I loved getting to know Ryber’s story and just having more from the Witchlands series! I loved Truthwitch from the start and was excited to read the companion novel. Ryber is such an interesting character and seeing her with the Sightwitch sisters was so fun and interesting and I felt for Ryber the whole time! Can’t wait to read more in the series!

Was going back through books and realized I never uploaded my review for this. Here's the bit I wrote when I read it it.

I really enjoyed reading this. It's been a while since I've read much YA, and this has me diving back in. I especially loved Eridysi, Cora, and Lisbet. I hope to see more of them in Bloodwitch and beyond. I didn't pay much attention to Ryber in the previous books, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for her in Bloodwitch.

I loved this book so much. It’s definitely different from the prior books in the series. There are puzzles, going back and forth through time, and so many new characters to get to know. This books sets up so much for future books in the series and has me so excited to see where it goes. It’s definitely a must read!! There is also swoony romance and exciting action, what more could you want??

This is a fun series! Susan Dennard builds layers and layers in her storytelling and is greating a very well-rounded world.

An excellent addition to the Witchlands universe, Sightwitch is told in a rather unusual format: diaries, with illustrations to accompany it. We get to learn a lot more about Ryber, as well as Kullen, and the book does a nice job expanding the world. I don't want to spoil, but it hints at a very big mystery and now I can't wait for Bloodwitch.

However, the e-ARC format is off, and I hope it's corrected when the book's actually out. But I really feel like this is something that BEGS to be read on paper, with all the illustrations and whatnot.

Whew. That was a rollercoaster.

It’s safe to say that by now I really just love this series and don’t have anything bad to say about it. While novellas aren’t usually my thing, there was no way I was skipping over this one. And if you are the same way with novellas, trust me, you don’t want to miss out on Sightwitch.

Susan Dennard has crafted a unique, enthralling story with Sightwitch. The journal entries are so well done, and Ryber’s voice really shines through. Her character has so much more depth now, and I can’t wait to see more of her in future books.

My favorite thing about this book is all of the new information to be gleaned. It ties in things from the previous two installments while also setting up new plot threads for future books. I love when this is well done in epic fantasy, and Dennard’s writing here really showcases her ability to build a full story one book at a time.

I absolutely can’t wait to get my finished copy of Sightwitch so I can see all of the beautiful illustrations and truly read through this the way it was intended. I’m so excited to see where this series is going, and with this book it still remains one of my favorites.

A fantastic addition to the Witchlands series. I loved getting such a full and detailed background on Ryber's life. It gave so much insight into the rest of the series as well, giving the other books an even deeper development. I would love more books like this from the Witchlands series and Ryber's POV in particular. The addition of the illustrations and different storytelling style only improved the reading experience. My one wish was that it was longer and a couple of things were explained in more detail.

This was yet another great addition to this world. I loved how it was an illustrated novella and it just added so much depth and worldbuilding to this amazing world!

this was so hard to read electronically... the journal entries just made the layout hard to follow along.

Thank you for the chance to let me read this early

I really was excited to read a novella from The Witchlands series. It had been some time since I read the second book, so I was looking forward to diving back into this world. Sightwitch is a prequel novella, and I generally do enjoy reading novellas. They bridge certain gaps in the story, and tend to round out other areas that you haven't really thought of. Unfortunately, I hard a tough time connecting with the characters in this one. I do think it was because of the diary format. I enjoyed the illustrated parts. With novellas, you don't normally have to reread the series in order to understand what's going on, but I did feel a little lost in this book. In the end, I overall liked it, but didn't feel like it added a whole lot to the overall story. Maybe once the whole series is released, will I be able to identify the easter eggs in this novella.

I loved this book so much! I had already pre-ordered my copy, but I was also lucky enough to win a giveaway of an E-arc (e-book, Advanced Readers Copy) of the book. I read it in a day, no joke. Because it was an ARC, the book didn't have all of the pictures or paragraphs/sentences, so I will definitely be reading my copy of the finished book; probably when I do a re-read of the series next year to prepare myself for Bloodwitch (one of my most anticipated 2019 releases!). So let's get into this!
This story takes place before Truthwitch, but it is meant to be read after Windwitch.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:
Before Safi and Iseult battled a Bloodwitch...

