Truthwitch

Truthwitch (2016), a young adult fantasy novel by Susan Dennard, is the first book in the series, The Witchlands, and follows two young witches trying to save their kingdom from war and destruction. A New York Times bestseller, Truthwitch is generally popular with teenage fantasy fans. Dennard, the best-selling author of two fantasy series, has a solid fan base. Before becoming a full-time writer and writing instructor, Dennard studied marine biology and traveled the world. She brings her sense of adventure to her plots and fantasy worlds.

Truthwitch is set on an imaginary continent, The Witchlands. In this world, some people are born with a witchery, or a magical skill set that makes them stand out. There are two primary characters, and although they are best friends, they have very different magical skillsets.

Eighteen-year-old Safiya fon Hasstrel is a Truthwitch, or someone who can separate truths from lies. From an influential noble family, all she wants is to be free to live her own life. Safiya knows, however, that many people want to own her to control her powers; she goes on the run to hide from them all.



Safiya’s best friend is Iseult det Midenzi, who is also an eighteen-year-old witch. Iseult is a Threadwitch, meaning she is a strong, talented fighter who can sustain multiple injuries and move fast. Unlike Safiya, she is levelheaded and sensible, and always worried about her best friend. When Truthwitch opens, Iseult is on the run with Safiya.

The girls lose all their savings in a card game. They wander around town in a panic until guards intercept them. A guard senses that Safiya is very powerful; she is worried he will report her to the authorities. Iseult decides they must flee immediately, and they talk their way across the border into another territory.

Meanwhile, Merik, the Prince of Nubrevna, wanders through his coastal city, pondering his own magic and how he can use it to assist his people. He overhears a commotion between witches and finds Safiya and Iseult fighting a man. Merik uses his own magical powers to kill the man.



At this point, Safiya and Iseult split up. Safiya goes to her uncle’s so she can hide from the guard who has been chasing her since they fled earlier. Iseult goes in another direction to divert him. She goes to Midenzi, where her family is, and she tells them about what is happening to Safiya.

In Midenzi, Iseult collects special rubies that will tell her when Safiya’s in danger. Now, they can always track each other, however far apart they are. Iseult sets off to find Safiya to give her some of the rubies. Meanwhile, Safiya goes to Merik with her uncle to propose a trade deal. Her uncle makes her dance with Merik at a ball that evening, and she wonders if she can make an ally out of the prince.

The guard arrives at the ball. He has never once lost Safiya’s scent. His name is Aeduan, and he is a Bloodwitch. Bloodwitches can control other people, and they make great hunters. Aeduan plans to turn Safiya over to powerful people in exchange for money. Merik, however, gets Safiya out of the ball, helping her flee the city.



In the meantime, Iseult tracks Safiya across the Witchlands. Iseult reaches her just before Aeduan does, and she fights to protect her. Merik, sensing the commotion, uses his own magic to help the girls and hinder Aeduan. Merik gets the girls aboard one of his ships, hiding them from Aeduan, who is seriously wounded.

Now at sea, Iseult and Safiya check themselves over after the skirmish. Iseult has some nasty wounds, and she must spend time healing herself. Safiya, only mildly injured, spends time with Merik, talking about their different magical abilities and the war brewing between a handful of territories. The war is about who controls the most territory, and who controls the most powerful witches.

Meanwhile, a pack of wild sea foxes attack the ship. Merik uses his ability to manipulate air to fly the girls off the ship and away to a safe shore. Here, they must replenish their magic and heal from the new injuries they sustained during the attack. However, Aeduan isn’t far behind, because he has tracked their scent again after the battle.



Aeduan confronts the girls, and they have a final battle. Iseult and Safiya swap clothes to cause a diversion. Aeduan falls for the dupe, chasing Iseult, who now looks like Safiya, until she corners him and reveals the deception. Before she can kill him, Merik triggers a powerful storm that distracts everyone, and Iseult flees Aeduan. Their journey continues in book two.