Y’ALL THIS BOOK. This book *will* be one of my favourites this year. After loving CL Polk’s “The Midnight Bargain” for Canada Reads this year, I knew I had to read their other novels, and Witchmark was the first to come across my library loans pile. 

A synopsis is tricky as this book has so much packed in it. Taking place in a 1918-ish world where witchcraft is feared by the general public (but actually wielded by the most wealthy and privileged), a doctor hides his abilities while working in a psychiatric hospital, treating patients sent home from war with PTSD. However, when one patient dies mysteriously at the hospital claiming he was poisoned, he partners up with a handsome, yet mysterious man to solve the murder. 

Full of magic, intrigue, and mystery, and addressing issues like mental health, social and political privilege, discrimination, self-determination, the impacts of war and modernization, as well as a little romance, I mean it literally when I mean this book has something for everyone. Miles and Tristan are both very likable characters, and their slow-burn romance is cute and believable, while also not taking over the story. While there is a lot going on, it works, adding to the fast-paced and urgent tone of the book, and is all tied up by the end. 

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Samuel Roukin, and it was a great production. I loved the narrator’s voice and while he did do unique voices for some characters, it wasn’t distracting or overdone.

Apparently this book has won all the awards, including a Nebula, World Fantasy, and a Lambda, which is really impressive for a first novel! There are two other books in this series, called The Kingston Cycle. If there is one thing CL Polk does well, it's balancing engaging, fun plots with serious themes that reflect issues in our own reality. I can only anticipate where it goes from here.