I CANNOT WAIT to read the rest of this book! These first few chapters start off on the ground running, 1-2 months after the events of Bloodwitch. It seems Safi’s scheming has already caused A LOT to happen within that timeframe (per usual). Safi is now alone in Cartorra as Iseult + Owl are forced to flee when their plans backfire. Vivia + Vaness are desperately looking for allies, and Ryber + Stix are looking for answers. Iseult is my favorite character and I am so excited to see what this installment has in store for the whole gang. Within just a few chapters Dennard is already weaving an intricate, layered plot - and I’m excited to see new banter/relationships form between the characters with these new pairings in this book.

The Witchlands series is one of the first YA fantasy books I ever dove into it; I also credit it as one of the series that solidified my love for the genre. This sampler has now made me even more excited (no, I genuinely didn’t think that was possible) for the book to finally be in my hands!!

I am so looking forward to the release of this book. I love this world and the characters and came out of this chapter sampler wanting to shout WHAT? How could you leave it there?! I also felt a little queasy after Iseult put some theoretical martial arts into practise (ew!). I did struggle a little bit to find my feet as there were lots of moving elements and some time jumps. It has been a while since I read Bloodwitch and things have escalated (a bit!) but this is a chapter sampler so that is to be expected. The scope of the worldbuilding in this series is huge and it boasts a large cast too but I never get bored of any of the perspectives. I love some of the new pairings; Vaness and Vivia, Ryber and Stix, and their dynamics in this one. Even though we’ve seen these characters go through a lot we’re still seeing new sides to them, they are still changing and their magic is evolving! The plot is simultaneously thickening and expanding and I can’t wait to see what Iseult, Safi and their allies discover as they delve into the shadowy part of this world. A classic Susan Dennard book: fast-paced, heartfelt and packs a punch... or an eye-ball squeeze! Can’t wait to read the full version.

I haven't had the pleasure to read this series yet, but hoped reading this would wet my appetite (I do haver a copy of TRUTHWITCH, bought for me by a lovely booktuber, Justine from I Should read That). And this did that.

This series is going to be a messy character-driven fantasy and I am ready to dive into this world!

If you've been keeping up with this character-driven, YA fantasy series this looks like another good installment. I'll confess I have had trouble remembering plots and characters between each book and steadily lost interest in the series. I'm still unsure what the overall goals of the characters are. To revive the magic wells? Stop wars? There's a LOT of twisty mythology, plots and unknowns. I always feel a little lost reading these, like I'm not quite getting it.

A fun but daunting look at the next chapter in Dennard’s fantasy series. A quick snapshot with lingering implications.

This book was received as an ARC from Macmillan-Tor/Forge - Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Having read the other three Witchland series books, Witchshadow was a little bit on the intense side and all of the sideways plots kept happening which at first was a little tough following along. But, when the story picked up and made sense, rather than be intense, it was more on the exciting side. Since these were extended chapters, there were even more excitement to be shared which made the story more enjoyable. This is the reason why YA enthusiasts like myself love Y Fantasy novels. Witchland series was very popular at our teen book club meetings and there were very thrilling and engaging conversations that started from them and I expect nothing less when we are reading Witchshadow.

We will consider adding this title to our YA Fantasy collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I have waited so long for any sliver of this book. And let me tell you, it was definitely worth the wait!

Although my memory for characters and place names is atrocious, Susan Dennard somehow manages to make characters that are flawed but so endearing. And the growth from book to book in their arcs truly astounds me.

I struggled a little bit initially to get my orientation for which character was where, but soon I could not stop reading. I cannot wait for the full book to be released soon! I need to know my thread-family are okay!

Sounds exciting for the excerpt i was able to read.it was long for a taste and left me anxious for more. Something big is about to happen, BIG ! Make sure you read the previous books in the series. Seriously this series rocks, you need it in your life. Already added to my TBR list

Wow, June better get here fast! This is probably the best one yet in the series, as the action and intrigue begin immediately. There's a lot of twists in this one that I did not see coming, and I need to find out where it all leads.

Absolutely LOVED this excerpt. So glad when I can keep reading the rest of it. Once again looking to be an A+ title from Dennard

I am so intrigued by this sampler, it's making me interested in reading the whole series. I had read the first book and never got back into it, but I might revisit the series now.

