ruthless enemy who Lin will have to face. Only, Nisong is overshadowed at the last minute when another more unpredictable and powerful villain is revealed. While I loved the vast, entwining stories of the first book, I feel the Bone Shard Emperor took it too far and derailed the story. I was left unsatisfied by the anticlimactic end to Nisong’s campaign. Based on Nisong and Lin’s narration throughout the story, I fully expected them to have a final deadly confrontation, but Nisong is set aside for a stronger villain who lacks the compelling backstory and motivation that made Nisong so interesting.

*End Spoilers*

Although The Bone Shard Emperor didn’t live up to my expectations, there were still pieces of it that I enjoyed. In this book, we finally get to see how each of the different POVs connect, making the story feel more cohesive. Phalue and Ranami’s perspectives were much more interesting as they worked to improve their island while facing impending war. After Ranami left the Shardless Few and the emperor fell, their only obligation was to their island. It was interesting to see how they navigated the new political landscape of the empire to ensure the survival of their ideals and their people.

Lin also faces many dilemmas in this new world as she takes on the mantle of the new emperor. She struggles to learn how to win the trust of her people without following in her father’s footsteps. Lin’s determination to make the right choices often works against her. She learns the secrets of bone shard magic, only to give it up, forcing her to earn her people’s trust instead of ruling through power. Lin makes many mistakes as she learns to rule, and it was difficult to have patience with her when her thoughts spiraled into self-flagellation. Though, it made sense that Lin would struggle to believe in herself after surviving her father.

I’m unhappy with how The Bone Shard Emperor concluded, but not enough to turn me away from the rest of the series. I’m still interested in the main characters enough that I want to see what happens to them.

Where to find The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

Have you read The Bone Shard Emperor? Let’s chat in the comments!