Book Sketch: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

TRUTHWITCH
By: Susan Dennard
Published By: Tor Teen
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Series: The Witchlands #1
Pages: 416
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads 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.

First Thought After Finishing: I’m so glad there’s an epic fantasy series in YA!

I started reading Truthwitch almost by accident. I had brought it with me for a photoshoot in the mountains, but I was in the middle of another book on my Kindle. My Kindle died, so I started Truthwitch instead. Almost 100 pages later, I knew this series would become a favorite!

Safi and Iseult have been together for years, and that won’t change, if they have anything to say about it. But when they end up in the wrong place at the right time, they find themselves on the run from not only a Bloodwitch but also those who would use Safi’s Truthwitchery for nefarious purposes. Enter Prince Merik, who becomes tangled up with Safi as well. With political unrest among the kingdoms, can Safi and Iseult stay free from those who want them captured and maybe help right some wrongs along the way?

I love books that explore different types of magic or new magic systems. I think books with witches are some of the best (my first favorite book was The Chimney Witches). This book had me hooked very quickly with its world, magic system, and cast of characters. Safi is wild and impetuous, quick to scheme but fiercely loyal to Iseult. On the other hand, Iseult, has spent her life practicing controlling her emotions and staying calm. They are a wonderful balance, and it was so refreshing to read a story that focused on friendship.

Beyond Safi and Iseult, I also loved Merik and Aeduan. Merik has the wit and drive that I love reading about, and the fire between him and Safi nearly sizzles off the page. I can’t wait to see how things develop between them. And Aeduan is nothing if not intriguing. I wanted to hate him, and yet I wanted to know everything about him. He is clearly hiding something, and those secrets have to be revealed sometime, right? As all the characters move across land and water, there is never a dull moment. From the fighting to the banter hint of romance, this book kept me turning page after page to discover something more.

I have to admit that this book was confusing at time. The intricate politics and the organization of the magic system never seemed to be fully explained, and I found myself wondering how all of the guilds worked and how everyone in the land was tied together. Truthwitch was the beginning of a sweeping epic, and I am hoping to have more of the backstory in the second book. I don’t think I can get enough of this story!

Most Memorable Aspect: How Iseult sees all of peoples’ threads. I loved the inventive descriptions and the bond between Threadsisters!