When I read The Bone Ships last November, little did I know that it would rise to be one of my favorite books of 2020, and then now that I have finished the second book, it is safe to say that this is one of my favorite on-going series currently out there. This series is so so so good and it hurts to see how under hyped it is and how so few people have read it.

As I mentioned in my review of The Bone Ships, one of the most refreshing aspects of this series is how sexuality, skin color, gender, are all inclusive, and it's a completely normal thing in this world. Our main character, Joron is described as having dark skin and is mlm. There is a non-binary asexual character, wlw characters, etc. This isn't your typical fantasy series where sexism and racism run rampant and mirror our world. You can literally do anything in a fantasy world and Barker really takes this to heart. (however, this fantasy world isn't perfect- there is discrimination against disabled people, and towards the children of mothers that died in childbirth.)

I've heard this series get called 'grimdark' and I really don't think it is. Yes, there are dark and bad things that happen (more so in this book than the first) but things are not entirely bleak or without hope. This is a story about trying to stop the cycles and feuds of the past and work together to build a better and brighter future for all.

This series shines most in its character work. While there is a broad worldly scope- there is a detail to the main characters that is so well done. Joron is the best. no contest. he is simply my favorite (and he may end up as a favorite character of all time). I really just love everything about this series, and I can't really find any faults. I am eagerly waiting for the third and final book to be released in September!