From the Bookshelf of SpecFic Buddy Reads…

The Witness for the Dead (The Cemeteries of Amalo, #1)

Katherine Addison

Start date: July 1, 2021

Finish date: July 31, 2021

Discussion: Fantasy

Why we're reading this: Featured Buddy Read-July 2021
[close] Featured Buddy Read-July 2021

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 12 topics — 298 comments total

Fantasy

Hemlock & Silver (Sep) - Full discussion
By DivaDiane , Our Lady of Perpetual TBR Optimism · 10 posts · 10 views

last updated Sep 14, 2025 05:30AM

Hemlock & Silver (Sep) - General Discussion
By DivaDiane , Our Lady of Perpetual TBR Optimism · 21 posts · 14 views

last updated Sep 11, 2025 10:59PM

showing 9 of 9 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Apr 25, 2021 Bradley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-shelf, fantasy

I got the ARC! So of course I had to re-read Goblin Emperor to get myself prepared for the sequel.

BUT. It's not really necessary to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. I mean, sure, we get to know the cleric Witness for the Dead in the first book, but only in the capacity for solving the overall mystery.

This sequel does not have the same cohesive worldbuilding and plot as the first, but that's all right, too. What we should expect is a continuation of the humanist feel, an ...more

44 likes · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2021 Di Maitland rated it liked it

Shelves: gentle-hero, elves, fantasy, non-humans, detective, magic, steam-punk, gentle-fantasy, ghosts, dwarves-goblins

I enjoyed Witness for the Dead, and found it quite soothing, but I didn't love it like I thought I would. Addison's world is wonderfully intricate but also excessively complicated, and whilst I liked the gentle hero, the plot (when there was one) meandered to excess.

"What happened?" "She was murdered," I said. "Do you know who did it?" "No," I said, "but to witness for her, I must find out."

My biggest question before starting was whether I should reread The Goblin Emperor. I read it two years ag I enjoyed Witness for the Dead, and found it quite soothing, but I didn't love it like I thought I would. Addison's world is wonderfully intricate but also excessively complicated, and whilst I liked the gentle hero, the plot (when there was one) meandered to excess.

"What happened?" "She was murdered," I said. "Do you know who did it?" "No," I said, "but to witness for her, I must find out."

My biggest question before starting was whether I should reread The Goblin Emperor. I read it two years ago, and loved it, but remember little to none of the details. Having finished this, I'd say that rereading that isn't necessary, and you could probably get away without reading that at all (though if you had to read this or that, I'd pick that any day).

The story follows Thara Celehar, Witness for the Dead, as he investigates the death of a woman found washed up in the canal. Some might call it a cozy mystery–no running or fighting in sight–but I think it might be better described as a slice of life, because there’s little to no tension or urgency surrounding the death, and part of the charm of the book is watching Celehar go about his every day life, drinking tea and feeding stray cats.

I loved the intricacy of Addison’s steam-punk world. It’s not particularly large, but it’s easily imagined, with its tram systems and opera, tea houses and air ships. There’s even pre-payment gas meters which, as someone who works in the domestic energy industry, was a wonderful surprise.

Celehar is a kind soul who walks through life swathed in a cloak of gentle melancholy. He’s dutiful to a fault and conscientious in all he does; not proud but far from a pushover either. He has few friends and is surprised by every kindness shown to him. I liked him, and could have loved him, but I felt there was a distance between us that was never really closed.

For all of these good points, the book only just scraped three stars. The book has next to no plot, and what plot there is meanders to extremes, with random sub-plots coming to the fore at various times, making you question whether there was a point to any of them or if any would even see a resolution. In fact, what resolution we did see of the main plot was entirely underwhelming.

Unfortunately, none of this was helped by the over-whelming complexity of Addison’s religious set up, her hierarchy of honorifics or her unusual and ever-changing nomenclature. Even now, I’m unsure of the difference between the Archprelate and the Amal-othala, nor do I know if there’s any connection between Ulineise(i) and Ulistheileian, or if they have anything to do with the Untheileneise. The names were nearly impossible to remember (let alone pronounce), and seem to have infinite possible varieties depending on situation.

Witness for the Dead is a book to read if you’re looking for a relaxed vibe and a fantastical slice of life. It is not a book to rush through, and it certainly won’t keep you glued to the page. I’m unlikely to recommend it, but do not regret having read it. I would recommend The Goblin Emperor, so if you’re looking for something to read, look there. If you’re looking for something like it, try Penric’s Demon instead. ...more

35 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2021 Denise rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women-2021

It’s not a fast-paced adventure- and if that’s what a reader is looking for I think they might be very disappointed. It’s sort of ‘a month in the life’ of a subdued-perhaps depressed- man who has been broken by a lover who lied and the bias of the culture. Being a witness for the dead is, of course, his calling and has its own difficulties. The character is easy to like as a reader- and in his own story he seems genuinely appreciated for his generous spirit, but he is often surprised when anyone ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 25, 2021 Lata rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sf-f-h, auth-f, x2021-read

Thara Celehar is such a wonderful character, and totally dedicated to the truth, and to his important role as a Witness for the Dead. After losing his place in Court as a result of finding Maia’s father and half-brothers’ murderer, he relocated to the city of Amalo. He is still a Witness for the Dead, and unfortunately, unwelcome amongst the local political and religious members of the city.

He lives quietly, feeding several nearby cats at his apartment, and helping any who petition him to speak ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

May 22, 2023 Mary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-narration, read-2023, all-time-favorites, best-mystery

It reminds me of early Witcher books and quests from the Witcher 3 game when you are asked to solve a mystery in the city. How this series is not super popular, I have no idea. The narration by Liam Gerrard is also excellent—a new all-time favourite.

Like · see review