Nineteen years into a twenty-year truce, trouble is brewing between the three empires that make up the Witchlands, where threadsisters (best friends) Safi and Iseult are on the run from Safi's duties as a domna (princess) and her value as a truthwitch individual who is able to see truth and lies in human speech. Pursued by many, for a variety of purposes, the two girls try to keep each other safe. Dennard's wide-ranging novel is the first in a new fantasy series, The Witchlands, and she skillfully creates the world, the characters, and central conflicts that will power books to follow. There is a sureness to her writing, a seamless understanding of what makes a solid fantasy, and two feisty heroines who are able and willing to save themselves, rather than be saved. Fantasy readers will sink comfortably into this world, and await with pleasure the next installment.

The fantasy world of The Witchlands begins near the end of a twenty-year peace agreement among the warring nations of Cartorra, Marstok, and Dalmotti. Safiya, a noble-born Truthwitch whose wish is to hide her powers from those who do not know her, and Iseult, a Threadwitch who is shunned by society because of her Nomatsi background, are Threadsistersbound together by Iseult saving Safi's life six years earlier. The two secret witches find themselves in trouble after they are caught in the midst of a heist, but realize that the conflict runs deeper than they expect. As war looms, Safi does not want to be a part of her noble blood, especially because her powers of truth could be dangerous and deadly when dealing with fighting countries.Readers who enjoy fantasy worlds of battling empires, magical characters of worthy and wicked causes, and medieval settings of empires will easily delve into this fast-paced first installment of The Witchlands. Within the classroom, inference skills will help readers understand how this fictional world functions. Multiple character motivation plotlines will build the central themes of loyalty, friendship, and the telltale battle of good versus evil.Lauren Straub.