Book Review
Dec. 7th, 2023 02:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariWitchmark
by C.L. Polk
This fantasy novel takes place in a world inspired by post-WWI England. Miles Singer a war veteran and doctor treating shell-shocked soldiers at a veterans' hospital as the war comes to close. He is also a witch, a magic user of lesser strength who has escaped both the fates awaiting witches: imprisonment in an asylum or enslavement to his family's strongest mages. When a poisoned man dies under his care, Miles finds himself joining forces with Tristan Hunter, a mysterious and attractive stranger, to investigate. The investigation threatens to expose Miles and to uncover dangerous secrets about the government and the witch asylums.
Witchmark was excellent. The worldbuilding was very well-done - Polk created a world that had an interesting magic system and a rich mixture of the wonderful and the ugly. Miles was terrifically sympathetic in his drive for control over his own life and his equally strong desire to do what's right and to care for those around him. His romance with Tristan was understated and lovely. While Miles' sister Grace wasn't always completely likeable, I found her very interesting and could sympathize with the way she grappled with the truths Miles' investigation revealed. I especially loved Polk's treatment of class and exploitation - there's a lot there but it never overwhelms the story or the characters.
by C.L. Polk
This fantasy novel takes place in a world inspired by post-WWI England. Miles Singer a war veteran and doctor treating shell-shocked soldiers at a veterans' hospital as the war comes to close. He is also a witch, a magic user of lesser strength who has escaped both the fates awaiting witches: imprisonment in an asylum or enslavement to his family's strongest mages. When a poisoned man dies under his care, Miles finds himself joining forces with Tristan Hunter, a mysterious and attractive stranger, to investigate. The investigation threatens to expose Miles and to uncover dangerous secrets about the government and the witch asylums.
Witchmark was excellent. The worldbuilding was very well-done - Polk created a world that had an interesting magic system and a rich mixture of the wonderful and the ugly. Miles was terrifically sympathetic in his drive for control over his own life and his equally strong desire to do what's right and to care for those around him. His romance with Tristan was understated and lovely. While Miles' sister Grace wasn't always completely likeable, I found her very interesting and could sympathize with the way she grappled with the truths Miles' investigation revealed. I especially loved Polk's treatment of class and exploitation - there's a lot there but it never overwhelms the story or the characters.
