Truthwitch Review: Threadsisters Over Misters

June 10, 2016 by Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | 5 stars, Books, Reviews

Truthwitch Review: Threadsisters Over MistersTruthwitch by Susan Dennard
Series: The Witchlands #1
Published by Tor Teen on February 23rd 2016
Source: Publisher
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
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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.

You know when you’re reading a book and you think it’s the best thing ever but afterwards you struggle to find the words?

That was Truthwitch for me. I absolutely loved so many parts of it, including the descriptions of the magic, the sisterly bond between Safi and Iseult and the setting. But I can’t pinpoint exactly what it was that makes me rave about it, except that it pretty much feels like it was written for me.

Truthwitch contained so many amazing fantasy elements, and I loved how it was all interwoven together into a fun, dynamic action-packed story. The elemental powers was executed wonderfully here, with Safi as a truthwitch who can tell when people are lying, and Iseult as a threadwitch who can see the invisible ties that bind people together. Seeing their powers in motion throughout the novel was so fascinating, particularly where Safi is hunted for her ability, and where Iseult’s vision comes in handy.

truthwitch2

The best thing is their sisterly bond with one another as threadsisters. They would do absolutely anything to protect each other and their personalities meshed with each other really well. While Iseult is from a nomadic tribe, Safi is a noble woman who becomes betrothed to royalty. I loved this concept where you’re bound to one another for life, because it means loyalty and never being alone. There are also thread-brothers in the book as well, and it was fantastic seeing the bromance play out between the Prince Merrick and the hilarious Kullen.

We also get a villain’s point of view in the novel, of the Bloodwitch Aeduan who is hunting Safi. The interesting thing about his perspective, is that he gets a lot of character development and we realise he’s not as evil as we think, particularly during his interactions with Iseult. I love seeing this character development ‘behind the scenes’ and Aeduan’s perspective was definitely a welcome part of the novel.

“I’ll strip with you,” Safi offered, grabbing for her shirttails. “If anyone shows up”—the shirt slid over her face, muffled her words—“I’ll dance around and distract them.”

I particularly loved Prince Merik, because of the antagonistic interaction he has with Safi. He’s a typical arrogant Prince, but Safi teaches him a lesson or two about pride. Their banter is fun and filled with sexual tension and develops over the course of the novel. I love books that tease the romance but doesn’t make it the main plot line.

All of this builds into an epic action scene at the end of the book, where all the powers are exhibited as the stakes get higher. I was glued to the final pages as everything that we’ve learnt about the world and the powers explode into action!

epilogue

With great character interactions, lots of fun banter and most of all, a fantasy world filled with magical powers, Truthwitch is exactly my kind of book. I’m so glad to finally have a book live up to it’s hype and I absolutely loved it!

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Thanks Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a review copy. 

Jeann-Sig

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Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Twitter @happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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38 responses to “Truthwitch Review: Threadsisters Over Misters

  1. readwritelove28

    YAAAAAAS I AM SO HAPPY YOU LOVED TRUTHWITCH! It was tied for the best book I read in 2015. It's just incredible. I completely understand the feeling of not knowing how to describe the book! It's hard to describe Truthwitch and give the story justice.

    • YAYYY NORI!!! <3 Thank you, I loved it so much but it was hard to describe you know? That\'s definitely the same feeling I had! I can\'t wait for the next book!

  2. Yay! I'm glad you ended up loving this! Especially with all the hype! I also really loved the relationship between Safi and Iseult, and I find Aeduan really interesting to read about. I can't wait to see where his part of the story goes in the sequel!
    My recent post Review: The Vanishing Throne

    • Me too Val! I loved how they had a really close sisterly bond and how it took precedence over the romance. Aeduan was definitely a fascinating character!

  3. I KNOW! I had to wait a while before the hype died down but yes, I completely know what you mean about the hype! It was getting hyped up around the same time as Passenger so I was prepared lol. But I'm so glad that I ended up really loving it! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.

  4. pasomaddie

    Oooh I've been seeing this book everywhere! I'm so curious about it. Your positive review really wants me to go out and buy it right now!

