Title: The Bone Ship’s Wake
Author: R.J. Barker
First published September 28, 2021
592 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780316488051 (ISBN10: 0316488054)
Rating: 4.51
Overview
In the highly anticipated conclusion to the Tide Child trilogy, The Bone Ship’s Wake, RJ Barker delivers a stunning epic that will leave readers breathless. Joron Twiner’s quest for revenge has left him with nothing but a dying fleet and a rotting body.
With the ominous prophecy of his world’s end hanging over his head, he is forced to confront the truth about his destiny and the role he must play in the fate of the Hundred Isles. But as the Sea Dragons return, Joron discovers that hope still remains.
With thrilling battles on land and sea, and a cast of unforgettable characters, The Bone Ship’s Wake is a tour-de-force of fantasy storytelling that will keep you riveted until the very last page. “A brilliantly imagined saga of honor, glory, and warfare.” – Evan Winter
Editoral Review
In his latest offering, The Bone Ship’s Wake, R.J. Barker takes us on a thrilling journey through a world of fantasy and adventure. Barker is no stranger to the genre, having already made a name for himself with his highly successful Age of Assassins series.
With The Bone Ship’s Wake, Barker expands his universe, introducing us to a new cast of characters and a world of seafaring adventure that is both exhilarating and terrifying. Set in a world of harsh oceans and bone ships, The Bone Ship’s Wake follows the story of Joron Twiner, a man with a tragic past who is forced to take up the captaincy of the Tide Child, a ship built from the bones of sea dragons.
As Joron and his crew set out on a dangerous mission to save their homeland from impending doom, they face not only treacherous waters and sea monsters but also the politics and intrigue of their fellow humans. With its vividly imagined setting and well-drawn characters, The Bone Ship’s Wake is a compelling and engaging read.
Barker is a master of his craft, building a world that is at once fantastical and believable, full of wonder and terror. Joron Twiner is a complex and interesting protagonist, haunted by his past and struggling to find his place in a world that is rapidly changing.
The other characters are equally well-drawn, each with their own motivations and secrets. The pacing of the novel is well-judged, with enough action to keep the reader engaged but also enough space for the characters to develop and the world to be explored.
The plot is satisfyingly intricate, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. One of the strengths of The Bone Ship’s Wake is its exploration of themes of political intrigue, environmentalism, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
Barker handles these themes with a deft hand, never becoming preachy or didactic but allowing them to emerge naturally from the story. While The Bone Ship’s Wake is an accomplished piece of storytelling, it is not without its flaws.
At times the pacing can feel a little slow, and there are some plot points that feel a little convenient or contrived. However, these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a highly enjoyable and engaging read.
Overall, The Bone Ship’s Wake is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. It is a book that will transport you to a magical world of adventure and danger, full of complex characters and richly imagined landscapes.
With its themes of environmentalism and political intrigue, it is also a book that has something to say about our own world, making it all the more relevant and timely. Highly recommended.
