What do you think?
Rate this book
The Living Blade #1.5
Bloodwitch
They say blood is thicker than water. They're wrong.
An ancient priesthood recruited Jan from the parlours of Babuk. They said it was because she had talent at waterwielding.
They'll live to regret it.
Jan survived something she shouldn't have. But she doesn't remember it clearly. Now they pry into her mind, and she cannot stop them.
Yet.
Jan must learn how to control her own waterwielding gift, to defend herself from those who would reach within her and steal her very name and memories, and she must make a choice ...
Who is she, really?
Acolyte
Watermage
Bloodwitch
An ancient priesthood recruited Jan from the parlours of Babuk. They said it was because she had talent at waterwielding.
They'll live to regret it.
Jan survived something she shouldn't have. But she doesn't remember it clearly. Now they pry into her mind, and she cannot stop them.
Yet.
Jan must learn how to control her own waterwielding gift, to defend herself from those who would reach within her and steal her very name and memories, and she must make a choice ...
Who is she, really?
Acolyte
Watermage
Bloodwitch
- GenresFantasy
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 17, 2018
“What is history, but lessons not learned?”
-- Chris Wooding, The Ember Blade
The Bloodwitch novella was my introduction into Timandra Whitecastle’s “Living Blade” world, and it serves as backstory to one of the series’ supporting characters. If this is the level of high-stakes consequences, stimulating magic, and colorful prose I can come to expect from Timandra’s work, then she has earned a new fan.
We are first introduced to Jan as a street hustler, hosting a modified version of three-card-monte that she’s able to win at will. Jan has a knack for controlling and manipulating water with her mind, so she combines this ability with her oddly powerful gift of persuasion to swindle money out of common folk. We soon learn than Jan leads a double life when she abandons her fellow grifters to sleep at home each night. “Home” turns out to be an upscale manor owned by her rich aunt, who parades Jan around like a prized heifer ready to be auctioned off to the most noble suitor. Both of Jan’s lives seem to be hurtling towards disaster until a mysterious man shows up in Jan’s life, and immediately takes an interest in her abilities.
“Jan took a shaky breath and caught Jochanan’s gaze from across the room. As though he had read her thoughts. He raised his glass to her in a routine gesture, and it felt like singing into the softest of beds and suffocating under the weight of the feather cushions. It felt like standing alone in a room pressed with bodies, dizzy, restless, her heartbeat pounding in her throat with the desire to get out. It felt like death.”
Jan must make a life-changing decision on how she wants her future to play out, and in doing so, sets off a torrid chain of events that impacts the world at large. She encounters groups of X-Men-adjacent water mages, an ancient cult-like university, a dangerous hierarchy of power and control, a cursed race, and even more packed in to a story that feels too large to fit inside one novella. But somehow, it does, and although the pace is breakneck at times, Whitecastle chooses to share landmark scenes that best displays the progression of Jan’s character. It’s a fine line to walk, as there are some time jumps that had potential to show some interesting scenes of learning and growth. Instead, we focus on stories that both more personal, diving into Jan’s tragic past, as well as events more grandiose, such as how the history of the ancients is doomed to repeat itself.
There are several prevalent themes in the story I could discuss, but I’m going to focus on two of them that stood out the most. Jan’s progression in the book is comparable to Walter White, whom Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan was famously quoted as wanting to turn his beloved character “from Mr. Chips into Scarface.” Jan certainly didn’t start out as a gentle English schoolmaster, but her progression into something darker and more vicious is a slippery slope, and a fascinating one to witness. Jun is cocky, which makes her dangerous. She lies, she questions authority, and she shows signs of ruthlessness. As her power grows, so does her ability to persuade and bend others’ wills to her command. How much is she a product of her environment, and how much is she the cause of it?
