The Witch Collector: Witch Walker, Book 1

Gnomereader

New Favorite Series

"“Think of the thing you want most in the world. It’s where true power comes from. We often hold the most will for our strongest desires.” This book was SO GOOD. I'm not even sure I can properly convey how much I loved it, but I am definitely going to try. To start off, I love the world created for this story. The descriptions of the territories and the people that live within them were so vivid that I could easily see the scenes as they played out. Along those same lines, the magic system is phenomenal! I adored that the Witch Walkers bear physical marks on their bodies that announce their powers to one another. That was just such a cool element to me, and really added another layer to the complexity and intricacy of their magic. I also love the way they sing their magic to strengthen it. It's so much more than just opening a hand and willing their power forth. Next, the characters. To say I am obsessed with Raina and Alexus is an understatement. Raina is the best female lead I've read in a while. She is smart, fierce, loyal, perceptive, and immensely courageous. She is so beautifully written and I LOVE how she uses her signing to create her magic since she can't speak the words. She is a FORCE in the absolute best way, and I connected so deeply with her convictions and motivations. Alexus had me swooning throughout the entire book. He is everything I love in a male lead. He's rugged; fights for what he wants and protects those he loves without hesitation, yet he's willing to accept help and he is also willing to boost those around him to give them the chance to be their own saviors; morally gray due to a shady past, but trying to atone for mistakes made. The pair of them together was really fantastic and had me flying through the pages. The supporting characters were just as good. They are all written in a way that really draws the reader in, and adds a layer of depth to the story that was so fantastic. I found myself becoming invested in more than just the main characters because they all play a role and they all move the story forward. The villain of the story, the Prince of the East, is complex and that had me trying to understand him while also keeping me on the edge of my seat as I read. In conclusion, there is so much more that I could say about this book, but I'll leave it with this: if you are a fan of unique magic systems, phenomenal world building, high stakes adventure with a love story that enhances the overall plot- you must read this. I absolutely will be revisiting this again and again. ["

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July 21, 2023 Verified Purchase

Jill

"Perhaps our darknesses can be friends."

"4 - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ "There is darkness inside me, Raina. Darkness you will not like." "There is darkness inside me too," I sign. "Perhaps our darknesses can be friends." The Witch Collector is the first novel the the NA Fantasy Romance series, Witch Walker, and follows the journey of the witch Raina Bloodgood and the mysterious Witch Collector. In the land of Tiressia, legends of gods and powers of kingdoms clash and what started for Raina as a quest for vengeance against the man who took her sister during the infamous Collection day eight years ago turns into a much larger battle to protect her empire and, in turn, her sister. The black and white world Raina once knew fades to grey as the man she once yearned to kill becomes the mean she starts to yearn for... Raina is a character that really draws in readers. She is a non-speaking person but the beauty that her character provides highlights the power of words no matter how they are communicated. Her magic is beautiful. She is headstrong and loyal; she is cognizant of her flaws, and willing to change. I appreciated how she handled each challenge she faced and there is a kindness and compassion to her that had me rooting for her. Raina's journey from seeing one small facet of the world to embracing the empire as a whole was a fascinating journey and she has become strong from it. The Witch Collector, Alexus, is a man of mysteries and watching those unfold over the story was extremely fun. He was confident but not cocky and I loved seeing the distinction as it made the story more receptive to Raina accepting his help despite his part in taking her sister away. He is a character you quickly end up loving and he has all the aspects of a love interest willing to do whatever it takes to help his partner. Also...he has dimples! This book is a slow burn as both characters have a lot to navigate in their own relationships in addition to the conflict rising around them. There is sexual tension but it's mild as it builds. There is some spice in the last 15% of the book so I would give this a 1.5 pepper out of 5 at this stage. It was a perfect way to cap off the end of the book and I cannot wait to see Raina's and Alexus' relationship grow in the second book. "You're doing it again," he says, the smallest of smiles tipping one corner of his mouth I frown. "Doing what?" "Looking at me like you want me to kiss you." The world is this book is growing and I anticipate it to become so much bigger. The lore around it was shared so well but admittedly I did got lost between the powers of east and west but the story of the gods stuck with me even after reading. The world is shared over time as the character encounter new challenges and I loved this approach to the evolution of the story. At the beginning I loved reading about the witch's magic and their tattoos and the evolution of that lore gripped me. I felt some of it was timed so well in the story. There are some pretty good reveals to lore and magic and these provided some perfect hidden gems in the greater world we are unravelling. In terms of story, this book provides a good balance of plot and character. The setting was well established and we got to get a sense of the character for the inciting force hits. I enjoyed the action, the tension of the fighting, and the fact no one was truly safe. This risk made the story more impactful even with Raina's powers. The development of the villain was done incredibly well and I love the tidbits that were left at the end that give us so much promise for the text book. This was a book I easily consumed in a day and I am eager to pick up next and this is even without a big cliffhanger. The layering of twists and reveals was spread throughout the ending and for my mental wellbeing I greatly appreciated that...though I hear the next book is not as kind. Overall, this was an enriching fantasy with danger, love, and a unique form of magic that set this apart for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and will definitely pick up the next book! ["

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February 2, 2023 Verified Purchase

Molly F

Overall I am a bit disappointed, but will continue to read the series.

