What do you think?
Rate this book
The Malediction Trilogy #3
Warrior Witch
The thrilling conclusion to the breakout Malediction Trilogy by Goodreads Choice finalist Danielle L. Jensen.
Cécile and Tristan have accomplished the impossible, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed upon the world.
As they scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king, Cécile and Tristan must battle those who’d see them dead. To win, they will risk everything. And everyone.
But it might not be enough. Both Cécile and Tristan have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.
Cécile and Tristan have accomplished the impossible, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed upon the world.
As they scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king, Cécile and Tristan must battle those who’d see them dead. To win, they will risk everything. And everyone.
But it might not be enough. Both Cécile and Tristan have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2016
About the author
Danielle L. Jensen
23 books9,196 followersJoin Danielle's mailing list for exclusive content, giveaways, and new release alerts https://danielleljensen.com/newslette...
Danielle L. Jensen is the USA Today bestselling author of the Malediction series, the Dark Shores series, and the Bridge Kingdom series, as well as the forthcoming A Fate Inked in Blood. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family and guinea pigs.
Danielle L. Jensen is the USA Today bestselling author of the Malediction series, the Dark Shores series, and the Bridge Kingdom series, as well as the forthcoming A Fate Inked in Blood. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family and guinea pigs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 914 reviews
March 19, 2016
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen
Book Three of The Malediction Trilogy
Publisher: Angry Robot
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
Rating: 1 star
Source: eARC from the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
The thrilling conclusion to the breakout Malediction Trilogy by Goodreads Choice finalist Danielle L. Jensen.
Cécile and Tristan have accomplished the impossible, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed upon the world.
As they scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king, Cécile and Tristan must battle those who’d see them dead. To win, they will risk everything. And everyone.
But it might not be enough. Both Cécile and Tristan have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.
What I Liked:
Initial reaction, upon finishing this book: I wish I had never started this series. I don't think I have EVER said that about a series before. This series was a complete downhill rollercoaster - from amazing (book one) to horrible (book two) to so terrible I want to block it from my memory (book three). I feel bad because I requested this book from the publisher! But at the same time... I'm well and truly hurt right now. My thanks to Angry Robot, but, ah, I'm sorry too?
Like Stolen Songbird and Hidden Huntress, Warrior Witch is a Pili-Pushed recommendation! It's going to count for the month of March. To see the my Pili-Pushed reviews, click on the "Pili Pushed" tag (at the bottom of my blog).
What I Did Not Like:
Issues I had with this book:
- The first half (maybe a little more) is boring as h*ll. Gosh I struggled with this book overall, but a significant part of this was due to how boring the first half was. I was either bemoaning how boring it was, or how much of a dumb*ss Cécile was (whoops?). Of course, boredom is subjective.
- Cécile is actually a stupid and terrible person. Check out my Goodreads updates for this book, if you get a chance. You'll see that I struggled with her from start to finish of this book. I also hated her in Hidden Huntress - weird how I was just fine with her in Stolen Songbird. She wasn't that bad, at the time.
I have so many problems with our heroine. The author writes her in a way that she wants to seem independent and tough and bad*ss, but it seems so forced. Cécile is constantly coming up with her own (dumb) plans, and she's constantly ignoring voices of reason (i.e. smarter people than her). Where does it lead her? Well, in one instance, a whoooole bunch of people die. In another instance, she endangers Tristan. In another, she selfishly decides to do XYZ and her human family is left wondering if she is even alive. Cécile placates her own self by saying that she is "going to save everyone" and she "wants to be doing stuff", basically she wants to be a bad*ss, but she is a danger to herself and everyone else.
What makes me even MORE angry is that she's so self-righteous with it! Like she's actually saving th world - her, the human, against powerful trolls, fae, and magic she doesn't understand. Cécile is seventeen and a HUMAN. I think the author forgets this part A LOT. There is no logical way (logical within this fantasy realm) that Cécile is SO much more powerful than everyone else (or has the ability to seem really powerful) - even with her ability to make potions (or whatever "witch" qualities the author gave her). I don't understand! It makes no sense! In any case, Cécile thinks she's God, and better than everyone else. So frustrating!
AND THEN she blames everything on everyone else. Actually, let me back up. We go from bouts of self-pity and martyrdom (woe is me, I've lead to the death of these people - honey, yes you did), to omg Tristan THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. Um... girl. You killed Anushka. You lead to a bunch of humans dying when YOUR plan failed. Not Tristan's. Not anyone else's. You want to come up with DUMB, immature plans to "help"? Face the consequences.
- Tristan and Cécile seemed to have no relationship. How in the world did I ever fall for these two?! There was no love between them. They were hardly together in this book, and when they were, it seemed like Cécile was mad at Tristan (for nothing that was his fault), or blaming him (same story), or defying him just so she could seem bad*ss. There was one "swoony" (read: not swoony) scene - that's the scene that the author tweeted about, as "racy". Oh please. It was all of three sentences long and it was not racy (or swoony) at all. It seemed rushed and not articulated well. Also, it was one of those scenes where the two characters were like, well, we might die so... let's have sex!
I didn't feel their love. Tristan clearly cared very much for Cécile, but Cécile... I don't know what to say about her. She's selfish (but acts like she's a martyr), and I am not convinced of her feelings for Tristan. She never seemed grounded in anything except getting into the worst possible situations, making everything infinitely worse, blaming literally everyone (all the while throwing the nastiest pity parties), and trying to act like she was some kind of bad*ss female protagonist (this felt fake and forced and NO).
- Parts of the ending felt like a cop-out. Ever heard of deus ex machina? Well.
- To be honest, I'm not even sure how the ending worked. I really don't understand how some things just magically... stopped. Or how a human girl (child, I should say) was able to do certain... things. It makes no logical sense. And I'm not quite sure why and how things just... stopped.
- I've barely scratched the surface on the ending - it was HORRIBLE (and not a HEA). Hands-down the worst part of this book was the very very end, after all was said and done in terms of the war and Roland and blah blah blah. POSSIBLE SPOILER: if you like HEAs, don't read this series. The ending gutted me. I was already having so much trouble with the book - the series - and then the ending happened. It was not good. It was not happy. The last couple of sentences were an author's cop-out to have some semblance of a "happy ending", but the ending was NOT happy.
Don't get me wrong, not every book or series needs to have a happy ending. But I personally like them, and I will sure as h*ll take away stars if the ending of a book (ESPECIALLY a conclusion novel) isn't a happy one, and for cruel reasons too. That being sad, you (whoever is reading this review) might think the ending is lovely and beautiful and perfect! Not me.
Maybe I was too invested - I really wanted the ending to redeem the series for me. It was cruel, one of the cruelest endings. And the sad thing? I'm saying it's cruel but the ending is NOT what you think. Trust me, it's worse. Authors, take note: please don't end your trilogies like this.
I am so disappointed in this book. And the series, to be honest. I loved Stolen Songbird. I had issues with Hidden Huntress, and most of those issues were with Cécile. I'm incredibly disappointed that so many of those Cécile issues that I had in book two carried over into this book. And I am so emotionally gutted from the ending of this book. This book could have gotten a decent rating with the Cécile issues if the ending hadn't been so... brutal.
Would I Recommend It:
Even with all of that being said, I would never discourage someone who had read Stolen Songbird (and possibly Hidden Huntress as well) from continuing the series (unless you really trust me/my opinion, in which I'm flattered!). But if you have not started this series... maybe ask for spoilers before you do. Or, you know, just don't. Don't start the series. Don't put yourself through this misery. I literally cannot remember the last time I hated a series so much (especially after LOVING the first book! It was so incredibly amazing!). There are better fantasy series out there! Try Jodi Meadows' The Orphan Queen/The Mirror King, or Sherry Thomas' Elemental trilogy, or Robin LaFevers' His Fair Assassins trilogy.
Rating:
1 star -> but I would give it 0 stars if I could. Overall series rating: 2 stars (the first book was really good). I seriously wish I had never started this series though. I think I need therapy. Or maybe several extremely sexy/swoony adult romance novels with low drama and a guaranteed HEAs? Anything to help me recover. I just want to forget I ever started this series!
Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen
Book Three of The Malediction Trilogy
Publisher: Angry Robot
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
Rating: 1 star
Source: eARC from the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
The thrilling conclusion to the breakout Malediction Trilogy by Goodreads Choice finalist Danielle L. Jensen.
Cécile and Tristan have accomplished the impossible, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed upon the world.
As they scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king, Cécile and Tristan must battle those who’d see them dead. To win, they will risk everything. And everyone.
But it might not be enough. Both Cécile and Tristan have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.
What I Liked:
Initial reaction, upon finishing this book: I wish I had never started this series. I don't think I have EVER said that about a series before. This series was a complete downhill rollercoaster - from amazing (book one) to horrible (book two) to so terrible I want to block it from my memory (book three). I feel bad because I requested this book from the publisher! But at the same time... I'm well and truly hurt right now. My thanks to Angry Robot, but, ah, I'm sorry too?
Like Stolen Songbird and Hidden Huntress, Warrior Witch is a Pili-Pushed recommendation! It's going to count for the month of March. To see the my Pili-Pushed reviews, click on the "Pili Pushed" tag (at the bottom of my blog).
What I Did Not Like:
Issues I had with this book:
- The first half (maybe a little more) is boring as h*ll. Gosh I struggled with this book overall, but a significant part of this was due to how boring the first half was. I was either bemoaning how boring it was, or how much of a dumb*ss Cécile was (whoops?). Of course, boredom is subjective.
- Cécile is actually a stupid and terrible person. Check out my Goodreads updates for this book, if you get a chance. You'll see that I struggled with her from start to finish of this book. I also hated her in Hidden Huntress - weird how I was just fine with her in Stolen Songbird. She wasn't that bad, at the time.
I have so many problems with our heroine. The author writes her in a way that she wants to seem independent and tough and bad*ss, but it seems so forced. Cécile is constantly coming up with her own (dumb) plans, and she's constantly ignoring voices of reason (i.e. smarter people than her). Where does it lead her? Well, in one instance, a whoooole bunch of people die. In another instance, she endangers Tristan. In another, she selfishly decides to do XYZ and her human family is left wondering if she is even alive. Cécile placates her own self by saying that she is "going to save everyone" and she "wants to be doing stuff", basically she wants to be a bad*ss, but she is a danger to herself and everyone else.
