Thank you to the Fantastic Flying Book Club and Kathryn Lynch from Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to join the blog tour for The Heart Forger and for sending me a copy of this book to review, respectfully. Tea’s story, beginning in The Bone Witch, continues in this sequel that continues the dark path Tea began and walks ever further down as her asha powers grow.
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Published: 20 March 2018
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Category: Fantasy/Young Adult
In The Bone Witch, Tea mastered resurrection―now she’s after revenge…
No one knows death like Tea. A bone witch who can resurrect the dead, she has the power to take life…and return it. And she is done with her self-imposed exile. Her heart is set on vengeance, and she now possesses all she needs to command the mighty daeva. With the help of these terrifying beasts, she can finally enact revenge against the royals who wronged her―and took the life of her one true love.
But there are those who plot against her, those who would use Tea’s dark power for their own nefarious ends. Because you can’t kill someone who can never die…
War is brewing among the kingdoms, and when dark magic is at play, no one is safe.
Rating: 5 Stars
As terrifying as the descriptions of Tea are, as much horror as the citizens of the world might have in regards to bone witches and her in particular, there are moments when the reader sees a softness to her personality. Whether it is through the eyes of the Bard, who is telling the story as a third party observer, or through Tea’s first person perspective, moments like leaning into a loved one or flying with her daeva (azi) juxtapose with this fearsome image that others have and that Tea herself often embraces.
The dual perspective was one of my favorite things from The Bone Witch and I was glad that it continued in The Heart Forger. It’s interesting that the Bard, the person who is ostensibly telling Tea’s story as an impartial party, lets slip their own judgement at times. You get a sense of what they think of Tea’s actions as they go; not just being kept in the dark about her plans, but about what those plans are once unveiled. Why they’re surprised anymore I’m sure I don’t know, but I was amused and intrigued because the Bard, for their flaws, was still a great perspective to read. The flow of the words, the attempt at being the reader’s eyes into the world while still having their own opinions slipping through (as I mentioned), combined to support a style that was easy to slip into from Tea’s emotional first-person perspective and back out of again.
Emotional may not be quite the word I’m looking for her. Conflicted or troubled may be better. Tea’s powers are far stronger than expected, as anyone who has read The Bone Witch started to find out, and they keep growing. What they will allow her to do, who they allow her to be or who they allow her to control, all of the facets of this building force are both awe inspiring and frightening. It’s not just the power the Tea has to contend with, but more “mundane” aspects, such as a loved one’s death she might not be able to prevent or reverse, that develop her into a complex and still relatable character. She’s equal parts sympathetic, concerning, enviable, and more.
Rin Chupeco has a real gift and I love her Bone Witch series. The world building, the discussion points, character development, all make a series that I look forward to reading more of. There’s one book left coming out next year (The Shadowglass, 2019) and I know I’ll be sad when it happens. Will Tea find peace? Will the darkness consume her? Who the heck knows? Does Rin? What does she have planned?? **FLAILING**
Favorite Quotes
These are some of my favorite lines from throughout the book. Would any of these quotes make your own list?
“The dead do not need rest,” she told me, “only the living believe the grave can bring you peace.”
All that was left of it was the gem that gleamed brightly in my hand. It is odd, I thought, how something so beautiful can come out of something so grotesque.
“For far too long, I have been sheltered from the realities of my own kingdom, Tea. I cannot rely on books and advisors to tell me how to rule. How can I govern wisely if I have none of my own experiences to fall back on?”
“You murdered him,” I whispered.
“I saved those soldiers.” She stood, the man’s heartsglass in her hands. She watched the light from it fade, lips twisted in grim satisfaction. “It is all a matter of perspective.”
She had healed them with her blood and a touch, but she remained fractured and broken herself, the never-healing scars inside her soul bearing the names of friends long gone.
About the Author
Despite uncanny resemblances to Japanese revenants, Rin Chupeco has always maintained her sense of hummus Raised in Manila, Philippines, she keeps four pets: a dog, two birds, and a husband. She’s been a technical writer and travel blogger, but now makes things up for a living. The Girl from the Well was her debut novel.
Giveaway
- Prize: (1) winner will win a copy of THE HEART FORGER; (1) winner will win a copy of THE BONE WITCH; and (1) winner will win the 3 crochet dolls – Tea, Fox, and Azi
- Open International, Starts 3/20, Ends 4/3
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule
March 20th
March 21st
Confessions of a YA Reader– 10 List
Magical Reads– Review & Creative Post
Vicky Who Reads– Guest Post
March 22nd
Jrsbookreviews– Review
A New Look on Books– Meet the Characters
Susan Heim on Writing– Review
March 23rd
Here’s to Happy Endings– Style Board
Keep Reading Forward– Guest Post
March 24th
Flying Paperbacks– Interview
Storybook Slayers– Review
The Bibliophile Chronicles– 10 List
March 26th
Northern Plunder– Review
NovelKnight Book Reviews– Guest Post
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Hermit Librarian 
I love the sound of The Bone Witch, and yes I will be adding it to my TBR list.
Betul E.
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It is such a great series. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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I loved the Bone Witch. I am excited for The Heart Forager. Thanks.
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Aaaaaah, I have the same questions, too. I really love how the world-building in this series is incredibly heavy on cultural influences, including Filipino folklore (more about this in my interview with the author: https://thatbookshelfbitch.wordpress.com/2018/03/23/review-author-interview-heart-forger-rin-chupeco/). I can’t wait for book 3! Although I’m sad it’ll be the last one.
Anyway, fantastic review! ❤️
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m going to check out your interview. 🙂
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