The Witch Who Courted Death was a fun read, almost a read of two halves being part urban fantasy and part coastal fantasy (I know that’s not really a ‘thing’).

We start the story with an introduction to Corvossier von Klitzing and her twin brother Barastin, both living in Berlin and affectionately nicknamed Casper and Creeper.  The two are very strong mediums often playing a role in the supernatural community by helping lingering spirits to pass to the next world.

Fairly early on into the story disaster strikes and Casper’s brother and their guardian are brutally murdered.  The murder is pinned rather conveniently on the witches but Casper doesn’t believe this to be the case and with vengeance in mind starts to make quiet enquiries of her own until she uncovers another survivor of a similar attach – a witch, in fact, who has gone into hiding.

Casper’s search for this mysterious witch eventually lead her to a quaint Cornish village where her continued investigations could lead to terrible danger not just for herself but also for the witch in hiding.  The attackers who killed her family have a goal in mind and need to finish both attacks successfully in order to achieve it.

I enjoyed this, it was a quick and entertaining read, it got off to a very quick start and I really enjoyed the urban fantasy style, plus I loved the dramatic conclusion.  The world here is easy to imagine and I had no problem getting on board in spite of this being the 4th book the author has written in this world (although I would add it’s not necessary to have read the prior instalments as this stands on its own).

In terms of the characters, I liked Casper.  I liked her interactions with ghosts in particular and she’s an easy protagonist to follow.  What definitely struck me was Casper isn’t a teenager and this comes across in the way she speaks and behaves.  She has a maturity that is really refreshing – she’s probably late 20s (I can’t recall her exact age) but it was definitely good to read from a pov where the character has a certain confidence and strength lent by experience and age.

Criticisms.  Well, as I mentioned above the story gets off to a very quick start and I loved the urban feel.  The first half of the story had me turning pages quickly but the second half definitely slowed things down a little.  The plot concentrated a little more on the romance at this point, which whilst it was sweet, did lead to a much quieter tone.  The conclusion ramped up the action though and the ending had an openness that I appreciated.

Overall, I had a good time with The Witch Who Courted Death.  It was a quick and easy read.  I really enjoyed the urban elements to the story and it was a great book to fit in between some of my more chunky books.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 3.5 of 5 stars