Scan barcode
kathrynleereads's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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-
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.
-
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.
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.
This book taught me that it is not world-building alone that makes or breaks a book, but world-building that is well-paced.
I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for Tea in the rest of the trilogy!
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, and Classism
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Misogyny
amre23's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Sexism, Violence, Grief, War, and Classism
Minor: Body horror, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
sankta_aleena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Misogyny and Blood
britgirlreading's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Body horror and Alcohol
ellereadsbookslike's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I didn't know much about this book going in, apart from the fact that it is about necromancy (which is a genre of magic that I very much enjoy). I absolutely loved the concept of this book. A girl discovers she has a rare and powerful ability is probably my favourite trope of them all and this book delivers the goods. It also very much gave me Grishaverse vibes as the asha's powers are elemental. So if you're looking for a series like Shadow and Bone, I very much recommend this!
The book is told through flashback so you are given glimpses of what Tea is to become. Bard narrates the present day and Tea narrates the flashbacks. And I really liked the difference between past and present Tea and it made me want to keep reading so I could find out what made her change. Although this being a trilogy, not all questions are answered. But that just made me want to pick up the next book straight away.
It's probably a good thing I listened to this as an audiobook though, as Tea (pronounced Tee-a) is spelt like the hot beverage and I definitely would have called her said beverage the entire time (for reference I've only ever seen is spelt like Tia)
The Bone Witch is a great start to the story and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. (I'm currently half way through book two and I'm loving it!)
Moderate: Misogyny