A fantasy book set in a fantasy land with many asha's who all have different skills. Tea is one who has VERY different and rare skills. She is able to do things that a lot of asha's are not able to do. She is taken from her homeland to learn how to use her skills when she is just 14 years old. This is an early age for Tea but was a necessity. Tea had used her powers to unleash her brother from his grave. A power she did know she had, nor did she know how she did it.

This book was definitely a YA read. This was a fantasy land, with a lot of fantasy characters and fantasy words. Most of the time I was reading the book, I did not know exactly what the words meant. However, I was able to enjoy the book for the most part and able to finish it. At first, I was a little concerned but I did get into it and was able to finish it.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was outstanding. The world building is exquisite, with great detail to various cultures and regions. I became so immersed in this book, the characters' world became my own. I could feel the sand of the beach beneath my feet, smell the ocean on the air. The Bone Witch is one of those rare books that grips you immediately and holds you in its grasp long after that last page has been turned. I actually groaned with sadness when I realized there were no more pages and I would have to wait as long as a YEAR for another book. I didn't have a book HANGOVER - I had a homesickness for the world I had inhabited so deeply and the characters I'd come to know. The Bone Witch is a gem among books; it'll be read and reread, with more being discovered each time. Simply amazing.

I really enjoyed The Bone Witch.  The story was very interesting, a girl who can use dark magic instead of light magic.  She can raise the dead, and she's got an attitude.  Tea our main character isn't porcelain doll to be put on display, she's powerful but lacks control.   I felt the writing was well done, but the book itself was flawed. The book is good for about the first half then it drags on for quite sometime where nothing happens. There is a weak attempt at a love triangle that doesn't really materialize, I think we'll see more of that in the next book. There is one really good plot twist, that I didn't see coming, and one I figured out early on. My biggest issue is the ending. The story builds up to some epic thing that is supposed to happen, but it never occurs. I huge pet peeve of mine is books that don't stand alone and close completely. I want to feel closure when I close a book, and be compelled to read the next book. I have to read the next book to find out what happens, I'm given no choice. I have no clue what happens next, and that irks me. There are a lot of loose ends that weren't wrapped up in this book and I hope that they are tied up in the next book.

Hello Fellow Readers,

I've been dying for some good fantasy lately and boy did I find some. The Bone Witch was such a great interesting read and Chupeco did such a great job with her story. The back and forth from present to past was awesome and really made you keep reading to find out what the hell happened and what was going on. The main character Tea, was such a great character. She had a depth and attitude to her that delighted me to now end. The descriptions of the magic and the world Chupeco created was great and one way she draws you into the story. I really love her descriptions of the Hua's and the heart pendants and what it means.

There was a couple of things I had a problem with, one was the names and locations in the story. I was so confused on keeping track and who was from where that I had to constantly keep backtracking to read over some things. This made the book longer to read than I liked. The ending had me so interested to see what the hell happened and what made Tea become how she is. I really can't wait to read the second story to figure things out. I can only hope it gets better and clears up some of my questions.

Great fantasy read, a nice change of pace for me.

I adore this book ! I have been really getting into high fantasy and witchcraft! The world-building was A plus. I felt I was being Tea, following behind her footsteps as she grows to control her powers. I felt the first part was a bit dull and boring for me, however once you get pass the first few chapters, it really picks up and becomes a fantastic read.I did get lost in the alternating timelapses, however, that did not ruin the book for me. As I said before I love love anything that has to do with fantasy, magic and witches.I thought it was really neat how everyone wore necklaces around their necks, how each one was different. I think the bone witch was gripping, intriguing and authentic. I just became immense in the Asha world. -- Thank you Netgallery for letting me review.

In the world of this novel, some people are born with/develop magical gifts. Tea’s sisters have some affinity for some magic but not enough for them to become “asha,” geisha-like women who are trained in various runes and entertain using them or heal or even work as bodyguards or do other defense. In Tea’s case, she only realizes she has an unusual gift when she raises her brother from the dead after he is brought home from battling the monsters that regularly cause problems throughout the lands ruled by various kings, an empress and other leaders.

“Bone witches” are feared and mistrusted, and Tea is quickly taken away for training by another bone witch, one of few still left. She has to navigate a new world, where she eventually goes into training as an asha but is watched closely by everyone around her, who are waiting to see what she will do next with her gift of raising the dead, and how it may hurt or help individuals or different countries. At times she wants to be accepted; she wants to spend time with a prince whom she can’t help liking; she wants to be left alone. In some ways she would like a normal life, but she has to admit that she likes the feel of working the Dark magic. But her future is uncertain, given what she observes, and she may very well have to turn expectations and plans of powerful people on their heads.

