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A review by bluexy
Witch King by Martha Wells
4.5
I wrapped up Martha Wells' Witch King! I think it's an incredibly beautiful story. Very post-Tolkein fantasy in the vein of Tamsyn Muir and NK Jemisin (and others, I'm sure). Casual embrace of non-Abrahamic gender and sexuality dynamics. Exploration of identity, generational trauma, pain, strength, weakness -- just a very clearly personal undertaking from Wells. And in that, it is outstanding.
It has an epic fantasy backdrop of war and magic and clashing cultures. Thematically, it takes place as the world heals from the war, when wounds are still healing and scars still itch. If Witch King has a failing, it's that this dynamic of clashing past and present doesn't fully come together to deliver a single driving narrative, its structure isn't built tradionally. That doesn't make it inherently worse, but it doesn't fully work, either. I question how the book will read in the context of a full series rather than as a standalone work.
Criticisms aside, I highly recommend Witch King for modern fantasy enjoyers. It does have a fair share of action, but its heart is in the mystery of who these characters are and getting to know them through a full novel and the journey it captures.
It has an epic fantasy backdrop of war and magic and clashing cultures. Thematically, it takes place as the world heals from the war, when wounds are still healing and scars still itch. If Witch King has a failing, it's that this dynamic of clashing past and present doesn't fully come together to deliver a single driving narrative, its structure isn't built tradionally. That doesn't make it inherently worse, but it doesn't fully work, either. I question how the book will read in the context of a full series rather than as a standalone work.
Criticisms aside, I highly recommend Witch King for modern fantasy enjoyers. It does have a fair share of action, but its heart is in the mystery of who these characters are and getting to know them through a full novel and the journey it captures.