The Bone Shard War is the finale of The Drowning Empire trilogy. With that in mind, though I will be careful not to spoil the book, there will likely be revealing information about the first two. So if you haven't read the series, I suggest checking out my previous reviews if you want my take, but avert your eyes from this one. You can leave with the main takeaway that I cried, and I saw the series through to a satisfying conclusion.

The entire cast, from our main POV characters to important power broker side characters, is spread thin and warring amongst themselves, facing common enemies in one moment, arguing about what to do and how in the next. Instead of the good vibes romances of books one and two, we are treated to a different one here that's capital T Toxic from start to finish (in a self-aware way-- don't worry about it being dressed up as something to aspire to). The relationship comes a bit out of nowhere, but it also makes perfect sense when you think about it. It becomes a crucial part of closing out both characters' arcs in the series. Meanwhile, the existing and beloved ships of the series are cruelly kept apart, which I hate. Angst city. Would not recommend. Not all that's new is stressful, though. This book made me a Philine stan, a welcome development.

So where are all our faves? At the start of the book, we find Jovis, now known as Maelstrom, living as a ghost under the control of the Ioph Carn. Lin has mourned him for two years (in a time jump from the last book) while going about the business of holding the empire together. Now she must marry an enemy to ensure it doesn't fracture. So the romantic drama is at an angsty ten for this star-crossed pair. And while Lin is forever a favorite, it was Jovis' story in this one that reached out and mangled my heart.

We reunite with Ranami and Ayesh as their city is assaulted by The Shardless Few, Alanga among them, one with a familiar face. And let me tell you, I would burn the world down for these characters, so I was VERY freaked out. Like, there is SO MUCH TO WORRY ABOUT in this book if you care for anyone at all, aka aren't a monster.

This is the hardest, broodiest book in the series. You can feel the characters' exhaustion and even hopelessness. There were tears shed in this household... on multiple occasions. And while I appreciated the author's ability to get at my emotions with the characters and situations, a girl can only withstand so much nebulous despair. In some ways, it took up so much space in the book that other parts of the action and relationships didn't flourish in the same way that they did in the first two books. I was left feeling impatient for there to be more headway as I watched the problems circle and stagnate.

So how do I feel about the end of the series? The resolution feels fitting in many ways. It does justice to the large cast of characters and the trilogy's main themes. It wrung me out getting to that point, and I respect that any victories were hard won, any bit of happiness intertwined with sorrow, any guilt forged into fresh action. Our characters have wielded great power, and with that comes consequences. They wouldn't be the people we love without trying to own up to that.

I would recommend this series to anyone, and while I think the second book was my favorite of the bunch, I also think that the finale was what it needed to be and gave us a strong ending. Thanks to Orbit for my copy to read and review!

I own this and intend to read it in the future I'm just clearing this off my board to reduce stress. I will update when I read/review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eArc of this book. All opinions are my own,

The Drowning Empire is one of my favorite, if not my favorite series. I love the characters and their character arcs throughout the series. I loved getting to know them and cheer or cry at their successes and failures, respectively. I loved the multiple POV for so many reasons.

I don't feel this third book was as strong as the first two, but was still a thrilling journey. I felt the previous books were action packed, where I felt this one had some slower spots. I was content with the ending and didn't feel disappointed or cheated with anything. I was so emotionally invested in this story, I even had feelings for some of the minor characters and their experiences. This series made Andrea Stewart and autopurchase author for me. I can't wait to dive into her next book.

The story felt a little silly by the end. However, I enjoyed my time reading this book. I finished it within a day. So of course it was very engaging...yet I feel underwhelmed. I had really really high hopes and the book failed to deliver accordingly

A solid conclusion to the trilogy but I thought it was still weaker than the first book which is unfortunate. I wanted it to end on a high rather than a middle of the road feeling. I'd still recommend this series if the concept sounds interesting to you!

First off - the cover art is beautiful, absolutely eye catching.

Okay - no for an honest review. After the previous books this one fell flat - which sometimes, honestly happens in series. It lost steam. Lost traction. Dragged on and was repetitive to a fault. I enjoyed the series as a whole and for that had difficulty rating this below a three star despite being disappointed in this book.

So in the end my review is that the series is worth reading, just know the conclusive book is a bit boring and flat.

This is the third book in The Drowning Empire Trilogy. I thought it finished up the series very well. This trilogy was very different from others I have read incorporating different elements that I haven't seen before. I would definitely recommend this series if you're looking for something different and you like fantasy.

A nice conclusion to the series. I wasn't expecting the time jump, and it threw me for a loop, but so many questions were finally answered, and it was the payoff I had been expecting. I did find myself having to look back at the previous book, because there were certain things I just couldn't remember. I really enjoyed the consistent cliffhangers, because I never got bored reading! I also found that several characters came "full circle", which to me, means you've done your due diligence as an author completing a series.

I was eagerly anticipating this one and it just did not live up to that. I loved the first two books but this one had me scratching my head from the beginning. It picked up the story in a place that didn't really make sense and just rambled and was generally confusing. It felt like it had lost all the momentum that Andrea Steward had built in the first two novels. I tried and tried to get into it but eventually gave it up.

I didn't really enjoy the narration either. It was all right, but not my favorite. The characters did have unique voices.

