The Bone Ships

I did not know that a fantasy naval adventure was missing from my life, but apparently it was. The Bone Ships is the first novel in a new trilogy from RJ Barker and it is a very promising start. The story follows an officer on a ‘ship of the dead' where people who are condemned try to gain reentry into society by crewing a rundown ship on a hopeless mission.

In this world, it seems that the vegetation does not provide sufficient strength for building large boats, so instead they are built from the bones of great sea dragons (Arkeesians), hence the title of the book. An interesting concept, which gives rise to the central story of the book - tracking such an Arkeesian through the archipelago where the story is set.

Being a nautical fantasy, it gives Barker room to explore new types of fantastical creature and stay well away from the well established tropes. His strange Guillames - gull like humanoids who are able to control the wind, and the the many weird and wonderful sea creatures evoke a wonderfully fresh fantasy.

My one issue with the book was one of pacing, as the start was somewhat slow, but once the book got going it was truly gripping. I am intrigued to see where this world goes!