What makes me even MORE angry is that she's so self-righteous with it! Like she's actually saving th world - her, the human, against powerful trolls, fae, and magic she doesn't understand. Cécile is seventeen and a HUMAN. I think the author forgets this part A LOT. There is no logical way (logical within this fantasy realm) that Cécile is SO much more powerful than everyone else (or has the ability to seem really powerful) - even with her ability to make potions (or whatever "witch" qualities the author gave her). I don't understand! It makes no sense! In any case, Cécile thinks she's God, and better than everyone else. So frustrating!
AND THEN she blames everything on everyone else. Actually, let me back up. We go from bouts of self-pity and martyrdom (woe is me, I've lead to the death of these people - honey, yes you did), to omg Tristan THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. Um... girl. You killed Anushka. You lead to a bunch of humans dying when YOUR plan failed. Not Tristan's. Not anyone else's. You want to come up with DUMB, immature plans to "help"? Face the consequences.
- Tristan and Cécile seemed to have no relationship. How in the world did I ever fall for these two?! There was no love between them. They were hardly together in this book, and when they were, it seemed like Cécile was mad at Tristan (for nothing that was his fault), or blaming him (same story), or defying him just so she could seem bad*ss. There was one "swoony" (read: not swoony) scene - that's the scene that the author tweeted about, as "racy". Oh please. It was all of three sentences long and it was not racy (or swoony) at all. It seemed rushed and not articulated well. Also, it was one of those scenes where the two characters were like, well, we might die so... let's have sex!
I didn't feel their love. Tristan clearly cared very much for Cécile, but Cécile... I don't know what to say about her. She's selfish (but acts like she's a martyr), and I am not convinced of her feelings for Tristan. She never seemed grounded in anything except getting into the worst possible situations, making everything infinitely worse, blaming literally everyone (all the while throwing the nastiest pity parties), and trying to act like she was some kind of bad*ss female protagonist (this felt fake and forced and NO).
- Parts of the ending felt like a cop-out. Ever heard of deus ex machina? Well.
- To be honest, I'm not even sure how the ending worked. I really don't understand how some things just magically... stopped. Or how a human girl (child, I should say) was able to do certain... things. It makes no logical sense. And I'm not quite sure why and how things just... stopped.
- I've barely scratched the surface on the ending - it was HORRIBLE (and not a HEA). Hands-down the worst part of this book was the very very end, after all was said and done in terms of the war and Roland and blah blah blah. POSSIBLE SPOILER: if you like HEAs, don't read this series. The ending gutted me. I was already having so much trouble with the book - the series - and then the ending happened. It was not good. It was not happy. The last couple of sentences were an author's cop-out to have some semblance of a "happy ending", but the ending was NOT happy.
Don't get me wrong, not every book or series needs to have a happy ending. But I personally like them, and I will sure as h*ll take away stars if the ending of a book (ESPECIALLY a conclusion novel) isn't a happy one, and for cruel reasons too. That being sad, you (whoever is reading this review) might think the ending is lovely and beautiful and perfect! Not me.
Maybe I was too invested - I really wanted the ending to redeem the series for me. It was cruel, one of the cruelest endings. And the sad thing? I'm saying it's cruel but the ending is NOT what you think. Trust me, it's worse. Authors, take note: please don't end your trilogies like this.
I am so disappointed in this book. And the series, to be honest. I loved Stolen Songbird. I had issues with Hidden Huntress, and most of those issues were with Cécile. I'm incredibly disappointed that so many of those Cécile issues that I had in book two carried over into this book. And I am so emotionally gutted from the ending of this book. This book could have gotten a decent rating with the Cécile issues if the ending hadn't been so... brutal.
Would I Recommend It:
Even with all of that being said, I would never discourage someone who had read Stolen Songbird (and possibly Hidden Huntress as well) from continuing the series (unless you really trust me/my opinion, in which I'm flattered!). But if you have not started this series... maybe ask for spoilers before you do. Or, you know, just don't. Don't start the series. Don't put yourself through this misery. I literally cannot remember the last time I hated a series so much (especially after LOVING the first book! It was so incredibly amazing!). There are better fantasy series out there! Try Jodi Meadows' The Orphan Queen/The Mirror King, or Sherry Thomas' Elemental trilogy, or Robin LaFevers' His Fair Assassins trilogy.
Rating:
1 star -> but I would give it 0 stars if I could. Overall series rating: 2 stars (the first book was really good). I seriously wish I had never started this series though. I think I need therapy. Or maybe several extremely sexy/swoony adult romance novels with low drama and a guaranteed HEAs? Anything to help me recover. I just want to forget I ever started this series!
Read
February 28, 2016I'm hosting a read-along of Stolen Songbird & Hidden Huntress for anyone who wants to participate. There are lots of extras (videos, new scenes, fun facts, etc.), plus give-aways for participants. Each week's thread has summaries of the chapters for those who need them :) https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Read the first two chapters of Warrior Witch here:
http://www.alexalovesbooks.com/2016/0...
For those needing a refresher on who is who, I've added a character guide to my website :)
http://danielleljensen.com/books-2/ch...
Read the first two chapters of Warrior Witch here:
http://www.alexalovesbooks.com/2016/0...
For those needing a refresher on who is who, I've added a character guide to my website :)
http://danielleljensen.com/books-2/ch...
February 10, 2017
Oh my heart! my poor poor heart! OH THE FEELS OF THIS BOOK! Let me just go ahead and say that this was amazing. This has the ending that just fit and was perfect for this trilogy. I hope to see more from this author and possibly a novella or something about a certain someone that we get only a glimpse of at the end of the book. hmmm? that would be cool. just saying…
If you have yet to read this trilogy then leave. go. stop reading right now and go pick up book 1 which is Stolen Songbird. Those who have followed me forever know how much I adore this trilogy.
With the twists and turns throughout the trilogy are just brilliant and non-stopping. There is just so much going on with this book along with the trilogy that if you haven’t read the first two books then there isn’t much I can say. Just know that this was a brilliant ending to the trilogy. Jensen warned that she was hoping that readers would shed a tear. The world building, action, romance, pace was all perfect and well done. I was completely happy and satisfied with this last book.
Overall….this just just a must read and a must own.
Sexual Content: moderate
Language: mild
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: mild
If you have yet to read this trilogy then leave. go. stop reading right now and go pick up book 1 which is Stolen Songbird. Those who have followed me forever know how much I adore this trilogy.
With the twists and turns throughout the trilogy are just brilliant and non-stopping. There is just so much going on with this book along with the trilogy that if you haven’t read the first two books then there isn’t much I can say. Just know that this was a brilliant ending to the trilogy. Jensen warned that she was hoping that readers would shed a tear. The world building, action, romance, pace was all perfect and well done. I was completely happy and satisfied with this last book.
Overall….this just just a must read and a must own.
Sexual Content: moderate
Language: mild
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: mild
May 5, 2016
Warrior Witch was one of my most anticipated releases of 2016, and I was sadly let down. Immensely. I fell madly in love with the first book, Stolen Songbird. With the second book, I was devastated that Cecile and Tristan were apart, but they each stood on their own and I loved how the story become mysteriously intriguing. So I have been ecstatically counting down the days until I could find out how the story would end. But Warrior Witch was missing everything that I had previously fallen in love with. And that's not even the worst part. Worst of all was that ending. That ending left me completely unsatisfied and utterly depressed.
✮Cecile Was Cruel and Illogical - I adored the risks Cecile previously took! Yes, she could be rash, but given her situations I would have done the same. So I expected that there would be a moment or few that involved Cecile's rash or clever thinking. Yet what I found instead was two instances where she was cruel and illogical. And the Cecile I had admired wouldn't purposely send someone in harm or deaths way. Yet she does. She put others at risk without a second thought of the consequences. And that angered me and left a bad taste in my mouth. The worst was the tent scene, that made me livid.
✮A Separated Couple - I was so excited with how Hidden Huntress ended! Cecile and Tristan together again. A united front. I had desperately missed their chemistry, and I was looking forward to all of their moments together in Warrior Witch. Oh, how I wish someone would have warned me. It felt as though they were apart and fighting separately for more than half the book. And the moments they were together lacked passion. It lacked their banter and their chemistry, and I kept hoping that the next time they'd be together that it would resurface. Yet it never did. I never got a glimpse of the couple I had previously fallen head over heels in love with.
✮A Happily Ever After that was NOT - What lead up to that ending was utterly depressing and heartbreaking. So no, I was not okay with that ending. It felt as though they were cheated out of so much happiness. And that left me feeling angry, depressed and so lost. And the "fix" to try to make this story have a HEA felt like a slap in the face. Was that supposed to make everything that happened before disappear in my eyes? Was that supposed to make me feel happy? Because it didn't. It only made me even more depressed because of an element that happened near the end. That whole ending gutted me, and I hated every part of it.
I could continue this list to include the story-line being all over the place, to questions about certain characters powers, and plenty more, but I'm ready to step away from this series. Because this book let me down in every single way possible. I lost respect for a heroine that I loved, I failed to see why I had fallen for them as a couple, I can't even talk about how Tristan plummeted off of my book-boyfriend list, and that ending left me feeling utterly depressed. So no, I can no longer recommend The Malediction Trilogy. Not at all.
PS If you're still curious and want to read Warrior Witch then you HAVE to re-read or skim the previous books. There are no recaps or hints to what happened in the past. The aren't references to how a character tied into their past. If you don't have solid information for what previously happened, then you will most likely feel lost.
*ARC kindly provided by Angry Robot Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This review was originally posted on Star-Crossed Book Blog
For more of my reviews, please visit:
✮Cecile Was Cruel and Illogical - I adored the risks Cecile previously took! Yes, she could be rash, but given her situations I would have done the same. So I expected that there would be a moment or few that involved Cecile's rash or clever thinking. Yet what I found instead was two instances where she was cruel and illogical. And the Cecile I had admired wouldn't purposely send someone in harm or deaths way. Yet she does. She put others at risk without a second thought of the consequences. And that angered me and left a bad taste in my mouth. The worst was the tent scene, that made me livid.
