“Courage can only exist in fear”

Little did I know that I would find within this story a tale of building friendships, no judgements, just people loving you for who you are and not what you can do for them. In this story we met a group of “social misfits”. All they want is to fit in in their community, to be of service in their community as well. Khana is a young woman who has not had an easy life so far. And sadly has no family to protect her. The beginning of this story was very slow paced for me I felt. However I kept pressing thru and I am so glad that I did. This is a story of determination, strength, love, loss and bonds that are built for a lifetime. Giving of oneself to save those you love and care about speaks volumes of the person you are inside.

Trading with Death has it’s consequences as Khana finds out. There is a cost every time she does this and the cost is on her soul. Would you give up a part of your soul for a friend? I am very interested in Death, so it would be nice to have a book about them. I adore all of Red Frog 9, they love each other so much. Yamueto is crazy. Totally nuts! I adore Haz, a sweet character. Sava is so patient and understanding, Neta she is so strong. Lueti LOVED her. Many more that I loved and some I disliked but what is a story without some b’s lol.

Thank you NetGalley and author CM Alongi for allowing me the opportunity to review this ARC.

What would you trade away for power or to bring someone back from the dead? That heavy question brings up some issues in "The Witch who Trades with Death" by C. M. Along (out 11 March 2025).

Having an Emperor around for 300 years while he expands his land and turns people into monsters kind of sucks. Especially if you are a witch. Inside the empire all witches are to be reported and made concubines of the Emperor so he keeps the reigns on magic. Khana is one of these women, she has lived with the horror for years until it all come stop ahead. She finds out how he gained his powers. Just a deal with Death, well two can play that game.

Reasons to read:
-The side characters, Xopil mostly
-Overcoming your trauma with learning to stab the heck out of folks
-Putting up reasonable limits to prevent exploitation
-Comeuppance

Cons:
-Maybe a bit too much levity by the end

What an amazing book and a seriously captivating read. If I didn't have responsibilities then I would have easily devoured it in as little as a day. I tried going to sleep at one point only to have to turn over half an hour later and pick the book back up because I couldn't stop thinking about it.

The Witch wo Trades with Death was so immersive. It sucked me right into the world alongside the characters, who are extremely realistic. They are relatable and believable. They have true relationships with friends, family and foes. The politics was easily understandable and interesting. The villain was truly horrible, with no redeeming qualities. He was actually terrifying, which is what I love to see in a fantasy book.

The world was beautiful and vibrant and the magic system was unique and extremely well developed and thought through.

The main character, Khana, had such a beautiful healing journey from past traumas (read the trigger warnings at the beginning please) and a soft, respectful slow burn with the love interest. There is ONE spicy scene in this book, and it was a good one!

The side characters in this book were as brilliantly fleshed out and animated as the main character, which helped bring the world, culture and story to life with great effect. The writing flowed seamlessly, and was so effortlessly compelling without the need of lyrical or flowery prose.

I will take NO criticism on this book. Everything was perfect and I wouldn't change a thing.

This book delivered. Dark, immersive, and gripping, The Witch Who Trades with Death is a haunting tale of survival, vengeance, and the cost of power. The empire, its magic system, and the deep-rooted fear of witches felt so real. Every detail was carefully crafted, making it easy to get lost in Khana’s journey. This story moves. There was never a moment where I felt bored or like things were dragging. Every chapter had a purpose, whether it was building tension, exploring Khana’s past trauma, or setting up the next big moment.

Emperor Yamueto—The Worst...Hate is not a strong enough word. Loathe might be better. He’s a truly despicable villain, especially in the beginning, and his cruelty makes Khana’s struggle all the more painful and powerful. This book does not shy away from the darker themes. If you’re thinking about picking it up, check the trigger warnings first. The abuse and trauma Khana endures are brutal, and her path to reclaiming her agency is a hard-fought battle.

This was a phenomenal dark fantasy with high stakes, an unforgettable heroine, and a magic system that carries real weight and consequences. It’s raw, it’s painful, but it’s also empowering. If you love witches, morally gray heroines, and revenge stories with real emotional depth, this one is so worth the read.

The story wasn’t quite what I expected, but I did appreciate the author's detailed world-building and engaging writing style. The setting was immersive, and the prose was enjoyable to read. However, I didn’t feel very invested in the romance, and I was surprised by the amount of animal death in the story—something to keep in mind for sensitive readers. While it wasn’t entirely for me, I can see how others might really enjoy it.

Thank you to Angry Robot for the opportunity but this book is not resonating with me. The synopsis caught my eye immediately but the world building is not there to support it. A lot of talking without much description.

Our FMC Khana is a witch who was forced into a relationship with the Immortal Emperor. One day she escapes so that she can try start a life of her own, however the Emperor will stop at nothing to track her down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It starts out strong, very action packed in the beginning. Towards the middle the pacing does slow down quite considerably, however that's where we get the meat of the story. Lots of world building and fabulous character development before it picks up again in the last 30% and will have you on the edge of your seat.

