Since requesting Bloodwitch many years ago, I have decided not to carry on with the Witchlands series. Marking as 3 stars just to clear it off my shelf, but this is not a reflection on the book or Susan (who I love as an author) in any way. Thank you to the publisher for sending me an eARC.

The formatting of this book didn’t work so I cannot review it unfortunately. I’ve given a neutral rating in this case.
Thanks for the approval however!

This series just keeps getting better and better. The action is perfectly paced and ramps up slowly until you can't put the book down. I can't wait for the next book.

Content warnings: Blood and blood magic, violence, death of a dog.

First things first, I’ll try to keep this spoiler-free, but the further into a series you get, the harder it is to talk about a book without mentioning something, so proceed with caution if you haven’t already read Truthwitch and Windwitch!

I was a little apprehensive about starting Bloodwitch after the disappointment of the previous book, but I was relieved to find that straight away, it was a much easier and more fluid read. Possibly it’s down to me having my expectations lowered, but everything seemed to flow more comfortably, with a better balance between action and character development. I thought that the characters felt much more true to themselves as they were introduced in Truthwitch, and the book itself returned to some of the elements I liked more in that first book. Mostly, though, I think what really helped my enjoyment here is the fact that Merik is more or less sidelined – he has shorter viewpoint scenes, and plot purposes mean that he doesn’t get to spend them maundering about. I grew to absolutely hate him during Windwitch, since I found him obnoxiously whiny and self-centred, and disliked the page time he took away from the more competent girls.

One thing I wasn’t expecting to happen was how much Aeduan grew on me in this book! I know he’s a fan favourite, but I hadn’t really felt much connection to him thus far – here we get to spend a little more time on his backstory and in his mind, and it really helped to humanise him. I’m still not sure any of the romance in this series is a strong point (there’s lots of being-inexplicably-drawn-to-someone, without necessarily having the on-page interaction to back it up), but it’s nice to at least have him fleshed out. Vivia, too, is much better fleshed-out and more human here, and I ended up really enjoying her sections. Every character has about six times the development here than they did in Windwitch, and it shows – it’s much faster-paced and feels like loads is happening in every chapter. Though I don’t think the viewpoint chapters are actually longer, they feel way more interesting, which helps avoid the choppiness. There is perhaps slightly too much going on in places – there are slightly too many side characters to keep track of – but that’s much better for me than not enough!

I honestly think you probably could have condensed all the plot of Windwitch into maybe 40 pages and added it into Bloodwitch‘s storyline, skipping the book entirely – which is saying something considering this is already over 550 pages long in paperback! I’m genuinely surprised at the swoop back up in quality. I enjoyed Bloodwitch nearly as much as Truthwitch, and I can only hope the rest of the series keeps it up!

This book is all I needed in my life! I loved following Aeduan’s story and getting to see some of his flashbacks. We get to see how he’s grown throughout the books but we still get to see our other favorite characters. I can’t say much about the plot because of spoilers but I will say it was AMAZING and I couldn’t put the book down. The worldbuilding was good as well and the character development was definitely my favorite thing about it!

Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard, third in the Truthwitch series, continues following Isuelt and Aeduan as they seek Owl's tribe. A world away, Safi is fulfilling her obligations to Vaness in rooting out the betrayers in her court. In Nubrevna, Vivia has prepped the underground city and is ready to reveal it. And Merik, traveling with Cam and Ryber, seeks the Sightwitch temple in hopes of finding a cure for his condition.

This series just keeps getting better! I'm still very invested in all of the characters' storylines. I enjoyed getting to see more of Vivia in a positive light. She's trying so hard to come into her own and keeps getting thwarted. When she went to see Vaness on her own terms, I cheered. And Vaness seemed to take her seriously as the rightful Nubrevnan leader. Speaking of coming into their own, Safi and Isuelt are doing so themselves. Separated, they are learning how to think in new ways, and finding their true depths. Once rejoined, they'll be even stronger.

