Silent Strength—My Thoughts on The Witch Collector

Every once in a while, a book crosses your path because of a single, irresistible detail. For me, The Witch Collector was exactly that—a gorgeous cover that stopped my scrolling, followed by a rave review on Threads (or Instagram…I honestly can’t remember anymore). However, it found me, I’m glad it did.

This is a lush, atmospheric fantasy that intertwines magic, political tension, romance, and one of my favorite tropes—enemies to lovers. It’s also a story with a protagonist who communicates entirely through sign language, something I rarely see in fantasy, and it was beautifully handled.

At a Glance

A Heroine Who Speaks Without a Voice

Raina, one of our two POV characters, is mute, and Weaks treats her disability with care, depth, and respect. She signs her way through the story without ever being diminished or sidelined. Her lack of speech doesn’t hinder her agency, her strength, or her emotional presence—if anything, it adds a compelling layer to her character. I found myself wishing more fantasy novels embraced this kind of representation.

The Witch Collector Himself

Alexus is…a journey. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to make of him at first. He’s prickly, mysterious, and a little morally gray in the way fantasy men tend to be. But as the story unfolds, so does he. His growth is steady and satisfying, and by the end, he became one of the more interesting parts of the book for me. He’s fun, flawed, and genuinely compelling to watch evolve.

Magic, Runes, and Romance

One thing I wish had been fleshed out more is the magic system, especially the runes. They play a crucial role yet remain somewhat mysterious. I kept wanting just a little more clarity—more rules, more explanation, more texture to how the magic functioned.

But then the romance happened.

Despite all the angst, which is not my favorite, the enemies-to-lovers tension is so well executed that I found myself willingly swept along. The romantic thread is woven tightly into the plot, never overshadowing it but always humming underneath. It’s emotional, heated, and at times beautifully tender.

Twists, Surprises, and Room for More

The writing itself is immersive, filled with strong atmosphere and vivid scenes. I was pleasantly surprised by several twists and reveals, and I appreciated that the book didn’t leave me drowning in unresolved threads. There’s closure, but also plenty of space for the sequel to expand.

And it’s a sequel I definitely plan to read.

A Memorable Quote

"There is darkness inside me too," I sign. "Perhaps our darknesses can be friends."

Perfect read for fans of romantic fantasy, readers who love disability representation, lovers of angst-filled tension and atmospheric worldbuilding.