The world of the novel is set in a time that would be centuries ago, with little in the way of technology, and much of it is set in the land of Ankyo, where the asha get their training. It’s a place that’s much like old Japan, with simple buildings and sliding doors, and the asha are like geisha. They learn singing, dance, hospitality, history, flower-arranging, and then martial arts and defense and other skills, all of which draw on their particular magical talents. They both entertain and defend the kingdoms from daeva, “gigantic demonic beasts” that can be killed temporarily but return every decade. There are lands that have touches of Russian, Middle Eastern and other cultures, in addition to Japanese. So it all feels familiar but put together in a new way.

This book lays the groundwork for Tea’s story and sets up for a second book where she will try to do things differently. I’ll be curious to see where the story goes. It’s fascinating and atmospheric and Tea is a character to root for, even as the reader may not know what she’s going to end up doing.

I just couldn't get into it so I can't really review.

The Bone Witch is a magical tale beautifully steeped in culture with stunning descriptions. Rin Chupeco’s built a world with hills worth climbing and valleys that invite you to linger while traveling through.



This is a dark fantasy like no other; a coming of age story with more than a hint of destiny lingering in the air. Chupeco’s created a land of dark mysticism and beautiful complicated relationships that takes witchery and the paranormal to a whole other place where choices are never easy and the future has yet to be written. Her writing choices evoke images of the oral history keepers and provokes questions about not only the objectivity of her narrator but the struggle to understand the motives of the one sharing their story.

The Bone Witch captures your attention with an opening scene that invokes a visceral reaction and peaks your curiosity. Tea is simultaneously coquettish and cavalier as she shares her story. You’ll quickly find yourself fully invested in the complicated hierarchy of this society and intrigued to discover how not only Tea fits in but what could she possibly have done to end up exiled on a desolate beach surrounded by sand and bones…

You’ll hold your breath as her story unfolds and you gain insight into her growth, her relationships with those around her, and the stark choices Tea’s eventually driven to make. As she comes into her own, her startling fierceness will have you rooting even as you wish she’d be more cautious and have greater care as she learns to navigate a world drowning in intrigue and machinations that carry often fatal consequences.

Rin Chupeco’s storytelling is immediately rich and her characters’ voices engrossing. Her protagonist and narrator are each written with such distinctive voices that navigating a tale told in shifts between the present and the past is an immersive pleasure. Her use of the unexpected is striking and her character development masterful. Tea is on a journey of self-discovery fraught with (mis)adventure, mystery, and guided by fate’s heavy hand. This is a dark fairy tale epic and unpredictable in nature, full of suspense and intrigue. The Bone Witch not only creates a world worth (re)reading about; Chupeco fulfills her own prediction, its strength lies in exceeding all expectation.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Bone Witch didn’t disappoint in any way. This is a land like no other I’ve read about – and can I say it being a very non-western world makes me gleeful. I’m excited to see where this series leads; so much so I’m headed out to buy the hardback and harass my favorite independent bookstore about inviting this author out for a book signing.

While this book reminded me of other fantasy sagas like "Shadow and Bone" it had its own unique world with a great main character. I loved digging into this story and can't wait for the next book.

I’ve been mad crushing on this book cover alone! Its freaking gorgeous!!! Its eye catching with its somber but intricate design. Delicate but powerful in its simplistic imagery. It fit the Bone Witch perfectly.

The story of Tea was a thrill ride, full of magic, danger, adventure and discovery. It was beautiful in its own right, with its simple love and tragic end. I won’t spoil it because it deserves a read but just be warned this is not a black and white world. There are many points of view and many different twists and turns that shape the path of this story.

I loved the world building, the writing style was exceptional and intriguing. I literally felt my heart race right alongside Tea and the time lapse of the storytelling had me reading this in one sitting. I was blown away by the picture the author painted.

And it was easy to find myself emotionally attached to not only Tea, but quiet Fox, endearing Likh, and brooding and stoic Kalen. I did not expect that big reveal to leave me so heartbroken but I am and the cliffhanger ending has left me reeling!

