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elsu's review against another edition
1.0
I desperately wanted to like this book bcs the premise sounded awesome. Well. It wasn't for me.
ceruleanstar's review
2.0
*2.25
I don't know what to think about this book. I'm conflicted, like, it wasn't bad but I feel I can't actually call it good.
I feel like most of the time instead of simply enjoying the read, I was wondering "why is this happening?", "Why is this character doing this and that?", "Why can't I understand anyone's motivation and why can't I understand why any of this is happening?"
It was like a lot of good ideas and threads of plots that were just there. I didn't know how the fae were as a nation, I didn't know what their culture was. I only knew some of them did not like witches, but it was like this prejudice was never fleshed out. Like they hated witches for the sake of hating witches. It just didn't sit right with me.
Now, the main characters: Wyatt bothered me. I loved the trans rep, and I liked him for the most part, but he still bothered me, and I can't put my finger on exactly why he did it. Guess I just wanted him to be a little more nice, maybe? I don't really know.
Emyr was pretty nice, props to him for being my favourite character. I didn't like Briar much, her 84% plot came out of nowhere and it only served to make me mad. This is definitely explored on the next book, but still all I could think while reading those pages was "...but why?"
Some parts of this book felt so confusing. But the language being used wasn't hard and what was happening wasn't supposed to be something complicated, but it felt so so confusing I just went along with it because maybe everything would make sense somehow somewhere.
But then the ending came and I was just did not know what to think. I still don't. I have no idea how this book was, or what is happening in the sequel beside the obvious foreshadowing.
Wrapping this mess of a review up: the book is ok, kinda, and I think I'm going to read the sequel.
–> Update: Lowered to 2 stars. Yeah, I do not like Wyatt.
I don't know what to think about this book. I'm conflicted, like, it wasn't bad but I feel I can't actually call it good.
I feel like most of the time instead of simply enjoying the read, I was wondering "why is this happening?", "Why is this character doing this and that?", "Why can't I understand anyone's motivation and why can't I understand why any of this is happening?"
It was like a lot of good ideas and threads of plots that were just there. I didn't know how the fae were as a nation, I didn't know what their culture was. I only knew some of them did not like witches, but it was like this prejudice was never fleshed out. Like they hated witches for the sake of hating witches. It just didn't sit right with me.
Now, the main characters: Wyatt bothered me. I loved the trans rep, and I liked him for the most part, but he still bothered me, and I can't put my finger on exactly why he did it. Guess I just wanted him to be a little more nice, maybe? I don't really know.
Emyr was pretty nice, props to him for being my favourite character. I didn't like Briar much, her 84% plot came out of nowhere and it only served to make me mad. This is definitely explored on the next book, but still all I could think while reading those pages was "...but why?"
Some parts of this book felt so confusing. But the language being used wasn't hard and what was happening wasn't supposed to be something complicated, but it felt so so confusing I just went along with it because maybe everything would make sense somehow somewhere.
But then the ending came and I was just did not know what to think. I still don't. I have no idea how this book was, or what is happening in the sequel beside the obvious foreshadowing.
Wrapping this mess of a review up: the book is ok, kinda, and I think I'm going to read the sequel.
–> Update: Lowered to 2 stars. Yeah, I do not like Wyatt.
marieintheraw's review
5.0
Queer. Fae. Witches. Need I say more? Oh, sure. It's also witty and Wyatt is a pretty great main character that I can not wait to see more of in the finale.
fernakat's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Heavy-handed thematically, THE WITCH KING is fast-paced and deeply sarcastic. World building feels underdeveloped at times, and side characters feel one-dimensional, only in place to serve the plot. Love that it’s super gay.
calidareads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
2legit2witt's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- 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
The Witch King is such a strong start to a fantasy duology featuring a trans witch MMC, his fae childhood best friend and fated mate, his fat Indigenous new best friend, and so many more fun characters. H.E. Edgmon explores repression and indigenous in both the fae kingdom and the human world that Wyatt flees to prior to the start of the series.
A queer normative fae world is the most powerful aspect of The Witch King, because so much of fae fantasy romance revolves around cishet fated mates. Wyatt is unapologetically trans and not falling for the pressure to become the baby-making mate the kingdom needs him to be. I loved everything about it!!
I'm excited to see what's to come in the second book after where things left off.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for queer fantasy, messy and chaotic trans/queer characters, and just a funny time.
A queer normative fae world is the most powerful aspect of The Witch King, because so much of fae fantasy romance revolves around cishet fated mates. Wyatt is unapologetically trans and not falling for the pressure to become the baby-making mate the kingdom needs him to be. I loved everything about it!!
I'm excited to see what's to come in the second book after where things left off.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for queer fantasy, messy and chaotic trans/queer characters, and just a funny time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Minor: Child abuse
katie1031's review
3.0
3.5
I absolutely love the representation in this book LGBT+, a plus size woman of color, queer slow burn romance, etc.
The book starts and we're thrust into the world, into a situation with the main character (Wyatt) and his "fiance" without even a prologue. Because there isn't much build up the first part of the book has a ton of info dumps.I know there needs to be lots of exposition in world building especially with Fantasy but this just felt unnatural.
However, once I got through the info dumps I really did fall in love with the characters and the world. It's been so fun to read
I absolutely love the representation in this book LGBT+, a plus size woman of color, queer slow burn romance, etc.
The book starts and we're thrust into the world, into a situation with the main character (Wyatt) and his "fiance" without even a prologue. Because there isn't much build up the first part of the book has a ton of info dumps.I know there needs to be lots of exposition in world building especially with Fantasy but this just felt unnatural.
However, once I got through the info dumps I really did fall in love with the characters and the world. It's been so fun to read
thanthorn007's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- 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