Side by side, they looked out across the farm, toward the mountains. The mist rose off the valley to make clouds that ringed the peaks.
“Where will you go?” Zera asked.
“I think it’s better if no one knows,” Kreya said. “That way, no one will be tempted to find me and ask me to use the forbidden spell. But I want to see the Tririan Waterfall again. And we both want to sail on an ocean. Never done that before. I want to walk someplace where you can’t see mountains in the distance. Meet people who have never heard of Eklor, who only know of the Bone War as a distant story from far away.”
Zera wrapped an arm around Kreya’s shoulder. “It sounds absolutely exhausting with far too much camping involved. But if it’s what you want, then . . . I’m happy for you.”
They spoke for a while more, trading promises and plans and dreams, and then Kreya went inside to say farewell to the others: Marso, Stran, Amurra, and the kids. Hugging them all, Kreya and Jentt both promised to visit and to send word as often as they could.
While Jentt packed a few final meals, courtesy of Stran and Amurra, Kreya spoke with her remaining constructs and gave them a choice. They chittered among one another and then made clear their decision: some would stay and continue to watch over the farmhouse and the people they loved, and some—the bird construct and a handful of rag dolls—would come with the two of them into the unknown. The other rag dolls clustered around the children, prepared to protect them from whatever life threw their way.
At last, with all details settled and goodbyes complete, Kreya put on her coat with many pockets, and hand in hand, she and Jentt walked outside into the sunrise.
And they kept walking as the sun rose and set, and rose and set, again and again.
Acknowledgments
We all know how the stories go:
Someone saves the day. The end.
Someone rides off into the sunset. The end.
Someone kisses the love of their life. The end.
But our stories—our real stories—don’t end after a Great Moment. We keep living, day after day, until our last day. And sometimes our story doesn’t go the way we thought it would, for better or for worse. Sometimes it’s terrifying how much of our future is unknown and out of our control. We never know how much time we will have or if we’ve made the right choices on the way. That’s why I wrote The Bone Maker.
This book is about life after “the end.” It’s about second chances.
It’s me saying to you, “Keep living your story.”
This story wouldn’t exist without the efforts of many incredible people. I’d like to thank my wonderful editor, David Pomerico, who always sees exactly what a book needs and whose brilliant insights helped shape Kreya’s tale, and my amazing agent, Andrea Somberg, who is unfailingly supportive and encouraging. I’d also like to thank Jennifer Brehl, Mireya Chiriboga, Chris Connolly, Liza Cortright, Kara Coughlin, Angela Craft, Michael Flynn, Pam Jaffee, Ronnie Kutys, Lainey Mays, Debbie Mercer, Aja Pollock, Virginia Stanley, Evangelos Vasilakis, Kayleigh Webb, and all the other phenomenal people at HarperCollins who brought this book to life!
And thank you with all my heart to my husband, my children, my family, and my friends. I will treasure you beyond the end of all our stories.
Endorsements
Praise for Race the Sands
“Durst imbues a thrill-filled story about monster racing with impressive thematic depth and a refreshing spectrum of female characters. . . . Durst consistently defies expectations in both plot and characterization while exploring sophisticated themes of found family, integrity, and morality. This excellent epic fantasy will appeal to adult fans of Tamora Pierce and Megan Whalen Turner.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“National Velvet with monsters and a big helping of palace intrigue, Race the Sands is monstrous (literally), heartwarming, and empowering in equal measure. An incredibly fun and inspiring read.”
—Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale
“Sarah Beth Durst is one of the most prolific authors I know, yet each of her beautiful stories is infused with exciting action and fully rounded characters whose struggles are both relatable and fantastical. Race the Sands is a fast-paced adventure that will have you falling in love with its heroines and the monsters they ride.”
—Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Demon Cycle
“Race the Sands is not only a blistering rush through a brilliantly credible and original fantasy landscape, it’s the story of resolve, family, and personal destiny we all need. Highly recommended.”
—Julie E. Czerneda, author of The Gossamer Mage
“Race the Sands is a rousing stand-alone fantasy adventure. . . . If you’re in the mood for monsters or racing or a primarily female cast surviving against all odds, Race the Sands delivers on all counts, in one delightful package that doesn’t require a series commitment!”
—Fantasy Book Critic
“Durst’s latest delivers the same sweeping prose and lush worldbuilding as her ‘Renthia’ series, with strong female protagonists and lively supporting characters. This compelling fantasy will please fans and engage new readers.”
—Library Journal
“This stand-alone fantasy blends classic horse racing tropes with political fantasy and even a dash of Pokémon.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Race the Sands is told with Durst’s usual flair for deep emotional connections intermingled with people getting gnawed apart by ravenous mystical creatures. Read if: you like some karma in your fantasy; you’re not afraid of change; you would absolutely watch monster NASCAR on ESPN the Ocho.”
—Lightspeed
Praise for The Deepest Blue
“Fans will be eager to reenter Renthia and discover another queen.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“This intriguing dive into the powers that attempt to control Renthia yields an action-packed fantasy.”
—Library Journal
“Engaging characters, both good and evil, and magical menaces of all sizes make this a highly enjoyable read. Mayara is every possible trait to root for and deservedly so. What she has to best, be they inner or outer demons, makes this a page-turner.”
—SciFi Pulse
“The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst is a beautiful story featuring strong and compassionate characters, a rich setting, and a plot with nonstop action. The writing grabs readers on the first page and doesn’t let go until the very end.”