Before Merik returned from the dead…

Ryber Fortiza was a Sightwitch Sister at a secluded convent, waiting to be called by her goddess into the depths of the mountain. There she would receive the gift of foretelling. But when that call never comes, Ryber finds herself the only Sister without the Sight.

Years pass and Ryber’s misfit pain becomes a dull ache, until one day, Sisters who already possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain, never to return. Soon enough, Ryber is the only Sister left. Now, it is up to her to save her Sisters, though she does not have the Sight—and though she does not know what might await her inside the mountain.

On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together, the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, their road filled with horrors, and what they find at the end of that road will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever.

Set a year before Truthwitch, Sightwitch is a companion novella that also serves as a set up to Bloodwitch, as well as an expansion of the Witchlands world.


MY THOUGHTS ON: CHARACTERS
I will be doing my thoughts on four characters. Ryber, Tanzi, Kullen, and Eridysi.

We got to know Ryber in Truthwitch and Windwithch, but this is the story of how she met Kullen. Unfortunatly we don't get the story of how they become heart-threads but we do see how they met.
I've always liked Ryber and Kullen and I'm glad we got this story about them. Ryber is a strong willed girl who's only wish is to be chosen by the goddess Sirmaya to get the sight, to become a true Sightwitch. She is a stickler for rules (unlike her best friend, Tanzi) because she hopes that the goddess will favor her for being good. She is sharp and intelligent young woman.
Tanzi is Ryber's best friend and a chosen Sightwitch of Sirmaya. She goes into the mountain for the day, but never comes out. Days pass, and more and more Sightwitch sisters get chosen and called into the mountain to receive the sight, up to 20 at a time! Suddenly, after weeks, Ryber starts seeing her in dreams saying "Come find us Ryber! Please, before it's too late!". So Off she goes.
While Ryber is fighting her way through the mountain, she finds Kullen Captain (called so by Ryber because she had seen him in the distance from the convent watchtowers, and he seemed to be in charge of the troops on shore.). He is gravely injured, and she has to heal him. As they get closer to safety she learns more about him, like the fact that he can't remember a thing about himself or how he got that deep into the mountain in the first place. SPOILERS FOR TRUTHWITCH BELOW
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I really like Kullen, and it's a shame he died. Well, "died". TBH, I'm kind of glad we didn't get the Ryber and Kullen love story because I don't know if I could handle such a cute couple with so much history, knowing that he dies.
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END SPOILERS

And finally Eridysi. We learned about Eridysi (also known as Dysi, which is how I'll be referring to her from now on unless I need to reference the diary) from the first two book in The Witchlands series, because she is the famous author of Eridysi's Lament. I also loved Dysi. She takes in these two girls from their father because they were ready to go to the convent, but their father comes back every month to visit them. Over time, Dysi starts falling in love with him.
I really enjoyed Dysi's character. She is smart, kind, caring, a great Sightwitch and a great friend/mother figure to the girls. She is also an inventor, who is trying to help create a magic door for the war effort, to help their side with travel. And obviously, she is the author and creator of Eridysi's Lament, a famous diary that helped pave the way for Sightwitches and regular witches. (as I understood it, her lament is the modern day equivalent of the bible)**


(**If I'm wrong about this, please let me know. It has been a few weeks since I actually read Sightwitch. This is just how I remembered it.)

MY THOUGHTS ON: PLOT
I feel like I've already gone over most of the plot in my character portion of my review (I know, I need to get better at reviewing characters without sounding repetitive and/or describing the whole story 😝) But, all of that aside, I really enjoyed the plot. The setting of the story kind of reminded me of Unearthed. You have a character traveling through a mountain/temple place, constantly in danger, to find/ rescue someone/thing. You know how certain books have a feel to them? Like, Percy Jackson feels like coming home, Harry Potter feels like winter in a cozy room with a fireplace, The Mortal Instruments feels like Summer days in the city with paranormal activity, etc? This book felt like going on a girls scout camping trip, but in the ate fall when it's cold outside; hiking through the woods/mountains, the waterfalls and bridges, the convent would be the mess hall. Very green/gray/white. I don't know, maybe that's just me. But I loved it. I loved how there was the scary element of the mountain with the Old women, and the Wyrm, and the hypothermia. It really made me feel like I was Ryber. I thought the ending was very interesting and sweet as well. We also get a hint at who Aeduan's father could be! I'm very excited about this.

