Last Updated on December 20, 2022 by ThoughtsStained
We all know I love R.J. Barker’s work with how obsessed I am over his first trilogy. (See my reviews here, here and here.) So when he announced he was writing a trilogy, starting with The Bone Ships, featuring pirates that traveled on ships made of dragon bones? Fuck me, I’m in.
Thankfully, it did not disappoint!
An ARC copy was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Book Info
Publisher: Orbit Books | Release Date: September 2019 | Pages: 512
Age Range: Adult | Genre: Fantasy | Format: Paperback | Source: ARC
Two nations at war. A prize beyond compare.
For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war.
The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted.
Now the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favour. Because whoever catches it will win not only glory, but the war.
On the Page
Referenced
Minor
Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.
Review
Likes
- The writing style. The way Barker writes is just so…different from anything I’ve ever read. Once, that style felt like a stumbling block that I had to get used to in King of Assassins. This time, it was like a welcome hug into something unique, yet familiar.
- Lucky Meas. Oh shit, do I love Lucky Meas. Did I have an uncertain, wavering reception to her at the beginning? Yes. Did she slowly and surely twist her way into my heart and then make me loyal to her? Yes. Would I die for her? Also, yes. Not only is she amazing as a character, but the character development in general (especially Joron’s) was fantastic. I hope to learn a lot more about her in book two!
- The slow build ensnarement. Tied to the above in a way, but I love how, like the crew, I slowly become more and more invested, until by the end of the story, I was practically begging for the next moment when I’d have time to read, so I could find out what happens next. Considering how it took me a little bit to get into it, I was surprised how utterly enamored I become at the end of it and how invested I am in this The Tide Child and his fate.
- The worldbuilding. I just thought so many elements–from the arakeesian and the wind talkers, to the bone ships themselves, to the way the society is run–were just so interesting. While it definitely had the perfect pirate or sea-story feel, it was definitely a unique fantasy world that was impossible not to become fascinated by and want to know more about it
Dislikes
- Slow to connect. I think this is largely tied to the following facts: a) I read this during 2020, b) I was in a reading slump and this book took me almost two months to read, when I would usually read it in about a week or less and c) I read it during 2020 right after the election. So, the fact that it took me a while to get into it is prolly due to factors of life and not the quality of the book, especially considering how much I loved it by the end.
Rating
No surprise that I give this book a positive rating! With solid worldbuilding, a Shipwife who I adore and a Deckhand who surprised me by having me grow to respect him, and the slow and steady buildup of emotional ensnarement, this book was a solid four out of five gems for me.
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![Not me needing to repost this announcement because my first post had a typo. I promise I can actually edit! 😅
REPOST of original message below:
I've been thinking a lot about publishing and the barriers it places, particularly on traditionally underrepresented and marginalized writers. As an editor, I wanted to try and break down those barriers a bit.
So, going forward from now and forevermore, if you identity as a queer, BIPOC or disabled writer, you'll receive 10% any full manuscript edit. No need to self-disclose how you qualify. I will trust you at your word!
Another stigma (that's being broken!) that still exists is that self-published authors write at less quality than trad--pubbed writers. We all know this is bullshit! But, to help support my indie badasses, your first edit with me for a novel you plan to self publish will be 10% off.
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It took me a bit of time to get into it, too, but it turned out to be so amazing with such an incredible world that I didn’t even care about the rocky start. The second book is just as incredible!
Right!? And I’ve literally heard *zero* negative things about the second book, so that’s going to be fantastic!
The second book broke me in the best way possible and I can’t fathom how there’s only one more book left. I hope you have a wonderful time reading it!
It says a lot about me that this excites me more than I can describe to continue reading the series. 😛 Thank you!
Definitely a series I’ll need to catch-up with at some point! I’ve got The Wounded Kingdoms series on my list to read first, looking forward to it.
Ahhh, I love the Wounded Kingdom series so much. The third book is just…pure brilliance. I hope you really enjoy both series!
(Ah cute I love those lil gems for your rating!) This book sounds like something I would really enjoy. I have read a lot of reviews that highlight things that appeal to me. I am curious to see what the writing style is like! Hope to get to it this year.
Oh, thank you so much!! Kat @ Novels and Waffles made them for me when I commissioned her and came up with the idea, which I just adore. I will be very curious to see what you think!! I just loved it.