Author: VE Schwab Series: Shades of Magic #1 Reviewer: Marlou
Summary
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.
“I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.”
I’ve been waiting a while to write this review because I just didn’t seem to be able to find the words. It didn’t look like a strong review if I just wrote asdfghjkl but that’s exactly what I was thinking.
Delilah Bard is a freaking gem. I love her. I want to be her. I want to date her. But alas, she is a free woman and no one is gonna shackle that one. Good luck to anyone who might try.
Here’s one of my favorite Delilah snippets from this book:
“I apologize for anything I might have done. I was not myself.”
“I apologize for shooting you in the leg.” said Lila. “I was myself entirely.”
Kell is such a grumpy cutie and he also has a good sense of very sarcastic humor. Exactly the kind of humor I love.
“What are you?” she asked. “A monster,” said Kell hoarsely. “You’d better let me go.” The girl gave a small, mocking laugh. “Monsters don’t faint in the presence of ladies.” “Ladies don’t dress like men and pick pockets,” retorted Kell. Her smile only sharpened. “What are you really?” “Tied to your bed,” said Kell matter-of-factly. “And?” His brow furrowed. “And in trouble.”
A Darker Shade of Magic is a book all on its own. The story could very well be finished with this book, but lucky for us it was not! This book is mostly about Kell and Lila and I really like that. The world(s) itself and its magic (or lack thereof) is already complicated enough. With Kell and Lila being in the spotlight the rest is much easier to comprehend and the world-building is very strong in this book. A solid 4 stars.
Author: Sarah J. Maas Series: Throne of Glass #7 Reviewer: Marlou
Content Warnings
Violence, Torture, Depression, Death, War
Summary
Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…
With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.
And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.
As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.
This book tore my heart out, gave it back, shattered it, glued it back together, and then burned it to smithereens, never to be seen again.
I have never cried while reading a book. Thanks, Kingdom of Ash, for ruining my perfect record. And thanks, Sarah J Maas, for writing such an amazing book. SJM managed to make me cry, it can’t get much better than that.
“You do not yield.” Don’t mind me, I’m just bawling my eyes out. What a perfect line. It’s right along the lines of “I am Celeana Sardothien and I will not be afraid,” and yet so much more.
Yes, the book was lacking in several places. Unnecessary things were added and necessary things were deleted. It wasn’t a great serie finale but it was still an amazing book that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Let’s talk about the characters since this was the last book of the series and we’ve met a great deal of people:
Rowannnnnn: He shall always have a special place in my heart. *insert multitude of love eyed emojis* Dorian: I’ve loved you from those very first lines: “‘It’s clear that you respect me, Duke Perrington, but it’s a bit unnecessary to put such effort into forcing Celaena Sardothien to have the same opinion. You and I know very well she has no love for my family. So perhaps your intent is to humiliate her.’ He paused, and she could have sworn his eyes fell on her face. ‘But I think she’s had enough of that.’ He stopped for another moment, then asked: ‘Don’t you have a meeting with Endovier’s treasurer? I wouldn’t want you to be late, especially when you came all this way to meet with him.’” Chaol: I didn’t like him, at all…That changed after reading Tower of Dawn. He’s still not one of my favorites or even close to second but he’s alright. Aedion: Wasn’t impressed at first, but he started growing on me. Eventually I started to really like him, but what I like most of all is his love for his kingdom. He’s as fierce as any lion (see what I did there). LYSANDRAAAAAA: As you can obviously see, I love this chick. Didn’t like her in Assassin’s Blade (but hey, who did?) but omg, Lysandra for the win! My favorite form of hers is her Ghost Leopard form. Manon: I didn’t like her chapters in Heir of Fire. I wanted to skip them. Glad I didn’t. Manon is for me the character with the most character development. Gosh, I love her. The Thirteen: a badass group of ladies that will always be friendship goals. Nesryn: EMPRESSSSSS BADAAAASSSSSSS Sartaq: Oh boy… what a darling… and such a flirt *waving hands frantically because ooh la la* Yrene: “For wherever you need to go – and then some. The world needs more healers.” YAAAAASSSS GIRL YOU MADE IT! Elide: DAYUMMMM you tell him darling, don’t take his BS, don’t be afraid of anyone. FENRYSSSSSS: oh my lovely boyo. I love him so much. He deserves the world. *insert squealing fangirl* Lorcan: You smol baby bean…You can go to Perranth with me. *winks with both eyes* Gavriel: You amazing dad. Aedion loves you, you know…almost as much as I do. *hugs him tightly* And last but definitely not the least: AELIN: fire-breathing-bitch-queen/ fireheart/ Elentiya/ Lillian/ Celeana —it doesn’t matter what name she goes by, she is amazing. Aelin will forever be my favorite character of the Throne of Glass series and one of my favorites from any other book. *applauds for the Heir of Brannon*
I have definitely not mentioned all the characters but my review was getting long enough. Kingdom of Ash was an amazing book and will have a special place in my heart. Thank you, Sarah J Maas, for such an inspiring and lovely series and such an amazing series finale. This book will stay with me for a while.