I also was so excited by the Bloodwitch preview in the back of my copy! (from Barnes & Noble) I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on Bloodwitch! Once again, Susan Dennard has outdone herself.

MY OVERALL RATING: 4.7/5 STARS

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start off by saying I love this cover. My husband is not even a reader and when he seen this cover he stated that this book had a cool cover.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am glad that I caught this book before I go into the rest of the series so I will know where this series will take me. The story building in this series is great. I love the friendships made. I love finding new authors and new series.

This book was short because it is a novella to the first book. So I found it a great start to start the series.

I am looking forward to carrying on with the series.

https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/sightwitch

I loved Sightwitch, no surprise at that since I really like Ryber and Kullen. This book allowed me to learn more about them.

I found it great to learn more about the Sightwitch and I still want to read Bloodwitch now more than ever.

I really liked the journal style with the book’s drawings, it gives a little more realistic and enjoyable touch to the world created by Susan Dennard.

I enjoyed seeing the powers of the Waterwitches too, and yes I am and remain a Waterwitches Babes in the heart and soul.

I actually discovered Ryber and she’s a girl full of will who respects the rules even if in the end it’s useless.

Tanzi is her threadsister and she’s the one who encourages her, I enjoyed discovering Tanzi and her friendship with Ryber.

We don’t see much Kullen but he’s a boy who can be trusted and even if Ryber has doubts at first, they don’t last.

I cannot wait to get my hardback version because I must admit that reading on my kindle didn’t allow me to see all the drawings so I want to hold this little wonder in my hands.

Susan Dennard has once again managed to deepen her world and open new horizons for Bloodwitch, and let you know that I want to see Aeduan, Iseult, Safiya, Merrick and all the others even faster.

Quick Word: A little wonder that completes the history of the Witchlands.

i loved this prequel to the TRUTHWITCH series! it made me eager for Bloodwitch!

You have to see this book in person to appreciate how gorgeous it is! It's so unique with the addition of maps, and journal pages, I absolutely loved it! The entire Witchland series is so expansive, complex and wonderful, Easily one of my favorite series!

I thought I’d do a bit of a different review this time for a couple of reasons. First, this is a prequel novella in a series I love, but since it’s a novella AND a prequel, it’s kinda short, and offers a lot of back story and thus it’s kind of a difficult one to review. SO here's 10 reasons why you should read Sightwitch!

1. It's Gorgeous
This books is just beautiful. It has a gorgeous cover, and it has maps, illustrations, notes and all sorts of cool stuff in it. It’s a beautifully edited and published book and it’s just pretty to look at.

2. It Enhances the Story
This is written in the form of a diary, and like I said, it has all sorts of additional stuff in it. Maps, Sightwitch oaths, drawings. This really adds a lot to the story, and makes for a really immersive reading experience. I was hooked from the beginning, and could not wait to see more of those bits and bobs.

3. The Back Story
I am a big fanatic when it comes to Fantasy. I think the best part of Fantasy is the world building and getting to know the history and the foundation of the world. You get that from this book. You get a lot of back story, both for the world itself and also for some of the characters, which is great.

4. All the Hints
This ties into the previous one, but if you read this carefully you’ll get a ton of hints for books to come, especially Bloodwitch. So many hidden gems in this one that make it all that more worthwhile to read. You can geek out like me, or just enjoy like a normal person. Whatever suits you.

5. Ryber is Cool
I really enjoyed Ryber as a character in previous books, and I liked that we got this whole story from her POV. She is a really cool character, with a different witchery than we’ve seen so far, so I think it’s definitely interesting to explore her story as well.

6. Kullen is There
Kullen was one of my favorite side characters in previous books, and I am soooo glad he appears in this one. He is very goofy and lanky, with a scary smile, but he is so awesome. I really enjoy his character, and I think him and Ryber have great chemistry (Susan Dennard is really good at writing chemistry).

7. You Get Two Stories
This book has two stories in it. They’re both exciting and they’re both intriguing, even though they are thousands of years apart. And they’re also connected in a really great and clever way. So you get two great Sightwitch stories in one. A bargain, really.

8. The Plot is Exciting
Now, you know I like my character driven stories, but this was very plot focused which I for one enjoyed. Just because the plot is what actually builds the world and adds to the ethos of the story. And it was a pretty exciting and engaging plot.

