Review: Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! 2016 has so many exciting new releases I can't wait for the year to get started! Today, I'm going to be sharing with you my review for Truthwitch. My most anticipated 2016 fantasy story, I was lucky enough to have gotten an ARC last year. The moment it landed in my hands I devoured it XD Now here's my attempt at reviewing the epic awesomeness that is Truthwitch!

Truthwitch

(The Witchlands #1)
by Susan Dennard

Janruary 5, 2016

416 pages

Goodreads  Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

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 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.

Review

Let me just start off by saying anything I say about Truthwitch won't do it justice. Not only does it live up to all the hype, it exceeds it. The world, the story, the characters, all elements to this book make it an unforgettable read. There are some minor issues but overall Truthwitch kicked some major butts!

We dive straight into the world as the story takes off. Honestly at first, it was hard to grasp the world because of how quickly we're thrown in. It felt like I was suppose to already know the world and understand the magic when really I was confused and struggling to get a bearing inside this world. However, as we go further into the story, given time to absorb the details, I was able to thoroughly appreciate how complex and intricate the world and the magic system are. Each witchery was unique and served to help or obstruct our characters' paths. There was danger everywhere as they embark on their journey filled with actions and emotions.

Safiya and Iseult have quite an unbreakable bond as Threadsisters. The unwavering love and loyalty they have for each other is truly inspiring. This kind of sisterhood is one to stand by (like Susan Dennard and Sarah J. Maas's). Bonus that they're both such bad asses (the characters and the authors) :D Like many others, I love them!

Safi's power- what I took away from the story is that she can detect lies. That's about it. Compared to Safi's witchery, I loved Iseult's more. Her ability seems more practical and useful. It is and will be significant as evidenced by the clues presented in the later chapters. Merik's witchery was self-explanatory. He was powerful and definitely knew how to handle it. Aeduan is my favourite! Yes, shocking, I know but I can't help it. He may act like a vengeful madman but I see his complexity. Aeduan has sides that we have yet to fully see and I so can't wait to peel his layers away. From the way Ms. Dennard hints and reveals, I'm positive my wish will be granted ;)

The romance and ships are lovely~ Safi and Merik have this delicious tension simmering between them. They're both so headstrong which is perfect to me. Whenever they clash, whether it was with their actions or in their opinions, it made me happy. They're very much a power couple. They aren't my favourite ship though! This might be slightly spoilery so I will keep it hidden. Does any one else love seeing Aeduan and Iseult together? Because I ship them hard! Possibly even more than I ship Safi and Merik. Aeduan and Isuelt just has this undeniable pull to them. My heart beats wildly fast whenever we get a scene of them together. I need more!

I'm dying, DYING for Windwitch. And then I'm probably going to die some more waiting for Threadwitch. Can you imagine the state I'll be in by the time Bloodwitch rolls around? Despite all the torment, I happily welcome the wait because this series is worth it. READ IT!
 

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way.  All quotes were taken from the Advance Reading Copy I received.