It could be a bit hard to follow in audio since it is such a nuanced story, however. Note: I listened to the audio version and the narrator did an excellent job of bringing out all the distinct personalities. It’s an excellent stand alone and one which I’d love to read more with these people. If it is related to any of Martha Wells’ other books, I did not feel lost or that I had to read any to follow this story. Some of powerful, some are not, but all are incredible distinct and well built. Each one of highly diverting, with humor, snark, pathos, and whimsey. But really, the star here is the great set of characters. The pacing is decent and there is plenty of action. It makes for a very engaging read: beyond the great characters there is also the world mystery to slowly solve. As the mystery slowly unravels, we end up with characters who only exist in the past or in the present, not both. The memories are important because they set the world building and the situation that dictates the present.

The story is told alternating between the present and Kai’s memories. He has to find out what happened to his colleagues (witches and magic users) while at the same time discovering how he came to be so thoroughly entrapped. It is in this situation that our protagonist wakes up. But there are those who do not want the demons taking sides and so their clans are being eliminated. In this world, demons are not evil and instead have a pact with humans that allow them to experience the human world. The story is deceptively simple yet surprisingly nuanced.

When fate brings him a new host, he knows he must rescue his colleagues and discover what happened – how did he end up in this position and where is one of his missing friends? Story: Kai wakes up to find his body dead and his spirit imprisoned – not the position a demon wants to find himself in. The Witch King feels a bit like an expanded novella but still maintains interest throughout as our protagonist solves an existential mystery. The characters are likable anti-heroes that you cheer and eagerly follow as they set about in their world. This is first book I’ve read by this author and I can definitely see now why she has such a large following.

Witch king by martha wells