Author: Natalie C. Parker Series: Seafire #1 Reviewer: Marlou
Content Warnings
Violence, death
Summary
After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric’s armed and armored fleet.
But when Caledonia’s best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all . . . or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?
The idea of this book is great. I just didn’t feel satisfied when I was reading it. I kept feeling like something was missing, be it the characters or the world, I don’t know exactly. I didn’t hate the book, not at all. I’m a feminist, I love me some good female pirates. They just didn’t feel like pirates to me. Maybe I had high expectations after having read Daughter of the Pirate King and Daughter of the Siren Queen.
It took me a while to read Seafire because school got in the way and then Kingdom of Ash was released and I had to read that one first. I was emotionally incapable of starting a new book after that. 😉 The style of writing wasn’t my preferred style so that might have slowed down the reading as well.
Seafire is a good book with strong females but for me there was just something missing and I can’t quite put my finger on it and that makes it even more annoying. 😉 This book gets three stars from me and I must admit I’m still going to pick up the second book just to see where the story leads.
Thank you Faecrate for including this book in your August Deadly Dames box.
Author: Tahereh Mafi Series: Shatter Me Reviewer: Marlou
Content Warnings
Violence, anxiety, depression
Summary
I have a curse I have a gift
I am a monster I’m more than human
My touch is lethal My touch is power
I am their weapon I will fight back
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
This review is about all Shatter Me books and novellas.
Shatter Me
What a book. You feel for Juliette from page one. You also know that she has major issues. Warner is a total ass that you can’t help but love. Adam is relatively harmless and kinda cute AND HE CAN TOUCH HER WHOA. No one has been able to touch poor J in a very long time and I’m not a person that likes hugging but at least I’m still capable of doing it, I can’t imagine what it’s like not to be able to touch people because you’ll hurt them. I love Mafi’s writing and the pace she sets in the book is perfect. This book deserves a solid 4/5 stars.
Destroy Me
Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.
CAN I HAVE MORE FROM WARNER’S POV PRETTY PLEASE.
I loved being in Warner’s head, boy oh boy that smol bean has issues. His relationship with his dad is awful, he had to do things as a kid that he did not want to do, but had to or he’d be called weak. Can you hear my heart breaking for my boy? Gosh, I just want to wrap him in a blanket and protect him from anything Mafi still has planned for him. 4/5 stars for this ruthless boy.
Unravel Me
WARNER CAN TOUCH JULIETTE I REPEAT WARNER CAN TOUCH JULIETTE. I know I had to frantically fan myself at the end of Shatter Me when I found that out. I can only imagine how shaken Juliette must have been. Her enemy can touch her. There are two people in the whole world that can touch her and she hates one of them. Juliette dumped Adam YAY. Adam is such an ass in this book, it’s surprising Juliette didn’t break anything besides her heart. Can I just mention that I didn’t trust Omega Point at all… I thought they were sketchy, turned out they really are the good guys. The ending of this book was pure hell. I nearly threw my book across the room. Read to find out I guess 🙂 Also, this book gets 4/5 stars just like the rest.
Fracture Me
Still have to read this novella.
Ignite Me
Everyone is dead. The end. HAHA if only. Everyone is super screwed, and several people did die in the fight at the end of Unravel Me…
Ignite Me was a very interesting read. In this book Juliette starts to change from a caged, lethal bird to a badass that takes no shit. This book also has a lot more serious romance parts in it and I didn’t think I’d like it, but it turned out I did. Mafi writes such tasteful romance that I wanted more. In all the books, I was screaming that Warner and Juliette should kiss already and, finally, they did! And Warner has some pretty cool tattoos, one of which is the books title AAAAH. This book gets 4/5 stars and many, many heart eyes.
