obsessed_with_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ceema's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.75
Lots of things happen so you're in for a ride if you read this. It wasn't as satisfying as Truthwitch though.
For 3/4 of the book, I felt like the story droned on. And I know, that last one was key to Merik's character development, but it could've meant more if it was mentioned less. Squishing everything into the last quarter of the book kind of redeemed it, but it mostly left me bitter and resentful because come on be fr.
I also feel like I would have enjoyed a story that was a little more different from the first book, or at least one that closed some of the characters' stories, instead of just making them even more complicated. Like I wanted it to show me a new chapter in their lives, whereas I feel like this book was stalling between the characters' last lives and their next with all the new things revealed about them.
For 3/4 of the book, I felt like the story droned on.
Spoiler
It got more and more unbearable everytime one character recalled learning this or that from this or that person, everytime Merik learned how else he was the Fury, everytime fool brother Filip followed his brother into the cave.I also feel like I would have enjoyed a story that was a little more different from the first book, or at least one that closed some of the characters' stories, instead of just making them even more complicated. Like I wanted it to show me a new chapter in their lives, whereas I feel like this book was stalling between the characters' last lives and their next with all the new things revealed about them.
dustherondale's review against another edition
3.0
more like 3,5.
Up until like 65% this felt so slow, couldn't believe this book was less than 400 pages cause it felt like much more. also i dont really like merik so i found his povs boring, vivia stole the show. Also, the fact that everyone was traveling most of the book made it pretty boring. I really miss safi and iseult's friendship, hope they reunite soon.
Up until like 65% this felt so slow, couldn't believe this book was less than 400 pages cause it felt like much more. also i dont really like merik so i found his povs boring, vivia stole the show. Also, the fact that everyone was traveling most of the book made it pretty boring. I really miss safi and iseult's friendship, hope they reunite soon.
littlefoot10's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, I did not enjoy this novel as much as I was anticipating. After finishing Truthwitch and loving the majority of what was going on; I knew I wanted to jump right into Windwitch to continue riding cloud 9.
However; this novel was not what I was anticipating. Knowing that Merik is a Windwitch, I was thoroughly excited to read more from his point of view. He was one of my favourite characters in the first novel, his banter, his values and what he was trying to accomplish. I was behind it all.
But what was got in this novel was a destroyed and broken Merik that was angry and honestly boring. The only parts that I really enjoyed was towards the end with the Shadowman and finally the very end with his sister Vivia.
And Vivia had her own sections; and I found them very lack luster; until almost the very end. There was seriously no need to have that much of Vivia when all she was doing was swimming around and feeling sorry for herself. I will say I really enjoy that in this novel there is a very diverse cast of characters with different ethnicity, religions, sexual orientation, and personal perception. It's really fantastic to have all of that included in one series!
I will say that my most favourite part of this installment were the chapters of Iseult and Aeduan. Honestly, I've been shipping them from the start -- so it was very exciting and intriguing to see more scenes with just the two of them. I think Aeduan is probably my favourite character from this entire series because he is still a bit of a mystery; he's complex and interesting. I can't wait for more of him.
My biggest concern with this novel though was the lack of Safi and Iseult scenes together. I know they are separate; and they weren't likely to reunite in this installment...but their friendship is the foundation of this novel. Book one was amazing because of those scenes; because of the banter of Safi with Merik. And it those elements were completely gone in this novel. Towards the very end Iseult learns how to communicate through her sleep; but we get a very brief few paragraphs about how they are filling each other as to what happened to each of them. I'm hoping that book three there will be more scenes of them actually communicating and working together.
I am going to continue on with the rest of this series; I still enjoyed this novel it just felt a lot slower and much different than novel one.
I have a feeling there is going to be a bit of a love triangle between Safi;Caden and Merik. She really got close to Caden during this novel. Not only do they have a bit of a sorted past together; but he really opened up to her. Caden showed her some secrets regarding the Hell-Bards. That was also really intriguing throughout this novel; why they have magic but Safi can't use her magic on them. I am hoping of more of the 3 musketeer Hell-Bards in the next novel.
This installment was definitely a roller-coaster of things I really appreciated and enjoyed; versus slow moving plot and lack luster characters.
I am still really excited to see where the next novel goes from here; I have my suspicions and what I want to happen. But I'll just have to wait and see! I'm hoping this novel is just has the second book slump-- and book 3 and the prequel get back to what was at the heart of Truthwitch
However; this novel was not what I was anticipating. Knowing that Merik is a Windwitch, I was thoroughly excited to read more from his point of view. He was one of my favourite characters in the first novel, his banter, his values and what he was trying to accomplish. I was behind it all.
But what was got in this novel was a destroyed and broken Merik that was angry and honestly boring. The only parts that I really enjoyed was towards the end with the Shadowman and finally the very end with his sister Vivia.
And Vivia had her own sections; and I found them very lack luster; until almost the very end. There was seriously no need to have that much of Vivia when all she was doing was swimming around and feeling sorry for herself. I will say I really enjoy that in this novel there is a very diverse cast of characters with different ethnicity, religions, sexual orientation, and personal perception. It's really fantastic to have all of that included in one series!
I will say that my most favourite part of this installment were the chapters of Iseult and Aeduan. Honestly, I've been shipping them from the start -- so it was very exciting and intriguing to see more scenes with just the two of them. I think Aeduan is probably my favourite character from this entire series because he is still a bit of a mystery; he's complex and interesting. I can't wait for more of him.
