Witch King by Martha Wells Short Summary and review
The book starts off when the famous Witch King(our main character Kai) wakes up after a very long forced sleep and instantly has to deal with a variety of problems.
Witch King Book Description:
A story of power and friendship, of trust and betrayal, and of the families we choose.
“I didn’t know you were a… demon.”
“You idiot. I’m the demon.”
Kai’s having a long day in Martha Wells’ Witch King….
After being murdered, his consciousness dormant and unaware of the passing of time while confined in an elaborate water trap, Kai wakes to find a lesser mage attempting to harness Kai’s magic to his own advantage. That was never going to go well.
But why was Kai imprisoned in the first place? What has changed in the world since his assassination? And why does the Rising World Coalition appear to be growing in influence?
Kai will need to pull his allies close and draw on all his pain magic if he is to answer even the least of these questions.
He’s not going to like the answers.
Witch King Book Review:
Martha Wells is a renowned author in the fantasy and science fiction genres, and her Books of the Raksura series is one of my all-time favorites. Her recent work, the Murderbot Diaries, has further expanded her fanbase and brought attention to her exceptional storytelling abilities. I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of Wells’ latest fantasy release, WITCH KING, from the publisher, and as a longtime admirer of her work, I was thrilled to dive into it.
WITCH KING is a unique fantasy novel that immediately plunges readers into the story without any context or explanation. While some may find this approach challenging, I personally enjoy it as it creates a sense of intrigue and mystery that keeps me engaged as I attempt to piece together the plot alongside the characters. The chapters alternate between the present and an earlier timeline, which gradually sheds light on the events that led to the opening chapter.
The book is a slow burn, with minimal action, but the conflict is intense and memorable. There are several factions to keep track of, including witches, demons, the invading force of Hierarchs, and various leaders of the surrounding kingdoms. This is not a light or easy fantasy read, and readers must pay attention throughout and wade through stretches where not much happens.
The characters in WITCH KING are morally ambiguous and not particularly likable, but they are compelling. The main character, Kai, a demon, is particularly intriguing and charismatic. The demon angle adds an edgy element to the classic epic fantasy, making it a supernatural and mystical read.
Overall, WITCH KING is an absorbing and complex fantasy story that rewards readers who have the patience to stick with it. Martha Wells has created a world and characters that are both fascinating and thought-provoking. The book is highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy with a supernatural twist, and I hope to revisit this world and these characters in future installments.
