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pratimav's review against another edition
4.0
Weak first half, but I really liked it by the end. There are some weird inconsistencies, and I'd find myself wondering how people knew certain bits of information. But the overall plot gets really fun by the end, and it's just a good time.
secretmagic's review against another edition
5.0
This book had elements that reminded me of Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic series, as well as new, exciting and adventurous twists that made it uniquely its own story. I adored it and can't wait for book 2.
stormessed's review against another edition
5.0
The only thing I didn't like about this book was the feeling that it wasn't a book. It felt like part of a book, those first pages where everything is slowly developing. So many things happened, but nothing happened really. Nothing will actually happen until the next book.
Oh, and Safiya. I didn't like Safiya. That spoiled selfish stupid girl. Why.
Oh, and Safiya. I didn't like Safiya. That spoiled selfish stupid girl. Why.
dicny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kaavyareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was just as good as it was 8 years ago! I really love the world building and the friendships. The plot is fast and there are so many secrets layered into the story, making this an intriguing read. Can't wait to reread Windwitch and then read the rest of the books.
bardo's review against another edition
4.0
What's Your Witchery? Do you have a tie to the earth, wind or water? Can you see the threads of life that connect us all? Or can you see the truth in the false word people speak? This is the world Safiya and Iseult live in; a place where people are born with extraodinary abilities, Safiya and Iseult are threadsisters, a bond that can be stronger than blood. They travel together and face the world as a united team. But when Safiya's uncle pulls her into a mysterious plan both their lives are turned upside down.
Pro:
- People being tied to a witchery is a unique and interesting theme. Caine creates an ability that is somewhat familiar and yet new. Who doesn't want to have a magical ability to control at will? These abilities a person is born with and the degree of power ranges for each individual. Witchery can range from controlling wind and fire to knowing if someone is lying. Which I think would come in handy in a game of poker or BS.
- The story is told mostly through Safiya and Iseult's point of view. Let me tell you these are not weak women. They are trained for the toughest battles and can out wit anyone. But even with all the training the most powerful asset they have is each other. They rely on the strongest bond, their is friendship. Each of the women know and understand each others personalities, mind and spirit. This includes both the negatives and positives, which they play off of to balance the relationship. Even in difficult situations they band together and do not place blame on the other but try to resolve it like grown women...... hu who knew that was possible.... women working together not against.... These girls have faults but that only makes them stronger and realistic.
- I'm all for a little romance, I mean who isn't. What I don't like is when that romance takes over the book or is too rushed. I love when the characters don't fall head over heels but is a growth over time. That's what happened here with Safiya and her love interest. The attraction was there but she has to fight it because her life is in danger and you know war is coming... girl does not have time for that. She needs to save her threadsister, hide from a void witch and somehow not become a prisoner. Also Safiya never yields or changes who she is to fit the guy. She is who she is and that has to be accepted. Her romance is one thread of the story, making it enriched and rounded.
Con:
- I have to admit I was a little worried if I would even finish the book. The start was a little slow and I didn't know where it was going. There where a lot of terms being thrown around and different witchery types that I had to read them several times to get a handle on them. But this seemed to work itself out as the book progressed.
Quotes:
- Sometimes justice was all about the small victories
-Those who win wars are those who write history
- Trust me as if my soul were yours
Pro:
- People being tied to a witchery is a unique and interesting theme. Caine creates an ability that is somewhat familiar and yet new. Who doesn't want to have a magical ability to control at will? These abilities a person is born with and the degree of power ranges for each individual. Witchery can range from controlling wind and fire to knowing if someone is lying. Which I think would come in handy in a game of poker or BS.
- The story is told mostly through Safiya and Iseult's point of view. Let me tell you these are not weak women. They are trained for the toughest battles and can out wit anyone. But even with all the training the most powerful asset they have is each other. They rely on the strongest bond, their is friendship. Each of the women know and understand each others personalities, mind and spirit. This includes both the negatives and positives, which they play off of to balance the relationship. Even in difficult situations they band together and do not place blame on the other but try to resolve it like grown women...... hu who knew that was possible.... women working together not against.... These girls have faults but that only makes them stronger and realistic.
- I'm all for a little romance, I mean who isn't. What I don't like is when that romance takes over the book or is too rushed. I love when the characters don't fall head over heels but is a growth over time. That's what happened here with Safiya and her love interest. The attraction was there but she has to fight it because her life is in danger and you know war is coming... girl does not have time for that. She needs to save her threadsister, hide from a void witch and somehow not become a prisoner. Also Safiya never yields or changes who she is to fit the guy. She is who she is and that has to be accepted. Her romance is one thread of the story, making it enriched and rounded.
Con:
- I have to admit I was a little worried if I would even finish the book. The start was a little slow and I didn't know where it was going. There where a lot of terms being thrown around and different witchery types that I had to read them several times to get a handle on them. But this seemed to work itself out as the book progressed.
