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gondorgirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Gore, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
lastblossom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Densely packed, unique world building with an exciting storyline that drives the narrative more than the characters do.
Thoughts
I initially was a little intimidated when I opened the book and was greeted with a list of names and titles from a world I didn't understand, but the characters are all described as they're introduced, such that I didn't ever need to page back to the list, so I worried for nothing. Martha Wells does an incredible job of fitting a lot of world building into a small space, doling out lore as necessary in a way that still sparks the imagination. And what a world it is! Layers of culture, powers, politics, and history unfold in two separate timelines with a scope that feels like a big adventure. Kai is a fun mix of snarky and competent, with other characters distinct, but not given quite as much attention. Overall, characters and their arcs to take a bit of a backseat to the plot and its mysteries. While this seems like it's probably a standalone book, I honestly wouldn't mind seeing these characters do more with a little more breathing room.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
lacunaboo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping
librarianmage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Confinement
trippyotter's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Witch King takes you through the past as our present-day characters set forth to find their missing friends and discover who betrayed them.
My only wish would have been further progression in the present storyline, but with a complex world and history, I'm not sure that would have been possible. I can't wait to see what lays ahead of our characters as the story progresses.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
maryellen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
uranaishi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Self harm, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism