A totally wonderful sequel…
Martha Wells’ Witch King was one of my favorite reads of 2023, and apparently, based on its long list of awards, it was the favorite of lots of other folks too. And I’m always a little bit nervous that the second book in a series may not live up to the first, when the first was so perfect. Luckily, Queen Demon meets that challenge.
Queen Demon’s story continues right after the end of Witch King, and retains Witch King’s dual timeline structure as well. In the current day, there are new challenges for Kaiisteron and his found family: who were the Hierarchs, and are they really defeated for good? And in the past, we get to watch Kai emerge as a major factor in the war against the Hierarchs and see glimpses of his developing relationship with Bashasa. As I mentioned in my review of Witch King, I’m not usually a fan of the dual-timeline thing, since I usually end up liking one storyline a lot more, and thus finding myself quite impatient during the other. But in Queen Demon, as in Witch King, I liked both almost equally, so this wasn’t an issue.
Also as in Witch King, I luxuriated in Wells’ deft and deep world building. It seems a bit funny to use a “just-in-time” manufacturing analogy in a book review, but that’s the way Wells does it. She doesn’t hit you over the head with descriptions up front, or bore you with expository info in the middle, but instead lets you figure things out as you go – basically, “just when you need them”. It took me a little while to learn to appreciate this approach while reading Witch King. But having learned to have faith in Wells, it now feels a bit cumbersome when other books spend the first couple of chapters just establishing their background.
As excellent as the world is, though, the characters really drive the story. I’m not sure I should admit that I’m in love with a body-hopping demon who can steal life with a touch, but I am. Kaiisteron has gone through – and grown through – so many struggles, and still retains his morality and optimism, even when it would be easy to despair. I’m also in love – even if a little bit less – with his co-conspirators: Zeide, Tahren, Dahin, Bashasa and a bunch of others. And of course, Wells’ ever-present dry touch in snark makes you laugh, while her ability to evoke feelings can make you cry – all in the same chapter.
All-in-all, if you liked Witch King, you’re going to like Queen Demon. And, like me, you’ll also now be waiting, not very patiently, for the third book in the Rising World series. Although I have to admit, I am also simultaneously quite nervous about perhaps having to actually experience Bashasa’s death along with Kai. (See above about Wells making you feel things…) My only cautionary note is that unless you’ve read Witch King in the rather recent past, you’ll probably want to read (or re-read) it before starting Queen Demon. And finally, my thanks to Tor Books and NetGalley for my advance review copy.
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