This had everything I could ever want in a witch book!!! Enemies to lovers? Check! An unapologetic evil villain who you love to hate, and gives the Darkling a run for his money? Check! Magic and witches and curses and angry gods? Check, check!

What drew me in right off the bat was the aesthetics and world building. You have dual-POVs from the main character Raina and Alexus. Raina begins her story with a thirst for vengeance and blood lust towards a certain Witch Collector. But the more time she spends with Alexus, their relationship quickly evolves into something more. There’s no denying their chemistry and bond. I ADORE THEM A LOT.

The villain, the Prince of the East…All I’m saying is I’m pretty sure this guy would walk right up to the Darkling, hand him his beer, and say “Watch and learn.” He’s the real deal and everything I love about a fabulous villain who’s unapologetically BAD. And I love him for it, wouldn’t change a single thing about him. I love this book. And I’m dying to get my hands on that sequel

Thanks to Netgalley, City Owl Press and Charissa Weaks for the eARC in exchange for a review.

Raina Bloodgood has lost her sister. No, not lost. She was taken. By the witch collector He comes once a year to take a witch and they are never seen or heard from again. But this year, Raina is going to kill the witch collector. No one else will be taken. Ever again.

This year, on the night of collecting day, the witch collector doesn't show up. Celebrations begin, dancing music, wine and embracing the truest form of nature. But this year, things are different. The hunting party doesn't come home with their feast. They don't come home at all. But someone else does show up, to burn their village.

Raina escapes with her life, but her secrets are witnessed by the one person who she hates more than anything or anyone else in the entire world.

I LOVED this story and I can't wait until the next one is out. The world building is excellent and I absolutely love the newish take on witches. They aren't condemned in this world, they are part of the community. There are different god's and I NEED FAN ART WITH THE WITCHES MARKS NOW! Nothing but beauty.
There's no shy virgin in this story. Sex isn't taboo. Women are able to enjoy themselves and they are take charge.
There are still a few 'standard' plots that follow every other YA style fantasy. He's X years older than her (spoilers, sweetie), he saves her, she saves him.
5 stars and I'm waiting NOT SO PATIENTLY for the 2nd book!

This book was so interesting. I really enjoyed the fact that the main character couldn't speak, it gave the whole story a very different dynamic.
The plot was good and i really enjoyed it, it was quite forseable but still fun to read.
The one thing that annoyed me a bit was that the Witchcollector was this perfect man that always came to save poor Raina. She was such a strong character who didn't always need saving (there were occasions where she did save herself and others, but for the majority she was saved).
The ending could have gone real wrong and i was very glad when it didn't.
Im really looking forward to book 2 that will hopefully be out soon!

Gods and witches and magic all interwoven with a good enemies to lovers trope. This book had everything I look for in a captivating read.
There was a lot of world building in the first half of the book which was a little bit overwhelming especially since some things weren’t explained until further along in the story. However, by about chapter 40 I was so in love with this book I joined Charissas reading group on Facebook and even bought a limited edition copy with sprayed edges. So you could say I’m a little bit biased now.

Anyway enough about me, back to the book. The story is about Raina our MFC who is a witch that was born mute. Without the use of a voice she developed her own form of sine language to communicate with her family and friends. As far as MFCs go Raina is a badass! I really liked that although she has insecurities and fears she’s no damsel in distress and it’s refreshing that she’s the one that does most of the rescuing. She knows what she wants and she goes for it.

Our MMC Alexus aka The Witch Collector is a tall drink of water 🥵. He’s dark and mysterious with a really gentle caring side not to mention the crush he has on Raina.
The chemistry between these two is EPIC! Not sure why this book has been tagged YA cause it’s definitely more NA/ Adult. There is spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and also some smut and honestly I would not complain if there was more in the next book (hint hint Charissa 😏😉)

This was a truly great read, perfect for fans of ACOTAR, FBAA & Plated Prisoner. I can’t wait to see where book two in the series takes us.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book from NetGalley however my phone died at chapter 43 so I wasn’t able to finish reading until after release (I know! Worst timing and I was crying 😭…it was literally the best part of the book too🥵🌶️).

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Charissa Weaks is a new author to me and the description of this sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this as much as I wanted to.

This was certainly not a bad book, it just didn’t hook me and I was bored throughout some of it. I loved the premise, but I wanted more of everything, especially more world building and magick.

Raina and Alexus were both ok and while I liked their relationship, I was hoping for more angst or passion between them. I think this could have benefited from more of an enemies to lovers trope.

