Truthwitch
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Toller Weltenaufbau, mega Charakter. Ich liebe die Witchlands! Band 1 hatte einige kleine Schwächen in der Story, aber ich bin mir sicher: Da kommt noch mehr. Eine gute Einführung in die doch sehr komplexe Welt. Toller Humor, eine traumhafte Badass-Protagonistin, ein Antagonist, der zwei Seiten hat und (in angenehmer Dosis) kitschige Romantik. Love it! 🥰
I feel like I say this in all my reviews, but I really loved this book. It was amazing, the characters are awesome, the world is beautiful, the plot full of twists and turns that are not that predictable. In fact, I rarely felt like I knew exactly where the story was going and that made me enjoy it all the more. It really is a beautiful world, with a particular kind of magic that is very interesting to explore and made me want to read the next one, like, asap! Safi is a very rare kind of Truthwitch, which means that she can sense truths and lies and makes her very valuable. Iseult, her Threadsister and best friend, is a Threadwitch, which means that she can see peoples threads (how they connect to the worlds and others) and their emotions too. The start of the story kickstarts everything really fast. They mistakingly try to steal from the wrong person and end up with a Bloodwitch (Aeduan, who can literally smell some one's blood follow them and can control his and others' blood) at their tails. Then we meet Merik, an amazing and selfless person who just wants to feed his country and his trying his best to get a trade deal with his country, Nubrevna. He is a Windwitch, but not that powerful (not like his Threadbrother, Kullen, who has full power over the wind). He meets the girls for the first time when they are in the docks trying to flee Veñaza City and someone starts cleaving a few ships down. That happens because magic gets corrupted since most of the Origin Wells are dead, and they are the sources of magic; and, when a person cleaves, their magic goes haywire and for some reason they turn into kind of zombies, going after others with magic. Oh, and their blood is acid and they are hard to kill (again, kinda like zombies in that aspect). Since the Twenty Year Truce is ending soon, there are plans in the making for years that involve Safi so she has to attend a ball because of the Truce Summit because Emperor Henrik fon Catorra wants her there. She is friends with his nephew (who seems to be more than what meets the eye) and encounters Merik again (they hate each other). But he asks her to dance with her, and that dance scene reminded me of the one in The Crown's Game: two people, whom the reader knows are meant for each other but who hate each other, dance a beautiful dance and challenge each other and realize the other person is not so bad and that something inside them stirs, and also their magic swells and comes to play, only to ease back into stillness at the distance between the characters at the end of the song. I'm a sucker for moments like this, I really love it! It's adorable to see the characters thoughts and even better to see it from stubborn, has-a-tendency-to-throw-a-temper-tantrum Merik. I really enjoyed it! But after their dance, she dances with the Emperor's nephew, Leopold, and eventually the Emperor himself. Then he announces his betrothed to Safi (Bride to the freaking Emperor of Catorra?! What in the actual Hel?! No way! - were my thoughts) and things go crazy. The plan to save her is insane, relying on characters I didn't see coming! The fight is a blur, even from Aeduan's perspective (Aeduan sounds mildly mad in his first chapter narrating, but it's interesting). Too much happening at once, but that just made it all the more awesome. While the two of them are busy, Iz is back in the tribe where she fled from, years ago. It's a violent affair: people think she is the Puppeteer (who can cleave people and control them) and they want to kill her. But it was exciting to read that because I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Her mother, who is also a Threadwitch that never shows any emotions (like every other Threadwitch), and her apprentice, Alma (who took Iz's place), intervene and save Iz from the angry mob. I thought that her mother wasn't going to make it, but they all did! Iz then went on her way, for several reasons, to meet Safi. And of course Merik would be the one to provide transportation for Safi! After the chase and meeting Iseult (after her own escape from the tribe, and Alma's help in finding Safi), a battle for their lives in the lighthouse, where they managed to convince the Carrawen monks that they were the Cahr Awen (which they are but don't yet know). And I was thinking that Merik could save them when his chapter starts and he does just that! Yey!! And then it's Aeduan's turn (again, yey!) and maybe I'm reading too much into this (he is supposed to be one of the antagonists) but I think he has/will have a thing for Iseult? Maybe? I kinda