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raccoonrae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
1.5
Really wanted to like this one, but found myself constantly frustrated, really only finished it because I got attached to the characters
Pros:
-Lots of diversity and queer rep
-Lovable characters, maybe worth it for that if you can deal with the rest
Cons:
-The metaphors are VERY heavy handed and often literally explained by the characters, and frankly most of them feel very shoehorned in
-The pace was all over the place
-The plot didn’t really have a satisfying build or conclusion
-The writing itself doesn’t feel very polished, kind of jarringly edited in some places
-I found the world building really frustrating you find out in the last few pages that witches actually have much stronger magic than fae, so how did the people with more power end up as the oppressed ones in this society?
-Too much attention is given to things that don’t matter, at one point several pages are spent giving detailed physical descriptions of a long procession of people we literally never see again, near the end of the book, when we could have been wrapping up plot points that were instead left unaddressed
Pros:
-Lots of diversity and queer rep
-Lovable characters, maybe worth it for that if you can deal with the rest
Cons:
-The metaphors are VERY heavy handed and often literally explained by the characters, and frankly most of them feel very shoehorned in
-The pace was all over the place
-The plot didn’t really have a satisfying build or conclusion
-The writing itself doesn’t feel very polished, kind of jarringly edited in some places
-I found the world building really frustrating
-Too much attention is given to things that don’t matter, at one point several pages are spent giving detailed physical descriptions of a long procession of people we literally never see again, near the end of the book, when we could have been wrapping up plot points that were instead left unaddressed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicide attempt
Minor: Child abuse, Deadnaming, and Sexual violence
cardboardvox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.0
I was really excited to read this book, and I read through the whole thing in one sitting. I'm worried the language won't hold up long term, but it's part of what made the characters so real for me. I have Wyatts and Briars and Jins in my life, and it was so nice to see them on page. It's full of discussions of transness and queerness that are true to how I experience the queer community, and it's really nice to see presented for a younger audience so honestly. The metaphors in this book are not subtle, heavy handed and frankly discussed directly in the text - but I'm an adult, and this is a YA book, so it probably doesn't hurt to have things literally spelled out. The main villain is a little cartoonish, but that's fine, because the reveal of his accomplice was quite satisfying, with enough foreshadowing provided that I wasn't entirely surprised (that's good). Looking forwards to some kind of follow up, or at least more content from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gore and Bullying
Minor: Vomit, Infertility, Grief, Drug use, and Deadnaming
literarypenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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
I never realized that the inside of a book can be just as beautiful as the outside. This book was truly a delight and by the end I couldn't wait for the story to continue.
Wyatt, a witch from the fae land of Asalin, has been living in the human world for years. One day his way of living is turned upside down when The Fae Prince Emyr, his former betrothed, comes looking for him and intends to take him back and go through with the engagement. Wyatt thought the contract did not apply anymore as he is no longer a female witch and cannot produce heirs to the throne and one devastating night resulted in his home turning their backs on him. Now Wyatt must travel back to the home he thought he would never see again and figure out what he truly wants.
Wyatt was a very interesting and complex character to follow. At times he could be impulsive, act without thinking, angry at the world and everyone in it and selfish. Other times he was caring and very loyal to the people he loved. I loved reading about what made him think the way he did and how trauma played a role into making him the person he is today. He went through substantial growth and by the end he did grow more as a person. He was a good person deserving of love and compassion but he also wasnt perfect. He made mistakes and will probably make more. I loved his character!
I also liked how Wyatt's anger was connected to him being trans. He would see people being themselves and living their lives but he would think to himself that he never got that chance. That it was taken from him because of the society he grew up in. He also was insecure about his body and how it looked. He wasnt as much ashamed of it as he was that it didnt feel complete. He felt like part of him was missing. He just didnt want to be judged by the world as much as he already judged himself.
I adored the relationship between Wyatt and Emyr and how they were trying to figure out where they stood. The development between the two of them was really sweet and very believable. I really believed that these two were childhood sweethearts and had a moment of lost trust between them. The rekindling and realization of feelings was very well done. Also Emyr was just adorable and such a cute love interest.
