Witchmark

by C.L. Polk

No amount of charm (or magic, for that matter) can disguise the grim consequences of industrialization – even in a make-believe world. C.L. Polk has rocketed to the center of fantasy-world-building with her debut Witchmark, an enchanting exploration of magic, modernism, and love… and the price of each.    

Set in the fictitious land of Aeland on the heels of an embittered war with the neighboring Laneers, Witchmark chronicles a society that is aware, yet deeply skeptical of, magic-users. With its unique magic system based on greater witches enslaving and drawing power from weaker witches – the poorest of whom are banished to asylums – there is plenty of fodder for class turmoil and political strife.

In a world full of tyrannical magic, the mundane becomes a refuge. For Dr. Miles Singer, the daily monotony of work and social isolation is a dream come true, and he suffers none of the ennui that often accompanies such a lifestyle. Born a witch with noble blood but doomed to be enslaved to his more powerful sister Grace, Miles fakes his death, changes his name, and enlists in the war. However, living as a commoner presents its own danger: Miles’ magical abilities give him the power to heal, a helpful tool for his post-war position as a psychiatric doctor at a veterans’ hospital. However, this puts him at risk of imprisonment should anyone discover his magic.

Miles’ incognito, humdrum life is knocked askew one night when a dying stranger appears at his office and identifies him as a witch in front of Tristan Hunter, who brought the stranger to Miles. With his dying breath, the man insists that Miles must avenge his murder and delivers a cryptic message about the soldiers returning home from war. Although Miles is initially worried that he has been found out, Tristan reveals himself as a member of a coldhearted, legendary race of witches, and the two decide to team up to solve the murder.

The stranger’s death occurs in conjunction with other strange events: the swarming masses of magical aura clouding war veterans’ brains that cause them to act violently and erratically; Grace’s discovery that Miles is still alive; the threat of a corrupt transition of power in the magical world; a bizarre pattern within the asylums that incarcerate witches; and Miles and Tristan’s dangerous mutual attraction.  

As more mysteries thicken the plot of an already juicy murder, Miles and Tristan begin to piece together a disturbing conspiracy affecting the entirety of Aeland. The mechanized society benefits from the luxuries of industrialization – but unbeknownst to Aelanders, those luxuries come from an alarming source. Together, Miles, Tristan, and Grace race to stop the scheme in its tracks before Aeland is lost forever.

Equal parts fantasy, mystery, and thriller, Witchmark is so enjoyable because it offers so many different things. Polk’s writing style pays careful attention to every word, poetically illustrating and savoring each moment to balance the complexities of the plot. Although the romance feels a touch contrived at times, Tristan’s calm reserve stabilizes Miles’ nervous energy in a genuine and sweet way that has us rooting for them immediately.

In this thoroughly fun steampunk-fantasy infusion, C.L. Polk has created a new version of magic in a world that urban fantasy readers will love.