Review: The Luminaries by Susan Dennard

 Guys, I just can't put into words how much I loved this book. I took part in the twitter poll version of this, essentially a choose your own adventure, and adored it then, so I knew when it was going to be published and have some differences to the twitter adventure that I would NEED to get it.

There's also the fact that I love the Truthwitch series from Susan so I knew I'd be reading this as well just because I like to see how other stories pan out from authors that I like.

Here's the book:

Hemlock Falls isn’t like other towns. You won’t find it on a map, your phone won’t work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you…

Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie's town―and the rest of humanity―from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night. Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal―and restore her family's good name. Or die trying.

But in order to survive, Winnie must enlist the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for.

Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.

Okay so, first things first, I HAVE to mention how beautiful the artwork is for this book, both in the beautiful cover and also the illustrations inside! I'll admit I was a bit biased with the ARC I got because I love gold foil, but then when I saw this cover I was like woahhh that's pretty, and once you've read it you can see why some of the details are there. But yes, I mentioned illustrations inside - there are illustrations of some of the Nightmares in there! Brilliantly done, I love being able to see what they look like as I can really imagine them when reading - I can't wait to see the next books illustrations too, it was confirmed that the illustrations will continue in that which I am so excited for.

Second thing: I finished this in one sitting it was so good! It's not often these days that I read things in one sitting, I tend to break them up into a few days more often than not due to my schedule, but I adored this book and I just couldn't put it down. Granted, it may have been because I wanted to see how different it was to the original choose your own adventure, but still I think even if you weren't part of that you would have a hard time putting this book down.

I think, and I'm being nitpicky here, the only downside to this was that I didn't get all the information I wanted - but yaknow, that is my own thing and I fully trust Susan to give us all the information in the future books now that we have finally got to know a bit more about the world, the Nightmares and the MC Winnie - I especially can't wait to see where the storyline about her father goes and I really want to see some more information about the Diana's and what they do, I'm hoping to see Susan dig into that a bit more in The Hunting Moon when it comes out!

Overall, I give this: 5 cats!

I really can't wait to see what happens in the next book - which has just had the cover reveal (OMG it's just as beautiful). Did any of you join in with the Twitter adventure? If so what did you think of the final book compared to that? I'd love to know!

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!