As awesome as I found the overall story, I did find parts of the journey weighed down by too much daunting information and detail. That being said I still got sucked into the story and I loved it. Can’t wait to see what is in store for Tea and her daevas in the next installment. I’m hoping for a major surprise twist that can turn this back around for me *fingers crossed* I can't handle a bad ending!!! I need a happy/hopeful ending! Pleeeaassee!!!

Great power needs control, and Tea, a young bone witch, must develop strength in order to control the huge gift she has. In this make-believe kingdom, author Rin Chupeco has created a mystic book and I will be looking for the next volume. Recommended reading.

I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Tea’s beloved brother Fox dies, killed by a demon like creature called a daeva, she discovers she’s a bone witch when she literally raises him from the dead. Now Tea has to learn how to be a proper asha (witch) and learn about her new skills which involve singing, dancing, runes and even necromancy.

I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s really unique and I don’t think I have read anything much like it before. I really love that Tea was so young when we meet her and start following her journey. She’s only thirteen so as a reader, we really get to see her develop into a scared young girl into a confident young woman. Saying that, she is still only 15 when the book ends so there’s still a long way to go which is exciting.

I loved the world and the world building. There was a lot of kingdoms, eight to be exact, and we do learn gradually about most of them and the rulers, as well as the Faceless - rebels who can use dark magic, much like the magic Tea has, to do terrible things. I found the world itself to be very multi-cultrured in how its described and the different people and where they all come from.

I thought the back and forth between each chapter was very interesting as we are seeing Tea starting out and then an older Tea who has done something wrong, been cast out but is obviously still extremely strong. So even though we see her struggle, we know she gets there in the to become one of the best asha’s ever.

I loved her relationship between her brother Fox. i had a total crush on him - I loved that he was able to take part in some of her lessons and the link they had. There was a lovely closeness between them that was also a nice teasing relationship the way you’d expect a brother to be with his little sister.

Tea’s constant references to her ‘dead love; got a bit annoying in the future parts of the book. While I understood her fury, I felt like we as readers didn’t need the constant reminder and learning more about Tea she would be doing what she was doing for more than just revenge. I also wasn’t surprised at the little twist when it came to that love - I was actually expecting it.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series, as it left off at a point where a lot of stuff was about to go down and i can’t wait to read all about it. This definitely has a lot of potential for a strong, unique YA fantasy series with a cast of great characters. Definitely worth a read!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. I tried reading this book two times and I just couldn't read it. There's nothing going on. World building is good but it doesn't need to be all upfront. I prefer it to spread out throughout the book instead. I like happenings to occur. I need actions. Why synopsis misleads so bad.

2.5 Stars I had very high hopes for this book as the concept was new and different. I found that the author introduced way to many characters yet only developed a fraction of them. There were way too many story lines started and honestly, none of them really progressed. I feel like I read 400 pages of babble. Very disappointed. Usually, even if I am not a huge fan of the book, the cliff hanger at the end is enough to make me want to read the next book. I always need to know what happens next. This book didn't even do that for me.

The writing in this book most definitely lives up to the stunning cover of The Bone Witch. I had a bit of apprehension prior to beginning this story because I saw a lot of DNFs due to slow pacing. And the pace is slow at times… but so what? This is a book that is well worth the effort put in by the reader.

In the present, a bard requests Tea’s story and the reason for her exile. Tea’s story takes the reader into the past, to the day she accidentally raised her brother from the dead, setting her on her path to become a dark asha. Told in both past and present narratives, there might not be a heap of action and adrenaline rushes; but there is a unique and magic-filled plot.

I love a book that I can consume in one sitting, but there’s a lot to be said for a book you read in small increments. Tea’s story is richly detailed; and yes, sometimes that much detail can be overwhelming, but I can’t say it was all unnecessary. It painted a picture that was captivating and beautiful. This book may not be for everyone, but I’m happy I read it. It’s a unique story with solid world building and gorgeous writing. I’m definitely curious to see what comes next. While The Bone Witch is not a thrill ride or a book to be devoured in just a few hours… it is an intriguing story and one to be savored.

To be quite honest, there wasn't much about The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco that I didn't enjoy. She manages to weave this story that is so enthralling that I couldn't put it down. This novel follows Tea, an aspiring bone witch, through the first few years of her training. We as readers get to see a lot of this training, but we also see what becomes of Tea later on in life because of the way Chupeco formatted this story.