want that... Iseult is very sick and needs a Firewitch, or she'll die but Merik doesn't want to go ashore. But they meet a Marstoki vessel has exactly what Iz needs. Merik is super cute and sweet with Safi, offering her his dinner; and they talk about Kullen and Iz and again it was sweet and relaxed and kind. I don't particularly like Vivia. She's the one who doesn't care about her countrymen and is impelling them to a war instead of trying to feed them (I don't like Merik's father either). The fight with the sea foxes was awesome! These people are incredible! And Merik, pissed as he was, he went and saved Safi and Iz (and his aunt too) and brought them back to the ship, used the bait to drag the monsters attention to the Marstokis' ships and escape! (because Vivia is horrible too, leaving her brother to deal with the mess!) I wasn't sure if Merik was going to punish Safi for her "escape", I thought she would talk to him (because she finally understands his position) and things would be tense but not much more, so it came as kind of a surprise that he actually put her and her aunt in chains! Brave! And with all that rain I thought that she was going to be seriously ill, but no. But what I loved more about this part was that Iseult was the narrator, so we got to see what we already know is going to happen: Merik and Safi are Heart-Threads! And that is also the reason why his magic is so quick to respond when he thinks about or talks to Safi, it makes perfect sense! Iz keeps getting visited by that mysterious voice! It's creepy! And creepier still is that it's the Puppeteer, that she can read Iz's mind and make her see through her eyes (but I still don't know how she is a shadow, a voice in Iseult's mind, how she is communicating with her like and all that). (Just a little side thought. I honestly love to read Iseult's chapters, especially when Safi and Merik are with her. They are all so different, have such unique voices! And with Iz, we see people's real emotions and how they are connected to each other (like the forming of the Heart-Thread between Merik and Safi). And Kullen ships Merik and Safi as hard as the reader and the conversation he has with his Admiral is sweet and serious and funny!) And then the group is on its way to Nubrevna and with the conversation with Kullen still rattling around his head, Merik is pointedly ignoring Safi. That is until the two of them have to open a door, they do and she falls o top of him, and stays on top of him, on the ground, with arrows pointed at them, Evrane and Iz until Yoris gets there and they can get up (and now Merik can't stop thinking about that moment!) Nubrevna is a mostly dead and poisoned land but the Sea God Norden seems to have rewarded them: Merik's home is green, the water is pure and it's all lovely for all the involved! Merik stops seeing and hearing the rest of the people around him and even has trouble breathing when Safi smiles that sweet, excited and awed smile at him, and that's adorable!!! Safi finally, properly, apologized to Merik! And they made peace! And they had a sweet moment that was almost more but then Evrane opened the door and the moment was washed away... But something changed in Merik after Safi said that she didn't know about her betrothal and didn't want it, like she said he became determined! And the wrist holding... Something there too! Safi, Iz and Evrane when to the Water Well, to heal Iz, and there was a boom, an "earthquake" that I think was the first sign that either just Iz or she and Safi are the new Cahr Awen pair! Evrane's reaction to that boom and what Iz felt were telling enough. And I'm seriously curious to know how this is going to develop! (Another side thought. I love Aeduan, I do! He is a very interesting character that I want to know more about! But sometimes I just want me some Merik, some Safi and some Iseult! Besides, Prince Leopold is a pain to have to be with! I pity. my poor Monk in this sole aspect.) Well, Leopold was only faking it, it seems; he is one of the good guys, trying to save Safi. She and Merik finally kiss but then things kick into high gear: Aeduan is hunting her and Iz and the Marstoks are hunting them too and there's the beginnings of a fight and people are cleaved because of the Puppeteer (who is working for Aeduan's father) and they are escaping (and again! Aeduan is sweet with Iseult and I feel like there is something there!). In their rush to get to the girls, Kullen, whose health is fragile, makes a storm and ends up being cleaved but dying far away (did he die? For real? And where did Ryber go?), getting the storm to stop. Merik is hurt and was saved by Iz; Aeduan saved Evrane (his master) in the Water Well; and Safi went with the Marstoks after ensuring a trade agreement between them and Nubrevna. And Iz stayed in Ledjna to find the Habim's contact (maybe Leopold? He did vanish form Noden's Gift...) Long story short: I freaking loved this book and I'm desperate for the next one!!!!!
