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    Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel
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    Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel
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    Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel
    Audiobook14 hours

    Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel

    Written by Susan Dennard

    Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a "witchery," a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

    In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble--as two desperate young women know all too well.

    Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It's a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

    Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her--but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi's hotheaded impulsiveness.

    Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship's captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJan 5, 2016
    ISBN9780147523761
    Unavailable
    Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel
    Author

    Susan Dennard

    Susan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series (now in development for TV from the Jim Henson Company) and the Something Strange and Deadly series, in addition to short fiction published online. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, Misfits & Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.

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    Reviews for Truthwitch

    4/5

    325 ratings32 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is the first volume of an epic fantasy series. On this world there are rival empires nearing the end of a twenty-year truce. Some people are born with magical talents. This story is centered on two girls who are best friends despite being from vastly different social strata and having very different talents.Safi is a truthwitch able to tell truth from lie. She is from the nobility but is from a poor land and has been raised by her drunken uncle. Iseult is this world's equivalent of a gypsy. Most look down on her. She is a threadwitch which lets her see the emotions of others. But she is not able to do what other threadwitches can and so was sent away from her home.The girls find themselves on the run from an emperor who wants to marry Safi for her talents and also on the run from other empires who want to control her. They are in the company of Prince Merik who is under contract to deliver Safi to a deserted town. He needs the trade contract to keep his people from starving since they live in a magic ravaged land.Safi and Iseult are also being trailed by a bloodwitch who has a hidden agenda of his own and who doesn't want to believe that the girls are this generation's foretold saviors. Of course, they don't know that they are supposed to be saviors and are dealing with day to day dangers that threaten them.I thought this one had a bit of a slow start as I tried to separate the girls and their talents so that I knew who was who. Once I figured that out the pace picked up until it became a whirlwind of battles, monsters, conflicting conspiracies, and adventure. I am eager to see where this series goes next.
    • 5/5
      2nd time reading this and loving it still!! A beautiful fantasy series with great plot and characters!
    • 5/5
      This book was amazing! Can't wait to read more of this series!
    • 4/5
      It was difficult to understand what was happening at times and I didn't really care for some of the main characters- what kept me reading were the characters ISEULT and AEDUAN so i will probably continue to learn more about them.
    • 4/5
      Interesting book! I was skeptical about this at the beginning, thinking it wouldn't hold my interest, but it fanned into something VERY intriguing. I love love LOVE Merik and Safiya and Iseult and Aeduan! I think Aeduan will become part of the team eventually. Anyway, lovely story, and I can't wait to read the next one!
    • 4/5
      Magic, lady power, political intrigue, and endless action. The first 50 pages or so were a bit overwhelming, trying to get my head around this world and its rules while feeling like I had gobs of random information that didn't actually tell me anything I wanted to know. BUT, once I got into it I was invested. Aeduan was, by far, the most complex and interesting character, so hoping for more of his story in the next installment. The romance aspect was mediocre, but with how this ended I think that whole storyline will be more interesting in Windwitch. Most importantly, I was delighted to have a YA novel where a friendship between two female characters is the focal relationship. *cheers* Truthwitch was light-hearted, fast-paced, and a little bit addictive; not the perfect read, but certainly entertaining.
    • 4/5
      Enjoyed the characters and magic system, still not sure about the politics and religion parts Im gonna keep reading.
    • 3/5
      There were a few parts that dragged a little, but overall this is a great fantasy with an original world. Interested in seeing what happens with the Origin Wells.
    • 3/5
      At first frustrating and then enjoyable new fantasy series. The author takes a risk by adopting a show-me rather than tell-me approach to world building. The reader gets thrown in the middle of a situation that doesn't make sense, involving characters that they know nothing about. The result is that I was having a hard time caring about the main characters. They weren't particularly likable or notable, but eventually maybe by sheer repetition, they begin to grow on you.