Merik and Aeduan are stretching their limits too, and learning to think differently. I adore them both, want to stick their broken parts back together, and at the same time, give them each a good Gibbs-smack. Both are injured mentally and physically, yet remain stubborn in the wrong ways. Seeking help is okay. It doesn't make you weak. Most people are stubborn in this way, so actually asking and/or accepting help shows a great strength rather than weakness. I'm really hoping there's a way to reverse Merik's 'condition' and that he gets to reunite with Safi. Aeduan's problem seems the 'lesser' of the two. It seems far easier to cure a curse like his than Merik's. No doubt he's going to also be facing a future choice between Owl and Isuelt, and his father's crusade. Hope he follows heart over head, or he's gonna need another Gibbs-smack.

Highly recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another solid entry into what is a really original series. As is fairly obvious from the title, our primary focus in this third instalment is Aeduan and his continuing adventures across the Witchlands. What I appreciate so much about these books is the intricacy of the plotting. Dennard assumes that her readers are capable of keeping abreast of the situation and therefore doesn't spoonfeed information. A lot of things are inferred and this leads to some wonderful speculation about upcoming action in the part of the reader. She also writes characters well, with each given nuance and shading to ensure we have no good/bad individuals - everyone is operating under their own motives which make sense to their own character development. My major criticism is the pacing - both of the book and the series as a whole. The action of books two and three has spanned a single month, which sometimes makes the intensity of relationships seem a little forced or unrealistic. With that being said, I really enjoyed this book and will continue to read this series with great interest.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

PLEASE NOTE: There are likely spoilers for the past books - proceed at your own risk!

I really hyped this book up for myself because I've been desperate to know about Aeduan since Truthwitch. I was rather put out that we got SIGHTWITCH rather than Bloodwitch in 2018! I hold more than a little grudge against Sightwitch because of this (oops).
Then I was lucky enough to be granted an ARC and I was just too excited to cope. So, 5 months later, I've read it!
I was quite anxious for this whole book - this is only book three of FIVE! So much could still go wrong! I just want to leave all the characters happy. Also, for most of this book I was only truly invested in Aeduan, Iseult and Owl. Not that the rest of the book wasn't interesting, but that's all still subject to change, what with two more books.
I was particularly pleased we got to find out more about Aeduan in this book. We get his back story - and if you've been paying attention, we get his origin too! I'd wondered about it since the first time I read Sightwitch. looking forward to the rest of that playing out, oh boy!
I liked that both Aeduan and Iseult had space to find themselves while they were together. At first because they didn't care, then because they did. I look forward to them being a team in the future with all these new understandings.
I like Vivia a lot more now that I did previously. Having seen the people she grew up with in far more detail, well. I mean her father is a horrid, underhanded sort of man and I am not a fan at all. I look forward to him getting his 'rewards' because Vivia has a whole string of pretty powerful people from around the Witchlands on her side. Sure most of them haven't met her, but they know someone who knows someone who knows and respects her so, it's got potential. Especially now, what with the amazing growth Vivia has gone through and the realisations she's come to - not needing a mans approval to save the world, thank goodness!
I'm looking forward to the next step in her story.
A lot has been happening with this storyline that has confused me. I'm not sure if it's because I don't understand it, or if I'm not supposed to understand it or if I'm purposely not trying to understand it because the resolution is yet to come. Are you confused yet?
It's to to with the massive overall arc and I think that it's probably that I don't have enough pieces to form a pattern yet. I'm hoping that at the end I'll be able to go back and finally get it. Maybe I'm just out of practice when it comes to reading a series?! Speaking of which, how do people write series like this?! It just blows my mind.
I'm going to miss the Aeduan focus this book had because he's my favourite character - how could he not be? Mysterious and misunderstood with a tragic back story - it's a total trap. Hopefully the next book is Iseults, though I feel we've learnt a lot about her back story already - perhaps she will uncover hidden secrets, or perhaps it will focus on the future of her rather than the past.
Also, Leopold can just step right back, thank you very much. (Though I am also looking forward to finding out more about him - I have some suspicions.)
I wasn't sure how I felt about Merrik in this book. His situation got no better and he's still in a big problem area. But I have new hope and I'l still holding out for a Safi reunion! He's become more aware of the world too, I think that the world he thought he lived in was built by his father and hopefully he's coming to the realisation that that's not what the world is at all. He's used his cleverness well here and I'm looking forward to future growth with him.

