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Geomancer #3
The Ship of Strays
The thrilling third Geomancer book in the epic fantasy trilogy from the bestselling, award-winning Kiran Millwood Hargrave, for readers of Philip Pullman and Katherine Rundell.
'Destined to be a classic' Garth Nix
'This tale of adventure and magic is as brave as it is exciting' Independent
'A stunning adventure' Cressida Cowell
Ysolda has unlocked the earth magic, and its powers are rising within her. Could she really find out what it is like to fly, or to control the creatures of the deep?
With a rebel princess by her side, she is racing against the fearsome wolf queen. But they're in for a stormy journey across the sea, facing pirates and the elements, and with the future of the whole world at stake ...
From the author of The Girl of Ink and Stars, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies, the Geomancer trilogy is a new modern classic for readers young and old.
'Destined to be a classic' Garth Nix
'This tale of adventure and magic is as brave as it is exciting' Independent
'A stunning adventure' Cressida Cowell
Ysolda has unlocked the earth magic, and its powers are rising within her. Could she really find out what it is like to fly, or to control the creatures of the deep?
With a rebel princess by her side, she is racing against the fearsome wolf queen. But they're in for a stormy journey across the sea, facing pirates and the elements, and with the future of the whole world at stake ...
From the author of The Girl of Ink and Stars, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies, the Geomancer trilogy is a new modern classic for readers young and old.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2025
3 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
34 books2,600 followersKiran Millwood Hargrave is an award-winning writer whose work has been translated into over 30 languages and optioned for stage and screen. Almost Life, her third novel for adults, will be published by Picador (UK) and Summit (US) in March 2026.
Her debut adult novel The Mercies debuted at number one of the The Times bestseller list, was a top-ten Sunday Times bestseller, and was selected for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club and the Richard and Judy Summer Reads. It was a finalist for the prestigious Prix Femina in France, won a Betty Trask Award, and was called 'unquestionably the book of the 2018 London Book Fair' by The Bookseller. The Dance Tree was shortlisted for the HWA Gold Crown Award and picked for the BBC Two Between Two Covers Book Club, as well as Florence + the Machine's Between Two Books Book Club.
Between them, her children's books have won numerous awards including the Wainwright Prize, Children's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Historical Association Young Quills Award, and the Blackwell's Children's Book of the Year. They have been shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize, the Barnes and Noble Award, Jhalak Prize, the Little Rebels Prize, the Branford Boase Award, the Blue Peter Best Story Award, Costa Children's Book Prize, Foyles' Children's Book of the Year, and thrice-longlisted for the Carnegie Award.
Kiran lives in Oxford with her husband, the artist Tom de Freston, their daughter, cats, and usually a litter of foster kittens.
Her debut adult novel The Mercies debuted at number one of the The Times bestseller list, was a top-ten Sunday Times bestseller, and was selected for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club and the Richard and Judy Summer Reads. It was a finalist for the prestigious Prix Femina in France, won a Betty Trask Award, and was called 'unquestionably the book of the 2018 London Book Fair' by The Bookseller. The Dance Tree was shortlisted for the HWA Gold Crown Award and picked for the BBC Two Between Two Covers Book Club, as well as Florence + the Machine's Between Two Books Book Club.
Between them, her children's books have won numerous awards including the Wainwright Prize, Children's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Historical Association Young Quills Award, and the Blackwell's Children's Book of the Year. They have been shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize, the Barnes and Noble Award, Jhalak Prize, the Little Rebels Prize, the Branford Boase Award, the Blue Peter Best Story Award, Costa Children's Book Prize, Foyles' Children's Book of the Year, and thrice-longlisted for the Carnegie Award.
Kiran lives in Oxford with her husband, the artist Tom de Freston, their daughter, cats, and usually a litter of foster kittens.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 1, 2025
Thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for providing me an eARC to review!
I've really enjoyed this series by Millwood Hargrave - there are a lot of important environmental messages while still being an enjoyable adventure story for older middle-grade readers. The changing climate impacts how they can go about their tasks and live off the land, which is a cool way to integrate a message without it feeling too preachy.
