Witchlanders Review

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Title: Witchlanders
Author: Lena Coakley
Publisher: Atheneum
Published: August 30, 2011
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 411
Source: Publisher

High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.
It’s all a fake.

At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated?

But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned — Are about him.
Ryder doesn't believe in the power of the Witches that govern his mountain homeland. He longs to escape the hard labour of his family's farm in favour of a life by the sea, but his plans change drastically when he loses his father. Left to manage the farm, care for his eccentric mother and younger sisters, he is forced to accept the life he doesn't want. Falpian lives a very different life with the Baens. While mourning the loss of his twin brother at sea, he's sent to live alone in a tiny cottage during the winter. Fighting both his own grief and his father's discontent at his inability inherit the family's abilities, he finds his luck changes when a man appears with a scroll and tells him to open it in fifty days. Both Ryder and Falpian are set on a collision course that will ultimately define who they are as individuals and in their societies.

I don't read too much high fantasy. Honestly, I find a lot of it to be a bit too high-brow for me, and I want to feel like I'm becoming a part of the story. Witchlanders by the amazing Lena Coakley is one of those stories that allowed me to do so. Rich and engrossing, Witchlanders combines the enthralling nature of fantasy with powerful themes of tolerance, racial tension and religion. A single misstep could have unwound the delicate thread of this novel, but strong characters, a vibrant plot and a fabulous world within the pages kept the story alive and breathtaking. The world of Witchlanders is sure to live in my imagination for a very long time.

Alternate narration is always a bit tedious for me to read, but I have to say that Witchlanders manages to portray two very different boys with two entirely distinct voices with ease. By adding dual narration with views from both Falpian and Ryder, we're allowed insight into both character's minds, thus giving us insider perspectives to two very different and warring civilizations. Furthermore, it helped me develop a bond with both characters through Witchlanders, and it helped me feel like I understood where both characters were coming from with every action and inaction. The dynamic between the two (when they finally meet) also heightens the story astronomically. Truly, the nature and complexity of their interaction was tense, and true-to-life, as Witchlanders did not shy away from portraying their warring beliefs while feuding with their inner turmoil. Through it all, the prose is magical and picture-perfect, drawing you into a new world in Witchlanders.

All in all, Witchlanders was a beautiful and poetic read. The only thing I would wish to change would be the ending of the story. Though the ends are tied up, it's still a bit open-ended. Not quite a cliffhanger, mind you, but still a bit raw. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend this to both YA and adult fans, especially those who enjoy high fantasy novels.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

22 comments:

  1. Excellent review, really well said. I don't read tons of high fantasy either, though I really do enjoy it. I loved the world, the alternate narration, and the dynamic between Ryder and Falpian, just like you. I'm still left wondering if this one is a standalone or not though...

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  2. I don't read any high fantasy but this sound like the perfect one to try. Awesome review :)

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  3. I have started reading high fantasy again. I used to love this genre as a teenager. Witchlanders seems like an amazing book, and it's great that the author has tackled some thought-provoking themes as well. Excellent review, Melissa! I need to get my hands on this one.

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  4. thank youuu for the great review melissa! i was a bit on the fence about this one, but all these glowing reviews really make me want to read it :)

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  5. I do want this book, but I am so booked, for ages it seems...still, fantasy :D

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  6. I have found lately that many high fantasy too tedious to wade through. But I love that this is about two male protagonists and feel that I should definitely read it if for no other reason than to provide my male students with some choices in their reading selections. Fantastic review.

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  7. Great review. I have been seeing this book around some blogs but wasnt sure what exacally it was all about. Thanks for sheding light on it. I will def have to give it a try.

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  8. EEEKKK! Excited to read this one. I love the the pov switches are smooth. That is key for me. Thanks for the review!

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  9. I read Witchlanders too and I'm so glad you liked it! There definitely needs to be more high fantasy available for YA readers.

    I talked to Lena Coakley and apparently she might be writing a sequel. So excited!

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  10. I love high fantasy, so I'm definitely looking forward to Witchlanders! I'm so glad to hear it was amazing! Lovely review. :)

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  11. I'm reading this book now. Got it from Galley Grab. I am surprised by how much I enjoy it. I'm just starting, but its really good.

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  12. I don't read too much fantasy either, I usually find myself getting lost in all the creativeness of the world and I just fumble along not really knowing what's going on. Basically I just do a head cock the entire time:) Sounds like it's not a problem to get into this one though, and I love dual narration when it's done well! Stunning review Melissa.

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  13. fantasy is one of my favorite genres, so for you to say it isn't yours and still love this book - I'm looking forward to reading it even more now!

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  14. I'm not huge on high fantasy, but I do like fantasy in general. This one does not seem like it gets bogged down in detail like a high fantasy read can get. Like the idea of it being poetic. Thanks for the review!

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  15. Sounds like another great book. I've added so many books to my TBR since I started reading your blog.

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  16. I wasn't sure about this one when I got it from the Simon and Schuster Grab Galley, but now I'm looking forward to the world building of this book and the characters. They really sound intriguing.

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  17. I absolutely adore high fantasy and I've been setting this one aside and looking forward to it so much that it seems that I might not be able to wait until the end of August. I'm glad that it's a book that people who aren't so into fantasy can get into, as well. Lovely review.

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  18. I haven't read too much high fantasy lately (I was on a huge kick a couple of years back) but it sounds like I need to get back into it with this book! I love magic-infused lands and the characters sounds interesting. Great review!
    Mary @ Book Swarm

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  19. Sounds really good. Plus, I dig witches. I don't read much high fantasy either, but some authors really do knock it out of the park. It's hard to tell which will, but this one looks like one to add to the stack.

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

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  20. I love witches and books written from the male pov. Two things going for this one. High fantasy, not really my type of thing, but fantasy can be so many things. So, I'm going to give this one a try. Thanks for the great review!

    Heather

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  21. Beautifully written, Melissa :) I agree, I really liked the way she handled the dual narratives. I felt like I was able to really get to know each of the characters. I also liked seeing the characters through one another's eyes.

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  22. I'm so glad I came across this review! I had this on my TBR and then almost took it off after seeing a pretty bad review.

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