Review: Bloodwitch (Witchlands #3) by Susan Dennard

Bloodwitch (Witchlands #3)
Author: Susan Dennard
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: February 12, 2019
Publisher: Tor Teen

Description:

Fans of Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling Witchlands series have fallen in love with the Bloodwitch Aeduan. And now, finally, comes his story.

High in a snowy mountain range, a monastery that holds more than just faith clings to the side of a cliff. Below, thwarted by a lake, a bloodthirsty horde of raiders await the coming of winter and the frozen path to destroy the sanctuary and its secrets.

The Bloodwitch Aeduan has teamed up with the Threadwitch Iseult and the magical girl Owl to stop the destruction. But to do so, he must confront his own father, and his past.  

Bloodwitch is the third installment in an addictive young adult fantasy series that will leave readers breathless. First of all, I want to say that you really need to read the first two books in the series before this one. In some series, you can read books out of order or as stand-alones, but this isn't one of those. There's so much happening and so many characters with different alliances and relationships that you need to read the books in order.

That being said, this is one of those books that you adored so much that you don't even know where to begin a review. Or what to say, because you'll end up rambling on forever. I'll attempt to make my review coherent enough to understand (hopefully). Every single aspect of this book (and series) is downright amazing. The characters - both main and major - are all well rounded and complex as well as being realistic and easy to connect with. With each book in the series, we keep adding new characters to our cast - which sounds like it would be confusing, but it's just not. We get to know these people so deeply that I completely empathize with each and every one of them. I love getting to know everyone better as the series continues, as well as meeting and growing to love the new additions. We get to watch them as they grow and change, as their priorities and allegiances change, and especially how their relationships with others change as well. I think it's an amazing feat to have such a wide cast of characters that are each so unique and integral to the story, and that each of them grabs the reader's heart. I don't think I've come across anything quite like it before and it definitely sets it apart from everything else out there.

The world building is simply magnificent. The author creates an entire world full of different countries, cultures, groups of people, customs and beliefs, and politics. It's incredibly detailed and the descriptions are vivid with tons of imagery to bring everything to life in front of your eyes. I felt like I was actually there alongside each character as their adventures were happening. Since this is the third book in the series, we get to know these lands and their people even better - including secret agendas, hidden plots, and alliances that have been brewing behind the scenes. I found it complicated and wonderful, and I can't wait to go back to the Witchlands. The plot is crazy and I don't even think I can explain it without sounding ridiculous. There's the overarching plot of Iseult and Safi along with their role in a sacred prophecy. But the series is also full of subplots and stories concerning other characters that are all intertwined in some way. It's like reading several stories at once, except they're all wrapped up in one novel. Every character has their own journey and obstacles along the way. We get to see them tackle these along with the others in the group while everything is happening all at basically the same time. It's hard to explain, but if you read the books, you know what I mean. I'm usually not big into epic fantasies, but this book and series is nothing short of amazing. It has everything one can want and then some. There's something for every reader - adventure, action, thrills, mystery, history, fantasy, and romance. I can't recommend this book (and series) highly enough to any reader out there who wants something bold, breathtaking and breaks the mold.

 

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Strange & Ever After by Susan Dennard

IFB is hosting the promo tour for the third and final book in Susan Dennard's steampunk, zombie trilogy. Continue below for a sample and a cool giveaway.

Strange & Ever After (Something Strange & Deadly #3)

Release Date: July 22, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

Susan Dennard is a writer turned marine biologist turned writer again. Strange and Ever After is the conclusion to her trilogy, which includes A Darkness Strange and Lovely and Something Strange and Deadly. Among the traits she shares with her heroine Eleanor are a weakness for Shakespeare quotes, a healthy appetite for baked goods, and an insatiable curiosity. Sadly, Susan does not get to wear a corset or wave a parasol on a daily basis.

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The Complete Series

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Strange and Ever After Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Strange and Ever After blog tour! Today I'm sharing my review of the book with you - and don't forget to go to the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway and follow the rest of the tour!

Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly #3)
Author: Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Rate: 5 Stars

Synopsis:

In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

With this book being the last in the trilogy - and a series that I truly love - I went into reading it with high hopes. I am so glad that I wasn't disappointed. It lived up to the previous books and then flew past any expectations I might have had. In this installment, Eleanor - along with her assortment of friends, including Daniel, Joseph, Oliver, and even her old friend from Philadelphia, Allison - travel to ancient Egypt. The evil necromancer Marcus, who has been causing Eleanor nothing but grief, has taken her close friend Jie - and it's up to her and the gang to make sure Marcus is dealt with - permanently. On top of the mess with Jie, Eleanor is still trying to figure out her feelings for Daniel and how to control the growing power she has inside of her. Will Eleanor give in to the same black magic that took over her brother's life? Will she and her friends be able to stop Marcus in time to save the city and Jie?