✮A Separated Couple - I was so excited with how Hidden Huntress ended! Cecile and Tristan together again. A united front. I had desperately missed their chemistry, and I was looking forward to all of their moments together in Warrior Witch. Oh, how I wish someone would have warned me. It felt as though they were apart and fighting separately for more than half the book. And the moments they were together lacked passion. It lacked their banter and their chemistry, and I kept hoping that the next time they'd be together that it would resurface. Yet it never did. I never got a glimpse of the couple I had previously fallen head over heels in love with.
✮A Happily Ever After that was NOT - What lead up to that ending was utterly depressing and heartbreaking. So no, I was not okay with that ending. It felt as though they were cheated out of so much happiness. And that left me feeling angry, depressed and so lost. And the "fix" to try to make this story have a HEA felt like a slap in the face. Was that supposed to make everything that happened before disappear in my eyes? Was that supposed to make me feel happy? Because it didn't. It only made me even more depressed because of an element that happened near the end. That whole ending gutted me, and I hated every part of it.
I could continue this list to include the story-line being all over the place, to questions about certain characters powers, and plenty more, but I'm ready to step away from this series. Because this book let me down in every single way possible. I lost respect for a heroine that I loved, I failed to see why I had fallen for them as a couple, I can't even talk about how Tristan plummeted off of my book-boyfriend list, and that ending left me feeling utterly depressed. So no, I can no longer recommend The Malediction Trilogy. Not at all.
PS If you're still curious and want to read Warrior Witch then you HAVE to re-read or skim the previous books. There are no recaps or hints to what happened in the past. The aren't references to how a character tied into their past. If you don't have solid information for what previously happened, then you will most likely feel lost.
*ARC kindly provided by Angry Robot Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This review was originally posted on Star-Crossed Book Blog
For more of my reviews, please visit:
May 18, 2016
UPDATED FULL REVIEW: 03/14/16
*I requested the eARC from Angry Robot Books on NetGalley*
Review can also be found at The Nocturnal Fey
I finished reading the book few minutes before 3 AM. I felt like an idiot for crying so hard in the middle of dead sleeping hours. But if I didn't, I might as well go crazy for keeping the pain and not let it out with my tears.
Up until to this moment, while I'm writing my review, I'm still battling if I should rate this 5 STARS for being so beautifully crafted --- for being so epic, and for all its glory... or
1 STAR for it slowly killed me --- brutally, painfully and slowly pierced my heart. Shattered and broke me into million shards and pieces. But of course, there's no way, I'd rate this 1 star. lol
From all the endings of series I've loved before, Warrior Witch has got to be the most painfully beautiful I've read so far. It is a bittersweet ending --- it was so right, but feels so wrong. Unrealistically realistic, and all oxymoron I can ever think of.
And all those feelings I've mentioned, were actually just understatements to what I've really suffered, but words just won't be able to describe what I went -- no -- what I'm currently going through. I've never cried this much while reading a book. And I've never cried just by thinking about it again, many hours after reading, or even after I woke up from sleep.
Warrior Witch started so calm. It was the exact example for the statement "calm before the storm". But I braced and prepared myself, because I know that there will be so much to wrap, to resolve, and it won't happen calmly.
Things happened slowly at first, and it's my fault. I was delaying the inevitable... because I was afraid to reach the conclusion, the ending. But when I finally decided to run full speed in the battlefield, all hell broke lose.
Epic battle scenes. I don't really know the proper words to describe the epicness of the battle scenes. It was cruel, frightening, but amazingly done.
The characters have developed tremendously. Most of them, if not all.
Cécile de Montigny - Imagine this young lady from Stolen Songbird. She was so normal, she's a simple farmer daughter dreaming to be a songstress. And slowly, she turned into a warrior. Brave and courageous. She may be the cause of all the hullabaloos, her selfish intents, for her and Tristan, but she realized her errors. She was brave to resolve and accept her mistakes. There were so many foolish decisions she made, but she always make them right in the end. That's what make her special. Her crimson hair mirrors her courage and bravery.
Tristan de Montigny - The pretty-Troll prince. When I first met Tristan, he was just a boy, then he became a man, a leader, then a king. When I saw all other sides of him in Warrior Witch, even those ugly sides of him, I loved him more than I think I'd ever be. His dedication, his loyalty to his people, his cleverness, and more than anything else, his undying love for Cécile were just some traits of him that I will forever be reminded of, plus his looks, the pretty-Troll prince.
Marc, the twins -- Victoria and Vincent - There were so many amazing and painful memories associated with these names. The twins, their witty remarks and their humor that make even the heaviest situation lighter, and Marc, his loyalty to his friends, to Tristan, his love for his comrades, his calmness on any awful situation, and him being the first Troll that Cécile met and became friends with, I will never forget.
All other Trolls, King Thibault, Matilde, Sylvie, and the surprisingly great contribution of Martin, even the enemies, Roland, and the cunning and ambitious Lessa and Angoulême, the half-bloods, Tips and everyone else --- the humans, most especially Sabine and Chris who were both there each for Cécile and Tristan respectively to support them on everything and Cécile's family, they were all big parts in wrapping everything up.
The scheming twists and turns within plot were so amazing. To defeat the enemy, there were so many plannings and scheming that had happened between character. All the twist and turns made my head spin and the statement that I kept repeating was "Who really fell into trap? Who's really wining?!" I just don't know, until the real end. There were revelations which I already suspected from Hidden Huntress, but never really considered seriously until they were confirmed in Warrior Witch. But how they were delivered was what made them a surprising revelations, in a way.
The romance died a little, but in a great reasonable way. Sure, there was less Cécile-Tristan moments, but I didn't notice it until I was almost done. Warrior Witch focused on patching things up, cleaning the mess, and stayed focused on the conflicts at hand. It was well-balanced, there were moments between the lovebirds here and there that were just enough to go with the plot.
Lastly, the ending. Reading the last few chapters was a great torture. It was so hard to deal. I want to stop because I was crying so hard. It was too painful. I was never the crybaby but this --- it pierced straight to my heart. SO. MUCH. FEELS.
But it was the perfect ending of a great trilogy. IT WAS THE BEST ENDING NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL IT WAS
Stolen Songbird was the beginning, the magic that led me to this adventure.
Hidden Huntress was the start of resolutions, decision makings, that will either destroy or save.
Warrior Witch was the cruel realization, the epic conclusions, the end of my adventure that I will forever treasure.
Warrior Witch made me realize that even in fantasy worlds, there is a reality that can't be escaped easily. No matter how you wish for it to turn out the way you wanted it to be, it is not just the way it should be. And for us to have the ending we want, we have to gain it, we have to wait, and we have to prepare because there might always be a large cost at stake. It will hurt, it will be painful, but after all the pain, it will be just as beautiful.
To Danielle L. Jensen, thank you for taking me to this world, to Trollus, and for introducing Cécile and Tristan to me. I know that this is just the beginning of many more adventures in the future.
Shout out to Melissa of The Reader and The Chef and Rafael of The Royal Polar Bear Reads for keeping me company during my breakdown.
--------
I HOPE TO SEE BABY TROLLS FROM OUR LOVING COUPLE.
*I requested the eARC from Angry Robot Books on NetGalley*
Review can also be found at The Nocturnal Fey
I finished reading the book few minutes before 3 AM. I felt like an idiot for crying so hard in the middle of dead sleeping hours. But if I didn't, I might as well go crazy for keeping the pain and not let it out with my tears.
Up until to this moment, while I'm writing my review, I'm still battling if I should rate this 5 STARS for being so beautifully crafted --- for being so epic, and for all its glory... or
1 STAR for it slowly killed me --- brutally, painfully and slowly pierced my heart. Shattered and broke me into million shards and pieces. But of course, there's no way, I'd rate this 1 star. lol
From all the endings of series I've loved before, Warrior Witch has got to be the most painfully beautiful I've read so far. It is a bittersweet ending --- it was so right, but feels so wrong. Unrealistically realistic, and all oxymoron I can ever think of.
And all those feelings I've mentioned, were actually just understatements to what I've really suffered, but words just won't be able to describe what I went -- no -- what I'm currently going through. I've never cried this much while reading a book. And I've never cried just by thinking about it again, many hours after reading, or even after I woke up from sleep.
Warrior Witch started so calm. It was the exact example for the statement "calm before the storm". But I braced and prepared myself, because I know that there will be so much to wrap, to resolve, and it won't happen calmly.
Things happened slowly at first, and it's my fault. I was delaying the inevitable... because I was afraid to reach the conclusion, the ending. But when I finally decided to run full speed in the battlefield, all hell broke lose.
Epic battle scenes. I don't really know the proper words to describe the epicness of the battle scenes. It was cruel, frightening, but amazingly done.
The characters have developed tremendously. Most of them, if not all.
Cécile de Montigny - Imagine this young lady from Stolen Songbird. She was so normal, she's a simple farmer daughter dreaming to be a songstress. And slowly, she turned into a warrior. Brave and courageous. She may be the cause of all the hullabaloos, her selfish intents, for her and Tristan, but she realized her errors. She was brave to resolve and accept her mistakes. There were so many foolish decisions she made, but she always make them right in the end. That's what make her special. Her crimson hair mirrors her courage and bravery.
Tristan de Montigny - The pretty-Troll prince. When I first met Tristan, he was just a boy, then he became a man, a leader, then a king. When I saw all other sides of him in Warrior Witch, even those ugly sides of him, I loved him more than I think I'd ever be. His dedication, his loyalty to his people, his cleverness, and more than anything else, his undying love for Cécile were just some traits of him that I will forever be reminded of, plus his looks, the pretty-Troll prince.
Marc, the twins -- Victoria and Vincent - There were so many amazing and painful memories associated with these names. The twins, their witty remarks and their humor that make even the heaviest situation lighter, and Marc, his loyalty to his friends, to Tristan, his love for his comrades, his calmness on any awful situation, and him being the first Troll that Cécile met and became friends with, I will never forget.
All other Trolls, King Thibault, Matilde, Sylvie, and the surprisingly great contribution of Martin, even the enemies, Roland, and the cunning and ambitious Lessa and Angoulême, the half-bloods, Tips and everyone else --- the humans, most especially Sabine and Chris who were both there each for Cécile and Tristan respectively to support them on everything and Cécile's family, they were all big parts in wrapping everything up.
"A life without purpose is no life at all."
The scheming twists and turns within plot were so amazing. To defeat the enemy, there were so many plannings and scheming that had happened between character. All the twist and turns made my head spin and the statement that I kept repeating was "Who really fell into trap? Who's really wining?!" I just don't know, until the real end. There were revelations which I already suspected from Hidden Huntress, but never really considered seriously until they were confirmed in Warrior Witch. But how they were delivered was what made them a surprising revelations, in a way.
