The Bone Witch fantasy series is a captivating and enchanting tale written by Rin Chupeco. This series explores a world filled with magic, dark forces, and complex characters. The main protagonist is a young girl named Tea, who discovers she is a Bone Witch – a rare and powerful individual with the ability to raise the dead. The story unfolds in a land called The Eight Kingdoms, where Tea is taken in by an older, experienced Bone Witch named Lady Mykaela. Under Lady Mykaela's guidance, Tea learns to harness her powers and becomes immersed in a world of necromancy and the intricacies of the magical arts. As the series progresses, readers are drawn into the richly imagined world of The Bone Witch, with its sprawling landscapes, vibrant cultures, and intricate political dynamics.
As the series progresses, readers are drawn into the richly imagined world of The Bone Witch, with its sprawling landscapes, vibrant cultures, and intricate political dynamics. With each book, Chupeco masterfully weaves together multiple plotlines and perspectives, giving readers a well-rounded view of the world and its characters. One of the key elements that sets The Bone Witch series apart is Chupeco's exceptional world-building.
Iron teteh wotch
Within the world of Throne of Glass - a universe created by Sarah J. Maas - there are many familiar creatures - magic-wielders, fairies, shape-shifters, demons, and witches. The main character of the series, Celeana Sardothein, is Fae herself, able to wield the power of fire. But aside from the Fae, the other race which gets the most attention is that of the witches. Maas’ witches are unique - in their powers, their history, and their culture.
To best understand the witches of Throne of Glass, one must look back at their history. Legend says that witches were first created when the Fae (fairies) and the Valg (dark, evil demons) bred. Their offspring could be split into two categories: those that took after their Fae parent, and those that took after their Valg parent. These two kinds of witches are classified as Cochran witches and Ironteeth witches, respectively.
Long ago, both races of witches lived in a place called the Witch Kingdom. The Ironteeth witches had divided up into three separate clans - the Blackbeaks, the Yellowlegs, and the Bluebloods. The Cochran family ruled the land - Cochran queens ruled justly, in wisdom and peacefulness. That is, until the Ironteeth clans formed an alliance and declared war on the Cochran.
“Dorian had heard the legends of the fallen Witch Kingdom, where bloodthirsty witches had overthrown the peaceful Crochan Dynasty and then ripped apart the kingdom stone by stone. Five hundred years later, songs were still sung of the deadly wars that had left the Ironteeth Clans the only ones standing on a killing field, dead Crochan queens all around them.”
(Crown of Midnight, 154)
Although the Ironteeth witches had won the war, they had lost their home. During her final moments, the last living Cochran queen cursed the Ironteeth witches, ensuring that “as long as Ironteeth banners flew, no bit of soil would yield life to them” (Crown of Midnight 155).
Ironteeth Witches
“Manon smiled broader,
and a row of dagger-sharp iron teeth
pushed from the slits high in her gums, snapping down like armor.”
(Heir of Fire 31)
Both images are from Sarah J. Mass' Throne of Glass Pinterest board; you can check it out here.
The last remaining Cochran witches now hide out as wise-women and healers, evading the bloodthirsty Ironteeth witches who seek to exterminate them all. And bloodthirsty is the perfect description for the Ironteeth witches, who enjoy spilling the blood of humans - and drinking it, too.
As stated above, the Ironteeth witches get their name from the iron teeth and nails that they have. In the world of Throne of Glass , iron suffocates magic, acting as a buffer. Anything made of iron cannot be affected by magic. Legend says that the Ironteeth witches were given iron teeth and nails by the Three-Faced Goddess as a way of keeping them tethered to earth and to keep their magic in check.
The Ironteeth witches are brutal, ruthless killers. Manon Blackbeak, an Ironteeth witch and heir to the Blackbeak clan, is one of the main characters of the Throne of Glass series. It is from Manon's point of view, and her story, that we learn much about the world of Maas' witches. They are rumored to be born soulless, without compassion and certainly without mercy. They are raised and trained to be killers, of both humans and of their mortal enemy, the Cochran witches.
