Susan Dennard

A standalone illustrated novella to the #1 New York Times bestselling Witchlands series by Susan Dennard. Secrets long-buried. Dark magic waking. And one young acolyte with the fate of the Witchlands in her hands... Sisters with the gift of Sight—Sightwitches, who can see into the future—are of a rare and ancient order. Raised in a secluded convent, they await the invitation of their goddess to enter the depths of the mountain and receive the sacred gift of foretelling. But for young Ryber Fortiza, that call never comes. As the only sister without Sight, Ryber has devoted herself to the goddess. Surely, if she just works hard enough, she will finally be gifted like everyone else. Until one day, all Sisters who possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain—and never return. Now Ryber, still Sight-less, is the only one left. Can she, who has spent her life feeling like th weakest, be the one to save her Sisters and the ancient power they protect? On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together they trek ever deeper, the mountain tunnels filled with mysteries and horrors. And what they find at the end will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

The Witchlands

Sightwitch

Kelsey Joëlle

I loved this preview! I've never read the other books by Susan Dennard, but I was intrigued the moment that I saw this preview. Even better, it's book 0.5! This meant that I wouldn't really spoiler myself as badly as if it was book two. 

I loved the photo's / sketches in the book. I haven't read the other books, but I love the main character from this part. Might be an evil character after all, but for now, i really loved her.

I'm so ready to read the other books by Susan!

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard, Sightwitch is an illustrated novella set in the Witchlands and told through Ryber’s journal entries and sketches. Before Safi and Iseult battled a Bloodwitch... Before Merik returned from the dead... Ryber Fortiza was a Sightwitch Sister at a secluded convent, waiting to be called by her goddess into the depths of the mountain. There she would receive the gift of foretelling. But when that call never comes, Ryber finds herself the only Sister without the Sight. Years pass and Ryber’s misfit pain becomes a dull ache, until one day, Sisters who already possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain, never to return. Soon enough, Ryber is the only Sister left. Now, it is up to her to save her Sisters, though she does not have the Sight—and though she does not know what might await her inside the mountain. On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together, the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, their road filled with horrors, and what they find at the end of that road will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever.

A Tale of the Witchlands

Ashley Wendt

I stumbled on the Witchlands a couple of years ago. I'll admit, I was drawn in by the cover of Truthwitch. I was so pleasantly surprised to really enjoy the storyline since I didn't really know much about it. I loved how much the book focused on the friendship between Safi & Isuelt. I enjoyed Windwitch, but not as much. I will say the character of Kullen has always piqued my interest. There was definitely a mystery surrounding him and surrounding Ryber. Sightwitch might be small, but she be mighty. She is packed with so much world building, adds more to the mysteries of the Witchlands, and throws a giant truth bomb at you about Kullen. I love Ryber's character even more now and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment with Bloodwitch. This is such a fun and fascinating series!

Sheila

This Witchlands novella is actually my favourite book in this series so far! Ryber's story was interesting despite being told using the diary entry trope, it actually helped the story when multiple POVs were introduced later. I loved the illustrations! I didn't expect to see any at all, but I thought they were great & added a new dimension to the story. 

This instalment has vindicated this series for me, so I hope Bloodwitch can live up to the excitement generated by this book!

Imane

An excellent prequel that made me really excited for the rest of the series!

Jessica Williamson

*re-read April 2021*

Still really enjoyed it and now that I know what happens in Bloodwitch? Yeah, this book is SUPER important to the world. 

4.25 Stars

"...paths do not come to you. You have to find them for yourself, and sometimes, you have to carve new ones entirely."

If you, like me, have a love for all things backstory and history related, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! There were so many questions I had from the Witchlands (so far) that were answered in this book, and yet, so many new questions arose. This book feels important to the Witchlands as a whole so if you are enjoying the series I suggest you read it.

This book follows three different timelines and viewpoints. Ryber at 17. Tanzi ranging (I believe) from when she and Ryber were about 8-12. Dysi from 1000 years in the past. 

Tanzi and Dysi's stories could seem a bit slow at times but they were infrequent and considering what Ryber's story was doing at the time, it was a nice break between the chaos. I don't feel like this story would have worked without all three views. There is so much history and so much to learn from these three tales.

I know it's another year (or so) to Bloodwitch, but I can't wait to see how the events of Sightwitch play out in the future.

Kristin

Oh, how I love this world (I read this book in half a day!). This was just so wholesome. I loved how the many letters, rules, diary entries and sketches led me though this story. For a novella, this was just everything I wanted and more! (And THE Rook is best bird).

laura

I liked this story. I overall loved the structure of this novel. I loved learning more about the witchland series overall. I really did liked how this story connected back to Kullen. I felt like this story sometimes had to many mini storylines that I did not always spy the connections. I was engaged in the story. I really did like this story, but I wanted more and just one clear story. I am excited to see how this novella connects to the whole story as well!

Nickie Mohler

I really liked this. It was great to learn about Ryber's past and how she met Kullen. I loved the diary format too. Now I'm ready for Bloodwitch.

Alexia Cambaling

Spoiler Warning! There may be spoilers for all the released books (so-far) and minor spoilers for this one.

I’m caught up with all the books in the series now! Just in time too, since there are preview chapters of Bloodwitch up on Netgalley for requesting. This book perfectly sets up the next one but also holds up amazingly well on its own. I listened to this on audiobook and while I loved listening to it, I might actually double dip and get the paperback, if only for the illustrations. Still, listening to the audiobook is a complete experience by itself and there are multiple narrators who all did a fantastic job with the book.

I have made no secret of my love for the Witchlands. The first book was an unapologetic girl power fantasy while the second had lots of adventures due to the characters being separated but also had the added effect of exploring their relationships. Sightwitch, meanwhile, is a novella. It’s set before the books but best read after Windwitch. Additionally, because it’s a novella, it’s also faster and tighter than the main books in the series.

