Martha Wells’ latest fantasy novel “Witch King” plunges the reader into The Rising World – a world where political intrigue and power games are rampant. The protagonist, the demon Kai, awakens from a year-long sleep after being betrayed and buried alive in a crypt. In a new body, he and his companion Ziede must navigate through a changing world, filled with corrupt authorities and old enemies. The timeline jumps between past and present, and Kai is overwhelmingly powerful in both. In the present, Kai and Ziede must find out who betrayed them, and the whereabouts of Ziede’s wife. In the past, the reader learns more about how they became who they are today. This may sound like a fascinating premise, but in reality it feels like a dry and heavy affair. Wells has created an incredibly detailed and elaborate world. The big problem is that it all feels like more work than fun. A Masterpiece in World-Building Wells is adept at world-building. The world of “Witch King” is unique, with rich details about the history of countless creatures and people groups. She creates a well-thought-out society where modes of communication, gender, rank and art are carefully designed. Demons are not evil, and the underworld is not hell, but rather an energetic and class-divided world. She has put a lot of work into designing this universe, but this is also where the book’s big problem lies: It drowns in its own complexity. Just look at this example: I wish the information flowed more naturally into the narrative. Instead, it’s overwhelming, and especially in the first hundred pages. It is difficult to keep the thread there. Useful concepts and backstories appear towards the end, but disrupt the flow of the narrative. The result is a detailed but unengaging reading experience. The book lacks the excitement that could have made it truly memorable. SCI-FI AND FANTASY: American Martha Wells is known for her science fiction series “The Murderbot Diaries” and the fantasy series “The Books of the Raksura”. Here during the Texas Book Festival in 2018. She has not yet been translated into Norwegian. Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0 Story without a climax The characters are one of the book’s strongest points. They have a depth and complexity that really sets them apart. Kai and Ziede are both powerful and vulnerable, giving them human qualities despite their supernatural abilities. Wells explores their inner conflicts and weaknesses. It makes them believable and interesting. Each character in the extensive character gallery has its unique characteristics and backstories. They are both interesting and well developed, but disappear in the detailed and hectic universe around them. Otherwise, the plot itself is a whimsical affair. After a long and slow build-up, a grand finale awaits. But instead of delivering suspense and climax, Wells chooses to drag the action forward with even more explanation about the world. The lack of progress means that I feel no commitment to the characters, even if they are faced with dramatic and life-threatening situations. A book for those particularly interested, “Witch King” may appeal to readers who like political intrigue and advanced worlds that demand a lot from the reader. Martha Wells has undoubtedly delivered an innovative work, but sometimes it’s better to stick with what works. The book lacks both clear character lines and engaging action. Original and complex do not always mean better. news reviews Title: “Witch King” Author: Martha Wells Publisher: Tor Books Genre: Fantasy Date: 30 May 2023 Number of pages: 432 Hi! I am a freelance writer and review books for news. Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, but I read a lot of different things. Published 13.11.2024, at 23.15
ttn-69
“Witch King” by Martha Wells – Reviews and recommendations