The mind-controlling persuasion techniques is also an interesting concept in this story. We witness some characters train to utilize these abilities, it is discouraged to practice these tools on each other. “Know that these techniques exist, but do not use them.” One character ridicules this theme, thinking that at all times, everyone is utilizing skills of persuasion. These skills are directly influential on the result of any given communication. How could they not be practiced on each other? It is argued that this channel of artificial persuasion is human nature, tuned to a higher degree. This gave me pause and allowed me to think of how and why we phrase our requests in certain ways to achieve specific goals. Is it immoral to want to elevate that ability to achieve what you seek? What if the intention is involuntary?
Overall, I quite enjoyed this story, and read it in one sitting. Whitecastle does an admirable job of quickly introducing ideas, settings, and conflicts in a fresh and engaging manner. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, it veered off into unchartered territory, keeping me guessing as well as engrossed. There was an uneasy sense of malevolence that hung over the story, giving me a sense that I was witnessing a car crash in slow motion. It was an impressive feat to pull off in such a short novella. Like others, I wish it could have gone on longer, and spent a bit more time delving into details that were only mentioned in passing. Though I also feel like it did an excellent job introducing me to a talented new author, and the potential in the world she has created. A recommended read.
-- Chris Wooding, The Ember Blade
The Bloodwitch novella was my introduction into Timandra Whitecastle’s “Living Blade” world, and it serves as backstory to one of the series’ supporting characters. If this is the level of high-stakes consequences, stimulating magic, and colorful prose I can come to expect from Timandra’s work, then she has earned a new fan.
We are first introduced to Jan as a street hustler, hosting a modified version of three-card-monte that she’s able to win at will. Jan has a knack for controlling and manipulating water with her mind, so she combines this ability with her oddly powerful gift of persuasion to swindle money out of common folk. We soon learn than Jan leads a double life when she abandons her fellow grifters to sleep at home each night. “Home” turns out to be an upscale manor owned by her rich aunt, who parades Jan around like a prized heifer ready to be auctioned off to the most noble suitor. Both of Jan’s lives seem to be hurtling towards disaster until a mysterious man shows up in Jan’s life, and immediately takes an interest in her abilities.
“Jan took a shaky breath and caught Jochanan’s gaze from across the room. As though he had read her thoughts. He raised his glass to her in a routine gesture, and it felt like singing into the softest of beds and suffocating under the weight of the feather cushions. It felt like standing alone in a room pressed with bodies, dizzy, restless, her heartbeat pounding in her throat with the desire to get out. It felt like death.”
Jan must make a life-changing decision on how she wants her future to play out, and in doing so, sets off a torrid chain of events that impacts the world at large. She encounters groups of X-Men-adjacent water mages, an ancient cult-like university, a dangerous hierarchy of power and control, a cursed race, and even more packed in to a story that feels too large to fit inside one novella. But somehow, it does, and although the pace is breakneck at times, Whitecastle chooses to share landmark scenes that best displays the progression of Jan’s character. It’s a fine line to walk, as there are some time jumps that had potential to show some interesting scenes of learning and growth. Instead, we focus on stories that both more personal, diving into Jan’s tragic past, as well as events more grandiose, such as how the history of the ancients is doomed to repeat itself.
There are several prevalent themes in the story I could discuss, but I’m going to focus on two of them that stood out the most. Jan’s progression in the book is comparable to Walter White, whom Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan was famously quoted as wanting to turn his beloved character “from Mr. Chips into Scarface.” Jan certainly didn’t start out as a gentle English schoolmaster, but her progression into something darker and more vicious is a slippery slope, and a fascinating one to witness. Jun is cocky, which makes her dangerous. She lies, she questions authority, and she shows signs of ruthlessness. As her power grows, so does her ability to persuade and bend others’ wills to her command. How much is she a product of her environment, and how much is she the cause of it?
The mind-controlling persuasion techniques is also an interesting concept in this story. We witness some characters train to utilize these abilities, it is discouraged to practice these tools on each other. “Know that these techniques exist, but do not use them.” One character ridicules this theme, thinking that at all times, everyone is utilizing skills of persuasion. These skills are directly influential on the result of any given communication. How could they not be practiced on each other? It is argued that this channel of artificial persuasion is human nature, tuned to a higher degree. This gave me pause and allowed me to think of how and why we phrase our requests in certain ways to achieve specific goals. Is it immoral to want to elevate that ability to achieve what you seek? What if the intention is involuntary?