"An enjoyable story with excellent world-building and writing style. Sadly the odd pacing and characters both too human for the world they existed in and not quite fleshed out enough to follow distracted me for much of the read. This book really frustrated me. It is a really promising and wonderful combination of the Plated Prisoner series with a dash of Game of Thrones. Charissa Weaks manages to infuse a story with the same themes I loved about the other stories she drew from, while making it her own with some incredible world-building and background. Her writing is also great, and I found myself highlighting quite a few passages. But unfortunately I found some major problems with this book that just made it hard to fully invest, and when a writer sets up such an incredible story and world, that gets really really frustrating. The pacing of this story was really strange. I actually found myself putting this book down for several weeks or days at a time while trying to get through the first half because the pacing was both too slow and too quick. The author would reveal too much about certain characters, to the point where I felt "Well if that's all I don't really care." Then not reveal enough about characters whose existence is their secret, and therefore did not set up proper stakes for me to want to come back to the book. She also spends entirely too much time in one location while developing the relationship between two characters, which brings me to my next point. SPOILERS I've seen this complaint by other reviews. But the relationship between Alexus and Raina moved entirely too fast. I'm all for fated love and instant connection, and perhaps that is what the author is setting up for in future installments. But it just didn't feel right. The whole time I just had a hard time enjoying their relationship because it felt forced and staged, even though it was endearing and sweet. It was also strange because Alexus felt like a fully formed character, almost too formed in the sense that he was a bit too goofy and endearing after everything he's been through. Raina, unfortunately, fell into "main character syndrome" where she was almost too perfect and didn't have any discernable personality features. An incredible fighter, a caring healer, and a concerned sister and daughter. She had a couple of "human" outbursts but not enough to actually form realistic character flaws. Overall I am a bit disappointed, but will continue to read the series hoping that perhaps they will improve and sell on the immense potential and promise the first book had. ["

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May 29, 2023 Verified Purchase

Becca

Amazing!

"I did not realize that I never wrote my review for The Witch Collector until now. I read the Witch Collector a little over a year ago. The the moment I started reading it I knew that it would be a favorite of mine for years to come. When it was released in audiobook format I jumped at the opportunity to listen to my favorite story again. The Witch Collector follows Raina Bloodgood a witch from a small village in the Northern Kingdom of Tiressia as well as the Witch Collector himself, Alexus Thibault. The general premise being that every year the Witch Collector goes to the villages and "collects" the stronger witches. He brings them back to the castle where they serve to protect Tiressia and the Frost King (Colden). They become Tiressia's Witch Walkers. The witches of the village know little of what comes of the witches that are taken from them so when Raina's sister, Nephelle, is taken to be a Witch Walker, it leaves Raina with hatred and anger towards The Frost King and the Witch Collector who took her from their family. Raina sets out with a plan to take down both the Witch Collector and The Frost King but after a string of events The Witch Collector, Alexus, and Raina wind up on the same side going against a greater evil, The Prince of the East. This book, this series, will always hold place in my heart. I LOVE the character development that Charissa Weaks gives us. Our FMC Raina grew up fairly sheltered in her small village in the Northern Kingdom. What she knows she has been told in stories from her parents or other villagers. She is not naive in that she does not understand that there are risks and evil out in the greater of the world but she also does not see that there is more to her predicament than the notion that she wants her sister and her family back together. I do love that Raina has always been a little rebellious. She was always the virago that Alexus saw in her, from the time we see her stealing bread, to the weapons/training sessions with Hel and her secret magick use. But once Raina truly understands The Frost King, her sister, Alexus and the Prince of the East, she becomes a force to be reckoned with. Raina with knowledge and power is amazing! Alexus, oh wonderful, Alexus. Our MMC has a traumatic past that we only begin to see the tip of in book one. For Raina he is gentle, kind and protective but to others he is the hammer to which The Frost King wields. From the start we know that Alexus is out to help guide Raina back to the castle, to Nephelle and Colden, but when at first the mission is out of duty, that changes as they get to know one another. Alexus has so many layers and secrets and it is beautiful to see them melt away for Raina. The slow burn, tension and energy between Raina and Alexus is palpable and the way that Charissa conveys how they feel to each other and to themselves is heart achingly beautiful. Out side of the character development the World development is phenomenal. There is so much information that is provided on the work of Tiressia, their gods and the Kingdoms but it is done it such a way that it captivates you as a read. I do not often read books more than once. I sometimes find it hard starting at book 1 knowing how the following books end or knowing that the series is not over yet. I was worried that after already know the plot and ending to the three current books in the series that I would be bored without the excitement of "what will happen next" but I was COMPLETELY wrong. All the feelings came right back and it solidified my love for this book and this series. I urge anyone that has not tried to read The Witch Collector to do so. You will not be disappointed. ["

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August 9, 2023 Verified Purchase