Friday, 15 January 2016

REVIEW: 5 REASONS THAT MAKE TRUTHWITCH BY SUSAN DENNARD YOUR NEXT BOOK-HUNGOVER-WORTHY READ

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1)
Written by: Susan Dennard
Published by: Tor Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Kobo
Release date: January 5th 2016

       
          
On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

MY REVIEW:


If you are looking for new captivating YA fantasy series, look no further. Here are five reasons that will make Truthwitch your next book-hungover-worthy read.





1. CHARACTERS


Truthwitch has very interesting set of main characters (four different POVs) and every single one of them provided something unique and memorable to make me fall in love with them. Safi, a Truthwitch, is funny and sarcastic, impulsive and unrestrained, fierce and passionate. She has all characteristics that I like to have in enjoyable female heroine. Iseult, a Threadwitch, is calm and smart, perceptive and logical, always thinking things through. And she is the best and the most loyal friend you could ask for. Merik, a Windwitch, is fierce and temperamental, but capable admiral/dancer and loyal friend/prince trying to save his country. He captured my heart early in the story and his impression on me never faltered. Aeduan, a Bloodwitch, is cold and dark, mysterious and deadly. He has this strong villain-y vibe going on and I’m incredibly curious to see where author will take his character in next instalments.

2. WORLD-BUILDING


This novel shows why I love fantasies. There is no better to spend my free time than losing myself in new world and its specific politics, history, legends, religions and culture. It brings my imagination alive. And Truthwitch hit all the right marks for me because its world-building was fascinating, flawless and detailed (fortunately there was no info-dump, it was all revealed gradually when it was needed). Simply said, my inner fantasy nerd was in heaven.

3. FRIENDSHIP


Truthwitch is without a doubt the best YA fantasy novel with strong focus on female friendship. Safi & Iseult are from different parts of society and have completely different background. However, they complement each other perfectly and together create lovable team of adventurous witches whose escapades were such a thrilling experience to read about.

4. CHEMISTRY


Truthwitch is book with scorching chemistry. Nothing graphics needs to happen, yet the couple (and I am not going to tell you what couple to keep it spoiler-free) could ignite the pages just with simple looks, banters or touch here and there. It shows author’s mastery of writing when she can make me all hot and bothered with butterflies in my stomach *cough* dance scene *cough* while keeping it PG-13.

5. ACTION


In Truthwitch, you won’t find love triangle, insta-love or annoying tropes. But you will get perfectly paced storyline with something exciting happening all the time. I was unable to tear my eyes from this novel. Truthwitch is what I call a real page-turner and since I haven’t read one in months, I’m very grateful for this book. Thank you Susan Dennard!

Truthwitch is a very promising start to new YA fantasy series. It has all three aspects that I require in good fantasy novel (world-building, storytelling, characters) mastered perfectly and I can’t wait to get my hands on sequel!

WHAT BOOKISH ASPECTS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE 
A GOOD FANTASY NOVEL IN YOUR OPINION?

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Lucia @Reading Is My Breathing

Lucia is 29 years old passionate reader and reviewer who enjoys talking about all bookish things. Currently she lives in Prague, works in business industry and dreams of starting her own publishing company. Her weakness? She can never say no to cake, coffee or good novel.

Comments (49)

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Oh my gooood! Your review made me so excited to read it myself! I actually thought about waiting a little longer but ... ugh, I don't know if I'll be able to restrain myself from buying a copy RIGHT AFTER I FINISH THIS COMMENT. HEEEELP!!!

I'm already super intrugied by the characters ... mostly by Aeduan. I LOVE VILLAIN-Y CHARACTERS AND HE SOUNDS FREAKING EPIC! It just sounds like something I would HIGHLY enjoy even though I didn't like witches that much in the past (I'm slowly starting to love them).

Amazing review, Lucia! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much - thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! :D
My recent post The R.I.P. It or Ship It Book Tag
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
Dammit, Lucia! I was prepared to wait until all 4 books in this series are out before reading this one, but you're making it so hard!
I love the sound of these characters and of course, the romance is everything I want out of a romance it seems.
I'll have to re-think my decision for sure.
I love the collage btw! :)
My recent post Meet the Guys of the Oxford series by Lauren Layne
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I'm ready to read this one, but there are some mixed reviews, so I'm not gonna go in with really high expectations. Still, more readers love it than hate it, so I can't wait. Great review!
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I haven't read it yet but you guys are making me want to read it and I hope it is worth it. I already have it on my goodreads list anyway but I've been really skeptical about it.
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I'm glad to see that you really liked this one! I still haven't purchased a copy but it sounds so amazing. I can't wait to finally read it!
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
My copy of Truthwitch arrived last week and I'm so glad to see you loved it so much! I hope I have as great of an experience as you did :D
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
There has been so much hype around this, so I am so glad to hear you liked it too! I'm a huge fan of books with action, friendship and strong characters, so this sounds right up my alley in that regard. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I love the importance of friendship in this series, it's so sad that there aren't more like it in YA. Your edits are also amazing, especially Iseult's, exactly how I imagined her!