The world and side characters that inhabited it were so engaging as well. The diversity and complex personalities between all the characters was very engrossing to read about. The world itself and the rules was very interesting. I loved learning about this world and how it worked. I cant wait to learn more and see what else this world has to offer.
I can honestly say I can not wait to see where this story takes me next and to read more about these characters. I hope this author goes on to write more amazing works like this one.
Wyatt, a witch from the fae land of Asalin, has been living in the human world for years. One day his way of living is turned upside down when The Fae Prince Emyr, his former betrothed, comes looking for him and intends to take him back and go through with the engagement. Wyatt thought the contract did not apply anymore as he is no longer a female witch and cannot produce heirs to the throne and one devastating night resulted in his home turning their backs on him. Now Wyatt must travel back to the home he thought he would never see again and figure out what he truly wants.
Wyatt was a very interesting and complex character to follow. At times he could be impulsive, act without thinking, angry at the world and everyone in it and selfish. Other times he was caring and very loyal to the people he loved. I loved reading about what made him think the way he did and how trauma played a role into making him the person he is today. He went through substantial growth and by the end he did grow more as a person. He was a good person deserving of love and compassion but he also wasnt perfect. He made mistakes and will probably make more. I loved his character!
I also liked how Wyatt's anger was connected to him being trans. He would see people being themselves and living their lives but he would think to himself that he never got that chance. That it was taken from him because of the society he grew up in. He also was insecure about his body and how it looked. He wasnt as much ashamed of it as he was that it didnt feel complete. He felt like part of him was missing. He just didnt want to be judged by the world as much as he already judged himself.
I adored the relationship between Wyatt and Emyr and how they were trying to figure out where they stood. The development between the two of them was really sweet and very believable. I really believed that these two were childhood sweethearts and had a moment of lost trust between them. The rekindling and realization of feelings was very well done. Also Emyr was just adorable and such a cute love interest.
The world and side characters that inhabited it were so engaging as well. The diversity and complex personalities between all the characters was very engrossing to read about. The world itself and the rules was very interesting. I loved learning about this world and how it worked. I cant wait to learn more and see what else this world has to offer.
I can honestly say I can not wait to see where this story takes me next and to read more about these characters. I hope this author goes on to write more amazing works like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Deadnaming and Homophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
I had a few issues with the world building (or lack of thereof) and how the novel felt condensed into a little more than 300 pages, but overall I still loved how relatable The Witch King was to our world and how seen Wyatt's thought process made me feel.
Looking forward to reading the sequel.
Looking forward to reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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
Thank you to Netgalley and Ink Yard Press for the arc of this book!
Wyatt has spent the last three years with a new family after running away from Asalin, where he was abused for being a witch born among fae. But then his past comes calling in the form of Emyr, his betrothed, and the prince of the fae. He will be forced to confront his past and the institutions that make it unsafe to be witch-born in Asalin, as well as dealing with the feelings he stills has for his childhood best friend.
This book is the beautiful start to what will no doubt become one of my new favorite series. It was absolutely perfect and everything I could have ever hoped for or dreamt of for a book with such a beautiful cover and title.
The world-building is so interesting and really well done. I loved the way the author incorporated flashbacks as well as other elements to tell us the complete story of the fae and the witches in Asalin as well as the other fae kingdoms around the world.
I LOVED the characters so much! There is such a wealth of diversity amongst them and they are all so well-described and oh my gosh I just love them. I love Wyatt and Emyr and Briar and all the other wonderful and beautiful side characters and allies and villains that make up this world!
This book has trans, gay, nonbinary, ace, lesbian, bi, and potentially pan and/or demi-sexual rep in it and I love that so much!
Honestly, this book is everything. Do yourself a favor and preorder it and get ready for a new favorite series.
Pub Date: June 1, 2021
Wyatt has spent the last three years with a new family after running away from Asalin, where he was abused for being a witch born among fae. But then his past comes calling in the form of Emyr, his betrothed, and the prince of the fae. He will be forced to confront his past and the institutions that make it unsafe to be witch-born in Asalin, as well as dealing with the feelings he stills has for his childhood best friend.
This book is the beautiful start to what will no doubt become one of my new favorite series. It was absolutely perfect and everything I could have ever hoped for or dreamt of for a book with such a beautiful cover and title.
