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Truthwitch
An instant New York Times bestseller!
On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.
In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.
Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.
Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.
Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.
Praise for The Witchlands
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A world you'll want to inhabit forever!
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Make room on your all-time favorites shelf: Truthwitch is an instant new classic. It reminded me of why I started reading fantasy in the first place: its fierce and vibrant world, richly-drawn characters, and dazzling intrigue harken to the best of Megan Whalen Turner, Robin Hobb, and Jacqueline Carey. And while it pays homage to the epic fantasies that have come before it, it also lays the foundation for a bright new chapter in the genre. I haven’t been so enthralled and inspired by a book since I first read Lloyd Alexander’s The Book of Three. Do not miss out!
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Dynamic storytelling and a fully imagined magical world distinguish Dennard's first book in the Witchlands series. Iseult and Safiya are as different as two young women can be—one is noble-born, the other is from a despised people; one has the ability to see the threads of emotions in people, while the other can see truth. Yet their friendship and shared learning create a familial bond between them, making them Threadsisters. On the eve of the renegotiation of the Twenty Year Truce, which has kept peace across the ravaged lands, a single announcement is all it takes to upend their lives, sending them careening across the world, pursued by royalty and evil and spurred by something more powerful than themselves. Their adventures are dashed with a hint of romance and deeply imbued with the concept of loyalty... Dennard's rich descriptions, insightful characterizations, and breathtaking action sequences will keep readers on their toes.
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Truthwitch has all of the elements I savor—a richly imagined magical world, ruthless politics, steamy romance, and characters who grab you and won't let go. At its heart, a partnership between two strong young women who might change the world.
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Truthwitch by Susan Dennard is like a cake stuffed full of your favorite fantasy treats: highway robbery, swordplay, deep friendships, treachery, magic, piracy on the high seas, and romance. If you like any or all of the above in the fantasy tales, this book will delight you.
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Truthwitch has it all, strong female characters, adventure, magic, romance, and non-stop action that will leave you breathless!
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Sometimes, from not even halfway through a book, you know that you're going to make everyone you know read it. It's a book that, by the time you get to the end you crave the next book as if it were the most addicting chocolate on the planet. Truthwitch is that book for me. Gorgeously written, elegantly built, and perfect for ANY reader—Truthwitch is something you will not want to miss. Seriously.
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Full of magic, unbreakable friendships, and purpose, Truthwitch is absolutely everything I look for in a fantasy. Dennard's stunning prose weaves a lush and wonderful adventure tale that has already hooked this reader and will utterly enchant everyone else.
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Imagine how useful it would be to know when people are telling the truth. Then imagine what a politician would do with that power. So when I tell you that in the Witchlands, where there are many types of magic, Safiya is a Truthwitch you will know why she has kept this power hidden. Her friend Iseult can see the invisible ties that bind all around around her. And it is their friendship that is the very heart of this novel (oh, everyone should have a friendship like this!). They fight all who come looking for her, are helped by a swashbuckling Windwitch and are hounded by a Bloodwitch. This is an all-action, white knuckle adventure that kept me enthralled from the first page. Beautifully written, brimming with magic, and all about the power of friendship—don't miss this one
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Susan Dennard's Truthwitch is a wildly original adventure full of fantasy, legend and political intrigue. But better than all of that is the fiercely loyal friendship of Safiya and Iseult. These two young women are simply amazing and, maybe, just maybe, they are destined to change the world!! I cannot wait for more of this epic story!
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Safiya fon Hasstrel has heavy responsibilities. Not only is she the future political representative of her country, she's also a Truthwitch, possessor of the rarest ability of all: the absolute power to detect deception. For her part, Safi would rather be out with her threadsister, Iseult, having adventures and causing mayhem. But when an afternoon of mischief goes terribly wrong, Safia and Iseult's carefree escapades turn deadly serious. Suddenly, Safi's being asked to fulfill the political obligations of her position as Domna, and everything she's striven to keep at bay—politics, family tensions, and the danger of being exposed as a Truthwitch--comes closing in on her. Things look grim, and both girls find themselves pushed to their limits. Drawing on the strength of their friendship, however, they may find reserves of courage and resilience that surprise everyone, even themselves.
Full of intriguing, complex characters and innovative plot elements—not to mention some pretty rockin' action scenes—this was a story I couldn't put down. I highly recommended it to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy thriller, and I can't wait to see what comes next in the series! -
Truthwitch is a fast-paced and quick-witted story of magic and international intrigue. Dennard weaves the threads that connect the characters and their unique abilities into a complex but never tangled pattern of power, friendship, and magical awakening. Give Truthwitch to readers who love vast world building and fantasy novels with equal parts humor and high stake.
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[Dennard's] worldbuilding is impressively detailed... The cinematic action scenes keep the storytelling brisk, and the rotating third-person narration introduces not only Safi and Iseult, but also Merik, the prince of an impoverished small nation, and Aeduan, a mercenary... Intense friendships and burgeoning romances... Epic adventure and steamy smooches make for a crowd-pleasing formula.
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Dennard's wide-ranging novel is the first in a new fantasy series, The Witchlands, and she skillfully creates the world, the characters, and central conflicts that will power books to follow. There is a sureness to her writing, a seamless understanding of what makes a solid fantasy, and two feisty heroines who are able and willing to save themselves, rather than be saved. Fantasy readers will sink comfortably into this world, and await with pleasure the next installment.
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Featuring vibrant characters and an innovative system of magic, Susan Dennard's Truthwitch is a fast-paced adventure and a wonderful tribute to the power of the binding ties of friendship.
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Truthwitch by Susan Dennard is so, so, so great—epic fantasy, epic adventure, epic friendship.