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A review by betharanova
The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison
4.0
This book asks, "Would you like to spend some quiet, contemplative time in the world of The Goblin Emperor?" Of course, I said yes. In that way, this book fits in the same realm as Rothfuss's The Slow Regard of Silent Things. It's in the setting of the main series, and it's best to read the first book for the worldbuilding and context. But it's separate.
Far from the emperor we know and love, Thara Celehar follows a holy but unpopular duty in speaking on behalf of the dead. Grief and guilt have made him weary, but he perseveres nonetheless. And then—you know what you're in for. Hope, sadness, selfishness, unexpected kindness. A protagonist who tries and fails and tries again, endearing himself to the reader all the way. And that's what the book is about!
I really enjoyed my time here. It's good for the soul. Less a star because Min Addison continuously kills me with these endings. It's hard to wrap things up in her books because of her particular pacing. Even so, the endings feel so abrupt, and I still want to hang out. :(
Far from the emperor we know and love, Thara Celehar follows a holy but unpopular duty in speaking on behalf of the dead. Grief and guilt have made him weary, but he perseveres nonetheless. And then—you know what you're in for. Hope, sadness, selfishness, unexpected kindness. A protagonist who tries and fails and tries again, endearing himself to the reader all the way. And that's what the book is about!
I really enjoyed my time here. It's good for the soul. Less a star because Min Addison continuously kills me with these endings. It's hard to wrap things up in her books because of her particular pacing. Even so, the endings feel so abrupt, and I still want to hang out. :(