ashleykwbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I did not enjoy this novel as much as I was hoping to. While I fairly enjoyed the first book I just felt this sequel fell short of my expectations. The entire book was leading up to something and the climax just fell flat. I'm not at all excited about the next novel to find out where our heroes and heroines end up; not at all how I feel a book should leave you feeling.
However, I did enjoy it enough to not completely discredit the series and while I may take my time getting around to the next book when it comes out I will still, eventually, read it.
My biggest dislike with this series is that it honestly feels like a chewed up and spit out copy of Throne of Glass. The world feels the same, the characters interactions, and even the details. For example the relationship between Aeoden and Iseult is very similar in my opinion - and from the turn it took and will likely continue to take if I'm right - to the relationship growth between Elide and Lorcan in the Throne of Glass series. Another similarity is Sea Foxes appear in both novels, and the characters overall portrayals, even names, are just very similar. After a while I may have just been seeing more and more similarities though.
My last big issue with this novel is that suddenly Merik was like a whole new character. It felt like the man we had learned about previously was a whole different person. Plus suddenly the relationships and friendships just overall seemed to disappear and form new alliances and friendships. The only time Merik and Safiya seemed to question where the other one was and if they were okay was only at one part (that I won't mention specifically so no spoiler happens).
So overall I just wish Susan Dennard would get her own writing style and story to tell or at least change it up a little because I truly love the idea of the threads and overal concept. Worth reading but not the best.
However, I did enjoy it enough to not completely discredit the series and while I may take my time getting around to the next book when it comes out I will still, eventually, read it.
My biggest dislike with this series is that it honestly feels like a chewed up and spit out copy of Throne of Glass. The world feels the same, the characters interactions, and even the details. For example the relationship between Aeoden and Iseult is very similar in my opinion - and from the turn it took and will likely continue to take if I'm right - to the relationship growth between Elide and Lorcan in the Throne of Glass series. Another similarity is Sea Foxes appear in both novels, and the characters overall portrayals, even names, are just very similar. After a while I may have just been seeing more and more similarities though.
My last big issue with this novel is that suddenly Merik was like a whole new character. It felt like the man we had learned about previously was a whole different person. Plus suddenly the relationships and friendships just overall seemed to disappear and form new alliances and friendships. The only time Merik and Safiya seemed to question where the other one was and if they were okay was only at one part (that I won't mention specifically so no spoiler happens).
So overall I just wish Susan Dennard would get her own writing style and story to tell or at least change it up a little because I truly love the idea of the threads and overal concept. Worth reading but not the best.
juliterario's review against another edition
5.0
- SIN SPOILERS -
CIN-CO-ES-TRE-LLAS.
Sin duda alguna.
Me encantó el primer libro de esta saga, si. Pero, wow, nunca pensé que me fuera a gustar tanto este. Es increíble. El nivel de este libro... la altura a la que está... Estos tipos de nivel y altura son los que uno suele encontrar en el 4to o 5to libro de una saga. Este tipo de evolución y sentimiento de estar tan inmerso en una saga suelen crearse debido a la lectura de muchos libros. Pero Susan Dennard lo logró el el 2do libro de su saga. Fantástico sin duda. Su escritura se volvió una de mis favoritas desde el primer momento y, como ya dije, tiene la misma magia de Sarah J. Maas. No me extraña que sean tan amigas. Pueden cambiarlo todo con una sola oración o más y romperte el corazón más de una vez. Descripciones bellísimas y la construcción de un mundo de fantasía único que no querés dejar. Personajes inigualables. Una trama maravillosa.
¡SÚPER RECOMENDABLE!
CIN-CO-ES-TRE-LLAS.
Sin duda alguna.
Me encantó el primer libro de esta saga, si. Pero, wow, nunca pensé que me fuera a gustar tanto este. Es increíble. El nivel de este libro... la altura a la que está... Estos tipos de nivel y altura son los que uno suele encontrar en el 4to o 5to libro de una saga. Este tipo de evolución y sentimiento de estar tan inmerso en una saga suelen crearse debido a la lectura de muchos libros. Pero Susan Dennard lo logró el el 2do libro de su saga. Fantástico sin duda. Su escritura se volvió una de mis favoritas desde el primer momento y, como ya dije, tiene la misma magia de Sarah J. Maas. No me extraña que sean tan amigas. Pueden cambiarlo todo con una sola oración o más y romperte el corazón más de una vez. Descripciones bellísimas y la construcción de un mundo de fantasía único que no querés dejar. Personajes inigualables. Una trama maravillosa.