Restore Me
Yeah, I needed some serious restoring after this book. Holy moly. I now know why this series is called “shatter me,” because this book shattered me into a thousand pieces. It’s been a year since I’ve read this and still all I feel like typing is “asdfghjkl” and I can’t really elaborat. I can barely even talk about this book without spoiling everything so I’ll just tell you that this book is awesome. Juliette is a freaking badass and scares me a little. And where is that blanket for Warner to roll him up in and protect him from Mafi? Did Kenji steal it? Probably… 4/5 stars for this one. It’s only not 5 stars because the dystopian part of the book makes it a little less my cup of tea, also I can’t deal with Adam, he should die already (sorry not sorry).
Shadow Me
Fan favorite character Kenji Kishimoto narrates this gripping companion novella to Tahereh Mafi’s New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, set during the explosive events in Restore Me!
I am so disappointed by this novella. This felt like I was reading Mafi’s notes on what Kenji was doing during certain key points in Restore Me and even then it doesn’t even feel like he was discussing the key points. The story was also still focused on Warner and Juliette and I really hoped that wouldn’t happen. Kenji is a freaking sweetheart and I loved reading about him but there could have been so much more or Mafi could have written multiple scenes we wouldn’t have seen from Juliette and Warner’s perspective. The book didn’t feel done when I reached the last page and not in the ‘Oh plot twist or open ending yay fun’ kind of way. Kenji gets 3 stars because it’s still Kenji and I can’t bear to give him any lower than that.
Defy Me
Defy Me releases April 2nd, 2019. Here’s the synopsis:
The gripping fifth installment in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shatter Me series. Will Juliette’s broken heart make her vulnerable to the strengthening darkness within her?
Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything.
Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.
Author: Susan Dennard Series: The Witchlands #3 Reviewer: Community
Summary
High in a snowy mountain range, a monastery that holds more than just faith clings to the side of a cliff. Below, thwarted by a lake, a bloodthirsty horde of raiders await the coming of winter and the frozen path to destroy the sanctuary and its secrets.
The Bloodwitch Aeduan has teamed up with the Threadwitch Iseult and the magical girl Owl to stop the destruction. But to do so, he must confront his own father, and his past.
I don’t even know where to begin with this one. We travel to various places in the Witchlands, get confirmation on some questions raised by the earlier books, and leave with even more questions. I loved Safi and Iseult (again), but I can’t get over Vivia’s story. I admire her more every book. Aeduan is obviously amazing in this book, too, since it centers around his arc. He has some tough choices to make as he struggles against his beliefs and feelings.
Marlou
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Bloodwitch was grandma’s apple pie, a new pair of shoes, breakfast for dinner, it was the small things in life that bring you joy.
Leslie
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
I was already in love with Vivia’s character from Windwitch, but this book really pushed me off the deep end. She and Vaness, WOW is all I can say. Then, of course you pick up with Iseult and Aeduan (and feisty Owl), and it is everything an awkward thrown together, type of family can be in the best ways. Plus, every character is pushed to their limit, forced to find themselves, sometimes even without or in spite of the magic that has been in their veins since as long as they can remember. I love a little bit of character suffering (okay, maybe more than a little bit) in order to show growth, and this book captured that perfectly.
Inopnion
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
We as readers occasionally experience a giddiness of spirit, you know that feeling. When something tickles you so much you blabber to anyone that will listen, and they look at you like you’re a bit touched. You know that feeling. This book gave me this feeling over and over. Not only does the narrative follow the most mysterious and enigmatic would-be villain I have ever witnessed on a page, but it dares you not to love him. Aeduan’s level of self-loathing, his complete conviction in his own monstrousness is counteracted by vulnerable moments of pure kindness and sacrifice. Just like Merik’s journey in Windwitch made me ache and hope for him, this book revealed the complex depths of a deluded Hufflepuff. Not to mention, this book has even more action, chases, fights, etc. than any of the other books in the series. It’s non-stop and always with a purpose.
Author: Susan Dennard Series: The Witchlands #2.5 Reviewer: Community
Summary
Before Safi and Iseult battled a Bloodwitch…
Before Merik returned from the dead…
Ryber Fortiza was a Sightwitch Sister at a secluded convent, waiting to be called by her goddess into the depths of the mountain. There she would receive the gift of foretelling. But when that call never comes, Ryber finds herself the only Sister without the Sight.
