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the_bees_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
The exciting sequel to The Witness for the Dead, featuring a cast of beloved and new characters, plus a whole host of brand new mysteries!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death, Grief, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Murder, Suicide, Racism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: War, Violence, and Alcohol
aehc's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I anticipate it will take exactly six books for Thara Celehar to emotionally heal and accept that he has inherent worth as a human (or elf) being, but I'm excited to read every one of them. As always, the world of the Ethuveraz is rich and compelling, and Addison does none of the exposition dumping common in fantasy, trusting her readers to work things out from context. The world opens a bit more in every book, and they all reward close attention and re-reads. Celehar is wonderful as our flawed but deeply good protagonist; his profound awkwardness is matched only by his deep commitment to justice and to his calling.
I'm fascinated by how Celehar's loss of his connection to the dead will drive forward his character development. Tomasaran is a great addition to the cast; her presence shakes up the status quo and lets us see different parts of the world that Celehar, as a man and a lifelong prelate, doesn't have access to. I'm excited to get to know her further in the next book and see how her and Celehar's student/mentor relationship evolves as she becomes the official Witness.
And of course, the slow burn romance of all time, Iäna Pel-Thenhior. The opera and the arts scene in Amalo is such an interesting contrast to Celehar's usual haunts, and I loved how Celehar continues to be drawn in while realizing he's playing with fire. But Iäna is so fiercely trying, and I have faith that these two crazy kids (read: middle aged men) can make it work.
The mysteries in this book were a little less compelling than in The Witness for the Dead, but the rich character work and the worldbuilding provide more than enough to sink your teeth into. I'm so excited for the third book, and I hope Addison continues to find compelling stories to tell in this world.
And of course, the slow burn romance of all time, Iäna Pel-Thenhior. The opera and the arts scene in Amalo is such an interesting contrast to Celehar's usual haunts, and I loved how Celehar continues to be drawn in while realizing he's playing with fire. But Iäna is so fiercely trying, and I have faith that these two crazy kids (read: middle aged men) can make it work.
The mysteries in this book were a little less compelling than in The Witness for the Dead, but the rich character work and the worldbuilding provide more than enough to sink your teeth into. I'm so excited for the third book, and I hope Addison continues to find compelling stories to tell in this world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Suicide
thewitchwhoisabook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Rape, Violence, Suicide, Slavery, Murder, Grief, and Child abuse
noodletheriddle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Child abuse
themockingbird's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Suicide and Miscarriage
taffy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual violence
totallyshelfaware's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide
ehmannky's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Truly think it was better than the first one of this series. I thought the mysteries were tighter, and I enjoyed seeing so many completely unrelated mysteries and uses of Thara's time. Also, I love that the book just focuses on his depression and the way that those around him refuse to let him shut them out and constantly show their desire to care for him. It's just all very good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Minor: Homophobia
aardwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I like the odd pacing of these stories and the lack of a traditional act structure, which gives the world a lived in, immediate feel and walks the reader through the mysteries in the same sense of disorientation and wonder as the main character. The worldbuilding is richly made and sparsely explained, just the way I like it, with a lot of good conlang work (that I'm afraid is mostly wasted on me). That said, I think book one was more effective, but nothing is less surprising than a bit of a book two slump. The new characters and slow simmering plot threads promise good to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pedophilia, Suicide, Classism, Sexual violence, Grief, Violence, Death, Sexism, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Murder, Confinement, Rape, and Trafficking
king_taliesin's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Death
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture