Book Review: Warbreaker

Warbreaker written by Brandon Sanderson

Release Date: June 9th, 2009

Publisher: Tor Books

Format of Novel: Paperback

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary (from good reads): Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn't like his job, and the immortal who's still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.

Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.

By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.

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Ever since I started watching book tube videos full time, I've noticed a lot of people raving about this particular author. As a curious person, I decided to give him and the genre of High/Epic fantasy a shot. Normally I am not one to reach for high fantasy, but this book caught my eye. As a result to it, I really enjoyed it. Each of the characters were their own persona, making them original and fresh in the mind. Their relationships were slow burning yet they held onto a certain meaning that made this particular story so fresh in my head. Not only that, the political system and the concept of using breath to gain power was a very unique idea to bring into this sort of story.

However, what really brought this story to life was the different subplots. Whenever Brendon Sanderson mentions a significant character, he was able to make their growths come to life in a realistic level. For example, Lightsong. For a god, he reminded me of a teenage and as the story progress, he starts changing into a much mature 'god' and I was really pleased with how his story came to an end as the finale took place. (And also a little sad as well).

While this book was major plus in my newfound love for high fantasy, I had a couple of issues with it as well (two issues mainly). Issues number one was my patience. While the story was fast pace and the story was really compelling, It literally took me till the end of April to read it and I obtained the novel in mid December and didn't start it till the very beginning of January. I did have very personal issues with the duration of that time, but I ended up getting very distracted by other books that were shorter and exciting for me during that time instead of reading a 657 paged novel. I don't know why, but a few of the chapters were unnecessary in my opinion and that slowed the book down for me (coming from someone that has read the first novel to Game of Thrones in two weeks flat). And the final issues was remembering a couple of the characters. At first I thought Lightsong was Siri's godly husband, but when I read that it was someone completely different, I almost threw my book in annoyance before I looked up the full summary. And all of the gods and the political system were also a tad annoying to follow during that time. (like I said, personal reason blocked my '5/5' rating).

But basically, this story was a great start to this wonderful and complex fantasy author. I just wish that I was enjoy Warbreaker more without dealing with the funk I was in for the majority of my time reading it. The story was simple yet very compelling with the overall fantastical elements, political system, and original characters. I will be continuing on reading more of this author's works when I get the chance too and understand more of the epic fantasy genre that he gracefully writes on a regular basis. ^_^

Book Review: Truthwitch

Truthwitch (#1): By Susan Dennard

Release Date: January 5th, 2016

Publisher: Tor Teen

Format of Novel: Hardcover

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (from good reads): On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch

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Hot off the press here, I have finally posted another book review! (After a two and a half month hiatus).. So today I'm here to talk about Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. This was one of the top books I was dying to get my hands on since I heard this wonderful author was publishing it. She's one of those authors that is a god send with everything. She's so sweet and her writing blog is simply wonderful and honest. I've never met her in person, but its a life goal to get this book signed by her someday. Any who, Truthwitch is said to be a mixture of Assassin's Creed and Avatar the Last Airbender with witty characters and action packed scenes for our viewing pleasure. I gotta say, this book had it and so much more.

As I read this, I was able to get emotionally attach to these characters. Each of them holds an inner and an general mission that maps out their future for themselves and for the world they live in. And it was done in a way that was smart and creative at the same. It was also rather interesting to understand how the threads within these individuals are what creates these special bonds. When we see it in Iseult's eyes, its more spiritual in a way since she is a Threadwitch and we are able to grasp an better understanding with it so we can fall even more in love with the characters.

Speaking of characters, can we say how amazing they are!? Safi and Iseult were two beings into one. Polar opposites yet completely in sync with each other. One is basically earth and one is air. The two block each other out but they maintain a balance that is natural so to speak. They keep each other sane and they are sassy when they have their shit together. Which was something I really enjoyed. Ryber was also an enjoyable character. Even though she was a minor character, she was still so realistic

As for the boys.. Kullan and Aeduan are in the high rankings of being my fictional boyfriends. They were just ahhh so amazingly hot in my mind. (Same with Merik, but he didn't scream 'boyfriend' to me yet). Even though they had somewhat of a minor role, I was just dying to know more about them. And Kullan, oh my poor baby.. (goes into a corner to cry). As for Merik, he was the Zuko of the cast expect he was a air bender or Airwitch in this particular series. He was completely stubborn, moody, but also very loyal and broken when focusing on restoring his honor to his family. He's so powerful and one of those flawed characters a reader will fully want to embrace and relate as the series progresses.

The only main thing I found to be somewhat weak in this book was the world building. Like a lot of reviewers who have read this book, I feel that the world building wasn't as fully detailed as I would like it to be. Normally in high fantasy series, the author takes the time to vividly describe their world within stories in lyrical word choices. However, with this story, it felt as so Susan Dennard didn't do that. I mean, she took the necessary time to describe the different type of witches, but not so much in the locations. While the author did a good job of getting to the point of how the places appeared in the eyes of our cast, it felt flat. I wanted to embrace the different locations like I did with the characters. But, maybe it will happen in the next book? Who knows.

Overall, I really loved this book and I cannot wait for the next book to come out next year. What are your opinions on Turthwitch?? Let me know in the comments and I'll be back soon with another post. Happy howling my fellow wolves!