BOOK REVIEW: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

BOOK REVIEW: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

January 2016
Tor Teen
Hardcover, $18.99 USD
Reviewed by Aly Locatelli

8/10

Those who win wars are those who write histories.

As a Susan Dennard virgin, Truthwitch came to my attention solely because Susan Dennard just happen to be my favourite author’s best friend, and so the hype surrounding it was ginormous: a huge street team took over Twitter with “Clan Chats”, giveaways and fun quizzes; the publisher did many a giveaway of ARCs and signed merchandise; there was a preorder campaign and Tuesdays became “Truthwitch Tuesdays.” Trusted bloggers and reviewers were falling over themselves as they flailed over the wonderfulness this book provided.

Needless to say, the excitement for the up and coming novel was high, and I could not wait to get my hands on it. I was not let down.

Truthwitch is original in many ways. Although it follows certain “rules” of high fantasy (for example: strong heroine as the main characters, a to-die-for love interest, high stakes and magic), it also brings something new and fresh to the genre.

Safi is a rare Truthwitch. Her Threadsister, Iseult, a Threadwitch. Together, the two are constantly in trouble’s reach, even if they’re not actively seeking it themselves. As a rare Truthwitch, Safi is risking more than most: if found out, she could end up being royalty’s secret pet, torn between two warring empires as each would kill for her powers.

“I hate this. Both the storm and the plan. Why does it have to be ‘we’? Why not just me?”
“Because ‘just me’ isn’t who we are,” Iseult hollered back. “I’ll always follow you, Safi, and you’ll always follow me. Threadsisters to the end.”

One chance encounter with a Guildmaster and his Bloodwitch bodyguard forces Safi and Iseult to flee their home, leaving everything they loved behind. In the meantime, the Nubrevnan Prince, Merik, desperate to feed his country, is trying to form an alliance with the fan Hasstrells… who are none other than Safi’s family. For a small price (delivering Safi to the South where she will be safe), Merik will get his alliance and the food to feed his people.

It was the circle of perfect motion. Of the light-bringer and dark-giver, the world-starter and shadow-ender. Of initiation and completion. It was the symbol of the Cahr Awen. Cahr Awen.

Truthwitch is the kind of book you want to savour. It’s fast-paced and packed with action with plot twists you don’t see coming and characters one will remember for a long time to come. I was incredibly pleased with the strong female friendships shown: Safi and Iseult, closer than sisters, would do anything for each other, including forfeiting their life to save the other’s. Not only are they strong, powerful and hungry for freedom, but they are also funny, adding an element of humour to the story that did not go amiss.

“Where’s your hair?” she shouted. “And what happened to your arm?”
“Cut my hair and got shot with an arrow!”
“Gods below, Iseult! A few hours away and your whole life tumbles through the hell-gates!”
“I might say the same to you,” Iseult shouted back—though it was getting hard to scream and ride. “Four opponents on your tail and a ruined dress!”

Needless to say, Truthwitch is the book equivalent of cheesy chips on a Saturday night — it is satisfying in a primal way, fulfilling every bookish need. It’s definitely a book every YA fantasy fan needs on their to-read list!

(Truthwitch is the first book in the The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard.)

Category: Book Reviews, Other Reviews