The story is mainly about Ryber, a Sightwitch we first meet in Threadwitch as part of Merik’s crew and Kullen’s Heart-Thread. While everyone tells her she would become a powerful Sightwitch, she is yet to be called to receive the Goddess’ blessing. Meanwhile, she has to watch everyone around her one by one get called and never return, leaving her alone in the Sightwitch Sister Convent. We also get Eridysi’s story through her logs and journals. Eridysi was a legendary Sightwitch but as this book shows, stories and legends can get a lot of things wrong- especially when hundreds of years have passed.

I adored Sightwitch partly because I’m a sucker for world-building and lore and partly because I loved Ryber and Eridysi as protagonists. They are two Sightwitches, thousands of years apart who play a part in events which will eventually shape the Witchlands.

One of the most interesting parts about the two characters was that despite both of them being Sightwitches, neither of them actually has the Sight as neither have been called by the Goddess. This fact helps shape their personalities, such as Ryber being even more of a stickler for the rules while Eridysi turned to her inventions. Both of them have strong, well-developed personalities and they were both interesting and enjoyable too read about. The narration also helped a lot because the distinct voices helped in differentiating the two further.

I’m glad Ryber got her own novella explaining her backstory and motivations because she was a pretty mysterious character in the first two books and her POV was a very welcome addition. I enjoyed learning about how she kept following the rules even more strictly than ever before to how she learned to break free from the mold and think outside the box. Kullen features in this book as it shows how they first met but his part wasn’t very major. Them saying goodbye at the end was bittersweet although I loved how awkward Kullen was.

Eridysi’s story was a fascinating one because what it essentially does is peel back the layers behind a legend and shows the true story behind Eridysi’s Lament. It gives us more information about the Witchlands, more lore, history, and world-building. It helps add more texture to the world while also showing the true story of a very interesting woman. We are given more information on the Paladins here and how Kullen might figure into the story. Also, I loved Eridysi’s relationship with the two girls and the General, although I wished we were given more scenes with them.

Overall, Sightwitch sets the stage well for the next book and I’m now even more excited for Bloodwitch!

This review is also on  The Bookworm Daydreamer

Melea Mullican

7.14 on CAWPILE

I normally hate novellas but this is my fav of the series so far.

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

I just have one question for the author: WHY? Why make me fall in love with  that character? Not gonna say who because that would be a spoiler, but fans of the series will understand. I loved reading this book. I loved that Susan Dennard took a secondary character from the series, put her as a protagonist of this novella and made love her so much in so little page time (compared to the other books). I love the plot, the mystery, the reveals, THE SHIP! I haven’t obsessed over a novella like this since The Assassin’s Blade from the Throne of Glass series. It’s THAT good.

Celia Adams

So I wasn't super interested in Ryber as a character when reading Truthwitch and Windwitch, but I'm a hardcore Susan Dennard loyalist so of course I read it. and I'm so glad I did! it was really interesting, not only giving us more on Ryber but more on Sightwitches and the Witchlands as a whole, and you know I gotta love that world building. I also appreciated the length and style, it wasn't too short and the diary format was really fun to get immersed in.

Nikki Fowler 

okay... that's makes more sense. This novella is a must to read before the next book in the series. At first this book was very slow but it eventually picked up its pace and revealed some important info about the history of this world which was interesting but it brought up even more questions than it answered tbh. I can't wait for the next book in the series I hope it gives us some more answers and history.

Ashlee

The saving grace of this, for me, was when Ryber met Kullen. I know the history is significant to the story going forward, but a good 20% of the first half could have been summarized and shortened. Once Ryber found Kullen, I was invested and definitely enjoyed their journey. However, the first half only made me dislike Ryber. 😔

Jelke Olila

Lisa Beasley

Reread May 2021 - Still really enjoy the format of this and learning more about Ryber. Looking forward to continuing my Witchlands reread.



I am really glad I read this, reading more about Ryber and Kullen was really interesting and the whole longer backstory to the Witchlands was very fun for me. I enjoyed it a lot. I also liked the diary format, it was a different style to the novels but was still told in the smart straightforward way Susan manages in her books. 

Very good, 4 stars.

Cailin Duffy

I was actually pleasantly surprised by Sightwitch. After not having enjoyed Windwitch, I was on the fence about continuing the series but I’m glad I picked it up. I found this story much more compelling than whatever was happening in Windwitch (I honestly can’t remember) and though I’m not very invested in the characters, my interest in the overall plot has grown, and now I kind of want to give the first two books another real shot. I’m hoping that a lot of what’s revealed in Sightwitch is explored further in Bloodwitch.

Sara

Kristyna Van Sickler

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard, Sightwitch is a standalone illustrated novella set in the Witchlands and told through Ryber’s journal entries and sketches. Secrets long-buried. Dark magic waking. And one young acolyte with the fate of the Witchlands in her hands... Sisters with the gift of Sight—Sightwitches, who can see into the future—are of a rare and ancient order. Raised in a secluded convent, they await the invitation of their goddess to enter the depths of the mountain and receive the sacred gift of foretelling. But for young Ryber Fortiza, that call never comes. As the only sister without Sight, Ryber has devoted herself to the goddess. Surely, if she just works hard enough, she will finally be gifted like everyone else. Until one day, all Sisters who possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain—and never return. Now Ryber, still Sight-less, is the only one left. Can she, who has spent her life feeling like the weakest, be the one to save her Sisters and the ancient power they protect? On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together they trek ever deeper, the mountain tunnels filled with mysteries and horrors. And what they find at the end will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever.

Sightwitch The Witchlands

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