Truthwitch Summary:

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 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.

With the latest installment in Susan Dennard’s Witchlands series, Bloodwitch, gracing our bookshelves in February, it was time to redive into the first two books, Truthwitch and Windwitch.

I first read Susan Dennard’s Truthwitch upon its release in 2016. Maybe it was because I hadn’t read as much fantasy as I do now back then, but I had some trouble with the world building. However, I did love the focus on friendship and how well Susan Dennard executed the politics and romance. Looking back on my Goodreads review from 2016, I really don’t understand why I didn’t continue with this series then!

I am completely blaming myself for being a fantasy newbie back then, because the world and world-building in Truthwitch is just that good. I loved learning about the different types of witches and the characters’ backstories, from monasteries to Threadwitch tribes. The female friendship is insanely strong and well-executed. I love how much time Isuelt and Safi do spend together taking on the Witchlands. My favorite duo though? Safi and Merick! I couldn’t get over their quick remarks to one another and loved seeing their relationship bloom.

“When at last Iseult popped out beside her Threadsister, it was just in time to see Safi grab a fistful of the young man’s unbuttoned shirt

“Is this how all Nubrevnans dress?” Safi snatched the other side of his shirt. “These go inside these.” ” (57)

My Rating: 5/5

Windwitch by Susan Dennard

Windwitch picks up approximately two weeks after the events of Truthwitch. While I somewhat appreciated the fast-paced atmosphere, I wish we were able to experience what happened in those two weeks instead of just referring to it. This world definitely gets a lot more complicated with the Twenty Year Truce over and our four main leads scattered in the southern Witchlands. I liked being able to explore different characters’ perspectives in each chapters. While there were page breaks, I wish hey would have had their own chapters.

Once again, the world-building as absolutely phenomenal in Windwitch. With the addition of a few new characters, there’s also a ton of character development for our four main leads, Merick, Iseult, Safi and Aeduan. I found myself much more invested in Aeduan’s story in this book, which makes me even more excited to jump into Bloodwitch. While I still have much love for Safi, I’m especially excited to see where Iseult and Merick’s journeys take them.

My Rating: 4/5

Thank you to Tor Teen and Big Hocho Media for providing me with Truthwitch and Windwitch. By no means does this affect my thoughts or opinions.

Have you read Truthwitch or Windwitch? Share your thoughts and feels in the comments!