// blog tour: truthwitch by susan dennard

I'm ecstatic to have been a part of the Truthwitch Pen Pal Blog Tour. I've never took part on such a unique approach to blog tours, since "Truthwitch" is being published under Macmillan in US and the UK, it's a joint tour. Each UK blogger is paired up with a specific blogger from the US for each stop. I couldn't have been paired up with a lovelier blogger, Heidi of YA Bibliophile whom I got to swoon over with how amazing everything was and exchange fangirl-y messages with. In addition, the both of us also got to ask Susan a question! 

Title: Truthwitch, (The Watchbands, #1) 

Author: Susan Dennard 

Publication: 5th of January 2015 by MacMillan 

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult 

Format: 416 pages, ARC 

Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Synopsis: 

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.

My Thoughts: 

Truthwitch is definitely one of the most anticipated reads of 2016 and the book that everyone wanted an arc of. There was so much hype around the it, every blogger and bookworm was talking about it. Even authors I admired were talking about it. I was intrigued, I had to read it for myself. So I prayed to the arc gods and it just so happen that Macmillan has UK arcs. You could only imagine my excitement when I managed to get a copy for myself. (Thank you, Lauren!)It was shiny and beautiful; I couldn't help but pause for a moment to admire (I may or may not have also pet it). As an avid fan of high fantasy, this was such a treat. I've never read a book about "witchery", nor read a book that Susan has written so I didn't know what to expect. 

To be honest, I was quite confused at first. There was so much to familiarise with; the different types of witches, their "witchery", the different nations, not to mention I was having a hard time telling which one was Safi and Iseult since they did everything together and sounded so alike. Some of you would probably experience this too but I tell you, DO NOT GIVE UP ON IT. Give it a few more pages and you will start to pinpoint their different quirks.  

I was blown away by Susan's writing and the world she has created. I've read a lot of books from different authors but Susan's, I've never read anything like it. She pays attention to every single detail and meticulously chose her words. Her ability to describe the world and everything in Truthwitch was so vivid that I could picture it clearly. It amazes me how something so beautiful can spur from someone's mind. Truthwitch is beautifully crafted. A masterpiece. It makes me question why I haven't read any of her books before (I'll have to remedy this asap!) 

When I was trying to list out things that I loved about Truthwitch, I came to realisation that I loved everything about it. I was definitely invested on the story and the characters. I love how fast-paced and action-packed it was. There was a never a dull moment in the book. My favourite element of the book was the friendships; how Safi and Iseult would do anything for each other and how deep their loyalty ran. They balanced each other out. Safi was more brash, while Iseult was more collected. There was romance, but I was delighted that they put each other first. They are the absolute definition of friendship goals. 

Now off to discuss about the other characters. Wow, Merik! *swoons* I can't wait for you guys to read about him. I enjoyed every scene with him in the book and so did reading from his POV. He was such a genuine character who wants nothing but to help his nation and his people and I admire him a lot for that. I also liked Aeduan, despite him being villain. I was drawn to the complexity of his character and liked how he wasn't portrayed as someone who had a tragic past as an excuse as to why he is the way he is now. He was very powerful that at times he seemed unstoppable. I cannot wait to read more about him in the second book. Can Windwitch come any sooner please?

Fun Stuff:

I think every single one of us have played, or have heard of the game MASH. Since Heidi and I played it when we were younger we decided to come up with a fun Truthwitch version of it! Click here or on the word bank below to start playing :) 

Author Question to Susan

"We love seeing strong female friendships in books. Safi and Iseult’s friendship is one of the best we’ve seen. We’d love to hear more about it! What makes a strong friendship? What aspects did you want to be sure to include?"

Susan: I think a strong friendship—like any relationship—is built on trust and acceptance. You have to accept a person, flaws and all. Expecting or hoping that someone will change…Well, that way lies madness! But if you can find that person whom you love—despite their imperfections and annoying habits and mistakes—and if they love you back! Whoa. A true friendship is bound to happen.And, when you find someone who accepts you so completely, you will also find that you trust them—and that they in turn trust you.

!! Make sure to head over Heidi's blog to get the second half of the answer !!  

About the Author:

I’ve come a long way from small-town Georgia. As a marine biologist,  I got to travel the world—six out of seven continents, to be exact (I’ll get to you yet, Asia!)—before I settled down as a full-time novelist and writing instructor.

I’m the author of the Something Strange and Deadly series as well as the forthcoming Witchlands series (Tor, 2016), and if I’m not writing, then I’m busy slaying darkspawn or earning bruises at the dojo.

Make sure to send her love here 

Her blog // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest

Giveaway
Thank you so much to the amazing people from TOR/Macmillan US & UK for making this giveaway possible. We're glad to announce that there will be TWO winners! A UK copy for the UK winner, and a US copy for the US winner. Use the rafflecopter below to enter. Must be 13 to enter :) Best of luck everyone! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway