"I see that you have learned how to work a button. Congratulations on this no doubt life-alteri

Okay, so this book doesn't come out until January 5.

*Gasp* "NO!"

"But why do you have it?"

"What is Truthwitch?"

So, I got a Truthwitch ARC. An ARC is an Advanced Reader's Copy. Basically, I get the book before you do. Why do ARCs exist? Because it isn't finished yet but look it's so exciting! And it's free! So cool book reviewers (not me) get tons of ARCs that they proudly have YouTube, excuse me, BookTube videos on. I got this ARC as the lucky winner of a number drawing on the fourth of August. Not so impressive, now that you think about it. But the book is!

I was there with my Something Strange and Deady trilogy, super hyped about getting them all signed by the hilarious, gorgeous, amazing Susan Dennard. And when #2 was drawn out of a mug and I won the ARC of Truthwitch, I got that signed too. Then I ran into the awesome Sasha from abookutopia, but I bolted out of the bookshop like the scared, introvert bunny I am.

Oh, you weren't here for storytime? Well, that's just fine. I did write a brief review after all. But first, have you seen the map?? I spent a good five minutes staring at it before I worked up the courage to read the book. And when I finished the last page, I spent another five minutes tracking the journey and then pondering where the characters will be going in the next book.

See! It's so freaking great. As are my photography skills. I can't even type that with a straight face.

You wanted a review, right? *cracks knuckles* Here we go.

If you haven't figured it out already, I rate Truthwitch 10 out of 10. I had such a fun time reading this book, and I am so excited for all of my friends to read it too. There's so much to love about this book.

Safiya fon Hasstrel. Stubborn. Loyal. Truthwitch. Like many others in the Witchlands, Safiya has magical powers. There's a variety of witches, though. Firewitches, Windwitches, Waterwitches, Earthwitches, Aetherwitches, and the mysterious Voidwitches that most people don't even believe exist. Safi has the unique Truthwitch ability to know when something is truth, be it a statement, an illusion, or a motive, or if it is false. Her Threadsister, Iseult, is a Threadwitch and can see the threads that hold the world together. Trained together from a young age, the two are powerful to say the least, but they are only at their strongest together.

The Witchlands are in a time period of political tension. After the continent creates a treaty to avoid complete downfall and havoc, some countries are thriving, while others are barely surviving. Merik Nihar, prince of Nubrevna, would do almost anything to help his home of Nubrevna. The Nubrevnans have had it rough: after the wars, their lands were left in utter ruin. Merik's sister currently holds control over the land seeing as his father is dying, but Merik has power over the Nubrevnan navy. With his own Windwitch powers and those of his Threadbrother Kullen, he would be willing to make any deal with someone who has brains.

Monks are taught to protect the Cahr Awen. Aeduan has been taught as much since he was young but doesn't really believe such a thing exists. He is a mercenary and assassin, and his cares are mostly turned towards money and his own well-being. And with his tracking abilities, hunting and killing people is the easiest part of the job discription.

When Safi is "kidnapped" and the whole empire is in an uproar, their separate lives cross paths in a thrilling and action-packed fantasy joy ride.

I'm a sucker for fantasy and magic. Harry Potter, Throne of Glass, if you know any of my favorite books, you'd know that much about me. So, a story about witches using weapons and magic while venturing across a fantasy world? Count me in!

But there's even more. There's politics, magic-developement, beautiful character developement, fight scenes, and the best part? Character interactions!

For example: all of the laughs every time Merik and Safi are in the same room. And Safi and Iseult are just so great. And Aeduan around people is hilarious. The characters are so great.

So maybe it's a tad predictable. But if you didn't fall in love with the cover the first time you looked at it, you are lying to yourself. It's got an Assassin's Creed vibe, but with a cool looking ship in the background, and a woman on the front looking ready to take down anyone in her way. It never ceases to amaze me how people in YA fantasy novels can walk through their cities armed to the teeth and not have people calling the guards the second they walk past.

"Hello? I'm here to report a suspicious civilian. They have a lot of knives. How many? More than 10. Possibly 20. And they have a threatening cloak disguising their features. No, I do not know what they look like. Did you miss the cloak part? Yes, I fear for someone's safety. I sure hope they aren't coming for me. Nothing to worry about?? How would you like it if somebody was swaggering down the street to come kill you? No enemies, huh. Doubtful. Very. Doubtful."

If I could wish for one thing in this book, it'd be more pages. Sure, there are three more books, but seriously? I want to know more about Aeduan, and I need the characters to all get together for a tea party or something. Nobody was hanging off a cliff during those last few chapters, but I need more story. 412 pages of pure awesome? Not enough. And on Goodreads, there's only 384 pages! I hope none of the super hilarious Merik-Safi interactions were cut. Maybe the font got smaller...?

If anything I've mentioned so far has piqued your interest (action, weapons, Assassin's Creed, magic, characters, the map, the cover, etc.) you should definitely read this book. Mark your calendars. January 5th, the first Tuesday in 2016, is the release date. I'll be lining up at my nearest book store with all of the money I was gifted over the holidays. Maybe you should too.

Formula: Magic + Threads + Friendship + Assassins + Politics + Truth = Aetherwitches

#katie #fantasy #5stars #superpowers #sassy