Fans of Sarah J, Maas will love this first book of a new series. This story takes place in the Witchlands. The main characters, Safiya and Iseult, and the land in which they live has long known the diverse power of witches. These two come with very unique powers – which most had thought were long gone from the land. Iseault is a Threadwitch. She sees the ties that bind people to each other as strands of color. The colors indicate to her the emotional bonds between people. But, she is unable to see her own bonds, and the lack of that ability limits her knowledge of how people may be using her. Iseult is the cool-headed, more balanced of the two.
Sayfiya is a Truthwitch; she knows when people are telling her the truth. Most of the rulers of her world do not realize that she is a truthwitch because she knows her life is in danger if they dicover her abilities. If her power were made known, she would be the most sought-after person in the land because she would know if countries and rulers were telling the truth to each other. Safiya is also impetuous and quick-tempered. She often acts without thinking the consequences through. She definitely needs Iseult to give her balance.
A young Bloodwitch, a man who can smell people’s blood and track them down, and a young male Wind Witch appear on the scene and their lives are changed forever. The girls have many harrowing adventures the outcomes the reader will not anticipate. The reader will be eagerly anticipating the arrival of the next book in the series.
High school and middle school readers of fantasy will drawn into this tale of friendship and love. I recommend it for such people.
Bunting has told us a chilling tale based on events that really happened off the coasts of northwestern Scotland. In the story, Josie Ferguson goes to live with her father’s brother and his wife in an isolated village that people from other towns have little to do with. Her relatives are emotionally cold to her, but they have accepted the responsibility to care for her until she reaches eighteen – not out of any sort of love, but because they will get money for doing so.
