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eyedrop's review
4.0
I keep forgetting what exactly happens in this book, yet I really enjoy it every time I re-read it? Here's to hoping I don't forget again by the time I re-read Windwitch (which I remember even less of
logarithm's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone was talking about this book last year, and since the sequel was just released I decided it was time to read it!
Writing
The writing is really good. Some scenes were especially vivid!
Story
The story itself is nothing special. It’s the execution and the world around it that make this book interesting.
World
You can tell there was a lot of work on the world. The problem is, it reads as a second book in a series, meaning that fictional terms and places are thrown around as if you know what they mean. And you don’t really unless you constantly refer to the map and mind every detail.
Characters
The characters have an amazing dynamic. The main focus is on a female friendship, and all secondary relationships are interesting and well developed!
Conclusion
It took me a while (maybe around a 100 pages) to really go from “vaguely intrigued” to “I want to know everything!!!” It has some issues on terms of comprehension and ask a lot of work from the reader at first, but I think it’s more than worth it! All in all, it was a very pleasant read, and I’ll pick the next book soon :)
Writing
The writing is really good. Some scenes were especially vivid!
Story
The story itself is nothing special. It’s the execution and the world around it that make this book interesting.
World
You can tell there was a lot of work on the world. The problem is, it reads as a second book in a series, meaning that fictional terms and places are thrown around as if you know what they mean. And you don’t really unless you constantly refer to the map and mind every detail.
Characters
The characters have an amazing dynamic. The main focus is on a female friendship, and all secondary relationships are interesting and well developed!
Conclusion
It took me a while (maybe around a 100 pages) to really go from “vaguely intrigued” to “I want to know everything!!!” It has some issues on terms of comprehension and ask a lot of work from the reader at first, but I think it’s more than worth it! All in all, it was a very pleasant read, and I’ll pick the next book soon :)
eyedrop's review against another edition
4.0
I keep forgetting what exactly happens in this book, yet I really enjoy it every time I re-read it? Here's to hoping I don't forget again by the time I re-read Windwitch (which I remember even less of
logecatt's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
amyhungerford's review against another edition
4.0
I've got my Truth Sisters with me! Can't wait for Windwitch!
cgreaderbee's review against another edition
4.0
Right away, I felt this book drew the reader in -- we are introduced to Safi and Iseult, two Threadsisters who are caught in a life-or-death, high stakes debacle from the get go. I was drawn into the relationship between these two friends, who cared so deeply for one another and worked so well together, two pieces of a well-oiled machine. I remember wanting to know more about them, and hoping that they would make it out of this chaotic opening alive. I think it's safe to say that (*spoiler*) they did; but it also kickstarts a fast-paced plot the plunges deeper into the Witchlands world and introduces a whole cast of characters and problems and backstory.
I enjoyed the POV perspectives, alternating between key players of the story. It allowed for a broader scope of the world, dramatic irony, and personal insight into each character. I enjoyed the plot and pacing, tension and stakes. And the magic system, which felt interesting and unique, unlike other things that I've read.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys high fantasy, magic, and cut-throat, complex characters.
I enjoyed the POV perspectives, alternating between key players of the story. It allowed for a broader scope of the world, dramatic irony, and personal insight into each character. I enjoyed the plot and pacing, tension and stakes. And the magic system, which felt interesting and unique, unlike other things that I've read.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys high fantasy, magic, and cut-throat, complex characters.
emleemay's review against another edition
3.0
"I will kill you," he went on.
"No." The girl's eyes thinned; she pushed herself further upright and the moon streamed over her. "I d-d-d..." She coughed. Then wiped her mouth. "I don't think you will."
Ah, this book. I went back and forth on the rating and I do want to say this: unlike the other highly anticipated January novel - [b:Passenger|20983362|Passenger (Passenger, #1)|Alexandra Bracken|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446749751s/20983362.jpg|40360384] - [b:Truthwitch|21414439|Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1)|Susan Dennard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428675822s/21414439.jpg|40715259] is a fast-paced, enjoyable adventure. However, I know picky fantasy readers will see right through this book.
If you are looking for a light fantasy read with descriptions of dresses, balls, dancing, and an inevitable romance, look no further. Sometimes that's all I want too. There's no denying that this book has a base, addictive pull from the opening holdup-gone-wrong to every dramatic twist, turn and action scene after. But if you're looking for something stronger, more fleshed-out and complex, I think [b:Truthwitch|21414439|Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1)|Susan Dennard|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428675822s/21414439.jpg|40715259] could cause you some eye rolls.
I'll break it down.
Characters. There are two central female characters - Safi and Iseult - and only the latter is particularly interesting. Safi suffers from a "specialness" because she is a truthwitch. Though whether the other characters know this or not does not affect their tendency to faint, fall over themselves or otherwise become obsessed with her whenever she enters the room.
And, quite frankly, for the most part she seems to act stupidly, putting herself and Iseult in danger because of her reckless and dumb plans. Like that time she runs away from the people helping her because... who the hell knows? Literally her only real talents seem to be making poor decisions and attracting the attention of various princes.