Safi didn't seem to do much in this book, but that might just be my perception. Sure she's made a powerful friend or two, but he best of her was her learning to use her power now that she doesn't have to hide it. This book wasn't really for her, but she's still on the path to becoming someone amazing and I look forward to seeing who that is. Her last idea is a little bit out there though....
I'm still suspicious of Vaness - perhaps because we didn't have the best introduction. Hopefully we'll get to understand her more soon.
One thing I'm not a fan of is how it's all been set up for the 3 main females to have more than one love option. It's ALMOST like travelling around with 3 love triangles. Just stop it right there. I mean, it's subtle but that's where it needs to stay. Call it threads drawing closer or whatever, but no thank you. I have my ships and I will be sticking to them!
Don't make me not stick to them....

I'm not totally sure where the end of this book has left us now. Everything has been shaken up and I will no doubt forget where everyone is at the end of this book before the next one. The major question is, can I take the pressure? Will I be reading book 4 when it [kind of] comes out? Or waiting for book 5?!
I'm make that decision next year...

STUNNING! I love everything about this series! This book was the best one in my humble opinion! So much action but emotion too!!! I highly recommend these books!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

I have adored all of Susan's books that I've read before, and I don't know why, but I sort of put off reading this book, just in case it didn't live up to expectations, but it's safe to say that it really did - I loved it!

Following the events of Windwitch, all of our heroes are scattered across the continent. Merik sacrificed himself to save others, and in doing so, cleaved, which means his powers are unstable, and he is at risk of being used by those who wish to harm others. He's battling against himself to reclaim control, and get back to those he loves, including Safi. Safi, in turn, has been wrecked in an 'accident', and must work with the empress to discover who it is who's trying to kill the empress and herself. As they grow closer to uncovering one mystery, Iseult and Aeduan have their own mystery on their hands, and even though they are sworn enemies, the tension and chemistry that has been there throughout the past books comes to a head, and they become a lot closer too.

One thing I've got to say is how fantastic Susan is at world building. All out characters are in different parts of the world, and yet they are all unique - which is a rare thing in YA fantasy at times. Sometimes I wished I was in the world, and then at others, I really didn't. From the backstory of the war, to the magic systems, and politics, everything is so well planned, that I sometimes struggle to read other fantasy books, when they just don't compare.

The characters are all fantastic too. Iseult is my favourite, with Safi in a close second, and though this book was mainly Aeduan's - I do love him too - Iseult really comes into her own, and starts to show her strength and self-reliance in a way we haven't seen in previous books. Also, her relationship with Aeduan really develops, and I ship them so much! I need more from them in the next two books (thank god we're getting two more!). Safi seemed to be a bit quiet, to me at least, in this book, but I think after all the hassle she's had in past books - Merek too - they both deserve a little quiet time. Not to say they didn't do anything, as they were definitely tying together some loose odds, but in comparison to Iseult and Aeduan, they had less of a pivotal role to play this time around.

The ending is a killer, mind, and I can't believe I have to wait so long for book 4, but I guess I'll just have to be patient! If you haven't read any of Sooz's books - go a buy a copy of them, and enjoy!

How do I love Susan Dennard, let me count the ways. Her stories and characters are so beautifully brought to life with humour and excitement, thrills and love stories. Always so excited when a new book of hers comes out.

This series is SO GOOD. I loved the writing, and all the characters are just absolutely wonderful. I could read this forever!

An intense emotional journey that rocked me to my very core. I adore everything about this world and this story and Dennard had me completely with this addition to the series. I cannot wait for the next book!

This is the third book in the Witchlands series (following Truthwitch and Windwitch) and it definitely expanded the characters and world.
This was another action-packed read and is easily my favorite read of the series.
Dennard is a master world builder and creates brilliantly flawed characters. However, I don't think there is enough unique in this series to separate it from other YA books currently on the market.

Bloodwitch stars fast and hard, the same beautiful writing like in the previous books and I am glad that these series continues to be exciting. The cover is also stunning and I am glad that I got to know more of the Bloodwitch. I am here for the friendships that further developing and I adore Iseult.

I read the first two books, Truthwitch and Windwitch, sometime last year, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Unfortunately I haven't read Sightwitch, because for some reason I don't think it was released in the UK, and while I've heard it should be read before Bloodwitch, I found it didn't much hinder my understanding of the story. I would still like to read it though!

Bloodwitch starts at breakneck pace and doesn't let up. I don't know if it's Susan Dennard's writing style or just the way I read these books, but I seem to fly through them, and Bloodwitch was even better at this than its predecessors, to great effect. When I turned the last page, I was genuinely breathless. 

It was fascinating to finally read about Aeduan's past, and I really loved all of the characters in this novel though I would have loved to see more of Stix! I especially enjoyed the interactions between characters as new revelations came to light, whether good or bad. And the action scenes are where this novel really shines.

There were so many different threads (ha, see what I did there!) in Bloodwitch, but Dennard handles them all skilfully. A few questions were answered, but many still remain, and I gladly look forward to the next instalment. 

Overall, The Witchlands series has been thrilling and unique, and Bloodwitch was definitely the best so far. In the end I gave it 4 well-deserved stars, and I hope to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible.

I really like the premise of this series and this was definitely my favourite book in the series so far. Aeduan is my favourite character in this series and I loved learning more about his past and watching his relationship with Iseult develop, as I am 100% invested i these two. However, apart from these two and Safiya I'm not invested in the other characters stories and felt myself getting bored when reading from other points of view and also trying to rush through those points of view so that I could get back to either Safiya. Iseult and Aeduan which I felt impacted on my overall enjoyment of the story.

Another aspect of this story that I really like is the friendship between Safiya and Iseult. They have such a strong bond and would do anything for one another. I adore reading about these strong female friendships in books and its something that I feel we need more of especially in the YA genre.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and gave it 3.5 stars.

I absolutely love the witchland series and the bloodwitch was a brilliant addition. From the start I was hooked with the return of her brilliant characters and amazing storyline.
I can’t wait to see what happens next

recaps!

First things first, if your memory is as bad as mine and you need a wee refresher of Truthwitch and Windwitch before diving into Bloodwitch, then I recommend Tor’s gif-packed recaps!

So… to make your life easier here are the direct links…

Truthwitch, the Official GIF Recap!

Windwitch, the Official GIF Recap!

There’s also one for Sightwitch, here.

suitably refreshed? onto my thoughts!

Ok, so, if you’ve looked at my reviews for the first two books in this series you will see that for some reason Windwitch (book 2) and I just didn’t click. However, I always planned to stick with the series and I’m SO glad I did – I didn’t want Bloodwitch to end!

We begin Bloodwitch with our adored characters who are strewn across The Witchlands – with some in better shape than others! Dennard wastes no time in getting us reacquainted with our friends before unleashing an action-packed tale filled with threads, magic, and blood-thirsty scenes.

Bloodwitch is, for me, the book where I started to see the story fit together. At this point though, I must say that I read Sightwitch (book #2.5) in between Windwitch and Bloodwitch.

a sightwitch detour…

Unfortunately I didn’t get around to reviewing Sightwitch but I really enjoyed it. It’s a novella set a year before the happenings of Truthwitch, in which we follow a Sightwitch, Ryber.

Through illustrations and documents we not only follow Ryber’s tale, but the tale of a Sightwitch who lived many years before.

Strangely, Sightwitch, hasn’t been picked up for publication in the UK, however it is possible to get the US edition online.