Overall, I quite enjoyed this story, and read it in one sitting. Whitecastle does an admirable job of quickly introducing ideas, settings, and conflicts in a fresh and engaging manner. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, it veered off into unchartered territory, keeping me guessing as well as engrossed. There was an uneasy sense of malevolence that hung over the story, giving me a sense that I was witnessing a car crash in slow motion. It was an impressive feat to pull off in such a short novella. Like others, I wish it could have gone on longer, and spent a bit more time delving into details that were only mentioned in passing. Though I also feel like it did an excellent job introducing me to a talented new author, and the potential in the world she has created. A recommended read.
August 5, 2018
Jaunty yet eerie and frightening at the same time. Bloodwitch sucks you in like quicksand in a nightmare and doesn't let go.
How Timandra Whitecastle manages to pack so much in a novella, I have no idea. When I think back on the story, there as many main plot points and events, with the same stakes, as most novels I've read that are five times as long. What starts out as mischievous young people conning folks by using magic in a simple boardwalk game becomes a magic school mystery becomes a terrifying end-times fantasy-horror novel. It's somehow very present and relevant, yet feels very much like a dream. Yeah, I know, but I mean it. Give it a shot. It won't give you nightmares. I promise...
How Timandra Whitecastle manages to pack so much in a novella, I have no idea. When I think back on the story, there as many main plot points and events, with the same stakes, as most novels I've read that are five times as long. What starts out as mischievous young people conning folks by using magic in a simple boardwalk game becomes a magic school mystery becomes a terrifying end-times fantasy-horror novel. It's somehow very present and relevant, yet feels very much like a dream. Yeah, I know, but I mean it. Give it a shot. It won't give you nightmares. I promise...
May 21, 2018
Full review is here, on my blog!~
This was a great couple hours of reading. I love the Living Blade series, and so I was super excited to receive an advance copy.
This is the story of a fifteen year old girl, known as Jan to her friends. Jan is living two lives. In one life, she is Jan, the hustler. She stands on her corner at her table and she invites the passersby to guess which cup hides the figure of the queen. She’s very good at what she does, and both she and the gutter rats make a living.
In her other life, she is Julandra Seacrest, the orphaned heiress to a merchant house in Babuk. The most eligible woman in the city. Her parents died at sea, and she was raised by her aunt and uncle, very wealthy people with no children of their own.
One day, after a day of plying her trade on her corner in the canals, she finds her way home, where her aunt is having a party. In attendance are many of her suitors, but also a strange man she had hustled just a few hours earlier. One that somehow tricked her into letting him win. She would never have let him win.
We soon find out that the stranger is a scout for a group of people known to have power over water, just like Jan does. She gets recruited into this group and travels to their home base, an island where they are trained as priests and priestesses of the goddess of water.
But there is far, far more than meets the eye to these priests and priestesses. They have powers, yes, but Jan is starting to wonder more and more whether they use them for good…. or for not so good.
I really liked this one! I was enthralled from beginning to end, so I spent a good hour and a half snuggled in my chair reading. This has happened with both books in the Living Blade series that I’ve read as well. I think there might just be something about Tim’s presentation. Jan is, very like Nora, a foul mouthed and snarky gal, and I see a lot of myself in that. Jan will refuse to do something that is obviously stupid and say ‘no, fuck you’ if pressed, and that ends up with me mentally throwing a ‘yeah, fuck you!’ in spirit right behind her.
This one had plenty of surprises for such a short book, and for the first little bit of it I wondered what exact connection this story had to the Living Blade series. There are places and people and creatures unlike any that I’ve heard about in the series thusfar. But then, around the middle of the story, you find out. By the end, you *really* find out.
Very exciting little story with just… a fucking bonkers pretty cover. The covers of this series never cease to amaze. <3<3<3
This was a great couple hours of reading. I love the Living Blade series, and so I was super excited to receive an advance copy.
