Author/Uploaded by RJ Barker
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Copyright © 2023 by RJ Barker Cover design by Duncan Spilling—LBBG Cover images by...
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Copyright © 2023 by RJ Barker Cover design by Duncan Spilling—LBBG Cover images by Shutterstock Map by Tom Parker Illustration Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights. Orbit Hachette Book Group 1290 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10104 orbitbooks.net First Edition: June 2023 Simultaneously published in Great Britain by Orbit Orbit is an imprint of Hachette Book Group. The Orbit name and logo are trademarks of Little, Brown Book Group Limited. The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher. The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking events. To find out more, go to hachettespeakersbureau.com or email [email protected]. Orbit books may be purchased in bulk for business, educational, or promotional use. For information, please contact your local bookseller or the Hachette Book Group Special Markets Department at [email protected]. Library of Congress Control Number: 2022952443 ISBNs: 9780316401586 (trade paperback), 9780316401784 (ebook) E3-20230525-JV-NF-ORI Contents Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Map Epigraph Beginning 1 2 Deep in the Forest 3 Deep in the Forest 4 5 6 7 Deep in the Forest 8 9 10 11 Deep in the Forest 12 Deep in the Forest 13 14 Deep in the Forest 15 Deep in the Forest 16 17 Deep in the Forest 18 19 Deep in the Forest 20 21 22 23 24 Deep in the Forest 25 Deep in the Forest 26 27 28 Deep in the Forest 29 30 31 32 Deep in the Forest 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Deep in the Forest 41 42 Deep in the Forest Deeper in the Forest Deeper in the Forest Shallow in the Wood 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Deep in the Forest 51 52 Deep in the Forest 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 Deep in the Forest 64 65 66 67 68 Epilogue Acknowledgements Discover More Meet the Author Also by RJ Barker Praise for RJ Barker Begin Reading Table of Contents Praise for RJ Barker “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, on The Bone Ships “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 of Children of Time “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 The Shadow of the Gods, on The Bone Ships “An epic tale of duty and obligation and honor, and what bravery really means. I can’t recommend it enough.” —Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones, on The Bone Ships “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 By RJ Barker THE WOUNDED KINGDOM Age of Assassins Blood of Assassins King of Assassins THE TIDE CHILD TRILOGY The Bone Ships Call of the Bone Ships The Bone Ship’s Wake THE FORSAKEN TRILOGY Gods of the Wyrdwood For Ed Wilson, an agent and a friend Harm none, and remain unharmed. Beginning The boy liked Ventday best. He had always liked Ventday because on Ventday the processionals happened and there was no work when the processionals passed the farm. The tools and staffs were put away and the mothers made them wear their best clothes and the fathers made sure they were clean. Then they all stood on the grass, cold whistling around them, trying not to shiver as they waited for the monks to make their way through Woodedge from Harn towards Harn-Larger. The monks always came in the first part of the day, but they never stopped at the farm. Monks had no time for clanless tenant farmers scratching a life from the frozen land. But it was exciting for the boy. Though all followed Chyi,