The Bone Witch is a novel written by Rin Chupeco. It is a fantasy book, the first installment in the series of the same name. The story is set in a world where magic exists, and it follows the journey of a young girl named Tea as she discovers her powers and becomes a bone witch. The book begins with Tea accidentally raising her brother from the dead, a powerful act that attracts the attention of the other bone witches. She is then taken to a hidden school where she is trained in the art of necromancy. The story alternates between the present, where Tea is a powerful and feared bone witch, and the past, where she is just a young girl discovering her abilities.
1. Bone witches / Dark asha are based on Filipino witches called mangkukulams. Mangkukulams are at their core medicine women who also use curses and hexes to sell on the side for those who want to seek revenge against their enemies, or for people who disrespect the witches. They are something of a fixture among many rural areas in the Philippines; while they are generally feared and disliked by most people in society, they are still considered a necessary evil, as many seek their help for potions or for reversing a curse they believe they’ve been put under. Many people also believe that mangkukulams are capable of shapeshifting into different creatures, often black animals like rats or dogs, or that they can control certain animals like rats – a nod to bone witches’ ability to control daeva.
Most of their clientele tend to be kings and queens, but bone witches themselves are not above raising deceased loved ones for their own, often spouses or significant others. Many people also believe that mangkukulams are capable of shapeshifting into different creatures, often black animals like rats or dogs, or that they can control certain animals like rats a nod to bone witches ability to control daeva.
The story alternates between the present, where Tea is a powerful and feared bone witch, and the past, where she is just a young girl discovering her abilities. Throughout the book, Tea learns about the intricacies of her powers, the different types of witches that exist, and the dangers that come with wielding such power. She also forms relationships with different characters, some of whom become her mentors, friends, or enemies.
The Bone Witch
Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price.
When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother, Fox, 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.
Riveting and atmospheric, The Bone Witch is perfect for readers looking for
- witch novels for adults and teens
- stories with diverse representation and multicultural influences
- dark fantasy YA books and series
- original worldbuilding and captivating writing
Praise for The Bone Witch:
"A fantasy lover's fantasy" —Foreword Reviews
"Mesmerizing. Chupeco (The Suffering) does a magnificent job of balancing an intimate narrative perspective with sweeping worldbuilding, crafting her tale within a multicultural melting pot of influences as she presses toward a powerful cliffhanger."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review
"Chupeco delights us with a fascinating world and a rich atmosphere for a story that is exceptionally written from beginning to end."—Buzzfeed
"Readers who enjoy immersing themselves in detail will revel in Chupeco's finely wrought tale. Game of Thrones fans may see shades of Daenerys Targaryen in Tea, as she gathers a daeva army to unleash upon the world. Whether she is in the right remains a question unanswered, but the ending makes it clear her story is only beginning." —Booklist
The Bone Witch Trilogy:
The Bone Witch (Book 1)
The Heart Forger (Book 2)
The Shadowglass (Book 3)
Praise for The Bone Witch:
One of the central themes of the book is the idea of power and its consequences. Tea's abilities as a bone witch come with a price, and she must navigate the complexities of her new role while facing discrimination and misunderstanding from society. The book also explores themes of friendship, love, family, and identity. The Bone Witch is a well-written and engaging book that combines elements of fantasy, magic, and coming-of-age story. It introduces readers to a richly imagined world and a compelling protagonist. The story is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers hooked until the very end. Overall, The Bone Witch is a highly recommended read for fans of fantasy and magic. It is a captivating tale that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series..
Reviews for "The intricate magic system in The Bone Witch Book"
1. Samantha - 2 out of 5 stars - The Bone Witch was a disappointment for me. The writing style felt flat, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The storyline had potential, but it was slow-paced and lacked excitement. I found myself forcing myself to finish the book, hoping it would get better, but unfortunately, it didn't. Overall, I wouldn't recommend The Bone Witch to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy read.
2. Jason - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for The Bone Witch, but it just didn't live up to the hype. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the excessive amount of descriptive writing took away from the action. The main character, Tea, was frustratingly passive and lacked depth. The concept of dark magic and necromancy had the potential to be intriguing, but it fell flat in the execution. I was left feeling underwhelmed and won't be continuing with the series.
3. Nicole - 1 out of 5 stars - The Bone Witch was a struggle to get through. The world-building felt minimal, and I couldn't picture the setting in my mind. The plot was disjointed and left me feeling confused most of the time. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. I found myself constantly checking how much more I had left to read, desperately hoping it would end soon. Unfortunately, this book was not for me, and I wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a captivating fantasy read.