This is the story of a fifteen year old girl, known as Jan to her friends. Jan is living two lives. In one life, she is Jan, the hustler. She stands on her corner at her table and she invites the passersby to guess which cup hides the figure of the queen. She’s very good at what she does, and both she and the gutter rats make a living.
In her other life, she is Julandra Seacrest, the orphaned heiress to a merchant house in Babuk. The most eligible woman in the city. Her parents died at sea, and she was raised by her aunt and uncle, very wealthy people with no children of their own.
One day, after a day of plying her trade on her corner in the canals, she finds her way home, where her aunt is having a party. In attendance are many of her suitors, but also a strange man she had hustled just a few hours earlier. One that somehow tricked her into letting him win. She would never have let him win.
We soon find out that the stranger is a scout for a group of people known to have power over water, just like Jan does. She gets recruited into this group and travels to their home base, an island where they are trained as priests and priestesses of the goddess of water.
But there is far, far more than meets the eye to these priests and priestesses. They have powers, yes, but Jan is starting to wonder more and more whether they use them for good…. or for not so good.
I really liked this one! I was enthralled from beginning to end, so I spent a good hour and a half snuggled in my chair reading. This has happened with both books in the Living Blade series that I’ve read as well. I think there might just be something about Tim’s presentation. Jan is, very like Nora, a foul mouthed and snarky gal, and I see a lot of myself in that. Jan will refuse to do something that is obviously stupid and say ‘no, fuck you’ if pressed, and that ends up with me mentally throwing a ‘yeah, fuck you!’ in spirit right behind her.
This one had plenty of surprises for such a short book, and for the first little bit of it I wondered what exact connection this story had to the Living Blade series. There are places and people and creatures unlike any that I’ve heard about in the series thusfar. But then, around the middle of the story, you find out. By the end, you *really* find out.
Very exciting little story with just… a fucking bonkers pretty cover. The covers of this series never cease to amaze. <3<3<3
February 6, 2022
I wasn't really sure where this was going at first, but I ended up quite enjoying it!
Novellas aren't my preferred format, as I usually like more depth and just more pages to slowly grow characters. That's however not the novellas fault, just my personal preference.
So I'll still go with four full stars, as I was well entertained and intrigued all the way through.
I especially liked the deeper meanings in this one. It makes you think and ponder, and re-evaluate the morals of this societal structure. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it bad for the sake of good outcome? Or something else?
It's a story about a girl with water magic, who goes where fate throws her, more than once starting from scratch. It's adventure and growing up, and finding your own way. Adapting versus rebelling, and security versus freedom.
I'm quite looking forward to reading Touch of Iron at a later date - when we get to see more of this main character. In her grown up state!
Novellas aren't my preferred format, as I usually like more depth and just more pages to slowly grow characters. That's however not the novellas fault, just my personal preference.
So I'll still go with four full stars, as I was well entertained and intrigued all the way through.
I especially liked the deeper meanings in this one. It makes you think and ponder, and re-evaluate the morals of this societal structure. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it bad for the sake of good outcome? Or something else?
It's a story about a girl with water magic, who goes where fate throws her, more than once starting from scratch. It's adventure and growing up, and finding your own way. Adapting versus rebelling, and security versus freedom.
I'm quite looking forward to reading Touch of Iron at a later date - when we get to see more of this main character. In her grown up state!
August 8, 2018
An excellent novella! In just 91 pages I was completely immersed in a well drawn world with fully fleshed out characters and a compelling plot. I will most definitely be picking up more books by this talented author.
September 18, 2018
It made me want to jump into this world, so I will. Next!
August 19, 2018
I liked it. It's a short book, easy to read and engaging.
The story focuses on Julandra Seacrest, the orphaned heiress to a merchant house in Babuk. Her parents died at sea, and her aunt and uncle raised her in a wealthy house. To add some flavour to her life, Julandra spends her time with local gutter rats as a hustler who tricks passerby.