      One thing that was off-putting for me, but would be a strength for others is that it constantly strays closely into romance novel territory. Too many of my favorite fantasy series end up going almost full romance storylines. (A vampire hunter, vampire, and werewolf love triangle is still more romance than fantasy.) It doesn't go too far, but I was nervous going into the next book.
    • 1/5
      Dull dull dullI'm asked to read a lot of these epic fantasy books. As the Amazon blurb says "Two best friends use their magic to save the world from war and corruption…". I didn't find anything out of the ordinary in "Truthwitch", a story I have read over and over again, often with better-formed sentences. Why is it that YA books can't be elegantly written?I received a review copy of "Truthwitch" by Susan Dennard by the publisher Tom Doherty Associates.
    • 5/5
      love love love! Truthwitch had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through! 5 out of 5 stars!
    • 3/5
      This book is about a two witch friends helping each other survive in a world trying to capturing them. This was a three star read for me. I liked the overall writing style. Sarah J. Maas helped write this book so there was a lot of similarities to her writing style. The plot contained a lot of action but I didn't feel it moved the plot forward. This is why I gave it three stars.There is touches of romance but not the forefront of the story. Nearing the end, I could tell there wouldn't be a full conclusion. The characters are each different and unique which I appreciated. I enjoyed getting to know them. Overall, I liked the story and maybe in the future I'll finish the series. If you like a fantasy world with witches with different powers then give this book a try.
    • 3/5
      The elements here are sufficient for this young women with martial arts ability and powers in world where lots of people have powers, are catapulted into adventures which take them through interesting territory. The language, pacing, and flow aren't quite up to it though, and more deft consideration is needed in filling in the reader to initial conditions.
    • 4/5
      Truthwitch by Susan Dennard is a wild ride into a new world of myth and magic. Welcome to the Witchlands. Safiya and Iseult are two unusual witches. One- Safi- bears the burden of a rare type of witchery. She is a Truthwitch, her magic granting the ability to tell truth from lie. Iseult is a Threadwitch of the Nomatsi, though one who cannot create Threadstones, and cannot control her emotions like a proper Nomatsi Threadwitch. She fled her tribe years before, unable to follow in her mother's footsteps. The pair are more than just best friends. They are threadsisters. Only Heart-threads are closer. A caper gone wrong, and a plot years in the crafting, sets the pair on a life-altering path. Pursued by a deadly Bloodwitch named Aeduan for the attempted robbery from one of the Dalmotti Guildmasters, the pair are separated when Safi's uncle Eron demands her presence at a banquet hosting the nations of the Twenty Year Truce where the Cartorran Emperor has an important announcement to make. Unwelcome due to her Nomatsi heritage, Iseult makes her way back to the Midenzi Nomatsi enclave. However, neither girl's night goes as expected. They manage to meet back up, only to be attacked by Aeduan. Rescue comes in the form of the fiery Admiral Merik of Nubrevna, much to Safi's dismay. The Admiral has a much needed trade contract dependent upon getting Safiya to the port town of Layna without her blood being spilt. Sea foxes, Bloodwitchery, and other mishaps, many created by Safi herself, make this increasingly difficult for Merik. Can he succeed in his objective or will his agreement fall to ruin?I fell in love with this world from page one! With rich worldbuilding, and compelling characters, Dennard has opened the door to a storyworld you'll want to visit again and again. I can't believe I've not read this yet! I liked all the major characters, though I did often want to thwack Safi for making things more difficult than needed for Merik. It took her seeing Nubrevna for herself to understand just how vital the trade agreement was for him. I hope Corlant and the Midenzi are revisited in a later book. That storythread seemed to have a major part, but it wasn't explored deeply in Truthwitch. I also want to know more about the inherited Nihar rage Merik suffers from. He seems able to control his temper for the most part, though sometimes it gets away from him. Is it related to his magic? Vivia, his sister, doesn't have the same Witchery. Nor does Kullen, Merik's threadbrother and first mate, seem to be plagued with rage. Pulmonary problems are another story… Poor Kullen. Temper aside, or possibly because of it, Merik was my favourite character. It's clear he cares for his crew and his people. He's an honourable man, and one who sticks to his word. Even when that word is to lock up Safi for disobedience that endangers his crew. He's not as heartless as she thinks at first. And Aeduan! I want to know more about him!! I do wish we'd learned more about how Witcheries manifest in the young, how they are trained, what dictates the type of Witchery a person has. It seems a person is born with their specific brand of magic, rather than having generic magic that is then honed to specific Witcheries. The fact Merik and Vivia have magic, but different Witcheries makes it seem specific types do not follow bloodlines, though likely the predisposition towards Witchery in general does. If you love magic and intrigue, this series is well worth checking out! Can't wait to read the next in the series!***Many thanks to the Netgalley and Pan Macmillan/ Tor for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Really enjoyable lady-centric fantasy with adventure, sass, and a great magic system. Will be reading the next one for sure.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Was the narrator the absolute best? Sadly no, but I did find her voice intriguing enough to keep listening to her. I honestly think audiobooks are the best way to go for this series. I feel it deepened my enjoyment

