A review by niya_saliha
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

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.