Her perspectives for marriage are good, but it's not exactly her dream. One day a mysterious man appears and recruits Jan to an ancient priesthood where she'll be able to discover who she really is and learn to control her water-wielding talents.
Soon, it turns out that the priesthood has its share of dark secrets.
Because of the novella format, the pacing was breakneck. We race through Jan's life in Babuk, her magical training, and final mission. Ideas are tightly packed and delivered in short succession. I liked the characters, world-building and magic system. The plot hooked me and the twists were genuinely surprising.
Novellas are short. While Bloodwitch gives background to the character Jul becomes, it does so hastily. It focuses on a few turning points. Not a bad choice, but I wished there was more room for characters to breathe and interact, change, develop, combust. As it is, the story moves at a rapid pace with little time spent dwelling on the characters' dynamics. And it's what makes magical schools such a fun to read. Yes, I know. It's not the story about magical school. And yet I wish everything was more developed.
Overall, though, I think it's a good novella that proves Timandra Whitecastle can hook a reader fast and create interesting and relatable characters.
The story focuses on Julandra Seacrest, the orphaned heiress to a merchant house in Babuk. Her parents died at sea, and her aunt and uncle raised her in a wealthy house. To add some flavour to her life, Julandra spends her time with local gutter rats as a hustler who tricks passerby.
Her perspectives for marriage are good, but it's not exactly her dream. One day a mysterious man appears and recruits Jan to an ancient priesthood where she'll be able to discover who she really is and learn to control her water-wielding talents.
Soon, it turns out that the priesthood has its share of dark secrets.
Because of the novella format, the pacing was breakneck. We race through Jan's life in Babuk, her magical training, and final mission. Ideas are tightly packed and delivered in short succession. I liked the characters, world-building and magic system. The plot hooked me and the twists were genuinely surprising.
Novellas are short. While Bloodwitch gives background to the character Jul becomes, it does so hastily. It focuses on a few turning points. Not a bad choice, but I wished there was more room for characters to breathe and interact, change, develop, combust. As it is, the story moves at a rapid pace with little time spent dwelling on the characters' dynamics. And it's what makes magical schools such a fun to read. Yes, I know. It's not the story about magical school. And yet I wish everything was more developed.
Overall, though, I think it's a good novella that proves Timandra Whitecastle can hook a reader fast and create interesting and relatable characters.
November 6, 2018
Wow, what an wonderful introduction into Timandra Whitecastle's universe! I've only had the pleasure of reading one short story of hers in Lost Lore (which was also amazing), so I was pretty excited to dip into more of her work after it was recommended to me. Without any idea of what this little novella had to offer, I dove right in and am so glad for it.
Whitecastle delivers us into a lush and magical setting with exquisite worldbuilding and superbly-developed characters. An enchanting journey to and through the temple of hidden priestesses draws you in and makes you crave more from this mysterious world. The polished plot is presented to readers at a breakneck pace without feeling forced or rushed, allowing us to comfortably experience the stepping stones of Julandra Seacrest's life from orphan, to troubled teen, to Bloodwitch. As the story progresses, the increasing sense of peril is so organic and forces you to feel as though you have a stake in the outcome. And that twist, so delicious!
I've learned this is an origin story of a character in her Living Blade series, which means Touch of Iron has been promptly bumped up Mount TBR! If you're in the market for a quick read, jam-packed with strong female characters, nail-biting action and a beautifully-crafted environment, then Bloodwitch is what you're looking for. I highly recommend!
Whitecastle delivers us into a lush and magical setting with exquisite worldbuilding and superbly-developed characters. An enchanting journey to and through the temple of hidden priestesses draws you in and makes you crave more from this mysterious world. The polished plot is presented to readers at a breakneck pace without feeling forced or rushed, allowing us to comfortably experience the stepping stones of Julandra Seacrest's life from orphan, to troubled teen, to Bloodwitch. As the story progresses, the increasing sense of peril is so organic and forces you to feel as though you have a stake in the outcome. And that twist, so delicious!
