I'm always worried when I see Sarah J Maas say she loves a book but I have to agree with her on this one. Excellent book!

This series is hugely popular with my Sixth Formers and I can't wait for them to read this, a stunningly written final chapter with a super satisfying ending on every level!

Stewart finished this series with a flawless ending and satisfying conclusion. Bone Shard War concludes every question within this world. The war and the astounding magic are superb.

However, this final book is relatively slow and some parts are repetitive. Some scenes stretch and linger too much with the narrative. Since we have different POVs, they are parts I got confused about which POV I am reading since I read the other sequel the previous year.

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to other Stewart works. Her writing style and world-building are commendable.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for a review.

Set two years after the last book, Lin is dangerously short of allies, Jovis’s disappearance weighing on her heavily. 
As her own governors plot treason, the Shardless Few invigorate action and hostilities. Worse, Nisong and Ragan have joined forces, allied in the desire of Lin’s death. Every choice she makes seems to bring the empire she loved closer to ruin.

Ragan would rather rule over an Empire of one island that follows him than an Empire of many that resists.

Different factions war for power, all for different reasons and Stewart manages to show them all as genuine and motivating. How do you know who to root for if they all have valid arguments and all appear to be heroes to themselves?

“…power is like a wolf howling at night, calling others to him, forming a pack that makes the hunting of prey easier."

Jovis has admittedly always been my favourite: reminded me of Flynn Rider from Tangled. That should tell you all you need to know. So events from the ending of the 2nd book, and the start of this book, really keep tensions high - the perfect platform to launch an incredible last book.

The ending was so satisfying and fulfilling. Stewart could write an entire new series on the back of this exploring how the empire may fare and I would read it. The dreams and doubts of these cast of characters inspired and emoted.

Maybe no one was a hero. Maybe I'd gotten it wrong from the beginning. Maybe there were only heroic moments and decisions and we all had to keep choosing those as best we could. When we could.

The magic system reminded of the world-building in Robert Jackson Bennetts’ Foundryside and Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and the Alang creatures (Mephi, etc) reminded me of Appa from Avatar the Last Airbender. Too cute.