While I did enjoy this and see the potential, there is definitely room for improvement when it comes to the writing. The characters, plot and themes were all interesting, but the writing didn't showcase that. I'd be interested in continuing the series as I believe that the storytelling can be improved, and I was hooked to the story and characters enough to want to continue.

Yes, I had an arc of this and yes it's been out... a while now lol, but I just didn't vibe with this book to be perfectly honest. The concept of the book is what pulled me in, but unfortunately, I just didn't like the writing style and found the worldbuilding to be a bit of a mess personally. Wyatt wasn't my favorite character either, which I'll admit is totally a me thing, I normally want to like the main character because I'm in their head when reading. I tried finishing this for so long, but I kept giving it a chance because so many people love this book. And I didn't, and I'm so disappointed about that.

I tried reading this book, but the premise, which appealed, failed to capture me. I didn't really care for the main character. I was also iffy on the writing style. It felt a little stilted and lacked flow. It was a book that I could see myself attempting again someday maybe, but it wasn't enough for me to give all my time to it.

I have to go 3 stars on this. It’s probably really a 3.5, but I am rounding down for Reasons.

The first 3/4 of this book was rough for me. The main character was just so angry and unlikable. It was weird how often he asserted that he was Gay(TM). Things like, “It’s a good thing I’m gay so no one thinks I’m good at math.” (Is….is that a thing? Are gay people notoriously bad at math?!) and “I’m a gay little worm.” ? And just constantly being like “Oh yeah, im gay.” It’s like, we get it? My only explanation is that the author is driving home the point that a trans man being attracted to other males is, in fact, gay.

And Wyatt’s relationship with Briar was just weird. For the first solid half of the book, it felt like I was supposed to be shipping them together based on their actions, even though were repeatedly told Wyatt DOESN’T like Briar that way.

But I will say, I did enjoy the last 1/4 of the book. It was more entertaining, and Wyatt seemed more likable. I’m not sure if that was actual character development, improvement in the writing, or me just acclimating to the writing and starting to like it. I’m hoping the sequel is more like the last 1/4.

DNF @ 30%. It was so stilted I couldn't handle the writing. It was a bullet point list of a story and the writing was trying so hard not to and just failed.

I hate to write this review and I hate having to write a bad review for a debut novel. But I just couldn't with this book. It was cringey, the writing was juvenile, parts of the book were I guess supposed to be funny but I didn't take any humor from it. Some of the characters spoke almost the same phrases which made me second guess what point of view I was reading from.

I'm sorry, this just wasn't for me.

*Many thanks to Inkyard Press for the gifted copy for my honest review*

I didn't end up finishing this one. While I liked the worldbuilding and the relationships between the characters, it felt like it took too long for the action to begin--and without a lot of character development from Wyatt to make the wait worthwhile. I'm still likely to recommend it, but it's not for me.

This is such a great world and group of main characters! I really enjoyed the story and I am so sucked in that I need to know what happens next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I had high expectations for The Witch King, and, no lie, it exceeded them. This series is exactly what I've been wanting in YA - a firmly anti-fascist, anti-colonial story rooted in queer family and love. One of my go-to YA fantasy handsells now!

My Rating: 4/5 stars

My Review:

I received an ARC of this book from Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review and a place on this blog tour – thanks!

Sometimes you finish a book, sit back and think, “Wow, that was everything I could have hoped it would be” and The Witch King is definitely one of those book. A dark fantasy mixed with a humourous narrator and heartfelt commentary, this book really drew me in from the very beginning. I am here for queer authors flipping our expectations of fae books, giving them more depth than just being sexy and mysterious. If you liked A Dark and Hollow Star, I think you are really going to enjoy this one.

The characters are definitely the heart of this book, Edgmon does such a great job at giving us a well balanced cast even through Wyatt’s first person perspective. It is equally character and plot driven, but in a way that gives all of the characters their chance to shine through. I think this is, in part, due to the extra-ness of Wyatt’s character. His internal dialogue and commentary really draws you in, and the sheer honesty in his voice compels you to see the characters as he does. His voice makes the story, I think without that the story would have felt off.

I loved how Asalin exists as separate yet so intwined with the human world. Emyr is bringing in all of these human technologies, and as the story goes on the pros and cons of them are explored. The attitude of the Derek and the Guard allows for an exploration of colonialism and race, especially within the American context. Through Briar we get the perspective of Indigenous Peoples and a clear parallel between American colonialism and the attitude of the fae toward witches and humans. With the twist toward the end, I am anxious to see how that will continue to be explored throughout the series.