I have seriously loved every single thing about this trilogy from the very beginning. The author made the alternate history that the books are set in enchantingly realistic. The world building was phenomenal - and that doesn't change when the setting shifts to Egypt. I've never been to Egypt before, let alone one from an alternate past, but I was able to shut my eyes and envision myself alongside the characters throughout the novel. All the details in the book - from the intricate settings to the minute details of the surroundings and the characters - were so vivid and precise that I easily immersed myself into the book almost from the very first sentence, and I didn't come back out of it until the last word. The fact that a setting from the past with foreign countries, magic, and zombies could feel so realistic is a true marker of the author's talent. 

By this final book, I've come to love each of the characters. They are all well written with their unique quirks and flaws - and their own personalities that made it easy to identify with them right from the start. I loved watching each of them change in their own ways - how they all matured and gained more self-confidence - as well as how their relationships with each other grew; whether it was friendship, trust, or romance, I enjoyed watching them all. I feel like I know these characters on a personal level, which was hard while reading the book due to some parts of the plot. I won't say anything else about this - but those of you who have read the book understand what I mean.

Honestly, I can't praise the writing of this book enough. It was very well written and fast-paced, but with the exact right amount of tension and setting. The character and world building were superb. Sadly, most series seem to go downhill with each book. This trilogy didn't have that issue at all - the last book was just as phenomenal - maybe even more so - than the first. I could go on fangirling for a really long time, but I'll stop now. This is a fantastic final book in one of the most unique and mesmerizing trilogies that I've ever read. It begs to be devoured - and should be - and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you're a fan of YA fantasy, science fiction paranormal, zombies - whatever - READ THIS SERIES. I promise you won't regret it! The only issue I have is that now the series is over - but I don't want it to end. It's bittersweet - and the only thing I can do now is stalk the author and wait for her next release in the fall.  :)

Follow the FFBC Strange And Ever After Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

I am a writer, reader, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I reallylike swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in the Midwest with my husband and two dogs (Asimov and Princess Leia), and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on my blog or twitter.

My debut, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY is now available from HarperTeen along with the prequel, A DAWN MOST WICKED, and the sequel A DARKNESS STRANGE & LOVELY.

Look for STRANGE & EVER AFTER in summer 2014 and TRUTHWITCH in fall 2015!

Note: I am on Goodreads to READ. So, if you want to discuss books and the joys of literature, add me as a friend!

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Review: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly

Series: Something Strange and Deadly #1

Author: Susan Dennard

Genre: YA/Paranormal

Release Date: July 24, 2012

Summary:

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.  

Review:

With all the hype surrounding this book on the Internet, I went into reading it with high hopes. I am glad that I wasn't disappointed. Something Strange and Deadly takes the reader back into an alternate past - to 1876 Philadelphia - where a necromancer is using black magic to resurrect the dead. The Dead are rising from their graves and walking around the city, but nobody can seem to determine how this is being done or what the person in charge really wants. In the middle of all the chaos is our heroine, Eleanor Fitt, who is an adventurous lady of means. She is awaiting her brother's return from New York City and gets trapped in the middle of the problem of the Dead. She becomes increasingly worried for her brother and finds herself helping an interesting bunch of people - The Spirit Hunters - who have come to fix the zombie problem.

The setting for this book is perfect in every way. Philadelphia of 1876 seems an almost believable place for zombies to start raising from the ground. The presence of the World's Fair in the book provides added validity and grounds the storyline in history. Old folklore and myths about bells tied to coffins are retold throughout the novel, which makes it seem all the more thrilling and fitting for the story to take place in this time period. Dennard writes her alternative history Philadelphia with such skill that it takes little imagination to believe that it is actually history itself. 

The characters, especially Miss Fitt, are fun and complex. They all have unique personalities and quirks, which immediately endear them to the reader. We empathize with Eleanor's distress for her brother as well as her tenacity to find out the truth and not back down because she is a "lady." I can't praise the writing of this book enough. It was very well written and fast-paced, but with the exact right amount of tension and setting. The character and world building were superb. The only problem I had with the book was the ending. I am a big sucker for perfect endings and I tend to get a bit pouty when things don't turn out the way I want them to. Otherwise, this is a great book that begs to be devoured and I highly recommend it to everyone.