Susan Dennard

Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel (The Witchlands)

Livia

2nd read


This isn’t even my first read of this book, yet it felt like reading it for the first time. If I loved it back then, I’m utterly in love with this book the second time I read it. I would say this time I took my time reading it, but honestly, I finished it just a little more than a day. Despite that, I noticed so much more, I paid attention to more detail about the magic, the connections between each character, the world-building, the politics, and the build-up of the character’s relationships. Maybe it’s because I actually take notes of everything I deemed important, for my future self to look back.

This book has what I desperately wanted to see more in books. A strong, unbreakable friendship that can’t be labeled as something as meager as friendship or just sisters. Soulmates trope, if you might. Safi and Iseult’s connection as Threadsisters is amazing and beautiful. They both balance each other so well, Safi being much more hot-headed and tended to be the one who does the action more and Iseult being the calm one who keeps Safi in check and is the one who did the planning. It’s how they were running away from where they came from. They ended up having each other during their darkest times and had slowly been each other’s light. And what I loved is how nothing could eclipse their priorities towards each other. No matter what happened, Iseult would follow Safi everywhere and Safi will always be there for Iseult.

However, I also think that the romantic relationship is amazing. The electric tension between Safi and Marik was so much fun to follow because aside from their banter and occasional hatred for the differences in their priorities, they eventually come to an understanding towards each other and learns more about each other instead of letting miscommunication runs through them. It’s really sad seeing them separated when they just accepted the Heart-Thread between them, but hopefully, they get back to each other. And of course, you know, you just know that something will happen between Iseult and Aeduan. Nothing better to start a romantic bond than a promise of one murdering the other and the other accepting it with a careless shrug. I’m excited to see more of them in the future.

Aside from the characters, the plot is very fast-paced and always on the move. Safi was being hunted for being a Truthwitch, which somehow some people know despite her best attempt on keeping her magic a secret, and for being announced as the Emperor of Cartorra’s betrothed. I admit, the latter felt like it was thrown in there just for the sake of adding tension, but it didn’t bother me as much. Iseult was still a mystery, regarding her strange witchery and the speculation about what she is. I would love to see more of the world and see other empires, and now that the characters are separated with their own purpose, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to discover themselves and their potential.


  1st read


I'm utterly speechless right now. This book, this book gives me everything. And oh boy, the last 50-ish pages are making me anxious.

The friendship between Safi and Iseult is EVERYTHING. They're Threadsisters, which basically means parabatai but in this world. And it is utterly beautiful. And don't get me wrong, the romance in this book is also fantastic and had me screeching at times. But I love how Safi and Iseult's friendship stays the main focus of the story.

And oh, how I love the characters. They all grow so much, and I will protect them from any harm.

The plot is also amazing. It was jam-packed and full of action. And did I mention that the last part of the book had me stressed? The tension is so high, I had to pause for a moment to soak everything and not scream.

Zoë Schaefer

** spoiler alert **
            Witches! Magic! Focus on platonic relationships! What more could I need?
	The idea for these characters and this world really drew my attention. Two halves of a whole in Safiya and Iseult, a magic system that has some substance, and a world state that’s on the brink of war. Super interesting! Thing is, there’s not a whole lot of exploring these aspects throughout the novel.
	I usually stick to adult fantasy, so maybe I’m biased here. But then, what’s the point in setting up all of these interesting plot points and potential character types when you end up scrapping it all for the YA trope of flirt flirt angry yell flirt chase scene flirt? I know it can be hard to make a young, passionate, angry-ish character work. They often come off as immature and childish. But, hell, people do make it work. Look at Lila Bard! She's got the same start as Safiya: robbing people to make a living, clever, passionate, hot-headed, etc, etc. Lila’s character continued this, and although she’s not my favourite character in ADSOM (I’m looking at you, Holland*), she was never annoying or eye-roll-inducing for me. Safiya was.
	Here’s my issue with Truthwitch’s characters. One moment I’m reading something that makes me believe that a character is clever, or mature, or at least decent. The next, someone does something stupid to progress the plot (cough cough carriage scene) or instantly falls in love. I’ve seen it in Rebel of the Sands and I’ve seen it in a hundred dozen other fantasy YA. 
	Another thing that made me audibly groan was the writing. Now, sure, Truthwitch isn’t a masterpiece of literature. That’s fair – it’s supposed to be an easy, fun book for young adults (duh, Fen). It’s not necessarily the raw writing itself; Truthwitch is not so bad for being descriptive (even when it’s not warranted). I just had this odd feeling while reading that makes me think that it's a first draft. Like, did no one proofread this? At all? There’s a scene where Safiya is having her “lungs collapsed” by Merik’s first mate. She’s obviously not comfortable with the whole situation, and eventually she falls unconscious. We know that she’s impulsive and could have harmed someone in the situation she was in, but couldn’t someone just, I don’t know, hold her back? Maybe sit on her, or something? No? We have to collapse her lungs? Okay. Chill. Here’s my beef: only a few pages earlier, Merik was freaking out about having her not get hurt so that he could finish the trade agreement. It was explicitly stated that he knew she couldn’t get hurt. And then Kullen goes and chokes her out, and she passes out because there’s no oxygen getting into her brain. Right, so, I mean... That’s, that’s brain damage. That’s definitely hurting someone. Or did Kullen stop right before she passed out? Or does his magic do some weird “I will have no consequences because I’m a plot device” thing? There’s a lot of scenes that are just BWAH I’M HERE TO DO SOMETHING EDGY AND EXCITING, THEN IMMEDIATELY GO BACK ON IT BECAUSE WHAT ARE CAUSE AND EFFECT? I don’t want to say that this is just what YA is, and is therefore acceptable, but... Jeez, guys, either this is bad editing or there are a lot of readers who immediately forget what happens ten pages in the past.
	If you’re looking for a quick, action-packed read, then this book is great. I have no illusions on the market for this book now that I’ve read it. It doesn’t get into worldbuilding a whole lot like adult fantasy does, but there’s enough substance to get by. Iseult has some cool things with her clan/settlement, there’s a little explanation on the magic system that’s actually pretty cool, and Safi’s relationship with her Threadsister is nice (though, let’s be real, having her end up with Iseult instead of Merik would have made so much more sense based on their character traits). It’s not a bad book for the audience it’s writing for, it’s just bad for readers who want to really get into the nitty-gritty of worldbuilding and detailed characters.

	*Come at me, Aeduan's character was my favourite thing about this book.

Valeria

The world created by the author is just amazing. The characters are incredible and I vibe for every relationship in here (I mean, Merik ❤️).

Nickie Mohler

This is my second time reading this. I wanted to refresh my memory before I finally continue on with the series. I'm going to stick with the 4 star rating from the first time. I loved it. 

Safi is a truthwitch, Iseult is a threadwitch. They are threadsisters. Everyone is born with a certain type of magic. Safi's is rare and if people found out, dangerous for her. With the Twenty Year Truce getting ready to expire, someone with control of a truthwitch could gain great power. I really enjoyed this book. Magic, magic, and more magic! So many different types of magic, so many fighting for control, and a friendship of a lifetime. I can't wait for the next book!!

Alice

Jess Ostrander

At first, it was a bit confusing to keep everything straight. There's a lot of world-building and things that need to be explained, but you get it as the book goes on. The characters are compelling and full of depth. I love them all. This book trapped me and kept me hooked, and I can't wait to read more.

Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel (The Witchlands)

Reviews