I've learned this is an origin story of a character in her Living Blade series, which means Touch of Iron has been promptly bumped up Mount TBR! If you're in the market for a quick read, jam-packed with strong female characters, nail-biting action and a beautifully-crafted environment, then Bloodwitch is what you're looking for. I highly recommend!
Read
July 24, 2018I won't review my own book - but I'll use this space for updates.
Just want to say THANK YOU to all you reviewers! You lovelies! Keep up the good work you do!
You can get this book for FREE (ePub and mobi) when you sign up to my newsletter (Link in profile).
I typically send an email a month (unless I’m super excited about something, then you might hear from me twice in one month 😱)
Just want to say THANK YOU to all you reviewers! You lovelies! Keep up the good work you do!
You can get this book for FREE (ePub and mobi) when you sign up to my newsletter (Link in profile).
I typically send an email a month (unless I’m super excited about something, then you might hear from me twice in one month 😱)
July 8, 2018
Julandra Seacrest lives a double life. Known as Jan to her crew on the streets, she uses her ability to read people and manipulate water to hustle people in a version of the shell game. As Julandra, she's an orphaned heiress whose aunt is hoping to marry her off soon.
One day, her two worlds collide, as a stranger compels her to let him win at her shell game, then later turns up at her aunt's party. The stranger turns out to be a recruiter for a group of watermages, who wants to bring Jan to their home, where she can train as a priestess.
Once she arrives at their island home, she's quickly tested and makes a small group of friends. It slowly becomes clear that not all is as it seems, however, and she and her friends are drawn onto a dangerous path they don't fully understand.
A compelling novella that serves as backstory for a character from Timandra Whitecastle's Touch of Iron novel. I rolled through this one with relative ease, caught up in her storytelling and world building, which manages to be fairly descriptive without ever slowing the pace down. An engaging short tale, with a strong lead. I look forward to reading more stories in this world.
One day, her two worlds collide, as a stranger compels her to let him win at her shell game, then later turns up at her aunt's party. The stranger turns out to be a recruiter for a group of watermages, who wants to bring Jan to their home, where she can train as a priestess.
Once she arrives at their island home, she's quickly tested and makes a small group of friends. It slowly becomes clear that not all is as it seems, however, and she and her friends are drawn onto a dangerous path they don't fully understand.
A compelling novella that serves as backstory for a character from Timandra Whitecastle's Touch of Iron novel. I rolled through this one with relative ease, caught up in her storytelling and world building, which manages to be fairly descriptive without ever slowing the pace down. An engaging short tale, with a strong lead. I look forward to reading more stories in this world.
October 9, 2018
I received this novella for free through the author’s mailing list.
Bloodwitch is my introduction to Whitecastle’s work, having not yet read her The Living Blade series. The premise of this novella immediately drew me in and, although it moves at a brisk pace, Whitecastle does a remarkable job of establishing the characters and the world.
After reading this, I’ll definitely be checking out The Living Blade novels in the future!
Bloodwitch is my introduction to Whitecastle’s work, having not yet read her The Living Blade series. The premise of this novella immediately drew me in and, although it moves at a brisk pace, Whitecastle does a remarkable job of establishing the characters and the world.
After reading this, I’ll definitely be checking out The Living Blade novels in the future!
August 24, 2024
Really nice novella about watermages/bloodwitches, and the back story about a charachter of Touch of Iron.
October 22, 2018
This was about 4.5 stars for me, but it was good enough to round up. Bloodwitch packed quite a punch for a short work. Jan is a memorable character and the action is well-done and suspenseful. But my favorite part of this novella is the magic system. Linking together water and compulsion, magic use in this novella is creepy and at times downright frightening, especially when you stop to consider the implications. It seems almost as if it can't be defeated. And the way it's used by the nuns and priests of the magic school... I kept getting shivers.
This was the first work I've read by Timandra Whitecastle, but I'll definitely be interested in checking out her other books.
This was the first work I've read by Timandra Whitecastle, but I'll definitely be interested in checking out her other books.
July 5, 2018
A compelling story about power, manipulations and blood.
