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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
DNF at 57%
I just can’t anymore. Beyond the fact that the plot isn’t progressing, the prose is purple and nothing of substance is happening, The Bone Witch feels like it’s masquerading as a feminist story without actually exploring or advancing feminist themes or pushing back on the patriarchy in any meaningful way. Not only that, it’s actively undermines feminist ideals. To be fair, maybe it was never meant to be feminist and I just expected it to be more than superficial girl power. In any case, it wasn’t what I expected and I’m left disenchanted and disappointed.
Tea is a rare asha whose powerful death magic is instrumental in fighting monsters called daeva that wreak havoc on the world. Despite the fact that there’s a severe shortage of asha with the kind of death magic necessary to slay daeva, Tea has spent all her time “in training” learning nothing whatsoever about how to use that magic. She is instead forced to be a servant and maid to a waspish, mean spirited old woman for an inordinate amount of time for no apparent reason. Then when she is finally “promoted” from that servitude, she is trained to sing, dance, play instruments, wear fancy clothes, use magic to enhance her appearance, etc. all to entertain powerful men. She’s trained to use appearance and beauty as tools to gain favor with men rather than use her wits and brains or skill with her magic to actually fight monsters. I never understood why entertaining men was the focus when fighting monsters was such a rare skill and so necessary for the safety of the world.
Beyond that, Tea is manipulated and bullied by another asha whose magic is not as powerful because that asha has a grudge against a completely different asha. Like what? How does that even make sense? It’s just girl on girl hate and pettiness to create conflict.
And then there’s the love interest who happens to be a prince who she falls for as soon as she lays eyes on him. They spend no real time together and never get to know each other. Their interactions are extremely limited and up until the point at which I’m throwing in the towel at 57%, they haven’t had a single personal conversation yet Tea is completely enamored with him.
There are so many other reasons I’m calling it quits on this one but I’ve already invested more time in this book than I want and I haven’t even finished it so I refer you to this review which does a fantastic job summing up the rest of the reasons The Bone Witch isn’t working for me.
Thankfully, I borrowed both the ebook and audiobook from the library. The narration of the audiobook is satisfactory.
While I loved the premise, the execution ultimately failed for me. If pressed, I’d say up until this point, I’d give it 2 stars.
I just can’t anymore. Beyond the fact that the plot isn’t progressing, the prose is purple and nothing of substance is happening, The Bone Witch feels like it’s masquerading as a feminist story without actually exploring or advancing feminist themes or pushing back on the patriarchy in any meaningful way. Not only that, it’s actively undermines feminist ideals. To be fair, maybe it was never meant to be feminist and I just expected it to be more than superficial girl power. In any case, it wasn’t what I expected and I’m left disenchanted and disappointed.
Tea is a rare asha whose powerful death magic is instrumental in fighting monsters called daeva that wreak havoc on the world. Despite the fact that there’s a severe shortage of asha with the kind of death magic necessary to slay daeva, Tea has spent all her time “in training” learning nothing whatsoever about how to use that magic. She is instead forced to be a servant and maid to a waspish, mean spirited old woman for an inordinate amount of time for no apparent reason. Then when she is finally “promoted” from that servitude, she is trained to sing, dance, play instruments, wear fancy clothes, use magic to enhance her appearance, etc. all to entertain powerful men. She’s trained to use appearance and beauty as tools to gain favor with men rather than use her wits and brains or skill with her magic to actually fight monsters. I never understood why entertaining men was the focus when fighting monsters was such a rare skill and so necessary for the safety of the world.
Beyond that, Tea is manipulated and bullied by another asha whose magic is not as powerful because that asha has a grudge against a completely different asha. Like what? How does that even make sense? It’s just girl on girl hate and pettiness to create conflict.
And then there’s the love interest who happens to be a prince who she falls for as soon as she lays eyes on him. They spend no real time together and never get to know each other. Their interactions are extremely limited and up until the point at which I’m throwing in the towel at 57%, they haven’t had a single personal conversation yet Tea is completely enamored with him.
There are so many other reasons I’m calling it quits on this one but I’ve already invested more time in this book than I want and I haven’t even finished it so I refer you to this review which does a fantastic job summing up the rest of the reasons The Bone Witch isn’t working for me.
Thankfully, I borrowed both the ebook and audiobook from the library. The narration of the audiobook is satisfactory.
While I loved the premise, the execution ultimately failed for me. If pressed, I’d say up until this point, I’d give it 2 stars.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Tea always hoped that she might have a magical gift and become an asha, but she had no idea that her powers would manifest on the day of her brother's funeral, when she would accidentally bring him back to life. Just like that, she has become one of the "dark asha" - an incredibly rare gift that requires intensive special training.
This book really reminded me of "Memoirs of a Geisha" of all things! They're not geisha, of course - they're students of magic. But they live in little family-style houses and entertain at parties, learn to dance and play music, talk a lot about the special robes and hair pieces...
I don't know why I had such a hard time finishing this, but it took me forever.
This book really reminded me of "Memoirs of a Geisha" of all things! They're not geisha, of course - they're students of magic. But they live in little family-style houses and entertain at parties, learn to dance and play music, talk a lot about the special robes and hair pieces...
I don't know why I had such a hard time finishing this, but it took me forever.
Audible took it off free play and I’m not motivated enough to purchase it
adventurous
emotional
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
Bleach. Twisted “Memoirs of a Geisha” into an over descriptive, belabored dragon witch fantasy. The ending was awful - clearly leading to book number 2 instead of completing any sort of plot. No way would I bother with a 2nd book.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A couple pacing moments where I skimmed but otherwise a delightful book 1 in the series! I loved the world building and character bombs thrown in towards the end. I am hopeful for the next books.
I also found the narrative refreshing - haven’t read a compelling story-in-a-story since the name of the wind.
I also found the narrative refreshing - haven’t read a compelling story-in-a-story since the name of the wind.