Scan barcode
fictionalcass's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have complicated feelings about this one. Unfortunately the main character’s personality was just so grating that I kept checking out of the story, despite being really interested in the dynamics of the world. I think all the characters just verged way too far into hot mess territory, which really took away from the best elements of the book. There are some really powerful friendships and connections, but when everyone is making the stupidest choices while all being scholars in miscommunication…it became too much. 3⭐️
greywarlock's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Edgmon writes protagonists with inner monologues that will feel deeply relatable to anyone born after 1980
millibee's review against another edition
4.0
The premise of this book has me so excited since before it’s release date. I finally got my hands on a copy!
I really enjoyed the relationship between Wyatt and Emir and the way they were fated mates with a lot of shit to sort out. Reading The Witch King gave me some nostalgia for when I read faerie books like Wicked Lovely as a teenager.
I would have really loved some more world building though and some more dimension to our side characters. I can’t wait to see what’s in stall in the next book!
I really enjoyed the relationship between Wyatt and Emir and the way they were fated mates with a lot of shit to sort out. Reading The Witch King gave me some nostalgia for when I read faerie books like Wicked Lovely as a teenager.
I would have really loved some more world building though and some more dimension to our side characters. I can’t wait to see what’s in stall in the next book!
theunfriendlyghost's review against another edition
4.0
I was super in love with this concept from the start, and that’s really what kept me reading as fast as I did. The booming Fae-featured fantasy industry is in desperate need of lgbtqa+ and antiracist representation and this book delivered!
I’m not the target audience, as our main character Wyatt is only seventeen, so I didn’t love how young the dialogue felt, but I think a few years ago I would have found it extremely charming.
The narrative style too wasn’t my personal favourite but I loved the vibrant characters and fun plot enough to accept that.
This was a fast paced, entertaining, and extremely creative story. I loved the colourful descriptions of vastly diverse characters and their appearances. This wasn’t just diversity out of obligation; the author clearly put time and effort and passion into each described character.
I can’t wait to see what they write next!
I’m not the target audience, as our main character Wyatt is only seventeen, so I didn’t love how young the dialogue felt, but I think a few years ago I would have found it extremely charming.
The narrative style too wasn’t my personal favourite but I loved the vibrant characters and fun plot enough to accept that.
This was a fast paced, entertaining, and extremely creative story. I loved the colourful descriptions of vastly diverse characters and their appearances. This wasn’t just diversity out of obligation; the author clearly put time and effort and passion into each described character.
I can’t wait to see what they write next!
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.
mortiorchis's review against another edition
Painfully reminiscent of middle grade writing
ceruleanstar's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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