A review by shesreadingagain_
The Witch who Trades with Death by C.M. Alongi

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Witch Who Trades with Death by C.M. Alongi
Genre: Dark Fantasy 
Length: 488 pages
Release Date: March 11, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to Angry robot for the gifted physical arc of this new release. 

Going into this book I had no expectations. The synopsis sounded intriguing and joined with the cover art I definitely had to give this one a shot.  I’m so glad I did, it really captivated from from the very first page.  This book is about 500 pages and I read it in two sittings if that tells you how much I couldn’t put it down I’m not sure what will. This is such a stunning debut of dark fantasy with a touch of romance. 

Our FMC Kahana has pretty much the worst origin story. She happens to discover she can do magic at a young age, she and her friend go into hiding because she knows that if you are a witch you have to go be a concubine for the empire. Her parents eventually catch up with her and her friend, friend is killed, parents force her to go and to top it off the emperor is her long distant relative whom she is forced to bed. Kahana learns that the emperor has immortality because he traded with a god. This god goes by many names but Death is their most known moniker. 

Yeah that would be my villain origin story but not for Kahana. She trades with Death in order to keep people around her safe. Small things at first like memories but nothing major. Somehow she finds the good in people, she is a great person despite all of the people in her life letting her down. This book is a story of fighting against your oppressor but not forgetting that the community you build will keep you sane when the world around you is nothing but harsh. 
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