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A review by ebook_em
The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Witch King is an #ownvoices YA contemporary fantasy featuring a trans MC, who is a witch born to a fae family and mated to a fae prince. The story involves politicking about whether he’ll marry the prince and ascend to the throne in a kingdom where tensions are bubbling below the surface.
I loved some of the characters and the author’s note about how writing this was healing for him really came across in his depiction of Wyatt. However, I thought the worldbuilding was pretty thin and most of the side characters were underdeveloped.
Some other things were just not my taste — cringey dialogue, references to real-world things like Starbucks and McDonalds, the fated mates trope, and inconsistent pacing. The big mystery was revealed in a sorta cartoonish way that felt disconnected from some of the subplots in the story. Even though it’s YA, I thought the author could have explored the themes in the book with a bit more subtlety.
Despite those complaints, this was an enjoyable read and really fun to do as a buddy read! I’m not sure yet if I’ll pick up book 2 but I’m glad I read this one.
I loved some of the characters and the author’s note about how writing this was healing for him really came across in his depiction of Wyatt. However, I thought the worldbuilding was pretty thin and most of the side characters were underdeveloped.
Some other things were just not my taste — cringey dialogue, references to real-world things like Starbucks and McDonalds, the fated mates trope, and inconsistent pacing. The big mystery was revealed in a sorta cartoonish way that felt disconnected from some of the subplots in the story. Even though it’s YA, I thought the author could have explored the themes in the book with a bit more subtlety.
Despite those complaints, this was an enjoyable read and really fun to do as a buddy read! I’m not sure yet if I’ll pick up book 2 but I’m glad I read this one.