The Shadowglass

I am struggling to write this review with tears in my eyes because I can’t believe this amazing trilogy is already over and I can’t experience it for the first time ever again. I’m so happy and sad to have been a part of this reading journey and I have not felt this emotional and satisfied with a series conclusion in a long while. I have a lot to say, so there will probably be a lot of spoilers for the previous two books but I will try to be as vague as possible for this one, so proceed with caution.

I already knew Rin’s writing was spectacular but this book took it to a whole new level. While all of the kingdoms are mentioned throughout the books, I never expected to get the opportunity to travel to all of them but the author show more ensures we do and this makes for a great journey and an awesome job at more expansive world building - each kingdom unique in its own way. The writing in this book is so layered, each chapter uncovering some manipulation or treachery, the anticipation only building up more because of the way the two timelines are alternately written and surprising us every step of the way. There are liars and traitors in the guise of elders and friends and while I had some doubts, I never could guess their identities confidently. That’s why the reveals had a very high impact. The plot also moves much faster in this book because there is a lot riding on Tea’s shoulders, and there are even more amazing action sequences than the previous books. I continued to be impressed but the last few chapters really gutted me but it was also so perfectly tied up.


There were also enough hints throughout the books which pointed towards the ancient legends of these kingdoms as the knowledge that Tea is seeking and her quest leaves us with many questions to ponder - How far will people go to alter historical accounts to suit their greed? Do we ever really know the truth about our heroes and legends or is everything just embellishment and manipulation to ensure those in power are always able to control the populace? Are we always sure of the intentions of those we seek to follow and believe in? We get many answers but some of them are best left unanswered so that they make us think. There is also a lot of destruction that happens in this book but again we are left to think about what’s the line between good and evil, how much of the havoc that Tea wreaks upon the kingdoms justified because she was compelled to do so - both to protect the truly innocent and also because she doesn’t want her dearest ones to die. Whatever happens in this story, it all comes back to love - sibling, romantic, familial, platonic and everything in between - love compels every action, sometimes true and sometimes misguided but ultimately it’s love that triumphs and I couldn’t be more happier with the way everything wrapped up.

Call her a hero or antihero, Tea is one of the most compelling and complicated main characters I have read in quite a long time and I’m deeply in love with her. She is consumed by guilt and trauma, is lied to and betrayed and blamed by her closest ones but she still remains steadfast in her goals and I really admired her for it. And whatever she does, she really is full of love, ready to sacrifice all of herself for the sake of her dear ones. And seeing her with Kalen was a blessing to read. He is the epitome of loyalty and courage, always standing with her and protecting her and their love for each other made my heart weep with joy. It’s definitely a romance for the ages and I just wanted more and more scenes with them together.

We see all the other characters together in this book and that was amazing to read. The relationships that Tea has with each of them precious in its own right and it was very interesting to see how Mykkie, Zoya, Khalad, Kance, Likh and everyone else handled her actions and justifications throughout the story. The Bard is another fascinating character who is unsure about what to make of Tea but is loyal to his task of being a storyteller and brave enough to follow her on her perilous journeys. His actual truth was probably the only one I guess while everything else was quite suspenseful and I had to wait to uncover it all. I also especially like Tea’s friendship with Khalad and Likh, because they are always supportive of her even when she is wrongfully accused. Likh has been one of my favorite side characters since the beginning, her innate strength in pursuing what she truly wants in life despite lots of opposition being very commendable. She has always fought for her right to be true to herself, and we see her exploring more of her identity in this book and finally deciding on what pronouns she wants to use. I thought the author did a marvelous job of writing about Likh’s transition through the trilogy and the tremendous amount of unconditional support that she gets from all her friends is really very heartwarming. The development of her romance with Khalad was also a joy to read and they had some very cute and hilarious scenes together. We don’t get to see more of Zoya and Shadi’s romance here but they still are going strong and it’s always nice to see two happy young women in love. The other couple that rivals Tea and Kalen in their devotion to each other are Fox and Inessa, stubborn and hotheaded but deeply in love who fight for their right to be together despite all odds. The author really did a tremendous job making us care for every single character and their romances, giving each of them a meaningful arc and I tip my hat off to her.

What can I say that I haven’t already said in my reviews of the previous books of this amazing trilogy. This is the kind of fantasy I love - characters I fall deeply in love with, expansive world building with its very own mythology that I can picture in my head, dark and deadly magic system and elaborate action sequences that left me gasping, beautifully written swoon worthy romances and ultimately, an ending that made me weep but also left me tremendously satisfied and glad to have read an amazing series. What more could I have asked for. If you are a lover of YA fantasy and haven’t read this trilogy yet, what are you waiting for? show less

When you know how something is going to end, you’d think you’d be prepared for it. Yet, The Shadowglass by Rin Chupeco still devastated me on numerous occasions. As the finale of The Bone Witch trilogy, Shadowglass finally has Tea’s past join the present and it broke my heart in the best and worst ways. Each character’s arc unfolds beautifully, loose ends are tied, and we finally understand what led to Tea’s downfall and exile.

There’s so much I want to say, but there’s so much I don’t want to spoil, which is saying a lot considering the way the Bone Witch trilogy has been told. Using alternating chapters of the past and the present is tricky because you know how the past turns out since we’re also in the present, yet show more Chupeco is so skilled at what she does that never once did I feel as though anything was predictable. Even knowing, spoilers for book 1 in the series, that Kalen was going to die because of Tea, I was still shocked and devastated when it happened. It struck me through and through, and boy, I cried and cried and cried until my head hurt as much as my heart did.

