I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say The Witchlands is one of the best ongoing fantasy series not just in YA but in the whole fantasy genre.

What could have been a pretty straightforward chosen one(s) story with a bit of elemental magic for spice is, instead, a masterclass in world building, character development and storytelling.

I confess I hadn’t realized this until Sightwitch, when I decided to reread the series. Only then did I come to appreciate just how complex and rich the world and characters Susan Dennard created are and just how many seeds of the story to come and of the greater mystery at hand are planted from the very beginning.

The excerpt of Bloodwitch, kindly given to me by the publisher through NetGalley, is more than I dared hope for.

The book picks up about two weeks after the events of Windwitch. Merik, Cam and Ryber are on their way to the Sightwitch Sister Convent (if you haven’t read Sightwitch yet, make sure to read it before Bloodwitch); Safi is working as Truthwitch for Empress Vaness in Marstok; Vivia is still trying to be a queen and save her nation, and the men around her are still being jerks about it; and Aeduan and Iseult are trying to act as Owl’s surrogate parents, to mixed results.

As I haven’t read the whole book, I don’t feel comfortable enough to go further into the plot, but what I have read is extremely promising. I can assure you, whatever you were expecting to happen, that’s not what you’re getting.

Well, except for Aeduan and Iseult. If you were expecting more delightful scenes between those two, then you are in for a treat. Their dynamic – which I have been obsessed with ever since that lighthouse scene in Truthwitch – is one of the best things I have ever read. Every line of dialogue, every thought, every look and every touch are expertly crafted and just sizzle with delicious tension. I am seriously in awe of how much relationship development and insight into Aeduan’s past Susan Dennard was able to pack into the first 166 pages of this 464 page novel!

Reading this excerpt was a balm to my soul, even though it ended at the worst possible time, or, perhaps, because it did.

By the end of chapter twenty-two, your heart has been grabbed, twisted and pulled out of your body through your mouth; you’re in sweet, agonizing pain and you just want more.

I can hardly wait for February 12.

I really love the Witchlands and I'm glad to see that Bloodwitch will most likely better than the first two books. I'm absolutely in love with this world and I really enjoyed the preview excerpt. While it is less than 200 pages, it packs in so much information, plot, and character development. I'm so happy to see my favorite characters again and readung about their interactions warms my heart in ways I can't describe. I absolutely can't wait for the book's release.

I know it's just the preview but this one is GOING TO BE EPIC! Aeduan's story as a child is truly tragic and you can understand why he seemed so distant and cold-hearted at the first books

OMG I love this excerpt, I'm so impatient to read the all book.
I love Aeduan but this end.... And Iseult is my favorites one.

I like Merrick and Safiya too and I'm so happy that Habim will come back.

This was just an excerpt but somehow Susan Dennard managed to pack SO MUCH into those first 100 pages. It was easy to fall back into this world I love so much and the characters that come along with it. I can already tell 'Bloodwitch' will be my favorite from the series. I can't wait to see where these characters go from here! *whispers* please don't break my heart.

I was lucky enough to receive from NetGalley an advanced review copy of the first 167 pages of Bloodwitch, the third novel in Susan Dennard’s Witchlands series. Team. I know you’ve seen me rave about her previous books, but her writing, and her story craft skill it’s brilliant. If you aren’t caught up (don’t worry I’m spoiler free!) you can check out my reviews for Truthwitch, Windwitch, and the novella that blew my freaking mind Sightwitch. But seriously I’d just go read them.

My heart is still in a little bit of shock after where they chose to cut the excerpt. Literally everything is in def-con 5 when we leave our sweet, sweet cinnamon rolls, and my head might be slightly spinning. Sooz is able to pack more nuanced character interaction, snippets of the impending catalyst (*cough* almost certain war anyone? *cough*), tantalizing hints of backstory, and romantic tension into just under two hundred pages than I’ve seen in novels over 500 pages. Her writing keeps you flipping pages–or tapping the screen–until you run out of words.