Based on how this ended I think book 2 will be better, but I’m sad I didn’t love this one more.

It was good… but I think I expected to be blown away and was just slightly underwhelmed.

This is one of those times where I hate even giving a review because I very much feel, “it’s not you, it’s me” in this case. I enjoyed the story and I love how the ending is set up for a second book, but doesn't quite leave you hanging.

I also feel it is the mark of a good writer when they can mark the passage of time so well, that you almost feel it. There were a few times I thought I had been reading for hours and I look up and it had only been 30 minutes. However, emotionally I had just trudged through days.

I would 100% recommend this book for those who like fantasy romance and like it with a side of smut thrown in.

If you have read the book, I would love to know your thoughts! Let’s chat!!

Wow! I just want to keep shouting about how much I LOVED this book!
What an incredible world. I can't wait for more.
It does have some graphic scenes. There were a few descriptive scenes of violence in some of the battles. If that's something that bothers you be aware. It's not a large portion of the book though. It also has a couple steamy love scenes in it.
It's a great story.
I will be thinking about these characters for days. I miss them already. You don't want to miss this book. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Witch Collector was a captivating fantasy-adventure story with a good dose of steamy romance thrown in. Raina and Alexus were both well-drawn and engaging characters and I found the development of their relationship believable and interesting. The world building in this story was nicely handled, with new layers revealed gradually during the course of the tale. There was also a good balance of action and drama, and the story moved at a nice pace throughout. I finished this book keen to find out what would happen next, so I am definitely interested in reading on in the series. Recommended for fantasy fans who enjoy a good blend of action/battle and romance. For me, this was a 4.5-star read.

First thank you to netgalley and Owl City Press for an eARC of this Amazing book!

This book is definitely a hidden gem, and I can't express enough how everyone should give this glorious book a chance. The magic system was very fun and interesting, I loved the lore surrounding it all. Worldbuilding was very immersive and captivating, that map in the beginning? Beautiful. I loved the way everything was linked and everything had an importance to something, I was hooked from the start and until the very gripping end.

All of the characters had such amazing stories that i cant wait to know more about, they all have their own story to tell and I can't wait to hear them all. Raina my sweet angel, she was so fantastic and yes a bit naïve but her whole world is unraveling and she's learning the truth of it all. Plus she's a mute character and I just loved that representation in a fantasy book so much and the fact that almost everyone just understood her with her signs? my heart almost burst. Alexus is just everything I could imagine for a LI, he's Morally Grey at times and a little broody but when him and Raina finally give into one another he's the "No one touches her and I'm so gone for her." and I'm 100% here for that. I loved the intensity of their relationship and just how they went from fighting each other to "you're it for me and nothing will change that."

The other side characters were just as amazing, Helena, Nephela, Colden, The Prince of the East (which i cant wait to find out his name) and Rhohin just to name a few. They all were written in such an amazing way and so interesting. i really hope we get more POVs in the next installment.

all in all i loved this book!

This was a DNF at 40%. I really wanted to like this book, but the premise was idiotic, Raina was too stupid to live, and the plot relied too much on her stupid decisions to tolerate it any longer. She was supposed to be an adult (she talks about her sex-life, at least) yet she behaves like a teenage YA heroine. She doesn’t listen to anyone and sticks to her notion that killing the Witch Collector will somehow change their lives when the rest of the village doesn’t want a change—as if it would happen that way anyway—and is preparing a feast for his arrival.

Idiotic decision follows another: what does she think she can do, heading to the king’s castle ahead of a conquering army? And she wanted to go there alone. Yet when she’s forced to accept Alexus’s help, she’s suddenly lusting after him. She doesn’t give a single thought for the devastating loss and tragedy she’s just experienced. Insta-lust has its places, but not here.

I have many thoughts about the internal logic of the magical system, which it lacks (magic needs to be sung, yet it recognises sign language too? And suddenly mere thought is enough?) And why did Raina have to be mute when it doesn’t affect the plot or her behaviour in any way. It only becomes a gimmick.

I liked Alexus, but not enough that I would’ve finished the book. Poor man deserved better than Raina, and since the only way for me to keep the illusion that he doesn’t end up with her was to stop reading, that’s what I did.