The romance died a little, but in a great reasonable way. Sure, there was less Cécile-Tristan moments, but I didn't notice it until I was almost done. Warrior Witch focused on patching things up, cleaning the mess, and stayed focused on the conflicts at hand. It was well-balanced, there were moments between the lovebirds here and there that were just enough to go with the plot.
Lastly, the ending. Reading the last few chapters was a great torture. It was so hard to deal. I want to stop because I was crying so hard. It was too painful. I was never the crybaby but this --- it pierced straight to my heart. SO. MUCH. FEELS.
But it was the perfect ending of a great trilogy. IT WAS THE BEST ENDING NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL IT WAS
Stolen Songbird was the beginning, the magic that led me to this adventure.
Hidden Huntress was the start of resolutions, decision makings, that will either destroy or save.
Warrior Witch was the cruel realization, the epic conclusions, the end of my adventure that I will forever treasure.
Warrior Witch made me realize that even in fantasy worlds, there is a reality that can't be escaped easily. No matter how you wish for it to turn out the way you wanted it to be, it is not just the way it should be. And for us to have the ending we want, we have to gain it, we have to wait, and we have to prepare because there might always be a large cost at stake. It will hurt, it will be painful, but after all the pain, it will be just as beautiful.
To Danielle L. Jensen, thank you for taking me to this world, to Trollus, and for introducing Cécile and Tristan to me. I know that this is just the beginning of many more adventures in the future.
Shout out to Melissa of The Reader and The Chef and Rafael of The Royal Polar Bear Reads for keeping me company during my breakdown.
"Given the choice between one lifetime spent with you or a thousand without, I will always choose you."
--------
I HOPE TO SEE BABY TROLLS FROM OUR LOVING COUPLE.
May 14, 2019
“Where there is life, there is hope.”
This book summed up in two words: UTTERLY BITTERSWEET
I stayed up until 3 am just to finish reading this book because once I really got into it, there was no putting it down.
Once again, we are thrust back into a world on the edge. The trolls have once again been set free into the human realm, reuniting our heroes with friends and enemies alike. And what ensues is nothing short of devastating. The story continues at a steady pace, with plenty of action, devious plots - years in the making, wonderful moments of friendship, love, and loyalty. And as always, when it comes to the trolls, nothing and no one is as they seem. The twists and turns leave you constantly waiting for when the next strike is going to come, and when it comes, you better believe it hurts.
The Characters:
Tristian - *Love* A boy just trying to hold everything together, save his people, himself and the girl he loves
Cecile - A girl trying to fix things, some of which she had a hand in breaking
Sabine - The kind of quality friend everyone needs
Marc - Hands down the kindest, most tragic soul
Chris - A true ride or die kind of pal
Victoria & Vincent - A great dynamic duo that reminds you that siblings don’t have to be annoying hindrances
The King of Trolls - A truly unsung hero. Once upon a time, he was a boy in love with a girl. And that love destroyed and twisted him. But everything he did after was his own sort of redemption. He became a tyrant, with the hopes his son would become a hero.
The Relationships:
Tristian & Cecile
“Given the choice between one lifetime spent with you or a thousand without, I will always choose you.”
Marc & Sabine
“But damned if he isn't the most entitled creature I've ever met.”
Marc laughed softly, "It's a common trait amongst the nobility, human and troll alike."
Her eyes flicked to him. "Not you."
"Yes, well..." He turned, tugging his hood forward so that his face as obscured. "He had some advantages I did not."
She touched his sleeve..."I think you are a better man for it."
Someone, please tell me I am not the only one who really wanted this to happen. From the moment they met, I was hoping, praying, that Sabine would be the one to heal Marc's, broken heart. Cecile mentions, later on, when she returns to the city, that for the first time ever Marc looks her directly in the face without a flinch. Cecile notes this change, she even questions what might have changed in the time she was gone. All I could think of was Marc and Sabine's friendship. Like I genuinely believed in my heart they might be possible. Because Sabine sees him. Really sees him, and I don't think she'd ever turn away.
I think what sets this book apart from other's I have read is that it does not give us the ending we expected and perhaps wanted. But instead, gives us an ending that truly fits the story. It is an ending that reminds us that choices always have consequences, and all debts must eventually be paid.
Honestly, this series is so underrated. And that's such a shame because I really wish I had more people to talk to about this series. Anyways, I loved this book, flaws and all. I hope to see and read more from this author soon.
This book summed up in two words: UTTERLY BITTERSWEET
I stayed up until 3 am just to finish reading this book because once I really got into it, there was no putting it down.
Once again, we are thrust back into a world on the edge. The trolls have once again been set free into the human realm, reuniting our heroes with friends and enemies alike. And what ensues is nothing short of devastating. The story continues at a steady pace, with plenty of action, devious plots - years in the making, wonderful moments of friendship, love, and loyalty. And as always, when it comes to the trolls, nothing and no one is as they seem. The twists and turns leave you constantly waiting for when the next strike is going to come, and when it comes, you better believe it hurts.
The Characters:
Tristian - *Love* A boy just trying to hold everything together, save his people, himself and the girl he loves
Cecile - A girl trying to fix things, some of which she had a hand in breaking
Sabine - The kind of quality friend everyone needs
Marc - Hands down the kindest, most tragic soul
Chris - A true ride or die kind of pal
Victoria & Vincent - A great dynamic duo that reminds you that siblings don’t have to be annoying hindrances
The King of Trolls - A truly unsung hero. Once upon a time, he was a boy in love with a girl. And that love destroyed and twisted him. But everything he did after was his own sort of redemption. He became a tyrant, with the hopes his son would become a hero.
The Relationships:
Tristian & Cecile
“Given the choice between one lifetime spent with you or a thousand without, I will always choose you.”
Marc & Sabine
“But damned if he isn't the most entitled creature I've ever met.”
Marc laughed softly, "It's a common trait amongst the nobility, human and troll alike."
Her eyes flicked to him. "Not you."
"Yes, well..." He turned, tugging his hood forward so that his face as obscured. "He had some advantages I did not."
She touched his sleeve..."I think you are a better man for it."
Someone, please tell me I am not the only one who really wanted this to happen. From the moment they met, I was hoping, praying, that Sabine would be the one to heal Marc's, broken heart. Cecile mentions, later on, when she returns to the city, that for the first time ever Marc looks her directly in the face without a flinch. Cecile notes this change, she even questions what might have changed in the time she was gone. All I could think of was Marc and Sabine's friendship. Like I genuinely believed in my heart they might be possible. Because Sabine sees him. Really sees him, and I don't think she'd ever turn away.
I think what sets this book apart from other's I have read is that it does not give us the ending we expected and perhaps wanted. But instead, gives us an ending that truly fits the story. It is an ending that reminds us that choices always have consequences, and all debts must eventually be paid.
Honestly, this series is so underrated. And that's such a shame because I really wish I had more people to talk to about this series. Anyways, I loved this book, flaws and all. I hope to see and read more from this author soon.
May 31, 2022
Sigh…This trilogy could have been infinitely better…or you know what? The author could have just left Stolen Songbird as a standalone. The first instalment was perfect. The second and third instalments, however? Disappointing. Were they well-written? Yes. Did I care about the plots at all? No. Pfft…
Then, of course, there’s the last quarter of the novel, where we have unnecessary deaths (negating the blossoming of a possible relationship) and a whole chunk of time where Cécile and Tristan are separated, living separate lives. Ugh. I just wasn’t a fan of the route taken to arrive at the ending, which I actually kind of liked, ultimately.
Despite the fact that I kept putting this down and had no inclination to pick it back up (with the exception with the desire of removing it from my currently reading pile), I did enjoy it, whilst it was physically in my hands. Yet, I have to say that it never really resonated with me. Thus, I doubt that I’ll ever reread this (although, I’ll definitely reread Stolen Songbird). Since I love the world and the characters though, I’m quite comfortable with placing this trilogy among my favourite faerie novels.
Want to read
June 29, 2014But why does this book have a rating already when the second one hasn't come out yet?
Unless y'all are time travellers...
Unless y'all are time travellers...
January 16, 2018
And that ladies and gentlemen is what you call an ending!!! Full RTC. I loveeeed this trilogy sooo much!
"Sometimes, one must become the unimaginable"
WHOA. My heart, my poor, sad, little heart. I honestly did not know that it would be crushed into so many tiny little pieces by this book, but here I am trying to find them all to put back together because my heart wasn't just crushed, it was obliterated!!! My mind is still trying to comprehend all that I just read!!! I don't want this trilogy to be over, but if it had to end, then this is the best ending I could possibly imagine. (what, just because it was sad, doesn't mean it couldn't also be so heartwarmingly good!)
Finally finally finally Tristan and Cecile are back together. And they are ready to tag team the world and take on whatever might become of it now that the Trolls are free. But the only problem with this is, its not just the Trolls who have come out of hiding, but Fairies are taking their chances and looking to put their hand in the cookie jar as well.. The Fairies are up to something and Tristan & Cecile better find out quickly because there is one Troll in particular who they do not want out for long... Roland. With a full scale war on their hands and coming from all angles at that, how could they possibly win? And at what cost?
I have to say how much I love the way that Danielle Jensen writes. It just flows so effortlessly, its like thinking. I felt like I was there among these characters, trolls and humans alike. I wanted to join in on the fight and take down anyone who dare try to hurt my sweet character babies!!!
Tristan and Cecile are one of my FAVORITE couples ever. I love them so much. I am like the weird voyeur that wants nothing but for them to be together and happy and to have a million little babies and to live happily ever after. Their love for each other wasn't forced, or cheesy, or awkward in any way. It just worked. They had so much love for each other, and support, and faith in each other's beliefs. They didn't keep each other from ever becoming their full potential, in fact quite the opposite. They brought each other up and fought for each other. I cannot even put it down into words the way I want, so just trust me on this one. They. Are. Perfect.
I didnt want this to end at all. I kept looking at how much I had left to read and as it got smaller I got sadder thinking of the fact that it did have to come to an end eventually. BUT I DIDNT WANT IT TO!!! But that ending. I can't stress enough as to how perfect that ending was. There are so many times I finish a book and think that so much more could have been wrapped up. So much more is left hanging. But not this book. There are no loose strings, no unanswered questions. Everything that should happen, does. And it happens as it should. THIS IS HOW TO WRITE AN ENDING PEOPLE!!!
