Book

The Witch King

by H.E. Edgmon

📖 Overview

Wyatt Croft, a trans witch, fled to the human world after escaping a disastrous arranged marriage in the fae realm. When his ex-fiancé Emyr North tracks him down four years later, Wyatt finds himself pulled back into fae politics and an uprising that threatens both worlds. The story follows Wyatt as he navigates complex relationships with his own magic, his identity, and the tensions between humans and fae. His position as both insider and outsider to fae society puts him at the center of mounting conflicts about power, tradition, and change. The realm of the fae provides a backdrop of magic and political intrigue, while the human world grounds the narrative in contemporary social dynamics. These parallel settings create opportunities to explore questions of belonging and authenticity. This fantasy novel examines themes of gender, power, and marginalization through the lens of witchcraft and fae mythology. The narrative challenges assumptions about destiny and tradition while considering what it means to forge one's own path.

👀 Reviews

Readers highlight the book's trans and neurodivergent representation, with many connecting personally to protagonist Wyatt's experiences. The romance between Wyatt and Emyr resonates with fans who appreciate their complex dynamic and character growth. Readers praise: - Raw, authentic portrayal of trauma and healing - Integration of modern social issues into fantasy setting - Humor and witty dialogue - LGBTQ+ characters feeling natural rather than tokenized Common criticisms: - Plot pacing issues, especially in middle sections - World-building gaps that leave questions unanswered - Some find Wyatt's anger and attitude off-putting - Romance development feels rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (11,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 One reader notes: "The anger and messiness of being trans felt real in a way few books capture." Another states: "Character complexity outweighs the somewhat inconsistent plotting."

📚 Similar books

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas A transgender brujo must prove his identity to his traditional Latinx family while solving a ghost-related mystery and falling in love.

All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue A teen witch grapples with magic, identity, and consequences when her ex-best friend disappears after a tarot reading.

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski In a world of strict hierarchies, a lower-class girl discovers forbidden magic and forms a romance with a mysterious noblewoman.

The Fell of Dark by Caleb Roehrig A gay teen in a vampire-filled town must navigate supernatural politics, ancestral magic, and an unexpected romance to prevent an apocalypse.

Master of One by Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett A thief is forced to work with the fae to find magical artifacts while discovering his own power and falling for a prince.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Author H.E. Edgmon identifies as a nonbinary, Indigenous person and wrote this book centering trans representation in fantasy literature 🔮 The book features "witchsickness," a unique magical condition that causes physical illness in witches who don't use their powers regularly 🏳️‍⚧️ The main character, Wyatt Croft, is believed to be one of the first transgender male protagonists in mainstream YA fantasy 👑 The story weaves together elements of fae folklore with modern themes of identity, autonomy, and political resistance 💕 Despite dealing with heavy topics, the book includes a central romance between Wyatt and his former fiancé Emyr, exploring how relationships evolve when people grow and change