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curlyc90's review against another edition
3.0
I definitely enjoyed Truthwitch a bit more. This book definitely suffered from Second Book Syndrome. So sad. But it wasn't bad and wasn't horrible. It contained a lot more world building and a lot of set up for the series in general so this was good, just not great.
I am hard core shipping Iseult and Aeduen. I cannot wait for things to progress with them. Safi's side of things had me a bit bored but I hope that in the next book things will be different.
3/5
I am hard core shipping Iseult and Aeduen. I cannot wait for things to progress with them. Safi's side of things had me a bit bored but I hope that in the next book things will be different.
3/5
sdloomer's review against another edition
2.0
--2/5 stars--
Not only were absolutely none of my questions answered, but nothing really happened. This book was very much slowed down compared to Truthwitch; sure there were battle scenes galore and a lot of killing and maiming, but they all eventually led to nothing.
Safi and Vaness, the Empress of Marstok, are "kidnapped" by the Cartorran Hell-Bards with only the explanation that Emperor Henrick wants his future bride back. I suppose we readers are meant to have the question of why burning in the back of our minds while we read through the ordeals the two women are put through, but the situation just seemed so...forced? It was mighty easy for a bloody assassin to make his way onto the Empress's ship, fail to murder the both of them, and then suddenly the whole ship just blew up? And they're conveniently the only two survivors? What? For what purpose does this whole bloody circumstance have? Sure it makes way for the Empress to realize that and gives a little backstory to the Hell-Bards, but other than that, there is absolutely no reason for the two of them to be Saldonica in the first place. This whole detour in Safi and Vaness's trip to Azmir in Marstok is simply a footnote in the overall story.
I am at least grateful that Vivia gets her own point of view here. She was only ever painted as "the evil older sister to the holier-than-thou Prince Merik" in Truthwitch and I'm glad Ms. Dennard decided to give her a little more depth than that. Also, bi ladies FTW.
Let's not talk about Merik and his identity crisis.
The only real thing anchoring me to this series is the relationship between Iseult and Aeduan. Because this is the kind of relationship--romance or no--that I can really dig: the hate-to-love kinda thing. Iseult has And Aeduan finally calms down and realizes that he may be in love with her even if he wants to deny it.
No I'm just kidding. Even though I really want him to. But seriously, their bond is drawn pretty well since they're forced to travel with each other because they both need the other for their own individual purposes. What better way than to grow trust between the two? Their relationship isn't as passionate or impulsive as Safi and Merik's, but rather one of respect and intelligence--especially since they're both refined and cautious. It's definitely not love, though I do hope it gets there at some point, but they trust each other now, to some degree, and that's a pretty big step away from what they used to be in Truthwitch.
I'm really praying that Bloodwitch is grades above what this hot mess is, largely because Aeduan is maybe the only character I'm truly invested in--and I just really, really, really want to see all this tension between him and Iseult come to some sort of fruition.
Men charged with blades, but swords were so easy for Iseult to evade with Aeduan at her side. Together, they arced, they lunged, they ducked, they rolled. A fluid combination of steps built on blood and Threads.I really, really expected a lot more out of this installment. And I probably shouldn't have.
Not only were absolutely none of my questions answered, but nothing really happened. This book was very much slowed down compared to Truthwitch; sure there were battle scenes galore and a lot of killing and maiming, but they all eventually led to nothing.
Safi and Vaness, the Empress of Marstok, are "kidnapped" by the Cartorran Hell-Bards with only the explanation that Emperor Henrick wants his future bride back. I suppose we readers are meant to have the question of why burning in the back of our minds while we read through the ordeals the two women are put through, but the situation just seemed so...forced? It was mighty easy for a bloody assassin to make his way onto the Empress's ship, fail to murder the both of them, and then suddenly the whole ship just blew up? And they're conveniently the only two survivors? What? For what purpose does this whole bloody circumstance have? Sure it makes way for the Empress to realize that
Spoiler
both pirate factions of Saldonica have not only banded together, but also betrayed herI am at least grateful that Vivia gets her own point of view here. She was only ever painted as "the evil older sister to the holier-than-thou Prince Merik" in Truthwitch and I'm glad Ms. Dennard decided to give her a little more depth than that. Also, bi ladies FTW.
Let's not talk about Merik and his identity crisis.
The only real thing anchoring me to this series is the relationship between Iseult and Aeduan. Because this is the kind of relationship--romance or no--that I can really dig: the hate-to-love kinda thing. Iseult has
Spoiler
fully admitted and accepted that she is a Weaverwitch with the powers of the Void and may be the other half of the Cahr Awen, opposite of Safi and her Tuthwitchery of the Aether. I mean, if they don't end up being the prophesied Cahr Awen pair, I'll eat my hat.No I'm just kidding. Even though I really want him to. But seriously, their bond is drawn pretty well since they're forced to travel with each other because they both need the other for their own individual purposes. What better way than to grow trust between the two? Their relationship isn't as passionate or impulsive as Safi and Merik's, but rather one of respect and intelligence--especially since they're both refined and cautious. It's definitely not love, though I do hope it gets there at some point, but they trust each other now, to some degree, and that's a pretty big step away from what they used to be in Truthwitch.
