Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
Review by Anar M., Youth Reviewer
“Bloodwitch” — the penultimate book of the “Witchlands” saga — is a new favourite of mine. Susan Dennard’s world is one of magic, but magic that fades: witches (who can be men or women) draw their magic from one of six Origin Wells (Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Aether and Void). But, for the last five hundred years, the Wells have been slowly dying. Legend tells of the Cahr Awen, two girls with magic tied to the Aether and Void respectively, who can heal the Wells. Safi and Iseult, two of “Bloodwitch’s” main characters, have healed the Water Well. But both are Aetherwitches; how could they be the Cahr Awen?
The world is also falling into warfare. The Twenty-Year Truce stopped a war between the Witchlands’ three empires and eight or so smaller states. But it has been nineteen years since the Truce was declared, and now it has been broken. While the empires begin to wage war, the underestimated Former Republic of Arithuania and its raider army is attacking.
“Bloodwitch” is complicated. Thanks to politics, a profusion of characters and points of view, and legends come to life which the readers only half understand, the plot is occasionally difficult to follow. Characters are equally complex; they make mistakes, grow from them, make plans, fail in their goals, learn more about themselves and their abilities, and develop over the series into interesting, multidimensional, and unique people (with much frustration along the way, but that makes the gradual growth all the more enjoyable). Relationships — nearly all of them strained by distance, mistrust, or the belief that the other is dead — are also well-written and creative, but they are never the central driving force in a character, which I appreciated. The web of friendships, romance, and dislike (or some combination of the three) between the many characters is intricate and realistic.
For instance, the Bloodwitch of the title, Aeduan, is the son of Arithuania’s Raider King, but he is currently helping Iseult rather than returning to his father. The question of where his allegiances lie is one of which he struggles with throughout the book. His father’s goals are complex and multi-layered; his relationship with Iseult transforms from transactional (he’ll help her find Safi if she tells him where his money is) to something more (both abandon their previous goals to work together to protect a powerful Earthwitch child). I loved reading the progression (and occasional regressions) of plot, character, and relationship.
“Bloodwitch” is complex and can be confusing. But in my opinion, it — along with the rest of the “Witchlands” series — is well worth a read.
Find “Bloodwitch” at the Kitchener Public Library!