The Witchlands
Fantasy
Macmillan
January 5, 2016
416
On a continent ruled by three empires, everyone is born with a "witchery," a magical skill that sets them apart from others. Now, as the Twenty Year Truce in a centuries long war is about to end, the balance of power-and the failing health of all magic-will fall on the shoulders of a mythical pair called the Cahr Awen.
I did not finish this book. I’m not sure if I was in the wrong mood for it, or if the author’s style turned me off, but each chapter I read was excruciating. Very disappointing, because I loved the idea and I loved the synopsis, and this seemed like the type of book that I would devour.
The characters really grated on me. Isuelt and Safiya are idiots. I can’t stand main characters that make terrible decisions in a crisis, and maybe that’s what turned me off here. I also can’t stand characters that feel like they are forced into actions that they hate – there are plenty of creative choices that can be made, especially with some time to plan, and going with your heart instead of having others force your hand makes for a truer story (in my opinion). Meh.