Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle, #1)

by C. L. Polk

(9 reviews)

In an original world reminiscent of Edwardian England in the shadow of a World War, cabals of noble families use their unique magical gifts to control the fates of nations, while one young man seeks only to live a life of his own.

Magic marked Miles Singer for suffering the day he was born, doomed either to be enslaved to his family's interest or to be committed to a witches' asylum. He went to war to escape his destiny and came home a different man, but he couldn’t leave his past behind. The war between Aeland and Laneer leaves men changed, strangers to their friends and family, but even after faking his own death and reinventing himself as a doctor at a cash-strapped veterans' hospital, Miles can’t hide what he truly is.

When a fatally poisoned patient exposes Miles’ healing gift and his witchmark, he must put his anonymity and …

When a fatally poisoned patient exposes Miles’ healing gift and his witchmark, he must put his anonymity and freedom at risk to investigate his patient’s murder. To find the truth he’ll need to rely on the family he despises, and on the kindness of the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen.

3 editions

B. Zelkovich reviewed Witchmark by C. L. Polk (The Kingston Cycle, #1)

Review of 'Witchmark' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Well, I am torn about this book. I super duper love Miles and Tristan and am happy with their storyline. I still absolutely hate Grace. The fact that their dad isn't dead is completely unacceptable to me. He should have died forever ago because Miles should have had a spine and refused to heal him.

I don't know. It was just obvious to me that Miles was being manipulated by Grace, and that she was being manipulated by their father. Like... it just want's a super convincing plot, and all the action felt stuffed into the last two hours.

I would have been happy with just the mundane magical romance without the murder mystery and political intrigue.

Don't think I'll be back for the second book, since it's Grace-centric, but I do like Avia Jessup... Sigh.