Truthwitch by Susan Dennard | Book Review

On a continent ruled by three empires, everyone is born with a "witchery," a magical skill that sets them apart from others. Now, as the Twenty Year Truce in a centuries long war is about to end, the balance of power-and the failing health of all magic-will fall on the shoulders of a mythical pair called the Cahr Awen.
The biggest thing on Safi and Noelle's minds is saving money for their planned future in the Hundred Isles. Noelle, a Threadwitch, can see the emotional Threads binding the world. Safi, on the other hand, is a Truthwitch-she always knows when a person is telling a lie. A powerful magic like that is something people would kill to have on their side-or to keep off their enemy's side-and so Safi cannot even admit what she truly is.
With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and privateer) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must rise above their doubts and fight to learn who they are and what they are made of, if they are going to stay alive and preserve the balance of their world.
"An instant new classic."--Sarah J. Maas, New York Times bestselling author of Throne of Glass, on Susan Dennard's Truthwitch
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard kicks off her Witchlands series which is quite a departure from Something Strange And Deadly and I am totally down with this. I mean, I enjoyed Something Strange And Deadly, however, there’s just something about witches and fantasy books that really gets me. One awesome thing about this book is that I read it after all the hype, but just in time for Windwitch to release. So, now I’ve got the sequel on hand straight from the library. I am so beyond pumped up to read it.

Truthwitch basically starts off with a bang. There’s a bit of a commotion as threadsisters Safi and Iseult are on the run. You see, there was an attempt to hustle the previous night and they did not make the money expected. Anyways, they sense a Bloodwitch. A Bloodwitch is basically a human bloodhound on their trail and make a run for it. They head to a lighthouse then back to their apartment. Alas, this only ends in trouble. Eventually, the girls take to the high seas on the ship of Merik, a prince from another land who is in search of a trade agreement to save his people. Only, oh yeah, Safi and Iseult might just be more than simple threadsisters. They might be the solution to a prophecy.

I bet that you are confused by that plot. In fact, I can even admit to you from here that I initially started listening to the audiobook of Truthwitch. I had to stop due to being confused as to what was going on. Reading the physical book at my own pace totally remedied this feeling, FYI. I found that it was so much easier to just sink on in and enjoy what I was reading as opposed to listening to the audiobook.

So, there’s basically three main characters, four if you count the Bloodwitch. The first I want to talk about is the character for whom this book is titled, Safiya, or Safi. Safi is a Truthwitch meaning that she can sense when someone is actively lying to her. Her power is very rare and makes her very useful for those in the ruling class who would use her. Safi, however, comes from the upper class herself. She’s a domna and as we begin the book, she’s about to be engaged to someone very powerful, even if she really does not want to be engaged to this person.

Next up on the main characters list is Iseult, who is Safi’s threadsister which basically means the girls are soul mates or soul sisters. That is the impression that I have. Iseult is a Threadwitch, so she is able to see the different bonds of the witches. She comes from a people who are basically discriminated against. Like, Iseult’s race is constantly getting screwed over. They live in an enclave. Her mother though, was once a leader of Iseult’s people but when Iseult comes home, it is not quite the homecoming she expects. Anyways, Iseult is in quite a fascinating position and although she was pretty sick for most of Truthwitch I cannot wait to see what direction her character goes in next.

So, the final character I want to discuss is Merik. Merik is a windwitch and prince of a land that is running out of resources. Granted, his people are really awesome when it comes to their navy. That doesn’t put food in anyone’s belly though. He ends up agreeing to help transport Safi and Iseult by default to an agreed upon port, as part of Safi’s uncle’s grand plan. Plus, if he does it and manages not to steal any of Safi’s blood, he will get a trade contract which opens the door for even more contracts. Only, Merik doesn’t expect to catch feelings for Safi. It’s a slow burn sort of romance between the two and oh my goodness I am excited to begin Windwitch, which is the book where Merik is the title character, because he is the windwitch.

Susan Dennard builds such an interesting world in her Witchlands series. I know that we’re only just scratching the surface with this first book. I like that no one has unlimited abilities — in fact it reminds me a little of the magic in Mistborn. No one is really super invincible except maybe the Bloodwitch. Then there’s this background legend of two girls one light and one dark who will awaken the wells and do all kinds of great things (Safi and Iseult) that I cannot wait to see developed. In all, the world building is very well done and fleshed out too. I can’t wait to dive into more of Dennard’s creation.

Other reviews of Truthwitch by Susan Dennard:

• Novel Cravings – “this book HAS IT ALL“
• Nice Girls Read Books – “There was really something for everyone“
• She Reads Too Much – “I highly recommend reading it“

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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