Witch Hunt (Shadow World Book 2) by Tim McRae

An intrepid hero must once again face her ageless enemy in Witch Hunt by Tim McRae, a dark and enchanting second installment in the Shadow World series.

Niri, Gryff, and Sara continue their deadly journey as both hunters and hunted, seeking a way to defeat The Witch, while also staying out of her vicious clutches. From wood sprites, winged sylphs, and sinister Dark Riders to haunted swamps, lost castles, and a plethora of portals, McRae’s story is imbued with unique magic, side quests, unexpected allies, as well as bursts of supernatural conflict. Niri’s masterful command of Qi and elemental magic, Gryff’s fearless devotion to his companions, and Sara’s adventurous spirit and keen intelligence make them a powerful trio that readers can genuinely root for from start to finish.

While the creative use of magic and magical creatures makes the book stand out from other works of fantasy, the prose can sometimes be too procedural, describing every moment or step of physicality in a scene, along with instances of storytelling redundancy. The author also tends to tell readers, rather than show them, making the plot progression clear and methodical, but sometimes compromising emotional nuance and suspense. The action more than makes up for these issues, however, with a high frequency of sprawling battles, daring missions, and truly monstrous enemies, which are conveyed with a frenetic and visceral energy.

Rich in world-building and immensely likable characters, this sequel hits all the marks for any classic sword-and-sorcery fan, while injecting inventive new elements that take from genres beyond high fantasy.