Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Series: The Witchlands #1
Published by Tor Teen on January 5, 2016
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic
Pages: 416 : Advanced Reader Copy
Source: Received through a book trade on Twitter
Add to Goodreads

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.

I ACHED for this book as soon as my eyes landed on the cover back in June (or perhaps July?). Not to mention that Sarah J. Maas highly approved of it with a quote on the cover. I just knew I had to get my hands on this one, no matter what (*insert 6 month montage here of me desperately scouring the #booksfortrade tag on Twitter until someone took pity on me and got a trade set up).

(Actual footage of me giving away my books)

So! I sat down and began to read Truthwitch to my little heart’s content and I really started to enjoy it. I love books that get off the ground and start running at hell-bent speeds, and Truthwitch never seemed to slow down. It was go go go from beginning to end and I really needed a book like that after having been in a book slump for quite some time. Not to mention it was just so much more fun to read that way. Tons of action, constant turns of events, and lot’s of exposure to different parts of this Witchlands world.

I really enjoyed both Safi and Iseult’s characters. Their friendship is #goals and I was super jealous. Plus, they can kill annoying dudes together. Who wouldn’t want to do that with their best friend? *fist pump* Feminsim! Anyway, the way they interact is super awesome too because they weren’t involved in a) some stupid love triangle or b) fighting each other over anything. If books had a Bechdel test, this one would pass with flying colors.

(Something that Safi or Iz have most likely said at some point)

We can’t completely write off the boys though. Merik and even Auedan (I’m assuming) are hotties. I was really drawn to Auedan’s character in particular. Clearly I have a thing for damaged male protagonists (hello, Bucky Barnes anyone?). It will be interesting to see how both of these characters grow and expand over the next few books.

I think the part of Truthwitch I enjoyed the most though was the last 60 pages or so. Things felt as if they were coming to a nice neat conclusion (HAHAHA YEAH RIGHT. That cliffhanger) and I felt a real connection with the characters now that I knew who they were and their motivations were starting to become clearer. And then of course, all good things most come to an end and we are left with a cliffhanger of sorts. I REALLY want to get my hands on the next book and find out what is going to happen next! I’m also eagerly awaiting what the publishers are going to come up with for the next cover, because I’m hoping it will be just as gorgeous and photogenic as this one!