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The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

1 review

kathrynleereads's review

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challenging dark informative mysterious tense slow-paced
  • 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

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco begins the story of Tea, a young girl who is brought to the city of Ankyo to be trained as an asha after accidentally bringing her brother back from the dead.

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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.

The last 100 pages, however, tell a whole different story. All of a sudden the pace turns nearly frantic, and the characters are challenged in new and difficult ways.

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Tea- While reading, I constantly forgot that Tea is only 14 years old. She has the air of a much older and more experienced person, which I believe is one of the reasons that she is so powerful and (potentially) dangerous. 

Fox- I’m not sure why, but I never completely trusted Fox. He obviously loves Tea very much and is there to protect her, but the whole time I was reading, there was some part of me that felt as if he’s got the potential to derail things for Tea.

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-
Right from the start, I felt as if Tea’s relationship with Zoya was going to be that of enemies-to-friends, and I’m so glad that (as of now) I seem to be correct.

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. 

Polaire & Althy- I love these two. They’re so different but also so genuine. Despite everything, they love Mykaela and Tea and do everything in their power to keep them both safe.

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Flash-Forwards & the Bard- The presence of the Bard in the flash-forwards was ingenious in so many ways. 

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.

Seeing how the Bard, who only knows the world of the Eight Kingdoms, reacts and responds to the information he is learning from Tea gives readers insight into the mindset of the people there.

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.

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World-building- In my opinion, world-building is what makes or breaks a book. I love seeing fictional worlds brought to life and reading about all the cultures and traditions that exist in each one. 

I’ve never read a book about which I could say there was too much world-building. 

Until now.

The Bone Witch has an amazing world that I loved learning about, but I think the reason it dragged so much for so long was because of the over-abundance of world-building.

There was so much information thrown at the reader so quickly that I got lost in the details numerous times. 

It took me most of the book to determine that there is just one of each deava, and I’m still trying to sort out the major differences between the eight kingdoms (the guide at the end of the book would have been very helpful had I discovered it before finishing the book).

This book taught me that it is not world-building alone that makes or breaks a book, but world-building that is well-paced. 

Despite this, and even though the book did drag for a majority of the story, I do think The Bone Witch is worth reading. 

Rin Chupeco has built an intricate and beautiful world and has set the story up for great second and third books. 

I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for Tea in the rest of the trilogy! 
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