Years pass and Ryber’s misfit pain becomes a dull ache, until one day, Sisters who already possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain, never to return. Soon enough, Ryber is the only Sister left. Now, it is up to her to save her Sisters, though she does not have the Sight—and though she does not know what might await her inside the mountain.
On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together, the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, their road filled with horrors, and what they find at the end of that road will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever.
Set a year before Truthwitch, Sightwitch is a companion novella that also serves as a set up to Bloodwitch, as well as an expansion of the Witchlands world.
This book is structured differently than the others. It’s more of a journal but it’s fun to read, especially with the visuals that accompany the text. I loved learning more about Ryber and how the Sightwitches fit into the larger picture of the Witchlands series. I’m also very rule-oriented like Ryber so I felt her struggles. We also learn a lot about Kullen and get a glimpse into the past. All of this helps set up events for future books while also confirming some questions from the earlier books.
Marlou
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Sightwitch was a starry night sky, a surprise dinner with a loved one, a destination you always wanted to go, it proved the extraordinary was possible.
Leslie
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
OMG! I love epistolary novels and this one was a winner. Being given scraps of books, handwritten notes, sketches, and more, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This book builds the background for things in the series as a whole, takes us into one of the characters’ POVs even deeper, and manages to continue deepening our understanding of where the series is going.
Fox
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
It broke my heart to lower the rating for this book, because it is so, so close to 5 stars, but I found some parts a tad bit confusing because of the switching POVs. I loved the historical aspects, but it took me too long to start to care for that plotline, as I was more interested in its connection to the present timeline of Witchlands. The book has terrific illustrations and sketches, which add a lot to the story. It would have been an amazing graphic novel or even a full novel, for example, but as a novella, it was just too short for me to get fully immersed in.
Some moments in Sightwitch are really intense and dark, which once again proves how good of a storyteller Susan is. Her writing style just gets better with each Witchlands book, and I don’t want the series to ever end. Ever!
Sightwitch is incredibly important for the series as it explains certain things that happen in Windwitch, and it just blew my mind when I got to that part! I couldn’t get over it once I finished the book and my urge was to immediately pick up Truthwitch and start my re-read with a different perspective.
In spite of its timeline preceding Truthwitch, Sightwitch is not a prequel and should be read after Windwitch and before Bloodwitch – and not in any other order.
Inopinion
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If I could give this a six, I would. This book, though it be short, and though it be mis-labelled as a novella and a “companion” is in itself a remarkable piece of storytelling and an integral part of the series. It cannot be stated enough times how important it is to read this book before Bloodwitch!
Ryber seems such a minor character after Windwitch – the heart-thread of Kullen and member of the crew. And then Susan flips your assumptions on your head and reveals the Sightwitch Sisters and their cloistered community, Ryber, and her thread-sister, Tanzi.
This book includes one of the most epic chases in fiction or video games with all the imagery required to feel like you’re there every step of the way. Filled with riddles, game play, rules to follow, it’s like entering a bonus round only to exit understanding it was the key to completing the entire challenge. The more I linger on this book, the more it places itself in my top five of all time.
Author: Susan Dennard Series: The Witchlands #2 Reviewer: Community
Summary
Sometimes our enemies are also our only allies…
After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.
When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her—yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Now they must work together to cross the Witchlands, while constantly wondering, who will betray whom first?
After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. Alone in a land of pirates, every moment balances on a knife’s edge—especially when the pirates’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.
Things start off quickly in this one! We follow Merik more than the other characters, and I’ll be honest, I really needed resolution after reading Truthwitch the first time so I rushed Windwitch. I enjoyed this book more the second time since I took my time and picked up on some larger clues I missed before. We also see Vivia’s perspective (she’s Merik’s sister and definitely one of my favorite characters in the series). Merik isn’t one of my favorite characters, but he definitely has an interesting arc.
Marlou
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Windwitch was rain pouring harshly on the roof, butterflies in my stomach, seeing your friend after a while apart, it was coming home home to a loving family.
