"The Witch and His Crow" by Ben Alderson - Book Review

'Rule them. Win. Become Grand High.'

My name is Hector Briar, and I live for revenge. It's been eighteen years since Witch Hunters murdered my parents, and still the night haunts me. A part of me died that night, when six-year-old me was forced to listen to their brutal murder. Since then, I've gone from prey to predator. I spend my nights stalking Oxford's streets for those who'd see me slaughtered for being what I am. A witch. And more than that, the son of the last Grand High.

I've spent the last years hidden in the shadows, not only from Witch Hunters but also my own kind. But one fateful night lands me directly in the hands of the people I've been evading my entire life-the Coven. Whereas the Witch Hunters want to destroy me, the Coven want me for a darker fate. For my blood. It's the key to starting the Witch Trials - a contest to find the next Grand High, a contest where witches battle to the death, or madness.

Thrown into the middle of the very contest my mother died trying to prevent, I must make allies with my enemies if I wish to survive the first night. Not so bad when my ally so happens to be an attractive blue-eyed, 6ft-something, tattooed from neck to navel, bloodthirsty rival-Arwyn Morgan.

But I soon discover that not is all as it seems. There are dark forces lingering in the shadows and the truth is a hard pill to swallow. The Witch Hunters seek a Champion of their own. Enemies and allies lose all meaning when a wolf invades the flock.

Surviving the Witch Trials quickly becomes the least of my worries when ancient forces reveal their true natures. Something dark stirs within me, waiting for its inevitable freedom. I'm the key to keeping it locked away, or freeing it.

The Witch and his Crow is the first book in a MM paranormal romance new series of heart-pounding romance, witchcraft, and bloodthirsty enemies, perfect for fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night and Her Soul to Take.

First and foremost, a huge thank you to Ben Alderson and his publishing team for sending me an advanced reader’s copy of The Witch and His Crow. This review is a bit later than I had planned, but this book has already become one of my favourites of the year!

Alderson’s previous works have always been excellent, with many delving into fantasy inspired by the Renaissance era. However, The Witch and His Crow marks his first venture into contemporary paranormal fiction, and he wastes no time pulling readers into a darker, grittier world of magic that is impossible to resist.

One aspect I really appreciated was the portrayal of Hector as a flawed character. Alderson takes the time to explore the motivations behind his flaws, which felt refreshing. As the stakes escalate throughout the story, the narrative takes readers to some very dark places, making for an emotionally intense read. As for the romance—I’ll admit, I’m typically not a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, but Hector and Arwym’s chemistry is so well-written that it practically leaps off the page. Their dynamic is electric and authentic, adding depth to the story that I didn’t expect.

Initially, I was disappointed when I couldn’t finish the book due to a compatibility issue with the EPUB file on my Kindle, but the audiobook turned out to be a fantastic way to experience the story. John York was superbly cast as the narrator. His performance is on par with legends like Stephen Fry and Robert Glenister. His narration really brought the story to life, and I genuinely hope he returns to narrate the rest of the series.

The cliffhanger at the end was so good that it left me both hooked and frustrated knowing the sequel, The Viper and His Demon, won’t be released until March 2026. While the wait will certainly be agonising, I can say without a doubt that this book is a must-read for fans of the romantasy genre.

My rating of The Witch and His Crow by Ben Alderson - ★★★★★.