Book Review: Witchmark by C.L. Polk

 

Witchmark

by C.L. Polk

This book caught my attention as I was selecting reading material for a patron. The simple design of the blue cover is lovely, and has a certain 1920's charm, with the bicycle rider in a bowler hat and the reflected image of a man in a top hat and woman in a skirt.

The tag line on the back definitely caught my attention as I turned it over – “A stunning, addictive fantasy that combines intrigue, magic, betrayal, and romance.” Who doesn’t love a book with all those things?

But did it live up to the promise of that cover and tag line? Mostly. It was certainly a page turner; I didn’t want to put it down.

The story is set in a world that’s very similar to England just after World War I, where men are returning home, shell-shocked. Miles is a psychiatrist at a veteran’s hospital.

Miles has been treating returning veterans who feel like they have a killer living inside of them, someone separate from themselves. He manages to heal one man using his magical talent but he isn’t completely sure how or if it will come back. He needs to figure this out and heal the other men, because these men sometimes kill their families.

One night, just as Miles is leaving, a well-to-do man pulls up in a carriage with a dying man. The dying man manages to gasp out that he was poisoned, then transfers his power to a shocked Miles.

Miles is afraid someone will realize he is a witch, a dangerous thing to be in these days, where witches are sent to asylums because they all eventually go crazy. Or do they?

Miles himself is from a rich family, and they consider themselves mages. They don’t go insane. So why do the witches? Are they just weak?

The posh man who brought the poisoned man to the hospital is not who he seems, and he has seen everything – including the dying witch giving his magic to Miles. Is he a friend or a foe? Of course, Miles isn’t quite who he seems either.

The setting is deceptively simple. It’s Edwardian England with just enough Steampunk style touches to make it foreign. They have "aether" instead of electricity. The dialogue and stage direction are well crafted. You can fade right into the story.

The only criticism I have is a couple of important scenes that are rushed, just a shade too fast, lacking mental and emotional reaction from the characters. I suspect the original manuscript was a bit longer than the publisher liked.

The story builds logically with solid detective work and revelations building on revelations. I did not see where this was going, which is always one of my highest notes of praise. I like to be surprised.

And yet, the journey is the best part.

“I understand what it’s like.”

“You don’t. You imagine. You sympathize. But you can’t understand.”

Isn’t that true of us all in a number of circumstances? Definitely a very strong debut novel.