4.5 stars. I had difficulties getting into the story at first, it felt like I was thrown into this new world with this magic system with to little information and I was very confused in the beginning. But one I got over this I fell in love with this story. I loved the friendship between Iseult and Safi so much, and Iseult is definitely one of my favorite characters of all time, I can't wait to continue with her story. The plot is intriguing and well executed, but I have to admit I don't care for the romance at all. I'm no fan of insta love and there was one particular scene that was just too cringy for me. But that is always a personal and subjective opinion and I'm sure there are many reader who enjoy the love story as well and to be fair it was just a small part of the book and not the main focus at all. All characters are definitely very intristing and there is great character development as well. The antagonists in this book are very intriguing and I loved getting to know more and more about their background and motives. It's definitely a good and solid start of a promising fantasy series and I'm thrilled to continue with it.
VOTO 7 quasi 3,5 ⭐️ (do 4 ⭐️ per il finale) Ci sono molte cose particolari in questa storia ma sono spiegate male secondo me. Il modo in cui vengono raccontati i fatti, che per i personaggi sono la quotidianità ma per il lettore sono nuovi, lo mette in confusione dall'inizio. Ci sono molti nomi riguardanti i tipi di legami che si possono formare (Sorelle-Fratelli di Filo e Compagna/Compagno di Filo) che sembrano, e dico sembra perché non viene spiegato, scaturiti in modi differenti ma che riguardano questi fantomatici "fili" che popolano il mondo e che provengono da una singola persona e che assumono un colore a seconda dello stato d'animo. Solo che NON vengono spiegati: che direzione prendono? A volte si legano a due persone, altre volte sembrano che vengano sparati al di fuori della persona come un riccio. Non è molto chiaro. Poi in realtà la magia di questo mondo è molto più semplice e "classica" di quando ci si possa aspettare rispetto alla parte riguardante i fili. Per questo il voto non è un 4 ⭐️ pieno: non vengono spiegate queste differenze uniche di questa storia. I personaggi sono interessanti: essendo una storia corale la p.o.v. di un personaggio subisce molti arresti per concentrarsi su un'altro e secondo me è interessante ma comunque porta ad avere una trama in generale diluita. Infatti il tempo di narrazione sembra durare pocchissimo. La trama in sé poi è una cosa già vista, ma a mio gusto è riuscita a intrattermi comunque perché le dinamiche tra i personaggi e le rivelazioni che ha portato il finale non mi sono dispiaciute. Nel compresso d'intrattenimento e di sicuro leggerò il seguito. La consiglio, però sempre con riserva.
Rating: 2.75 or something like that. I loved the concept of the book but sadly I didn't like the execution. Susan Dennard writes nicely but the problem is that she sometimes forgets that we don't know everything she knows about the world she created. I had such a hard time understanding what was going on and I was constantly confused by the plot and the characters. There are so many characters introduced and we get to know nobody really in depth. The relationship between Iseult and Safi was so promising but they were mostly seperated or one of them was unconscious. It would have helped the story a lot if we witnessed their friendship and connect with their bond more so that we actually care about them. Merik was my favourite character. I don't know but he is interesting and I liked the parts with him. Iseult is also way more interesting than Safi. Even though Safi is the main protagonist everybody wants to get hold of - the last Truthwitch. The concept of the witches was a little bit weird and it was hard to follow. It gets easier if you're more into the story but in the beginning I was so confused about everything that I really didn't enjoy reading it. Why is Safi so important? I still don't understand. Yes she can tell the truth from lying but I mean the Bloodwitch seems way more powerful. Anyway I will read the second book because the ending was the only thing that I liked. I hope the series gets better and I hope there is more world building in the next one and more time for slow scenes instead of Safi and Iseult constantly running away from something.
