Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Witch King

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon

84 reviews

maryamthehobbit's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I loved everything about this book! My sweet Wyatt, loved him so much. The turns this book took, the tears I shed, and the laughs I had! Definitely will be reading again and can’t wait for the second book.

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bookcheshirecat's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

2.5

“I am not the golden goose. I am more like an actual goose, hissing and honking and attacking small children who just want to give me bread.”

➽ I finally ended up reading The Witch King! I've had this book on my TBR for so long. The story follows Wyatt, a witch who ended up fleeing his arranged engagement and is now hiding in the human world. After his fiance finds him, he's forced to go back to the Fae, who treat his kind like outcasts. I liked the general idea of this setup so much that this book made it on to my anticipated releases list. There was potential in this story, especially as it discusses Wyatt's feeling of being other both as a witch and a trans boy who doesn't fit into the rigid bioessential expectations of the fae. While he was messy, I liked him for the most part, as he was the most interesting character in the story! Unfortunately, I didn't end up liking much else about The Witch King, which was a big disappointment for me!

➽ The romance didn't work for me at all. It's a soulbond, arranged (more like forced) marriage type of relationship which can always be a hit or miss. I didn't like how it was executed here and thought that Emyr's and Wyatt's relationship was unhealthy. They weren't good for each other, something the story even somewhat acknowledged, but in the end, it's what 'makes them perfect for each other'. The beginning of the story is already iffy as it consists of Emyr hunting down Wyatt and forcing him to come back to the Fae to fulfil the marriage. He threatens and blackmails Wyatt, so he doesn't have much of a choice as Emyr promises to keep hunting him down if he flees. The way he talked about Wyatt like he was a pawn was so uncomfortable. He's literally like 'because I might lose the throne, you have to marry me and carry my babies' without considering if this is what Wyatt wants, especially now that he has come out as trans. Emyr immediately makes a bad impression with how he decides everything for Wyatt and then has the gall to say that Wyatt came willingly. He was trying too hard to absolve himself of any lingering guilt by insisting Wyatt find happiness with the Fae.

➽ It was so icky how he kept saying he wouldn't let Wyatt go (so he's basically a prisoner) and use their marriage contract against him. It didn't help that the contract kills whoever breaks it. The whole situation was so iffy and uncomfortable. How am I supposed to root for Emyr as a love interest when he manipulates Wyatt into fulfilling the marriage and point-blank admits to killing him if he attempts to escape? The fact that Emyr has a one-sided soul bond with Wyatt was even worse. Their meant to be the perfect genetic match, but Wyatt can't even feel the bond, so it's just strange. The second half of the story wasn't as bad, because we learn more about Emyr and he stops being so overbearing. However, it was difficult to reconcile his earlier actions and believe he genuinely cared about Wyatt beyond the bond. Everything was just too messy for me and I wish the author had deconstructed the soulmates trope!

➽ I didn't get along with the writing style. It utilized too much modern slang, including memes and phrases that sound like they come straight from a Tumblr post. I enjoy pop-culture references and the occasional modern slang, especially in an Urban Fantasy book. However, the Witch King was oversaturated with these kinds of references to the point that it made me cringe. The writing itself could have been much better if it hadn't tried so hard to sound cool.

➽ I also wasn't invested in the plot itself. I appreciated the discussion of many real-life issues, coupled with the in-universe discrimination of witches. However, everything was so heavy-handed and lacked any subtlety. I wish the author had trusted the readers to understand what was being said. Unfortunately, the book ended up sounding preachy instead and I think it would have been better if it had focused on fewer topics but then done so more in-depth. There was definitely potential in the Witch King, but combined with the writing, it missed the mark.

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ravenk28's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Short Review
This book was amazing. I love the drama and the plot twists. I do wish the ending was a little less rushed but all in all it was a very good read.

Long Review:
Pros - I loved how the author intertwined Wyatt’s journey of trans hood throughout the story. He was apart of him rather than all he was.

Cons - All the resolutions in the story were revealed at the end. Which would’ve been a cool plot twist but I could’ve help but feel it was a little rushed. Maybe have more breadcrumbs sprinkled in before it happened would’ve given the book the best ending it could’ve had.

Overall -This book is a 4.5 stars with a brilliant story and a creative use of tranness that opens doors to important discussions throughout the book.

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nightshaderoots's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It was a fun book. The world building was something different from what we seen and there are similarities to the real world that tie in nicely. The characters feel lived in and I love how the author describes each and every one of them. Even the characters that aren't ment to be likeable they have a charm to them that makes you want to learn more about them. I usually don't like the main characters of my books and this was not an exception but even though I wasn't a fan of his personality I still understood him. The way he interacts with those around him feels so lived in that I really enjoyed how their relationships developed. What really makes thus book a high rating is also the different kinds of love displayed. From romantic to platonic to love between family or pets it is everywhere in the book. That and the fact that the author put trigger warnings in the beginning shows how much thought and care was put into this book. Can't wait to read the second one!

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hazel_oat's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

The Witch King is such a strong start to a fantasy duology featuring a trans witch MMC, his fae childhood best friend and fated mate, his fat Indigenous new best friend, and so many more fun characters. H.E. Edgmon explores repression and indigenous in both the fae kingdom and the human world that Wyatt flees to prior to the start of the series.

A queer normative fae world is the most powerful aspect of The Witch King, because so much of fae fantasy romance revolves around cishet fated mates. Wyatt is unapologetically trans and not falling for the pressure to become the baby-making mate the kingdom needs him to be. I loved everything about it!!

I'm excited to see what's to come in the second book after where things left off.

This book is perfect for anyone looking for queer fantasy, messy and chaotic trans/queer characters, and just a funny time.

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bohemianhermit04's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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tinysierra's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“I open the back door to let the dogs out, and Nadua's got her gardening shears buried like a knife in one of my fiancé's wings.” pg 1

I love Wyatt as a narrator. He is so funny.

Book 10 for the
#TransRightsReadathon2024

CW: Wyatt is a vomiter when stressful things happen

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asahome's review against another edition

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3.5

Two people struggle with the balance of power their relationship has been built on. They must decide how they will allow the expectations of others to determine their course.

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saracat's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I knew from the content warnings this would be a hard read in some ways. But there were also tears and emotions I was not expecting to feel from this book.

Despite all of Wyatt's flaws, there is almost never a moment I was not on his side. All decisions he made that from the outside were bad, could be understood based on how he'd been treated in the past and how he continued to be treated by others. This is not to say that Wyatt doesn't have responsibility for his actions, but the reasoning behind them makes sense. And really, when someone is so violently backed into a corner, it shouldn't be a surprise if they lash out.

Watching the evolution of Wyatt as an individual and his relationship with those around him really pulled at my heart so often. I cannot wait to start the next book in this duology.

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