Truthwitch by Susan Dennard [Joint Review!]

3.5 out of 5 Stars!

Truthwitch By Susan Dennard

Series: Witchlands #1

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release: January 5, 2016

Paperback:  416 Pages

Publisher: Tor Teen

My Copy: Library

Reviewer: Julia & Shannon

Book Summary:
Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.

Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.

In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch. (Courtesy of Goodreads)

Julia & Shannon - Joint Review! 

1. In one sentence, how would you describe Truthwitch? 

Shannon: A good premise with an interesting magical world that didn't always deliver on its premise.

Julia: Truthwitch feels a little rushed, but the fresh take on witchery is refreshing.

2. Truthwitch is written in multiple point of views, did that work for this story? 

Shannon: This was one of the most frustrating aspects for me. I generally like third person, especially with multiple POVs. But the weird thing about this book is important moments or feelings for a character were described or seen through another character's perspective. It was so strange! It was hard to know what a character was really feeling and I felt very disconnected because of it. 

Julia: I love multiple point of views and I didn't mind it here. It is extremely frustrating though that many things that were happening were coming from a character's point of view that wasn't experiencing it. I felt zero chemistry between Merik and Safiya, this could have been the reason.

3. What did you think about the romance? 

Shannon: Well, since very little of it was experienced through the characters themselves, it felt forced. I'm usually all for enemy to lover scenarios, but it only works when the reader can really understand the turning point. But I couldn't see why they would fall in love with each other.

Julia: The "romance" between Merik and Safiya is terrible! It is forced and awkward. Didn't enjoy that at all. I do think there is an abundance of chemistry and tension between Iseult and the bloodwitch though. That is fun.

4. Favorite character? Least favorite? 

Shannon: To be honest...I am very ambivalent to the characters so I have no opinion. I didn't love anyone, but I didn't hate anyone either.

Julia: Safiya is probably my least favorite. Her reaction to her place in the ending confused me and seemed out of character... and I just didn't connect with her at all. My favorite is probably the bloodwitch. Just because he's interesting. Really wish this book would have explored the characters more.

5. What did you think about the ending? 

Shannon: It was a decent ending. It felt like an ending, but left the door open for more adventures. But in all honesty, I wasn't feeling this book so I was just kind of relieved to be done with it.

Julia: It isn't a bad ending, it is satisfying and I enjoyed it enough. Though Safiya seemed to contented with where her life led her after hearing one thing the entire book. Sorry, trying to explain myself without giving away the story.

6. Rating? Recommendation? Reading more? 

Shannon: I give it 3 stars, with saddens me because I liked Dennard's Strange and Deadly series a lot. It could have just been me and the mood I was in, but I just couldn't get into this book at all. But, your mileage may vary. I don't think I will be back for the sequel.

Julia: I gave it 4 stars because I was kept entertained the entire time I was reading it.... It felt quickly paced and there is some decent action. I wouldn't highly recommend this, but it's good and fluffy. The ending didn't really leave a cliffhanger, so this is fine as a standalone and I won't be reading the next one. I just didn't walk away caring about the characters though I enjoyed what I was reading. Lol.

Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard
Series: Something Strange and Deadly #3
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Paranormal
Release: July 22, 2014
Hardcover:  400 Pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
My Copy: Publisher (Edelweiss)
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

Strange and Ever After is a satisfying, if heartbreaking, conclusion to the Something Strange and Deadly trilogy.  The book picks up in the immediate events of the second book, starting the story off with a bang.  Things get increasingly sticky for the Spirit Hunters as they race to beat Marcus at his game.  Marcus proves to be an admirable foe, seemingly always one step ahead. 

If you are a fan of the first two book, then you will also like this one since it is really more of the same.  I don't mean that in a bad way though!  I think this series is a lot of fun.  I really wasn't sure how I was going to feel about a zombie-steampunk-historical fiction-ish book, but it really exceeded my expectations.  It has a fun, zippy feel and there is action at every turn.  The final book is really no exception.  My only small complaint is that I wished Daniel/Eleanor and Oliver/Eleanor worked out their differences a lot sooner.  After three novels, I get a little tired of the constant bickering.  But I was ultimately happy about how those relationships panned out. Although I think some readers will be a little heartbroken getting there.

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard [Review]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

  

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by  Susan Dennard

Series: Something Strange and Deadly #2
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release: July 23, 2013
Hardcover: 406 Pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

This sequel to Something Strange and Deadly really ups the action factor and I liked it!  Taking place a few months after the events of the first book, life for Eleanor has changed dramatically.  Her mom is in a mental institution, her brother is dead, she has lost her hand, and her reputation is ruined.  She has resorted to selling off her family's possessions to pay her debts.  The Spirit Hunters have left Philadelphia for France and Eleanor is mending her broken heart after Daniel told her he did not love her.  But as dire as her situation is, it only gets worse when she spots an old enemy and she is forced to flee to France to join the Spirit Hunters.  Along the way she meets Oliver, an old acquaintance of her brother's, who can teach her to use her necromancy powers.  But it doesn't come without a cost.

Like I mentioned, this book definitely has a lot more action in the first and Eleanor gets involved in it a lot quicker.  I like this new side of Eleanor, who is determined to see her own way through.  There is a lot of tension among the ranks and (as sad as this sounds) I enjoyed it.  Mostly because I liked that Eleanor tries to the right thing even when it tests her friendships.  Eleanor is able to make hard choices, even the ones that will cost her dearly.  I also really enjoyed the addition of Oliver.  I haven't quite figured out all his motives, but I definitely enjoyed his personality.  I liked that he offered Eleanor a different solution to the Dead problems than what the Spirit Hunters offered.  I am really excited to read the last novel.  If only it was coming out now instead of next year!

Other books in this series in the order that they should be read:

1. Something Strange and Deadly
2. A Darkness Strange and Lovely

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Series: Something Strange and Deadly #1
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release: July 24, 2012
Hardcover: 388 Pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

Something Strange and Deadly is kind of a mix of steampunk and zombies.  Neither of which are genres I generally read, but I found myself enjoying this book quite a bit.  One thing I really liked was the Dead just were.  There wasn't a lot of explanation or discovery.  I liked this alternate history quite a lot.  Eleanor is a fun character as well.  She is strong and stubborn, but not irritatingly so.  She is willing to risk her life to help others, even at the expense of her reputation.  She bristles a bit against the expectations of women during the time period and I loved it when she went "to Hell with it" and started doing what needed to be done.  Simpering female, she is not.  Eleanor's relationship with the Spirit Hunters is also great.  Joseph, Daniel and Jie are all as different as can be, but are united with Eleanor against the dead and the Necromancer that controls them.  Eleanor and Daniel's relationship starts off rocky, but gradually grows into grudging mutual respect and then finally into something more.  Well their relationship wasn't the focal point of the story, it did add some interest tension between the two.

My one complaint is that I saw the ending a mile away.  I was a little surprised that Eleanor didn't catch on much earlier, but I did like how everything did come full circle.  I am very interested to see how the story progresses in the sequel, given the ending.  I was very sad for Eleanor that certain things were left the way they were.  But I also know she is growing more resolute and making her own decisions.  This should be fun to see.

Other books in this series in the order that they should be read:
1. Something Strange and Deadly
2. A Darkness Strange and Lovely