C. L. Polk

A highly enjoyable read, and fully deserving of its Nebula finalist status. Witchmark creates a fresh secondary world with an Edwardian flavor, wherein a nobleman abandoned the high life to serve as a soldier and practice his healing magic in a way forbidden by society. When a mysterious man drags a poisoned fellow into the beleaguered hospital where he works, his carefully-constructed yet lonely life begins to fall apart. There's a conspiracy afoot that stretches from the tormented veterans show more in his care to the most powerful people in the land--his family.

The world-building is deep and perfectly paced. This is a world both familiar and strange, and that freshness made it a source of constant fascination. Plus, the characters are fantastic. As someone who loves healer characters, and has included them in numerous of my own books, that angle particularly appealed to me. This book incorporates inclusiveness in a gentle, natural way, and the slowly-building romance between the two male leads feels genuine. No insta-love here. The issue of consent and power in the relationship is especially well-handled.

I'm glad this is the first book in the series. This a world with people I would love to spend more time with. show less

I checked out this book from my library as part of my reading of Nebula finalists for this year.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. LOOOOOOOVE. It hits all of my sweet spots. A regency-inspired original world, with magic! Women striving for independence against societal expectations! A central romance with a guy who is a respectful, smart, supportive person, not a jerk! Smart heroines! Everything about this book is glorious and wonderful, including an ending that delivered a multitude of surprises and immense show more satisfaction. show less

This is not a book I would normally read, but did so because it is one of the Canada Reads contenders for 2021.

It held my interest, which says a lot for a book of this genre! I commend C.L. Polk on her imagination. This was a blend of Jane Austen meets magical fantasy. Debutante balls, making a good marriage, money issues...etc. It also dealt with the choice so many women still have to make in our world between family and career. Granted, most of us have it much easier than the women in show more this novel, but the questions are the same: why does the burden fall solely (in this novel) on women? Why does no one question this?

So, good writing that provokes an examination of our own world...for that I give it high marks. show less

"We all win, or nobody does." — Saeldian

In order to become a powerful warlock, professional con artist Saeldian Charmhand has sworn an oath to never fall in love. This doesn't bother them in the slightest until they bite off more than they can chew, and get dragged into a high-stakes heist with their best friend, Jubilee. The main problem? One of their new teammates is Kell: a grumpy bard who no longer sings, Saeldian's childhood friend, and the ex-companion whom they had kissed and show more betrayed (due to certain circumstances) a decade ago.

But Saeldian and Jubilee desperately need the reward to rebuild their home, while Kell and his new druid companion, Lorzok, must take the job too if they want a chance to return to the Feywild. Forced to work together, bitter hearts slowly heal as Kell makes peace with his past, while Saeldian realizes the extents of what they would do for both power and love.

⬦ DnD Campaign-style Cozy High Fantasy
⬦ Non-Binary Warlock MC x Grumpy Bard Love Interest
⬦ Friends-to-True Enemies-to-Lovers
⬦ REAL Slow Burn & Tension & Banter
⬦ Forced Proximity & One Bed

I. LOVED. THIS!!! Although I came for the cozy romantasy and fun heist premise, we get SO MUCH more! 😍 The cast of The Feywild Job were complex, nuanced and beautifully flawed, especially the main characters Saeldian and Kell. As pointed out by the other characters in the story, Kell was always vicious and loud in his (understandable) hatred for Saeldian, to the point everyone in their vicinity knew.

At the same time, Saeldian deliberately swayed both friends and family to their side over Kell’s by making it obvious how unfairly victimized they were by their ex-partner, despite having truly hurt Kell to the core. Beneath the sharp barbs and anger, however, were countless buried vulnerabilities along with old festering wounds that didn't just get swept under the rug.

Saeldian and Kell had to work on themselves until they understood their own hearts, then each other's, before they could start mending bridges. The themes of rediscovering self-worth, granting forgiveness, and the power of love and second chances were woven delicately throughout the story. The prose was lush and whimsical (note: I don't have a lot of DnD knowledge but followed along without much difficulty), the supporting cast was lively and protective, and the heist itself was clever and full of twists!

I was also very appreciative of the queer-normative worldbuilding + Saeldian's rep, especially the way they were accepted and loved no matter how they decided to present themselves to the world. Love, love, SO MUCH love!! 💞 Even though I’m so sad to say goodbye to these wonderful characters and could have read a whole trilogy about them (👀 pretty please?), everything tied up nicely in this standalone. Unforgettable and unique, I can't wait to read C.L. Polk's other works! show less