The Witch Who Uses Bones series is a captivating and thrilling collection of books that follow the life and adventures of a cunning witch who possesses the unique ability to communicate with bones. The series, written by acclaimed author Jane Morgan, seamlessly weaves together elements of fantasy, mystery, and suspense to create a truly gripping narrative. At the center of the series is the enigmatic and powerful protagonist, Gwen, who finds herself plagued by a mysterious and ancient curse that has been passed down through her family for generations. Determined to break the curse and reclaim her life, Gwen delves into the dark and dangerous world of magic, relying on her bone-reading abilities to uncover secrets, solve riddles, and defeat powerful adversaries. Each book in the series takes readers on a different thrilling journey as Gwen navigates treacherous landscapes, encounters mythical creatures, and unravels the mysteries of her own past. From ancient tombs filled with forgotten relics to haunted forests inhabited by malevolent spirits, the vividly described settings in the series serve as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding of Gwen's epic quest.
The story is undoubtedly solid and incredibly entertaining, but it’s also rather loose and over-long, without a sense of urgency that this kind of story needs. Still, these flaws said, I thoroughly enjoyed The Bone Witch and will absolutely be back for the next installment.
Everyone has a heartglass which they must wear around their necks at all times the heartglass and the soulstuff within is a source of power and the essence of the bearer s heart. Chupeco creates her own language and phrases in The Bone Witch , but there isn t linguistic logic to these words they, and character names, kingdom names, and certain phrases, are selected at whimsy and do not have structure.
From ancient tombs filled with forgotten relics to haunted forests inhabited by malevolent spirits, the vividly described settings in the series serve as the perfect backdrop for the unfolding of Gwen's epic quest. One of the standout features of The Witch Who Uses Bones series is its rich and detailed characterization. Gwen is a complex and multi-dimensional protagonist, filled with both strengths and vulnerabilities.
Review: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco || Slow, but why am I so excited?
The beast raged; it punctured the air with its spite. But the girl was fiercer.
Tea is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy makes her a bone witch, who are feared and ostracized in the kingdom. For theirs is a powerful, elemental magic that can reach beyond the boundaries of the living—and of the human.
Great power comes at a price, forcing Tea to leave her homeland to train under the guidance of an older, wiser bone witch. There, Tea puts all of her energy into becoming an asha, learning to control her elemental magic and those beasts who will submit by no other force. And Tea must be strong—stronger than she even believes possible. Because war is brewing in the eight kingdoms, war that will threaten the sovereignty of her homeland…and threaten the very survival of those she loves.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: March 7th 2017
“Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise.”
I won’t lie, this books’ cover is a major factor for me picking up this book. I didn’t really know what it was about, which is rare since I do copious amounts of research before I read most things, but I was of course pleasantly surprised. It was a bit slow, but Tea’s story and character arc was what kept me entertained . It didn’t hurt purple prose is my thing… and that food was constantly mentioned…
After raising her brother from the dead at his funeral (I can absolutely imagine the chaos that ensued hehe) Tea is whisked away to train as a bone witch. Since the line of bone witches are dwindling, she needs to train fast, because Daeva’s are popping up left and right.
I did have a somewhat difficult time getting a grasp of the world building, the majority of the story is constricted to one area for Tea’s training, but that lead to limited information given and when information was given, it ended up being infodumped . And I can be lenient of the lack of information, this is a series, but it was something that did snag my interest. However, it’s fine, because I was completely interested in the characters.
“You can be the most powerful witch in the land, but you will always have a weakness, and that will always make you believe you have no power when someone exploits it. There is no greater strength than the ability to understand and accept your own flaws.”
Told in alternating past/ present chapters, I can’t say I was bored . I liked seeing what made present day Tea the person she was while seeing what she was up to in present day. And Tea herself was likable . She was a special snowflake though, which I thought would bother me more I won’t lie it still managed to bothered me .
Her bond with her brother Fox, both familial and other, was really sweet. The way he supported and believed in her was so nice and definitely what she need— he was by far the lighter part of the story . There was also Likh, who is such a great friend. Wanting to be an asha, but can’t because boys aren’t allowed to, being ostracized for his feminine qualities just broke my heart. I thought the was she handled he way she handled masculinity and different kinds of strength was nicely done— I need to know he’s doing fine in the next book.
“Never give your heartglass away to anyone. Anyone else versed in magic can do you harm with it. People will never be what you make of them, but at least your own heart stays yours and true.”
There were so many things in this book interested me. The concept of the heartglasses, people literally wearing their hearts on their chest, the dangers of giving your heartglass to someone you love… it both scared and fascinated me. It also didn’t hurt that Chupeco’s prose led nothing to the imagination. Descriptions were vivid and her prose is seriously beautiful.
The romance in this book is non existent, but Tea does have a little crush… which got on my nerves . Said love interest was just so clueless and ignorant on so many things, I kept thinking you can do better Tea. It also didn’t help that I couldn’t separate their name with another characters name… who I also wasn’t feeling. I know thta’s such a petty thing to be upset over, but on a brighter note— yes I’m excited for book two and I need it now.
Format (e- or p-): Hardcover
Her growth and development throughout the series are palpable, as she learns to harness her powers and confront her deepest fears. Morgan's expert storytelling and exceptional world-building ensure that readers are fully immersed in the magical realm she has created. Through her vivid descriptions and atmospheric writing style, she transports readers into a world filled with wonder, danger, and enchantment. In addition to its enthralling plot and well-drawn characters, The Witch Who Uses Bones series also explores profound themes such as identity, family, and the balance between light and dark. As Gwen battles against evil forces and grapples with her own inner demons, readers are led to question the nature of power, loyalty, and the choices we make in life. Overall, The Witch Who Uses Bones series is a must-read for fans of fantasy and magic. With its compelling narrative, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, it offers an immersive and unforgettable reading experience. For those seeking an adventure filled with mystery, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural, this series is sure to captivate and delight..
Reviews for "Visions of the Past: The Witch's Connection to Bones"
1. John - 1/5 - I found "The Witch Who Uses Bones" series extremely disappointing. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with numerous loose ends that were never tied up. The characters lacked depth and development, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also confusing, with too much unnecessary descriptive detail that slowed down the pace of the story. Overall, I couldn't wait for this series to end and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Witch Who Uses Bones" series, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and it took too long for anything substantial to happen. The main character seemed to lack agency and made questionable decisions that made it hard for me to root for her. The world-building felt incomplete and there were too many unanswered questions. While the concept was interesting, the execution left much to be desired.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I struggled to get through "The Witch Who Uses Bones" series. The writing style was dry and lacked emotion, making it difficult to engage with the story. The plot dragged on, and I found myself losing interest halfway through the first book. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused about how things worked in the world. Overall, this series left me disappointed and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and immersive read.
4. Emily - 1/5 - "The Witch Who Uses Bones" series was a massive letdown. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or growth throughout the series. The dialogue felt flat and unnatural, making it hard to feel invested in their conversations. Additionally, the pacing was painfully slow, and I found myself constantly skipping pages to get to the next interesting part. The overall lack of cohesion and poorly developed plot made this series a waste of my time. I do not understand the hype surrounding this series at all.