Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3) by Susan Dennard - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*


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Title: Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3)
Author: Susan Dennard
Recent Release Date: February 12, 2019

My REVIEW of Truthwitch
My REVIEW of Windwitch
My REVIEW of Sightwitch

Synopsis: Fans of Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series have fallen in love with the Bloodwitch Aeduan. And now, finally, comes his story.

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.

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Review: This series is fantastic. This is the fourth book in the series, but the third full length novel. The writing in all of these books is amazing! The world building is excellent! The characters are wonderful! If you haven't read Truthwitch, stop reading this and go get it and read it NOW!

Aeduan gets the lead arc in this installment. The fans have labeled him Baeduan and this book might actually give light to that name, really delving into Aeduan's backstory. He addresses some inner demons of his own and makes some great revelations. While looking pretty badass the whole time, I may add.   

This is an ensemble series so all of the main characters are back, scattered across the Witchlands. Iseult is with Aeduan and Owl. Safi is with Vaness in a gorgeously described throne room. Merik, Cam, and Ryber are being chased by the Fury towards the Sightwitch Sisters Convent! (This chapter got me so excited since Sightwitch was the most fresh in my mind) Vivia and Stix are learning more about the underground city. Throughout the book, these characters all make progress, switch adventuring partners, cross paths in amazing ways, and learn more about what's really going on in the Witchlands. 

There are so many great emotional moments in this book. Dennard excellently roots this series in complex characters and sprinkles in the immersive world in such a wonderfully palatable way. The chapters featuring Aeduan's youth especially hit me in the feels. BOOTS!!! I loved getting to learn more about the magical system and mythology. Sightwitch is absolutely a MUST-READ before this book.

I obviously give this novel a 5/5! I can't recommend this series enough. It has everything that I like in a book series. If you like Fantasy and you haven't read this, you better get on it! And if you've read some of the series and aren't sure whether you want to pick up Bloodwitch, it is absolutely worth it! 


--PAUL

Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3) SNEAK PEAK EXCERPT by Susan Dennard - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3)
Author: Susan Dennard
Upcoming Release Date: February 12, 2019

My REVIEW of Truthwitch
My REVIEW of Windwitch
My REVIEW of Sightwitch

Synopsis: Fans of Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series have fallen in love with the Bloodwitch Aeduan. And now, finally, comes his story.

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.

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Review: Thanks to Bookish First, I was able to read the first few chapters of Susan Dennard's upcoming Bloodwitch. This series is fantastic. This is the fourth book in the series, but the third full length novel. The writing in all of these books is amazing. 

The first chapter opens with a prologue featuring Aeduan. It shows the young boy before he was fully aware of what it meant to be a bloodwitch, while he still was full of childish glee. This made me so excited for this book, to really delve into Aeduan's perspective. 

The next few chapters catch the reader up with the other main characters. Iseult is with Aeduan and Owl. Safi is with Vaness in a gorgeously described throne room. Merik, Cam, and Ryber are being chased by the Fury towards the Sightwitch Sisters Convent! This chapter got me so excited since Sightwitch is the most fresh in my mind. And lastly, Vivia and Stix are learning more about the underground city. Really excited to get more Stix in this book! 

These chapters got me super excited for this book, which I have already pre-ordered. You should do the same! There's even a PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN!!! And if you haven't read any in the series, go get Truthwitch immediately! Keep a look out for my full review closer to the release date. I was lucky enough to get a hold of an ARC!


--PAUL

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5) by Susan Dennard - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5)
Author: Susan Dennard
Recent Release Date: February 13, 2018

My REVIEW of Truthwitch
My REVIEW of Windwitch
My REVIEW of the Sightwitch Excerpt

Synopsis: 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.

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Review: I totally forgot to write this review. I wrote a review of the advanced excerpt of Sightwitch, but forgot to write a review after I finished the whole novella once it came out in February, which I had pre-ordered of course. So, this review isn't going to have a lot of details. 

I really enjoyed the format of this novella. The story is told in letters, diary entries, text book excerpts, and drawings. The world of the Witchlands is so expansive. I will read anything that gives me another glimpse into that world.