The world-building is so interesting and really well done. I loved the way the author incorporated flashbacks as well as other elements to tell us the complete story of the fae and the witches in Asalin as well as the other fae kingdoms around the world.
I LOVED the characters so much! There is such a wealth of diversity amongst them and they are all so well-described and oh my gosh I just love them. I love Wyatt and Emyr and Briar and all the other wonderful and beautiful side characters and allies and villains that make up this world!
This book has trans, gay, nonbinary, ace, lesbian, bi, and potentially pan and/or demi-sexual rep in it and I love that so much!
Honestly, this book is everything. Do yourself a favor and preorder it and get ready for a new favorite series.
Pub Date: June 1, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Transphobia, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
perpetualpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
CWs: Death and mentions of parental death; blood, graphic violence and injury, mild gore; physical assault; sexual harassment; child abuse; trauma relating to fires; suicide attempt; misgendering and deadnaming (dead name off the page); some graphic references to and depictions of sex
This is like the angry anti-fascist queer fae fantasy romance that I've always wanted. H.E. Edgmon really wrote about a faerie realm that actually has to contend with queerness, transness, racism, systemic oppression, colonialism, and power imbalance, and my heart has never been more full.
Our main character, Wyatt, was born in the faerie world of Asalin, where the fae rule and witches like him are looked down upon, outcast, and discriminated against. When he was young, he was bonded and betrothed to the faerie prince, Emyr, but he figured that marriage contract was null and void when he A) transitioned and was no longer the "woman biologically suited to carrying on the royal line" and B) lost control of his magic one devastating night before fleeing the faerie world once and for all. This is story is about Emyr finding Wyatt in the human word, determined to see through their betrothal, and bringing him back to Asalin to face his fate.
I honestly don't know where to start with this book because I love literally everything about it. It's funny, it's irreverent, it's smart and unforgiving, and it centers a messy trans character who is absolutely full of rage and just allows him to exist.
I think that's where I want to start, because I just love Wyatt as a character so much. He can go from being a smart-ass, to raging, to being an unapologetically horny little fuck, to deeply caring about other people and wanting to do what's right. It's rare that we get to see a trans character who has not only made so many mistakes in their past, but continues to fuck up and make horrible mistakes. Wyatt is someone who acts and reacts based on instinct, without stopping to consider the impact of his actions, and sometimes that works to his benefit and sometimes it doesn't. The story does such a good job of getting underneath that instinct and showing how it's a result of deep-seated trauma ,and how that snap judgment actually speaks to a much deeper survival response that Wyatt was forced to develop in a world that was unsafe for him.
There's also a great exploration of how Wyatt's anger is, in some ways, tied to his transness. There is an anger and a resentment stemming from people being unwilling to see him, unwilling to let him be himself, unwillingly to let him break free from expectations that didn't fit, and there was also a feeling of resentment towards people who seemed to represent everything he was told he could never be. Layer on the fact that he's also a witch—and therefore hated and hunted by fae in a world that's supposed to be his just as much as it is theirs—and that creates this perfect storm of trauma, fear, and animosity that guides his instinct to lash out and hurt others. I think transness, especially, often gets mixed up in respectability politics, and we're often not allowed to show our anger at a world and a system that actively harms us in fundamental ways, and that's why Wyatt's rage feels so cathartic.
He makes mistakes, he speaks out of turn, he acts violently, and yes he hurts people—but as the story continues, he's learning to recognize where that comes from, and also how he can *use* that anger as a wrecking ball to destroy and rebuild this deeply broken world. Sometimes it's not a bad thing to break something that's already crumbling. This is a story that recognizes that anger is just another part of love, it's a part of our humanity, it can be a tool for recognizing when something is not right, and I appreciate how this story gives anger space to exist and be known.
All in all, I think this is a story all about reconnection. It's about Wyatt reconnecting with Emyr as they try to figure out where they stand and how to navigate a relationship when neither one of them is the person they knew before. It's about Wyatt reconnecting with Asalin, the world he grew up in, and finally coming to account for the damage he caused on the fateful night he left. It's about witches reconnecting with themselves and each other, recognizing the power they hold in this world, and figuring out how they can survive this oppressive system. It's about Wyatt forcing the fae rulers to reconnect their power with the reality of the throne's abusive and harmful past, and how they can move forward from a legacy predicated on harming others, if they can at all. It's about Wyatt reconnecting with himself and realizing that he has value just for existing and that he is his own person, not merely a tool for the throne or a sum of his labels.
