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

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

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.

------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

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. 

------------------------------------------------------------

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