The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco is a dark and atmospheric YA fantasy that’s earned a devoted following—and for good reason. With its unique blend of necromancy, multicultural worldbuilding, and a protagonist who navigates the challenges of being an outcast, this novel stands out in the crowded fantasy landscape. It’s a story about power, identity, and the cost of magic that I’ve been eager to read for a while—which is why The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco has been high on my list.
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Bookish Essentials
Genre: Young Adult / Romantic Fantasy / Folklore
Series: Book 1 of The Bone Witch (3 Books)
Reading Age: 14+
Published: 2017
Pages: 443
Reading Order: 1) The Bone Witch, 2) The Heart Forger, 3) The Shadowglass
✨ Want more witchy YA reads like this? Here’s a list of books with curses, witches, and secrets✨
From the Jacket of The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Tea can raise the dead, but resurrection comes at a price…
When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother, Fox, 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.
Riveting and atmospheric, The Bone Witch is perfect for readers looking for
- witch novels for adults and teens
- stories with diverse representation and multicultural influences
- dark fantasy YA books and series
- original worldbuilding and captivating writing
Praise for The Bone Witch:
“A fantasy lover’s fantasy” —Foreword Reviews
“Mesmerizing. Chupeco (The Suffering) does a magnificent job of balancing an intimate narrative perspective with sweeping worldbuilding, crafting her tale within a multicultural melting pot of influences as she presses toward a powerful cliffhanger.”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review
“Chupeco delights us with a fascinating world and a rich atmosphere for a story that is exceptionally written from beginning to end.”—Buzzfeed
“Readers who enjoy immersing themselves in detail will revel in Chupeco’s finely wrought tale. Game of Thrones fans may see shades of Daenerys Targaryen in Tea, as she gathers a daeva army to unleash upon the world. Whether she is in the right remains a question unanswered, but the ending makes it clear her story is only beginning.” —Booklist
The Bone Witch Trilogy:
The Bone Witch (Book 1)
The Heart Forger (Book 2)
The Shadowglass (Book 3)
✨ Looking for more YA fantasy novels with strong female protagonists? Check out this list ✨
Why The Bone Witch is on my TBR
Rin Chupeco’s The Bone Witch is beloved by many readers in the YA fantasy space, and that’s just one of the reasons it’s been sitting on my TBR pile for far too long. I’m especially intrigued by its exploration of what it means to be a magical outcast. Tea’s powers as a necromancer set her apart—not just as a rare kind of witch, but as someone who is feared and misunderstood. I’m drawn to stories that go beyond the surface of magic to explore themes of alienation and identity, and The Bone Witch seems like it has the potential to speak to anyone who has ever felt—at some point or another—like they didn’t quite belong (So… all the fiercest women I know 😊). If you’re looking for YA fantasy books with witches, necromancy, and complex heroines, The Bone Witch definitely belongs on your radar.
You Might Also Like
- Blood Like Magic, by Liselle Sambury
- Winterwood, by Shea Ernshaw
- Forgotten Cove, by T.G. Elsher
Save Rin Chupeco’s The Bone Witch to your TBR List
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