olivia_russell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
sullensunshine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
For me personally, this was a little hard to get into. There’s a lot of world building and fantasy-like build up/descriptions in order to understand the culture and picture of our world setting. While I understand the need of this,,,it was SO hard to find interesting in the beginning. I found myself getting confused more often then not with certain terminology that wasn’t explained and it would take me out of the setting.
That being said…once it picks up it picks UP. Rin Chupeco does this really neat thing where she alternatives between future scenes and the current perspective of out main character. By the time I finished, I was completely enveloped into the story and ready to read the sequel.
The characters are incredibly diverse (genders, race, even a possible subtle message/context of a gender fluid character and plus size characters). The romance is mentioned but not focused on completely if that’s not your thing and the action scenes are pretty thrilling.
That being said…once it picks up it picks UP. Rin Chupeco does this really neat thing where she alternatives between future scenes and the current perspective of out main character. By the time I finished, I was completely enveloped into the story and ready to read the sequel.
The characters are incredibly diverse (genders, race, even a possible subtle message/context of a gender fluid character and plus size characters). The romance is mentioned but not focused on completely if that’s not your thing and the action scenes are pretty thrilling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
kathrynleereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco begins the story of Tea, a young girl who is brought to the city of Ankyo to be trained as an asha after accidentally bringing her brother back from the dead.
-
In my mind, this book can be split into two very distinct parts, the first being the majority of the book, and the second being the last 100 pages.
For most of the book, the pace is slow, the plot basically nonexistent, and the character development mild.
The last 100 pages, however, tell a whole different story. All of a sudden the pace turns nearly frantic, and the characters are challenged in new and difficult ways.
-
Tea- While reading, I constantly forgot that Tea is only 14 years old. She has the air of a much older and more experienced person, which I believe is one of the reasons that she is so powerful and (potentially) dangerous.
Fox- I’m not sure why, but I never completely trusted Fox. He obviously loves Tea very much and is there to protect her, but the whole time I was reading, there was some part of me that felt as if he’s got the potential to derail things for Tea.
Lady Mykaela- Despite having to deal with the daeva on her own for the most part, and without the presence of her heartsglass, Lady Mykaela is such a calming and positive presence. I do wish that she fought back against the kingdoms using her basically as a tool though.
Zoya-
Spoiler
Right from the start, I felt as if Tea’s relationship with Zoya was going to be that of enemies-to-friends, and I’m so glad that (as of now) I seem to be correct.Likh- I wish Likh had been a little more present in this book. I love his character and the debate that his presence brings up about tradition.
Polaire & Althy- I love these two. They’re so different but also so genuine. Despite everything, they love Mykaela and Tea and do everything in their power to keep them both safe.
-
Flash-Forwards & the Bard- The presence of the Bard in the flash-forwards was ingenious in so many ways.
Having Tea explain things to the Bard was a seamless way to foreshadow, and to fill readers in on things they may have overlooked, but I think the Bard’s reactions to Tea’s stories are so much more valuable.
Fictional worlds are sometimes hard for readers to grasp because even with different customs and traditions explained through world-building, it is not always easy to gauge the level of difference between that world and our own.
Seeing how the Bard, who only knows the world of the Eight Kingdoms, reacts and responds to the information he is learning from Tea gives readers insight into the mindset of the people there.
Putting aside the Bard and the added world-building element that they provided, I enjoyed the presence of the flash-forwards because of the intrigue they created.
Obviously, there are some slight spoilers released through the flash-forwards, but they are so far-fetched from the current direction of the story that it only builds the suspense more.
-
World-building- In my opinion, world-building is what makes or breaks a book. I love seeing fictional worlds brought to life and reading about all the cultures and traditions that exist in each one.
I’ve never read a book about which I could say there was too much world-building.
Until now.
The Bone Witch has an amazing world that I loved learning about, but I think the reason it dragged so much for so long was because of the over-abundance of world-building.
There was so much information thrown at the reader so quickly that I got lost in the details numerous times.
It took me most of the book to determine that there is just one of each deava, and I’m still trying to sort out the major differences between the eight kingdoms (the guide at the end of the book would have been very helpful had I discovered it before finishing the book).
This book taught me that it is not world-building alone that makes or breaks a book, but world-building that is well-paced.