    Great review! 🙂

  5. sumlynnnguyen

    I've heard some mixed opinions about Truthwitch but I am so, so happy that it lived up to the hype for you. I hadn't planned on reading it because of how polarizing it seemed, but I think I will just to meet this seemingly amazing cast. There's not enough platonic love and sisterly bonds in YA anymore (well at least not in the fantasy genre). Wonderful review, Jeann!
    My recent post Book Haul: May 2016

    • I know, I read a few on either side so was prepared but I was really glad that I ended up loving it! I just love the sisterly relationship portrayed in this one. Thank you Summer!

  6. Yeah! I am so glad to hear this lived up to the hype for you Jeann. <3 I have seen so many glowing reviews for this one, so I am definitely going to have to give it a try. The magic and the bantering sounds really entertaining. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3

  7. Cyn @ Bookmunchies

    Yay, I'm glad you loved this book! Safi actually drove me insane but I adored Safi and Iseult's friendship! And I'm definitely intrigued by the Bloodwitch. Yes to all the banter! Overall, I'm excited to see how this series turns out. Awesome review, Jeann, hope the next book is awesome for you too!
    My recent post Review: Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh

    • Me too Cyn! Overall it was so much fun, Safi did some questionable things but overall I loved the feminism and their sisterly bond! I'm glad you enjoyed it too!

  8. I was so excited to get my hands on this book at the beginning over year but, as always it got lost in the shuffle of all the other books I wanted to read as well. This review has definitely renewed my excitement for Truthwitch and I absolutely love the emphasis on this sisterhood between Safi and Iseult. The fact that the villain also gets a POV has me intrigued and from the sounds of it it sounds like I'd enjoy getting inside his head and seeing his character progression. Hopefully I can get round to reading the book by the end of the year. 😀
    My recent post Review: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

    • I felt the same Lois, I could have read it a few months ago but I think I would have enjoyed it more when the hype died down! I hope you do pick it up, there's so much fun in this book!

  9. fullybookedreviews

    That review title! *slow claps*

    This was definitely a book that lived up to the hype, at least for me, and I'm so glad that you enjoyed it as well! We've just got to endure the long wait until Windwitch…

    • Thank you, I'm quite proud of it myself LOL! I'm so glad the hype didn't spoil it for me. I know right? Why can't it come sooner?

  10. Greg

    Glad this was good! I've seen reviews go both ways but this does sound like a good fantasy. I love the elemental powers part and the character bonds sound good too- plus I think Iseut is a cool name. lol I may have to add this one…

    • I know, I've heard two different point of views and I waited until the hype died down before I picked it up. The elemental powers are just so cool! I hope you do pick it up, Greg!

    • It was really fantastic, and I love how the focus wasn't solely on the romance which seems to be 90% of YA books! I loved their banter and everything. I know Charlene! <3

  11. Jeann! I was JUST thinking about whether I wanted to get this book from the library or not because I saw they had ordered it, but I wasn't really sure because the hype for this book was crazy, but the reviews after that were so mixed. I'm happy that you reviewed it and love it. I'll make sure to go pick it up since you and I have similar tastes. I'm not going to lie, my main reason for wanting to read it is the sound of that romance and the bond between the two girls. And the Bloodwitch sounds super intriguing as well. Looks like he might not be the carboard cutout bad guy after all. I'll be sure to give it a try and let you know what I think of it. 🙂
    Lovely review, Jeann!

    • YESSS! I know what hype does to a book, so I waited a while before I read this one with no expectations. And I was so glad that I loved it! The sisterly bond was the best part of the book, and the banter and everything else around it. I hope you pick it up Nick, and let me know what you think!

  12. Bieke (Nelly B.)

    People are really divided on this one! I still want to read it though because it sounds perfect for me. 😀

    • I know, I haven't read or watched Avatar the Last Airbender which is where I think the similarities lie for a lot of people.

  13. Alice

    I've heard so many amazing things about this book! I definitely need to get around to picking it up sometime soon. I'm so glad you enjoyed it Jeann! <3 I'm so down with a solid fantasy and I'm excited about the focus on the sister relationship hehe. Definitely down with some sexual tension and fun banter between characters as well. 😉 Great review!!

  14. YAY! I'm glad you loved this one Jeann! I also really enjoyed it but were a bit meh about some of the elements, like the 'Chosen Pair' aspect of the book. But I'm keen to find out more about Iseult and Aeduan's developing antagonistic romance <3

  15. Kim

    Great review, Jeann! You totally convinced me to read this! I've seen a few mixed reviews for this one so I wasn't really sure.

    Kim @ Divergent Gryffindor: BLOG || VLOG

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