Book Information
Posts
Toller Weltenaufbau, mega Charakter. Ich liebe die Witchlands! Band 1 hatte einige kleine Schwächen in der Story, aber ich bin mir sicher: Da kommt noch mehr. Eine gute Einführung in die doch sehr komplexe Welt. Toller Humor, eine traumhafte Badass-Protagonistin, ein Antagonist, der zwei Seiten hat und (in angenehmer Dosis) kitschige Romantik. Love it! 🥰
I feel like I say this in all my reviews, but I really loved this book. It was amazing, the characters are awesome, the world is beautiful, the plot full of twists and turns that are not that predictable. In fact, I rarely felt like I knew exactly where the story was going and that made me enjoy it all the more. It really is a beautiful world, with a particular kind of magic that is very interesting to explore and made me want to read the next one, like, asap! Safi is a very rare kind of Truthwitch, which means that she can sense truths and lies and makes her very valuable. Iseult, her Threadsister and best friend, is a Threadwitch, which means that she can see peoples threads (how they connect to the worlds and others) and their emotions too. The start of the story kickstarts everything really fast. They mistakingly try to steal from the wrong person and end up with a Bloodwitch (Aeduan, who can literally smell some one's blood follow them and can control his and others' blood) at their tails. Then we meet Merik, an amazing and selfless person who just wants to feed his country and his trying his best to get a trade deal with his country, Nubrevna. He is a Windwitch, but not that powerful (not like his Threadbrother, Kullen, who has full power over the wind). He meets the girls for the first time when they are in the docks trying to flee Veñaza City and someone starts cleaving a few ships down. That happens because magic gets corrupted since most of the Origin Wells are dead, and they are the sources of magic; and, when a person cleaves, their magic goes haywire and for some reason they turn into kind of zombies, going after others with magic. Oh, and their blood is acid and they are hard to kill (again, kinda like zombies in that aspect). Since the Twenty Year Truce is ending soon, there are plans in the making for years that involve Safi so she has to attend a ball because of the Truce Summit because Emperor Henrik fon Catorra wants her there. She is friends with his nephew (who seems to be more than what meets the eye) and encounters Merik again (they hate each other). But he asks her to dance with her, and that dance scene reminded me of the one in The Crown's Game: two people, whom the reader knows are meant for each other but who hate each other, dance a beautiful dance and challenge each other and realize the other person is not so bad and that something inside them stirs, and also their magic swells and comes to play, only to ease back into stillness at the distance between the characters at the end of the song. I'm a sucker for moments like this, I really love it! It's adorable to see the characters thoughts and even better to see it from stubborn, has-a-tendency-to-throw-a-temper-tantrum Merik. I really enjoyed it! But after their dance, she dances with the Emperor's nephew, Leopold, and eventually the Emperor himself. Then he announces his betrothed to Safi (Bride to the freaking Emperor of Catorra?! What in the actual Hel?! No way! - were my thoughts) and things go crazy. The plan to save her is insane, relying on characters I didn't see coming! The fight is a blur, even from Aeduan's perspective (Aeduan sounds mildly mad in his first chapter narrating, but it's interesting). Too much happening at once, but that just made it all the more awesome. While the two of them are busy, Iz is back in the tribe where she fled from, years ago. It's a violent affair: people think she is the Puppeteer (who can cleave people and control them) and they want to kill her. But it was exciting to read that because I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Her mother, who is also a Threadwitch that never shows any emotions (like every other Threadwitch), and her apprentice, Alma (who took Iz's place), intervene and save Iz from the angry mob. I thought that her mother wasn't going to make it, but they all did! Iz then went on her way, for several reasons, to meet Safi. And of course Merik would be the one to provide transportation for Safi! After the chase and meeting Iseult (after her own escape from the tribe, and Alma's help in finding Safi), a battle for their lives in the lighthouse, where they managed to convince the Carrawen monks that they were the Cahr Awen (which they are but don't yet know). And I was thinking that Merik could save them when his chapter starts and he does just that! Yey!! And then it's Aeduan's turn (again, yey!) and maybe I'm reading too much into this (he is supposed to be one of the antagonists) but I think he has/will have a thing for Iseult? Maybe? I kinda want that... Iseult is