The Witch Collector is a romantic fantasy about revenge turning into a quest for the greater good. The magic and world-building are very good, and the main character, Raina is particularly strong. I especially like that she is non-verbal and uses sign language which is so unusual for this type of book. What really kept me from being immersed is the style of writing that is in a fairy tale vein; I'm not sure if this is to evoke signing language, or to make it sound like folklore, or just a style that the author prefers but I guess I like a more straightforward tone. It does fit with the style of the story, however. And the cover is just gorgeous. ( )

This was so much more than I expected. So much better than I anticipated. What a great book!
I rated it a solid 4 stars. It so close to being 5 stars because it was nearly perfect. I loved it. I recommend it. I would say that it could have been a little better at the relationship building between the characters. At the moment, it lacks 'living with me'. However, I loved the emotions that it drew out of me! I was getting so frustrated and passionate towards the characters. Several times whilst reading this book, I became so emmersed that I had no consiousness of the world around me and I was consumed in this story. And although I nearly teared up, it did fail to cause a physical reaction from me.
I would give this a 2.5 spice rating. This is a slow burn. Nearly glacial. But when it finally hits... BAM! It hits good!
Tropes: Forced proximity, slow burn
It is set in a fantasy world of witches with Magick battlings gods and shadows. I can't get enough of this and I can't wait to continue the Witch Walker series with City of Ruin!

Below is my SPOILER thoughts and reactions as I read through the book:

17%: Well damn. War right out of the gate. I didn't expect this.

36%: Wait so the sister is cool with Alexus? (And i really thought this was a girl's name.)
If vast magick can be used "across space and time" why didn't they have the magick protect the villages in the past when they were attacked? Ooh, talk about some little embers burning between them 🔥. He has the God knife. I just know it.

63%: Why is it that in these books the man is This powerful And terrible being to be feared but yet once hes met the girl she's constantly saving him and he nearly dies. Often. Like dude how did you survive before??
Is Helena dead? Or possessed?
Okay, I was wrong, he didn't have the God knife.
Just when things are getting spicy, the damn prince has to come in and ruin it! Ugh...
Ooh! He is all mighty and powerful with darkness. 😏 my favorite!
Um, major age gap! He's Un Drallag! What a twist! A powerful sorcerer. And he wants her. But why her? After all these years. After losing his wife?

100%: Oh thank gods Helena was freed! And Alexus is a badass! At least if he would stop needing to be rescued so many damn times. And Raina needs to get over her frustration with Alexus. He's a good man.
I never thought branding would be a trope of mine but here we are. I love it! OH!!!!! "Let me show you what it means to be mine." That is my personal undoing. What. A. Great. Scene. Omg. I mean DAMN!
So many emotions are pouring from me right now! First with Raina finally letting herself be his and he claiming her. And I seriously teared up when she saw Finn, Warek, Mena, and little Saira! I nearly got my physical reaction. And now, their journey begins. Raina and Alexus together. Off to save the king and the world as they know it from Gods and shadows. ( )

The characters, magic, world, action and romance were all perfect - excited to read more. ( )

I tried more than once to read this book but after several chapters I was unable to proceed. I don't know if it was the unusual names, writing style or time period but it just didn't grip me enough to continue. ( )

A great start to the series, and I can't wait to read more! Overall fun, and a very intriguing story. The world building was tremendous, and I was very easily sucked into what comes next and what the characters were thinking. A fun read, and would definitely recommend. ( )