Iseult, however, is a badass. I liked it when the novel's focus moved to her. I thought she was more interesting, less trope-y than the "special" Safi. I will also note that I like the emphasis put on female friendship before everything else; I was a little disappointed that we didn't get a Safi/Iseult LGBT romance, but I'll settle for the next best thing.
The only other interesting character is the villain - a blood monk called Aeduan. He is probably the greatest reason I am looking forward to the sequel, because fascinating, multilayered (maybe not quite so evil?) villains are one of my favourite things. I hope we get lots of him in the next book.
World-building. This should be a short section because there is none. I've heard early critics praising the unique world, but I am confused. There are some vague mentions of emperors and place names, but very little information is given about these people, their history, culture, politics or anything else. The only thing we know is that a 20-year peace treaty is soon coming to an end.
Also, these witches all live in a world made up of various lands and the collective name of these lands is... "Witchlands". Now, I don't want to get all nitpicky over little language/name things, but come on, "witches from the Witchlands". Fantastic, that's given me a great idea for a book! It's about vampires who live in "Vampireville".
Instalove.
“Something had happened between Safi and Merik during their dance. Something as powerful as the wind and the music that had gusted around them. A shift in the air that preceded a storm.”
Oh, hell, make it stop. Possibly the most eye roll-worthy thing of this book is the budding romance between Safi and Merik. They dance at a ball and it's obsession at first twirl.
I believe you can experience lust from dancing with a hot guy or girl, I even believe a crush can form from dancing with a hot guy or girl, but forgive me if I raise a skeptical eyebrow at "something as powerful as the wind". LOL, get over yourselves already. Also, Merik has no personality beyond his concerns for the wonderful Safi.
Just to conclude... It seems like a lot of negative, but I honestly did enjoy the fast pacing and surprises. I, for one, will be reading the sequel. Though I advise you to maybe think twice about this if you like your fantasy with more substance than mindless entertainment.
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the_bookliopile's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
readerrayna's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 stars
This book was really awesome from the characters to the relationships to the world, I highly enjoyed this book.
I thought that the world-building was good, but clunky in some places. I can understand why a lot of people were confused at the beginning, but I thought that it was detailed and well thought-out.
I enjoyed the magic system in the world - or the witchery - and how there's so many different types in the world. This was definitely one of my favorite parts. I also think that not having every person have witchery is a key thing, though we see mostly people who have it in this book - I think that's just the nature of the beast, so to speak. But I loved the different types: Tidewitch, Truthwitch, Threadwitch, Bloodwitch, and so many more. I hope we get a glossary in the next book to keep track of who is who.
I absolutely loved the relationships in this book, particularly the strong female friendship between Safiya and Iseult. They have such a strong bond and rely heavily on each other, which I think really brings out a lot of qualities that one or the other might not possess at a time. Merik and Kullen's friendship, too, was super strong and I loved how far Merik was willing to go to help his Threadbrother.
The romance is kind of a slow burn, and yes, there is a pretty hot, fast connection between the two, but I wonder if that's how threads work in this world - if you become connected instantly once the thread knows that that's who it's supposed to be? Just a theory. But I did enjoy the romance - and it did get a little hot and heavy later on, but not too much.
The action scenes were packed in here but not so much that it was too overwhelming. It definitely made for a fast paced story and one that had me constantly turning the page. There were a lot of twists and turns and so many ways that it could have changed or gone wrong or right.
I have so many feels for the end of this book and so many questions that I want to ask, and so I am definitely excited for the next book and I'm so sad that I have to wait another year to read the next installment.
This book was really awesome from the characters to the relationships to the world, I highly enjoyed this book.
I thought that the world-building was good, but clunky in some places. I can understand why a lot of people were confused at the beginning, but I thought that it was detailed and well thought-out.
I enjoyed the magic system in the world - or the witchery - and how there's so many different types in the world. This was definitely one of my favorite parts. I also think that not having every person have witchery is a key thing, though we see mostly people who have it in this book - I think that's just the nature of the beast, so to speak. But I loved the different types: Tidewitch, Truthwitch, Threadwitch, Bloodwitch, and so many more. I hope we get a glossary in the next book to keep track of who is who.
I absolutely loved the relationships in this book, particularly the strong female friendship between Safiya and Iseult. They have such a strong bond and rely heavily on each other, which I think really brings out a lot of qualities that one or the other might not possess at a time. Merik and Kullen's friendship, too, was super strong and I loved how far Merik was willing to go to help his Threadbrother.
The romance is kind of a slow burn, and yes, there is a pretty hot, fast connection between the two, but I wonder if that's how threads work in this world - if you become connected instantly once the thread knows that that's who it's supposed to be? Just a theory. But I did enjoy the romance - and it did get a little hot and heavy later on, but not too much.
The action scenes were packed in here but not so much that it was too overwhelming. It definitely made for a fast paced story and one that had me constantly turning the page. There were a lot of twists and turns and so many ways that it could have changed or gone wrong or right.
I have so many feels for the end of this book and so many questions that I want to ask, and so I am definitely excited for the next book and I'm so sad that I have to wait another year to read the next installment.