Rin Chupeco

Rin Chupeco is a Chinese Filipino author of young adult fiction who gained recognition for their fantasy and horror novels. Their most notable works include The Bone Witch trilogy, The Girl from the Well series, and The Never-Tilting World series. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Chupeco draws heavily from Asian cultures and folklore in their writing. Their work frequently incorporates elements from Japanese horror, ghost stories, and cultural traditions, influenced by their early fascination with supernatural tales and authors like Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, and Edgar Allan Poe. The author began their career as a graphic designer before transitioning to writing. Their debut novel, The Girl from the Well (2014), received critical acclaim including a starred review from Publishers Weekly, establishing Chupeco as a distinctive voice in young adult supernatural fiction. Chupeco identifies as non-binary and pansexual, using they/them pronouns. They currently reside in Manila with their partner and two children, continuing to produce works that blend cultural elements with contemporary fantasy and horror themes.

Readers praise Chupeco's incorporation of Asian folklore and culture, particularly in The Bone Witch series. Many note their detailed worldbuilding and atmospheric writing style. What readers liked: - Fresh takes on familiar supernatural themes - Complex magic systems and rituals - LGBTQ+ representation - Cultural authenticity in settings and mythology - Dark, gothic tone combined with YA themes What readers disliked: - Pacing issues, especially in series openers - Dense exposition and worldbuilding that slows the plot - Romance subplots that feel forced - Some find the writing style overly descriptive Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - The Bone Witch: 3.8/5 (50,000+ ratings) - The Girl from the Well: 3.7/5 (8,000+ ratings) - Wicked As You Wish: 3.6/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon averages 4.2-4.4 stars across titles. Common reader comment: "The mythology and magic are fascinating but the story takes time to find its rhythm."

The Girl from the Well (2014) A YA horror novel about an avenging ghost who protects children from evil, inspired by the Japanese folk tale of Okiku.

The Suffering (2015) The sequel to The Girl from the Well follows Tark and Okiku as they investigate disappearances in Japan's Aokigahara forest.

The Bone Witch (2017) First in a trilogy about Tea, a young necromancer who must master her powers while navigating political intrigue in a fantasy world.

The Heart Forger (2018) Second installment in the Bone Witch trilogy where Tea continues her journey as a Dark asha while seeking revenge.

The Shadow Glass (2019) The conclusion to the Bone Witch trilogy follows Tea's final battle against an ancient evil threatening her world.

Wicked As You Wish (2020) First book in the A Hundred Names for Magic series, set in an alternate world where fairy tales and reality collide.

The Never Tilting World (2019) A fantasy novel about twin goddesses in a world split between endless day and endless night.

The Ever Cruel Kingdom (2020) Sequel to The Never Tilting World, continuing the story of the goddess twins and their quest to save their broken world.

An Unreliable Magic (2021) Second book in the A Hundred Names for Magic series, following the continued adventures in the magical kingdom of Avalon.

Julie Kagawa combines Asian mythology with contemporary fantasy worlds in her Iron Fey and Shadow of the Fox series. Her work features similar cultural elements and supernatural creatures that would appeal to Chupeco readers.

Zoraida Córdova writes fantasy stories incorporating cultural mythology and magic in books like The Brooklyn Brujas series. Her focus on family dynamics and supernatural elements mirrors themes found in Chupeco's work.

Roshani Chokshi draws from Indian mythology to create fantasy narratives in series like The Star-Touched Queen and The Gilded Wolves. Her blend of cultural elements with magic systems parallels Chupeco's approach to worldbuilding.

Frances Hardinge crafts dark fantasy stories with complex female protagonists in books like A Face Like Glass and Deeplight. Her storytelling includes gothic elements and supernatural aspects similar to Chupeco's style.

Akemi Dawn Bowman writes stories featuring Japanese cultural elements and explores identity themes in works like The Infinity Courts series. Her blend of science fiction and cultural elements creates worlds that share common ground with Chupeco's work.