Author: Rin Chupeco
Series: Book One in the Bone Witch Series
Published By: Sourcebooks Fire (March 7, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3 Stars
Book Description:
When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother 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.
Memoirs of a Geisha meets The Name of the Wind in this brilliant new fantasy series by Rin Chupeco!
I went into this with high expectations after reading Chupeco's debut duology last year and maybe that is where I went a little wrong with this one. I expected it to grab me from the get go and not only keep my attention with a faster paced plot but be completely hard to put down with a fast moving plot as the synopsis hinted at. And sadly, that isn't quite what I got.
While I wouldn't say this wasn't a fascinating story or that it doesn't grab your attention (because it does do that), it still wasn't quite the fast paced read I was hoping it would be.
It was fun and original and I would even go so far as to say unique but for whatever reason I found myself struggling a bit with the pacing and the story itself. I think in this instance, it was a case of expecting way too much and being slightly let down because of it.
I think those that go into this expecting nothing and even for those that are being introduced to this author for the first time, will definitely enjoy this one and like it more. I think so much works for it despite the issues I had with it and I can only guess the next book will be even better.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
High expectations can be so tough when you go into a book! If the pacing is off in a book I find it hard for me to love so I get that. Great review!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. ;)
DeleteI would have expected a book like this to be fast-paced for sure. Horror isn't usually the genre for me, so I wasn't too excited about this one. I'm sorry your expectations were not met though, Ali. That always sucks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick, I was expecting it to be different as well but it wasn't bad, just not quite what I was looking for.
DeleteIt would have been an amazing story reading the book description, too bad it wasn't that great :(
ReplyDeleteYou might love it, you never know. ;)
DeleteOh sorry it wasn't a bit complicated but the fact that it's different is interesting
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely different, which really, is never a bad thing. ;)
DeleteThanks for the great review Kindlemom. Sorry it didn't float your boat like you thought it would.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie, and it's okay, it happens. ;)
DeleteIt's really hard to not read a book without expectations. Sorry yours were not met.
ReplyDeleteIt is especially when you've loved the author before. ;)
DeleteSorry to hear it wasn't as good as you have hoped. Love that cover though.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great cover. :D
DeleteAli, it sucks when you're a bit let down. Pacing can be so hard to nail. And when it's off, it changes the whole feel of the book. Thanks for the even review.
ReplyDeleteSo very true Tyler and for some reason, this just didn't work for me at the time. Maybe I would have liked it more at a different time.
DeleteOh darn. I have this one coming up for review and I will try to dampen my expectations. Perhaps that will help me.
ReplyDeleteI really hope you like it! Can't wait to see what you thought about it. ;)
DeleteIt's not just you. Another reader online also gave it 3 stars for pacing and story issues. So it's not just those like you with high expectations from previous reads who were disappointed. I tried to get an early copy but was rejected. So I have to wait until when I'm ready to buy it to find out my own opinion.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you will end up liking it.
DeleteI hate it when an author's new book isn't as good! I've had this one on my list, because necromancy. ( P.S. you accidentally posted the review twice. I've done that before. Just thought you'd want to know, because I would.)
ReplyDeleteOh geeze, thanks for letting me know!
DeleteI've never read Run Chupeco's previous works so I guess it's safe to say that I may enjoy this. However, I'm still a bit scared to dive into this because of the disappointed reviews I came across. But that cover though.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't a bad read at all so no worries about that, just a slower moving one.
DeleteOkay, I will expect nothing from it. lol
ReplyDeleteLOL, probably better that way. :P
DeleteOh, sorry to hear that it didn't completely live up to your high expectations. I have this coming up soon on my TBR...I'll go in now expecting a slow pace.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you will like it more. ;)
DeleteSorry it wasn't better for you. I read The Girl From the Well and that would be a reason for me not to read this one. I thought it was ok and very unique but it wasn't my favorite. And like you it grabbed my interest but then it slowed down and I thought I would never finish it. So I do understand what you are saying!
ReplyDeleteYay then this one definitely was slower than that one so it probably wouldn't be up your alley.
DeleteOh, I remember you really enjoying The Girl from the Well! I have this to review and have been so excited for it because the premise sounds awesome. Hmm, I think I'll go in with patience for the pace. Hopefully it will work out for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI think if you know ahead of time, it will definitely help. ;)
DeleteI love that cover. I'm always worried when I have high expectations for a book. I tend to be concerned that it won't live up to the love. I'm glad you still enjoyed this some. I hope the next book is better.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
I'm hoping it will pick up too, more than likely I think it will. ;)
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