Review: Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard

So I have been in a bit of a blogging slump, and after a few months I decided to come back with a bang and review this amazing book I was gifted by Tor Books - Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard. 

It's an usual review in that I haven't reviewed the first two books in the series (so please be aware the synopsis may contain slight spoilers!), but I loved all of them just as much as the third and you should go and pick the series up.

Here's the book:

Loyalties will be tested as never before.

The Raider King’s plans to claim the Witchlands are under way. Now, his forces sow terror in the mountains, slaughtering innocents. After finding the slain, Aeduan and Iseult race for safety. And despite differing goals, they’ve grown to trust one another in the fight to survive. Yet the Bloodwitch keeps a secret that could change everything . . .

When Merik sacrifices himself to save his friends, he is captured by the Fury. However, Merik isn’t one to give up easily, and he’ll do whatever it takes to save those he loves. And in Marstok, Safi the Truthwitch agrees to help the empress uncover a rebellion. But those implicated are killed and Safi becomes desperate for freedom.

War has come once more to the Witchlands. Perhaps if Safi and Iseult were united, their powers could bring peace. But chaos is not easily tamed.

I am probably not going to be alone when I say this was my favourite book of this series so far - we got to see a whole lot of Aeduan and Aeduan with Iseult was even better. I loved that we got to delve into Aeduan's thoughts and past and really got to see him as his own character and it was so eye-opening, whilst also being slightly heart breaking too. Aeduan I have to say is my new book crush (yes the list is getting long but who can blame me?). When it came to the end of the book my heart was just invested, the writing was amazing and I will officially die with my ship of Iseult and Aeduan, they are so beautiful together and suit so well.

I may be gushing about them, but that isn't to say there's nothing else to gush about in this book - there is so much that it's hard to keep track. I don't think I'll actually be able to put into words how much this book sucks you in and gets you connecting with all the characters - there's just so much to unpick. Even though the main focus is on Aeduan you get to see so many sides to the other characters like Safi, Vaness and even Vivia - which I will say is such a surprise in this book. You really get to know Vivia more and really see what is going on in Nubrevna and I liked that little insight into her after everything that happened with Merik. Overall, I just think that this book is filled with numerous little threads that are slowly coming together to make a series that is going to be spectacular.

I can definitely say I am waiting with baited breath to see what comes in the next book, especially because it has been revealed it's going to follow Iseult - and wherever she goes Aeduan will follow, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a spectacular follow up that will blow even this book out of the water for me.

As well as that I got gifted the paperback of this book, which also had a sneak peak at Witchshadow, the next in the series, and I can say that I audibly gasped when reading it - it cut off at such a teasing place that I know I will be pre-ordering it ready to get it as soon as possible. It's definitely looking like Susan will pull off yet another stunning book in this Witchlands series.

Overall, it's a no brainer that I'll be giving this book 5 cats!

If you haven't yet, I highly suggest you go and pick up Truthwitch, the first book in the Witchlands, as this is shaping up to be one of my favourite newly found series. Special thanks to Tor for helping me discover it and fuelling my obsession by sending me this book!

Review: The Red Abbey Chronicles by Maria Turtschaninoff

So today I'll be reviewing a whole series of books instead of just one - as I got gifted the whole series by Pushkin Press and thought they were so good, I couldn't just review one! Originally, I was approached about reading the latest in the series - Maresi Red Mantle, but when I was offered the chance to read the whole series I jumped, and I breezed through all 3 so quickly!

As it is 3 different books, I'll post the goodreads links to all 3, but here is the blurb of the most recent book, Maresi Red Mantle:

Maresi returns in the thrilling conclusion to the feminist fantasy epic The Red Abbey Chronicles

For Maresi, like so many other girls, the Red Abbey was a haven of safety in a world ruled by brutal men. But now she is a young woman and it is time for her to leave. She must take all that she has learned from her sisters and return to her childhood home to share the knowledge she has gained.

But when Maresi returns to her village, she realises all is not well - the people are struggling under the rule of the oppressive Earl, and people are too busy trying to survive to see the value of her teachings. Maresi finds she must use all the terrible force of the Crone's magic to protect her people, but can she find the strength to do so when her heart is weakening with love for the first time?

Goodreads links:

Maresi (Book 1)

Naondel (Book 2)

Maresi Red Mantle (Book 3)

When I first started on this series I was worried I wouldn't be able to get into it as there was so much to take in - the different Sisters, the different places in the Abbey, what the Sisters do etc. but all of that worry was for nothing. You soon get the hang of it and really get pulled into Maresi's life. I think the only thing I would have loved was more background to the Abbey and the history to everything - but you get a lot more background over the next two books to help you understand more.

The second book Naondel is actually all about how the Abbey started and the different Sisters and how they came together to eventually leave their lands and make the journey on the boat Naondel to get to where they would eventually create the safe haven of the Red Abbey. I think this was definitely a crucial book in the series, as you learnt just why the island helped the Abbey women and where the power of the land in the first book may have come from, as well as showing just why the Abbey was created to help women in need. Its such a powerful book, showing you a lot more of the world that the Red Abbey Chronicles is set in.

Lastly, we come to the most recent addition to the chronicles: Maresi Red Mantle. This follows Maresi as she leaves the Abbey to try and found a school in her homeland. This was different to most books I've read as it was all in letter form to people we had met in the first book such as Jai and Sister O. I think, in a way, this was one of the most beautiful books as it really shows Maresi growing into herself as she learns to readjust to life outside the Abbey.

I always love stories where the female MC really grows into herself, and this didn't disappoint. We see her go through first loves, and learning to accept that she is her own person and is allowed to be different. I think I especially loved that she showed her family that sending her to the Red Abbey was worth it - I think the scenes where she teaches her brother to read are some of my favourites, alongside the scenes with Maresi's sister who really supports her throughout with her ambition of opening a school.

I could talk about the series for so long, they really surprised me with how amazing they were, especially when read together, but if I did this review would be way too long. So, I highly suggest going to buy your own copies ASAP!

Overall, I give this series 5 cats!

Have you read this series? What do you think of them? Comment below!