Lightning Review

Witchmark by C.L. Polk

B-

Witchmark

by C.L. Polk

I picked up Witchmark for my SFF book club and read it without any prior knowledge (I didn’t even read the blurb!). I expected a run-of-the-mill fantasy with magical shenanigans, toppling of the elitist status quo, and interesting worldbuilding. I was right and wrong: Witchmark does have all those things, but it also has a delightful and unexpected romantic relationship at the heart of the story.

Okay, you know that feeling when you pick up a romance novel but it turns out that it’s really not a romance novel and the publicity/blurb tricked you? It’s apocalyptic rage. Reading Witchmark, an Edwardian-reminiscent fantasy, produced the exact opposite feeling: unadulterated joy. Surprise romantic elements are always welcome to me, and the adorableness between Tristan and Miles allowed me to forgive any pacing issues.

Every time Miles swooned internally over Tristan (who’s a little too perfect but I liked it!), I swooned as well. Nothing really happens in the first 30%, but this didn’t bore me as I was engaged by Miles’s first person narration and the world-building.

As I mentioned, the slow pacing in the beginning didn’t bother me, but the rushed ending did. Everything happens in the last 10%, and the final battle isn’t given enough time to breathe. I barely understood what was happening in the battle climax, and I wish the ending had an additional 10K to flesh out the story.

If you’ve read romantic fantasy before, then you pretty much know what to expect. Protagonist has magical secrets that can save the world! Mysterious love interest (who may or may not be a villain as his motivations are unclear) also has magical secrets! The ruling government is corrupt and also has magical secrets! Witchmark isn’t exactly breaking any new ground but it is thoughtful in portraying topics like post-war trauma in society, the elite’s disregard for veterans and poverty, the government’s ruthless desire for wealth and resources, and more. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and romantic fantasy with nuanced worldbuilding, then I recommend Witchmark.

Aarya

C. L. Polk arrives on the scene with Witchmark, a stunning, addictive fantasy that combines intrigue, magic, betrayal, and romance.

In an original world reminiscent of Edwardian England in the shadow of a World War, cabals of noble families use their unique magical gifts to control the fates of nations, while one young man seeks only to live a life of his own.

Magic marked Miles Singer for suffering the day he was born, doomed either to be enslaved to his family’s interest or to be committed to a witches’ asylum. He went to war to escape his destiny and came home a different man, but he couldn’t leave his past behind. The war between Aeland and Laneer leaves men changed, strangers to their friends and family, but even after faking his own death and reinventing himself as a doctor at a cash-strapped veterans’ hospital, Miles can’t hide what he truly is.

When a fatally poisoned patient exposes Miles’ healing gift and his witchmark, he must put his anonymity and freedom at risk to investigate his patient’s murder. To find the truth he’ll need to rely on the family he despises, and on the kindness of the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen.

LGBTQIA, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
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