¡SÚPER RECOMENDABLE!
ttfa's review against another edition
4.0
As fantastic as the first one for its plot - especially for balancing multiple POVs and some great character development.
The reason it is 4 and not 5 starts is a personal one really Despite that, the story is engaging and I'm looking forward to the next book!
The reason it is 4 and not 5 starts is a personal one really
Spoiler
I desperately wanted Safi and Merik to reuinte. Even if it was for a moment. Honestly, the ONE time I get invested in the romance and the book doesn't carry on with it. I'm really hoping they do in the 3rd book but the fact that I read an interview where the author doesn't care too much about romances after they get together and that there was some hinting for Safi and Caden (plus the fact they still think the other is dead and seemed to get over it pretty quickly) is making me lose hope....melli80's review against another edition
4.0
a great follow-up. love how the series is progressing. I am a little late but I love it. The action,
adventure, maybe a little romance. excited to see where the series goes with the next book.
adventure, maybe a little romance. excited to see where the series goes with the next book.
evafantasy's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
Oh my goodness. I loved the first one and this sequel put me in a reading slump because I had to drag my way through it. Everything I loved about the first book, Iseult and Safya's friendship, Merik and Safya's developing romance, the fast paced plot, the fun banter, all of that was missing from this book.
Iseult and Aeduan's pov were what salvaged the book for me. I love to read about their interactions and seeing their relationship develop.
However, between Merik's boring povs where he constantly misgenders Cam (I'm sorry, even if you think they are pretending to be someone else indulge them, bare minimum) Vivia who is completely uninteresting and useless to the story, and Safya's pointless chapters, it was a hard one. I felt the book went absolutely nowhere.
As I know other people felt like this yet like the sequel I will keep reading the series but this was a disappointment.
Oh my goodness. I loved the first one and this sequel put me in a reading slump because I had to drag my way through it. Everything I loved about the first book, Iseult and Safya's friendship, Merik and Safya's developing romance, the fast paced plot, the fun banter, all of that was missing from this book.
Iseult and Aeduan's pov were what salvaged the book for me. I love to read about their interactions and seeing their relationship develop.
However, between Merik's boring povs where he constantly misgenders Cam (I'm sorry, even if you think they are pretending to be someone else indulge them, bare minimum) Vivia who is completely uninteresting and useless to the story, and Safya's pointless chapters, it was a hard one. I felt the book went absolutely nowhere.
As I know other people felt like this yet like the sequel I will keep reading the series but this was a disappointment.
hans_cosy_corner's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this so much! I love that it's an amazing book with fabulous characters and that there was no unnecessary, rushed romances. I love romance, don't get me wrong, but it was nice that Iseult and Aeduan haven't yet figured out if they're even friends, that Safi didn't have anything with the hell hound, that this was focused on friendships and such - it wasn't lacking in any way and I can't wait to see what the new characters like Cam and Owl do next!
everthereader's review against another edition
3.0
Review Posted On: Eden of Books
Read review for Truthwitch here. (WARNING: This review contains overzealous fandom references because yours truly is a die heart fangirl.)
Spoiler Free Review:
I haven't been reading a lot of young adult fantasy recently because I've really lost interest for it (there are exceptions). I don't really see any POC or LGBTQ+ representation in a lot of them. I wasn't actually planning on reading Windwitch, but when I heard there were some LGBTQ elements, I immediately hopped on board (literally) and was pleasantly surprised by this story.
For the LGBTQ+ representation, there is a lesbian princess (was fangirling so hard at this) and a transgender character. Both play pretty big roles in the series and really liked both of their character arcs. As for POC, nothing is every made clear (sadly), but I totally head-canon or fancast Iseult as East Asian.