*extended screaming into the void* I am SO EXCITED for this book! This excerpt was incredible but I'm also In Pain because I need the rest of the book stat.

Ugh, I need the rest of this book NOW.

This world.. these characters... I'm so afraid for them, and for myself, because we all might not make it through this one.

Great sampler.

After binge-reading The Witchlands books that have been published last month, I was SO excited to be able to read this nearly 200 paged excerpt from the upcoming installment.

I fell in love with Truthwitch, and my love for the series has only grown with each book I've read, and this is no exception.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story with a very cool magic system, witchery, and relationships that grow and change over time but still feel so realistic. There are great politics, really fun characters who can all have their dramatic moments, but there are also darker themes as well. My personal favorites are Iseult and Aeduan, and I'm very curious to read the rest of this book to see where every character ends up, as well as all of the political intrigue that has been set up previously.

Thank you so much to TorTeen for making this excerpt available, I will be first in line when this book hits shelves in June. I absolutely cannot wait!!!

“Gods below, how had everything gone so thrice-damned wrong?”

Susan Dennard Witchshadow
I’m still trying to piece back together my emotions. I think I’m tormenting myself by doing this because now I only want to know how this book ends.

Susan Dennard from the opening page knows exactly how to write a fantasy book. The world building, the spell-craft, the lore. It’s why Witchshadow is one of my most anticipated books of 2021. It has a myriad of characters over the series that we as readers have been rooting for and want their happy ending.

Further, readers will be pulled in by a strong current, with claws and a very firm grip. As the hold tightens we are pummeled by the waves, our lungs burning, like a drowning person desperate for air, I’m still waiting to reach the surface.

As I said, I need the other chapters.

But friends, this isn’t the last book. And Dennard by no means makes this chapter of the story easy. None of these characters will get away unscathed and based on what I’ve read so far, there is a cost and a reckoning coming.

Action written into every page, suspense at what will happen to these characters by the end of the novel, and chapters I literally was screaming No!!!! and Yes!!!! and then No!!!

This is a summer read you don’t want to miss.

Be ready for the unexpected. Get ready for your feelings to be run through the shredder. And maybe, perhaps… (fingers literally crossed) at the end of all of this we’ll get a glimmer of hope.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

JUST FINISHED THE SAMPLER AND I WANT MORE. It ended at a pretty good point in the book that didn't leave me suffering, but a healthy amount of wanting more. I took notes throughout because this is my favorite series ever, and WOW i was really going through it. susan was right: this book gets dark. it sets a different tone versus the rest of the series; this is when things really start getting serious. our characters are going through some shit right now, and it pains me to see them that way, but i know they're going to get through it.

THE ANGST IN THIS BOOK IS TOP-NOTCH. if you weren't hooked on this series before, i urge you to do so because you seriously do NOT want to miss out on this book!

Amazing! Iseult is my favorite character by far and I am so excited for her book. This sampler has me even more excited for June!

My favorite thing is Iseult and Safi's friendship. Its rare that you have a series that not only focuses on the romantic relationships but also the friendship - especially the female friendships!

Also, this sampler starts out with The Rook and I was smiling from page one!

This sampler was too short (but actually very long for a sampler)... and I would love to read an early copy of the whole book - please keep me in mind!

I don't know why I decided to read this extended chapter because June can't come soon enough LOL.

So good. Iseult's story is going to be so riveting. AHHH, and Aeduan. Le sigh.

Like many who reviewed this sampler, I requested access because I really enjoyed the previous books. I first read Windwitch when none of the other titles were available so I have had to be patient in order to get this far! The characters and story are compelling enough that I would check every few months to see if there was any news. Anyway! I jumped on this sampler as soon as I saw it even though I KNEW I would be frustrated to have to stop before the end of the story. Curse you, samplers! But I read it anyway because temptation won out. I have a lot of feelings about those chapters and many of them go like this "ifbdkkdufjfhwjausgdfyehhe!" Also that cliffhanger drop off point at the end was pretty cruel to the readers but I'm sure whomever selected the chapters knows that. Anyway, I'm looking forward to finishing the book. It you need any more beta readers let me know!