Quotes:
- Sometimes justice was all about the small victories
-Those who win wars are those who write history
- Trust me as if my soul were yours
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
3.0
Truth isn't always easy The treaty has held for many years but now it's crumbling and at the centre of this is Safiya and Iseult. Two friends who want some adventure but not as much as is heading their way.
Iseult is a truthwitch and that skill is rare, now she want to try to hide this and have some freedom but a ball and the handsome Merik might make her wonder about possibilities. Then there's kidnapping, chases, a seemingly deathless bloodwitch and a lot of shennigans.
It was an interesting read with interesting characters. It's did have some moments where the story stuttered a bit but overall I want to read more in this series.
With a little stretch this could be Creepy Crawlies (between the bloodwitch and the Sea Foxes) much of the adventure occurs at sea so it could be Fear the Drowning Deep if I hadn't used that one already, it also falls into Spellbound, but I've also used that as well. Ah well, I'm going to regard this as a miss for the game.
Iseult is a truthwitch and that skill is rare, now she want to try to hide this and have some freedom but a ball and the handsome Merik might make her wonder about possibilities. Then there's kidnapping, chases, a seemingly deathless bloodwitch and a lot of shennigans.
It was an interesting read with interesting characters. It's did have some moments where the story stuttered a bit but overall I want to read more in this series.
With a little stretch this could be Creepy Crawlies (between the bloodwitch and the Sea Foxes) much of the adventure occurs at sea so it could be Fear the Drowning Deep if I hadn't used that one already, it also falls into Spellbound, but I've also used that as well. Ah well, I'm going to regard this as a miss for the game.
emily_gaynier's review against another edition
5.0
**2021**
Don't mind me. I just reread this book for the fourth time
*2019*
I don't think I would recommend the audiobook, but I really enjoyed this book!
I love all of the friendships, especially Safi and Iseult's
**Reread like two weeks later**
I actually could not stop thinking about this book since I had first read it. This might be my fastest reread ever!
There's just so much about this book that I love! I love how interwoven the story is and the people are. I love how there are multiple people who talk about or reference someone important to them to then have it all end up being the same person.
I really enjoy everyone's friendships and relationships. The romance had my heart all aflutter and I can see the beginnings of the more angsty romance everyone ships. I also really like how the Empress of Marstok kept popping up. I have so many questions and I can't wait to read the next book, but I probably will have to wait a few days before I have time and the ability to grab the book from the library. I want to know more about Prince Leopold and how different magics work in this world.
I really loved getting to see in Aeduan's POV. Normally I am not a fan of blood magic, but I really like Bloodwitchery in this book. I think it's because this style of magic is more like Blood Bending (and to a lesser extent Water Bending) from Avatar the Last Airbender. It doesn't involve self harm to create the magic, the one time self harm was used it was to create a scent trail marker, and it is basically a healing factor for the Bloodwitch.
Also I really enjoyed the Salamander fiber. Salamander fiber is a real thing from history and it's still around now, but we call it something different. It is actually fireproof (although I'm not sure about protecting you from Bloodwitches). We call it Asbestos XP
Such a good book
Don't mind me. I just reread this book for the fourth time
*2019*
I don't think I would recommend the audiobook, but I really enjoyed this book!
I love all of the friendships, especially Safi and Iseult's
**Reread like two weeks later**
I actually could not stop thinking about this book since I had first read it. This might be my fastest reread ever!
There's just so much about this book that I love! I love how interwoven the story is and the people are. I love how there are multiple people who talk about or reference someone important to them to then have it all end up being the same person.
I really enjoy everyone's friendships and relationships. The romance had my heart all aflutter and I can see the beginnings of the more angsty romance everyone ships. I also really like how the Empress of Marstok kept popping up. I have so many questions and I can't wait to read the next book, but I probably will have to wait a few days before I have time and the ability to grab the book from the library. I want to know more about Prince Leopold and how different magics work in this world.
I really loved getting to see in Aeduan's POV. Normally I am not a fan of blood magic, but I really like Bloodwitchery in this book. I think it's because this style of magic is more like Blood Bending (and to a lesser extent Water Bending) from Avatar the Last Airbender. It doesn't involve self harm to create the magic, the one time self harm was used it was to create a scent trail marker, and it is basically a healing factor for the Bloodwitch.
Also I really enjoyed the Salamander fiber. Salamander fiber is a real thing from history and it's still around now, but we call it something different. It is actually fireproof (although I'm not sure about protecting you from Bloodwitches). We call it Asbestos XP
Such a good book
carissagp3's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok. Lots of action, but I was also confused because of the lack of backstory in this world/with the characters. I'll still probably read the sequel though to see how it pans out.
sara11_reads's review against another edition
3.0
The main characters start out really selfish and judgmental. It takes most of the book before they learn and become better people. The world and politics are interesting and maybe I'll finish this series. Just not right now.