Reviews with content warning for Medical content - Witchmark - Die Spur der Toten

Witchmark by C. L. Polk felt like three entirely separate stories, which took far too long to weave together for a relatively short book. I think this was written wkth the idea of being a three book series, because it took its time for sure. While I think that the setting is interesting, the slightly antiquated formal language doesn’t really lend itself to the story in any way. I think there are just too many details that are competing for space and the overall story could have been boiled down a bit to the more interesting magical elements. I really want to know more about calling and the implications of having seconds, but I feel like this is overshadowed by an interesting but seemingly irrelevant murder mystery. I think this also could have worked as a stand alone giving the end and some more fine tuning, but I’ll definitely check out the next book in the series to see where it leads. The witchcraft system is interesting enough that I’m hoping for more, but only time will tell. 4/10 stars

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meganpbell's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

Magic, mystery, queer romance, and criticism of class privilege suffuse this atmospheric Edwardian-inspired fantasy! In a world at war, a doctor with a hidden past and secret magical abilities allies with an alluring gentleman to investigate the murder of a patient and a pattern of inexplicable killings by the very veterans he heals, only to discover true evil may not reside across enemy lines but in all of that which powers the empire at home.

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raptorq's review against another edition

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3.0

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espiargrant's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Overall, this book was a good time, though by no means perfect. The writing style was clear and flowed easily, and I liked most of the characters. The world-building seemed well-thought-out, but not explored as much as I would have liked.

One issue I had with this book was that it kept the reader in the dark about certain things for too long to really have a sense of what to care about. I also felt that the ending was extremely rushed, and I wish that Tristan had had more development. He was absent too often and when he was present, he didn't have much agency in the story, which dampened the romance for me.

That said, this was still a fun, magical story with a cute queer romance, and I'm glad I read it.

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ninjamuse's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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