Reviews

The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison

metafish42's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

jokopoko's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

celinbean's review

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

i would do literally anything for celehar this kind hearted compassionate gay introverted detective and he’d be so overwhelmed with this statement ♡ 

in all seriousness this was a low stakes cozy detective story about celehar’s job there was a main-ish plot line we followed but there were also several side quests he went on to solve other murders and mysteries. So if you want a meandering story that’s not heavy on a plot structure but feels like friend is telling you about their life this is for you. Its kind of similar to the goblin emperor in this aspect. I genuinely had so much fun reading it

flyingryndeer's review against another edition

adventurous dark

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jonahbf's review

4.0

Not nearly as ambitious as its predecessor, but Addison once again does a stellar job of presenting a warm and compelling character persevering through a complex web of obstacles

rebeccazh's review

Too long has passed since I last read the first novel. The plethora of names, titles, and conventions confused me so much. This is a detective narrative and Addison's trademark understated but warm tone is here.

ketutar's review

4.0

I like Katherine Addison's world building. It feels like a real world, like reading an old book, but everything in this world is something different. She manages to insert explanations and descriptions in the story in a natural way, I never need to ask about something, but I'm not getting infodumped either. I love it.
There were some loose threads and themes and ideas that were presented but not [insert the word I have forgotten] further, and that bugs me a bit. But I will forgive, because I love her world, writing, characters, stories...
I am really glad this is a start of a series, even though I was slightly disappointed it wasn't about the Goblin Emperor.

darakuhn's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

bonzoobel's review against another edition

4.0

Ngl..... i had to skip like 30 pages at the end i just couldnt push through . the writing is so cuties i love celehar but i got bored with any scene that didnt have my little opera boy in it

it was a very cozy and sweet book though and i adore thara's voice so much and the writing is just augh so cute so . FOUR STARS!

wooseoks's review

3.0

I gave this 2.75 on StoryGraph, rounded to 3 on here.

I wanted to love this because I really enjoyed The Goblin Emperor, but I never connected with Celehar, had no interest in the plot, and thought it dragged. There were two simultaneous murder cases being solved, and neither of them were particularly interesting, both were solved within the final 15 pages or so and weren’t surprising or shocking at all, and the ending wasn’t rewarding. I’m also not a murder mystery fan, which I suppose isn’t the book’s fault. I would’ve DNF’d this if the book wasn’t so short - I won’t be finishing this series.