All of these connections and reckonings are happening concurrently throughout the book, and that is a huge part of what makes it feel so powerful.
Like I said to begin with, this book really and truly has everything. If you're looking for a queer fantasy romance between a witch and a faerie prince that's dark but also somehow incredibly soft, this it it. If you're looking for banter and community between found family, this is it. If you're looking for a faerie story that centers raging against broken systems of power and injustice, this is it. If you're looking for a whip-smart story that revels in the beauty of a faerie world while also desecrating it at every opportunity, this is it. This is such a vividly imagined fae fantasy where faeries have internet connections and angry trans boys think about their binders while standing in the midst of immaculate palaces. There's political intrigue, there's violent uprisings, there's dark and dangerous magic, there's romance. There's everything you could possibly want and it's done so incredibly well.
H.E. Edgmon has written exactly the kind of fantasy romance that I've always craved but never knew I was missing. The characters in The Witch King are deeply emotional and deeply human, even if their magic suggests otherwise, and that humanity, that anger, that innate desire and need to evolve is what makes this book so successful in my eyes.
Book 1 hasn't even come out yet and I'm already DYING to know what happens in Book 2! If literally anything I've said in this review resonates with you on any level, I strongly encourage you to pick this one up. It is essential reading, in my opinion, and it makes me so excited for whatever H.E. Edgmon is going to write next!
This is like the angry anti-fascist queer fae fantasy romance that I've always wanted. H.E. Edgmon really wrote about a faerie realm that actually has to contend with queerness, transness, racism, systemic oppression, colonialism, and power imbalance, and my heart has never been more full.
Our main character, Wyatt, was born in the faerie world of Asalin, where the fae rule and witches like him are looked down upon, outcast, and discriminated against. When he was young, he was bonded and betrothed to the faerie prince, Emyr, but he figured that marriage contract was null and void when he A) transitioned and was no longer the "woman biologically suited to carrying on the royal line" and B) lost control of his magic one devastating night before fleeing the faerie world once and for all. This is story is about Emyr finding Wyatt in the human word, determined to see through their betrothal, and bringing him back to Asalin to face his fate.
I honestly don't know where to start with this book because I love literally everything about it. It's funny, it's irreverent, it's smart and unforgiving, and it centers a messy trans character who is absolutely full of rage and just allows him to exist.
I think that's where I want to start, because I just love Wyatt as a character so much. He can go from being a smart-ass, to raging, to being an unapologetically horny little fuck, to deeply caring about other people and wanting to do what's right. It's rare that we get to see a trans character who has not only made so many mistakes in their past, but continues to fuck up and make horrible mistakes. Wyatt is someone who acts and reacts based on instinct, without stopping to consider the impact of his actions, and sometimes that works to his benefit and sometimes it doesn't. The story does such a good job of getting underneath that instinct and showing how it's a result of deep-seated trauma ,and how that snap judgment actually speaks to a much deeper survival response that Wyatt was forced to develop in a world that was unsafe for him.
There's also a great exploration of how Wyatt's anger is, in some ways, tied to his transness. There is an anger and a resentment stemming from people being unwilling to see him, unwilling to let him be himself, unwillingly to let him break free from expectations that didn't fit, and there was also a feeling of resentment towards people who seemed to represent everything he was told he could never be. Layer on the fact that he's also a witch—and therefore hated and hunted by fae in a world that's supposed to be his just as much as it is theirs—and that creates this perfect storm of trauma, fear, and animosity that guides his instinct to lash out and hurt others. I think transness, especially, often gets mixed up in respectability politics, and we're often not allowed to show our anger at a world and a system that actively harms us in fundamental ways, and that's why Wyatt's rage feels so cathartic.
