The King Slayer

April 15, 2016
Elizabeth Grey, titular protagonist of The Witch Hunter (2015), returns, having thrown her lot in with the witches she used to persecute.Elizabeth has taken refuge in Harrow, the witch-friendly territory that resists the rule of Anglia, now controlled by her former boss, the usurper and evil maniac Blackwell, whom Harrow--and Elizabeth--is determined to take out. She's operating at a disadvantage though, as she has given the magical stigma that protected her to her sweetheart, witch and healer John. But Blackwell seems to want it back, and moreover, John's formerly saintly affect turns blacker by the day. Can the newly vulnerable Elizabeth complete her mission and restore her sweet John? And what about deposed king Malcolm, Elizabeth's former abuser? Boecker begins her sequel with virtually no recap, so fans of the first book should do a quick skim to refresh their memories. Once they do, they are in for more of what the first book offered: a grim, first-person, present-tense narrative that seesaws between melodramatic exposition and violent, often confusing action. The rules of magic seem to change as the plot demands, and the equally arbitrary geography is difficult to navigate (readers will be grateful for the map). Witty banter under stress is both unlikely and a pleasant relief, as is the addition of sardonic witch Keagan, operative of a resistance group from neighboring Airann. Though the world is largely white, a couple of dark-skinned characters noted in passing ensure it's not monolithically so.Soapy faux-16th-century angst. (Fantasy. 12-16)

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July 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-The atmosphere of Boecker's series is perfectly reflected in the tagline from the first book, The Witch Hunter: "Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear." Elizabeth Grey lives in a world where witches are feared and hunted. She also happens to be one of the king's best witch hunters. However, her existence is turned upside down when she is accused of being a witch herself. Torn between the beliefs she followed for years and seeing through the eyes of the recently accused, Elizabeth is forced to redefine everything she once thought she knew. In the second volume, Lord Blackwell has usurped the king's throne, placed a large bounty on Elizabeth's head, and is growing more power-hungry by the day. With her new allies, Elizabeth decides to use her training and skills to make up for her past by becoming a king slayer. Perfect for fans looking for a fantasy world that is full of magic but with a hint of a Salem-esque society of people who fear the unknown.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.