The setting of the Isle of Nessa was at first a like a Haven of water teaching. But Jan is restless and questions the very base of her new home diving toward her fate with no way to come back to the surface. I was particularly satisfied by the amount of reflections about self-awareness, power on others and social conformation. A book I recommend if you are searching for fantasy with a deep story. Warning : Don’t expect an HEA.
The setting of the Isle of Nessa was at first a like a Haven of water teaching. But Jan is restless and questions the very base of her new home diving toward her fate with no way to come back to the surface. I was particularly satisfied by the amount of reflections about self-awareness, power on others and social conformation. A book I recommend if you are searching for fantasy with a deep story. Warning : Don’t expect an HEA.
June 23, 2018
Another fantastic addition to the incredibly detailed, beautifully written Living Blade series. This novella provides background information about one of the characters from the series (I won’t say who - it’s a delight to find out for yourself!).
This series is one of my absolute favorites. It checks all my boxes: realistic female protagonists with GRIT that you root for from the start, incredible - and I mean INCREDIBLE - world building that is breathtaking in scope and detail, plot with twists you never see coming, complicated relationships between dynamic characters so fleshed our they feel like living, breathing people who leap off the page.
I recommend this series to everyone, and I can’t wait for the third novel in the series. Timandra Whitecastle is not afraid to take the story where it needs to go. I love it.
This series is one of my absolute favorites. It checks all my boxes: realistic female protagonists with GRIT that you root for from the start, incredible - and I mean INCREDIBLE - world building that is breathtaking in scope and detail, plot with twists you never see coming, complicated relationships between dynamic characters so fleshed our they feel like living, breathing people who leap off the page.
I recommend this series to everyone, and I can’t wait for the third novel in the series. Timandra Whitecastle is not afraid to take the story where it needs to go. I love it.
September 5, 2018
Nice little novela. First book I red from the author and first experience with The Living Blade "universe". Moving Touch of Iron up in my toread list.
September 6, 2021
Bloodwitch was my introduction to the books of Timandra Whitecastle. While this was a novella I believe it provided lots of character growth considering the length of it.
Bloodwitch is about Jan, a rich heiress that lives a double life. Everything is going well until a group of misterious people arrive in her town with the promise to help her master the powers beneath her skin.
Reluctant at first, Jan embarks on this journey that will shape her life.
I liked how headstrong and curious Jan remained, even after arriving at the temple. She wanted real action, not stuffy lessons like history. I get her.
But while her curiousness gets her in trouble, her strength will help her escape in the end.
From a rich kid to a fighter, a bloodwitch Jan comes a long way.
Bloodwitch is about Jan, a rich heiress that lives a double life. Everything is going well until a group of misterious people arrive in her town with the promise to help her master the powers beneath her skin.
Reluctant at first, Jan embarks on this journey that will shape her life.
I liked how headstrong and curious Jan remained, even after arriving at the temple. She wanted real action, not stuffy lessons like history. I get her.
But while her curiousness gets her in trouble, her strength will help her escape in the end.
From a rich kid to a fighter, a bloodwitch Jan comes a long way.
September 5, 2020
Jan has a secret, and soon she unearths some more. Blood magic, oh my.
A novella that moves with breakneck speed, with strong lead that almost made me give up reading - oh, the poor priviledged heiress that wants something more from life! It quickly changes, though, and the setting and lore were interesting enough. The characters could be more well-rounded, the worldbuilding more sound, and the atmosphere more immersing, but I enoyed this book and I'm going to seek more work from the author. Sometimes you want entertainment and familiar tropes to lose yourself in, and this seems perfect for me.
A novella that moves with breakneck speed, with strong lead that almost made me give up reading - oh, the poor priviledged heiress that wants something more from life! It quickly changes, though, and the setting and lore were interesting enough. The characters could be more well-rounded, the worldbuilding more sound, and the atmosphere more immersing, but I enoyed this book and I'm going to seek more work from the author. Sometimes you want entertainment and familiar tropes to lose yourself in, and this seems perfect for me.
