Truthwitch by Susan Dennard is the first book in The Witchlands series. A fragile peace has held sway for the past twenty years, keeping warring nations at bay, but the peace treaty is nearing its end and tensions are on the rise.
Amidst these trying times two witches, Safiya and Iseult, have a pension for finding trouble. After stepping on the wrong toes they are being hunted by a powerful bloodwitch, but there is more at risk then their own lives. Safiya must escape at all cost and keep hidden her truthwitch powers, a rare ability many would kill for. Iseult is determined to protect her threadsister at all cost, even if it means ignoring the truth of her own powers.
The two witches run into an unlikely and reluctant ally in the form of Prince Merik, an airwitch. Safiya’s safety is tied to a trade agreement that may save Merik’s starving people. Together the three must make a dangerous journey all while being hunted by assassins, emperors and nations.
What will become of Safiya and Iseult if they are caught? Can Merik trust that Safiya won’t betray his people? And how are two girls to keep a war at bay and restore the well of this magical society?
I really got into this one. It wasn’t the best developed fantasy book I’ve ever read but it kept me interested. This is a fast-paced read, with a few adventurous twists and turns.
The world building was OK. I’m actually not as bothered as other that this world wasn’t fleshed out more because I think we will get a lot of the backstory in the sequels–probably too much if I am predicting correctly. I did really like this idea of elemental witches and that each nation has a different strength. I also like a good savior in my fantasies and that in this one two foretold female witches (bet yea can’t guess who) are going to rebuild the Witchlands. Can’t beat a good prophecy. A lot of interesting elements here but there was just some world development missing.
I loved whenever Safiya and Iseult put there butt kicking threadsister powers to work. These two are vicious and literally unstoppable when they work together. It is like they go into this mechanical battle mode and nothing can get in their way. Dennard wrote these scenes so well too. Someone needs to film these battle scenes because these moments are action film ready in my opinion.
I am also intrigued by Iseult’s powers. I like that she can see the threads of peoples emotions, paralleled with her stony outward disposition. Iseult is a really interesting character, unlike Safiya, who is a fairly archetypal heroin. I want to see more of Iseult and the bloodwitch because I think there is a lot more than meets the eye going on there.
Overall, I like this book and I will definitely pick up the second once my TBR pile thins out. It gets a low 4 stars from me. An entertaining read, full of adventure.
That’s all for now!
-M-