Title: The Witch Collector⁣⁣
Author: Charissa Weaks⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Summary:⁣⁣
Every harvest moon, the Witch Collector rides into our valley and leads one of us to the home of the immortal Frost King, to remain forever.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Today is that day—Collecting Day.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
But he will not come for me. I, Raina Bloodgood, have lived in this village for twenty-four years, and for all that time he has passed me by.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
His mistake.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Raina Bloodgood has one desire: kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On Collecting Day, she means to exact murderous revenge, but a more sinister threat sets fire to her world. Rising from the ashes is the Collector, Alexus Thibault, the man she vowed to slay and the only person who can help save her sister.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector or let their empire—and her sister—fall into enemy hands. But the lines between good and evil blur, and Raina has more to lose than she imagined. What is she to do when the Witch Collector is no longer the villain who stole her sister, but the hero who’s stealing her heart?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Review:⁣⁣
I don’t even know where to start. I LOVED this book. The Witch Collector has such strong characters. Raina is such a strong and determined main character that is learning more about herself throughout the book. Alexus is the mysterious man that I crave in stories. The magick in the book is done through song, and reading about it is just beautiful. Raina is mute and uses Signing Exact English to communicate. The world building in the book is extraordinary. I felt like I was along side Raina and Alexus. The book also contains action. For those that are looking for romance, this is a slow burn, but the tension between Raina and Alexus is intense throughout the book, and when the spice happens, it is worth the wait.

Thanks to Netgalley and City Owl Press for my copy. The beautiful cover caught my eye initially. The Witch Collector is a wonderful book full of magic. Raina lost her sister to the Witch Collector many years ago and she vows to get her revenge and her sister back from the Frost King. Before she sets out, her village is destroyed by the Prince of the East and her enemies soon become her allies in the fight against a greater evil. Raina and the Witch Collector, Alexus, set out into the dark frozen woods to reach her sister and the Frost King before the evil Prince of the East gets there. This is the story of their journey and all the hardships they must face along with the bond that they inexplicably form with each other. It was a fun read!

This book is perfect for someone wanting a book in the same vein as ACOTAR, Deal With The Elf King or Red Queen - a great YA title.

It takes a while to get into, and is at times slightly long winded, however I did enjoy reading it when I picked it up.

Characters are interesting and the plot is a good twist on a typical narrative. I found myself wanting to know what happened next.

I would count it more as YA rather than NA like ACOTAR, but nevertheless it’s a good introduction!

Plus the swoon worthy, slow burn enemies to lovers romance helped!

I want to thank netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book! Unfortunately I was approved the same day it was archived so I was unable to read. I have added it to my tbr and I can’t wait to read it!

When I read the premise of this book it called to me and I was excited to read this. Unfortunately it did not quite live up to my expectations.

After the first chapter I felt I may really like this. The classic set-up in a small village with evil on the way is a trope I quite enjoy. However, as the pages went on I just missed a connection to the characters and the environment. I did not feel like I even got to know Raina, our main character. I was told what she feels and what she wants, but I never felt like I was truly made to feel it. I never quite felt her motivation.

I think the plot was interesting, but it sometimes felt if sometimes sections were edited out that would explain things a bit more. I am not sure why I felt like that, but sometimes the characters’ actions simply did not make sense.

My final niggle is that the final few chapters dragged on. Every chapter felt like it could have been the ending of the book and then there would be another one.

I am aware that this makes it sound like I did not like this first book in The Witch Walker Trilogy at all, but I did. I enjoy these kind of stories and the writing itself was actually not bad. The execution of the plot and the story just was not quite for me. I like a little more depth, but that may well be a personal thing. It just did not quite give me enough, as if it focussed on the wrong aspects for my taste.

If you like the sound of this one, give it a go. You may well love it!

Omgg this book was amazing!! This was the first book I read that included witches and let me tell you it was better than I expected. This book had it all from forced proximity to adventure and even some spicy scenes 🌶 😏. From the beginning I was hooked, even though there were too many names for me to keep up with at the start it all started adding up the more I kept reading. I loved Raina she was such a strong and independent character and I loved the fact that this book included sign language I’d never read a book before which had this aspect. And Alexus 🥵😍 let’s just say I’ve found a new book boyfriend. The tension between these two was immaculate and when Alexus was teasing her and smirking I just knew this book was going to be amazing 😫. Also the world building was done so well that I actually forgot I was reading at times. This book sucked me in and now has a hold on me!!

This book literally had so many tropes I loved the enemies to lovers perspective in this and the fact that she was supposed to kill him but her plans went south. And the forced proximity was even better especially when they had to travel together! Also an unapologetic villain we all love to hate!! What more can you want!! Overall this book was just soo good and I cannot wait for the second one to come out!! Also the cover is stunning 😍😍 I need to get this on my bookshelf ASAP!!