—Bookreporter.com
“The Deepest Blue is an excellent stand-alone story that will have you looking at the ocean in a whole new light, and one I highly recommend. Read if: you like inspirational female protagonists; you thought Island of the Blue Dolphins could do with a lot more violent deaths; you want to unleash the kraken.”
—Lightspeed
Praise for The Queen of Sorrow
“Durst brings her lavish saga to an emotional and breathtaking end, as this epic tale continues to thrill and enchant until the very last page.”
—RT Book Reviews
“The thrilling and sometimes melancholy finale of Durst’s Queens of Renthia trilogy. . . . The well-crafted denouement wraps up the entire adventure perfectly.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The Queens of Renthia series . . . concludes with an earth-shattering conflict between three determined queens, two countries, and a multitude of bloodthirsty spirits.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Ms. Durst has given us a refreshing, provocative and ultimately convincing remake of modern fantasy conventions. The wonder is that we ever saw things the other way around.”
—Wall Street Journal
“The Queen of Sorrow is . . . filled with intricate battles, a lot of action, intriguing strategies, and an entertaining story. The amazing fantasy characters remain true to themselves.”
—Washington
BookReview
“With a story focused on powerful women and worldbuilding worthy of Guy Gavriel Kay, this series has been a dark delight.”
—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog
“The Queen of Sorrow is an excellent finale to the trilogy. . . . The Queens of Renthia is a must-read of the genre. Highly Recommended.”
—SFFWorld
Praise for The Reluctant Queen
“In Durst’s excellent second Queens of Renthia fantasy, the world of Renthia remains a dangerous place where the spirits of the elements want to kill humans, and only powerful queens . . . can control them. . . . Durst throws a lot of balls in the air but manages to juggle them deftly. . . . New readers will benefit from starting with the first book, but they'll want to get to this one as soon as they can.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Durst’s Renthia continues to fascinate with its very incongruity, juxtaposing idyllic villages and cities built among the trees and the personal journey of the female protagonists with the relentless brutality of the spirits and the ruthless machinations of humans.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This sequel to The Queen of Blood introduces new protagonists while bringing back familiar characters. Durst’s strongly woven story supported by solid worldbuilding will please epic fantasy readers.”
—Library Journal
“Series fans will be captivated and eager for more of the Queens of Renthia.”
—Booklist
“This brutal tale continues with an intensity equal to that of the first title in this series, with an immediately emotional and violent opening that will keep readers enthralled to the last page, where a captivating new development will leave them fascinated and ready for more.”
—RT Book Reviews
“It is a pleasure to visit Renthia again. Durst paints a gorgeous, leaf-strewn horror house setting that makes it easy to immerse yourself in her world, and stay there (I read it in a single afternoon). It is very much a sequel that amplifies everything the first book did right—your favorite characters are back, in a plot that is in many ways a more intense, mature variation of the first, with higher stakes clearly leading somewhere bigger.”
—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog
“The Reluctant Queen was a fantastic next installment for this trilogy.”
—Girls in Capes
Praise for The Queen of Blood
American Library Association Alex Award Winner
“What a great story! A truly wonderful fantasy novel which doubles as an allegory for our own earthly struggle between Man and Nature. Filled with fresh ideas and excitement, told with verve and heart. This book deserves a wide readership, and I think it will find one.”
—Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of the Shannara series
“Thrilling—heartrending—enchanting—absolutely un-put-down-able!”
—Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author of the Tortall series
“Mythopoeic Award–winner Durst launches her Queens of Renthia series with a stellar and imaginative tale. . . . In addition to a solid cast of characters and great political intrigue, Durst delivers some fascinating worldbuilding, and the spirits are malevolent, cunning, wild, and mysterious antagonists.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Durst presents a thrilling beginning to a sweeping series about searching for sovereignty and truth in order to save one’s land.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“Durst dives into adult fantasy with thrilling results.”
—Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“Durst is an expert world-builder and has crafted an enthralling tale filled with an intriguing ensemble of characters.”
—Washington Post
“The Queen of Blood is full of rich tension from the opening scene to the nail-biting finale.”
—Jeff Wheeler, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain and Muirwood series
“I was up late finishing this book because I just could not stop. This book has been my happy place for the past several days. The world-building and unique system of magic are just brilliantly put together, and this is a good example of a first book in a series that ends with a definite conclusion—no cliffhanger—but still leaves you desperate to find out what happens next. . . . Massively recommended.”
—Charlie Jane Anders, award-winning author of The City in the Middle of the Night
About the Author
SARAH BETH DURST is the award-winning author of over twenty fantasy books for adults, teens, and kids, including the Queens of Renthia series, Drink Slay Love, and Spark. She won an American Library Association Alex Award and a Mythopoeic Fantasy Award and has been a finalist for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America’s Andre Norton Award three times. She is a graduate of Princeton University and lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband, her children, and her ill-mannered cat.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
Also by Sarah Beth Durst
Race the Sands
The Deepest Blue
The Queens of Renthia
The Queen of Blood
The Reluctant Queen
The Queen of Sorrow
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
the bone maker. Copyright © 2021 by Sarah Beth Durst. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Harper Voyager and design are trademarks of HarperCollins Publishers LLC.
first edition
Frontispiece © Lemberg Vector studio / Shutterstock
Cover design and illustration by Damonza
Cover images © Picsfive/Shutterstock (ribs); © sNike/Shutterstock (femur, ulna and radius); © Baimieng/Shutterstock (skulls); © Eky Studio/Shutterstock (background); © VintageStyle/Shutterstock (texture).
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for.
Digital Edition MARCH 2021 ISBN: 978-0-06-288866-2
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-288863-1
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