Andrea Stewart
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…
This is a major contender for book of the year as far as I’m concerned. As soon as I put it down, I went hunting for news of a sequel.
The magic system is both intriguing and creepy in equal measure, with wielders being able to reach inside of living beings to enslave them with orders written on bone. Pair this with the incredibly sinister and complex dealings of the Imperial family and the plot just romps along!
The characters are well rounded, with clear motives and personalities. I found myself with goosebumps many a time as I followed the relationships between them (be those relationships healthy or twisted).
The Emperor’s daughter Lin has lost her memory, and her struggles to both find out who she is and how to forge relationships with those around her is SO compelling to read, I found it hard to put this book down. I even woke with my e-reader plastered to my face one morning.
On top of this the Empire is in turmoil, which brings a raft of other exciting characters into scope. The characters themselves are wrapped in an equally enthralling world of floating island nations sounded by vast seas filled with mythical monster.
That reminds me… a whole island sinks killing a tone of people… I mean if you’re not intrigued already, there really isn’t more I can say.
GO BUY THIS BOOK!
5 out of 5 stars.
Within The Stacks 