The Witch King is a character featured in the novels of author Martha Wells. The Witch King is a powerful and ancient being with dark magic at his disposal. He is typically portrayed as an antagonist, often opposing the protagonist of the story. In the novels, the Witch King is known for his cruelty and relentless pursuit of power. He is often depicted as a cunning and manipulative figure, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. With his dark magic, he is able to control and manipulate others, using them to further his own agenda.
With his dark magic, he is able to control and manipulate others, using them to further his own agenda. Despite his malevolent nature, the Witch King is also portrayed as a deeply complex character. He grapples with his own internal struggles and desires, which adds depth to his character.
Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron
Minimum Wage Magic is a book a lot of the Inn was excited for, and it’s a book I really enjoyed.
Set in the Detroit Free Zone, it kicks off a sequel series to the much loved Heartstrikers books. The premise is that a couple decades in the future, magic comes rushing back into our world. Magic is a particularly big deal in the DFZ, the only city on Earth run by its very own goddess. Opal Yong-ae works in the city as a Cleaner: she buys old flats and storage units whose owners haven’t paid their rent, sells the junk (often magical) left behind at a profit, and cleans them up for their next owner. She’s also very, very deeply in debt with a dangerous person and can’t afford to be picky when it comes to jobs. Unfortunately, Opal’s latest buy comes with a corpse and heaps of trouble.
As the first book in a sequel series, Minimum Wage Magic has to pull off a pretty fine balancing act. It’s set roughly 20 years after Last Dragon Standing ended and I think it’s perfectly fine for new readers to jump straight in here. Spoilers for the world-changing events of the past series are unavoidable but vague. There are a couple characters who overlap, but Opal’s perspective on them is very different from the first series’ characters. Their introduction should work well for newcomers, while being highly amusing for those of us who loved the past series. As a fan of Heartstrikers, to be honest I wish we’d gotten even more overlap! At the same time, it’s good that we had a chance to settle in with the new characters and the new DFZ before being overwhelmed with cameos.
The DFZ remains as vivid and exciting a place as ever. It’s a true city of opportunity, boasting both the best magical arts institute in the world as well as gun-selling vending machines. It feels like everybody who lives there has to be a little bit crazy, or at least very passionate, whether about the history of alchemy or about installing enough metal hardware into their body to repel bullets. There are a couple more laws in place than there were 20 years ago: straight-up murder is illegal now, for example. On the other hand, the new goddess of the DFZ likes to move whole city blocks around and sprout skyscrapers out of the earth like trees. Aaron could set any number of adventure stories here in an “expanded” DFZ universe and I’d gobble them all up.
It took me a little while to warm up to the new characters (through little fault of their own — look, I’m a big Heartstrikers fan and I missed my old team). Opal is a great mix of hard and soft. She’s stubborn and fiercely independent, ready to do whatever it takes to protect that independence. She also tries to have a good heart and has an MA in art history. For fans of the first series: I think Opal’s messed-up family relations may give Julius a run for his money. Her new partner Nik keeps his own heart more deeply hidden, and remains more mysterious to Opal and to the reader: old-fashioned in one way (he still drives a gasoline car!) and very modern in another (you won’t believe what he has up his sleeve…). Most of the other characters remain a lot less central for now, but I’m already excited to fall in love with everyone over the next few books.
One final thing I’d like to mention is oh my god the audiobook!! The Heartstrikers audiobooks, narrated by Vikas Adam, were amazing. Lightning has struck twice and the new narrator for Minimum Wage Magic, Emily Woo Zeller, is equally fantastic. For whatever reason, I wasn’t quite clicking with the ebook version, then put on the audio and devoured the whole thing in two days! If you listen to audiobooks at all, definitely check it out.
In short, Minimum Wage Magic is a fun read that I heartily recommend to both old fans and new. Especially for:
- Urban fantasy fans
- Audiobook fans
- Fans of adventure stories
- Fans of veeery slow-burn romance
- Fans of magic + advanced technology mixtures
- Fans of Shadowrun
- People who really love characters from the Heartstrikers series and are desperate for one more glimpse of them, any glimpse, please
One final thing I’d like to mention is oh my god the audiobook!! The Heartstrikers audiobooks, narrated by Vikas Adam, were amazing. Lightning has struck twice and the new narrator for Minimum Wage Magic, Emily Woo Zeller, is equally fantastic. For whatever reason, I wasn’t quite clicking with the ebook version, then put on the audio and devoured the whole thing in two days! If you listen to audiobooks at all, definitely check it out.
This complexity makes him a compelling and interesting antagonist, as readers are often left questioning his motives and actions. Martha Wells is known for her strong world-building and rich character development, and the Witch King is a prime example of this. His presence in her novels adds an element of danger and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Overall, the Witch King is a captivating and memorable character in Martha Wells' novels. His dark magic, complex nature, and relentless pursuit of power make him a formidable antagonist. Readers are sure to be enthralled by his presence and eager to see how he will be ultimately defeated..
Reviews for "The Witch King's Relationship with Magic in Martha Wells' Fiction"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Witch King" by Martha Wells. The story was slow paced and lacked any real substance. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. The world-building was also poorly executed, leaving me confused and uninterested in the setting. Overall, I found this book unengaging and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch King" but found myself let down by the execution. The plot appeared promising at first, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The writing style was also a letdown, as it was riddled with unnecessary filler and lacked a clear focus. Additionally, the main character felt bland and underdeveloped, making it hard to root for them. While the concept had potential, the book failed to deliver a captivating and immersive experience.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - I struggled to get through "Witch King" by Martha Wells. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow sections that dragged on and failed to hold my attention. The magic system and world-building lacked sufficient explanation, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the story. The characters were unremarkable and lacked any real growth, making it hard to invest in their journey. Unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations, and I would not recommend it to others.
4. Emma - 1/5 stars - "Witch King" by Martha Wells was a complete disappointment. The writing style was dull and lacked any level of excitement or intrigue. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further hindering my ability to engage with the story. The plot was also predictable and formulaic, leaving no surprises or twists. Overall, this book failed to capture my interest and was forgettable in every way. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.