Prince Merik and his sister, Vivia; the Empress and her truthwitch, Safi; and the bloodwitch and Safi's threadsister Iseult are all pursuing something they value. Each has a different goal, different talents and vulnerabilities, and their paths are destined to intersect as the unrest in the Witchlands continues and takes its toll. The titular witch is Merik, although this hectic sequel to Truthwitch (2016) advances every story line started in the first book, propelling readers from one location and plotline to another in alternating chapters l told from a third-person omniscient point of view. Dennard is a talented juggler, and readers may gasp for breath from the pace, but she doesn't let anyone slip through the cracks. She sets scenes so skillfully that the descriptions of the geography become immersive, and the characters continually develop along familiar lines. The plentiful action in this exciting fantasy almost makes it feel like one is in a multiplayer online game. A Witchlands map is provided, though a list of characters would have been a welcome addition as well.

Having learned they may be "the mythical Cahr Awen"--a duo prophesied to heal magic in the Witchlands--Threadsisters Safi and Iseult (Threadwitch) are desperate to stop a looming war. But with a powerful Windwitch after the throne and a Bloodwitch on their trails, they may never reunite. Intricate world-building and multiple points of view should help readers through this dense fantasy's draggier parts.

Gr 9 Up-Scattered throughout the Witchlands, Truthwitch Safiya, Prince Merick (a Windwitch), Threadwitch Iseult, and Princess Vivia (a Tidewitch) all believe the others to be dead. Vivia and Merick are trying to save their kingdom from starvation and attack from surrounding countries. Safiya and Iseult soon sense through their magic that the other is still alive, and they try to reunite. On that quest, Iseult and Bloodwitch Aeduan find a small girl who has been kidnapped for her Earthwitch powers. Vivia and Merick, no longer competitors for their father's crown, capture and reveal the enemy who has been undermining the kingdom. Cassandra Campbell's narration is excellent, though each character in the novel speaks and thinks with a Slavic accent while the remainder of the narration is in American English. As it does not seem to be relevant to the plot, the accent is an odd choice. VERDICT Fantasy readers will enjoy knowing that their relationship with these complicated characters will be rewarded with a five-novel series. Recommended. Suzanne Dix, The Seven Hills School, Cincinnati