The Blackbeak Clan
"Obedience, discipline, and brutality were the most beloved words in the Blackbeak Clan. All else was to be extinguished without second thought." (Heir of Fire, 90)
The Blackbeaks are the clan that Manon belongs to. Manon is the heir, chosen by her grandmother, the Matron of the clan. The Blackbeak clan prides themselves on being the most ruthless of all of the clans.
“Manon had been born soulless, her grandmother said. Soulless and heartless, as a Blackbeak ought to be. She was wicked right down to the marrow of her bones.” (Heir of Fire, 65)
The Blackbeaks have an interesting heirarchy, varying a bit from that of the other clans. There is the Matron, who is the head over all the other witches. Then, there is Manon, the heir, and what she calls the Thirteen - Manon and twelve other Blackbeak witches who are sworn to serve and protect the matron. Under their rule are all of the other Blackbeak witches.
The Yellowlegs Clan
The first encounter the reader has with the Yellowlegs clan is through Baba Yellowlegs, Matron to the Yellowlegs Clan and the "last-born witch in the Witch Kingdom" (Crown of Midnight 155). The Yellowlegs are a haughty and prideful bunch. They are the most visually obvious witches, since they keep their iron teeth and nails on display at all times.
The Blueblood Clan
The Blueblood clan is the oddest clan of the Ironteeth witches. They pride themselves on their appearances, always seeking to be beautiful in the eyes of everyone who happens upon them. They're an annoyance to the other two clans because of their uptight behavior and high-matinence characteristics. They also believe that they are the strongest of all of the clans, most blessed by the Three-Faced Goddess. Their Matron wears an iron crown at all times.
"The iron crown, supposedly, was proof that the magic in the Blueblood line ran so strong that their leader needed more— needed iron and pain— to keep her tethered in this realm." (Heir of Fire 89)
The last remaining Cochran witches now hide out as wise-women and healers, evading the bloodthirsty Ironteeth witches who seek to exterminate them all. And bloodthirsty is the perfect description for the Ironteeth witches, who enjoy spilling the blood of humans - and drinking it, too.
The author expertly crafts a realm where magic is both wondrous and dangerous, and where the forces of good and evil are constantly at odds. Through detailed descriptions and vivid imagery, Chupeco brings the setting to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. Another highlight of the series is the development of its characters. Tea, in particular, undergoes a fascinating transformation throughout the books, as she grapples with her powers, societal expectations, and her own personal growth. The supporting cast, from Lady Mykaela to Tea's friends and allies, are also well-rounded and engaging, each adding their own unique dynamics to the story. In terms of plot, The Bone Witch series is a thrilling and complex journey. It delves into themes of power, destiny, love, and sacrifice, while also exploring the consequences of one's actions and the burden of responsibility. The story seamlessly blends action, intrigue, and emotional depth, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end. Overall, The Bone Witch fantasy series is a must-read for fans of the genre. With its captivating world, compelling characters, and engrossing storyline, it will transport readers to a realm where magic and darkness collide. Rin Chupeco's skillful writing and imaginative storytelling make this series a true gem in the realm of fantasy literature..
Reviews for "The legacy of the daeva in The Bone Witch fantasy series"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - The Bone Witch fantasy series had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The concept of a young girl discovering she is a bone witch and using her powers to battle dark forces sounded intriguing, but the execution didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the world-building felt shallow. The protagonist's character development also left much to be desired. I found myself struggling to connect with her and her motivations. Overall, while the premise was interesting, the series failed to deliver a captivating and engaging storyline.
2. Kevin - 1/5 stars - I couldn't finish The Bone Witch fantasy series. The writing style was convoluted and overly descriptive, making it difficult to follow the plot. The constant switching between past and present timelines was confusing and disrupted the flow of the story. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. I couldn't invest in their struggles or connect with their emotions. The series seemed to be more focused on presenting lavish descriptions of the world rather than developing a compelling narrative. Overall, I found The Bone Witch series to be a tedious and unsatisfying read.
3. Samantha - 2/5 stars - The Bone Witch fantasy series promised an intriguing blend of magic, mythology, and dark fantasy, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was slow, and there were long stretches where not much happened to drive the plot forward. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many questions unanswered and making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The protagonist's journey felt repetitive and stagnant, and her decision-making often left me frustrated. I wanted to love this series, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.