The world, Witchlands is intriguing, but still extremely confusing. As mentioned in my my review of Truthwitch, I would love a glossary of some sort explaining the 5 billion witches and their abilities. The plot was also interesting enough, though not enough to keep me fully engaged. There would be many times where I had no clue on what was happening in the story. The plot was very slow moving and took the backstage in this installment. Normally, I would prefer some development in the plot and did bother me at times that the plot was going nowhere. The characters did seem to make up for it. their was a lot of character development in this book. Though I still feel very disconnected from the plot and don't care much for it. I'm here for the characters, mostly.
Like, I mentioned, a lot more character development, especially for Prince Merik. I described as Prince Zuko kind of character in previous reviews. He still is angry and it's even more irritating. I think anyone would expect Merik to be firebender (Firewitch, technically) and it's interesting to see a stereotype be broken and have Merik be a Windwitch. I also really liked Vivia and Merik's dynamic. It's even more evident in this book on how similar the two of them are. Vivia was seen as more villainous character in Truthwitch and I compared to Princess Azula, she had that narcissistic elegance and frightening quality. In this book, Susan Dennard took a different route with her character which I liked a lot better. You really do get to understand Vivia's motives and what she truly wants for her kingdom. She's more of a morally gray character which gives her character a lot more depth. Really enjoyed reading about these siblings.
Safiya was my least favorite perspective, her chapters were pretty boring. Not gonna lie, I like her friendship with Iseult more than Safiya herself. Iseult and Aeduan's chapters were probably the most enjoyable for me. You could clearly see the tension and intensity and they make an interesting pair (not romantically, in general).
Overall, I really liked Windwitch, it was a lot fun to read a nice break in the midst of school. I'm interested to see where the story goes next, especially after that ending.
Rating: 3.25/5
Read review for Truthwitch here. (WARNING: This review contains overzealous fandom references because yours truly is a die heart fangirl.)
Spoiler Free Review:
I haven't been reading a lot of young adult fantasy recently because I've really lost interest for it (there are exceptions). I don't really see any POC or LGBTQ+ representation in a lot of them. I wasn't actually planning on reading Windwitch, but when I heard there were some LGBTQ elements, I immediately hopped on board (literally) and was pleasantly surprised by this story.
For the LGBTQ+ representation, there is a lesbian princess (was fangirling so hard at this) and a transgender character. Both play pretty big roles in the series and really liked both of their character arcs. As for POC, nothing is every made clear (sadly), but I totally head-canon or fancast Iseult as East Asian.
The world, Witchlands is intriguing, but still extremely confusing. As mentioned in my my review of Truthwitch, I would love a glossary of some sort explaining the 5 billion witches and their abilities. The plot was also interesting enough, though not enough to keep me fully engaged. There would be many times where I had no clue on what was happening in the story. The plot was very slow moving and took the backstage in this installment. Normally, I would prefer some development in the plot and did bother me at times that the plot was going nowhere. The characters did seem to make up for it. their was a lot of character development in this book. Though I still feel very disconnected from the plot and don't care much for it. I'm here for the characters, mostly.
Like, I mentioned, a lot more character development, especially for Prince Merik. I described as Prince Zuko kind of character in previous reviews. He still is angry and it's even more irritating. I think anyone would expect Merik to be firebender (Firewitch, technically) and it's interesting to see a stereotype be broken and have Merik be a Windwitch. I also really liked Vivia and Merik's dynamic. It's even more evident in this book on how similar the two of them are. Vivia was seen as more villainous character in Truthwitch and I compared to Princess Azula, she had that narcissistic elegance and frightening quality. In this book, Susan Dennard took a different route with her character which I liked a lot better. You really do get to understand Vivia's motives and what she truly wants for her kingdom. She's more of a morally gray character which gives her character a lot more depth. Really enjoyed reading about these siblings.
Safiya was my least favorite perspective, her chapters were pretty boring. Not gonna lie, I like her friendship with Iseult more than Safiya herself. Iseult and Aeduan's chapters were probably the most enjoyable for me. You could clearly see the tension and intensity and they make an interesting pair (not romantically, in general).
Overall, I really liked Windwitch, it was a lot fun to read a nice break in the midst of school. I'm interested to see where the story goes next, especially after that ending.
Rating: 3.25/5
jens037's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0