The Bone Witch is the beginning of The Bone Witch Trilogy series by Filipino writer Rin Chupeco. It tells of the story of Tea, a witch with the power of necromancy. Her family are average witches. Their powers were related to nature. At first, Tea’s powers were not yet known but she unintentionally raised her brother (named Fox) from the dead:
What other reprimands he intended died on his tongue when the ground began to move. A terrible rumbling and heaving began underneath us, beneath the fresh dirt that made up Fox’s grave. There was a muffled splintering inside that small mound, like something within the coffin had escaped its confinement.
As we watched, a cold, gray hand rose up, scratching and stretching, and gripped the tufts of weeds growing close to the grave. The strange being lifted itself out of its earthly prison with little difficulty and brushed the dirt off its tall, thin form. My mother fainted.
When it raised its head, I saw that it had my brother’s face, drawn and bloodless and dead.
“Tea,” the figure said.
But then it smiled, and it was Fox’s smile, quiet and kind.
This is the beginning of the lore if Tea, the Bone Witch. It’s a light read full of magical systems, witch training, magical items, hints of other magical creatures that have yet to be revealed and, of course, the journey of the heroine.
If you enjoy world building, interesting characters and character development, you may enjoy this book.