If you haven’t read any of the previous Witchlands books by Susan Dennard, I definitely encourage you do so before reading this review! It’s a wonderful fantasy series that will captivate you, and once you’ve done that, definitely revisit this review!
The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard is a delightfully dark fantasy that is full of action and adventure. The series begins with a punch and continues to pull in readers with amazing fight sequences, the dangerous scenery, and of course, swoon-worthy characters. You’ve got some amazingly written female characters who step toe to toe with those who would oppress or belittle them. There’s also slow burn romance of course, designed to make you squeal in delight. Bloodwitch continues the series in that same kick-ass way. From start to finish I was pulled into the Witchlands world and spit back out a hollow husk of a girl. I really need the next book of this series.
Each book features several stories at once, with a focus on one character as a main arc. In Truthwitch, we got to see Safi and Iseult’s struggles. In Windwitch we caught up with Merik. In Bloodwitch, we’re catching up with Aeduan, our wretchedly lovely bloodwitch monk. A man who has several dark stains on his soul is teaming up with Iseult and a young girl named Owl to try to stop his father’s destructive path. Several paths will start intertwining to get a bigger picture of what is getting ready to happen in the Witchlands world. Alliances will be formed, broken, and reforged. This story is going to be bloody, and in the end, who knows what will happen next.
Getting back into the Witchlands after reading Windwitch was exciting, I’ve been waiting for this book for about a year. It was very fast paced and honestly, I have a bit of a crush on Aeduan. It was so fun to get to see his story unfold, getting to know the past that haunts him, and motivates him. Gah, and we get to see more Aeduan and Iseult action. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the threadsister bond that Safi and Iseult share, but that slow burn romance is so enticing.
We get introduced to some new character arcs, small ones, but nevertheless meaningful to the story. If I had to pick a couple of side arcs that I loved while reading Bloodwitch, it would be Safi and Vaness’. The respect that blossoms in that relationship as well as Safi’s own struggles with the realities of her world are so raw and gut wrenching. Lots of betrayal happening there, and so many hidden motivations. I wanted to keep reading more of these, but the teasing tidbits throughout the story were very well placed within the timeline of what’s happening in the story.
I’m trying not to be too spoilery, because the book hasn’t been out very long, but Merik’s arc was so heart-rending. Although most of these characters are going through some awful things, I think Merik was truly in the thick of it in Bloodwitch. Not only was he in physical torture, but he’s also agonising mentally and part of me just wanted to protect him from everything. Needless to say, I felt very connected to Merik in Bloodwitch. And Safi. And Iseult. And of course Aeduan.
How Susan Dennard keeps track of all of the things happening at once is amazing. In other fantasy stories I’ve read, it can be very difficult to keep switching back and forth between different characters and points of view, but she does it so flawlessly. She could be argued to be a weaverwitch, pulling on her loom to seal the fates of her characters in one way or another.
The ending of Bloodwitch was so devastating and satisfying at the same time. Readers will set this down and want the next book, if only to know what happens to certain characters. I know I really do. There wasn’t anything about the story that I didn’t like, aside from the fact that I want to know what happens next. You can’t leave us like this Sooz! More importantly, now we must wait for another year (hopefully) to find out what happens next in the Witchlands.
I’d rate this book a 10/10. I was captivated from beginning to end, wishing I were part of the Witchlands. All these lands are in turmoil, and our characters play pivotal roles in the potential re-shaping of a world. I love that I get to sit there with popcorn and watch it unfold in front of my very eyes.
Bloodwitch is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Fans of Susan Dennard’s New York Times bestselling Witchlands series have fallen in love with the Bloodwitch Aeduan. And now, finally, comes his story.
High in a snowy mountain range, a monastery that holds more than just faith clings to the side of a cliff. Below, thwarted by a lake, a bloodthirsty horde of raiders await the coming of winter and the frozen path to destroy the sanctuary and its secrets.
The Bloodwitch Aeduan has teamed up with the Threadwitch Iseult and the magical girl Owl to stop the destruction. But to do so, he must confront his own father, and his past.
