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A review by paradoxically
A Nameless Witch by A. Lee Martinez
3.0
The first word that comes to mind having read A Nameless Witch is 'charming'. Because it is. The characters are all fun in their own way, the world is quirky, and the main character--who is unnamed, because she doesn't have a name--is a pleasantly easy-going, but always mindful of how she should appear to others as a witch.
Nominally, the main plot is vengeance. In actuality, it is less about the witch's pursuit of vengeance and more about the way she goes about it, as well as the subplot of wrestling with one's inner demons (her curse) and self discovery. The witch does embark on a quest to save the world (though if she fails, others would eventually succeed, even if there are more deaths overall), but that's not the most important bit. On a world scale, it is. On the witch's personal scale? Perhaps not so much.
That was one of the things that bothered me about the book. Of course it should be about the journey rather than the destination, but the main vengeance plot seemed weak to me, like the witch was just going through the motions because it's something she's supposed to do.
I also felt the witch's reasons to be a witch were rather weak, especially coupled with the fact that, for a witch, she is helpful and kind and doesn't really curse anyone at all. That she was raised to be a witch--is that the only reason why she should act so? Again, it just seems like she's going through the motions just because. She is a fun character, but not particularly deep in any way.
The romance was... eh. I was disappointed that The romance at the end was also subtly disappointing--it fit, but I stood apart, read it, and went, "That's it?"
On the upside, I find Newt to be my favorite character and thought him hilarious. A demonic duck. Who would be happiest maiming and dismembering things. The troll who joins the group, Gwurm, is also fun to read, if shallow.
Overall, the book is light and fun, but I just expect more. It was good, but it could have been so much better--it feels as if it should have been better. The book rates 3 stars because it was decent, the humor was right up my alley, but I wanted more from it.
Nominally, the main plot is vengeance. In actuality, it is less about the witch's pursuit of vengeance and more about the way she goes about it, as well as the subplot of wrestling with one's inner demons (her curse) and self discovery. The witch does embark on a quest to save the world (though if she fails, others would eventually succeed, even if there are more deaths overall), but that's not the most important bit. On a world scale, it is. On the witch's personal scale? Perhaps not so much.
That was one of the things that bothered me about the book. Of course it should be about the journey rather than the destination, but the main vengeance plot seemed weak to me, like the witch was just going through the motions because it's something she's supposed to do.
I also felt the witch's reasons to be a witch were rather weak, especially coupled with the fact that, for a witch, she is helpful and kind and doesn't really curse anyone at all. That she was raised to be a witch--is that the only reason why she should act so? Again, it just seems like she's going through the motions just because. She is a fun character, but not particularly deep in any way.
The romance was... eh. I was disappointed that
Spoiler
Wyst had seen her bathing in the beginning of the book and knew her to be beautiful, because it would have been more interesting if he had fallen in love with her while thinking her ugly.Spoiler
After everything that happens, all they go through, they part from each other and you expect it, but some part of you always hopes differently. It also feels like it's cramming a bit of 'this is the way things are, you just have to move on and keep moving forward.' at the readers. I would have liked to have seen the characters try to combat against the curse, perhaps go their separate ways in order to find a way to be together. Not this inevitability that just rubs me entirely the wrong way.On the upside, I find Newt to be my favorite character and thought him hilarious. A demonic duck. Who would be happiest maiming and dismembering things. The troll who joins the group, Gwurm, is also fun to read, if shallow.
Overall, the book is light and fun, but I just expect more. It was good, but it could have been so much better--it feels as if it should have been better. The book rates 3 stars because it was decent, the humor was right up my alley, but I wanted more from it.