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tinysierra's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
TW: Cannibalism, Body Horror and Gore, Car accident
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Genocide, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
- 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 conversations around transness and aspec identities are so important and continue to be relevant. A lot of the same topics come up in one, which makes sense because overthrowing a tyrannical and repressive government is only the first step in their journey.
Questions are answered, action is packed, and the romance is romanced. I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading more from H.E. Edgmon. Again, this book is perfect for anyone looking for queer fantasy, messy and chaotic trans/queer characters, and just a funny time.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Cannibalism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Racism, and Sexual content
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
- 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
While the whole book was entertaining, the second half was especially thrilling, with many a revelation and plot twist keeping me on my toes. I love that the final showdown included a handful of chapters narrated by various side characters, thus giving us more insight into all that occurred. It really rounded things out, allowing for more detail without risk of the conflict being stretched on for too long. And the ending itself was lovely, so hopeful and honestly just perfect. ❤️
(My potential new ship—Briar/[A Newly Single Side Character]—might not have sailed, and I can see why, but I feel like it could still happen at some point in the future… Here’s to hoping.)
Also, I just want to say that I listened to this duology on audio, and I’m convinced I enjoyed the story more for it. Dani Martineck is a seriously talented narrator, and they did an incredible job with these books. While Wyatt’s chaotic gay inner monologue is hilarious in every format, this one absolutely takes the cake. I’ve never reached the end of an audiobook and wanted more, from it specifically, until now. If I reread, I’m coming back to the audiobooks; if you can get your hands on them, I highly recommend doing so; and if Dani has done any other books, I’m about to go look for them.
Representation:
- gay trans (FTM) protagonist
- Black queer demisexual love interest
- fat indigenous biromantic asexual side character
- nonbinary lesbian side character (they/them)
- various queer side characters & side characters of color (includes a Black character that uses a wheelchair)
- achillean couple (m/m)
- MMF side throuple
- minor sapphic side couple (f/f)
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, Transphobia, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment
All things tagged graphic are explicitly on-page, especially in the second half of the book. Most of the rest—excluding animal death and vomit—are only discussed, in varying capacities. Sexual harassment is in regards to a minor, sexual assault to an adult, though none is on-page. Some cannibalism is done by a side character, though again, none is on-page. Racism and transphobia are also discussed, as is gender dysphoria, but the first two are always challenged.biggaywave's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Violence, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Colonisation, Dysphoria, and War
karcitis's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, and Dysphoria
figflavored's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Xenophobia and Cannibalism
bluelou7's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Toxic friendship
josb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There were less pacing issues than Witch King but the main problem still remained, there was a lot more tell rather than show. Many of the big revelations happened through conversation which I find more interesting if the conversation follows maybe a series of hints, maybe the MC kindof having an inkling of the reveal.
There were parts where Wyatt was coming to realizations while in quiet moments with his family. This is certainly more realistic, but sometimes I just want to watch cool fantasy people do cool things. The last 30% was very good and did keep me on the edge of my seat. I wish that the book would have been structured so that what happened at the 60-70% mark happened earlier so that there would be more time for natural discovery.
I enjoyed the discomfort around the disruptive agenda of the novel. Certainly not something I would recommend unless you want to challenge your perspective on current systems and how they treat anyone not "preferred" within it. One thing to note is that Wyatt tends to use a lot of gen z/millennial references. I tend to struggle with pop culture references, it was not so bad I couldn't get the meaning through context but if that is not your thing be aware.
There were a few chapters where the perspective shifted and I really saw Edgmon's skill as a writer. While I wasn't completely in love with the delivery for the Witch King Series I am excited to try future works by the author.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cannibalism and Murder
tamamorii's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- 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
The Fae Keeper by H.E. Edgmon is book two in The Witch King series. This book was just as good as the first one! For a book that covers a lot of intense and serious themes, Edgmon has done an excellent job of not making the story too heavy.
We pick up with Wyatt where the last book left off. Emyr has abolished and dismantled the Guard, and is now trying to navigate how to get more equality for the witches among the Fae. Our gang learns pretty quickly that systematic oppression doesn't just go away over night, nor does the generations of learned bigotry go away so easily. Wyatt and Emyr try to get the other Fae kingdoms to follow their lead and abolish their own Guard and implement equality for Witches.
Wyatt gets some much needed character growth this book. As much as I love that angsty little goblin, he tends to be a self centered, sarcastic asshole. He and Briar get into it, and he gets a reality check. Wyatt also finally gets a handle on his powers, but I do wish we had spent more time on that. I felt like he figured it out too quickly without trying too hard. I love the revelations the inhabitants of Faery bring! Turns out the witches aren't an accident of nature (just like queer people aren't an accident), but instead were created to compliment and balance out the Fae magic. Fae magic takes away, while Witch magic brings it back.
Edgmon has created a dynamic world with amazing and diverse characters, and tackles some difficult topics with grace and enough dry humor and sarcasm to make the story feel lighter. I don't think this series is getting another book, but I would love one just about Faery. Just read this queer, angsty book.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Cannibalism