Witchmark, by C. L. Polk

Witchmark by C.L. Polk

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a good, fun read, fine for a first novel, and its structure sets up well for the sequel. Sets it up to be better than the first, in fact. I guess there weren't better candidates for a Nebula? Well this is good encouragement, though the book is not a winner.

The setup is not a strong point--we have Dr. Miles Singer, "witch" and runaway scion of a wealthy family. He's a heroic character, but as others have pointed out, really naive, in a way that is hard to believe given his experience. He's hiding out from his father, the Voice of the Mages--in his home town, in medical practice. Hmm...

This being a modern book, we get all the trappings of gay romance in the person of Tristan, a literally inhumanly beautiful being who has come to investigate the disappearance of souls from Miles' home country of Aeland. Submission to their beauty is both tragic and inevitable, and much futile romantic resistance dialog is delivered.

The book moves forward, but not quickly until the very end, when we are treated to a lot of juicy reveals that are the setup for the series. One might have wished for a bit more meat earlier on.

All in all it's a decent, if predictable book, and probably worth picking up the sequel



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