Jennifer Jackson – Literary Agent

Witch King by Martha Wells is one of Amazon’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2023 So Far and also an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books in June!

Witch King by Martha Wells has debuted at #2 on the UK Sunday Times fiction hardbacks bestsellers list!

Witch King by Martha Wells is an Apple Best Book of June!

“This dual-timeline fantasy from Martha Wells, author of the wildly entertaining Murderbot Diaries, will make your head spin…in the best way possible. Kaiisteron, an immortal demon overlord known and feared by all as the Witch King, awakens to discover that his body has been killed and his spirit trapped in a cage that limits his powers—and things just go downhill from there. Wells drops the brooding, sarcastic Kai (and us readers) right into the middle of the story, using alternating chapters to bring us up to speed on the rules of her magical world and the global politics behind Kai’s predicament. This is the sort of book where you’ll want to keep going back to the map and the cast of characters presented in the prologue, but Wells’ trademark dry wit and masterful world-building make it entirely worthwhile.” — Apple Books

Witch King by Martha Wells

“Martha Wells has followed up her best-selling series of Murderbot novellas with a return to full-length, epic fantasy. Witch King, a deeply immersive throwback to a beloved (and for me, foundational) species of 1990s fantasy doorstop, is full of cataclysmic intrigues between mostly immortal families, complete with map and dramatis personae.

The titular Witch King, Kaiisteron, or Kai, wakes from an enchanted sleep to find that he and his best friend, Ziede, have been betrayed and imprisoned by someone close to them. Kai is a demon, able to wield magic and possess the bodies of the living; Ziede is a witch, able to converse with the elemental world. They use their powers to subdue and escape their would-be captor, but discover that Ziede’s wife, Tahren, is missing.

Together — gathering waifs and strays along the way — they embark on a quest to find her and root out the conspiracy that separated them. As they search for answers, Kai remembers his early life fighting necromantic wizards called Hierarchs and rebuilding the world they broke.

Kai is very good at protecting those he has chosen to care for, and part of the pleasure of Witch King comes from seeing his keen-edged competence at work, contrasted with moments of profound, bewildered vulnerability. Kai’s timelines play off each other wonderfully: Elements introduced in a dizzying rush of world building become welcome context for the flashbacks, which in turn escalate tension in the present. Wells is working at the height of her powers here, and it’s relaxing to be carried along for a ride in the company of such a phenomenal storyteller.” — The New York Times

Witch King by Martha Wells

Regular readers of sci-fi know Martha Wells from her Murderbot Diaries (if you don’t, go get them immediately). “Witch King” is a fantasy novel about as far from Murderbot as it’s possible to get, and the fact that the author does it so well is a testament to her range and abilities.

We start in the middle of the action, meeting the main character and his companion when they wake up after a mysterious betrayal and attack. Kai uses his supernatural powers to drain the life out of his enemies just in time to rescue Ziede, who has been locked away in a vault. But what starts off seeming to be the tale of two vampiric lovers who kill and consume anyone in their way turns into a story far more complicated and fascinating.

Ms. Wells creates uniquely fascinating cultures and abilities for the people who live in her universe, including magic systems that are fully developed and beautifully described. When Kai swallows a magical “intention” into his chest you can practically see it.

The heroes’ adventures together are exciting and their escapes clever; quibbles with the book are just that. There is supposed to be a grand conspiracy trying to topple the Rising World, and it would have been nice to see it in action outside the main group of characters. Also, there are a lot of names to keep track of. Fans of intricate fantasy may love that—but my aging brain needed a wiki.

A wonderfully original world, sympathetic characters and a solid quest make “Witch King” the satisfying fantasy you yearn for when named swords and cursed rings begin to grow stale.” — Wall Street Journal