My biggest concern with this novel though was the lack of Safi and Iseult scenes together. I know they are separate; and they weren't likely to reunite in this installment...but their friendship is the foundation of this novel. Book one was amazing because of those scenes; because of the banter of Safi with Merik. And it those elements were completely gone in this novel. Towards the very end Iseult learns how to communicate through her sleep; but we get a very brief few paragraphs about how they are filling each other as to what happened to each of them. I'm hoping that book three there will be more scenes of them actually communicating and working together.
I am going to continue on with the rest of this series; I still enjoyed this novel it just felt a lot slower and much different than novel one.
I have a feeling there is going to be a bit of a love triangle between Safi;Caden and Merik. She really got close to Caden during this novel. Not only do they have a bit of a sorted past together; but he really opened up to her. Caden showed her some secrets regarding the Hell-Bards. That was also really intriguing throughout this novel; why they have magic but Safi can't use her magic on them. I am hoping of more of the 3 musketeer Hell-Bards in the next novel.
This installment was definitely a roller-coaster of things I really appreciated and enjoyed; versus slow moving plot and lack luster characters.
I am still really excited to see where the next novel goes from here; I have my suspicions and what I want to happen. But I'll just have to wait and see! I'm hoping this novel is just has the second book slump-- and book 3 and the prequel get back to what was at the heart of Truthwitch
hannie's review against another edition
4.0
AEDUAN AND ISEULT HAVE MY HEART. was so slow. omg;. but it really picked up about 60-65 percent through. The worldbuilding was so good and i am so enthralled by the world and magic of the witchlands ((TOOK ME WAY TOO LONG TO FINISH THIS BOOK THO.. LOL)
lqvekanej's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
amarylissw's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 stars.
A great addition to the series. From start to finish, the book kept me mostly involved and I loved the character development.
Merik probably changes the most from his original character, and for me, I like it. I found him a bit boring in the first book, and while the things he goes through in the sequel are definitely harsh, they make him a much rounder character. We get into the mind of his sister, Vivia, and while I'm not particularly a fan of her and she offers a much different perspective than her brother. Safi's POV was my least favorite and I often found myself trying to speed through her sections. Her type of character has never been my favorite and I hope she gets some growth. Easily, my favorite parts of this book were Iseult and Aeduan. I found myself so excited each time I came upon one of their POVs. Even though their relationship contains no romance yet, the dynamic of it is brilliant, and I'm hoping it might develop into something more. Speaking of romance, on Safi's side, there's basically nothing either (though possibly a new love interest? I wouldn't mind him either).
The plot seemed rather fast-paced to me, but it might've been because the POVs switched around so much and so quickly. But ultimately, it was well written and a smooth read. The world-building is expanded and very enjoyable to learn about.
Looking forward to the next book a lot!
A great addition to the series. From start to finish, the book kept me mostly involved and I loved the character development.
Merik probably changes the most from his original character, and for me, I like it. I found him a bit boring in the first book, and while the things he goes through in the sequel are definitely harsh, they make him a much rounder character. We get into the mind of his sister, Vivia, and while I'm not particularly a fan of her and she offers a much different perspective than her brother. Safi's POV was my least favorite and I often found myself trying to speed through her sections. Her type of character has never been my favorite and I hope she gets some growth. Easily, my favorite parts of this book were Iseult and Aeduan. I found myself so excited each time I came upon one of their POVs. Even though their relationship contains no romance yet, the dynamic of it is brilliant, and I'm hoping it might develop into something more. Speaking of romance, on Safi's side, there's basically nothing either (though possibly a new love interest? I wouldn't mind him either).
The plot seemed rather fast-paced to me, but it might've been because the POVs switched around so much and so quickly. But ultimately, it was well written and a smooth read. The world-building is expanded and very enjoyable to learn about.
Looking forward to the next book a lot!
elena_r's review against another edition
3.0
Update 23.01 I didn't like this one as much as the first. Kind of dissapointed
WE HAVE A COVER! AN OMG-IT-LOOKS-AWESOME COVER!!!
IS THAT MERIK?!?!?!?
WE HAVE A COVER! AN OMG-IT-LOOKS-AWESOME COVER!!!
IS THAT MERIK?!?!?!?
ladyknightmeg's review against another edition
4.0
First of all I just want to say that the audiobook edition of this was pretty great.
I really enjoyed this book over all and the continued storyline of all the characters (especially the addition of Vivia's POV). Susan does an amazing job of making you see how each character ticks. You might hate a certain character when you see them from another character's perspective, but then when you're in the midst of the POV of the character you didn't like so much, suddenly you realize exactly why they tick and you love them. The Witchlands series is rich in world building. Susan really did her research and put everything into developing this world and set of characters.
I did feel that this book was pretty slow. It took a while to get going, and the ending wasn't my favorite. overall I think it's more of a set up for the next installment.
I really enjoyed this book over all and the continued storyline of all the characters (especially the addition of Vivia's POV). Susan does an amazing job of making you see how each character ticks. You might hate a certain character when you see them from another character's perspective, but then when you're in the midst of the POV of the character you didn't like so much, suddenly you realize exactly why they tick and you love them. The Witchlands series is rich in world building. Susan really did her research and put everything into developing this world and set of characters.
I did feel that this book was pretty slow. It took a while to get going, and the ending wasn't my favorite. overall I think it's more of a set up for the next installment.