Scan barcode
colleen_corleone's review against another edition
I got to a natural stopping point the ship is fixed and they have a headwind for the dragon) and didn't feel important to start the next leg of the journey. It's been more than a year, and I still haven't felt compelled to read more.
darkskybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I did not know that a fantasy naval adventure was missing from my life, but apparently it was. The Bone Ships is the first novel in a new trilogy from RJ Barker and it is a very promising start. The story follows an officer on a 'ship of the dead' where people who are condemned try to gain reentry into society by crewing a rundown ship on a hopeless mission.
In this world, it seems that the vegetation does not provide sufficient strength for building large boats, so instead they are built from the bones of great sea dragons (Arkeesians), hence the title of the book. An interesting concept, which gives rise to the central story of the book - tracking such an Arkeesian through the archipelago where the story is set.
Being a nautical fantasy, it gives Barker room to explore new types of fantastical creature and stay well away from the well established tropes. His strange Guillames - gull like humanoids who are able to control the wind, and the the many weird and wonderful sea creatures evoke a wonderfully fresh fantasy.
My one issue with the book was one of pacing, as the start was somewhat slow, but once the book got going it was truly gripping. I am intrigued to see where this world goes!
In this world, it seems that the vegetation does not provide sufficient strength for building large boats, so instead they are built from the bones of great sea dragons (Arkeesians), hence the title of the book. An interesting concept, which gives rise to the central story of the book - tracking such an Arkeesian through the archipelago where the story is set.
Being a nautical fantasy, it gives Barker room to explore new types of fantastical creature and stay well away from the well established tropes. His strange Guillames - gull like humanoids who are able to control the wind, and the the many weird and wonderful sea creatures evoke a wonderfully fresh fantasy.
My one issue with the book was one of pacing, as the start was somewhat slow, but once the book got going it was truly gripping. I am intrigued to see where this world goes!
sugarpop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
anwade88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
This is a really complex book to review because the areas it excelled in it hit a 10/10, but the areas it missed in for me were hard misses.
The concept of bone ships crafted from dragon bones was fascinating. I also enjoyed the complex (if brutal and terrible) world building.
The atmosphere + ship terminology and world building around the ships was 10/10.
Joron would have made a fine pov character if he’d had any agency in the story.My most frustrating thing is that Joron only gains agency in the last few chapters and even then it’s just a willingness to push back against Meas then immediately capitulate
Meas would have made a much more interesting POV character and I wish this story had been from her perspective. That said, I wish we’d gotten more of her complexities. She was very one dimensional (even if that one dimension was fascinating.)
The other characters I could barely name at this point. They all seem vague and blended together and I wish we’d got to know a few of them better.
Also, I’m still not sure I get the plot. Or feel that the plot really even mattered to the story somehow?
But the ✨vibes✨ were pretty immaculate.
Idk if I’ll read more of this series but I enjoyed the experience of this one.
The concept of bone ships crafted from dragon bones was fascinating. I also enjoyed the complex (if brutal and terrible) world building.
The atmosphere + ship terminology and world building around the ships was 10/10.
Joron would have made a fine pov character if he’d had any agency in the story.
Meas would have made a much more interesting POV character and I wish this story had been from her perspective. That said, I wish we’d gotten more of her complexities. She was very one dimensional (even if that one dimension was fascinating.)
The other characters I could barely name at this point. They all seem vague and blended together and I wish we’d got to know a few of them better.
Also, I’m still not sure I get the plot. Or feel that the plot really even mattered to the story somehow?
But the ✨vibes✨ were pretty immaculate.
Idk if I’ll read more of this series but I enjoyed the experience of this one.
mobysbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This has been on my radar for being a pirate adventure, an unexplored setting for me as far as fantasy books go.
The idea of ships constructed from the bones of slain dragons is great, captivating me in the book's worldbuilding from the start. The story is about the no-good outcast and notorious drinker Joron Twiner who finds himself acquainted with "Lucky" Meas, a rough and tough type of woman who wins command over his bone ship "Tide Child" in a duel. From there on, an adventure unfolds that involves war and dragons, friendship and betrayal.
The nautical setting is the strength of the book, all the terminology and pirate vibe click well. Barker draws inspiration from all kinds of seafaring stories including One Piece and even some Pirates of the Caribbean if I'm not mistaken. The actual core story was entertaining enough but didn't particularly stand out. Tension level was mediocre and some of the twists towards the end were pretty predictable. Major characters were a problem, I didn't enjoy them. Especially Lucky Meas was a bit over-the-top with her 'hurr hurr I'm a tough-as-nails no bullshit pirate'. Some might like that, I'm not a fan of these almost caricature like personas.
It's an entertaining but flawed first entry and has potential to win me over with the sequels. Three stars is good - but nothing I'll fawn about for a long time.
The idea of ships constructed from the bones of slain dragons is great, captivating me in the book's worldbuilding from the start. The story is about the no-good outcast and notorious drinker Joron Twiner who finds himself acquainted with "Lucky" Meas, a rough and tough type of woman who wins command over his bone ship "Tide Child" in a duel. From there on, an adventure unfolds that involves war and dragons, friendship and betrayal.
The nautical setting is the strength of the book, all the terminology and pirate vibe click well. Barker draws inspiration from all kinds of seafaring stories including One Piece and even some Pirates of the Caribbean if I'm not mistaken. The actual core story was entertaining enough but didn't particularly stand out. Tension level was mediocre and some of the twists towards the end were pretty predictable. Major characters were a problem, I didn't enjoy them. Especially Lucky Meas was a bit over-the-top with her 'hurr hurr I'm a tough-as-nails no bullshit pirate'. Some might like that, I'm not a fan of these almost caricature like personas.
It's an entertaining but flawed first entry and has potential to win me over with the sequels. Three stars is good - but nothing I'll fawn about for a long time.
vaenadal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sarapie32's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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
5.0
inbigtreble's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
abbyxbrandt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I'm disappointed. This could have been 5 stars, but instead it's 2.5 (rounded down) entirely because of the rampant, unchallenged ableism.
The Bone Ships has so much potential. Pirates AND dragons? It's a dream come true for my twelve-year old self (and my present-day self too.) The worldbuilding is vivid and immersive. Unfortunately, the world RKB chose to create is a society where disabled people are second-class citizens. And while this worldview isn't endorsed, per se, it's barely questioned at all. The most frustrating part is it didn't have to be this way. It's not essential to the story. There are plenty of other ways to build a ruthless, unforgiving civilization.
While this story has many strengths, I can't recommend it. And as much as it pains me to have just one book from the trilogy on my shelf, I think I'll be leaving this series unfinished.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
jimmyjams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0