Rating: 5 stars
Headline: A dark fantasy with added bite, “The Witch & the Wicked” will have you thirsting for more
Review:
The first instalment in a new fantasy series, The Witch & the Wicked by Kade Patrick drops readers into fast paced action from the very first paragraph. The story is told in first person narrative from the point of view of two characters, Rune and Kaineres. Rune, exiled and on the run, is an isolated woman of desperate means, trying to navigate and escape the clutches of bloodthirsty monsters and revenge-seeking soldiers. Alongside these shady figures, there some refugee in a small commune which includes Kaineres, a male witch acts as the community’s chief healer and spiritual guide. When an injured Rune approaches the commune for sanctuary, both she and Kaineres must learn to work together to keep those they hold dear safe from the external forces operating against them. And yet, in an increasingly unstable world where it is always winter, the cost of kingdom-wide peace depends on the secrets Rune is willing to share, but is it worth the cost?
This book falls into the juicy zone of fantasy reads, for both coming in at 410 pages, and for its dark fantasy content, which includes corrupted monsters, passionate romance arcs and no shortage of blood and violence. Switching between the first person narratives of Rune and Kaineres, the book opens with multiple chapters that are essentially Rune’s monologue thoughts and reactions as she races to get to safety in a hostile environment. The descriptions and world building are beautiful, although some readers may hanker for more dialogue earlier on in the book. Once The Witch & the Wicked jumps to the perspective of Kaineres, the story picks up in pace and introduces a differing perspective from a figure deeply embedded in the commune, compared to Rune as the outsider needing to prove her worth.
The relationship between the two characters play off each other nicely, gradually developing the “enemies to lovers” trope that will have readers on the edge of their seats. Other characters are also given the space to develop their own unique personalities and tone of voice. Given the volume of pages, Patrick as an author does a great job at keeping the plot focused on a core group of figures, and choosing to only head hop between Rune and Kaineres (which also plays cleverly into the title of the book, The Witch & the Wicked). The writing quality is of a high standard, and perfectly suited to the core elements that fans have come to expect from the fantasy genre as a whole.
The Witch & the Wicked is a superb book, perfect for any lovers of dark fantasy and magic. It is well written and contains plenty of action and fighting scenes, as well as calmer moments of character introspection. If that wasn’t enough, the cover design is beautiful too. The only question I’m left asking is when can I get my hands on the next book in the series!
AEB Reviews
Links:
Reedsy Discovery Review: AEB Reviews – “The Witch & the Wicked” By Kade Patrick
Purchase Link: “The Witch & the Wicked” By Kade Patrick (Amazon)
Author Website: https://djrbooks.com/kadepatrick
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