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eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
This is the perfect example of a novel that gets better with every chapter.
It's set in a world in which a fraction of the population has powers. There are Waterwitches, Threadwitches, Windwitches, etc. A Truthwitch is one of the rarest kind (maybe one in a generation) and they have the ability to tell truth from lie. The protagonist, Safi, is a Truthwitch but she's hidden that from everyone. But after an unfortunate encounter with a Bloodwitch who senses her ability, she and her best friend, Iseult, have to go on the run because there isn't much people wouldn't do to get their hands on a Truthwitch, especially when they're close to war.
Now initially, I wasn't a huge fan. I mean, I liked the premise but it seemed a bit flimsy. And the prose, the imagery, just wasn't good. Susan Dennard's writing came off as amateurish. But I was able to get past it because the writing really improved as the book went on. The scenes got clearer and more cohesive.
And not just that. The plot got stronger and I started to care about the characters as well. Because in the beginning, Safi was annoying. She was a 'act first, get yourself and your best friend in mortal danger, and then regret your actions' kind of girl. Lacking in the brain cells department, it felt like. But she changed throughout the novel and, by the end, I actually liked her. Iseult was interesting. She was more closed off but she had a good reason to be. I'd like to get to know her better.
Merik, Safi's romantic interest and another important character, came off as a prickly hot-head in the beginning. But then I understood why he was a prickly hot-head and it made sense. He just wanted to do the best for his people and his kingdom. Really liked him too. And his relationship with Safi. They had great chemistry and I totally ship them.
The pace of the book was good too, if a bit messy in the beginning. basically, what I'm saying is that the novel didn't have the best beginning. But by the end, I was very happy with everything. I laughed, I teared up a bit and I really enjoyed reading it.
Though I still can't any word with the suffix 'witchery' seriously. Truthwitchery? Threadwitchery? Bloodwitchery? It just sounds so made-up.
That aside, I'm looking forward to reading the second book, Windwitch. I have no idea where the story is going to go next and I wanna know real bad. And I can't wait to see how much better Susan Dennard can get because I love seeing authors grow, through their work. In the mean time though, I think you should pick this one up.
livima's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
majabwds's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this book. The two main characters are capable, funny and amazing. While I was reading it I was reminded of SJ Maas' Throne of Glass and then I see in the Acknowledgements that the author and Maas are like BFFs. I loved the dancing chapter between Safi and Merik.
theaceofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.25
I loved the magic system but I'm not sure if I'm going to continue. Intriguing premise but I didn't enjoy the writing as much as I hoped I would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Violence
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook- Excellent narrator. Strong story with fully developed characters. The women in this book are not the meek sit aside types. :D
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a big fantasy fan but I enjoyed this. I did feel it was kind of long (hey, I'm a 250ish kind of reader lol) and there were a TON of characters.
The story had me from the beginning with a great 1st line. I really liked the Saf, the main character but I really liked her best friend Iseult. There was romance in here but it wasn't in your face romance.
I'm not sure if I will read on in the series (especially since I'm guessing it won't be out until next year) but I will definitely have it in my collection to recommend it to students!
The story had me from the beginning with a great 1st line. I really liked the Saf, the main character but I really liked her best friend Iseult. There was romance in here but it wasn't in your face romance.
I'm not sure if I will read on in the series (especially since I'm guessing it won't be out until next year) but I will definitely have it in my collection to recommend it to students!
silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
It wasn’t freedom she wanted. It was belief in something—a prize big enough to run for and to fight for and to keep on reaching toward no matter what.
I am always somewhat hesitant to pick up older YA fantasy books due to the overuse of tropes such as not-like-other-girls, insta-love, women-hating main female protagonists, chosen-one, etc. However, something about this book just worked for me so so much. I really enjoyed reading this book and found the audiobook to stand-out particularly in my mind due to the narrator's use of different tones and accents in her reading - honestly, one of my favourite audiobooks though I can definitely see why it may well not work for other people.
A brief summary of my thoughts on the different aspects of this book:
- Plot: very fast-paced and engaging! I found it difficult to predict what would happen next and was constantly looking forward to learning more about the world and exploring whatever place we would go to next
- Characters: easily my favourite part of this book, I loved all the characters and enjoyed all the POVs equally, in fact, I would even be open to reading from more different perspectives
- Writing: again, really good and straight-forward, I did not find it to be over-the-top and would work equally well for younger and older readers
- Romance: somewhat obvious and insta-lovey but I'm a sucker for it so I cannot complain
- World-building: I know I am somewhat in the minority here, but I actually really enjoyed it. I think this was very much a case of show-and-not-tell because it took me a while to piece together different parts of this world, even though it is in no way complete in my mind yet. I cannot wait to pick up the next book!
- Friendship: fabulous! Exactly what I wanted - this book is like a better, more magical version of the Changeling series.
Overall, I loved this a lot more than I expected!
letsbebookfriends's review against another edition
4.0
Sisterhood over Romance!
I really enjoyed this. I agree with some reviewers that you are just kind of dropped into this world (a witchery guide and map in the front of the book would be really helpful), but after 15% of the way into the book you don't really care because its pretty good.
The relationships! The plotting and scheming! The mysteries! The myths!
Waiting for book 2 is going to suck eggs.
Plus, I have a ship for this series already, and I know its probably going to take the entire series to work out. Sooooo I'm already emotionally invested at this point.....don't judge me.
I really enjoyed this. I agree with some reviewers that you are just kind of dropped into this world (a witchery guide and map in the front of the book would be really helpful), but after 15% of the way into the book you don't really care because its pretty good.
The relationships! The plotting and scheming! The mysteries! The myths!
Waiting for book 2 is going to suck eggs.
Plus, I have a ship for this series already, and I know its probably going to take the entire series to work out. Sooooo I'm already emotionally invested at this point.....don't judge me.