Aentee at Read at Midnight
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
This one sounds absolutely fantastic, will almost every one of my favorite elements of fantasy being represented. A fantasy book needs good world building (and a romance as good as this isn't too bad either) so I can't wait to read this one!
My recent post DNF Review: Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I've heard nothing but amazing things about Truthwitch, and my toes are itching to take me to the bookstore right now to grab myself a copy! High fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and the world-building and characterization will definitely make or break the book for me, so I'm EXTREMELY excited that this book gives justice to those aspects. And holy crap, the way you described the romance??? //swooooon.// <3
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I am so glad to see you loved this. So much hype but seems like it is living up to it!!! Love that there is a strong focus on friendship. I always appreciate that in a book. Great review!!
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
You are so right about this, I just finished the book and I'm in .love with Merik the most but the friendship between Safi and Iseult is what made the book for me.
My recent post Book Review: Truthwitch
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I keep hearing such good things about this one, which is making me more than a little wary (the last hyped up book I read, I hated lol) I will most definitely be reading it at some point in the future, but maybe once all the glowing reviews are a bit further into the past :)
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I'll be honest ad say I never paid attention to this book, not even the reviews. There was/is so much hype surrounding it that I didn't even bother reading what it was about. Your collages now really make me want to read it. It sounds like what a real fantasy should be like, especially with a unique world you can submerge into. Great review!
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
ALL OF THIS IS YES!!!
I love love love love (and agree with) all the reasons you listed for why Truthwitch is a prime fantasy read. Iseult and Safi's friendships are soooo much goals! And Merik is extra-swoony, buttttt I'm totally an Aeduan girl. ;) I love me some dark and mysterious types. Wonderful review!

- Aila @ Happy Indulgence
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
I'm actually reading this one right now and while i'm only at the very beginning and i'm both it and everything you've said about it. I can't wait to finish reading it!
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
That collage is so pretty Lucia!
I'm on the fence about this one (because of the hype) but I have the audio and after seeing you loved it I can give it a try :)
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
AH LUCIA, I LOVE YOUR REVIEW! And the images you made are just PERFECTION. Finally I've finished it and could read your review (I have been dying to read it for a few days now!) and I couldn't agree more with everything that you said, the friendship, romance, EVERYTHING. How on earth are we going to survive a whole year waiting for the next one? And oh god, I love Aeduan!! Can't wait to get more of him. Great review!! :) <3
My recent post Review: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
1 reply · active 479 weeks ago
I just got this one in the mail and I can't wait to pick it up! I'm really looking forward to the friendship here and the chemistry sounds amazing. I love the sound of the world building as well! Thanks for the awesome review, Lucia.
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1 reply · active 479 weeks ago
FRIENDSHIP AND WORLDBUILDING. yas. I'm realy looking forward to this. Also: did you make those edits yourself? THEY'RE SO PRETTY I CAN'T. Totally tumblr worthy. I loved the list format of your review, and you may have convinced me to actually pick this book up. Lovely review, Lucia <3
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1 reply · active 479 weeks ago
Omg I'm literally hyperventilating with need for this book right now!! EEEEP. It sounds a bit like Six of Crows?!? Is it on the same level of awesome?! EITHER WAY I MUST READ IT. *dashes off to see if library has bought it*
1 reply · active 479 weeks ago
After reading your review I feel I need to put this book on my TBR list! I love a good fantasy book and one that has strong characters and chemistry always makes it a great read!
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1 reply · active 479 weeks ago
This book is on my TBR and I can't wait to get my hands on it! I want it so badly DD: I love the idea of the concept of truthwitches alone. And then shoving that to the side, the whole world building and the characters as well sounds so wonderful. I'm gonna fangirl just as much about this book.
1 reply · active 478 weeks ago
Although I didn't love this as much as you did, I can definitely see where you're coming from. I'm so happy to see how awesome you felt the story was. I have to agree with the amazing friendship, and the chemistry was pretty up there as well!! Great review, love!
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1 reply · active 478 weeks ago
I love this article. It is so right on point. It is great approach to human systems integration.

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