The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard is some of my favorite books and they are so underhyped. Here's the book order: 1 Truthwitch; 2 Windwitch; 3 Bloodwitch; 4 Witchshadow; 5 Witchlight. Please read this series. If you enjoy reading fantasy, you will enjoy these books.

The latest installment in the Truthwitch series followed my favorite character, so I was excited to see what the Numatsi would do when separated from her best friend and embark on a journey of self discovery. Let me say that Susan Dennard did NOT disappoint. It's like each book in this series just gets better and better.

NetGalley Arc

There isn’t a book this women couldn’t write I would love. So yes I’m bias about my review. I LOVED THIS BOOK, MUST BUY ETC! That is all.

Damn does Susan Dennard know how to write. I have been spluttering ever since page 295/6. Whilst many questions/suspicions are finally confirmed in this book it still manages to create more and leave threads dangling.
There's a lot packed into this book and sometimes its not perfect but when you realise this should have been two books it becomes more forgivable. I can't wait for book 6

I loved this preview! I was a little lost at the beginning because the book doesn't start where the last one left off (which is not a problem, I was just confused for like one page) but we got so much backstory and I loved that.

Susan Dennards writing is phenomenal and I loved being back in this world. What happened to Safi broke my heart and I needed to pick up the full book as soon as I finished this preview.

I have to tell you first of all that I’m glad I reread all the books before reading Witchshadow, I got back into the story and I discovered things I missed in my first and second reading.

This review will probably contain some spoilers from the previous books so if you haven’t read them, stop right now.

At the end of Bloodwitch Iseult was reunited with Safiya unfortunately at the beginning of Witchshadow Iseult is alone. We discover through flashbacks everything that happened to get there.

Witchshadow is the penultimate book in the series and Susan gives us more and more revelations, some of which I was certain about and others less so.

I loved this book from start to finish, all the characters have changed, Iseult has grown stronger, she is still badass but she has new powers. Safiya’s position is not the easiest but she will find help. Aeduan is no longer himself but Iseult is there to set him straight. Vivia and Vaness will get to know each other. We will also follow the adventure of Styx and Ryber.

My favorite characters are still Iseult and Aeduan even if I really like Safiya and Ryber, I also learned to like Vivia as the series went on.

Anyway I’m really looking forward to reading the last volume of the series even if I know I’ll have to be patient.

This series is a real masterpiece, Susan Dennard managed to create a complex world with characters all more interesting than the others.

Quick word: An exhilarating adventure that reads very quickly.

A wonderful excerpt from one of my highly-anticipated books in 2021. It's great to be back to the world that Susan Dennard has created in The Witchland series and I can't wait to read the full book!

A wonderful beginning to the next installment in the Witchlands series. Everything is amping up and I am beyond excited to finish the rest of the book and uncover all the pieces that have been building up to this point. The stakes are high and Sooz's writing has never been better!

As this was just a chapter sampler I may have forgotten to review sooner, but as always Dennard brings her classic wit and intellect to the page in a way that makes it impossible to put down. I love Iseult and am so excited for a book focusing so much on her

What can I say about this sampler? I
I love Susan Dennard, I love this story so much and I can't wait to know more!! The writing is captivating, and I missed those characters SO much!
If you like strong plot, original magic system and you're not afraid to have your heart broken several (and more) times, this series is just for you.

Now that I finally read the Sampler, I want to jump right back into this universe. So the full book is already ordered :)

4.5 Stars

TW: Book features characters experiencing racism, abuse by parents, and child abuse

First off: I think this is probably the best cover for the whole series -- Iseult looks amazing and it is a stunning colour scheme.

A bit of history for the book: Iseult's story was initially supposed to be two books and it was compressed at the publisher's behest to be one. This is really my only critique of the book: there was so much action that some bits did not have as much emotional resonance as they possibly could have if the events were more spaced out. The book was also delayed in response to sensitivity readers that felt there were issues on Iseult's depiction-- Susan Dennard takes full responsibility and acknowledged this but as someone that is not Asian I do not know if all of these issues were resolved (I didn't notice anything but if we've learned anything in the last year it is that a lot of us suck at noticing anti-Asian racism).

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the new pairings in this book and all of the hints that Susan Dennard included in previous books-- there are multiple points of view including fan (and person) favourite Aeduan. This is an enthralling read but is by no means a lighthearted one-- it is without question the darkest book of the series and starts dark right from the get-go which can be a bit of a shock. I think it is incredibly impressive that in a book with so many POVs that there isn't one I dislike-- usually in multiple POV there is that one that you are less invested in and wish was omitted but that was not the case here. Each character has a distinct voice and all contribute to the overall story. However I will say that a reread before reading this one is HIGHLY recommended as there are a lot of names and smaller details that can be easily missed if you are not fresh off reading Bloodwitch.

Overall, a well-written and important book! Kudos to Sooz for getting this book out in a pandemic on top of having a toddler and recovering from a dangerous birth. The book is wonderful and I hold my copy that was personalised very dear to me!

I absolutely loved the first couple chapters of this novel and look forward to reading the rest soon.

5 stars, but only for the Aeduan and Isuelt content.

This had so many issues. It was chaotic, the plotlines were confusing, the middle was boring. Yet somehow, I'm coming out of it with the urge to reread the entire series. Susan Dennard dragged me in, and I don't want to let go of this world.

I think all of that is because of my favorites, Aeduan and Isuelt. Since the first book, I've been reading for them. I've been rooting for their romance for books now, and although this book did nothing to advance it, I loved what it did for it. It made their connection so clear, and I can't wait to see where the next book takes them.

I also loved the sisterhood between Isuelt and Safi. It's been one of the things I've loved about this series for so many years, and this book didn't let me down. When they finally reunited, I couldn't put the book down. It was so pure and bright. And even better is that they don't let anything come between them. They're always there for each other, and it's amazing.

Finally, I loved Isuelt's journey in this one. Watching her slowly come to accept herself was everything I ever wanted. It didn't happen instantaneously, or even quickly. No, she went through several stages, and each one hurt my heart in the best way.

If you couldn't tell, I loved this one. I know I'll be doing a series reread soon, just to fully understand this one and truly savor it. Only problem is, the next book isn't out until next year

Susan Dennard will never fail to impress me with her amazing world-building throughout the entire Witchlands series and this new installment is no different. This series always keeps me guessing. I never know what is actually going on. I think I know it and then something happens that takes things in a different direction. But all in a very enjoyable way! I cant wait to read the rest of this book!

Oh my gosh the cruelty of where this sampler ends!!!! How dare!! Things are happening so quickly, but it’s nice to start having some things revealed!

My head is still spinning. It took me a moment to adjust to the structure of past and present but once I did I didn't want to stop. And of course as soon as I was absorbed it came to an end. I can't wait to read the rest and see how this all turns out.

My dumbass neglected to read that this is only a sampler until after requesting 🤣🤣🤣
I love this series and while a do think this book was slightly weaker than a few other entries in the series (Bloodwitch is my personal fave). I think this is incredibly solid. A little bit felt like filler, or Susan Dennard actively trying to come up with reasons for characters to still be separated which I found a little annoying at times.

An engaging continuation of the Witchlands series - I look forward to reading the full version. we rejoin Safiya and Iseult in their quest to discover their destiny and their quest to heal the land.

I loved this!!! I cannot wait to dive into the full book after reading the sampler. Susan Dennard is a brilliant writer and this sampler further proves that!