      2 people found this helpful

    • 2/5
      I can’t get over the accents the narrator puts on, they’re so bad. Couldn’t get past chapter 2.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      The treaty has held for many years but now it's crumbling and at the centre of this is Safiya and Iseult. Two friends who want some adventure but not as much as is heading their way.Iseult is a truthwitch and that skill is rare, now she want to try to hide this and have some freedom but a ball and the handsome Merik might make her wonder about possibilities. Then there's kidnapping, chases, a seemingly deathless bloodwitch and a lot of shennigans.It was an interesting read with interesting characters. It's did have some moments where the story stuttered a bit but overall I want to read more in this series.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 2/5
      Not enough backstory for the characters or the world, and the magic was never well-explained. Also somewhat cliched (a character actually says "Remember...who you are" at one point).

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Wow! What a ride!

      This book was so engaging and fast paced, I didn't want to put it down! The characters were excellent, and the plot was super intriguing. The world building felt a little clunky at first, but levelled off and I really got into the story (I had heard that this was the case though, so it didn't bother me quite as much as it would have if I hadn't known). The Witchlands is so cool! The many different types of witches is a little overwhelming but I want to know more!

      The characters were well developed and I liked that they weren't all special snowflakes - I mean I know Safi is a Truthwitch, which is rare, but she was grounded and recognized her flaws and I loved her. Iseult was such a complex character, with her background and everything, I really loved her. I also really liked Merrick and Audeun POVs too, really interesting, diverse characters :)

      Also, NO LOVE TRIANGLE! GO SUSAN DENNARD!! :D

      4.5/5 stars

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      I really felt like I was dropped in the middle of a story at the beginning of this book, and because of this I was really frustrated and somewhat confused by what was going on (it probably didn't help that I was listening to the audiobook at 2x narration speed...LOL). However, towards the END of the book (like the last 20% of the book) got way more interesting and I felt more invested in the story line and characters. I actually look forward to book 2. :)#overdrive #audiobook #punkrocklibrarian

