THE BONE WITCH REVIEW [BOOK 1]
THE HEART FORGER REVIEW [BOOK 2]
In the Eight Kingdoms, none have greater strength or influence than the asha, who hold elemental magic. But only a bone witch has the power to raise the dead. Tea has used this dark magic to breathe life into those she has loved and lost…and those who would join her army against the deceitful royals. But Tea’s quest to conjure a shadowglass, to achieve immortality for the one person she loves most in the world, threatens to consume her.
Tea’s heartsglass only grows darker with each new betrayal. Her work with the monstrous azi, her thirst for retribution, her desire to unmask the Faceless–they all feed the darkrot that is gradually consuming her heartsglass. She is haunted by blackouts and strange visions, and when she wakes with blood on her hands, Tea must answer to a power greater than the elder asha or even her conscience. Tea’s life–and the fate of the kingdoms–hangs in the balance.
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Content Warnings: Blood/gore, dead bodies, murder, parental abuse, child abuse, death of a relative, misgendering, suicidal thoughts, war themes, and death.
Do you ever just love a book so much, that when it comes to writing a review, you struggle to put into words all the emotions you have? This book made me feel all the emotions.
Between Tea and “the bard” we learn and uncover so much about the eight kingdoms and the politics, and traditions, behind them. We meet so many characters, most of which we fall in love with whereas others we dream of their demise. We learn, and witness, how power can corrupt regardless of one’s intentions. For some, there is nothing they wouldn’t sacrifice for power, they find ways to justify any and all sacrifices they make in the quest for it.
This book is full of uncovering puppeteers who’ve been orchestrating and manipulating people, and sometimes entire kingdoms, in their quest for ultimate power. We also see how strong the bonds of love can be, and how even if it seems the entire world has turned against you, as long as you have one person who believes in you, you can find the strength to continue on.
Throughout the series, aside from Tea, my favorite character has always been Likh and in this book, they shine so brightly. Realistically I know it doesn’t make sense, for the author, to revisit this world but oh the joy I would feel to see Likh have their own book. The growth Likh has throughout the series is so beautiful, I loved getting to watch them find their confidence and strength as they discovered they could be who they were always meant to be. Finding your strength and confidence and being able to be surrounded by those that love and support you is really a dream so many of us have.
If you’re looking for a YA fantasy series full of finding your strength, political intrigue, love, finding acceptance, and beautiful world-building…I highly recommend picking up this trilogy. This continues to be one of my favorite YA series, really a favorite fantasy series in general, and I will continue to recommend it over and over again.
NoelleLovesBooks 