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iner_tia14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shandyt's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, rounded down.
I'm not much of a YA reader, but am giving this series a go on the recommendation of a friend. So far, it's... well, it's YA. Absurdly young female protagonist, a love triangle, Bildungsroman themes, etc. The magic system and worldbuilding are pretty unique, at least, and there's some good representation. A lot of other people have complained that the majority of this book is a tedious drag, but I, also a tedious drag, loved all the details about the main character's time training as a magic necro-geisha. In fact, I wanted even more worldbuilding. My complaints so far are mostly with the writing itself, which at times is clunky or repetitive. The descriptions in particular can get pretty roundabout, and subtly misuse words. (Count the uses of 'ungainly' over the course of the book.) Some of the side characters are also rather two-dimensional, including, unfortunately, the main character's brother. Speaking of the main character, I'm new to YA, like I said, but as a 33-year-old adult, I have a very hard time swallowing the jaded, world-weary picture of the MC that we have in the present-day narrative. Regardless, I am interested to see how she goes from where we left her in the past, to her jaded present, and I look forward to seeing how her journey ultimately resolves.
I'm not much of a YA reader, but am giving this series a go on the recommendation of a friend. So far, it's... well, it's YA. Absurdly young female protagonist, a love triangle, Bildungsroman themes, etc. The magic system and worldbuilding are pretty unique, at least, and there's some good representation. A lot of other people have complained that the majority of this book is a tedious drag, but I, also a tedious drag, loved all the details about the main character's time training as a magic necro-geisha. In fact, I wanted even more worldbuilding. My complaints so far are mostly with the writing itself, which at times is clunky or repetitive. The descriptions in particular can get pretty roundabout, and subtly misuse words. (Count the uses of 'ungainly' over the course of the book.) Some of the side characters are also rather two-dimensional, including, unfortunately, the main character's brother. Speaking of the main character, I'm new to YA, like I said, but as a 33-year-old adult, I have a very hard time swallowing the jaded, world-weary picture of the MC that we have in the present-day narrative.
Spoiler
She's seventeen years old; she doesn't know jack shit! When I was seventeen, I was barely a functioning human!verimythe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
artsycupcake's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.5
The age old self fulfilling prophecy that if you treat something like it is bad it will eventually act in that manner since nothing will change their mind. It was an interesting mix of reading the story play out and having the story told to me. I enjoyed reading it.
corrinaababee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
So this story was beautifully written and very insightfully poetic in Tea’s thoughts towards the way of people. Tea is described as sometimes as impulsive, in her behaviors and in her honesty. The style wasn’t hard to digest and unique but very interesting. I read this book in 2 days and immediately set out for book 2. I must see where Teas story leads and how she fell in love. This book was so well received, I have the second book already waiting for me, and I cant wait to devour that one too. Right now it’s 3:38 in the morning, so starting book #2 will have to wait until tomorrow.
eryal's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to as an audio book. Loved being immersed into the story. The voices just added more depth to the story.
Cannot wait till I can listen to the next book
Cannot wait till I can listen to the next book
book_dragon_julia's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
This book is very world building and description heavy. The concept is really cool but I feel some descriptions may have been dragged out a bit. I'm hoping book 2 will be more action and less description.
amiascah's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I struggle with reviewing this book, there was noting particularly wrong with it, some probably greatly enjoyed it, just not me.
'The Bone Witch' by Rin Chupeco is set in a fantasy world where everyone's heart is on display around their necks captured in a heartsglass. Some people are witches, and some of those witches are called asha who can work the elemental runes. A few asha can not control any elemental runes except for the dark runes and so they are called dark asha or bone witch. Tea discovers she is a dark asha when she accidentally resurrects her brother Fox after he dies from an encounter with a daeva while in the army. While the people of this world rely on dark asha to fight and control the daevas they are feared and hated. Word of what Tea did spreads and luckily before people can take action against her an older dark asha comes and takes her away for training.
Spoilers
Before every chapter there is a snippet where the time line is different, as though the snippets are current time from the point of view of bard and the chapters are Tea's life leading up to the time frame. I didn't care for the snippets so much and then at the end you don't actually catch up yet, so it felt like an overly long, too long, prequel. Things are set up in this first book and the last snippet negates all that, so instead of living through the twists and turns with Tea and seeing her fall from one guy to another and seeing her go from a famed asha to banished I now know, no surprise that she gets kicked out and all the lead up with guy one is moot cause she ends up with guy two, whom she currently hates. I'm not saying these plot points are bad, I'm just not the type to seek out how the book ends before im at the end.
There was other aspects that didn't completely jive with me either, Tea is a Mary sue or whatever its called when everything happens to the main character and she knows best and is the only one to fix it. But she gets called out for only being a child and to not go rushing off to get herself killed and her 'sisters' that are supposed to be some of the best asha around who are mentoring her without knowing she's trying to make this azi her familiar think this child has the best chance at defeating it? Also how her novice path was fast tracked, nothing is ever her fault, all her friends are the exception. I must have missed something for her leap of logic and how she discovered who the faceless was, but what was the lead up with accusing Zoya? how did she not recognize the servant from the night they came asking for Shadi's extra clothes? I have too many comments and questions and I had best leave this here.
Unfortuntaly this was not my cup of tea and I won't be back for seconds.
'The Bone Witch' by Rin Chupeco is set in a fantasy world where everyone's heart is on display around their necks captured in a heartsglass. Some people are witches, and some of those witches are called asha who can work the elemental runes. A few asha can not control any elemental runes except for the dark runes and so they are called dark asha or bone witch. Tea discovers she is a dark asha when she accidentally resurrects her brother Fox after he dies from an encounter with a daeva while in the army. While the people of this world rely on dark asha to fight and control the daevas they are feared and hated. Word of what Tea did spreads and luckily before people can take action against her an older dark asha comes and takes her away for training.
Spoilers
Before every chapter there is a snippet where the time line is different, as though the snippets are current time from the point of view of bard and the chapters are Tea's life leading up to the time frame. I didn't care for the snippets so much and then at the end you don't actually catch up yet, so it felt like an overly long, too long, prequel. Things are set up in this first book and the last snippet negates all that, so instead of living through the twists and turns with Tea and seeing her fall from one guy to another and seeing her go from a famed asha to banished I now know, no surprise that she gets kicked out and all the lead up with guy one is moot cause she ends up with guy two, whom she currently hates. I'm not saying these plot points are bad, I'm just not the type to seek out how the book ends before im at the end.
There was other aspects that didn't completely jive with me either, Tea is a Mary sue or whatever its called when everything happens to the main character and she knows best and is the only one to fix it. But she gets called out for only being a child and to not go rushing off to get herself killed and her 'sisters' that are supposed to be some of the best asha around who are mentoring her without knowing she's trying to make this azi her familiar think this child has the best chance at defeating it? Also how her novice path was fast tracked, nothing is ever her fault, all her friends are the exception. I must have missed something for her leap of logic and how she discovered who the faceless was, but what was the lead up with accusing Zoya? how did she not recognize the servant from the night they came asking for Shadi's extra clothes? I have too many comments and questions and I had best leave this here.
Unfortuntaly this was not my cup of tea and I won't be back for seconds.