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Action packed adventure that will leave you dying for more. This gorgeous high fantasy is brimming with romance, humor, and friendship.Opening Sentence: Everything had gone horribly wrong.The Review:The Witchlands are full of people with magic. There are many different kinds of witches and they all have different powers. For example, Airwitch’s can control air but there are many different levels to each individual’s magic. Not everyone is born with magic, but in a land where war is brewing, anyone that can help tip the favor of who is going to win is extremely valuable.Safiya is a Truthwitch, the first one born in the land for over a century. She has the power to sense when someone is telling the truth or when someone is not. Her magic isn’t perfect, but it could be used as a deadly weapon in the war. There are only a few trustworthy people who know of her magic and if the wrong people find out, she will be used as a pawn in the war.Iseult is a Threadwitch. She can see the binding threads of all those around and in many ways she can sense how people are feeling. Safi and Iseult have formed an unlikely, but very strong friendship. Safi and Iseult just want to live a happy and free life but that dream may never become a reality.When Safi’s magic is finally discovered the two friends must run to stay safe. With the help of a dashing prince and his ship, they are able to escape. But they have a Bloodwitch on their trail and all three kingdoms in the Witchlands will do anything to get their hands on a Truthwitch!Safi was born to be a leader and she plays her part well. She is sassy, funny, smart, and very spontaneous. She doesn’t always think before she acts, but she is very good at improvising when things go wrong. She also has a big heart and she will do anything to protect the people she cares about. I enjoyed her spunky personality and she is one of those characters you can’t help but adore. Right off the bat, I loved her and my fondness for her just continued to grow throughout the story.Iseult is the calmer and more level-headed member of the dynamic duo. She does tend to go along with whatever Safi suggests, but she’s not afraid to voice her opinion. She is a very intelligent, strong, and loyal person. She has a sad past and she’s not the most confidant person. At the beginning of the story she relies to much on Safi and because of that she feels lost when she is forced to do things on her own. But when the time comes that she has to figure things out without her best friend, she proves to be very resourceful and up to the challenge. I really enjoyed watching her grow and become more independent throughout the book. She is definitely a hero and someone you can look up to. It took me longer to develop a connection with Iseult, but I felt by the end she was actually my favorite character in the book. There is still so much left to learn about her and her abilities and I can’t wait to continue her story in the next book.Merik is not just your typical charming prince. Sure, he’s got some very wonderful princely qualities like the fact that he’s gorgeous, confident, and very physically fit, but underneath the exterior he is so much more. He is kind, intelligent, brave, loyal, and just an all-around amazing person. He has a very deep love for his kingdom and its people. Everything he does and all the actions he takes are to try and make things better for his people even though it is constantly putting him in danger. He is such an amazing character and it was really easy to fall for him. His relationship with Safi is adorable and they have pretty hot chemistry.Upon meeting the Aeduan (the bloodwitch) you originally think he is just your typical villain, but as the story progresses you see him start to perform these small acts of kindness/mercy, which isn’t consistent with an evil person. He is a very complicated character and I feel like we just scratched the surface with getting to know him. I found him to be the most intriguing and mysterious character in the story. This may be stretching it, but I wouldn’t mind him becoming a love interest for Iseult. I feel like they have a lot in common and I think a relationship between them would be interesting and possibly really amazing. Plus, all of you probably know how much I love a redeemable bad boy and he would definitely fit into that category.Truthwitch is a gorgeously woven story filled with non-stop action, steamy romance, swashbuckling adventure, and great humor. The story was told from the multiple points of view and I tend to struggle with that, at least in a first book because I feel like it’s a lot to take in and sometimes it’s hard to connect with so many new characters. I did struggle a little bit at the beginning of the book, but luckily that cleared up very quickly and soon I was just engrossed in this story. I actually really enjoyed getting to know each character and what they were thinking. It ultimately made me understand each of them so much better. The pacing of the story was spot on and I never felt like there was ever a dull moment. The romance was pretty subtle but there is definitely great potential for the future books. The world building was phenomenal and the writing was very captivating. I think that this is Dennard’s best work yet and I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2. If you are a young adult fantasy fan or are you just looking for a great book, I would recommend you give this one a try.Notable Scene:There was no doubt now—this monk was a thrice-damned Bloodwitch straight from Safi’s darkest nightmares. So she did only thing she could conjure: she threw her parrying knife directly at the monk’s chest.It thunked through his rib cage and embedded deep in his heart. He stumbled forward, hitting his knees—and his red eyes locked on Safi’s. His lips curled back. With a snarl, he wrenched the knife from his chest. The wound spurted…And began to heal over.FTC Advisory: Tor Teen/Macmillan provided me with a copy of Truthwitch. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 4/5
      03/11/2015 Preview ExcerptThank you to NetGalley for providing me with a preview excerpt of this book in exchange for an honest review."On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch."I received a preview excerpt of this and OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT. I wish it didn't end like that, and I have preordered the physical copy of the book so that I can finish it from where I left off. It's written well, although there are a few spelling and grammatical errors here and there, but I put that down to being an unfinished ARC copy that will be further edited as time goes on and it gets nearer to the publishing date, which isn't until January 2016. Besides that, though, it's written very well. I'd have liked to have seen more explanation in regards to threads. Dennard sort of launches into being a Threadwitch and all the things she could see and I could sort of work out on my own what they were, but it required a lot more explanation on what threads are and whatnot. Character wise, they were pretty good. I much preferred Safiya to Iseult and felt she was a much more developed character with a lot more description into her history and her past. Iseult has all of these thoughts and emotions, and we have no idea why she needs to go into "stasis" and stop herself feeling emotion. WHY DOES SHE DO THAT?! It needs a lot more description. But Safiya was developed quite well.Plot wise this is interesting. I can't say too much about it because obviously it's just an excerpt I have, so a lot of the plot is missing. What I read, however, was good and quite interesting and exciting. I found it full of suspense, and can't wait to continue the series on.I'll update the rest of this review when I receive the full copy in January, but for now I give this a 4/5 stars, just because I'd like A LOT more explanation into some aspects of the world. It's a bit lacking in that department.So yes, for now, 4/5

