Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart

5 reviews

chelseanaylor's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

3.75

3.75 ⭐

This book was a little slow and I was interested enough to finish it, but it wasn't until the last few chapters that I decided I wanted to continue the story. 

I really enjoyed the way this story is propelled by themes of power, personal Identity and responsibility, and justice (and all the grey areas these themes create). The switching POVs are a little rough because the story feels fragmented and it took a loooong time to feel connected to any of the characters. In particular, I could have done without Ranami or Phalue's stories, as they didn't do much to the overall plot, except, when the time came, to propel another character's development. Maybe they'll have a more interesting role in the second book. 

Aside from the pacing, the premise of the story is fascinating, though the plot twists were a little overt and lacking nuance for me, it's still an interesting world Stewart built; I hope book 2 has more action and a little less internal monologues about the respective characters woes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Colonisation, Death, and Trafficking

Minor: Animal cruelty

alt05's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a reread because I wanted to start the 2nd book, and it was as fun and interesting as the 1st time I read it! Andrea Stewart has built a world like none I have ever read before. The magic system, the characters, the plot, are all inventive and unique. The plot is fast and picks the reader up quickly. The twist and turns come at perfect moments in the plot. The characters are complex, funny, intelligent, and occupy both protagonist and antagonist roles. Sometimes, the differing POV leaves some plot holes, but nothing that interferes with the integrity of the story. Overall, couldn't put this book down the 1st and 2nd time! I loved it and can't wait to start the 2nd! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, and Classism

tahsintries's review

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Colonisation, Murder, and Physical abuse

Minor: Confinement

gayghostprince's review

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Child death, Animal death, Death of parent, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: War, Blood, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Classism

Minor: Grief, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Trafficking

emilypete17's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

One of the most well-done adult high fantasies I've read in ages. Andrea Stewart has woven an incredibly rich and socially complex world, chock full of complicated, incredibly interesting characters. The magic system of this book was equal parts horrifying and compelling, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page(I mean this quite literally). The exploration of imperialism and class felt so grounded in our current reality, even in such a fantastical setting. Absolutely pumped to continue this series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Grief, and Physical abuse

Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse