Sourcebooks Fire, 2017.

Do you know that crushing feeling when you read the first book in a new series and reach the end and you realize that the second book isn’t even published yet, and that you’re going to have to wait? Yeah, that. And let me tell you it’s multiplied when the book you just read is an advance reader copy and that book isn’t even available for three months! On the other hand, you’ve got at least one more book coming to look forward to. That’s what I’ve been telling myself since I finished reading The Bone Witch in December – each month brings me closer to another book about Tea and her life.

In her grief at his death, twelve-year-old Tea actually raises her brother from the grave, surprising and frightening her family. After the unintended feat comes grave illness for Tea until a bone witch, or necromancer, who will be Tea’s mentor, appears to heal her. Soon Tea, her brother, and Lady Mykaela set out from Tea’s village where bone witches are feared and persecuted and travel to the city of Ankyo, the capital of Kion where Asha, including the rare bone witches, are trained.

Told in chapters that alternate between a grown and outcast Tea and the story of her apprenticeship, The Bone Witch is a captivating tale. Though I first felt somewhat disoriented by the dual perspectives in the novel, once I had a handle on the complicated world, I just sunk into the story. I so look forward to reading the upcoming books in the series!

This would make a great classroom book to book talk or begin reading with the class and then allow the kids to read on their own. A great book for fans of Abhorsen by Garth Nix or the Earthsea books by Ursula K. LeGuin. Add this one to your To Read list!