The author does such wonderful work with these characters. They are all incredibly diverse with varying degrees of trauma which the author handles with such care.
I also really enjoyed the authors take on death, a Grim Reaper of sorts. It got me thinking about what I would be willing to sacrifice if I was in some of these characters predicaments

Overall I absolutely loved this story and am thankful I got the opportunity to read it.

This was actually a decent fantasy read with a lot of elements I enjoyed- the magic systems and found family were decent, I liked our cast and it gave me Mulan type vibes with the war and what not which I enjoyed.

One of my main reasons for the lower rating is that it didn't feel as deep as I thought it should be. I had hoped to be way more attached to our characters than I was after all the hardships. I usually can find myself very emotionally invested if done well. This story does have some serious trigger warnings even if a lot of it was off page but I feel like in quite a few instances where these were brought up, it was breezed over rather quickly in a non serious way when I feel like it should have been deeper. It is hard to explain but it should have made me more invested in the character to which it was occurring and it didn’t really do that. I feel like I needed more.

I’m going to give this a solid 3.5 overall though. ⭐️ Thank you for the gifted ebook in exchange for a review!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing my digital ARC of "The Witch Who Trades with Death" by C.M. Alongi!!!

I love standalone fantasy novels, and this one was particularly powerful. The characters were incredibly well-developed, and Alongi's lyrical, descriptive storytelling beautifully wove the narrative together—one of the many reasons I enjoyed this book.

Though the story tackles difficult themes, especially regarding death, the author handles these elements with remarkable grace. The novel introduces several unique concepts that, combined with a satisfying romance subplot, resulted in a truly solid read for me.

I'm eagerly looking forward to exploring more of this author's work in the future!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Witch who Trades with Death by C.M. Alongi is a third person multi-POV fantasy set in a tundra-inspired setting. Khana is the concubine of the immortal Emperor Yamueto and wants to get as far away from him as possible. When she finally learns the secret behind his power, she might actually have a chance to truly be free.

One thing I wasn’t expecting was that Khana is technically a descendant of Yamueto, with about eight generations between them. Yamueto has been taking his descendants as concubines for a long time (though not all of them) in order to create more witches and night creatures, to give him more power and control over his empire. It’s a single detail that adds an entire dimension to the abuse Khana faces and explores a reality of immortal emperor’s that few books do. There’s more discussion around Khana’s situation instead of showing it, but it is definitely present. Domestic abuse by a woman towards her male partner is also discussed but not shown in great detail.

The magic system involves healing, stealing the life force of others, and making trades with death (often a life or healing for memories or emotions). Khana is shown to be caring towards those who help her find a new life once she runs from Yamueto, giving up her memories not only for herself but also for others. Yamueto gave up his compassion for immortality, which makes sense for someone who cares more about having power over others than in making a better world for others.

While the premise is on the darker side, the plot itself has a more hopeful tone and there is humor threaded throughout, especially with Death and a friend, Haz, who has his own experiences with abuse from a partner. Khana also finds love with a partner, Sava, and he lets her dictate the pace of their relationship when they finally open up about their feelings. The lighter moments really do a lot to keep the book from being a dark fantasy for me, but I can see how someone else might consider it to be one.

Content warning for sexual abuse, domestic abuse, incest, and gore

I would recommend this to readers who want darker themes in their fantasy that also has humor and a hopeful tone and fans of books that involve pacts with Death

This book was really enjoyable! The worldbuilding was well-done, the magic system was unique, and sensitive topics were handled well. Having Death "personified" is always fun, but this doesn't have THAT kind of romance. The romance that it did have was sweet, and of course the found family is a fan favorite and this one was great. The emphasis on healing was really nice. I also appreciated the side characters a lot, and the little extra POVs were a great touch.

The Witch Who Trades with Death is one of those books that I finish and still don’t know how I feel about it. I enjoyed the world building and especially the magic system. I thought the overall concept of the plot was interesting and was the main draw for me. I do feel that the plot pacing needed work though. This beginning of the story is fast paced and wild. It then drags in the middle before picking back up again towards the end. I just needed something more to happen during the middle of the story to keep me interested. Another element I loved, though, was Alongi’s ability to create incredible side characters. There were plenty of points during this story where the side characters stole the show. The other part of the story that I really loved was the concepts surrounding healing. I thought Alongi did incredibly well with that. Overall, while I didn’t love this story, I’m also not mad that I read it.

A Spellbinding and Unforgettable Fantasy ★★★★★

The Witch Who Trades with Death by C.M. Alongi is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy, dark magic, and rich world-building that completely captivated me. From the very first page, the story pulls you into a world where death is not just an end but a force to be reckoned with, and the protagonist—a fiercely compelling witch—navigates the dangerous balance between power and fate.

Alongi’s writing is immersive, with vivid descriptions that bring the world to life and characters that feel deeply real. The protagonist’s journey is gripping, full of tension, moral dilemmas, and unexpected twists. The magic system is unique and well thought out, adding depth to the story rather than just serving as a plot device.

