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brokenrecord's review against another edition
3.0
I found the world-building interesting and liked Tea a lot but also had no idea what was going on like 90% of the time. But I spoiled myself for the romance prior to starting the book, so the "reveal" at the end was a bit anti-climactic even though that's entirely my fault and not the book's fault. I did enjoy and Tea's interaction in this book, though, and I liked Tea's relationship with her brother. So while I wasn't 100% in love with this book, it did intrigue me enough to want to continue with the trilogy.
Spoiler
Kalenoffictionandfantasy's review against another edition
3.0
I believe I read this book for a book club pick last autumn and was very kindly gifted the audiobook. The problems started immediately after.
Tea's voice was portrayed in such a whiny manner that I wanted to DNF the book in the very beginning chapters. Eventually, I couldn't handle it any longer and switched to the e-book edition from my library. The e-book was much better, but only worked on my phone.
This book follows the perspective of a bard (I think? it's been a while haha) who is interviewing a powerful bone witch named Tea who lives alone, and the perspective of the bone witch herself when she first discovered her abilities and was recruited to be an apprentice of sorts.
The dialogue and characters themselves were interesting, but the perspectives and dialogue switched without clear transitions between Tea and the bard, and left me confused as to who was speaking or narrating.
By the end, I said I would not continue this series unless a very specific ending happened (which I did not actually expect to happen and was mostly joking), but then.... that very specific ending did happen in the very last few paragraphs. Hahahaha oops.
On a positive note, the cover to this book is absolutely stunning.
Tea's voice was portrayed in such a whiny manner that I wanted to DNF the book in the very beginning chapters. Eventually, I couldn't handle it any longer and switched to the e-book edition from my library. The e-book was much better, but only worked on my phone.
This book follows the perspective of a bard (I think? it's been a while haha) who is interviewing a powerful bone witch named Tea who lives alone, and the perspective of the bone witch herself when she first discovered her abilities and was recruited to be an apprentice of sorts.
The dialogue and characters themselves were interesting, but the perspectives and dialogue switched without clear transitions between Tea and the bard, and left me confused as to who was speaking or narrating.
By the end, I said I would not continue this series unless a very specific ending happened (which I did not actually expect to happen and was mostly joking), but then.... that very specific ending did happen in the very last few paragraphs. Hahahaha oops.
On a positive note, the cover to this book is absolutely stunning.
emclauchlin32's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
I found the separate narrators of the audiobook to be very helpful in distinguishing past from present. Chupeco did a wonderful job of describing the magic system and society. The cliffhanger ending has me very excited to start the next book of the series!
greenpainter's review against another edition
5.0
I was hesitant because of the reviews stating the slowness of the book's pace and with the Asha's schooling. However, I can confirm that I thoroughly enjoyed it. What some might call slow, I call building momentum. This book was like a homecooked stew, it's never going to be "just ready". You have to add the ingredients, and allow things to soak and release flavor.
This is your reminder that this book is in a series, therefore, not everything will have an clean ending and the book will go on to the next series because, woah, the story does in fact continue lol.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Asha in training and actually, I thought there would still be more to learn from this world. This reminds me of one of my favorite series from Brandon Sanderson "The Mistborn". It had a very similar effect on me, and when I finish reading this series, I'll come back and edit this review to see if I like it just as much.
Don't try to rush through everything, this book is meant to lull you in. There were STILL details that I glossed over that were pertinent to the ending of this first book, and WOW! I'm impressed! I wasn't sure the direction it was going to go until we arrived and I love that for entertainment.
This is your reminder that this book is in a series, therefore, not everything will have an clean ending and the book will go on to the next series because, woah, the story does in fact continue lol.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Asha in training and actually, I thought there would still be more to learn from this world. This reminds me of one of my favorite series from Brandon Sanderson "The Mistborn". It had a very similar effect on me, and when I finish reading this series, I'll come back and edit this review to see if I like it just as much.
