by Susan Dennard

‘ “Oh, I know! I shall call you Un-empressed.”
“Please,” Vaness said coldly, “stop this immediately.”
Safi absolutely did not. ‘

Title: Windwitch
Author: Susan Dennard
Publisher: Tor Teen
Book: #2 of Witchlands
Genre: High Fantasy
Found: series
Rating: 5 Voodoos

Sometimes our enemies become our only allies The Windwitch Prince Merik is presumed dead, following a lethal explosion. He’s left scarred but alive and determined to expose his sister’s treachery. Yet on reaching the royal capital, he’s shocked to find it crowded with refugees fleeing conflict. Merik haunts the streets, fighting for the weak. This leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed. Hunted by the Cleaved, Iseult is struggling to stay free while she searches for her friend Safi. When the Bloodwitch Aeduan corners Iseult first, she offers him a deal: she’ll return what was stolen from him, if he locates the Truthwitch. Yet unknown to Iseult, there’s a bounty on her head – and Aeduan intends to claim it. After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. They find themselves amongst pirates, where a misstep could mean death. And the bandits’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.

-Netgalley

 

First off, this is 2 of 4 so don’t expect to find yourself swimming in answers.

I had to wonder about Aeduan when we first met him, since we had a point of view from him throughout the stry and right now I have to say he’s my favourite character. His and Iseult’s storyline seemed the most important in this book despite it being named after Merik!
I still like Merick, incidentally, but he seems a bit lost right now and his development was a lot less than Aeduan’s. I was a little confused about all the talk of the ‘Nihar Temper’ through the book though. Did they find it? Was it lost? What’s going on?
I think their father has a lot to answer for and I hope Vivia is in future books with her POV. I ended up rather liking her and I hope she’ll get some happy times. I liked how this part turned out and I really can’t wait for her and Safi to meet. Preferably when Merik has completed his current plans.

But I was talking about Aeduan and Iseult. They’re getting cute and funny, working together. Neither one is any good with people or feelings and reading about them navigating like this is pretty great. Aeduan usually avoids people and Iseult relies of Safi and peoples threads but right now they’re together and their magics don’t work on each other and I’m just so pleased it’s not an awkward situation to read!
I hope they continue questing together, there’s something he needs to do and she needs to go speak to someone. There’s the troublesome matter of his past though, that needs sorting.

I would say that safi’s storyline developed the least in this, I think hers will happen in the next book, she has a future plan now. The Hell-Bards input will be interesting, I wonder who they truly are…
I also want to learn more of Aeduan. Considering the books is named for him and their destination, I’m thinking this could be likely.
I know where I want them all to end up, but there’s a lot to happen between here and there and there’s another two books. I’m scared over who’s going to die!