What truly makes this book stand out is its emotional depth. Alongi weaves themes of sacrifice, destiny, and resilience seamlessly into the narrative, making it not just an exciting read but a thought-provoking one as well.

I couldn’t put this book down, and I already know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. If you love dark, immersive fantasy with strong character development and high stakes, The Witch Who Trades with Death is an absolute must-read!

The Witch who Trades with Death is gritty, dark and magical. The portrayal of difficult times, trauma and recovery are all impactful.
I had very strong feelings about the Emperor and have never wanted a character to die more (him being immortal makes that a challenge). I will say no more on him to avoid spoilers, but I absolutely love to hate a character. The journey for Khana (the witch) is full of highs and lows. I absolutely rooted for her. Her friendships and relationships all read very naturally and are heartwarming. There is definitely a good balance between the emotional turmoil and some more pleasing moments.
Also, the scenes with Death are amazing, the way the characters interact and how bargains are made is riveting. Along with the Death scenes, I especially loved the creatures that are created and these make for some cool animal companions.
This is an emotional political fantasy that’s filled with magic and hope.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

A Breathtaking book filled with gut-punch emotions and the gritty reality of dealing with, and overcoming trauma, with an amazing magic system that flows so seamlessly into the worldbuilding, and a cast of diverse and fantastic characters, this is going to easily be in my top ten for twenty twenty five. I LOVED, this book, and i especially loved how the author didn't shy away or water down the truth of war, abuse, and recovery. with a found family that feels like a comforting hug, and a romance that will make the butterflies in your stomach go wild, this is a story of recovery, vengeance, and finding the strength within yourself to not only fight back, but defend those that you love.

i LOVED, the main character. i loved the struggles she and her friends go through to overcome their families, their pasts, and their fears. i love how no matter how many times the world knocks them down, they get up, again. and again, and again. Khana starts off skittish, meek, terrified of her shadow, and at the end of the book, she's grown into an amazing, powerful woman, who can handle her nightmares, no matter how often they might come.

This was a beautiful, nuanced look at grief, loss and finding a family that is not blood but so much the stronger for it.

The main character is a witch, capable of drawing life from one and pushing it into another. For those that are wounded or near death from illness, it can heal them. For those that are already dead, it creates a monster, a zombie like creature with no mind of its own. Khana is not the only witch, all with this power are forced to serve the Immortal Emperor, a cruel and sadistic ruler who cares only for conquest. When she manages to escape, she finds herself in a small town and before long finds herself having to confront all she had hoped to leave behind.

Watching Khana heal, letting others in, was a joy to behold, as was watching those friends she made open up in turn. Every character that becomes friend, family, is wounded in some way, and feels like a real person, with flaws and all.

There are some highly triggering topics within this book, such as forced sexual acts, domestic violence, toxic relationships, mistreating refugees and of course, death. Personally (and with personal experience of some of these triggers) I found they were treated with respect and compassion, although personal feelings will vary. They are skilfully handled and all the moments feel as if they are part of the plot, there is a real reason for each horrible moment to be there, rather than any gratuitous scenes.

My only complaint was having to leave this world so soon after discovering it. I hope the author returns one day to this fascinating world and gives us another glimpse into part of it.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

Thank you to Netgalley, Angry Robot Books and C.M. Alongi for the ARC.

A young witch forced to play concubine for her empirical captor, finally breaks free to find a life of her own, but even those with the power to call Death cannot outrun their past…

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I loved the beginning. You're thrust into Khana's world straightaway, learning about her circumstances and certain situations that she has found herself in.

I thought that the magic source, Áji, was such an interesting concept. I can't imagine how terrifying it must be to be at the whim of a tyrannical emperor who has such control over everyone's life source.

The beginning of the book has to be my favourite. It's action-packed, intense and harrowing.

The middle of the book dragged a little too much for me and I found myself skimming sentences and having to go back and reread them. Some parts were also predictable and everything seemed to be fixable with Áji. There weren't any consequences to any of the characters' actions because you had Khana fixing everything by finding every loophole under the sun.

Also, when I first read the synopsis, it made it sound like Khana would have Death be the love interest. It could just be me, but that's how I interpreted it and it's what initially drew me to the book.

The beginning started interesting, I like how the there was flashback to the past/ started in media res. I feel like the descriptions and details could have gone further. Terms like birth control just don't click in a fantasy book in a unknown age for me. Also why does Khanna have to be related to the emperor and be one of his wives, this is so weird. The writing flows but not really that a fan of the substance. She has been with the emperor for 6 years is wild, how old was she when she first became his wife??? The setting was also confusing, made it seem like the were villagers in a jungle and then in a metropolitan city. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I got about a third of the way through before I had to put it down. It felt like nothing was happening, even after reading so much, which left me defeated. I realized I didn’t even care to find out what happens next.

I absolutely adored this story. C. M. Alongi has created an emotional and political story of dealing with abuse and trauma. I adored the wide cast of characters and their complex personalty and life before they met the story’s MC.