August 28, 2021
Conpulsion.
A fantastic story of murder, manipulation and a compulsion so strong, you can get others to do your will, when father Sten approaches Jan at her noble aunties dinner ball, he knows she can manipulate water, looking to have her trained and join their temple, she trys to run, but when they catch her, they manipulate her auntie into thinking she has committed suicide, the temple I don't think know how strong she is and it maybe their downfall, cracking characters, the temple is like Waterworld island in the middle of the sea, great plot and dark setting, highly recommend..😁
A fantastic story of murder, manipulation and a compulsion so strong, you can get others to do your will, when father Sten approaches Jan at her noble aunties dinner ball, he knows she can manipulate water, looking to have her trained and join their temple, she trys to run, but when they catch her, they manipulate her auntie into thinking she has committed suicide, the temple I don't think know how strong she is and it maybe their downfall, cracking characters, the temple is like Waterworld island in the middle of the sea, great plot and dark setting, highly recommend..😁
March 20, 2019
This is the first book I've read by Timandra Whitecastle , and it will not be my last . She drew me into her world in a few lines and I knew this was going to be one fantastic story . The story moves along and almost from the start you have a connection with the main character and her soon to be best friend , you have to know how this story is going to end . I'm sorry it did and all to soon but man what a wave of emotions . Never one to tell someone to do something but I encourage you to give this a try , at the end you will be like me and want more 😁😁😁😁
March 12, 2020
I haven't gotten around to reading The Living Blade trilogy yet (although I have started Touch of Iron!) so may not have gotten all out of this novella that I could have.
With that said I did enjoy this novella, it had some great characters in it and the plot tied nicely to the theme. It felt like an exploration of a specific slice of the world so I was pleased to read in the final parts of the book that the main series does touch on this a bit more and show us more about some of the characters in this.
With that said I did enjoy this novella, it had some great characters in it and the plot tied nicely to the theme. It felt like an exploration of a specific slice of the world so I was pleased to read in the final parts of the book that the main series does touch on this a bit more and show us more about some of the characters in this.
August 15, 2019
There is so much packed into this little novella. I'm so glad this author decided to write this off hand story from the main series. The themes the author plays with in this book are fascinating yet terrifying to ponder. The characters have many sides to them, and the twists are well laid out. I rode this emotional roller coaster with Jan all the way to the end. Tearing up at some spots. Going to have to check out the main series.
September 20, 2019
I read this after The Living Blade series, but honestly I liked this book more than any of the others. It may help that I have the knowledge that comes with the end of Mother of Slag, but the tiny bits of worldbuilding and tension in this novella were great.
February 16, 2020
I actually prefer it to A Touch of Iron.
April 27, 2021
Great book. Wonderful introduction to the series
Read
September 29, 2024Read for SFINCS 2. RTC.
April 8, 2020
Jan is a con-woman, using her magic to cheat people out of petty cash. Until she’s compelled to let someone win. At which point her tidy little double life spirals out of control as she is dragged into a priesthood she didn’t know existed. I really enjoyed this. The conflict is fed to us nicely, and the worldbuilding is incredibly clear even in such a short book. Was just a very enjoyable read looking at how power dynamics can fuck shit up, and I’m interested in seeing more of this weird place
December 11, 2024
Reviewed for "SFINCS", as part of Team 3: Bloodsworn
Rating: 7.6/10 ⭐
✅ Great world building, with clever use of tropes; particular credit given to the magic school design
✅ An effective magic system that was grounded and believable
✅ A good protagonist, with firm morals and clear distinction
❌ The book felt like it had far too much going on, and the first half could have been cut to tell the magic school story more effectively and thoroughly
Rating: 7.6/10 ⭐
✅ Great world building, with clever use of tropes; particular credit given to the magic school design
✅ An effective magic system that was grounded and believable
✅ A good protagonist, with firm morals and clear distinction
❌ The book felt like it had far too much going on, and the first half could have been cut to tell the magic school story more effectively and thoroughly
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews