Next, this book is called The Heart Forger, and that heart forger has been ostracized by his ruling father, stripped of his crown, because of the fact he likes men. First off, we have two queer ladies that are big side character that had me smiling from ear to ear. Queerness always plays a pretty big part in this story. Likh is also the sweetest little cinnamon roll and I want to personally protect them at all costs. A side character, is constantly battling against them, and all the main characters are so supportive and uplifting. This book places a big emphasis on gender roles and the way the world also forces us to conform to them. But when they do, it is only a matter of time before their hearts become corrupted.” “…black heartsglass is the ultimate fate of bone witches like us, Tea.

Also, bone witches are incredibly rare, but they seem to not live long. Bone witches are not very respected in this world, even though their powers hold the most important job in this world, because they are the only ones who can defeat Daeva, AKA: different demons who dwell in this world, who are resurrected every so often.

But Tea is a bone witch, AKA: a dark asha, and she deals in death. Other ashas control elements: fire, earth, water, wind. Silver heartglasses are so very important and are so very sought after. Yet, silver means you draw runes, which means you can fight, whether it be as an asha if you're a girl or as a solider if you're a boy. Your heartglass will change colors depending on what you're feeling but will overall stay mostly the same color. One of the more unique and cool aspects of this world, is that all the people wear heartglasses around their necks. “What’s one more lie to believe when I am just a scheming, murderous bone witch, constantly seeking stars beyond her reach?” But the main story is told in the past, and we get to slowly find out what happened to put Tea on this path that the bard is seeing. The lesser part, before every new chapter, are the events taking place through a bard’s eyes, who is chronicling the events currently, where Tea is proving to become the evil villain the world wanted her to be. This story is told in two parts, but not equally.

This is an ownvoices, Asian inspired, fantasy story that stars a young necromancer, looking for her place in a world that has constantly told her she is going to become evil. They trailed behind her, grotesque fabrics of writhing flesh and bone, spreading across the plain for miles around us.” It was glorious perfection, and Tea is my favorite necromancer of all time. This is the type of book that makes you wish there were more than fives stars, because it just feels like it deserves something more. I loved The Bone Witch so much, but The Heart Forger is now in a tier by itself. “I suppose the trouble began again when I tried raising a king from the dead.” ARC provided by Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

The heart forger book