Full Title: The Witch Who Trades with Death
Author: C M Alongi
Published: March 11, 2025 by Angry Robot
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Action & Adventure, LGBTQ+
Edition Details: 384 pages, hardcover (my copy was 488 pages, paperback)
Source: ARC – Requested directly
Rating: {5/5 stars}
This is a spoiler-free review. No details will be shared from the storyline itself that aren’t available or inferred from the book jacket and online descriptions.
First Glance
I followed this author on TikTok ages ago for her CaFae Latte skits, long before I realized she had published anything. When this book was described, I found myself intrigued by this potential twist on a story where Death is a character. I even wondered if it’d be written along the lines of a Persephone retelling, where the witch would fall in love with Death himself… but regardless, the description of a witch having to make deals with Death to survive had me jump at the opportunity to apply for an ARC.
Themes listed: trauma and overcoming it; fear vs courage; refugees; racism & xenophobia; toxic vs healthy relationship; found family & the power of friendship.
Content Warnings listed: graphic violence; sexual abuse; death; self-harm.
Positive Bits
Right off the bat, I’m in awe of how well Alongi handled all of the heavy topics listed for this story. As a survivor of sexual abuse, I was prepared to be made uncomfortable as we followed the story of an unwilling concubine. It implies certain experiences have to occur. While we do bear witness to abuse at the hands of the Emperor, it’s written with such nuance that we don’t have to experience it directly to recognize and hold its weight. The level of writing craft that went into this story will have me re-reading it for tips on how to do the same in my own work.
One of my favorite characters in this story is an old whore from a brothel with a no nonsense attitude and a twinkle in her eye. Sex work is treated as a completely valid and even borderline respected industry in the culture of our witch Khana’s new refuge. Similarly, all forms of representation are handled as vitally normal within the story. We see sign language used by someone with an injured throat, an amputee with a prosthetic leg, and a wide range of ability or disability among warriors in their village. We see a variety of relationships, including a hilarious request by a woman’s mother that she provide grandchildren with her AFAB nonbinary partner by either finding a third or adopting (she’s not picky). All in all, it was the way all of these diverse and unique characters were woven in as natural to the world they exist in that made the representation feel authentic instead of tokenized.
I appreciate closure in a story, especially if there’s a clear Bad Guy and Good Guy in the situation. Without getting too into the weeds or providing spoilers, I can say that the end of the story left me satisfied. There weren’t any frustrating loose ends or unanswered questions, and Khana got to grow into herself as both a witch and a person. The emphasis on found family and community made me teary eyed in the best possible way! All in all, this book full of heavy topics is surprisingly uplifting (at least to me) and left me in a good mood once I finished it.
Less Enjoyable Bits
I want more, but that’s the epic fantasy reader in me. Even if we’ve reached the end of the current problem, there are still bad people doing bad things out there. I would be very happy to hear Alongi say she’s planning another book in this world, even if it has nothing to do with Khana’s story.
There’s a fine line for those with trauma when it comes to reading about someone else’s. While I thought the balance in this story was perfect and didn’t trigger me, I could see it being a difficult read for someone with fresher wounds (especially anyone who has experienced domestic violence or sexual abuse). Go into this story expecting it to be hard in some places, but know that healing is part of their experiences as well. I trusted Alongi’s writing to handle the topics as well as her skits do on TikTok, and that trust was well placed. I just urge caution.
Is it weird to say I wanted more Death? While Death plays a vital role as a character and even gains a personality as we watch interactions between Death and Khanna, I found myself wanting to see more of those moments. We’re given enough to understand Death as a being with specific rules and attitudes, but that’s it. None of Death’s decisions or actions surprised me, but I still felt like I was missing something from them. Then again, I have a deep love for Death as a major character in stories, so this might just be a me thing.
Tidbits Worth Repeating
She didn’t truly believe in gods. And if they were real, they have ignored her prayers and those of all the other concubines. If they existed: she hated them. And yet, desperate times…
How did we get from me teasing you about your obvious crush to you both making me feel feelings? I’m outnumbered. This is unfair.
There was a place for her here. People who cared about her and who she cared about in turn. A future of joy and contentment and maybe some tragedy, but also healing and love. She was home.
Is it worth the coin?
Yes – I had planned to buy this book before asking for the ARC, so I already thought so. Now? Heck yeah, it’s an amazing piece of writing craft and a great story to boot!
Larissa Lee 