I was amazed and delighted to see some of my favorites and the hijinks they get up to. I quite appreciate how she layers multiple character scenes within one story. The fluidity with which five different points of view comes through is astounding. I think I squealed in delight, teared up, and screamed…. a few times. The character growth in the series is beyond evident, but how she cultivates the true feeling of voice and personality in all the characters. Stunning.

So yes. I fangirled. This excerpt made my heart sing. I enjoy complex books. With lots of details. Books that make me think, and I can’t just figure out in a few guesses. The Witchlands have utterly stolen my heart. Not only can Sooz deliver a complex and mysterious plotline, with fantastical world building, but she gives you flawed and lovable characters tied up with the perfect amount of humor, and sprinkled with drama.

February could not come fast enough, because I desperately need to know what happens next. Bloodwitch is available for preorder from all your local booksellers (in the United States) and I without a doubt of hesitation hope you dive in to this series. It’s easily one of my favorites of all time, and I hope it becomes one of yours too.

I received this excerpt from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley, Susan Dennard, and Tor Teen for making this snippet available.

This is quite possibly the best thing Susan Dennard has ever written. The way she manages to intricately weave so many POVs while maintaining one strong theme throughout and make the book feel coherent is remarkable. This is just an excerpt, but if it's any indication as to what's to come, this is going to be epic. We see an expansion of the world and the ethos of it and I am so excited to see where this story goes. Pick this up come February.

Also, Aedaun and Iseult is the best written character dynamic in all of YA Fantasy. Period.

Bloodwitch is one of my most anticipated 2019 books, and the Witchlands is one of the best YA fantasy series out there. When I saw that an excerpt was available for review on NetGalley, I immediately requested it and devoured it within a few hours. I think that this is the best book in the series thus far! I absolutely love the characters and the arcs that they're headed for, the interactions between characters I've been waiting for, and reveals that have me looking back at previous books to see what I've missed. The payoff is so satisfying, and I can't wait to read the rest!

I am SO excited for this book. This is a very hefty excerpt, giving us the first twenty-two chapters. The stakes have been climbing for our characters throughout the last two novels (and the novella) and things are finally coming to a head. There are a lot of points of views in this book, we get more with each installment, and Susan is able to navigate these POVs seamlessly, with each character having their own distinct voice. The storytelling is amazing, breadcrumbs that have been dropped are slowly becoming a trail but I am not sure if these are merely distractions for the reader while other, unknown, events are happening. If you like books with lots of twists and mind-blowing turns, definitely pick up this series, because events that I never imagined happening, are happening in this book.

The Twenty Year Truce is no longer and sides are being chosen...and Aeduan isn't sure what side he will fall on.

Full review when the book comes out!

This series is one of my top series of all time. Susan Dennard is a master - she managed to create a new world that feels both wholly new and familiar at the same time.

I loved Truthwitch, Windwotch & Sigjtwitch, but Bloodwitch promises to be Susan's best book yet!

The last page in this excerpt left me desperate for more Aeduan & Iseult. Roll on February, 2019!

I have been very impatiently waiting for this next installment of the Witchlands series, and Sooz didn't disappoint! Getting to see all of our favorite characters back in action was so great! This first look gives us an update on what everyone has been doing in the two weeks since the end of Windwitch. Honestly, already there's so much going on I have no idea how Sooz keeps up with all of the threads! And don't even get me started on the chapter seven reveal. Absolutely amazing.

(Please note that as this is a preview, I won't be writing any reviews online yet, and instead wait until I can read and purchase a finished copy.)

Thanks Tor Teen for this preview! Ms. Dennard's books have been quite popular where I am, so I'm looking forward to getting in BLOODWITCH. Fast-paced, exceptionally written, and as always, completely engaging, I'm looking forward to seeing how this story will progress!

*review for the netgalley preview excerpt*
Seriously love this series so much and it looks like this book will be no exception. I love how the characters are growing and progressing and my heart hurts for the difficult situations they’re in. I am seriously emotionally invested. I can’t wait to read the whole book and see what all happens. Susan does a great job with world building and really immersing the reader in the story and I will forever be a big fan of her writing.