The Bone Witch

The Bone Witch

 

Rin Chupeco

 

 

*This review is based on an advanced reading copy. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read the book in exchange for an honest review*

 

I guess I really do have the unpopular opinion because I see a lot of low ratings for this book, but I was so entranced. I guess that comes as no surprise since it's compared to one of my all-time favorites, The Name of the Wind (which I had some qualms with).

 

Goodreads summary:

 

"In the captivating start to a new, darkly lyrical fantasy series for readers of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir, Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price...
Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise. If there's anything I've learned from him in the years since, it's that the dead hide truths as well as the living.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she's a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

In her new home, Tea puts all her energy into becoming an asha-one who can wield elemental magic. But dark forces are approaching quickly, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to overcome her obstacles...and make a powerful choice."

 

So, the only likeness to TNotW was that the narration was basically the same. The story is told from our main character, Tea, to a bard in hopes that her story will become a song. I honestly think that's the only likeness I found. Both books have beautiful prose and detail, but the writing style is still very different as are the stories.

 

I did notice that most bad ratings came from people that didn't finish the book, which doesn't seem fair to me. There are some cringe-worthy things such as the seemingly slow plot and details of minor characters, but these are very important to the end of the book. Also, yes, the magic is a little off, but Tea agrees with us that Asha should do more than dance and sing and entertain at parties and you can tell that she's so much more than that. Also, there is a lot of jargon, but you understand more as the story goes on... I actually like this approach because it's not stopping the story to say: "a daeva is this" or "a hua is this", you learn through repetition and details just as you would any language. I feel the need to defend the book because the ending really was worth any flaw that I've seen pointed out (at least to me).

 

I loved the characters. I loved the writing. I loved the intricacy of the world and the magic.

 

Can't wait for the continuation of Tea's tale.