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Truthwitch is the first in Susan Dennard's Witchland series. At its heart this is a story about the power of friendship wrapped in a fantasy adventure set in a world that's loosely based on the Austrian and Venetian empires. Even the world map in the front of the book looks like an outline of mainland Europe with the names changed slightly to give them a fantasy flavor, which annoys the crap out of me these days. That annoyance aside, it's a fun story that hits all the high points of a good fantasy adventure: sword fights, an interesting magic system, some world building, piracy, romance, treachery and deep friendships. Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Truthwitches are incredibly rare and it is a power many would kill for. Iseult is a Threadwitch, able to see the invisible threads that tie people together and tangle their lives, though she cannot see her own. Wild fire and steely ice, together they are two halves of a formidable whole. More than just friends they are Threadsisters, tied by bonds that go deeper than family. The girls want nothing more than to live their own lives. When a heist goes wrong, their inability to keep out of trouble unwittingly tosses them at the center of a continental conflict. On the run and hunted, Safi and Iseult are determined to hang on to each other and their freedom no matter what other people have planned for them.What I enjoyed the most about the book was the relationship between Safi and Iseult. It is too common that women in fantasy get the short end of the stick when it comes to characterizations. With Truthwitch it is Safi and Iseult's friendship that takes center stage. It was incredibly refreshing to read a young adult novel where the women not only support each other but actively put each other first before the men in their lives. They are the center of each other's worlds. Yes, there is are romantic side stories for each of the ladies, this is a YA novel after all. Safi is hot-headed and impulsive while Iseult is more methodical and likes to have a plan. Their personalities and powers compliment each other beautifully, allowing them to be a dangerous and effective team.Most of the world building is only surface level. There are several empires that are in an uneasy truce and each has it's own system of nobility, none of which are very well described, and the politics between nations are murky. This isn't too important to the story so it mostly didn't bother me. Hopefully more of this is revealed later as it seems like the politics between nations will be more important in the next book given where this book ends.Alternatively, the magic system is quite interesting and more in depth. While not everyone in the world has magic, there are endless varieties to be found, each with varying levels of power. All witcheries seem to be elemental based, with powers founded in in earth, air, fire, water and ether, and those can specialize even further. An Airwitch may be called a Windwitch instead because their magic is specialized to producing gusts of wind that can, for example, fill sails with air to help a boat move faster while another Airwitch may have fine tuned their power that they can control the air in someone's lungs. There are even rumors of witchery tied to the Void.Even with its flaws, I quite enjoyed this book. Truthwitch is a great start to what should be a promising series. I'm looking forward to book two.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Do you have a tie to the earth, wind or water? Can you see the threads of life that connect us all? Or can you see the truth in the false word people speak? For Safiya and Iseult are threadsisters, a bond that can be stronger than blood. They travel together and face the world as a united team. But when Safiya's uncle pulls her into a mysterious plan both their lives are turned upside down. Pro: - People being tied to a witchery is a unique and interesting theme. Caine creates an ability that is somewhat familiar and yet new. Who doesn't want to have a magical ability to control at will? These abilities a person is born with and the degree of power ranges for each individual. Witchery can range from controlling wind and fire to knowing if someone is lying. Which I think would come in handy in a game of poker or BS. - The story is told mostly through Safiya and Iseult's point of view. Let me tell you these are not weak women. They are trained for the toughest battles and can out wit anyone. But even with all the training the most powerful asset they have is each other. They rely on the strongest bond, their is friendship. Each of the women know and understand each others personalities, mind and spirit. This includes both the negatives and positives, which they play off of to balance the relationship. Even in difficult situations they band together and do not place blame on the other but try to resolve it like grown women...... hu who knew that was possible.... women working together not against.... These girls have faults but that only makes them stronger and realistic. - I'm all for a little romance, I mean who isn't. What I don't like is when that romance takes over the book or is too rushed. I love when the characters don't fall head over heels but is a growth over time. That's what happened here with Safiya and her love interest. The attraction was there but she has to fight it because her life is in danger and you know war is coming... girl does not have time for that. She needs to save her threadsister, hide from a void witch and somehow not become a prisoner. Also Safiya never yields or changes who she is to fit the guy. She is who she is and that has to be accepted. Her romance is one thread of the story, making it enriched and rounded. Con: - I have to admit I was a little worried if I would even finish the book. The start was a little slow and I didn't know where it was going. There where a lot of terms being thrown around and different witchery types that I had to read them several times to get a handle on them. But this seemed to work itself out as the book progressed.

