Witchmark

By: C. L. Polk

Narrated by: Samuel Roukin

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A stunning, addictive fantasy debut that combines intrigue, magic, betrayal, and romance in an original world with a historical WWI tone. In an original world reminiscent of Edwardian England in the shadow of a world war, cabals of noble families use their unique magical gifts to control the fates of nations, while one young man seeks only to live a life of his own.

Moving at a brilliant pace and pulsing with deadly intrigue and unforgettable characters, Witchmark grabs listeners and doesn't let go until the thrilling conclusion.

Magic marked Miles Singer for suffering the day he was born, doomed either to be a slave to his family's interest or to be committed to a witches' asylum. He went to war to escape his destiny and came home a different man, but he couldn't leave his past behind. The war between Aeland and Laneer leaves men changed, strangers to their friends and family. Even after faking his own death and reinventing himself as a doctor at a cash-strapped veteran's hospital, Miles can't hide what he truly is.

©2018 C. L. Polk (P)2018 Recorded Books

Magical plot, world, and LGBT romance

4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this!
Anyone looking for an adorable LGBT+ romance, historical fantasy, murder mystery, that explores upper class privilege, and the consequences of war? It's right here!
The beginning was a bit tough for me because I thought it would be more historical urban fantasy, and it did vaguely resemble England after WWI, but the places and past events were all made up, and the magically system is very unique.
I loved all the characters, Tristan reminded of Howl (from Howl's Moving Castle only more put together). The murder mystery was intriguing, and I had a ton of fun finding out were it lead, and how everything tied together. What an interesting outcome it had in the end!
Miles and Tristen where so cute, and I eagerly await the next book to see what happens to them.

Stunning magical mystery

Loved every minute of this and couldn’t predict the ending. Do yourself a favor and listen to it ASAP!

hell of a ride

I know nothing of romance books, but Witchmark by CL Polk was the HEA bookclub pic for december on r/fantasy, and I’d heard only good things about it, so I went in. I was expecting a nice chill love story between two men, maybe some sort of fantasy of manners. I was not prepared for the wild ride this book had in store for me. Yes there was a love story and it was very sweet and I liked it, but oh boy was there a lot of story beyond that, and it got seriously dark.

It starts off pretty slow and chill, with Miles Singer working at a mental hospital. He’s a very good man by the way, he’s so compassionate and kind, a sort of Hawkeye Pierce but with magic instead of sarcasm. Then a poisoned patient is brought in by a handsome stranger, and I thought oh right, this is gonna be a murder mystery, nice. While trying to find clues about this murder victim, Miles is also trying to solve a medical mystery, a dangerous madness that affects soldiers recently come back from war. So about a third/halfway into the book I thought, ok this is gonna be about solving this puzzle with the soldiers. But then in the last third it becomes clear that there’s an even bigger fish, strap in everybody cause it gets insane. The final showdown ending scene is so dramatic, powerful and emotional. I wasn’t expecting it all to wrap up so well in a relatively short book, but I was very happy with the ending.

I really liked Miles, but I’m generally a huge fan of good characters. I passionately hated his sister, especially because she was seemingly moderate, wanting change for the oppressed class, but really pulling the same oppressive shit herself. She’s gonna be the protagonist in book 2, and I’m very concerned over how that’ll go. I thought love interest was interesting enough, though I was expecting a lot more of the book to be focused on their relationship, that’s not a complaint just an observation.

Oh I almost forgot, bicycles are an important part of worldbuilding, with even a bicycle chase at one point, and that’s super cool.
The narration was lovely and atmospheric

This should be a movie!

What an amazing book. It's like Lord of the Rings meets Harry Potter. I don't remember the last time that I have been this engrossed in an audiobook. The narrator was amazing, and the story was awesome.

Amazing read

This book was a wonderful suprise. It was well written and kept me engaged and guessing through out. The main characters were likeable/hateable and I'm hoping there is a sequel because it is a Great story. Cant say enough how much I liked this one.

New Favorite!

This book was very well written. Excellent performance from the reader. I can't wait for the next one!

Wonderful world building!

Great story! If you have a gay teenager, I highly recommend this book. Very wholesome love story between Miles and Tristan and reminded me of the novels I loved as a teenage girl with lots of yearning looks and electric accidental touches, but no graphic sex scenes. They are both witches from separate worlds investigating a series of murders by returning combat veterans possessed by something more purposely evil than PTSD. Mike's sister, Grace, starts the book as a political climber who will stop at nothing in her rise to power, but redeems herself fully by the end of the book. Can't wait to start the second book in the series.

Magical mystery all in one

A good yarn with magic, mystery and romance. I look really forward to reading the next books.

Excellent

More than a bit of a cliffhanger, but so good it's worth it. The narrator has a really pleasant voice. He doesn't provide distinct voices for each character, but somehow that isn't confusing. I did understand who was talking at all times.

Worth the slow start

I loved it! it starts slow but picks up. It is a bit dark but with dark themes, there are some descriptions of violence - but not in deep detail.