'The Witch and his Crow', by Ben Alderson
My name is Hector Briar, and I live for revenge. It's been eighteen years since Witch Hunters murdered my parents, and still the night haunts me. A part of me died that night, when six-year-old me was forced to listen to their brutal murder. Since then, I've gone from prey to predator. I spend my nights stalking Oxford's streets for those who'd see me slaughtered for being what I am. A witch. And more than that, the son of the last Grand High.
I've spent the last years hidden in the shadows, not only from Witch Hunters but also my own kind. But one fateful night lands me directly in the hands of the people I've been evading my entire life-the Coven. Whereas the Witch Hunters want to destroy me, the Coven want me for a darker fate. For my blood. It's the key to starting the Witch Trials - a contest to find the next Grand High, a contest where witches battle to the death, or madness.
Thrown into the middle of the very contest my mother died trying to prevent, I must make allies with my enemies if I wish to survive the first night. Not so bad when my ally so happens to be an attractive blue-eyed, 6ft-something, tattooed from neck to navel, bloodthirsty rival-Arwyn Morgan.
But I soon discover that not is all as it seems. There are dark forces lingering in the shadows and the truth is a hard pill to swallow. The Witch Hunters seek a Champion of their own. Enemies and allies lose all meaning when a wolf invades the flock.
Surviving the Witch Trials quickly becomes the least of my worries when ancient forces reveal their true natures. Something dark stirs within me, waiting for its inevitable freedom. I'm the key to keeping it locked away, or freeing it.
I’ve been a fan of Ben Alderson since encountering his ‘Realm of Fey’ series. Really not my cup of tea normally, but (as in my review here) his writing is so compelling that I find myself curling up in his books as if they’re old friends. Slightly drunk and occasionally smutty old friends.
Yes, this is a ‘survival of the fittest’ book, akin to the Hunger Games et al, but with magic because Witches. Yes, that may sound cheesy, and parts do nod to other titles of this type that have gone before (notably revenge for murdered parents). Fortunately the book starts off as grounded as can be - in the nighttime streets of Oxford - and works its way forward from there.
Hector is a likeable hero, albeit young and cocky enough to sometimes be frustrating. Fortunately he has some (slightly suspect) new friends on hand to keep him on his toes as he enters the Trials, and I thoroughly enjoyed him bantering with Romy (whose witch powers are like nothing I’ve ever seen in such a book before!) and figuring out just what is going on.
The villains are suitably boo-able and the acknowledgment of historic witches was appreciated by this modern Pagan. The ‘Grand High’ title did make me smile every time, though, as it made me imagine Roald Dahl having heard of this world’s traditions and deciding to play with them.
The dedication is ‘to anyone who uses sarcasm as weapon AND a shield’, and that sums up the tone beautifully! While there is a fair amount of violence, the thread of humour that weaves throughout helps keep a potentially bleak atmosphere in check without trivialising it. Yes, this is a bizarre scenario, but leave your disbelief at the door and enjoy what is a truly fun adventure. With a cliffhanger. Dammit.
My biggest complaint is that the Crow of the title is Done Dirty. Not least because he vanishes for a good portion of the book, and his snark was sorely missed!
Harry Potter wishes he was this badass. And got this much fine ass.