Book Review: The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

With short, concise chapters weaving past with the present, The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco, quickly hooks its readers with its ability to seamlessly entwine magic and fantasy. Reluctant readers and YA fans both will love this book. Our first encounter with our protagonist, Tea, is her resurrecting her brother from his freshly dug grave.  Tea's ability to resurrect the dead shocks her community who haven't seen a Bone Witch, or dark Asha, in someone so young. Tea is equally horrified and enthralled with her new found magic; she is curious, but cautious as to what this means for her future.

Along with the constant companionship of her newly alive brother, Tea moves into an Asha house where she can be trained and taught to respect her new found abilities. As with any young, powerful and ambitious witch, there are those who are jealous and will do anything to destroy young Tea. It is with the help of three other Asha's Tea will soon discover who she is destined to become.

Tea challenges the dark within her. She knows she must keep it hidden and under control. She aspires to use her powers to help win the war amongst her people, but in doing so, she creates turmoil with those in charge. We know Tea is raising the demons to help wage war, but readers are left not knowing why or for whom she is doing this. A true cliffhanger, but one in which all of us will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.

In the Classroom:

This is one of those books where a lesson plan doesn't come to mind. It was a wonderful book, and as stated above, one which reads quickly. I liked the mix of characters--both boy/girl, evil/good. It is one to put in the hands of students who enjoy fantasy, magic and historical information. Tea lives in the house of the Asha and at many times the comparison to the Geisha played forefront in my mind. Their costumes, customs and ability to entertain where spot on to the life of a Geisha. Rin Chupeco added in the elements most YA fans adore: magic and fantasy!