I acquired a overview copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my overview and all opinions are my very own.

The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford

Mogsy’s Ranking: 3.5 of 5 stars

Style: Fantasy

Collection: E book 1 of The Rakada

Writer: Orbit (August 12, 2025)

Size: 477 pages

Creator Data: Web site

Jackson Ford is a type of authors I count on to convey a sure wild and irreverent power to no matter he writes. I’ve solely learn one among his books earlier than (The Woman Who Might Transfer Sh*t with Her Thoughts), besides, I went into The Bone Raiders anticipating one thing at the very least a bit of cheeky, if the Billy Joel lyric splashed on the quilt was something to go by. On the entire, I might say I obtained what I wished—a enjoyable e-book each time it leans into fantasy journey and dynamic motion—although not with no few bumps alongside the best way.

The story takes place throughout the huge grasslands of the Tapestry, the place the rise of a brand new Khan is reshaping its panorama. With the tribal clans who dwell there being pressured into the empire or outright destroyed, caught within the center are the Rakada, higher often known as the Bone Raiders. A infamous band of fierce feminine fighters, they eke out a brutal existence on the plains by raiding, stealing, and terrorizing the villages alongside the countryside, and evidently, the enlargement of the Khan’s affect is placing a damper on their actions.

Enter Sayana, who’s one among our POV characters, a younger member of the Rakada who finds herself thrown right into a harmful scenario after a scouting mission goes sideways. Issues solely worsen when an enormous fire-breathing lizard-like creature referred to as an araatan crashes onto the scene. Nevertheless, witnessing its fearsome energy provides Sayana an thought so loopy that it’d simply work. What if the Bone Raiders may by some means tame the araatan and trip them into battle in opposition to the Khan’s encroaching forces? Absolutely nobody would have the ability to stand in opposition to them then. However pushing her plan ahead will imply first convincing the remainder of the Rakada, and with morale already so low, not all of them are keen to place themselves at much more threat. Nonetheless, everybody agrees that one thing should be achieved. As a result of in the event that they don’t struggle again, Sayana and her individuals might be worn out for good.

What actually offered me on this e-book have been the characters. They’ll’t be referred to as heroes by any stretch (these are girls who plunder, homicide, and take pleasure in that popularity) however they make for fascinating protagonists. Name them what you want, however boring isn’t one among them. The group has a messy found-family power, stuffed with fascinating rivalries and loyalties that really feel genuine and lived-in. Sayana, for instance, works properly because the keen however painfully naïve youngest member, always difficult the hierarchy and butting heads together with her elders in an effort to show herself. On prime of that, these relationships aren’t simply taking part in out throughout the Bone Raiders but additionally on the opposite facet of the battle, making your complete story really feel dynamic and alive, which stands out as one of many e-book’s biggest strengths.

However I might say the world-building is a combined bag. On one hand, the Tapestry is an interesting setting, and Ford clearly drew inspiration from nomadic plains cultures to form his clans and characters. However however, there’s not a lot past the floor dressing, and at instances the world feels flippantly sketched in fairly than absolutely fleshed out. Right here and there, we catch a glimpse of the broader empire outdoors, however these fleeting moments come with out a lot depth, and the novel’s cultural particulars strike me as overly simplistic. So, if you happen to’re in search of deep lore or richly layered world-building, you could discover the background right here a bit missing.

Therefore if I sound torn, it’s as a result of I form of am. I beloved the araatan, probably the e-book’s most inventive factor. In truth, I want we’d gotten to see extra of them. The ultimate act can also be glorious, delivering high-octane motion, however this was solely after a slower and repetitive center part. Nonetheless, as this seems to be the primary quantity of a brand new sequence, I’m curious to see the place the story will take us subsequent.

Ultimately, The Bone Raiders is a enjoyable however uneven sequence opener. The characters and humor stood out, the large fire-breathing lizards completely stole the present, however the world-building is noticeably sparse and a few persistence is unquestionably required to push by way of slower sections. I can’t say I beloved it from begin to end, however I had sufficient enjoyable that I’ll be preserving an eye fixed out for the sequel.