Witchmark

It was fine. I liked the writing, I just don’t think I was in the mood for it right now.

A really interesting story with likeable heroes and a unique magical world.

I will probably start with this last thing - a very interesting and to some extent unique world created by the author. It may not be completely unlike anything I read, but it contains enough unique elements so that you don't get the impression that you are reading the same thing that you already know well. This new world is well thought out by the author and well-constructed. Still, in my opinion it could be explained a bit better (but it's possible that I just missed some aspects). I am also glad that the story was partly related to how this world is constructed. I like it when the world created for the book, and especially its very basics, fits neatly into the story.

There are basically three threads to be mentioned here. The first is the mystery of Nils’ death and mental illness plaguing soldiers returning from the front. This thread is the most extensive and exposed in the story. And, in my opinion, it is also probably the most attention-grabbing. In fact, we’ve got here a typical criminal investigation conducted by the main characters - Miles, a psychiatrist and Secondary, and Tristan, a warrior from a race of mythical creatures.

This thread connects with the other, which combines Miles's family problems with political intrigue. This thread is probably the most related to the way the world created by the author works. It also connects very well with the main crime part and excellently raises the stakes. It also adds some reasonable drama to the whole story and allows you to learn the rules in this new world through the story of Miles and his past. This is a very good idea and execution.

Finally, we also have the third thread - the relationship between Miles and Tristan. I am sorry to say that this thread is probably the least extensive. And although I have no doubt that Miles and Tristan really like each other, I have serious doubts about the depth of their feelings that developed in such a short time. Something is missing here. And the fact that the book is devoid of more literal descriptions of sex, in my opinion, does not help in relationship development department. I miss something a bit here and that's why the final scene, however very sweet and cute, seems a bit artificial to me. I would prefer that Tristan and Miles have a little more time for each other, especially since the second part of this book is planned.

And especially that Tristan and Miles are very interesting characters. Although Miles is definitely more developed character. We know much more about his earlier life and his feelings than we do about Tristan. But I also didn't have the feeling that I know far too little about Tristan, he still looks to me like a three-dimensional and reliable person. Anyway, I think I'll read the next books with true enjoyment.

This story is probably the debut of this author. If so, it's very successful. I hope that the second book in this series will be equally good.