This instalment felt a little slower to get going, especially since the girls are fighting for a lot of this one and then it kind of moves into a romance I wasn't expecting and didn't think added much to the story. But there was also more depth added to Ysolda's relationship with her magic - with her not really recognising the ways in which it is corrupting her until it's too late. Since they're on the ship it felt a lot more internal and character-focused, which I don't mind but wasn't something I was expecting for this final book.
Would recommend to older middle grade or younger YA readers, though I think there is something you can get from this series at any age. I think Millwood Hargrave's books do tend to have a more immediate appeal to adults for their messaging and storytelling, but there's enough action and cool animals/settings that they're entertaining too.
I've really enjoyed this series by Millwood Hargrave - there are a lot of important environmental messages while still being an enjoyable adventure story for older middle-grade readers. The changing climate impacts how they can go about their tasks and live off the land, which is a cool way to integrate a message without it feeling too preachy.
This instalment felt a little slower to get going, especially since the girls are fighting for a lot of this one and then it kind of moves into a romance I wasn't expecting and didn't think added much to the story. But there was also more depth added to Ysolda's relationship with her magic - with her not really recognising the ways in which it is corrupting her until it's too late. Since they're on the ship it felt a lot more internal and character-focused, which I don't mind but wasn't something I was expecting for this final book.
Would recommend to older middle grade or younger YA readers, though I think there is something you can get from this series at any age. I think Millwood Hargrave's books do tend to have a more immediate appeal to adults for their messaging and storytelling, but there's enough action and cool animals/settings that they're entertaining too.
August 22, 2025
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE SHIP OF STRAYS is a finale to this epic series that delves into the emotional strain on the characters and their bonds.
This book features both Ysolda and Eira's narration. It was so nice to see both girls' perspectives on events at last. There's a lot happening and they both face a lot of emotional turmoil so it was great to follow both of them through the peril and wonder of the world revealed in this book.
The girls go through a lot in this book. Ysolda teeters on a dark path, the power unfamiliar but intoxicating at times. However, it costs her dearly with her relationships. I liked seeing how it challenged her bonds with both Nara and Eira, that the book explored the very real consequences of disregarding the feelings of those around you.
We travel to a new part of the world here, this time to the Geomancer world's equivalent of the Mediterranean. There are enough linguistical similarities to work out which countries and islands they're stepping off too and a rich host of mythologies alluded too in the brief visits at these places.
There is a large action sequence at the end to cap off the series but it ultimately ends up with a climax reflecting the wonder - but also the deadly power - of nature, staying true to the book's themes. Though they are written as magical, they are not - and the author's note points this out.
THE SHIP OF STRAYS is a finale to this epic series that delves into the emotional strain on the characters and their bonds.
This book features both Ysolda and Eira's narration. It was so nice to see both girls' perspectives on events at last. There's a lot happening and they both face a lot of emotional turmoil so it was great to follow both of them through the peril and wonder of the world revealed in this book.
The girls go through a lot in this book. Ysolda teeters on a dark path, the power unfamiliar but intoxicating at times. However, it costs her dearly with her relationships. I liked seeing how it challenged her bonds with both Nara and Eira, that the book explored the very real consequences of disregarding the feelings of those around you.
We travel to a new part of the world here, this time to the Geomancer world's equivalent of the Mediterranean. There are enough linguistical similarities to work out which countries and islands they're stepping off too and a rich host of mythologies alluded too in the brief visits at these places.
There is a large action sequence at the end to cap off the series but it ultimately ends up with a climax reflecting the wonder - but also the deadly power - of nature, staying true to the book's themes. Though they are written as magical, they are not - and the author's note points this out.
August 31, 2025
This is the 3rd book in a complete trilogy so spoilers for previous books, also there is a specific event from this book which isn't a story spoiler but a trigger that hit me hard so wanted to let others know.
Ysoldas powers are growing after the events of the last book, the earth magic is growing within her and she needs to learn to control this.
Both her and Eira need to sort out their issues and learn to work together, as they will have to beat the wolf queen (amongst others) to find what they are looking for and maybe just save the world.