very sick and needs a Firewitch, or she'll die but Merik doesn't want to go ashore. But they meet a Marstoki vessel has exactly what Iz needs. Merik is super cute and sweet with Safi, offering her his dinner; and they talk about Kullen and Iz and again it was sweet and relaxed and kind. I don't particularly like Vivia. She's the one who doesn't care about her countrymen and is impelling them to a war instead of trying to feed them (I don't like Merik's father either). The fight with the sea foxes was awesome! These people are incredible! And Merik, pissed as he was, he went and saved Safi and Iz (and his aunt too) and brought them back to the ship, used the bait to drag the monsters attention to the Marstokis' ships and escape! (because Vivia is horrible too, leaving her brother to deal with the mess!) I wasn't sure if Merik was going to punish Safi for her "escape", I thought she would talk to him (because she finally understands his position) and things would be tense but not much more, so it came as kind of a surprise that he actually put her and her aunt in chains! Brave! And with all that rain I thought that she was going to be seriously ill, but no. But what I loved more about this part was that Iseult was the narrator, so we got to see what we already know is going to happen: Merik and Safi are Heart-Threads! And that is also the reason why his magic is so quick to respond when he thinks about or talks to Safi, it makes perfect sense! Iz keeps getting visited by that mysterious voice! It's creepy! And creepier still is that it's the Puppeteer, that she can read Iz's mind and make her see through her eyes (but I still don't know how she is a shadow, a voice in Iseult's mind, how she is communicating with her like and all that). (Just a little side thought. I honestly love to read Iseult's chapters, especially when Safi and Merik are with her. They are all so different, have such unique voices! And with Iz, we see people's real emotions and how they are connected to each other (like the forming of the Heart-Thread between Merik and Safi). And Kullen ships Merik and Safi as hard as the reader and the conversation he has with his Admiral is sweet and serious and funny!) And then the group is on its way to Nubrevna and with the conversation with Kullen still rattling around his head, Merik is pointedly ignoring Safi. That is until the two of them have to open a door, they do and she falls o top of him, and stays on top of him, on the ground, with arrows pointed at them, Evrane and Iz until Yoris gets there and they can get up (and now Merik can't stop thinking about that moment!) Nubrevna is a mostly dead and poisoned land but the Sea God Norden seems to have rewarded them: Merik's home is green, the water is pure and it's all lovely for all the involved! Merik stops seeing and hearing the rest of the people around him and even has trouble breathing when Safi smiles that sweet, excited and awed smile at him, and that's adorable!!! Safi finally, properly, apologized to Merik! And they made peace! And they had a sweet moment that was almost more but then Evrane opened the door and the moment was washed away... But something changed in Merik after Safi said that she didn't know about her betrothal and didn't want it, like she said he became determined! And the wrist holding... Something there too! Safi, Iz and Evrane when to the Water Well, to heal Iz, and there was a boom, an "earthquake" that I think was the first sign that either just Iz or she and Safi are the new Cahr Awen pair! Evrane's reaction to that boom and what Iz felt were telling enough. And I'm seriously curious to know how this is going to develop! (Another side thought. I love Aeduan, I do! He is a very interesting character that I want to know more about! But sometimes I just want me some Merik, some Safi and some Iseult! Besides, Prince Leopold is a pain to have to be with! I pity. my poor Monk in this sole aspect.) Well, Leopold was only faking it, it seems; he is one of the good guys, trying to save Safi. She and Merik finally kiss but then things kick into high gear: Aeduan is hunting her and Iz and the Marstoks are hunting them too and there's the beginnings of a fight and people are cleaved because of the Puppeteer (who is working for Aeduan's father) and they are escaping (and again! Aeduan is sweet with Iseult and I feel like there is something there!). In their rush to get to the girls, Kullen, whose health is fragile, makes a storm and ends up being cleaved but dying far away (did he die? For real? And where did Ryber go?), getting the storm to stop. Merik is hurt and was saved by Iz; Aeduan saved Evrane (his master) in the Water Well; and Safi went with the Marstoks after ensuring a trade agreement between them and Nubrevna. And Iz stayed in Ledjna to find the Habim's contact (maybe Leopold? He did vanish form Noden's Gift...) Long story short: I freaking loved this book and I'm desperate for the next one!!!!!