He makes mistakes, he speaks out of turn, he acts violently, and yes he hurts people—but as the story continues, he's learning to recognize where that comes from, and also how he can *use* that anger as a wrecking ball to destroy and rebuild this deeply broken world. Sometimes it's not a bad thing to break something that's already crumbling. This is a story that recognizes that anger is just another part of love, it's a part of our humanity, it can be a tool for recognizing when something is not right, and I appreciate how this story gives anger space to exist and be known.
All in all, I think this is a story all about reconnection. It's about Wyatt reconnecting with Emyr as they try to figure out where they stand and how to navigate a relationship when neither one of them is the person they knew before. It's about Wyatt reconnecting with Asalin, the world he grew up in, and finally coming to account for the damage he caused on the fateful night he left. It's about witches reconnecting with themselves and each other, recognizing the power they hold in this world, and figuring out how they can survive this oppressive system. It's about Wyatt forcing the fae rulers to reconnect their power with the reality of the throne's abusive and harmful past, and how they can move forward from a legacy predicated on harming others, if they can at all. It's about Wyatt reconnecting with himself and realizing that he has value just for existing and that he is his own person, not merely a tool for the throne or a sum of his labels.
All of these connections and reckonings are happening concurrently throughout the book, and that is a huge part of what makes it feel so powerful.
Like I said to begin with, this book really and truly has everything. If you're looking for a queer fantasy romance between a witch and a faerie prince that's dark but also somehow incredibly soft, this it it. If you're looking for banter and community between found family, this is it. If you're looking for a faerie story that centers raging against broken systems of power and injustice, this is it. If you're looking for a whip-smart story that revels in the beauty of a faerie world while also desecrating it at every opportunity, this is it. This is such a vividly imagined fae fantasy where faeries have internet connections and angry trans boys think about their binders while standing in the midst of immaculate palaces. There's political intrigue, there's violent uprisings, there's dark and dangerous magic, there's romance. There's everything you could possibly want and it's done so incredibly well.
H.E. Edgmon has written exactly the kind of fantasy romance that I've always craved but never knew I was missing. The characters in The Witch King are deeply emotional and deeply human, even if their magic suggests otherwise, and that humanity, that anger, that innate desire and need to evolve is what makes this book so successful in my eyes.
Book 1 hasn't even come out yet and I'm already DYING to know what happens in Book 2! If literally anything I've said in this review resonates with you on any level, I strongly encourage you to pick this one up. It is essential reading, in my opinion, and it makes me so excited for whatever H.E. Edgmon is going to write next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Minor: Suicide attempt
qace90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. This in no way influences my review; all words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
Full review closer to release, but seriously y’all better be preordering and recommending this book to your library cuz it’d phenomenal on so many levels! Very queer, very angry, revolution and change and chosen family. How does that not absolutely sell this book??
Full review:
Holy smokes, this book is phenomenal! Wyatt is a trans guy living in the human world but he’s originally for Asalin, the place where Fae and witches have lived since Faery became inhabitable. Witches are the children of fae but they’re treated as lesser as they’re different, different magic and different appearances. After the death of Wyatt’s parents from an accidental fire his magic started, he ended up in Laredo where Nadua found him and brought him home. Nadua, Sunny, and their daughter Briar became his family for the last three years, before Wyatt’s fiancee and crown prince of Asalin shows up to take him home to fulfill the engagement and become king and king.
There are so many truly wonderful things about this book. I loved how queer this whole book is and how diverse the characters were. One of my favorite characters was Jin, who is a nonbinary lesbian. That’s not rep I see often and while they are a secondary character, it still felt so good to see a character self described as a nonbinary lesbian. I also adore the friendship between Wyatt and Briar. They’ve been friends so long that they’re able to communicate silently and Wyatt often describes it as an open door between their thoughts that connects them. I also appreciated seeing them declare their love for one another - normalize best friends saying they love each other! And Emyr! He’s such a good guy with so many good intentions, and his interactions with Wyatt were so layered and full of their shared history and the time they spent apart where they’ve grown individually.
I just honestly love this book so much on so many levels and the characters and the world are all just wonderful. I really hope many people plan to read this because gah it’s phenomenal! And I cannot wait for the sequel, especially after that ending!!
Full review closer to release, but seriously y’all better be preordering and recommending this book to your library cuz it’d phenomenal on so many levels! Very queer, very angry, revolution and change and chosen family. How does that not absolutely sell this book??
