Book Talk 7/5/19: Susan Dennard’s Truthwitch Traci Kenworth

cover of Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Book Talk…7/5/19: Susan Dennard’s Truthwitch

Traci Kenworth

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. 2015 Tor Teen Books.

Amazon’s blurb: On a continent ruled by three empires, everyone is born with a “witchery,” a magical skill that sets them apart from others. Now, as the Twenty Year Truce in a centuries long war is about to end, the balance of power-and the failing health of all magic-will fall on the shoulders of a mythical pair called the Cahr Awen.

The biggest thing on Safi and Iseult’s minds is saving money for their planned future in the Hundred Isles. Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the emotional Threads binding the world. Safi, on the other hand, is a Truthwitch-she always knows when a person is telling a lie. A powerful magic like that is something people would kill to have on their side-or to keep off their enemy’s side-and so Safi cannot even admit what she truly is.

With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and a ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must rise above their doubts and fight to learn who they are and what they are made of, if they are going to stay alive and preserve the balance of their world.

My Review: Safi and Iseult are set to get revenge on a cheater when a bloodwitch picks up their scent. They hightail it to the city to lose him. But once there, become separated during an attack, coming into contact with a windwitch who is prince of his people, Merick. When Safi runs into her teacher, he and her uncle convince her to give one last appearance at a party and she’ll be done being a domna forever. Things go awry, when it’s announced that she’s to marry the Emporer. Her uncle and others help her to escape the city. Meanwhile Iseult reunites with her mother and former friend who also propel her to escape the cult that has formed in her absence. Iseult and Safi reunite only to be attacked by the bloodwitch. They are spirited away by Merick and his crew who has an agreement with her uncle to deliver Safi safely to an island. Will they make it there with the bloodwitch on their tail? Especially, when he learns Safi is a Truthwitch?

I liked it! Safi and Iseult are likeable characters. Merick takes a little getting used to. He has a hardline that shouldn’t be crossed. I hope Safi and Iseult get back together soon! I’m eager to see where the whole Cahr Awen legend is going and what role the bloodwitch will have in this.