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    • 4/5
      For most of the time I was reading this, it was a solid three-star book. But, as I got toward the end, I found myself wishing the second volume was available to read right away, which pushed it up to a four-star book. There's nothing here that will rock the foundations of YA fantasy, but it's fairly well-written (except one incidence of "illicit" being used when "elicit" was intended), with likable characters an interesting magic system and enough action and political intrigue to keep things moving along at a rapid pace.

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    • 4/5
      It's a weird idea, but I generally like any book that starts with a map. Fans of Leigh Bardugo or Sarah J. Maas will enjoy this one. Truthwitch is an exciting, continuously action-packed adventure across new kingdoms and worlds. Although it started out a little slow for the first chapter or two, with some awkward world-building, by the end I couldn't put it down. I also appreciated that the focus seemed to be as much on friendship as it was on romance. The relationship between the two friends in the book seems much more important than anything else, which is a rarity in young adult epic adventures. I can't wait for the sequel!

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    • 5/5
      So, I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I didn't think it would live up to the hype, I didn't think I would like it as much as I did, and I certainly didn't expect that ending. I have to give kudos to the author because the last fifty pages of the book absolutely made it for me and bumped this up to a five star rating. My only gripe is I STILL don't know how to pronounce 'Iseult'. If that's my only complaint, then crap, this book must be amazing. I would recommend this book (And I have!) 5 out of 5 stars.

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    • 5/5
      Back in December I was approved for an ARC excerpt from NetGalley. I didn’t even have to read the whole excerpt before I knew I was going to love this book and so I preordered it. When I got my preorder, I set it off to the side for a bit to avoid the inevitable hype monster. I finally read it in March and completely fell in love with it. There was so much action, which is almost kind of rare in the first book of a new fantasy series. Normally the first book of a new fantasy series is filled with world building and character development. One of the big things that I loved about this book was the balance between the world building, character development and the action. Nothing was really overshadowed so it felt like a complete story. I loved the two main characters, Safi and Iseult. The world building was fantastic. I loved putting all of the descriptions to work in my head visualizing this new place. It was very easy to do the way the author explained things. All of the action, especially that involving the Bloodwitch was so nerve wracking and heart pounding. This book caused a lot of adrenaline rushes. I could not put this book down once I started it. I even stayed up late one night because I just could not put it down. I had to finish it even though I still had quite a bit of it left. Totally worth it though. There are a lot of mixed reviews but I completely loved this book and I really can’t wait until the sequel comes out!

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    • 1/5
      Honestly, I was so excited to get my hands on an ARC of Truthwitch at BEA. I wanted to like this book. But alas, I tried multiple times to get through it and gave up at page 200.

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