4.5 stars. I had difficulties getting into the story at first, it felt like I was thrown into this new world with this magic system with to little information and I was very confused in the beginning. But one I got over this I fell in love with this story. I loved the friendship between Iseult and Safi so much, and Iseult is definitely one of my favorite characters of all time, I can't wait to continue with her story. The plot is intriguing and well executed, but I have to admit I don't care for the romance at all. I'm no fan of insta love and there was one particular scene that was just too cringy for me. But that is always a personal and subjective opinion and I'm sure there are many reader who enjoy the love story as well and to be fair it was just a small part of the book and not the main focus at all. All characters are definitely very intristing and there is great character development as well. The antagonists in this book are very intriguing and I loved getting to know more and more about their background and motives. It's definitely a good and solid start of a promising fantasy series and I'm thrilled to continue with it.
VOTO 7 quasi 3,5 ⭐️ (do 4 ⭐️ per il finale) Ci sono molte cose particolari in questa storia ma sono spiegate male secondo me. Il modo in cui vengono raccontati i fatti, che per i personaggi sono la quotidianità ma per il lettore sono nuovi, lo mette in confusione dall'inizio. Ci sono molti nomi riguardanti i tipi di legami che si possono formare (Sorelle-Fratelli di Filo e Compagna/Compagno di Filo) che sembrano, e dico sembra perché non viene spiegato, scaturiti in modi differenti ma che riguardano questi fantomatici "fili" che popolano il mondo e che provengono da una singola persona e che assumono un colore a seconda dello stato d'animo. Solo che NON vengono spiegati: che direzione prendono? A volte si legano a due persone, altre volte sembrano che vengano sparati al di fuori della persona come un riccio. Non è molto chiaro. Poi in realtà la magia di questo mondo è molto più semplice e "classica" di quando ci si possa aspettare rispetto alla parte riguardante i fili. Per questo il voto non è un 4 ⭐️ pieno: non vengono spiegate queste differenze uniche di questa storia. I personaggi sono interessanti: essendo una storia corale la p.o.v. di un personaggio subisce molti arresti per concentrarsi su un'altro e secondo me è interessante ma comunque porta ad avere una trama in generale diluita. Infatti il tempo di narrazione sembra durare pocchissimo. La trama in sé poi è una cosa già vista, ma a mio gusto è riuscita a intrattermi comunque perché le dinamiche tra i personaggi e le rivelazioni che ha portato il finale non mi sono dispiaciute. Nel compresso d'intrattenimento e di sicuro leggerò il seguito. La consiglio, però sempre con riserva.
Rating: 2.75 or something like that. I loved the concept of the book but sadly I didn't like the execution. Susan Dennard writes nicely but the problem is that she sometimes forgets that we don't know everything she knows about the world she created. I had such a hard time understanding what was going on and I was constantly confused by the plot and the characters. There are so many characters introduced and we get to know nobody really in depth. The relationship between Iseult and Safi was so promising but they were mostly seperated or one of them was unconscious. It would have helped the story a lot if we witnessed their friendship and connect with their bond more so that we actually care about them. Merik was my favourite character. I don't know but he is interesting and I liked the parts with him. Iseult is also way more interesting than Safi. Even though Safi is the main protagonist everybody wants to get hold of - the last Truthwitch. The concept of the witches was a little bit weird and it was hard to follow. It gets easier if you're more into the story but in the beginning I was so confused about everything that I really didn't enjoy reading it. Why is Safi so important? I still don't understand. Yes she can tell the truth from lying but I mean the Bloodwitch seems way more powerful. Anyway I will read the second book because the ending was the only thing that I liked. I hope the series gets better and I hope there is more world building in the next one and more time for slow scenes instead of Safi and Iseult constantly running away from something.