The Witch Collector

The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks follows Raina Bloodgood, a mute witch seeking revenge against Alexus Thibault, the Witch Collector who took her sister years ago. When a rival kingdom attacks on Collection Day, Raina must abandon her vengeance and team up with Alexus to save their empire. The story weaves together themes of ice, fire, ancient gods, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance that challenges Raina's perception of good and evil.

Charissa Weaks is an award-winning Amazon and B&N Top 100 author of romantic and historical fantasy who resides just south of Nashville. She crafts stories featuring time travel, magick, myth, and history. The Witch Collector is her debut novel and the first of five planned books in the Witch Walker series, which includes City of Ruin and the upcoming Kingdom of the Forgotten. She also works as a City Owl Press editor and has earned a Best of BookTok flag for her work.

The Witch Collector is perfect for readers who enjoy Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout's fantasy romances. This book appeals to fans of enemies-to-lovers romance, slow-burn relationships, complex world-building with ancient mythology, and morally gray characters. Readers who appreciate unique protagonists—particularly a mute heroine who communicates through sign language—and dual POV storytelling will find this book compelling. It's ideal for those seeking rich fantasy romance with a blend of action, magic, and emotional depth.

The Witch Collector has earned strong reviews, with readers calling it "a finely woven tapestry of everything one could desire of fantasy—compelling characters, intricate world-building, gripping action, and burning romance". The book received an A grade from reviewers and achieved Best of BookTok status, with plans for publication in multiple languages. The thoroughly original story features a unique mute protagonist and a slow-burn romance that avoids insta-love tropes, though some readers criticize the protagonist's impulsive decision-making.

Raina Bloodgood is a mute witch who communicates through her own special sign language that those closest to her understand. This distinctive trait makes her incredibly expressive without vocal speech, adding depth to her character development throughout The Witch Collector. Despite her inability to speak, Raina is fierce, vengeful, and determined to kill both the Witch Collector and the Frost King for taking her sister eight years prior. Her unique communication method becomes one of the book's most beloved elements among readers.

The Witch Collector features a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance between Raina Bloodgood and Alexus Thibault. Initially, Raina views Alexus as the villain who stole her sister and plots to kill him. However, circumstances force them to fight together against a darker threat, gradually transforming their relationship. The romance develops authentically without insta-love, with Raina slowly learning that Alexus may not be the villain she believed but rather the hero stealing her heart.

Collection Day is an annual event in The Witch Collector when Alexus Thibault, the Witch Collector, visits Silver Hollow and other villages to claim a witch and bring her to the Frost King. For twenty-four years, Raina has been passed over during Collection Day, though her sister was taken eight years ago. The day carries weight and fear for the community, as families never know which witch will be chosen. This year's Collection Day becomes pivotal when it's disrupted by an attack from Eastlanders.

The Frost King rules the Northlands in The Witch Collector and employs Alexus as his Witch Collector. Raina believes the Frost King is evil and selfish, holding him responsible for her sister's disappearance. Her primary motivation is to kill both the Frost King and Alexus to free her village and reunite with her sister. However, as the story unfolds, Raina discovers the truth about the Frost King may be far more complicated than she initially believed.

The Witch Collector weaves an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods throughout its narrative. The mythology creates a rich backdrop for the conflict between kingdoms and the magical system governing witches. Raina's revenge quest becomes entangled with these ancient powers, forcing her to confront forces beyond simple human politics. The mythological elements add depth to the world-building and elevate the stakes beyond personal vengeance to an empire-threatening crisis involving primordial forces.

Some readers criticize Raina's decision-making in The Witch Collector, particularly her plan to kill the Frost King with an unproven weapon called the "god knife" based solely on hope rather than evidence. Critics note that Raina assumes she alone can liberate her village despite no one else calling for change, making her seem self-righteous. Additionally, some readers find the enemies-to-lovers dynamic unconvincing, arguing that Raina's immediate attraction to Alexus undermines her supposed hatred and weakens the tension during critical moments when her village is under attack.

Yes, The Witch Collector ends with a cliffhanger as it's the first book in the Witch Walker series. The story sets up multiple unresolved plot threads involving Raina's sister, the Frost King, and the broader conflict with enemy forces threatening the empire. Readers praised the book despite the cliffhanger ending, though the wait between installments can be challenging. The series continues with City of Ruin and additional planned books that expand on the world and characters introduced in The Witch Collector.

The Witch Collector draws comparisons to Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout's fantasy romance style, featuring similar elements like complex world-building, slow-burn romance, and morally complex characters. Like Maas's works, Charissa Weaks creates an intricate magical system with ancient mythology, while matching Armentrout's intensity in romantic tension and action sequences. The book's dual POV narrative, enemies-to-lovers trope, and blend of dark fantasy with steamy romance align closely with what fans of these authors expect.