Don't try to rush through everything, this book is meant to lull you in. There were STILL details that I glossed over that were pertinent to the ending of this first book, and WOW! I'm impressed! I wasn't sure the direction it was going to go until we arrived and I love that for entertainment.
swarthouta's review against another edition
3.0
The plot is decent and the cliffhanger was intriguing enough for me to read the next book. I am giving 3 stars because it was a bit heavy in the descriptions and there seemed to be parts of the plot that could have been left out. Because this is book one of three, it is possible that the descriptions and excessive plot points may become important later. But the sign of a terrific fantasy writer is to drop those needed details without it seeming unnecessary.
xxwisteriaxxviolet's review against another edition
5.0
An enchanting novel full of powerful witches called asha who battle deadly daeva in order to protect a kingdom that reveres and fears them. Tea Palavi is a dark asha- a bone witch that can raise the dead. After accidentally raising her brother, she is whisked away to the ashaka where she learns to control her newfound powers. Tea will also uncover conspiracies against the crown and her fellow ashas.
briipearl's review against another edition
4.0
2019: I could spend a good chunk of time talking about the story, whether that be in praise or problematic areas but what I really want to talk about is how beautiful the writing was. Chupeco made an instant fan of me here. It was all cobwebs and glass and knitted darkness. I loved the magical system + the history, the relationship between the MC siblings (even with that jab at the end), and the daeva/creatures. I truly ENJOYED the read and submerging myself into Chupeco’s words.
2023: RE-READ - I expected to feel different than I did the first time I read The Bone Witch, however, I was genuinely surprised I adored it just as much as the first go 'round. I think I even understand certain things better that I didn't catch through the first reading. Again, it's Chupeco's voice for me - everything is penned with such dainty elegance and then striking gongs and then dark whispers. I'm headed into The Heart Forger now and can't wait to see where this trilogy goes!
2023: RE-READ - I expected to feel different than I did the first time I read The Bone Witch, however, I was genuinely surprised I adored it just as much as the first go 'round. I think I even understand certain things better that I didn't catch through the first reading. Again, it's Chupeco's voice for me - everything is penned with such dainty elegance and then striking gongs and then dark whispers. I'm headed into The Heart Forger now and can't wait to see where this trilogy goes!
niya_saliha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Oh hells yes. This is the most fun I have had reading a new YA fantasy book in a while. The narration is in a storytelling manner with Tea recounting how she got to this point.
Everyone is believed to have two faces—one they show to the public and one they wear in private. The first face is their shaxsiat, or their honor. The second face is their ehteram, their dignity. It is a concept practiced more commonly in Odalia but also adopted by the asha-ka in Ankyo. It is important for a person to interact with others in such a way as to enhance their shaxsiat while still maintaining their ehteram—to increase others’ estimation of them while remaining true to one’s self. It is harder than it sounds. Many actions that elevate people’s opinion of you are not necessarily what you truly wish to do. It is a matter of balancing both faces so you can do what is expected of you and at the same time pursue your personal goals.
The concept of this was very new and engaging to me. Witches who are geishas and can raise the dead - what's not to like? All the characters were fresh and fleshed out. The world is one of a kind. This reading of Tea made by the apotheca is followed by Tea till the end.
Determined and highly intelligent. This is good. She will strive for perfection, and she has a strong sense of righteousness. She accepts change quicker than others might, but she will always be questioning herself and her abilities, no matter how far her training takes her. That is not necessarily a good thing.
Now the best part of the book, the chapter endings. Mind blowing. Every single chapter ends and Tea is such a long way from who she used to be that I had to tear myself away from finishing the book in a single setting. The last line of each chapter is a quiet embodiment of feminine rage.
Best part is that I got free fashion advice out of it. Rahim sizing out Tea and giving her a color analysis and I went, well she sound like she has my proportions and my coloring so I tried it out. Went shopping and yes, it worked.
She has a nice form and will do very well in silks. Long legs and a high waist. But not the dark gold for this one, no. No oranges and peaches and brown leaves, and I shall know the day you hate me if it is the same day you let her wear all shades of pink, Parminchka. The embers are already in her skin in abundance, and she will have no need of their colors in her hua. The tasteful, bright-gold etchings, maybe. But mostly blues and greens and grays for this one.
breeser's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting take on magic. Be warned, the main character in book 2 changes so much you won’t recognize her. I couldn’t finish book 2. I was so disappointed.
carmenbeeton's review against another edition
2.0
It was a bit of a slow book for me to get into, but I enjoyed the end and will be reading the next book. I liked the shock of who her love is at the end of the book - but I also had my own suspicions that it was who it was.
I would have liked more action, but I hope the second and third books have more of that in them. This book seems to have laid the groundwork for many things to happen now in the next books.
I would have liked more action, but I hope the second and third books have more of that in them. This book seems to have laid the groundwork for many things to happen now in the next books.