The Bone Ships by RJ Barker
I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. This in no way impacts my opinions.
I have to be honest, I’ve never read anything by RJ Barker before, despite his presence on my TBF. As a result, I didn’t know quite what to expect. I’d heard good stuff, but we all fell into that trap from time to time. Gladly, this was not one of those occasions.
This one is set in a nautical world, an archipelago divided into two warring nations. We follow the story of Joron Twiner, who is assigned to a black ship, one populated and run by criminals (not quite like pirates though). Joron’s life is turned upside down Lucky Meas Gilbryn shows up and takes over his ship, endeavouring to change it from a ship run by disinterested reprobates, to one to rival the regular fleet ships. Oh, I almost forgot – these are no ordinary ships, they are built from the bones of great sea dragons, which are nearing extinction, When one such dragons suddenly appears, Meas and Co set off after it. Cue sea battles and plot twists aplenty.
Worldbuilding
This is one of the finest parts of the novel. It’s relatively familiar, at least from a nautical perspective, That being said, the changes in dialect (more on that later) make it all seem new and refreshing. The ships seem cool, built around the bones of dragons, but these are dwindling due to overhunting, so one can imagine the furore when a dragon shows up after many years. The world is quite unique, The caste system is based on whether one was born whole or not, as the harsh world in which this is set leads to more of the latter. There are even cults that take babies to use as lights for some of the bigger ships. The gods are cruel, and in this cruel world, they are often the people’s minds. Finally, the ocean itself deserves a mention. I could almost include the sea as a character, it so well portrayed. It is vast and beautiful, but also populated by all manner of dangerous creatures. The ocean, for all that it provides for the people of this world, is just as dangerous below the water as above it.
Score – 5/5
Characters
Another feather in the author’s cap, Joron and Meas are a terrific pair. Meas almost steals the show as the “captain” (shipwife), turning the crew of murderers and general ne’er-do-wells into able sailors, ready to take on the regular navy. The crew aren’t so good that they can kick everyone else’s ass, and at times we find out how Meas got her nickname. Joron is the real star of the show, and we see everything through his eyes. When we meet Joron, he’s a self-loathing drunk, happier to drink himself to death rather than die fighting on the black ships. When Lucky Meas takes over, he resents her at first, for taking what he believed was his, then for trying to turn him onto a sailor, but he buys into her strength and ability to lead. Watching him grow, and acknowledge it, is one of the main pleasures of the book. The other characters are an interesting bunch, and they have their own mini story arcs, just so we don’t get burnt on Joron and Meas. We never quite know who to trust, even when the author throws red herrings in our path.
Score – 5/5
Plot
Even the basic plot is open to interpretation. Sure, everyone and their mother is hunting the sea dragon, but what are their motivations? Why is Meas and her crew really protecting the sea dragon? The partnership with both the rival nation and factions within their own Always leave us guessing what’s going on. The crew’s motivations leave us with plots within plots, and adds to the enjoyment.
Score – 4.5/5
Writing
The first thing you’ll notice when you start reading is you’ll have to learn a new dialect. This will slow things down at first, but you’ll be deckchildering and Berncasting like an old sailor before you know it. As I mentioned earlier, it adds a new dimension to what may seem like a regular fantasy norm (but really isn’t). This is no Elvish poetry either, it’s part and parcel of the experience. In addition, the author skillfully weaves in creation myths and worldbuilding without resorting to exposition chapters. Instead we learn it all from Joron’s interaction with others. There are a couple of things that bug me though. The first is the occasional use of introducing characters five minutes before they die. While death is part of life and fantasy, trying to curry emotional reaction gets on my wick. Secondly, there are also moments when despite it being made clear that a character can’t do something important – like Joron drawing his weapon quickly – there will come a crucial moment when it happens.
Score – 3.5/5
Personal Enjoyment
This was a very enjoyable read. Written in a fresh style (I do like when authors use different writing techniques) and peppered with humour (but not jokey), it kept me engaged from start to finish. I recommend this to anyone who’s tired of traditional fantasy tropes and wants to try something different.
Score – 4.5/5
Verdict
An entertaining and fresh take on nautical fantasy.
Total Score – 22.5/25
