By Issy Gee
September 10, 2023
Everyone can enjoy a good maritime adventure - the thrill of swashbuckling pirates, the violent chaos of the open ocean, and the smudged line between wrong and right. From Pirates of the Caribbean to the classic tale of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, piracy has almost become its own subgenre. And a hidden treasure within this literary sea is RJ Barker’s The Bone Ships.
An epic fantasy unique in more than just its cover, The Bone Ships plunges you into a new world of ships built from dragon bones, indomitable captains, and a never ending war between two bloodthirsty fleets. For generations, warships have been built from ancient dragon bones, and, even as the dragons disappear, the fight continues. Materials can be reused, after all. But when the first dragon in centuries is spotted in far-off waters, both sides see a chance at victory, and everyone races to tip the scales in their favor. A high-stakes story that has you holding your breath with every turn of the page, The Bone Ships is vicious in its plot’s twists and turns. The worldbuilding is artfully done, with original sea shanties and a tome’s worth of legends and myths. It is a vivid world of daring escapades and extensive lore; it is truly one-of-a-kind.
One of the things that makes RJ Barker’s universe so beautiful is his characters - an ensemble that isn’t just interesting, but relatable. They’re written as real people, each with their own flaws and strengths. And, if you like a good ol’ underdog story, then look no further. With a mountain of character development to enjoy, Barker’s characters will never feel stagnant or cliche.
Just as unique as his characters is Barker’s style of writing. Though The Bone Ships is mostly written through third-person limited, you are still given insight into each character. Within these pages you will find a style that is stunning in both word-choice and structure. And, of course, Barker’s imagery demands some mention - his descriptions will make you shiver from the cold of a breaking wave, squint against a far-off sun, and smell the salt of the ocean.
Even better is the fact that the adventure doesn’t end with The Bone Ships. It belongs to the Tide Child Trilogy, and its successors didn’t fall prey to sequel-syndrome; Call of the Bone Ships and The Bone Ships’ Wake do not exhibit any sort of drop in quality, and are just as engaging and fascinating as The Bone Ships.
So, if you’re looking for adventure, mystique, and legend on the high seas, crack open The Bone Ships and ready yourself for the beauty of Barker’s epic fantasy.