All in all, I am so so happy I read these. They will be highlighted on my favorites shelf and reread so many times that I will eventually become a honorary Troll myself. I might just change my name to Cecile and join an opera house while I'm at it, maybe then I can find me a Tristan of my very own!!
I definitely recommend these to anyone who is ready for an adventure under the mountain and beyond :)
Happy Reading!
"Sometimes, one must become the unimaginable"
WHOA. My heart, my poor, sad, little heart. I honestly did not know that it would be crushed into so many tiny little pieces by this book, but here I am trying to find them all to put back together because my heart wasn't just crushed, it was obliterated!!! My mind is still trying to comprehend all that I just read!!! I don't want this trilogy to be over, but if it had to end, then this is the best ending I could possibly imagine. (what, just because it was sad, doesn't mean it couldn't also be so heartwarmingly good!)
Finally finally finally Tristan and Cecile are back together. And they are ready to tag team the world and take on whatever might become of it now that the Trolls are free. But the only problem with this is, its not just the Trolls who have come out of hiding, but Fairies are taking their chances and looking to put their hand in the cookie jar as well.. The Fairies are up to something and Tristan & Cecile better find out quickly because there is one Troll in particular who they do not want out for long... Roland. With a full scale war on their hands and coming from all angles at that, how could they possibly win? And at what cost?
I have to say how much I love the way that Danielle Jensen writes. It just flows so effortlessly, its like thinking. I felt like I was there among these characters, trolls and humans alike. I wanted to join in on the fight and take down anyone who dare try to hurt my sweet character babies!!!
Tristan and Cecile are one of my FAVORITE couples ever. I love them so much. I am like the weird voyeur that wants nothing but for them to be together and happy and to have a million little babies and to live happily ever after. Their love for each other wasn't forced, or cheesy, or awkward in any way. It just worked. They had so much love for each other, and support, and faith in each other's beliefs. They didn't keep each other from ever becoming their full potential, in fact quite the opposite. They brought each other up and fought for each other. I cannot even put it down into words the way I want, so just trust me on this one. They. Are. Perfect.
I didnt want this to end at all. I kept looking at how much I had left to read and as it got smaller I got sadder thinking of the fact that it did have to come to an end eventually. BUT I DIDNT WANT IT TO!!! But that ending. I can't stress enough as to how perfect that ending was. There are so many times I finish a book and think that so much more could have been wrapped up. So much more is left hanging. But not this book. There are no loose strings, no unanswered questions. Everything that should happen, does. And it happens as it should. THIS IS HOW TO WRITE AN ENDING PEOPLE!!!
All in all, I am so so happy I read these. They will be highlighted on my favorites shelf and reread so many times that I will eventually become a honorary Troll myself. I might just change my name to Cecile and join an opera house while I'm at it, maybe then I can find me a Tristan of my very own!!
I definitely recommend these to anyone who is ready for an adventure under the mountain and beyond :)
Happy Reading!
Want to read
December 6, 2015We have a cover!!!
It is so beautiful!! Don't you think?
I mean, everything about it...
It is my favorite cover so far and although I am sad my favorite series is coming to an end, I am excited to finally have this beautiful book in my hands.
It is so beautiful!! Don't you think?
I mean, everything about it...
It is my favorite cover so far and although I am sad my favorite series is coming to an end, I am excited to finally have this beautiful book in my hands.
May 30, 2016
DAMMIT THAT WAS PAINFUL Those last two chapters! This was me the whole time.
I don't know how I'm going to go on. Such a bittersweet ending. Despite the pain, I loved Warrior Witch, it was a great conclusion to The Malediction Trilogy and I hate that it's over.
I don't know how I'm going to go on. Such a bittersweet ending. Despite the pain, I loved Warrior Witch, it was a great conclusion to The Malediction Trilogy and I hate that it's over.
June 19, 2016
2 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/06/19/...
To be fair, this wasn’t all bad. My disappointment probably stems less from my overall feelings for the book itself, and had more to do with how inadequate and unsatisfying I found it to be as a concluding volume—to what started off as such a strong and promising series, I might add. On the one hand, you have endings that are bittersweet, and on the other, there are the kinds of endings that leave a rotten taste in your mouth. To me, this one felt a lot more like the latter. Maybe it was an attempt to be bold and give readers something different, but I thought it was needlessly complicated and cruel, and I can’t help thinking this trilogy and its characters would have been better served with a more traditional happily-ever-after.
But more on that later. First, let me back up a bit here. Warrior Witch picks up right where the previous book Hidden Huntress left off, with Tristan and Cécile continuing their fight against their enemy, trying to save both the humans and the trolls after a deadly magic was unleashed upon their worlds. A great war is coming, and while his people are free, Tristan still has much to do to prove that he is the rightful leader of the trolls. Cécile is doing what she can to support her beloved with her newfound powers, but she too is recovering from learning several shocking revelations about her own family. Both our protagonists may have their debts to pay, but more importantly, the two of them also have a prophecy to fulfill, and it won’t do to underestimate the lengths they will go to do it.
This should have had all the makings of an epic finale. Instead, it turned out to be my least favorite installment of the trilogy. Right away, I knew something was wrong when I could barely reconcile myself to this shaky transition between the beginning of this book and the end of the last one. As I recall, the final few chapters of Hidden Huntress were amazing, setting readers up for this incredible high even when all was said and done. Instead of picking up that momentum, however, Warrior Witch began with a sluggish introduction, and continued with its lackadaisical pacing until well into the second half of the novel. I hate to say it, but there were so many parts of this book where having to read it felt like such a chore. If I hadn’t been so determined to finish the trilogy, I might have been tempted to throw in the towel long before the plot picked up again.
But even as the story got better, I had my issues with the characters. Several times I almost lost my patience with Cécile, whose actions made me feel like the only way she could contribute to the story was by running headlong into danger without a single thought to anyone but herself. While her pluckiness was semi-charming in Hidden Huntress, here it just felt like a bad habit. When it all inevitably goes wrong and she ends up blaming herself, all I could think was, “Yes, I blame you too, Cécile, you fool girl.” The relationship between her and Tristan was also problematic, for I think I actually like them more when they’re apart. So what does that say about their romance? Their love for each other seemed almost like an afterthought in this book, though granted they both had a lot more pressing things on their mind, what with the bad guys coming to kill them and all.
However, the final straw that ultimately went and destroyed the camel’s back was, as I said, the final few chapters. Truthfully, I’m not even all that angry over how it ended because I’m still trying to get over my staggering dismay and bewilderment as to why, WHY, we had to end the series this way. Look, I am not one to always demand a happy ending. In fact, most times I actually prefer it when things don’t end up with perfect outcomes for everyone so that they can all go home and have cake. Bittersweet endings can be really cool when they are done well. Unfortunately that’s not something I can say about this one. After all the build-up of the challenges, the conflicts, the struggles that the characters had to go through over the course of three books, what we ended up with here felt like a kick in the teeth. There was no pleasure tinged with sadness or pain here, just a pure sense of awkwardness that felt extemporaneous and out of place. I found it horribly off-putting, and there’s simply no other way to describe how it felt to be dealt such a blow.
But like I said, it wasn’t all bad. This book and I might have even parted on good terms if it wasn’t for the ending, which I just could not abide. But that’s just my personal take. If you loved the first two books like I did, then you probably should read Warrior Witch. If nothing else, that final epic showdown is well worth the price of admission just to witness how all the human, troll and fae conflicts resolve. Minus those final few chapters (which I’m now going to pretend never happened) it really is a lovely trilogy, as long as you’re prepared for a potentially vexing conclusion. It didn’t work out for me, but it might for you.
To be fair, this wasn’t all bad. My disappointment probably stems less from my overall feelings for the book itself, and had more to do with how inadequate and unsatisfying I found it to be as a concluding volume—to what started off as such a strong and promising series, I might add. On the one hand, you have endings that are bittersweet, and on the other, there are the kinds of endings that leave a rotten taste in your mouth. To me, this one felt a lot more like the latter. Maybe it was an attempt to be bold and give readers something different, but I thought it was needlessly complicated and cruel, and I can’t help thinking this trilogy and its characters would have been better served with a more traditional happily-ever-after.
But more on that later. First, let me back up a bit here. Warrior Witch picks up right where the previous book Hidden Huntress left off, with Tristan and Cécile continuing their fight against their enemy, trying to save both the humans and the trolls after a deadly magic was unleashed upon their worlds. A great war is coming, and while his people are free, Tristan still has much to do to prove that he is the rightful leader of the trolls. Cécile is doing what she can to support her beloved with her newfound powers, but she too is recovering from learning several shocking revelations about her own family. Both our protagonists may have their debts to pay, but more importantly, the two of them also have a prophecy to fulfill, and it won’t do to underestimate the lengths they will go to do it.
This should have had all the makings of an epic finale. Instead, it turned out to be my least favorite installment of the trilogy. Right away, I knew something was wrong when I could barely reconcile myself to this shaky transition between the beginning of this book and the end of the last one. As I recall, the final few chapters of Hidden Huntress were amazing, setting readers up for this incredible high even when all was said and done. Instead of picking up that momentum, however, Warrior Witch began with a sluggish introduction, and continued with its lackadaisical pacing until well into the second half of the novel. I hate to say it, but there were so many parts of this book where having to read it felt like such a chore. If I hadn’t been so determined to finish the trilogy, I might have been tempted to throw in the towel long before the plot picked up again.
But even as the story got better, I had my issues with the characters. Several times I almost lost my patience with Cécile, whose actions made me feel like the only way she could contribute to the story was by running headlong into danger without a single thought to anyone but herself. While her pluckiness was semi-charming in Hidden Huntress, here it just felt like a bad habit. When it all inevitably goes wrong and she ends up blaming herself, all I could think was, “Yes, I blame you too, Cécile, you fool girl.” The relationship between her and Tristan was also problematic, for I think I actually like them more when they’re apart. So what does that say about their romance? Their love for each other seemed almost like an afterthought in this book, though granted they both had a lot more pressing things on their mind, what with the bad guys coming to kill them and all.