*Thanks to Orbit for providing an early copy for review.

This is one of my favorite fantasy series, ever, and the finale did not disappoint. I will be thinking about this story and these characters forever.

4/5 stars.

I'm so glad I finished this series. Andrea Stewart created a fantasy series with unique characters each with their own flaws and weaknesses. Lin, slow to trust anyone including herself. Jovis, a smuggler, a liar and a hero. Phalue, initially unwilling to challenge her beliefs grew into the partner that Ranami needed. Ranami, the new leader that the Empire needs. There are so many other fantastic supporting characters as well, and certainly not least of which includes Thrana and Mephi. I loved how the intrigue and mystery surrounding the Alanga and their companions was unwound slowly as Lin discovered more and more. There was never a massive info dump where we knew everything all of sudden.

If you're on the hunt for a completed trilogy with multiple magic systems, unique companion creatures, and characters that make mistakes and learn from them then I highly recommend the Drowning Empire.

The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart also closes out a trilogy (the Drowning Empire) about explotation and the cost of change, and especially grapples with the question of who ends up on top when said explotative system is overthrown. It is also, deliciously, about earnest but silly youths in love, who are being kept apart and even forced into betrayals! At this end of The Drowning Empire, the brutally high cost of bone shard magic isn't as viscerally present, and that feels like a bit of a loss despite the emergence of new magics and the rediscovery of how this world functions, and (relatedly) what those cute animal companions that the main characters picked up have been about this whole time. While it has its ups and downs, this is a cool trilogy by an author I hope to see even better things from in future.

For readers who crave epic fantasy adventures with complex characters, morally nuanced themes, and a richly detailed world, The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart is a intriguing conclusion to a beloved trilogy that will sweep you up in its action-packed, magic-laced tale of love, loyalty, and the struggle for a better world.

All I can say about this trilogy is: PERFECTION.

It’s rare when a third installment can exceed its predecessors.

But The Bone Shard War does just that!

I loved The Bone Shard War. It was the perfect end to this series. I'm sad to see it end, but I felt Stewart did a great job with this last book in the series.

I was worried this book was going to rip my heart out. And it did a bit, but not in the ways I was truly worried it would. Anyway, it is an excellent end to a truly wonderful series and I highly recommend this whole trilogy to anyone who loves fantasy books. Well played, Andrea Stewart, well played.

First, it is imperative that you read his fantasy trilogy in order. You must read book 1, The Bone Shard Daughter before moving onto book 2 and finally, this, book 3.

Second, I spent 3 months reading this in small spurts. Not because it was long or difficult but because I wanted to savour every minute left in this world and with these characters. I loved almost all our characters, but especially Jarvis. His sweet disposition, along with unique moral sense, and intense connection with his familiar (Mephi!!) were so endearing in a leading man. He might be a rogue smuggler; but in the end he is just a man in love who’s trying to navigate impossible circumstances with unbelievable power in his hands (literally!).

Third, and most important is that this ending is amazing!!! The majority of the time my biggest complaint about epic fantasy is the ending. Yet, that was not the case here! Andrea Stewart has built a truly unique world, with a fascinating magical system, included realistic characters, and put them all into situations that challenge them (and the reader) to really think about what is right and wrong, how many shades of grey there are; and just how much of our lives is led by fate, destiny, karma, or whatever you want to call it.

This is one of the best fantasy trilogies I have read in the last few years. If you are a big fantasy reader, a fan of female fantasy writers like Robin Hobb or Lois McMaster Bujold then this world is for you. As is worthy of my high regard this full trilogy now has a place of honour on my print bookshelf (where space is very limited and only the best are elevated to).

Thank you Ms Stewart for giving me a trilogy I love to think back on and will look forward to rereading in the future.

I love this world and these characters and Stewart’s ability to write action, however this was a pretty frustrating read overall. The pacing was off compared to the first 2 books in this trilogy as there was very little forward progression with the plot for the vast majority of the book. I think had this been about 100 pages shorter the pacing would have felt needed to maintain the tension between characters but it was far too prolonged.
I did however like the overall ending of the story, and the characters are some of my favorites so a little slower of a pace was not enough to stop me from loving this trilogy as a whole. Mephi was by far my favorite and i thoroughly enjoyed their youthful spirit and development throughout this series.

With a super unique magic system, great world building, and really interesting characters this will continue to be a series I recommend to anyone looking to read accessible fantasy with an engaging plot and great dialogue.

2⭐️

As someone who eagerly anticipated this book, I must admit I was left disappointed. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the trilogy, I had high hopes for the conclusion.

However, this third installment fell short of my expectations. The plot felt lacking, and the characters seemed to lose some of their depth. Instead of building upon the rich world and engaging storylines established in the earlier books, this one felt like a letdown. It took me a year to figure out how to actually rate this book because it pains me to give it two stars.

Sadly, after finishing this book I was left only with a reading slump and depression!

thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the eARC.

If I’d read this book five years ago, it would probably have been a five-star read instead of 3.5 (rounded up).

As it is, the 600+, repetitive, kind of boring finales have tried my patience. Every series seems to become bloated by the third book and can comfortably have 1/3 of the book cut out without ruining anything.

Worldbuilding was top notch, multiple POVs were interesting, and overall, a pretty good finale. Albeit, a bloated one.