Review: Witchlanders by Lena Coakley

By Lena Coakley

Out: now

Review copy: NG

Stars: 4 out of 5

It actually took me a month to read this. I started out all gangbusters: probably did the first 200 pages in a night, them whammo.

It just slammed to a halt in the middle.

There is wonderful world building in this novel, and I enjoyed it, but when it came time for both sides to meet it sort of felt like a buddy comedy gone wrong. Then, during the hurricane, I picked it back up, and from part 3 on it was all action.

Two cultures, divided by a great war, have remained apart for a generation. Now, a threat to restart the war has drawn together enemies who must work together-or everyone will die.

That is the main premise.

However, under all of that is what was, for me, the real story: a family that is being torn apart by drug addiction and mistakes of the past.

Skyler, the daughter, is a strong character and I almost wish this had been her story. I found Ryder to be a little mean at times. On the flipside I found Falpian has many layers and grows through the novel.

I have decided I want to own a dreadhound (another creature from the book). I also loved all of the magic (and its limitations) in the story.

Overall a very successful fantasy novel! Perfect for readers who just are not ready to tackle Game of Thrones yet.

A note about the cover: this is a very male-centric story. I think many of my male members of the TBC would read it, but the cover is very feminine. The sword and the red cloth work, but the ice princess is a little out there. This is not a romance!

Comments

DevouredShannon said…

I am glad to see your review on this. I really thought it was mainly about a girl and probably a romance based on the cover. I might have to give this one another chance. I had it for review but I think I ended up not getting to it. Knowing that it has a male main character makes me want to read it even more, if for no other reason than a change of pace!

September 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM

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