Excerpt: Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard

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.