However, the final straw that ultimately went and destroyed the camel’s back was, as I said, the final few chapters. Truthfully, I’m not even all that angry over how it ended because I’m still trying to get over my staggering dismay and bewilderment as to why, WHY, we had to end the series this way. Look, I am not one to always demand a happy ending. In fact, most times I actually prefer it when things don’t end up with perfect outcomes for everyone so that they can all go home and have cake. Bittersweet endings can be really cool when they are done well. Unfortunately that’s not something I can say about this one. After all the build-up of the challenges, the conflicts, the struggles that the characters had to go through over the course of three books, what we ended up with here felt like a kick in the teeth. There was no pleasure tinged with sadness or pain here, just a pure sense of awkwardness that felt extemporaneous and out of place. I found it horribly off-putting, and there’s simply no other way to describe how it felt to be dealt such a blow.
But like I said, it wasn’t all bad. This book and I might have even parted on good terms if it wasn’t for the ending, which I just could not abide. But that’s just my personal take. If you loved the first two books like I did, then you probably should read Warrior Witch. If nothing else, that final epic showdown is well worth the price of admission just to witness how all the human, troll and fae conflicts resolve. Minus those final few chapters (which I’m now going to pretend never happened) it really is a lovely trilogy, as long as you’re prepared for a potentially vexing conclusion. It didn’t work out for me, but it might for you.
January 10, 2018
What a finale, i have a few issues with it, the whole bittersweet ending sucks, i love and hate it at the same time. This book really messed with my emotions, The writing is exquisite, written in a dual POV style of the main characters.
The character development of both the primary and secondary characters is portrayed beautifully. The plot even if it has the 50% cliche of fantasy books the remaining original 50% is amazing and i love it.
The malediction trilogy is a series about love, friendship, loyalty and a huge curse on creatures that are stuck under a mountain. A lot of political and power play among the noble the poor are also involved. A light read that would just take a short while to read.
The character development of both the primary and secondary characters is portrayed beautifully. The plot even if it has the 50% cliche of fantasy books the remaining original 50% is amazing and i love it.
The malediction trilogy is a series about love, friendship, loyalty and a huge curse on creatures that are stuck under a mountain. A lot of political and power play among the noble the poor are also involved. A light read that would just take a short while to read.
July 18, 2018
DECEMBER 2015: OMG, is this the cover!?!? <3 <3 <3
-----
JUNE 2015: THERES A TITLE!!!!!! :)
-----
JUNE 2015: THERES A TITLE!!!!!! :)
February 7, 2017
There are no words! I have loved every second of this trilogy!
July 25, 2016
Oh god. You know what. I was initially going to give this book 3 stars but I can't do it. I just can't. It was such a letdown to such a fabulous series. Here are some of my issues:
1) Cecile. Is. DREADFUL. I need to know why authors feel that "powerful" female leads must be reckless, selfish, and stubborn. You can have an intelligent character that knows when to back down or leave a task to someone else. And you would think after two books Cecile would have developed into a smarter character that doesn't make dumb decisions without informing anyone! That she wouldn't throw a hissy fit any time someone made a plan without her! OR THAT SHE WOULDN'T FIGHT FULL BLOODED TROLLS ON HER OWN.
And you know what, one of my biggest issues with Cecile is how one of the chapters started with her saying "It took time for me to forgive Tristan." The previous chapter included a decision Tristan KNEW he had to make due to the past, but once again, Cecile had to be selfish. She did not need to forgive Tristan because he didn't owe her anything. That line just got under my skin and is the epitome of Cecile's character.
2) A lot of the stuff in the book seemed to just pop out of nowhere and honestly the whole fey thing still doesn't sit right with me. The summer King and the winter queen popping up at random moments and Joss being involved and just so much confusion as to how the magic works. It's obvious that Jensen doesn't have any solid rules as to how her magic system works which just confused readers. I still don't understand what herbs and blood and saying words does in relation to magic.
3) Speaking of confusion, there were many many scenes in this story that just felt so rushed and I had to reread because I thought I missed something. How did that person die? Wait, he's dismembered? When did that character enter the scene? It was some poor writing on Jensen's part. Even the very end of the story felt rushed. I understand what Jensen was trying to do but after the climax of the story I feel as though there was no falling action. It was just BOOM this happened, the end.
There is probably more, but I can't think right now. I don't regret reading this series because the first book was phenomenal and the second book was a great addition. But this finale just fell flat for me.
1) Cecile. Is. DREADFUL. I need to know why authors feel that "powerful" female leads must be reckless, selfish, and stubborn. You can have an intelligent character that knows when to back down or leave a task to someone else. And you would think after two books Cecile would have developed into a smarter character that doesn't make dumb decisions without informing anyone! That she wouldn't throw a hissy fit any time someone made a plan without her! OR THAT SHE WOULDN'T FIGHT FULL BLOODED TROLLS ON HER OWN.
And you know what, one of my biggest issues with Cecile is how one of the chapters started with her saying "It took time for me to forgive Tristan." The previous chapter included a decision Tristan KNEW he had to make due to the past, but once again, Cecile had to be selfish. She did not need to forgive Tristan because he didn't owe her anything. That line just got under my skin and is the epitome of Cecile's character.
2) A lot of the stuff in the book seemed to just pop out of nowhere and honestly the whole fey thing still doesn't sit right with me. The summer King and the winter queen popping up at random moments and Joss being involved and just so much confusion as to how the magic works. It's obvious that Jensen doesn't have any solid rules as to how her magic system works which just confused readers. I still don't understand what herbs and blood and saying words does in relation to magic.
3) Speaking of confusion, there were many many scenes in this story that just felt so rushed and I had to reread because I thought I missed something. How did that person die? Wait, he's dismembered? When did that character enter the scene? It was some poor writing on Jensen's part. Even the very end of the story felt rushed. I understand what Jensen was trying to do but after the climax of the story I feel as though there was no falling action. It was just BOOM this happened, the end.
There is probably more, but I can't think right now. I don't regret reading this series because the first book was phenomenal and the second book was a great addition. But this finale just fell flat for me.
Read
November 5, 2015*sings* There is a title. There is a title. There is a title.
*dances a little*
*checks date*
*drops dead*
Raise me from the dead when Warrior Witch comes out, okay?
Three more months. Three more months of walking like the walking dead.
*dances a little*
*checks date*
*drops dead*
Raise me from the dead when Warrior Witch comes out, okay?
Three more months. Three more months of walking like the walking dead.
April 18, 2022
While this didn't quite knock things out of the park like I hoped.. it did a lot of good. While, maybe, also having an equal part of things I was ambivalent about. But the ending? I can only imagine how many readers were split down the middle of loving or hating it but, surprisingly, I loved it. I even got a wee bit emosh about it. It was incredibly bittersweet.
We might not have as many big reveals in this instalment as we did in book two but we did have one and.. I don't know. I feel after the way things went in book two it made this twist a little overdone. But it once again reinforces the concept of layers and how not everything in this world was as it seemed. Not to mention how clever the characters were and how long they had been playing the game, which did go some way in reinforcing how they'd been able to be so many steps ahead of everyone else.
I did, however, enjoy how the world was "saved" and the troll issue was solved; I thought everything about the learning of that fix was very clever. Jensen crafted this story in such a different way from the usual we've come to expect and I really appreciate that.
I do think, however, some characterizations were harmed in getting the plot moving and certain plot points were used and then apparently discarded, never to be spoken about again, so it was a little messy. It was a little pacey, too. So much happens and yet at times it feels like nothing is happening. But overall I'm really not mad about the whole of it.
I'm happy to have finally finished this series and while I will be unhauling (this was on my Series to Finish list because, yes, it needed to be finished but also because it's one I owned and I need to split my focus between both of those goals) it's not out of any kind of hate or disappointment; it's merely because it's not so loved that I want to keep it for future rereads. Plus, there's always the library. That said, I definitely wouldn't talk anyone out of reading this series and it's actually given me some motivation to read more by this author. Maybe not anytime soon but I certainly won't put off the urge if I ever feel so inclined.
3.5 stars
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
We might not have as many big reveals in this instalment as we did in book two but we did have one and.. I don't know. I feel after the way things went in book two it made this twist a little overdone. But it once again reinforces the concept of layers and how not everything in this world was as it seemed. Not to mention how clever the characters were and how long they had been playing the game, which did go some way in reinforcing how they'd been able to be so many steps ahead of everyone else.
I did, however, enjoy how the world was "saved" and the troll issue was solved; I thought everything about the learning of that fix was very clever. Jensen crafted this story in such a different way from the usual we've come to expect and I really appreciate that.
I do think, however, some characterizations were harmed in getting the plot moving and certain plot points were used and then apparently discarded, never to be spoken about again, so it was a little messy. It was a little pacey, too. So much happens and yet at times it feels like nothing is happening. But overall I'm really not mad about the whole of it.
I'm happy to have finally finished this series and while I will be unhauling (this was on my Series to Finish list because, yes, it needed to be finished but also because it's one I owned and I need to split my focus between both of those goals) it's not out of any kind of hate or disappointment; it's merely because it's not so loved that I want to keep it for future rereads. Plus, there's always the library. That said, I definitely wouldn't talk anyone out of reading this series and it's actually given me some motivation to read more by this author. Maybe not anytime soon but I certainly won't put off the urge if I ever feel so inclined.
3.5 stars
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
May 5, 2021
There are a rare few in this world with the power to touch the hearts of all those they meet.
Stones and Sky, this was all over the place. So much happened and during such a short period of time and to be honest I don't really know how I feel about that. There's something I am most furious about , something I really could've done without and like I said, it was all over the place.
This series started off really good, I loved the beginning of their story but I think I would've enjoyed a standalone more in this case. The beginning held a whole world waiting to be explored. The second book already felt really different, the third again had a completely different feeling to it. Each change left me behind a bit... I don't know if "puzzled" is right word but It's the only one I can come up with. The longer I had to observe Tristan and Cécile the more irritated I got. I couldn't manage to care for them, the only character who could really get my attention was Marc. Despite all that, I was always curious about how everything would progress so dnf-ing never was an option and the writing style made finishing this really easy. But in the end I found myself liking every book a bit less. Might have been me just losing focus and interest, I don't really know. But I still liked this finale overall and this won't be my last book by Danielle L. Jensen for sure.
June 30, 2017
OH MY GOD. MY HEART!!!
