Scan barcode
chelseazhao's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was such a good read, and the audiobook was amazing.
It is definitely EPIC fantasy. I really enjoyed how we got to see more of the word in this book and even got to see more about the different magics.
However, I didn’t like that all the characters felt so far apart. This book has multiple POVs, just like book 1, but everyone is split up. I really wanted them to come back together, and we didn’t get much of that in this book. I’m hoping we get more of that in the next one.
It is definitely EPIC fantasy. I really enjoyed how we got to see more of the word in this book and even got to see more about the different magics.
However, I didn’t like that all the characters felt so far apart. This book has multiple POVs, just like book 1, but everyone is split up. I really wanted them to come back together, and we didn’t get much of that in this book. I’m hoping we get more of that in the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
While I felt like Windwitch was scattered, I still enjoyed the book. Folks who like a solid beginning/middle/end may struggle with this second installment in Susan Dennard’s Witchland’s universe. Nevertheless, the vibrant world, interesting magic, and complex characters continue to impress and I intend to continue further into the series.
The most structured story is Merik’s. The prince was presumed dead after an explosion, and his POV storyline takes us through his quest for vengeance against his sister, Vivia, whom he presumes his murderer. We also follow Safiya and Iseult, but so much of their story takes place on the road that it takes extraordinary patience and interest to suffer through their POVs. Windwitch is primarily a bridge book, refining its characters and setting up the next big event in the series.
Susan Dennard excels in her world building. As a book with a lot of journeying, it would be easy to fall into information dumps and over-describing the landscape. Instead, she does an excellent job of surrounding us with the world and letting us uncover, bit by bit, the cultures and current politics. Fantasy is particularly vulnerable to over-description but Susan Dennard’s balance is excellent. I love the Witchlands as a fantasy world. While I’m listening, I am constantly thinking about how I can learn from her and improve my own writing.
The best part of this book was Cam. I’m not qualified to say one way or the other if they are a good representation of a transgender character, but I appreciated their existence as a principally important character. Cam’s unspoken background makes me what to learn more about what drives them. As a warning, though, they are deadnamed in the middle of the book, just once.
Should you run out and pick up a copy of Windwitch? Honestly… no. I really liked it, but a lot of my liking it has to do with my interest in the world and the fact I genuinely like Susan Dennard’s characters. Objectively, it’s not a very focused book and plot line is a really important fundamental. Nonetheless, those who enjoyed Truthwitch shouldn’t necessarily let it stop them from continuing the series. I may know that, from a technical perspective, Windwitch is not amazing. But I also really liked it. The heart wants what the heart wants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia, War, Child abuse, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Classism, Animal death, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Mental illness
hawkrose18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CAWPILE: 8.36
I really wish that it hadn't taken me so long to really get into this book because I really enjoyed the first one, but my reading slump was just not overly kind to me because I just didn't want to read. I can't wait to continue this story and see where all the characters end up. There is rep for lesbian and trans-male, but from my understanding, it was not done extremely well. For the lesbian representation, most of it is just brief mentions of a character being attracted to another, but there isn't anything that develops from that (in this book). As for the trans representation, it was not awful, but I am not an own voices reviewer in this sense so I cannot claim whether it was done well or if it harmful. The character is important and does get misgendered multiple times due to lack of a conversation on the main characters part. Overall, though, I did enjoy this book and the characters and I can't wait to see how my feelings might change in regards to the characters.
I really wish that it hadn't taken me so long to really get into this book because I really enjoyed the first one, but my reading slump was just not overly kind to me because I just didn't want to read. I can't wait to continue this story and see where all the characters end up. There is rep for lesbian and trans-male, but from my understanding, it was not done extremely well. For the lesbian representation, most of it is just brief mentions of a character being attracted to another, but there isn't anything that develops from that (in this book). As for the trans representation, it was not awful, but I am not an own voices reviewer in this sense so I cannot claim whether it was done well or if it harmful. The character is important and does get misgendered multiple times due to lack of a conversation on the main characters part. Overall, though, I did enjoy this book and the characters and I can't wait to see how my feelings might change in regards to the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Deadnaming, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, and Slavery
More...