Tag along as we go on a frigid adventure, from family and security into the twisted depths of the magically unknown. Determined to ignore all signs and some rational thought, Raina and Alexus are forced together on a journey to save the Frost King. Her village has been destroyed by the greedy Eastlanders and Raina and Alexus are desperate for the security the Frost King’s Court, but this will be a perilous journey, filled with attacks, killings, wild animals and the dead.

RANT LOADING-
👇
▪️But first, The Excellent;
- Pacing of the trip and the feel of the forest;
- Locations were well described and identified, allowing you to situate yourself well;
- Interesting lore of gods, kings, queens and realms; and
- Mute lead in a world where magic is sung, who is forced to use her hands.

If you are a lover of fantasy, ‘somewhat enemies to friends ‘ trope, steamy attraction that seems unceasing and impulsive female characters who can hold their own when fighting and defending themselves, you will probably enjoy this book. We have a solid account of a full adventure of many twists and turns. There are secrets and mysteries to be unraveled and an amazing growth in powers to be experienced.

As the main character is ‘older’ there are two steamy intimate scenes and quite a dash of lust. If you love everything above, then stop reading now and go get the book!

✨Otherwise-✨
(Full review: plotsandreviews.com)

This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was creative, descriptive, held my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and am interested in reading the next book in the trilogy.

This book actually surprised me in the best of ways. I wasn't expecting too much but I really liked the general idea of the plot; seemed similar to other fantasy/romances I've read in the past so I figured I'd give it a shot. One thing I had not noticed before starting was how lengthy it was. I'm always a bit hesitant to start new series when they are 800+ pages just because I often will DNF them. This one was the first in a while with this sort of premise that I did finish and loved!

I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of difference this story entailed, including that the main character is mute. This was something that honestly threw me off guard at first and I wasn't sure how I would enjoy it but the way the author told the story, I never once lost track of how Raina voiced herself nor did I ever felt off put by her muteness. It was honestly as if she wasn't really mute at all. I do overall really like Raina's character, but at first her personality was something I wasn't too certain of. By the time the story really got rolling, I started to enjoy who she was and was becoming throughout.

Let's talk about our love interest Alexus; I felt he was dangerous but respectful to her, if that makes sense. The perfect tension was there for different reasons. Their banter back and forth was lovely, the morally grey part of everything in him and between them was -chefs kiss-. I love a good love/hate trope. I also really enjoyed how their relationship developed; I don't think it went too fast or too slow. I also want to note that there was plenty of things delivered in this story, with Alexus and Raina, that I hadn't expected or left me wondering where do we go from here? Which I have no complaints about. I like a book that leaves me questioning instead of expecting or predicting what happens.

The writing; I am very picky with the way someone tells a story and Charissa hit the nail on the head for me with this one. I didn't have a single complaint with how she worded things or told the story. I also really want to note that the world building in this novel was just spectacular. I love a good romance but I love it even more when there is a story with it, with details that keep me interested. Sometimes with intense world building, lots of details, etc I can become uninterested if it's not delivered a certain way, if the story is boring and them a boat load of information is dumped on top, I will DNF, but I thoroughly enjoyed how Charissa weaved this tale. The story itself, the setting, the premise, the world building as I already mentioned just fit so well together. This story feels familiar but at the same time there are many different elements to it that I haven't read in other stories that kept me wanting more.

All in all, I absolutely enjoyed this book and I will definitely read the sequel to it! I'm excited to see where things go!

This book is the perfect start to a thrilling fantasy trilogy. So many elements within this story were incredibly weaved together. From the revenge plot the main character have to avenge her sister and get her back to the romance, everything was so good.

Raina Bloodgood is such an amazing main character. She has one desire and that is to kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On the day that she means to fulfill her sinister plans things don't quite fall into place the way they planned.

Alexus Thibault is the man she vowed to slay and is also the only person who can help save her sister.

Raina is thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods. She is forced to give up on vengeance and aid the Witch Collector in saving the Frost King or let their empire—and her sister—fall into enemy hands. But throughout the story the lines between good and evil blur, and Raina has more to lose than she ever imagined. What is she supposed to do when the Witch Collector is no longer the villain who stole her sister, but the hero who’s stealing her heart?

I truly can't wait to read more of this amazing story. Book two and three can't get here fast enough. I'm so excited to see what all is to come. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.