July 20, 2017
Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen is the third book in the malediction trioligy. It follows Cecile and Tristan for the last time, where they must overthrow the king.
CHARCATERS-
Okay, okay. I've grown to love these charcters with all my heart and I can't possibly say goodbye yet. I will always remember these charcters and why they mean everything to me.
ROMANCE-
The romance will always move me. When I reread this in the future,I will still love these two more than anything.
PLOT-
The plot is still as interesting as ever and I think that this book should inspire authors to write more about trolls and creatures that don't get written a lot about like goblins and fae.
ENDING-
My OTP had a child called Alexander. Then Cecile died and I was crying but then she gets to live an immortal life with Tristan. I AM SO HAPPY.
charcters-10/10
Romance-10/10
Plot-9.5/10
Ending-10/10
Speed-9/10 (fast paced)
CHARCATERS-
Okay, okay. I've grown to love these charcters with all my heart and I can't possibly say goodbye yet. I will always remember these charcters and why they mean everything to me.
ROMANCE-
The romance will always move me. When I reread this in the future,I will still love these two more than anything.
PLOT-
The plot is still as interesting as ever and I think that this book should inspire authors to write more about trolls and creatures that don't get written a lot about like goblins and fae.
ENDING-
My OTP had a child called Alexander. Then Cecile died and I was crying but then she gets to live an immortal life with Tristan. I AM SO HAPPY.
charcters-10/10
Romance-10/10
Plot-9.5/10
Ending-10/10
Speed-9/10 (fast paced)
May 14, 2016
"Much can happen in the time between two heartbeats."
Probably more like 4.5* but oh my god that ending!!! So bittersweet and I absolutely loved it. I may have even had a tear or two!
Probably more like 4.5* but oh my god that ending!!! So bittersweet and I absolutely loved it. I may have even had a tear or two!
May 23, 2020
My god, I’m so emotionally exhausted after this book. Danielle, I hate you and love you at the same time for this ending...
January 23, 2018
“I cannot stop the world from moving. All I can do is be prepared for when it does.”
I am completely and utterly ruined. Thank you, Danielle L. Jensen, for rendering me a sobbing mess during the days I spent on your series, your beautiful craft.
To anyone who ponders over whether they should read this series: read it. As my first read of 2018, this series captured my mind and soul and has brilliantly left me a mess. Wow. Just wow. I don't think I could ever coherently write a review or even come back from the pain this series caused me (tbh I don't really want to). Throughout Warrior Witch, my heart was slowly ripped apart into pieces, then put back together, then just thrown on the ground and stomped to dust and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
I absolutely loved how every character in this series had their own motivations and their own conflicts. Our protagonists weren't perfect, they were far from it, and seeing them try to correct their mistakes and realize there's no such thing as a perfect world where both trolls and humans can coexist is truly an eye-opening experience.
I LOVE CECILE AND TRISTAN. I think this is the first romance that I haven't found something to hate about. Cecile and Tritan work together amazingly??? Tristan never kept Cecile from doing what she wanted, even if it meant risking her life and I love that.
BUT THAT ENDING. WOW.
I don't think I could ever come back from that. I imagined numerous ways this story would end and it certainly wasn't that. Danielle L. Jensen couldn't have done it any better. She wrapped this story up in the most well-made gift wrap ever and put a nice bow on it. No loose strings. I can't even attempt to think of a better ending because it ended the way it should've and it was brilliant.
I am so happy I read this series and it's definitely a new favorite. I'll read this series again and again and again and bawl my eyes out again and again and again.
I am completely and utterly ruined. Thank you, Danielle L. Jensen, for rendering me a sobbing mess during the days I spent on your series, your beautiful craft.
To anyone who ponders over whether they should read this series: read it. As my first read of 2018, this series captured my mind and soul and has brilliantly left me a mess. Wow. Just wow. I don't think I could ever coherently write a review or even come back from the pain this series caused me (tbh I don't really want to). Throughout Warrior Witch, my heart was slowly ripped apart into pieces, then put back together, then just thrown on the ground and stomped to dust and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
I absolutely loved how every character in this series had their own motivations and their own conflicts. Our protagonists weren't perfect, they were far from it, and seeing them try to correct their mistakes and realize there's no such thing as a perfect world where both trolls and humans can coexist is truly an eye-opening experience.
I LOVE CECILE AND TRISTAN. I think this is the first romance that I haven't found something to hate about. Cecile and Tritan work together amazingly??? Tristan never kept Cecile from doing what she wanted, even if it meant risking her life and I love that.
BUT THAT ENDING. WOW.
I don't think I could ever come back from that. I imagined numerous ways this story would end and it certainly wasn't that. Danielle L. Jensen couldn't have done it any better. She wrapped this story up in the most well-made gift wrap ever and put a nice bow on it. No loose strings. I can't even attempt to think of a better ending because it ended the way it should've and it was brilliant.
I am so happy I read this series and it's definitely a new favorite. I'll read this series again and again and again and bawl my eyes out again and again and again.
February 21, 2017
I am completely ruined. My heart hurts so much and I'm so extremely sad. The ending ripped my heart up and I'm still crying. I feel so numb. Thank you Ms. Jensen for hurting my heart so badly from book one, page one. I'm dead inside.
March 9, 2016
This review/letter can also be found at The Reader and the Chef and is based from an eARC provided by the author. All thoughts are 100% my own.
*NOTE*
My review is a letter that I wrote to Danielle L. Jensen back when I read Warrior Witch in December. I was a mess and I still am. I don't know how I've managed to survive all on my own. With no one to talk to and no one to tell me that everything will be alright. Because when you finish a book, when you reach the end of your favorite series of all times, a chapter of your life closes when you close the last book.
And because I understand that my letter is REALLY long and I know some of you might not want to read it or maybe won't have time to, I want to tell you all that Warrior Witch IS the ending that this amazing series deserves. The ending that completely destroys you and then fixes you. The ending that your heart will never forget.
Get ready to go back to Trollus and Trianon. To love with all your might Tristan, Cécile, Marc, Vincent and Victoria. To cheer them on as they fight for their lives and the freedom of the half-bloods and humans alike. You will gasp, cry, laugh, swoon, hate and feel every single emotion inside Warrior Witch's pages.
But if you ask me to tell you which book from The Malediction Trilogy is my favorite, I fear that I won't be able to answer you. My heart loves them equally for separate reasons, but I will say this:
Stolen Songbird is like a dream. A surreal hidden world that's frightening yet beautiful.
Hidden Huntress is like waking up into a harsh and desperate reality. Enticing and unforgettable.
But Warrior Witch goes beyond the unimaginable. It's the very reason why epic fantasy exists.
Enjoy. ♥ (P.S. It might be a bit long)
..................
Letter to Danielle L. Jensen about Warrior Witch
Dear Danielle,
First of all, I want to thank you again for letting me beta read. You can't even begin to imagine how honored I feel, how you granted me the best gift a reader could get from her favorite author. I seriously feel blessed. Warrior Witch will forever be a book that I will hold dear in my heart for I feel that there's a little bit of me in it. Believe me, although I may not be the greatest beta reader out there, I poured my heart and soul into the task. Again, thank you for granting me this (what I thought to be) unreachable dream. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For everything. For writing this series. For being as awesome as you are. For breaking my heart. For making me cry. For all the laughs and swoons and feels. For my favorite book boyfriend. For the bestest of fictional friends. Thank you.
Warrior Witch is undoubtedly one of the best series endings that I've ever read. I'm still stunned by everything I went through in these 426 pages. There's not a single dull moment for it is action-packed and full of surprises in every corner. I lost count of all the oh my gods I promised to keep track because they all kept on coming one after the other. It is realistic, it is cruel, it is heart-breaking, but also inspiring, exciting and amazingly full of heart.
After reading Hidden Huntress and before reading Warrior Witch, I didn't really know what to expect. My mind couldn't come up with good theories because the possibilities were endless and I knew that I wouldn't come even close to what you would come up with. And I was right. Nothing came close to what I thought would happen, so everything was a shock-full of both terrible and fascinating surprises.
Sometimes, one must become the unimaginable... I don't think you could have chosen a better tagline for Warrior Witch. This sentence stands for everything and everyone. For Cécile. For Tristan. For Thibault. Even for Angoulême and Roland. I have no words for how impressed I am with the complexity of every character you brought to life in your books. Some things I never would have guessed until you threw some hints, and some, well, let's just say that stilled my heart once the truth came out.
I love all your characters. ALL OF THEM. The good, the bad, the questionable ones. I wish I could keep them all safe in a jar away from your grasp. Although I'm a little bit late for that, right?
Tristan: My love, my heart. It's because of characters like him that make me shy away from real boyfriends. I saw the good and the bad of him in Warrior Witch, some things less than attractive, but impossibly as I thought it would be, I fell deeper in love with him. I thank you for showing us all sides of him. I felt him all the more real knowing more about his vulnerable side. I had never felt his love for Cécile as much as I did in this book.
So maybe Warrior Witch isn't full of scenes in which we see Tristan and Cécile freely show their love for each other, but it's there. In every thought, between words, before and after every page break. You know.
Cécile is a heroine. She sacrifices herself so much in this book that there's no way she could ever be called a damsel in distress. Her pain was my pain, her joy was my joy. I felt her and supported her all the way. I admire her. I begrudgingly accept that if it's not me the one to have Tristan's heart, then it always needs to be her. Forever.
Marc was valiant and amazing as always. If I didn't love Tristan as much as I do, Marc would have been the guy for me. He amazed me til the very end!
The same goes to Sabine. I love how Tristan refers to her as his co-conspirator because it's true. They couldn't have done it without her, for her strength and quick thinking. She's more than amazing.
This brings me to mention Chris. I never would have thought he would develop a strong friendship with Tristan. It's the best bromance I've had the pleasure of reading. Their banter made me smile and laugh constantly. "Pretty faced bastard", I so loved it. Chris is one of the best supporting characters ever.
The twins. Oh gosh, what would I have done without them keeping the heaviness at bay with their pranks and "alliteratives"? I so loved how they would casually mention why certain prank would work, usually because they were the very ones they played on Tristan and Anaïs. It made me want know more about their past, before Cécile and all. That's why it was so great to how you used those Tristan moments to throw in some flashbacks. So grateful for that.
King Thibault was one character I've been secretly loving for some time, since the beginning of Hidden Huntress when he avoided to give a straight answer to Roland that he would become king. He's evil and cruel, a master in deceits, but a true genius.