Leslie
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
While this one wasn’t my favorite of the series, it definitely begins to show the repercussions from Truthwitch and the implications that those events will have on the rest of the series. It was also wonderful to get more POV chapters here and I am totally already in love with Merik’s sister, Vivia. In Truthwitch, we are presented with certain pieces of information, but with Windwitch, it becomes clear that maybe what we thought was an absolute, really isn’t and we need to shift our understanding. Again, this is some deep stuff for a YA series to tackle, and it is done beautifully well.
Fox
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Windwitch is my most favourite book in the series. Perhaps, because when I am writing this, I am yet to read Bloodwitch, but even then I can’t ever imagine anything make my heart squeeze so much.
The second book in the series is expanding the world once again and giving us more POVs. I did not expect to change my opinions on some of the characters, but I did as we were giving other sides of the story (e.g., Vivia and Merik relationship). I loved this book, even though it ripped my heart apart and I just kept screaming internally till I got to the last page. And then I had to scream some more because the wait for the following installment in the series seemed endless.
Let me add that the cover is stunning and I can’t decide if I like US or UK version better. It has my most favourite season as the backdrop for Merik, and I always feel happy when I look at it.
Author: Susan Dennard Series: The Witchlands #1 Reviewer: Community
Summary
In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.
Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.
Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she’s a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden – lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult’s true powers are hidden even from herself.
In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls’ heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.
I discovered Truthwitch when I was just venturing into YA because I need more diversity than adult fantasy was providing. Truthwitch did not disappoint and I ended up ordering the sequel, Windwitch, before even finishing the first five chapters. I fell in love with the characters and world. Safi and Iseult were the characters I needed. There is action, great dialog, and lots of worldbuilding. The ending hurt, but luckily Windwitch was already out so I could dive right in.
Marlou
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Truthwitch was the light at the end of the tunnel, the breeze on a hot summer day, a warm jacket on a chilling winter night, it was everything I never knew I needed and more.
Leslie
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
This was the first time I read a YA book and was truly blown away by the depth and world building that was done. You can definitely tell that Susan Dennard had put so much thought and time into creating this epic series that each page left you with either an awesome, action-packed scene, a detail that builds the world, or a great character building scene. Many of the scenes and chapters accomplished all three of those! While some YA readers may not be interested in building a world this rich and deep in their minds, for those of us that are, this is the book (and series) that you have been waiting for.
Inopinion
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Probably an unpopular rating among a group of Dennard-loving Witchlanders, but I was not as blown away by Truthwitch as I was the other books. What I loved the most about this book and the way this series started was the connection with Iz and Safi – it’s instantaneously apparent that not only are they great friends but they strengthen each other in unique ways. Safi is impulsive, Iseult balances her with her careful planning and caution. Iseult wants to slip by unnoticed and could get stuck in one place doing one thing and never truly live, but not with a best friend swindling people at cards! They are magnetic.
And the world is so HUGE. It’s bigger than big. It goes to the edge of the book and beyond always leaving more to uncover. I really appreciate the vastness of the history, the politics, the landscapes, the cultures, but it’s also what made the first book difficult and confusing. On a re-read, I had no problem seeing all the pieces click into place, but on the first go-through, I recall an inner dialog that basically said, “Forgive the unknowns, these girls are great.” So I mention this personal hiccup to ready the uninitiated, the world is there and it’s big and confusing and cluttered with variations but that’s also what makes it feel authentic and magical. It’s definitely something that I appreciated more with each new book, but it was overwhelming in the first.
Fox
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I fell in love with this world from the very first page. Having grown up reading big adult fantasy books, I was thrilled to find a Young Adult novel with such a vast world and complex politics (some of which did go over my head during the first reading, I must admit). My note on GoodReads for Page 46 says “I’m squeaking! Because I like everything so far!”.
That was back in early 2016 when I was still very new to YA books and Susan’s writing in particular. Unlike some readers, I didn’t have issues with the world complexity, but I struggled to connect with either Safi or Iseult. I loved them both together, but separately they were just not working for me. Hence, the 4.5 star rating. (There were also some repetitive sentence structure that was rubbing me off wrong at times, but I later came to appreciate it.) Once I read Windwitch, my opinion on several characters has changed dramatically, so I am not going to hold it against Truthwitch. It is a fantastic book one in the series. I just sometimes wish it was longer and more adult.
P.S. Chapter 38 still makes me cry. I was devastated after reading the ending. And it still has the same effect on me, even though I have read other books in the series.
Dream Read Repeat 