9. There's a Sentient Bird
I think birds are creepy. Don’t like them at all. But one of my favorite books of all time is very focused on birds (ravens to be exact) and there’s a somewhat sentient bird in there as well (yes I am talking about The Dream Thieves and The Raven Cycle in general). So I am partial to ravens in books. There’s one here as well.

10. It Will Hold You Over Until Bloodwitch
I thought this would be shorter or just less substantial, but it isn’t. It’s a great addition to the series, and while it’s not required reading – I highly suggest you read it. It really enhances the whole experience of the series. Plus, it will hold you over until Bloodwitch because we hate waiting.

TL;DR: It's brilliant, read it.

Sightwitch was freaking amazing and it’s not like I didn’t expect it to be, because I did. I actually procrastinated reading because I knew I wouldn’t want it to be over. I really didn’t want it to end when I finished reading. It’s a shorter book but

This story is set prior to Truthwitch and gives us such a great insight into the Sightwitch sisters history as well as all of the Witchland history. I enjoyed all the Sightwitch sisters and learning about them through different journal entries. Of course I also loved The Rook too.

I’m obsessed with Ryber. I love her, maybe even more than I love Iseult and Vivia. I want to reread the first books in her POV. She is just an awesome character. I can’t gush enough about her! She makes me laugh that she is such a rule follower and she is also smart, clever and witty. Her interactions with Tanzi and Kullen make me want to say can you be my friend too? Love love her.

I also really liked reading the entries for Eridysi. Sightwitch adds so much to the rest of the series. So many things!! I loved getting this little bit of history from a thousand years ago. It was so interesting!!

The World Building is solid and it happens in such a small space when you think about it. The Covenant and the Mountain are our backdrop. These places were so flushed out though and they came vibrantly to life in my mind through the illustrations and descriptions. It made me love the style that this book is written in even more. I love the Witchlands. I always feel like I’m in a video game and I love feeling that way. Although the skull spider thing just kept making me think of Skulltulas that are in Zelda, I’m pretty sure that’s not what they look like but I couldn’t get it out of my head. I'm always a fan to see what creature is going to come out of the woodwork, or ice in this case. The Shadow Wyrms are freaky!!

I could gosh about this book all day. I really loved it and what it adds to the series. It makes it that harder to wait for Bloodwitch but it also made me want to reread Truthwitch and Windwitch to catch all the things I probably didn’t the first time. Especially armed with this new information.

I hope that you are super pumped to get some more of Susan Dennard’s The Witchlands series into your life because you are not going to want to miss this amazing novella! Sightwitch is so much more than a little novella. This whirlwind of a book has a format that is sort of like a scrapbook. It contains some incredible world building, interesting characters, and enough breadcrumbs to satisfy the hungriest fans of the series.

If you have been following the blog for a while, you will know that novellas aren’t typically something that I read. The Sightwitch novella, however, is one that I am so happy to have read because not only is it a really unique addition to the series, it is pretty substantial with just over 200 pages. The images that I was able to see in the e-ARC edition that I read were so amazing, and the songs were just so much fun to read.

The world building in Sightwitch is fascinating and quite amazing for a shorter book. Susan Dennard really takes her readers further into the Witchlands in this novella. Readers discover the exciting and unexpected story of how Ryber and Kullen first meet. Also, a greater understanding of the witcheries of the Sightwitches and Glamourwitches is gained by reading this story. It almost feels like you are reading a brief history of the Witchlands, as you are taken back further in time to find out how the story began.

There is no shortage of compelling and fascinating characters in Sightwitch. Told in differing points of view, we get the perspectives of Ryber, Tanzi, and Eridysi. Tanzi is Ryber’s friend and is also a Sightwitch who really understands Ryber and what makes her tick. It is so interesting to read Tanzi’s side of the story and her opinions of Ryber being a stickler for rules. The sections of Eridysi’s journal entries take the story even further back in time, and help to form an understanding of how so much came to be. Most notably, there is also a bird, The Rook, that plays a vital role in the story. The Rook is one of my favourite aspects of the story, as he is so intriguing and mysterious.

This book is one that fans of the series will want to read before picking up Bloodwitch next year, as there are some tidbits not to be missed.

Video review available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDO8Po-qD0U