A review by a_chickletz
Witherward by Hannah Mathewson

1.0

Sometimes you buy a book because you think the synopsis looks good. This one did, so I purchased it. I had to specially order it because it's not available on shelves right now. I think my copy came from the UK since there is UK pricing all over it.

Reading it now, I ask, why did I spend the money I did.

This book made not a lick of sense.

You have this girl, she has the power to shapeshift into anybody and any creature. It's not 100% perfect, but people can't tell. One night, she and her friend are walking late at night and are cornered by people who want her dead. These people look 'dead' and kill her friend by mistaking her. She is saved by some guy who tells her he needs to take her into alternate London where she is truly from.

This is the point where the book threw me for a loop. She ends up in this alternate London and it turns out she is the 'once was thought dead ' royal princess of a factor of this alternate London. There are several factors all residing in London with various powers. These people are constantly fighting one another and or is in a free for all for dominance.

I was confused because why is there no control? Why is it seemingly everyone out to get someone? Why is there five different royal people residing over London? Isn't there some Mayor? Gov? I don't know, head official that is keeping this all in check from happening? What is outside of London? Anything? You never find out and that's why it became confusing. I couldn't understand heads or tails of the magic and lore/plot. Apparently her family were killed long ago for... trying to create control? But I guess no one wants to be controlled by shapeshifters, who are called Changelings, so they killed them. They let her brother live who is right now missing and causing all sorts of havoc.

There is some weird plot about a device that was created long time ago by someone who can adapt / amplify the powers of people in the various factions so that one person can have the power of all. There is some spying and or double-crossing that also didn't make sense, that fits in with the brother's disappearance.

It was just a very, very confusing book. The main character is also dumb and constantly tries to be tough but really doesn't do much but irritate people left and right. The people she is irritating aren't really all that enjoyable themselves.

I just can't with this book. Read it if you want to give yourself a headache.