I actually really enjoyed this series as a whole. I love how both girls developed individually and as a team, and I really liked the high stakes of the story.
Onto the one thing I didn't like, and I appreciate this is a deeply personal issue and not everyone will be affected but there is a trigger for pet death in this story. I was really thrown by this and can see why it was a part of the story but also thought it was unnecessary. Sadly this did taint the series as a whole a little for me, but ultimately I finished the series and as I say, did enjoy the overall story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion books for the review copy, all opinions my own. Out Now!
Ysoldas powers are growing after the events of the last book, the earth magic is growing within her and she needs to learn to control this.
Both her and Eira need to sort out their issues and learn to work together, as they will have to beat the wolf queen (amongst others) to find what they are looking for and maybe just save the world.
I actually really enjoyed this series as a whole. I love how both girls developed individually and as a team, and I really liked the high stakes of the story.
Onto the one thing I didn't like, and I appreciate this is a deeply personal issue and not everyone will be affected but there is a trigger for pet death in this story. I was really thrown by this and can see why it was a part of the story but also thought it was unnecessary. Sadly this did taint the series as a whole a little for me, but ultimately I finished the series and as I say, did enjoy the overall story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion books for the review copy, all opinions my own. Out Now!
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September 21, 2025i should stop rating middle-grade as it's not fair; this book was very cool and Kiran has done so well <3
August 13, 2025
I read this as an eARC, thank you Netgalley and the author and I'm voluntarily reviewing this book.
This book is a perfect ending to the Geomancer trilogy. I have loved the series since picking it up and can't wait to be able to share it with my son when he's older.
The web of fate has brought Ysolda and Eira back together and they're forced to flee onboard a ship of strays, racing to reach the end of their journey. Twists and turns have them discovering more about the world around them, the Geomancer, themselves and how everything fits together.
There are new characters brought in who fit seamlessly into the woven tale and bring new insights and depth to Ysolda and Eira's relationship. Both characters really grow in this book, with some of the others characteristics starting to rub off on each other in the very best ways.
The story is so very poignant and thought provoking but deals so well with death, greed, human nature, love, desire and hope.
I couldn't ask for a better ending. I simply loved it.
This book is a perfect ending to the Geomancer trilogy. I have loved the series since picking it up and can't wait to be able to share it with my son when he's older.
The web of fate has brought Ysolda and Eira back together and they're forced to flee onboard a ship of strays, racing to reach the end of their journey. Twists and turns have them discovering more about the world around them, the Geomancer, themselves and how everything fits together.
There are new characters brought in who fit seamlessly into the woven tale and bring new insights and depth to Ysolda and Eira's relationship. Both characters really grow in this book, with some of the others characteristics starting to rub off on each other in the very best ways.
The story is so very poignant and thought provoking but deals so well with death, greed, human nature, love, desire and hope.
I couldn't ask for a better ending. I simply loved it.
August 5, 2025
I always look forward to reading a book by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and am never disappointed.
This time it is the final part of the Geomancer Trilogy, a fantasy for KS3 children. Very well structured, sometimes with a pace that is quite intense, adorned with the author’s beautifully lyrical writing.
The plot is skillfully weaved around characters that are unpredictable, engaging, dynamic, uncertain at times but ultimately resolved on their long and perilous quest.
A perfect tale with many underlying messages sprouting through the authors’ superbly crafted writing. It is highly recommended to anyone looking for a great read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Children’s Group for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This time it is the final part of the Geomancer Trilogy, a fantasy for KS3 children. Very well structured, sometimes with a pace that is quite intense, adorned with the author’s beautifully lyrical writing.
The plot is skillfully weaved around characters that are unpredictable, engaging, dynamic, uncertain at times but ultimately resolved on their long and perilous quest.
A perfect tale with many underlying messages sprouting through the authors’ superbly crafted writing. It is highly recommended to anyone looking for a great read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Children’s Group for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2025
A resounding ending
—
Quite simply, a resounding ending for a Chosen One trilogy clearly influenced by Le Guin’s Earthsea books, while being very much a world of its own. Loose threads are tied, characters are reunited, tempers flared and highly inventive storytelling continues to be practiced. Even grief is treated reverently in a brilliant narrative that does all the things its needs to, before letting the reader down gently. The story does indeed come to an end but this world is bigger and stranger than a trilogy can hold, so I expect that we’ll see more stories in the Geomancer milieu.