Because this is the first book in a series, it does focus primarily on world building and character development. I felt that a lot of the more mundane aspects of the book could have been left out in order to have more "exciting" scenes, but the mundane scenes are what help to move the story along at times because we see the development of Tea's relationships with those around her. It's because of this that the story is a very character driven book, which isn't something I see every day. It was wonderful to see relationships, primarily the platonic kind, take a front seat instead of more romantic relationships.

The best thing about this novel is the diversity, not only with the characters, but also in the mythology that we encounter throughout the story. It appears that the cultures and creatures that Tea encounters are a mixture (or what I took to be a mixture) of many Asian cultures which was refreshing to see in a young adult fantasy novel. Chupeco describes the Asha as geisha like individuals that entertain at parties and also fight monsters.

Above all, this novel is beautifully written. It was hard to put into words how the author describes Tea's future. There's a subtle mixture of hope amongst the tragedy that this protagonist discusses with the Bard. To fully understand readers would have to experience the story for themselves. Chupeco has certainly created a wonderfully dark novel that I cannot wait to see where this story goes.

I recommend this novel to those who enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha, The Tiger's Curse series, interesting mythology, and overall badass female characters.

THIS BOOK IS MY FAVORITE OF THE YEAR SO FAR. OH. MY. GOD. This was amazing. *hyperventilates*

I got an ARC of The Bone Witch earlier this year through NetGalley and finally got the time in my busy schedule to sit down with it--and I ended up getting a print copy because my local Barnes & Noble broke the release date. How lucky was I? So, I sat down with my shiny new copy and blazed through the first half in a day. I was up in my reading chair till late at night with it; I was up in bed after that reading it. I couldn't put it down.

Chupeco has a rare talent for creating interesting, vivid, and immersive worlds, and The Bone Witch is one of the best I've seen since Sarah J. Maas. The world and its cultures in this book are incredibly unique. Both are a mixture of what we would recognize as Middle-Eastern and East-Asian. Particularly, the world of the Asha--the wielders of magic--are reminiscent of traditional Geisha culture from Japan. Asha wear elaborate and expensive silk "hua" that are given to them by the "mother" or mistress of their house in which they live and that provides for them when they become novices in the art of magic. These hua are unique to each Asha, and the debt that incurs from the cost of these items plus any instruction and so forth must be paid back by the Asha. This is on par with traditional Geisha culture--Geisha, when they have debuted and are earning money, must pay back the debt incurred for their care and instruction to their house and its "mother." And again, the Asha's "hua" described are very similar in appearance to kimono. This cultural detail added a unique dimension to this story, and I haven't really seen this done elsewhere.

What further adds to the immersive and colorful world within The Bone Witch, is its mixing of Middle-Eastern culture into the Japanese-inspired elements. There are cultures that cover their heads (the women do anyway), observe social customs regarding the separation of the sexes--we see this with a maid working in the Velarian where Tea (our main character) lives and is apprenticing as an Asha. The maid does not view being around Tea's brother as appropriate because he is not family, so she separates herself. A lot of the otherworldly creatures that readers will encounter in this book are also reminiscent of demons and other mythical beasts found in Middle-Eastern and Asian mysticism. In a nutshell, I appreciate and love that this novel didn't take the usual route with building a fantasy world that is reminiscent of the English middle-ages. That gets so boring--not so with The Bone Witch. And can I just say that the atmosphere in this novel is so dark it is scintillating? I love dark stories.

I also really like the plotting and structure of Chupeco's novel. Sections alternate between brief narratives happening "now" in which Tea and a bard discuss her past, and then the actual chapter that follows will dive into the actual story. When taken holistically, this shows how Tea grows and develops as a person and Asha, and it allows readers an interesting to see just how much she changes through her triumphs and struggles. Tea is very three-dimensional, interesting, and sympathetic. She walks a moral grey area and is dark in personality in her world, and this makes her unique in comparison with other characters from the same genre.

Finally, Chupeco's writing style overall is beautiful, descriptive, and lyrical. Descriptions are vivid, colorful, and the pacing of this story will suck readers in from the first chapters. Before I knew it, I was turning the final pages. I want to go back and read this book all over again--I can't express enough how fantastic and well-done this book is. Five out of five stars is just not good enough!

If you're a fan of fantasy fiction, magic, NECROMANCY, and immersive, well-developed characters and worlds that you could live in, pick The Bone Witch up. It deserves all the buzz it's getting and more. This is my #1 pick of the year.