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melinalovesbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marci_travels's review
4.0
I loved this as a bundle so I could flow from book to book without losing any of the characters and the action.
I considered the Bone Witch the weakest of the three books. A lot of time was spent world building - which I usually love - but so much energy was spent on fashion and beauty that I felt the storyline suffered.
I do like a character driven arc and I really enjoyed Tea's awareness of herself as a sister/daughter and how she evolved into her own person. Her stubbornness in acknowledging her flaws set up the woman she would become, and while she could speak the words of forgiveness, it was clear to those around her (especially Mykkie) that she had no plans of changing her behavior.
A necromancer who raises her familiar from the dead, Tea is a bone witch who is feared - but needed - throughout the eight kingdoms for her powers. She survives her training and those who would use her, but at a cost.
The second book, The Heart Forger was my favorite of the trilogy. The book didn't have as much about Khalad as I would have liked, but his story is woven in well with the actions of the eight kingdoms, the asha, and the bone witch. The Prince does have some moments which really bring out his serious side. Of all the characters in all the books, I feel Prince Khalad is the most dimensional.
The books focus on the found family trope - one of my favorites - and I loved how we see Tea grow into a woman who chooses to surround herself with those willing to be a part of her journey. Her fearful powers continue to grow and she discovers a love that can match her in courage and in strength - both physical and magical. (although he is not a necromancer).
The last book, Shadowglass, reinforces the concept that the only difference between a villain and a hero, is who tells the story. Tea's bard is frightened and curious but committed to seeing her story through to the end. The POV changes between the bard and Tea (both told in first person) move as quickly as the action as Shadowglass moves from resurrection to revenge to redemption. Tea's actions mean a cataclysmic change for all of the eight Kingdoms, whether that is for good or evil? You decide.
Four stars because there were far too many anachronisms of modern slang and action which distracted from the worldbuilding, unique magic, and a villain who would destroy the world to save the men she loves.
"The dark asha ran her hands through the urvan and then the heartsglass before enveloping the startled Heartforger in a hug. 'You saved me, Khalad,' she whispered, 'In the coming days and weeks, no matter what other people say about me, remember only this: you saved me, and you saved us all." -- Tea to Prince Khalad in The Heartforger.
"A life worth dying for is a life worth living after all." Tea to Lord Kalen in ShadowGlass.
I considered the Bone Witch the weakest of the three books. A lot of time was spent world building - which I usually love - but so much energy was spent on fashion and beauty that I felt the storyline suffered.
I do like a character driven arc and I really enjoyed Tea's awareness of herself as a sister/daughter and how she evolved into her own person. Her stubbornness in acknowledging her flaws set up the woman she would become, and while she could speak the words of forgiveness, it was clear to those around her (especially Mykkie) that she had no plans of changing her behavior.
A necromancer who raises her familiar from the dead, Tea is a bone witch who is feared - but needed - throughout the eight kingdoms for her powers. She survives her training and those who would use her, but at a cost.
The second book, The Heart Forger was my favorite of the trilogy. The book didn't have as much about Khalad as I would have liked, but his story is woven in well with the actions of the eight kingdoms, the asha, and the bone witch. The Prince does have some moments which really bring out his serious side. Of all the characters in all the books, I feel Prince Khalad is the most dimensional.
The books focus on the found family trope - one of my favorites - and I loved how we see Tea grow into a woman who chooses to surround herself with those willing to be a part of her journey. Her fearful powers continue to grow and she discovers a love that can match her in courage and in strength - both physical and magical. (although he is not a necromancer).
The last book, Shadowglass, reinforces the concept that the only difference between a villain and a hero, is who tells the story. Tea's bard is frightened and curious but committed to seeing her story through to the end. The POV changes between the bard and Tea (both told in first person) move as quickly as the action as Shadowglass moves from resurrection to revenge to redemption. Tea's actions mean a cataclysmic change for all of the eight Kingdoms, whether that is for good or evil? You decide.
Four stars because there were far too many anachronisms of modern slang and action which distracted from the worldbuilding, unique magic, and a villain who would destroy the world to save the men she loves.
"The dark asha ran her hands through the urvan and then the heartsglass before enveloping the startled Heartforger in a hug. 'You saved me, Khalad,' she whispered, 'In the coming days and weeks, no matter what other people say about me, remember only this: you saved me, and you saved us all." -- Tea to Prince Khalad in The Heartforger.
"A life worth dying for is a life worth living after all." Tea to Lord Kalen in ShadowGlass.
rachelstopreads's review
4.0
Writing style made it confusing and the first book had way too many details,
confusing back and forth at the end,
KALEN, good story, great story
RR:4
confusing back and forth at the end,
KALEN, good story, great story
RR:4
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