The Bone Ships

by RJ Barker

Overview

"Excellent. One of the most interesting and original fantasy worlds I've seen in years." —Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

A brilliantly imagined saga of honor, glory, and warfare, The Bone Ships is the epic launch of a new series from British Fantasy Award winner, RJ Barker.

*British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel, winner

Two nations at war. One prize beyond compare. 

For generations, the Hundred Isles have built their ships from the bones of ancient dragons to fight an endless war. The dragons disappeared, but the battles for supremacy persisted.

Now, the first dragon in centuries has been spotted in far-off waters, and both sides see a chance to shift the balance of power in their favor. Because whoever catches it will win not only glory but the war.

Praise for The Bone Ships:

"Brilliant." —Robin Hobb

"A vividly realized high-seas epic that pulls you deep into its world and keeps you tangled there until the very last word." —Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

The Tide Child Trilogy
The Bone Ships
Call of the Bone Ships
The Bone Ship's Wake

For more from RJ Barker, check out:

The Wounded Kingdom
Age of Assassins
Blood of Assassins
King of Assassins
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316487962
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	09/24/2019
Series:	The Tide Child Trilogy , #1
Pages:	512
Sales rank:	29,600
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

RJ Barker is a softly-spoken Yorkshireman with flowing locks. He lives in the frozen north with his wife and son, and divides his time between writing and looking after his son.

Editorial Reviews

08/12/2019

Unusual attention to detail makes a water-covered world come to life in Barker’s first Tide Child fantasy epic. A ridge of mountains separates sprinklings of small islands, and the only material strong enough to make oceangoing ships is sea dragon bone. However, dragons are long extinct and the old ships increasingly ramshackle, so a bitter and destructive conflict between the Hundred Isles and the Gaunt Islands may at last sputter out. The sighting of a dragon sends conspirators after the beast, some hoping to harvest its bones and others intending to kill it before its carcass can be used to renew the war. One of the seekers is Meas Gilbryn, a disgraced aristocrat turned pacifist. At the novel’s opening, she seizes control of the Tide Child, a ship crewed by men and women who have been condemned to death, by slapping down its pathetically failed captain, Joron Twiner. Much of the rest of the novel feels like one of Patrick O’Brian’s richly detailed sagas of seamanship as Meas rebuilds her ship and its crew, including restoring Joron’s self-respect, while pursuing the dragon. Though characterization is declared more than demonstrated, this is a very promising beginning for a proposed trilogy. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"A vividly realized high-seas epic that pulls you deep into its world and keeps you tangled there until the very last word."—Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

"The Bone Ships is excellent. Aside from the standout writing, it's one of the most interesting and original fantasy worlds I've seen in years."—Adrian Tchaikovsky, Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

"The Bone Ships is a viciously exciting adventure. I loved every second of it."—Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

"[T]he novel feels like one of Patrick O'Brian's richly detailed sagas of seamanship...a very promising beginning."—Publishers Weekly

"The first in the Tide Child trilogy presents a unique and memorable world-harsh and brutal and full of fully realized, powerful female characters. Barker has managed to craft a story inspired by Moby Dick, Game of Thrones, and pirate lore, and readers will be drawn in and fascinated."—Booklist (starred review)

"Simultaneously gritty and full of a sense of wonder, The Bone Ships is the perfect adventure for anyone who's ever had dreams of the sea-or of dragons ... an excellent book for any reader in search of a fantastical journey."—BookPage

"I absolutely loved it. A whole lot of swashbuckling awesomeness by RJ Barker. He has crafted a fascinating world and a twisty plot, both rooted in characters I came to care about. A definite winner for me."—John Gwynne, author of Malice

"An epic tale of duty and obligation and honour, and what bravery really means... I can't recommend it enough."—Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones

"A thrilling bit of high seas fantasy that sets the stage for what is doubtless to be a riveting trilogy from a tremendously talented and imaginative mind."—Spectrum Culture

From the Publisher

Jude Owusu narrates a vibrant nautical fantasy featuring a ship made from the bones of dragons and populated with criminals. Centuries after the total disappearance of dragons, the sighting of one lone creature propels two nations into a race to capture it. Owusu gives lively and colorful accents to the staggering cast of characters, including the enslaved Gullaime, a slave birdlike creature used to control the winds via magic. Owusu’s narration balances humor and gravitas while capturing the story’s strange nautical vocabulary and magical concepts. Fascinating lore, memorable characters, and snappy banter fill the ears, thanks to Owusu's sweeping narration. It’s a great start to a new series that will ensnare listeners with a unique story and an immersive world that seems tailor-made for an audio experience. J.M.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2020 - AudioFile

Jude Owusu narrates a vibrant nautical fantasy featuring a ship made from the bones of dragons and populated with criminals. Centuries after the total disappearance of dragons, the sighting of one lone creature propels two nations into a race to capture it. Owusu gives lively and colorful accents to the staggering cast of characters, including the enslaved Gullaime, a slave birdlike creature used to control the winds via magic. Owusu’s narration balances humor and gravitas while capturing the story’s strange nautical vocabulary and magical concepts. Fascinating lore, memorable characters, and snappy banter fill the ears, thanks to Owusu's sweeping narration. It’s a great start to a new series that will ensnare listeners with a unique story and an immersive world that seems tailor-made for an audio experience. J.M.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2020 - AudioFile