I'm really praying that Bloodwitch is grades above what this hot mess is, largely because Aeduan is maybe the only character I'm truly invested in--and I just really, really, really want to see all this tension between him and Iseult come to some sort of fruition.
steffi_au_penguinbooks's review against another edition
3.0
actual rating: 3.75 stars
Windwitch wasn't bad.
Actually it was as good as Truthwitch.
However ....
There is no world-building. I hoped after Truthwitch, we would get at least a bit of information about the Witchlands - but we didn't.
There are a bunch of kingdoms fighting each other because of ... well, the usual things .... I think. More or less. They want land and special gifted witches.
And then suddenly, out of nowhere, there are pirates ... and I was like 🙃🙃🙃
I couldn't even seperate the rulers of each kingdom, and then there are pirates working for one of the kingdoms and then they don't ... 🤷♀️
I think that world-building is the most essential aspect if you write a high fantasy novel, creating your own world and so on, that's why I'm disappointed and confused with the story.
Further, there was too much action. This book was written in ..5(!!!) different POVs and each chapter was action packed. I'm not joking. There wasn't really time to catch your breath, because the excitment and action didn't stop.
Don't get me wrong, I love action and so on, but because of lack of world-building I was disappointed with that.
But hey, what get me hooked up with Windwitch were Iseult and Aeduan. You don't have any idea how much I'm shipping these two 😍😍😍
And some of the characters did grow up. It was nice to read how they development throughout this book!
I'll definitely read Bloodwitch next year (AEDUAN 😍😍😍) and I really really hope we finally get some world-building!
Windwitch wasn't bad.
Actually it was as good as Truthwitch.
However ....
There is no world-building. I hoped after Truthwitch, we would get at least a bit of information about the Witchlands - but we didn't.
There are a bunch of kingdoms fighting each other because of ... well, the usual things .... I think. More or less. They want land and special gifted witches.
And then suddenly, out of nowhere, there are pirates ... and I was like 🙃🙃🙃
I couldn't even seperate the rulers of each kingdom, and then there are pirates working for one of the kingdoms and then they don't ... 🤷♀️
I think that world-building is the most essential aspect if you write a high fantasy novel, creating your own world and so on, that's why I'm disappointed and confused with the story.
Further, there was too much action. This book was written in ..5(!!!) different POVs and each chapter was action packed. I'm not joking. There wasn't really time to catch your breath, because the excitment and action didn't stop.
Don't get me wrong, I love action and so on, but because of lack of world-building I was disappointed with that.
But hey, what get me hooked up with Windwitch were Iseult and Aeduan. You don't have any idea how much I'm shipping these two 😍😍😍
And some of the characters did grow up. It was nice to read how they development throughout this book!
I'll definitely read Bloodwitch next year (AEDUAN 😍😍😍) and I really really hope we finally get some world-building!
silver_anchor4's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the writing style better in this book than in the first one, but I still can't connect to the characters or story. I will like to continue with the series because I am curious, though. It did have some really good scenes.
julesjoulesjewels's review against another edition
5.0
I am officially obsessed with this series. Dennard knows how to lay the groundwork for twists that shock without seeming to be coming from nowhere; her plotting is every bit as tight as her musical prose. One of my favorite things that she does with Windwitch is invert some of the character expectations she sets up in [b:Truthwitch|21414439|Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1)|Susan Dennard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1428675822l/21414439._SX50_.jpg|40715259], but again, she does so with care; it never feels like she is trying to outsmart you as the reader, but it does make you question your first impressions of every character you've met thus far. I'm starting on [b:Bloodwitch|39863277|Bloodwitch (The Witchlands, #3)|Susan Dennard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537551594l/39863277._SY75_.jpg|41438287] as soon as I possibly can!
fullytaylor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
3.75
itsbernaertsnotbernard's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
Please do read my review of the first book!
Kullen cleaves. Ryber goes after him. Merik is left reassessing his relationship with his sister. He has no crew left. He has been proclaimed dead by his people but he isn't. We get a lot more of Vivian, I really love reading her perspective. I just love how petty she is, which is very different from the face she puts on for everyone. Safi is captured by the Hell-bard commanders. Iseult and Aeduan meet again, this time they help Owl, a young child. Honestly, the chemistry between Iseult and Aeduan is my favourite!.
Anyways a lot of things happened and I love it.
Kullen cleaves. Ryber goes after him. Merik is left reassessing his relationship with his sister. He has no crew left. He has been proclaimed dead by his people but he isn't. We get a lot more of Vivian, I really love reading her perspective. I just love how petty she is, which is very different from the face she puts on for everyone. Safi is captured by the Hell-bard commanders. Iseult and Aeduan meet again, this time they help Owl, a young child. Honestly, the chemistry between Iseult and Aeduan is my favourite!.
Anyways a lot of things happened and I love it.
fi_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5