SIghtwitch by Susan Dennard is the perfect way to add a little more of The Witchlands series back into your life. This amazing novella is so much more than a little novella. This whirlwind of a book has a format that is sort of like a scrapbook. It contains some incredible world building, interesting characters, and enough breadcrumbs to satisfy the hungriest fans of the series.
Title: Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5)Series: The Witchlands #0.5
Author: Susan Dennard
Also by this author: Truthwitch
Publisher: Tor Teen
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: February 13, 2018
Rating:
Series Rating:
From New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard, Sightwitch is an illustrated novella set in the Witchlands and told through Ryber’s journal entries and sketches.
Before Safi and Iseult battled a Bloodwitch...
Before Merik returned from the dead…
Ryber Fortiza was a Sightwitch Sister at a secluded convent, waiting to be called by her goddess into the depths of the mountain. There she would receive the gift of foretelling. But when that call never comes, Ryber finds herself the only Sister without the Sight.
Years pass and Ryber’s misfit pain becomes a dull ache, until one day, Sisters who already possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain, never to return. Soon enough, Ryber is the only Sister left. Now, it is up to her to save her Sisters, though she does not have the Sight—and though she does not know what might await her inside the mountain.
On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together, the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, their road filled with horrors, and what they find at the end of that road will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever.
Set a year before Truthwitch, Sightwitch is a companion novella that also serves as a set up to Bloodwitch, as well as an expansion of the Witchlands world.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Sightwitch by Susan Dennard
❀ Substantial Novella
If you have been following the blog for a while, you will know that novellas aren’t typically something that I read. The Sightwitch novella, however, is one that I am so happy to have read because not only is it a really unique addition to the series, it is pretty substantial with just over 200 pages. The images that I was able to see in the e-ARC edition that I read were so amazing, and the songs were just so much fun to read.
❀ Amazing World-Building
The world building in Sightwitch is fascinating and quite amazing for a shorter book. Susan Dennard really takes her readers further into the Witchlands in this novella. Readers discover the exciting and unexpected story of how Ryber and Kullen first meet. Also, a greater understanding of the witcheries of the Sightwitches and Glamourwitches is gained by reading this story. It almost feels like you are reading a brief history of the Witchlands, as you are taken back further in time to find out how the story began.
❀ Compelling Characters
There is no shortage of compelling and fascinating characters in Sightwitch. Told in differing points of view, we get the perspectives of Ryber, Tanzi, and Eridysi. Tanzi is Ryber’s friend and is also a Sightwitch who really understands Ryber and what makes her tick. It is so interesting to read Tanzi’s side of the story and her opinions of Ryber being a stickler for rules. The sections of Eridysi’s journal entries take the story even further back in time, and help to form an understanding of how so much came to be. Most notably, there is also a bird, The Rook, that plays a vital role in the story. The Rook is one of my favourite aspects of the story, as he is so intriguing and mysterious.
❀ Not to be missed
Sightwitch by Susan Dennard is one that fans of the series will want to read before picking up Bloodwitch next year, as there are some tidbits not to be missed.
Recipe: Sightwitch by Susan Dennard Bread
Whenever a story that I am reading involves food, I am instantly enticed to try it myself. Bread seems to make an appearance in the novella a couple of times. One of the songs that Ryber sings to herself just before she meets Kullen involves making bread. Also, there is a picnic that Eridysi and a soldier go on where they eat fresh baked bread. The aforementioned breadcrumb hints are something to look for as well while you are reading Sightwitch by Susan Dennard.
This bread recipe that I chose to feature is one that I think would have been similar to something made by the Sightwitch sisters, as it has simple ingredients and has an old fashioned quality to it. It is from Bread in 5 and the complete instructions can be found on their website. If you are interested in a gluten-free version, there is one featured over at Know Gluten.
❀ A bonus Story
Sightwitch by Susan Dennard is such a bonus story to the Witchlands series that really sets the stage for what’s to come and also digs deeper into some of the other aspects of the world. If you don’t typically read novellas, this is not one to skip. It is a really fantastic story that fans of the series will love.
About Susan Dennard
Susan Dennard has come a long way from small-town Georgia. With a masters degree in marine biology, she got to travel the world—six out of seven continents, to be exact (she’ll get to Asia one of these days!)—before she settled down as a full-time novelist and writing instructor.
She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Witchlands as well as the Something Strange & Deadly series. When not writing, she can be found slaying darkspawn on her Xbox or earning bruises at the dojo.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
This sounds like a great series. Can it still be called a Novella at 200 pages? I loved your review!
Mary
I am so glad that it was a bit longer than I expected. It is the perfect book to satisfy my wait for the next one. 🙂
Forgot to mention the bread. Sounds delightful! I am not a bread maker but my brother is. I have to get him to try the recipe!
Mary
I have been wanting to read this series after k met Susan at a signing – she is incredible! I hope she tours in Michigan again!
I think that she is planning on doing some signings there. I am super jealous that you have met Sooz! 🙂
OMG THAT BREAD LOOKS DELICIOUS 😍🙌❤️ And I really can’t wait to read Sightwitch, Susan’s books are amazing! I loved your review ❤️🙌
Thank you, Becky! I can’t wait for you to read it! 🙂
Love the bread you made! It looks so delicious!
I haven’t even read Truthwitch yet…I need to catch up on these books! Awesome review!
There are some benefits to waiting to read a series until all of the books are published. I hope that you enjoy the series when you do have an opportunity to read it. 🙂
Sounds like a very good read!
Ahhh I heard about this novella before and that it was pretty unique so of course I want it. Just gotta start this series first I think…
I hope that you love the series as much as I do! 🙂
I love it when books have a recipe or special food mentioned!
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I’m normally not one for novellas, but as a fan of the Witchlands I had to get Sightwitch as well 🙂 I think that within 200ish pages the author managed to tell a great story that was complex and left me heartbroken!