The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks

Main Characters and Setup:Raina, our protagonist, is a mute witch who communicates using sign language. Despite appearing weaker than other witches, she possesses a powerful weapon: her late father’s knife. Alexis, the brooding soldier and Witch Collector, knows sign language thanks to Raina’s sister, Nephele, who taught him.

Book 1 Recap:The story begins with Raina preparing to kill Alexis during the Collecting for taking her sister, Nephele, years ago. The witches taken during the Collecting serve Colden, the Frost King, and protect Winterhold. Meanwhile, Alexis sets out to collect Raina under specific orders. Before leaving, Colden warns Alexis of a foreboding danger, but Alexis insists on proceeding.

As Alexis arrives at the first village, it is attacked by the Prince of the East's men. He fights to protect the villagers but arrives at Raina's village moments before another attack. Raina fights back fiercely, using her father’s knife—now revealed to be the God Knife—to wound the Prince of the East, forcing him to retreat. In the chaos, Raina’s mother dies, exposing Raina’s witch marks and her immense latent power. Alexis is gravely injured, and Raina sacrifices her magic to save him, losing consciousness.

When Raina awakens, she and Alexis are the sole survivors. Though initially filled with hatred, Raina agrees to travel with Alexis through the magical corridor to Winterhold to save Nephele. The corridor, a protective creation of the witches in Winterhold, is controlled by Nephele, their strongest witch.

Midway Conflicts and Reveals:On their journey, Raina and Alexis encounter Helena, Raina’s best friend, who is behaving strangely. It’s revealed that Helena was possessed by a wraith after escaping the Prince of the East with the help of a guard named Rhonin. Nephele intervenes and traps Helena in a magical nature cage. After persuasion from Alexis, Raina leaves Helena behind to continue their mission.

As they travel, Alexis and Raina grow closer emotionally. Alexis reveals that his soul is bound to Neri, the god of the Northlands, making him 300 years old and immortal due to his connection to Colden.

History of the Northlands:Colden became immortal when Asha, the goddess of the Summerlands, "gifted" him immortality out of obsession. However, Neri, Colden’s king and Asha’s former lover, became jealous. In retaliation, Neri cursed Colden’s lover, Fia Drumera, with opposing magic so they could never be together. This jealousy set off a chain of events that led to wars among the gods, including the deaths of Thamaos (the god of the East) and Urdin (another god).

Climactic Events:While hunting, Alexis is captured by the Prince of the East’s men. Helena, now free of the wraith, helps Raina attempt a rescue, but they are all captured. Alexis is stabbed with the God Knife, seemingly killed.

Raina and Helena are taken to the Prince of the East, who has captured Colden, Nephele, and the witches. Rhonin, revealed to be a spy from the Northlands, secretly aids Raina. While being transported to the East, strange events occur: Alexis is alive, as the God Knife freed Neri’s soul instead of killing him. Neri, however, confronts Colden, reclaims his magic, and disappears.

A fierce battle ensues when the Prince of the East uses a dark dimension to transport Colden, Nephele, and Raina to the East. Raina, with the help of Alexis marking her, ties herself to him through magic, enabling her to save herself and Nephele. Despite their efforts, Colden is successfully taken.

Ending and Setup for the Next Book:Raina accepts her feelings for Alexis. She, Nephele, Helena, Rhonin, Alexis, and their remaining allies decide to journey to Fia Drumera for help in rescuing Colden. The stage is set for an epic quest to confront the Prince of the East and reclaim their stolen king.