Full review:
Holy smokes, this book is phenomenal! Wyatt is a trans guy living in the human world but he’s originally for Asalin, the place where Fae and witches have lived since Faery became inhabitable. Witches are the children of fae but they’re treated as lesser as they’re different, different magic and different appearances. After the death of Wyatt’s parents from an accidental fire his magic started, he ended up in Laredo where Nadua found him and brought him home. Nadua, Sunny, and their daughter Briar became his family for the last three years, before Wyatt’s fiancee and crown prince of Asalin shows up to take him home to fulfill the engagement and become king and king.
There are so many truly wonderful things about this book. I loved how queer this whole book is and how diverse the characters were. One of my favorite characters was Jin, who is a nonbinary lesbian. That’s not rep I see often and while they are a secondary character, it still felt so good to see a character self described as a nonbinary lesbian. I also adore the friendship between Wyatt and Briar. They’ve been friends so long that they’re able to communicate silently and Wyatt often describes it as an open door between their thoughts that connects them. I also appreciated seeing them declare their love for one another - normalize best friends saying they love each other! And Emyr! He’s such a good guy with so many good intentions, and his interactions with Wyatt were so layered and full of their shared history and the time they spent apart where they’ve grown individually.
I just honestly love this book so much on so many levels and the characters and the world are all just wonderful. I really hope many people plan to read this because gah it’s phenomenal! And I cannot wait for the sequel, especially after that ending!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Physical abuse
Minor: Deadnaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Vomit
- Injury - Blood - Deadnaming (name not revealed, but another character uses it) - Fire - Casual ableism - Sexual harassment - Arrest - PTSD, flashbacks - Misgendering, challenged - Drug use - Protests - Bigotry - Fascism - Explosion - Dissociation (secondary char) - Shocktraeumenvonbuechern's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
[The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.]
CN: violence, gore, blood, murder, death, mentions of parental death, transmisia, misgendering (accidental and intentional), off-page deadnaming, fantasy racism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual assault, panic attacks, trauma
I didn’t know how much I needed this book until I read it. I finished it yesterday and I already want to re-read it.
“The Witch King” is literally my dream book. It has everything I ever wanted - and more! A very relatable gay trans main character who really needs a hug, a best friend who is both cute and badass, a sweet and charming love interest, lots of queer side characters, the “friends to enemies to lovers” trope, found family, tarot cards, soulmate bonds, so much diversity (!!!), discussions of racism, systemic oppression, colonialism, power imbalance and (anti-)fascism, shocking plot twists, a unique fantasy world, a beautiful mlm love story that actually made me cry… And it's so funny!
Seriously, I loved everything about “The Witch King”, and my review doesn’t do it justice. Everyone needs to read this book! Please pre-order it or request it at your library if you can!
Like Anniek says in this review, "The Witch King" deserves a huge fandom with merch, fanart, memes and fanfics. Let's make that happen!
And please also read Adri's beautiful review!
CN: violence, gore, blood, murder, death, mentions of parental death, transmisia, misgendering (accidental and intentional), off-page deadnaming, fantasy racism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual assault, panic attacks, trauma
I didn’t know how much I needed this book until I read it. I finished it yesterday and I already want to re-read it.
“The Witch King” is literally my dream book. It has everything I ever wanted - and more! A very relatable gay trans main character who really needs a hug, a best friend who is both cute and badass, a sweet and charming love interest, lots of queer side characters, the “friends to enemies to lovers” trope, found family, tarot cards, soulmate bonds, so much diversity (!!!), discussions of racism, systemic oppression, colonialism, power imbalance and (anti-)fascism, shocking plot twists, a unique fantasy world, a beautiful mlm love story that actually made me cry… And it's so funny!
Seriously, I loved everything about “The Witch King”, and my review doesn’t do it justice. Everyone needs to read this book! Please pre-order it or request it at your library if you can!
Like Anniek says in this review, "The Witch King" deserves a huge fandom with merch, fanart, memes and fanfics. Let's make that happen!
And please also read Adri's beautiful review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood, Racism, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
Minor: Deadnaming
Fantasy racism, misgendering, off-page deadnaming, fire, trauma
More...