The Bone Witch

Tea expected to follow in her sisters’ footsteps, becoming a healer or diviner, both respected in their kingdom. But after she raises her brother from the dead, she finds out she is a Dark asha, tolerated by most, feared by many. She is apprenticed to Mykaela, another Dark asha, for training and education. She learns dance, singing, history, and rune magic in preparation for when she will join Mykaela in keeping the kingdoms safe from creatures only her kind can stop. Stronger than anyone knows, she quickly becomes an asha in her own right faster than any predecessor, but what she learns trying to save the people from these terrible monsters may make her second-guess herself. Reminiscent of Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha world, this story comes complete with foreign words and lands. However, this is a dense story, packed with details and background. The chapters alternate between Tea’s life in training and an encounter between an asha and a Bard, visiting in a dream. The ending leaves readers with no doubt as to a sequel, which most will feel compelled to read, for good reason. Though a bit slow at first, the second half will have readers turning pages quickly.