I give this novella a 5/5. You should definitely read it if you have enjoyed the books in the main series. And if you haven't read Truthwitch, go buy it right now!


--PAUL

Sightwitch (A Tale of the Witchlands) by Susan Dennard - Preview Excerpt Review - PRE-ORDER!!!

*I received this preview excerpt from Macmillan-Tor/Forge via NetGalley as an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5)
Author: Susan Dennard
Upcoming Release Date: February 13, 2018

Call-To-Arms website with GIVEAWAY RAFFLE

My REVIEW of Truthwitch
My REVIEW of Windwitch

Synopsis: 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.

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Review: I absolutely love the world of the Witchlands. Susan Dennard does such a good job creating a rich world that feels so expansive. I have already pre-ordered Sightwitch so when I saw a preview excerpt available on NetGalley I jumped at it. The preview only gave me a glimpse into the story, but I love where it's going. Not all of the graphics and formatting were completed, but the graphics that were there were amazing. I love the concept behind this book. It's a story told non-linearly using mixed media. 

I give this excerpt a 5/5. I am very excited to see the full novella arrive on my kindle on FEBRUARY  13th!!! You should pre-order now! You should also help promote the book on social media. Here's that LINK.


--PAUL

Windwitch (The Witchlands #2) by Susan Dennard - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Windwitch (The Witchlands #2)
Author: Susan Dennard
Recent Release Date: January 10, 2017

My REVIEW of Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1)

Synopsis: 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.

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Review: This series is soooooooo good! Windwitch follows in the steps of the amazing Truthwitch and continues to build this amazingly rich world. This book didn't go as fast as the first book did for me, but I think that's due to me already knowing most of the characters and being familiar with the world. I loved the discovery of the magic system in Truthwitch. Since the magic system has already been introduced, not as much time is spent on it.  But we do get to see magic used in new and interesting ways. 

The amount of POVs adds to the story! Whenever I finished a chapter, I'd read just a sentence of the next and be pulled in to continue reading to see how someone else's story was going. 

The mythology in this story is so deep. The different cultures are written so well, showing in the mannerisms and how people from different areas talk. The world is so complex. It feels even bigger than the stories these books are focusing on. We got a little more politics in this sequel. I like seeing the differing sides. 

The characters in this book are so awesome! I won't go into details, but: CAM!!! VIVIA!!! OWL!!!

I give this second book in The Witchlands series a 5/5. If you haven't read Truthwitch, you need to get on that immediately!


--PAUL

Paul's TOP TEN Books Read in 2016

2016 was a year of uneven reading for me. I read a total of 47 books, but a big chunk of those were graphic novels. And when I did read, I did it in bursts. This was another great year for YA Fantasy books with the start of a few very promising series. 2016 was also a great year for representation and diversity in YA. 2017 is only going to improve. It's time to share my favorite reads of the year. Below you will find the TOP TEN books that I read in 2016. Click on the titles or cover pictures for links to my reviews!

 MY TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2016

10.Ahsoka

9.False Hearts

8.Bloodline

7.The Shadow Queen

6.Timekeeper

5.Otherbound

4.The Crown's Game

3.Three Dark Crowns

2.The Girl from Everywhere

1.Truthwitch

What were your favorite books of 2016? What books are you looking forward to in 2017?

--PAUL

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Truthwitch
Author: Susan Dennard
Recent Release Date: January 5, 2016

Synopsis: 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. 

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Review: Why did no one make me read this book sooner!?! It's such a ME book. There's an ensemble cast. There's wonderful worldbuilding. An amazing magic system. Beautiful writing. It's the whole package. 

Dennard is such a great writer. The characters all have their own voices and interact in such cool combinations. There's an unknown greyness to a lot of characters, which I love. There's moral complexity. It's not an easy black-and-white/good-and-evil story. 

This is only the first book in the series and I'm already hooked. It reminds me of Star Wars and Avatar/Korra. There's such a big world and I am ready to explore it. 

I obviously HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book! And I will be reading its sequel very soon! I give this book a 5/5. It's just so wonderful I don't know what more to say about it. Just go buy it. Read it. Then fangirl about it with me!


--PAUL