In this deeply atmospheric and haunting debut, Andrea Stewart shows herself to be a new voice to reckon with in the fantasy realm. The Bone Shard Daughter is an endlessly fascinating story filled with characters and relationships that readers will instantly fall in love with.
In a crumbling empire, an emperor relies on bone shard magic that requires each citizen to give up a piece of their bones to fuel the horrifying constructs that run the empire. Spread out across the lands, four individuals begin their search for what they need most: the return of their memories, their long lost love, an end to the classism destroying their city and relationships. However, rebellion against the emperor is brewing, and revelations about their place in the world will shake them to their core. Meanwhile, off on a small, remote island, a mysterious woman is starting to gain memories of an impossible life and may uncover the empire’s darkest secret.
There is no denying that the fantasy market is saturated with European-centric stories. Although some readers may find parts of the story predictable (more on this in a minute), The Bone Shard Daughter gives us an Asian inspired fantasy story that we desperately want and need. Stewart’s novel is a breath of fresh air and sets up a fantastic series to enthral readers for years to come.
So, let’s talk about my previous mention of predictability. Seasoned fantasy readers will recognise some twists and turns in the plot, but if we are all honest with ourselves, no story can really escape that. What makes The Bone Shard Daughter stand out is Stewart’s style and her world building. Yes, you might find some predictability in the overall plot, but I dare you to tell me you don’t find the story completely entrancing.
Stewart builds the story’s world in a way that feels effortless. From the first page, you can feel the atmosphere of mystery and dread and rebellion that saturates the world. The magic system in particular is fascinating and horrifying in equal measures. With the constructs, Stewart brings out the worst nightmare fuel, but they are never used for shock value and become an integral part of the overall mystery that will play out over the course of the series.
Outside of the fascinating world that she creates, where Stewart truly shines is with the characters and their relationships. Lin, the emperor’s daughter, is isolated for much of the story and you can feel her frustration and drive to prove herself worthy to be the heir to her father’s empire and recover her lost memories. Phalue and Ranami’s relationship is an established queer couple that proves you don’t have to incorporate homophobia or misogyny into your fantasy world to create tension. Then there is the breakout star of the novel, Jovis and his mysterious creature friend, Mephi. If Lin is the brain of the story, and Phalue and Ranami are the heart, Jovis and Mephi would be the soul. There is never a moment when Jovis won’t make the reader laugh, cry, or cheer. And though she only gets about five chapters, there is Sand, whose small presence in the story still packs one heck of a mysterious punch.
This is where we need to discuss the multiple points of view storytelling style in The Bone Shard Daughter. Multiple POVs stories can be very hit or miss, and often it really depends on the reader’s personal preference, regardless of how well the author handles differences in voice. While Stewart writes a unique voice to each POV character, she does add the extra layer of “love it or hate it” styling with some POVs being in first person narration and the others in third person. This isn’t necessarily a criticism, because Stewart handles her stylistic choices well, but more of an informational item, because the synopsis for the story only mentions Lin. Readers may get thrown off by expecting a single POV story, but actually getting five POVs. However, each POV is necessary and it helps round out the plot. It may just take readers a few chapters to acclimate to the changing narrations.
At the end of the day, The Bone Shard Daughter is a fantastic novel from a debut author. Though there are some slight imperfections in the storytelling, none of it can overshadow the actual story itself. I believe Andrea Stewart will soon find herself one of the great fantasy writers in this era and I personally look forward to reading more of the wonderful worlds and characters she creates.
The Bone Shard Daughter is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
In an empire controlled by bone shard magic, Lin, the former heir to the emperor will fight to reclaim her magic and her place on the throne. The Bone Shard Daughter marks the debut of a major new voice in epic fantasy.
The emperor’s reign has lasted for decades, his mastery of bone shard magic powering the animal-like constructs that maintain law and order. But now his rule is failing, and revolution is sweeping across the Empire’s many islands.
Lin is the emperor’s daughter and spends her days trapped in a palace of locked doors and dark secrets. When her father refuses to recognise her as heir to the throne, she vows to prove her worth by mastering the forbidden art of bone shard magic.
Yet such power carries a great cost, and when the revolution reaches the gates of the palace, Lin must decide how far she is willing to go to claim her birthright – and save her people.
