❃ 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.

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About The Candid Cover

Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.