The Witch Who Trades With Death by C. M. Alongi ~ a Review

by MK French

The cruel and immortal Emperor Yamueto controls all witches in his empire. When Khana kills one of his favorite courtiers with magic and discovers the secret to his immortality, she makes a deal with Death herself. She flees the empire for a small mountain town filled with warriors. Though she heals the sick and injured, the people ostracize her because of that magic. Khana fights back against the emperor, but every deal with Death takes another piece of her soul. The more she gives away, the more she turns into the very monster she’s trying to destroy.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

March 2025; Angry Robot; 978-1915998538
audio, ebook, print (384 pages); fantasy

Witches have all kinds of skills, but first among them is the ability to manipulate life force or âji. It can prolong life or heal, and the Emperor can even use it to manipulate bodies into night creatures, misshapen combinations of people or animals to do his dirty work. At over three hundred years of rule, the emperor cares about nothing but conquest. He collects wives and concubines out of the witches of his conquered lands, killing any who try to escape, refuse to bear a child, or refuse his whims. Children and grandchildren are not exempt from his rule, and the ones that excel in his court are those with cruelty, casual racism, and the capacity for torture like him. This is what Khana escaped, going into the mountains where it's difficult for him to invade. A year after her escape, there are signs of his impending army.

Khana deals with ostracism due to mistrust of witchcraft and casual racism, taking it initially because she feels it's all she deserves. It's the mentality of the abused, which slowly fades as the novel progresses. She bonds with the family that took her in, her army unit, and the crush that likes her back. The horrible past is still there, especially when war comes to the village, but is never dismissed as irrelevant by those who care for her. It's a restorative experience, helping her grow and become more of the woman she would have been otherwise. The final quarter is the most tense and emotionally driven part, and I was just as fearful as she was. Seeing her and the war from other perspective chapters helps to flesh out the story, characters, and the world. The story really grabbed me and refused to let go. 

Buy The Witch Who Trades with Death at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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