Four and a half stars
—
Quite simply, a resounding ending for a Chosen One trilogy clearly influenced by Le Guin’s Earthsea books, while being very much a world of its own. Loose threads are tied, characters are reunited, tempers flared and highly inventive storytelling continues to be practiced. Even grief is treated reverently in a brilliant narrative that does all the things its needs to, before letting the reader down gently. The story does indeed come to an end but this world is bigger and stranger than a trilogy can hold, so I expect that we’ll see more stories in the Geomancer milieu.
Four and a half stars
December 25, 2025
Sadly, as much as it loved the series, I found this book a bit of a slog! The first half of the book just felt "wrong" to me; the characters is come to love became unlikeable in a way I wasn't expecting or prepared for. It was only as they reached the whirlpool that I started to see the heart of the story - what is loved on the guest two books - reflected in the writing.
Overall, glad to have read and enjoyed this series. I will read it all again. Only... I'll hopefully be better prepared next time for this ending.
Overall, glad to have read and enjoyed this series. I will read it all again. Only... I'll hopefully be better prepared next time for this ending.
September 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
November 10, 2025
I adored this, everything was perfectly written. The ending 10/10, very emotional.
Must read.
Must read.
September 16, 2025
Kiran brings the geomancer trilogy to a lyrical close with the Ship of Strays as Ysolda and Ezra head away from Norveger towards Kriti in their race to keep the power of the Geomancer from Thane Boreal and Eira’s mother.
Ship opens up the Geomancer world as they sail into the Mediterranean (or the Bitter sea as it’s known in this Bronze Age inspired world).
Kiran develops the characters we met briefly at the end of second book, most particularly Aethel and Saffiyah who are almost an older reflection of Ysolda and Eira, and introduces piratical new character Cyrus.
Throughout the book Ysolda is learning and exploring her new powers and coming to terms with the often devastating consequences of using them. Eira too develops as she struggles with her jealousy of Ysolda who she feels has stolen her destiny. I enjoyed watching the girls overcome their obstacles to their friendship as it slowly morphed into something more. The final showdown is an eerie as it is epic and heart rending as loyalties and love and ambition collide.
Another lyrical and gorgeous adventure from Kiran.
Ship opens up the Geomancer world as they sail into the Mediterranean (or the Bitter sea as it’s known in this Bronze Age inspired world).
Kiran develops the characters we met briefly at the end of second book, most particularly Aethel and Saffiyah who are almost an older reflection of Ysolda and Eira, and introduces piratical new character Cyrus.
Throughout the book Ysolda is learning and exploring her new powers and coming to terms with the often devastating consequences of using them. Eira too develops as she struggles with her jealousy of Ysolda who she feels has stolen her destiny. I enjoyed watching the girls overcome their obstacles to their friendship as it slowly morphed into something more. The final showdown is an eerie as it is epic and heart rending as loyalties and love and ambition collide.
Another lyrical and gorgeous adventure from Kiran.
December 12, 2025
4,5 stars
Definitely easier to get in again than book two and the seafaring stuff I could also stomach. I love how the book explores what the magic does to Ysolda and that we also get Eira's POV. A bit surprised there's actually a sapphic love story but it's cute, of course! The tension rises during the story and offers some very emotional, tearjerking scenes. All in all though, I think I like the author's shorter middle grade books better in their concise perfection and the ending here is a little confusing - how does THAT solve everything?
Definitely easier to get in again than book two and the seafaring stuff I could also stomach. I love how the book explores what the magic does to Ysolda and that we also get Eira's POV. A bit surprised there's actually a sapphic love story but it's cute, of course! The tension rises during the story and offers some very emotional, tearjerking scenes. All in all though, I think I like the author's shorter middle grade books better in their concise perfection and the ending here is a little confusing - how does THAT solve everything?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews