TBR Pile/Audiobook Review: The Bone Shard Emperor, by Andrea Stewart

Narrated by Natalie Naudus, Feodor Chin and Emily Woo Zeller

In ‘THE BONE SHARD EMPEROR’, book two in the action-packed magical fantasy The Drowning Empire series, 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 northeast 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 to defeat the rebels and restore order.

But can she trust them?

The Rosie-Synopsis

Lin is now Emperor, Jovis has given up smuggling to become her Guard Captain while still spying on Lin for the Shardless Few, Ranami and Phalue are married and governors of their island, while Nisong, the construct with memories of the original Nisong, Consort of the last Emperor, has gone on the war-path after Lin puts a bounty on constructs. The Shardless Few are pushing forward with their plans to remove both Lin and Phalue from their positions.

And more islands are sinking.

Lin needs to build alliances with the other islands, but is struggling to make friends. There are attempts on her life, from both constructs and human enemies. Travelling across the Empire, Lin and Jovis meet governors, other Alanga, and constructs, while fighting their own personal battles and their attraction to each other. The journey ends in a battle where enemies temporarily become allies for the good of the people.

I’ve missed out so much! If I go into any more detail, though, I’ll spoiler the book.

My Review

I have this as both the Goldsboro Books special edition and the audio book. I haven’t had time to read the book so I’ve been listening to it instead. I actually finished listening to it yesterday, but I was exhausted and had an unexpected nap, missing the last 90 minutes.

I missed the battle! Slap my hand!

I re-listened to it today and I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for the next book, because the ending was intriguing. I can’t wait to find out what happened to Miffy and how people will react to the new Alanga.

I found the three different narrators really helpful. I’m sure I recognise one of the narrators from other audiobooks. I thought the different voices were so full of character and the descriptions were really clear. I thought the plot was complex, and at times I thought there would be a resolution to a certain dilemma, and then something would happen to throw a spanner in the works.

The characters developed in this novel, developing maturity and understanding of the situations they find themselves in. A couple of the antagonists did not develop but the reader learns more about them and their motives, and why they are so stuck in their path. I started to guess the identity of Deo as the extracts from the book Jovis found are presented. It’s not a surprise when he reveals his true identity, but his reaction to Lin’s actions are. I’d say he was a daft old man, but I’m sure he thinks there are logical reasons for his behaviour.

I definitely recommend this novel if you like fantasy.