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A review by sdloomer
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
3.0
--3.25/5 stars--
I'm dropping my rating by a small bit because after my second read, I realize I still have some pretty big questions related to plot and world-building that were never answered--and I feel like they should have been at least somewhat addressed in this series-starter. I still liked Truthwitch though, and I'm interested enough to continue with the series.
What I did appreciate was the language and writing of the book. Nothing was too flowery or over-the-top, scenes weren't drawn out more than they ought, and the details weren't forced in my face. And yet, nothing was too simple either; everything just was. I'm not sure if this is Ms. Dennard's usual writing voice, since this is the first of her books I've read, but if it is, then I am very grateful. These days, it's difficult to find a YA high fantasy book that doesn't shove weird syntax and sentence structure down my throat.
On to those burning questions that probably should have been answered. This book is titled Truthwitch so its obvious focus is going to be Safiya fon Hasstrel and her plights. But since Iseult det Midenzi is mentioned time and time again as her best friend and Threadsister, she definitely warrants her own explanations and backstory here--especially if she is going to be so crucial to the plot. I know these are most likely going to be addressed in Iseult's book (Weaverwitch, maybe?), but some of the details--like why Iseult's race is so hated-- seem important enough to be mentioned in this first book of a series. Speaking of Threadsisters and Threadbrothers, what even are they in the first place? The only sort of explanation we're given is that they're people who have done some deed to save another, and somehow this binds the two together. Expand, please? Thousands of people save thousands of other people every day in the same capacity, but that doesn't mean everyone drops everything to travel and get into awkward situations with each other. It'll probably be explained in further detail in later books, but I feel this is one of those that could have gotten just a paragraph more.
So, Windwitch, I have some pretty big expectations of you, and I hope that most of my questions are answered.
I'm dropping my rating by a small bit because after my second read, I realize I still have some pretty big questions related to plot and world-building that were never answered--and I feel like they should have been at least somewhat addressed in this series-starter. I still liked Truthwitch though, and I'm interested enough to continue with the series.
What I did appreciate was the language and writing of the book. Nothing was too flowery or over-the-top, scenes weren't drawn out more than they ought, and the details weren't forced in my face. And yet, nothing was too simple either; everything just was. I'm not sure if this is Ms. Dennard's usual writing voice, since this is the first of her books I've read, but if it is, then I am very grateful. These days, it's difficult to find a YA high fantasy book that doesn't shove weird syntax and sentence structure down my throat.
On to those burning questions that probably should have been answered. This book is titled Truthwitch so its obvious focus is going to be Safiya fon Hasstrel and her plights. But since Iseult det Midenzi is mentioned time and time again as her best friend and Threadsister, she definitely warrants her own explanations and backstory here--especially if she is going to be so crucial to the plot. I know these are most likely going to be addressed in Iseult's book (Weaverwitch, maybe?), but some of the details--like why Iseult's race is so hated-- seem important enough to be mentioned in this first book of a series. Speaking of Threadsisters and Threadbrothers, what even are they in the first place? The only sort of explanation we're given is that they're people who have done some deed to save another, and somehow this binds the two together. Expand, please? Thousands of people save thousands of other people every day in the same capacity, but that doesn't mean everyone drops everything to travel and get into awkward situations with each other. It'll probably be explained in further detail in later books, but I feel this is one of those that could have gotten just a paragraph more.
So, Windwitch, I have some pretty big expectations of you, and I hope that most of my questions are answered.