Characters drive the plot, and do so while beautifully filling out their arcs. They feel so fully fleshed, even when they’re a support. It’s easy to feel that Chupeco, should we ask it of her, could spin a yarn for each character — from the Bard to Daisy herself. We see the greatest secondary character growth from Likh, who comes to terms with their identity, who they are, and who they want to be. Having an LGBTQIA2 , and seeing their struggle to voice what they want out of fear of being ridiculed or told they were impossible or wrong feels so validating. Having Chupeco take the time to put so much time into developing Likh meant a lot to myself, and I’m sure others who can identify. Khalad’s development, while not as pronounced as Likh’s, is truly the strongest of the secondary characters to which I even consider his development as the catalyst for the entire series. It’s amazing how Chupeco can have secondary and tertiary characters drive the plot forward alongside primary characters.

The ending felt deserved and you can tell Chupeco took time into ensuring it went smoothly. There was no sense of it being rushed or of any deus ex machina coming in to save the day. Indeed, she tells readers exactly what will happen early in the trilogy, reminds you throughout, and yet, when it comes down to it, it’s still a surprise that steals your breath away. The secondary ending, however, is cheeky and one I very much appreciate because it is ambiguous. Knowing I can choose how to interpret the fates of Tea and Kalen gives me life because while I want to know definitively, I’m happy imagining my own happily ever after.

The Shadowglass by Rin Chupeco beautifully closes the Bone Witch trilogy. Full of emotion, impact, and growth, it is a worthy pay off to end a series full of heart and creativity.


// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. // show less

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Shadow Glass

The Faceless seek the power found within shadowglass, and Tea is determined to reach it first. But shadowglass is a double-edged sword. While it will grant power, it will also cause corruption and demand sacrifice. Tea’s power will begin to eat away at her sanity and her life. But to Tea, her life is just one more thing to give up in her quest to save those she loves. When she begins to unravel the long told lies of the Asha, she will do everything in her power to bring them to their knees. The world is about to change, but is it for better or for worse?

The magic system in this trilogy is brilliant. While it plays on elemental magic, it takes it to a whole new level. show more The use of heartsglass and special runic magic puts a creative twist on a favorite. Even after the reader thinks they know everything there is to the magic system, Rin Chupeco throws another twist. The same can be said for the world building, as the history readers have come to know is torn apart and rebuilt.

The Shadow Glass is a dark and thrilling conclusion to a phenomenal series. Rin Chupeco pulls you into the complex relationships she has built with all the characters, tugging on the reader’s heartstrings every chance she can. I could not stop listening to this book. The depth of emotion the narrators Emily Woo and Will Damron added to the characters enhanced the experience. You felt everything Tea experienced and rode the wave of emotions each step of the way. I can’t wait to read more of Rin Chupeco’s books. show less

"To be perfect without suffering means no change. If you know neither hurt nor hardship, then you will not know the strength they can summon within a person. What is life's meaning if you cannot distinguish between happiness and sorrow?"

I can't find the words. I can't find the words to say goodbye. This series meant so much to me and now it's over.
Thank you Tea, Kalen, Fox, Khaled, Likh, Zoya, Shadi, Mykkie, Inessa and everyone else (except a certain betrayer we won't mention because the anger is still fresh) who made this series what it was.
If you want a story with a magnificent antiheroine, with a heartbreaking love story, with diversity, with lgbtq representation (f/f and trans) i beg you, read these books.

I wish we could've seen show more more of the other relationships and the side characters.
Especially we didn't see Tea and Fox's relationship and to it was equally important as Tea and Kalen's.
It was so painful to see them so far away from each other and not being able to deal with their loss and their pain. The ending made me sob like a child though.
It was bittersweet but also right and beautiful.

It's a series i will always hold dear in my heart and i will reread again for sure. show less

Oh look, I stayed up an hour past my bedtime, bawled like a baby, and gave myself a headache because this stupid book completed the trilogy to damn well. Gosh darn it all.

That said, there were just a few bits that felt poorly explained or holey and the back and forth got VERY hard to follow at times. The worst was when all the same characters were present in both times and also in the middle of battle. But this really didnt detract from my FEELINGS and that is how I determine if I liked a book or not.

The third and final installment of the Bone Witch series, I was blown away by Chupeco's continued style of present/past tense coupled with the infinitely compelling storyline.

All the characters grow and mature and become such beautiful versions of themselves that I became teary-eyed in some places.

SPOILER**********************

I have a minor bone to pick with Chupeco in that the only Trans character in the story died. The Kill your gays trope is overused.

HMPH.

/END SPOILER*****************

I liked the ending, and I loved the final chapter. I will definitely be keeping an eye on Chupeco for more literature.

This is the final book in The Bone Witch series. This was my least favorite book of the trilogy but it does do a good job of tying things up. This book was slower than the other two and harder to follow.

The book alternates between the near past and the present. In the near past Tea is trying to learn how to make shadowglass and eliminate the azi once and for all. In the present Tea is leading her azi in a rampage through the kingdoms.

I think part of my issue with this book was that the scenes from the present and past were just too similar. It got difficult to keep all the characters and what they were doing straight when they were in two places at slightly different timepoints. There were just too many characters and the timepoints show more were too close.

This was also a much more intrigue and politically driven story which I am not a fan of. Additionally, the book just moves way too slow compared with the first two books in the series.

It was great to see how everything wraps up. The writing is beautiful and I still enjoyed the description and the world.

Overall this was a decent conclusion to this series. I struggled a bit with all the characters (so many names that start with ‘K’!) and with how close in time the two perspectives were. I also thought this was the slowest book of the series and could have used some better editing to tighten things up. show less