Admittedly, this readathon was pretty loose. It was a month-long one that required only one book be read to complete the readathon! The challenge was to find a book about magic with a magic user as the main character. Though I set out to read more, I ended up reading only two books that matched this description (and I DNFed a third).
The Bone Witch (The Bone Witch #1) by Rin Chupeco
This book focuses on Tea, a rising Dark asha. Tea grew up with a few older sisters who had some magical abilities, as their heartsglass was purple. But when Tea’s brother dies at war, her grief is so much that she draws a rune and reveals herself to be an asha before her heartsrune day. Tea is taught to control and develop her magic, and the magic system laid out is interesting and complex. This book absolutely fulfills the prompt!
Dread Pirate Arcanist (Frith Chronicles #2) by Shami Stovall
In this second installment of the Frith Chronicles, our protagonist Volke continues to work on his magic under the training of his Master, Zelfree. Volke and his fellow apprentices also go up against a powerful pirate crew, full of master arcanists with maneating eldrin. Stovall’s worldbuilding continues as well with the introduction of legendary creatures, the grand apothecary, and more!
DNF’ed: Enchantress (Evermen Saga #1) by James Maxwell
So this book may not have even counted towards the readathon by the end. The book was presented in its description as being a high fantasy tale about a world where magic is used to create useful tools–lamps and swords mostly–and the story of two siblings navigating that world. One of the main POVs was supposed to be the sister, who is sent to train at the magical academy. By the time I DNF’ed it though her brother had been hogging the screen for some time. I just wasn’t immersed in the world from the start. The most interesting thing to happen was the focus of the prologue and first chapter, but quickly brushed aside by a time jump shortly afterwards. The magic wasn’t well explained and I discovered a new pet peeve: starting chapters with quotations from something in-universe that hasn’t been explained yet.
So that wraps up my involvement in the Witchy Readathon for August 2020! Did you read any fantasy books this month? Anything with witches?
Cups and Cards and Books 