Despite this, and even though the book did drag for a majority of the story, I do think The Bone Witch is worth reading.
Rin Chupeco has built an intricate and beautiful world and has set the story up for great second and third books.
I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for Tea in the rest of the trilogy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Classism, Medical content, Misogyny, and Sexism
dark_lyn's review against another edition
4.5
This was like Memoirs of a Geisha meets The Witcher. All centered around a powerful young heroine with much to learn and overcome. It felt really original, the world and magic system were very detailed and interesting.
I found it particularly hard to follow all of the character and place names, but I managed to muddle through. There are several maps, which looked pretty cool, and would probably be helpful. Sadly I found them tricky to read on my ereader or phone, and I'm not great with maps to begin with.
I found it particularly hard to follow all of the character and place names, but I managed to muddle through. There are several maps, which looked pretty cool, and would probably be helpful. Sadly I found them tricky to read on my ereader or phone, and I'm not great with maps to begin with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Bullying
pitchblackkoi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. The characterization draws you in and the worldbuilding is absolutely incredible. Finding a book that’s high fantasy but based in Asian folklore and mythology instead of the usual European was an absolute treat in and of itself and the writing also delivers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
alexa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this is clearly an introduction and a set up for the rest of the story and i believe it does this job well. i've had quite a pleasant time. i've still got a few unanswered questions though. i believed i'd get recounted the whole time between the start of the main character's journey and the point she's at in present timeline, but there still seems to be information i'm missing, mainly regarding her love interest. i can only hope this is going to be answered at some point in either of the two next books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Grief, and Death
directorpurry's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Racism, Sexism, and War
gibbse97's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Grief
tifftastic87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I appreciated the rich culture and world that Chupeco created in this story. It was pretty confusing at first but I did like that it unfurled as the story did. It may have been clearer in physical form and I think I will pick up the books for the rest of the story.
Tea is a necromancy witch in a world where witches are known. Female witches are trained to use their rune magic to both protect and entertain the wealthy and high class. In their training to entertain they are very highly educated in history, dance, musical instruments and song, as well as fighting. Male witches join the military ranks as Death Seekers. Tea discovers her ability as a Dark Asha by accidentally raising her brother, a fallen death seeker when she is only 12. From here the story follows Tea as she is trained in her craft, but the training doesn't come easy and Dark Asha's are more feared and ridiculed than respected.
The story itself was a little slow, but is told in two timelines. When the reveal of why happens the story starts to pick up. As with most YA stories, Tea is incredibly strong and special. But it didn't feel as Mary Sue as it could have. We see her struggle with many things and we see her fail and we see her punished. I did enjoy the aspect of her making mistakes and learning from them, we aren't told she is smart but we see that she is smart. Though that doesn't mean she doesn't make stupid young teen mistakes. Which I greatly appreciated.
The building of the world and weaving of cultures honestly gives it extra points for me.
Tea is a necromancy witch in a world where witches are known. Female witches are trained to use their rune magic to both protect and entertain the wealthy and high class. In their training to entertain they are very highly educated in history, dance, musical instruments and song, as well as fighting. Male witches join the military ranks as Death Seekers. Tea discovers her ability as a Dark Asha by accidentally raising her brother, a fallen death seeker when she is only 12. From here the story follows Tea as she is trained in her craft, but the training doesn't come easy and Dark Asha's are more feared and ridiculed than respected.
The story itself was a little slow, but is told in two timelines. When the reveal of why happens the story starts to pick up. As with most YA stories, Tea is incredibly strong and special. But it didn't feel as Mary Sue as it could have. We see her struggle with many things and we see her fail and we see her punished. I did enjoy the aspect of her making mistakes and learning from them, we aren't told she is smart but we see that she is smart. Though that doesn't mean she doesn't make stupid young teen mistakes. Which I greatly appreciated.
The building of the world and weaving of cultures honestly gives it extra points for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Bullying, Chronic illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Violence
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The majority of this book is the world building with small bits of story progression is told through flashbacks to the past. I think it was a neat little plot device because you know where the character ends up. I found the system of Asha very intriguing, some parts magic geisha, some parts magic warriors. I’ll likely keep reading the rest of the series to see where it goes from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Misogyny