The queer rep in this book is phenomenal, and I think that is something that a lot of people are going to gravitate toward when they pick this book up. The Witch King explores the fluidity of gender and identity, the idea that there is no right way to be queer and its something that just tugs on your heart as your reading. Through this, Wyatt’s past traumas are explored, and done so in a way that reaffirms the validity of his identity, without needing to expose the reader to his deadname, something you can see if you read the excerpt included for this blog tour.

The Witch King released June 1st, and it is one that I don’t think you’re going to want to miss out on.

Happy Reading!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Not only was the writing style very enjoyable to read, but the characters were captivating from the start. I found myself sucked into this story and literally couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

This was an interesting story! I did not realize going in that it was a doulogy but I would like to find the second one if possible and find the end of the story!

I got 100 pages in before realizing that i didn't care a bit about any of the characters. I just felt completely disconnected from all of them. I'd still wasn't it represented in our store though.

4.5/5⭐ to The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon. Thank you very much to Inkyard Press for an egalley to review! I am writing this review some time after I've read it, and I'm still quite excited for the sequel! I think most of my initial thoughts and feelings about this book still ring true now. It has the urban fantasy vibes of The Cruel Prince with lots of court politics and scheming and royalty but carving its own place in the genre with its own world and magic. It also has a wonderfully diverse cast with many being LGBTQIAP+ and/or BIPOC. I liked how it was a good mix of fantasy as well as focusing on the relationship between our MC, Wyatt and his ex-fiance Emyr. I would best describe it as a second-chance romance as the two need to get back together and get married in order to save Asalin (their home/kingdom) though I probably could have used more romantic vibes if that makes sense. I guess it would also make it a marriage of convenience/alliance. Their relationship is messy, especially with Wyatt coming back after running away from the kingdom and engagement, but Wyatt is also post-transition and so others in the court (and he himself) are still adjusting to this significant change. I honestly didn't mind how messy and potentially unlikeable Wyatt was, seeing how he has to overcome both past and current trauma. Speaking of, there are topics that do come up that are on the heavier side, so please check out content warnings before diving in. Another relationship I really enjoyed was between Wyatt and Briar, which is a sibling/friendship relationship. It isn't without strain, which makes sense given the circumstances but I liked how they both challenged and supported each other. If this sounds good to you, I'd definitely recommend checking this out, and I'm super excited to read the sequel soon!

The Witch King is a YA fantasy about a transgender witch, Wyatt, who is dragged back into the fae world he had previously escaped to help rescue the kingdom of his fated mate, Emyr.

I loved the character development and the descriptions of their wardrobes. The fae all had a variety of characteristics, which are typically identified as different magical species, but here were all attributes available to any fae. In this fae world, witches are considered the defective offspring of the fae and treated as lower class citizens. Parts of this story were a bit slow, and there were aspects that felt like they deserved a deeper dive that were just glossed over (like the fae manipulation of technology - this could've been exploited much more!). Overall, there was good world building and a nicely diverse cast of characters.

Overall I really liked this book. Books about Fae interacting with humans tend to be hit or miss for me. This was a great blend between the modern world and your typical dark fantasy, with a fierce and sarcastic ass of an mc who you love to be frustrated by, and a not at all disguised criticism about racism and classism woven to the very marrow of the plot.

What bothered me was how, at times, it tried too hard to be funny and young. I mean, the number of times Wyatt blamed his actions on him being gay as a funny remark were A TAD too many. I mean, I'm a fan of gen z/millennial humor but having the main character say he'll YEET himself somewhere felt a tad too much.

Either way, I plan on reading the next one!

Love the representation with both trans and indigenous characters, but this was clearly a first novel. The plot development was lacking, and too much focus was on the relationships.

What a great queer fantasy read. I loved that the main character is trans. The story was easy to get swept up in. All the characters just drew you in. I loved the world that the author built. Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC in return for an honest review.

The Witch King is a YA Fantasy story with so much representation. Our main character is a transgender witch who was supposed to marry the Fae prince Emyr. Wyatt and him were best friends until one terrible night where Wyatt used his powers that got out of control (for a good reason, but still had severe consequences), he was forced to flee to the human world. Until Emyr shows up after Wyatt's transition. Emyr's reaction was good and he was there to bring Wyatt back in order to marry and keep the throne.

Overall, this was an interesting story and the set of characters was really the strenght of this book, however I wasn't completely engaged in the story itself and I wanted a bit more. I wasn't hooked like I hoped I would be even though it was still a good book.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)