Do I recommend you read it? ABSOLUTELY!

The overall story, world, and history of The Witchlands makes much more sense to me having read Sightwitch. It leaves the reader with plenty of questions but it’s a brilliant prelude to Bloodwitch.

I found myself picking up on Sightwitch references throughout Bloodwitch and was so glad that I’d taken the time to read Sightwitch first. Which leaves me all the more confused as to why it hasn’t been picked up in the UK.

Anyway, yes, read Sightwitch between Windwitch and Bloodwitch. Being a novella, it won’t take you long and you’ll be glad you did.

back to my thoughts on bloodwitch…

The Witchlands is such a well-built world, with characters so memorable that it’s easy to forget the scale of this world that Susan Dennard has created. I love her attention to details – from thread colours to blood scents, Dennard has created an incredible, rich world.

If you don’t follow Susan Dennard on Instagram (@stdennard) then I suggest you do. Susan shares her writing journey as well as masses of wonderful writing tips.

As I read Bloodwitch, I came to appreciate why Susan has so many record cards for each character. With characters spread across The Witchlands, each with his or her own magics, skillsets, challenges, and personalities, Dennard has a handle on them all.

I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it is to not only create such an imaginative and well-built world, but also to find the voices of a host of characters, whilst simultaneously creating an action-packed, addictive plot with numerous subplots and histories interweaved. This is writing genius!

Dennard goes beyond this too to create some very skilled prose. All too often as a reader I find it so easy to turn page after page, caught up in the plot, without stopping to savour the author’s actual words themselves. Dennard’s writing is packed with beautiful prose. I found myself stopping to smell those word-shaped roses throughout my read of Bloodwitch.

another tangent – the awesomeness of susan dennard

So, I know I’ve already mentioned Susan’s Instagram account, but I must digress from Bloodwitch once again to draw your attention to Susan’s newsletter, Misfits & Daydreamers (you can subscribe here). Susan shares so much incredible information with us – from Witchlands insider info to writing tips. She’s even shared some sensitive posts about income as a writer, as well as an interview with her agent as to how advances in publishing work!

She’s one of the most transparent authors out there. She strikes me as so genuine, and caring. She clearly loves writing, and she shares that knowledge with us all (for free!) too. Thank you, Susan!

ok, back to bloodwitch!

I really loved this novel. You can tell how much you love a work when you are thinking about it when you are going about daily life.

For me, I feel that this book built upon everything I loved in Truthwitch, with even more action, great fight scenes, copious amounts of blood, and wonderful intricacies.

I’ve deliberately evaded any plot spoilers, but let me tell you it’s all going off ALL OVER The Witchlands!

I’m so entrenched in The Witchlands now, I don’t want to leave! So, obviously book 4 is going to be one of my most-anticipated books of 2020!

Oh… and Aeduan is officially my favourite!

BLOODWITCH is the phenomenal third entry into THE WITCHLANDS series. An epic quest, brilliant characters, magic, politics, tension; this is the standard all high fantasy should strive to reach.

MY THOUGHTS:

Dennard once again proves her mastery of writing craft by creating a twisty, multi-faceted story of war, love, and facing your inner demons. You may need to be focused on this one to really understand and absorb what's going on, but it only made the pay-off so much more satisfying.

There's a fandom in-joke that Aeduan, the central character of this book, is called "Baeduan". I could see it, but not relate to it until I read BLOODWITCH. Aeduan's character arc is natural and so, so satisfying. His terrors, his pain, his desires in life felt so real, so raw, and though he certainly has a troubled past, he is not the tired and tropey angsty-backstory character. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes him.

Likewise, I love that each character presents their own wants and flaws. Not a single character in BLOODWITCH feels like a plot device. It was as if I was standing right by their sides as they experienced life. Mashing together the characters least expected to meet is one of my favourite parts of this series!

This is only a four stars because, as touched upon above, this book takes a while to get going.

WILL I READ ON? You bet'cha. Bring on THREADWITCH(?).