Roland. ROLAND. So wicked and MAD. This small boy truly frightened me throughout the whole series and in this book... wow. And speaking about evil characters, Angoulême and Lessa got what they deserved, but they were great antagonists. Lessa turned out to be the worse of the two, but Angoulême was also plain evil. I seriously liked how you tied loose ends with both of them!
Oh, but the ending. The ending, Danielle!! I think my videos expressed well my feelings about it. I wasn't supposed to ugly cry in front of you, but you fell asleep and I had no one to talk to about it. I am a bit sorry for my feels taking over my words. It's just that I don't think I'll ever recover from this ending. I'm still crying about it in this very moment. I'm fairly sure you have at least 20 full jars with just my tears, imagine how rich you'll be when everyone else reads it?
But thank you for this ending. I think you stayed true to the story and this is how it was meant to be. There's nothing better than an honest story, and you delivered that. Well done. And you gave us what we all wanted. How did you manage this?!
Also, THAT SONG. Never again while I relate it to that iconic thing it represents. This is Cécile and Tristan now. I will imagine myself as Cécile while singing it from now on. And you bet I will cry!
A lot of things happen in these 426 pages. So much that I must once again say how impressed I am with you. You gave us something epic, one big adventure full of many heart-stopping moments. This is the kind of book that demands to be read over and over again. The Malediction Trilogy IS the kind of series that MUST be read over and over again. And I will never tire of saying this.
There might be so many other readers out there who love your books as much as I do, maybe even more because it's hard to not love them, but I must tell you that I love them with all my might. So much. They mean the world to me and I thank my lucky stars that Strange Chemistry accepted my request to review it on that fateful day. It was my first approval as a reviewer. But I didn't know Stolen Songbird would consume me as much as it did. My first ugly crying was with Stolen Songbird and it ends with me ugly crying with Warrior Witch. In a twisted sense of humour, I think that was the perfect way for me to say goodbye to my favorite world.
Long live Trollus!
Much love,
Your reader ♥
*NOTE*
My review is a letter that I wrote to Danielle L. Jensen back when I read Warrior Witch in December. I was a mess and I still am. I don't know how I've managed to survive all on my own. With no one to talk to and no one to tell me that everything will be alright. Because when you finish a book, when you reach the end of your favorite series of all times, a chapter of your life closes when you close the last book.
And because I understand that my letter is REALLY long and I know some of you might not want to read it or maybe won't have time to, I want to tell you all that Warrior Witch IS the ending that this amazing series deserves. The ending that completely destroys you and then fixes you. The ending that your heart will never forget.
Get ready to go back to Trollus and Trianon. To love with all your might Tristan, Cécile, Marc, Vincent and Victoria. To cheer them on as they fight for their lives and the freedom of the half-bloods and humans alike. You will gasp, cry, laugh, swoon, hate and feel every single emotion inside Warrior Witch's pages.
But if you ask me to tell you which book from The Malediction Trilogy is my favorite, I fear that I won't be able to answer you. My heart loves them equally for separate reasons, but I will say this:
Stolen Songbird is like a dream. A surreal hidden world that's frightening yet beautiful.
Hidden Huntress is like waking up into a harsh and desperate reality. Enticing and unforgettable.
But Warrior Witch goes beyond the unimaginable. It's the very reason why epic fantasy exists.
Enjoy. ♥ (P.S. It might be a bit long)
..................
Letter to Danielle L. Jensen about Warrior Witch
Dear Danielle,
First of all, I want to thank you again for letting me beta read. You can't even begin to imagine how honored I feel, how you granted me the best gift a reader could get from her favorite author. I seriously feel blessed. Warrior Witch will forever be a book that I will hold dear in my heart for I feel that there's a little bit of me in it. Believe me, although I may not be the greatest beta reader out there, I poured my heart and soul into the task. Again, thank you for granting me this (what I thought to be) unreachable dream. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. For everything. For writing this series. For being as awesome as you are. For breaking my heart. For making me cry. For all the laughs and swoons and feels. For my favorite book boyfriend. For the bestest of fictional friends. Thank you.
Warrior Witch is undoubtedly one of the best series endings that I've ever read. I'm still stunned by everything I went through in these 426 pages. There's not a single dull moment for it is action-packed and full of surprises in every corner. I lost count of all the oh my gods I promised to keep track because they all kept on coming one after the other. It is realistic, it is cruel, it is heart-breaking, but also inspiring, exciting and amazingly full of heart.
After reading Hidden Huntress and before reading Warrior Witch, I didn't really know what to expect. My mind couldn't come up with good theories because the possibilities were endless and I knew that I wouldn't come even close to what you would come up with. And I was right. Nothing came close to what I thought would happen, so everything was a shock-full of both terrible and fascinating surprises.
Sometimes, one must become the unimaginable... I don't think you could have chosen a better tagline for Warrior Witch. This sentence stands for everything and everyone. For Cécile. For Tristan. For Thibault. Even for Angoulême and Roland. I have no words for how impressed I am with the complexity of every character you brought to life in your books. Some things I never would have guessed until you threw some hints, and some, well, let's just say that stilled my heart once the truth came out.
I love all your characters. ALL OF THEM. The good, the bad, the questionable ones. I wish I could keep them all safe in a jar away from your grasp. Although I'm a little bit late for that, right?
Tristan: My love, my heart. It's because of characters like him that make me shy away from real boyfriends. I saw the good and the bad of him in Warrior Witch, some things less than attractive, but impossibly as I thought it would be, I fell deeper in love with him. I thank you for showing us all sides of him. I felt him all the more real knowing more about his vulnerable side. I had never felt his love for Cécile as much as I did in this book.
So maybe Warrior Witch isn't full of scenes in which we see Tristan and Cécile freely show their love for each other, but it's there. In every thought, between words, before and after every page break. You know.
Cécile is a heroine. She sacrifices herself so much in this book that there's no way she could ever be called a damsel in distress. Her pain was my pain, her joy was my joy. I felt her and supported her all the way. I admire her. I begrudgingly accept that if it's not me the one to have Tristan's heart, then it always needs to be her. Forever.
Marc was valiant and amazing as always. If I didn't love Tristan as much as I do, Marc would have been the guy for me. He amazed me til the very end!
The same goes to Sabine. I love how Tristan refers to her as his co-conspirator because it's true. They couldn't have done it without her, for her strength and quick thinking. She's more than amazing.
This brings me to mention Chris. I never would have thought he would develop a strong friendship with Tristan. It's the best bromance I've had the pleasure of reading. Their banter made me smile and laugh constantly. "Pretty faced bastard", I so loved it. Chris is one of the best supporting characters ever.
The twins. Oh gosh, what would I have done without them keeping the heaviness at bay with their pranks and "alliteratives"? I so loved how they would casually mention why certain prank would work, usually because they were the very ones they played on Tristan and Anaïs. It made me want know more about their past, before Cécile and all. That's why it was so great to how you used those Tristan moments to throw in some flashbacks. So grateful for that.
King Thibault was one character I've been secretly loving for some time, since the beginning of Hidden Huntress when he avoided to give a straight answer to Roland that he would become king. He's evil and cruel, a master in deceits, but a true genius.
Roland. ROLAND. So wicked and MAD. This small boy truly frightened me throughout the whole series and in this book... wow. And speaking about evil characters, Angoulême and Lessa got what they deserved, but they were great antagonists. Lessa turned out to be the worse of the two, but Angoulême was also plain evil. I seriously liked how you tied loose ends with both of them!
Oh, but the ending. The ending, Danielle!! I think my videos expressed well my feelings about it. I wasn't supposed to ugly cry in front of you, but you fell asleep and I had no one to talk to about it. I am a bit sorry for my feels taking over my words. It's just that I don't think I'll ever recover from this ending. I'm still crying about it in this very moment. I'm fairly sure you have at least 20 full jars with just my tears, imagine how rich you'll be when everyone else reads it?
But thank you for this ending. I think you stayed true to the story and this is how it was meant to be. There's nothing better than an honest story, and you delivered that. Well done. And you gave us what we all wanted. How did you manage this?!
Also, THAT SONG. Never again while I relate it to that iconic thing it represents. This is Cécile and Tristan now. I will imagine myself as Cécile while singing it from now on. And you bet I will cry!
A lot of things happen in these 426 pages. So much that I must once again say how impressed I am with you. You gave us something epic, one big adventure full of many heart-stopping moments. This is the kind of book that demands to be read over and over again. The Malediction Trilogy IS the kind of series that MUST be read over and over again. And I will never tire of saying this.
There might be so many other readers out there who love your books as much as I do, maybe even more because it's hard to not love them, but I must tell you that I love them with all my might. So much. They mean the world to me and I thank my lucky stars that Strange Chemistry accepted my request to review it on that fateful day. It was my first approval as a reviewer. But I didn't know Stolen Songbird would consume me as much as it did. My first ugly crying was with Stolen Songbird and it ends with me ugly crying with Warrior Witch. In a twisted sense of humour, I think that was the perfect way for me to say goodbye to my favorite world.
Long live Trollus!
Much love,
Your reader ♥
March 22, 2023
4.25⭐
June 25, 2017
Oh my heart! What an ending to a wonderful trilogy! I have loved these characters and this story for a long time and I finally found time to finish it. It is bittersweet as I absolutely loved going on this epic journey with these characters. I am not quite saying good-bye because I can always re-read these books another time and revisit the world of trolls, magic, adventure and love. There were many lives lost, many, many sacrifices made but I find by the end that everything is where it should be and all is well. There were many parts where I got very nervous for these characters and honestly some do not make it out in the end which makes me very sad but they all had their part to play to rid the Isle of evil. I am ecstatic that I finally finished this series. I am stupidly proud of myself. Of course now that I finished it and loved it I wonder what took me so dang long to finish it when the books were all out. So if you decide to take a trip with some trolls start with Stolen Songbird and don't read the prequel until you read at least the second book to avoid spoilers. This book was very intense and once I started I did not want it to end. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading!
Want to read
April 23, 20152016!!!!!?!?!?!???!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?!!?!?!?!??!?!?
2
0
1
6
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!??????????????????
*tears hair out* and I was so hopeful I wouldn't have to wait long for this one....... WHY!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
oh well. *adds it to my growing list of waiting to reads along with red queen 2, the next throne of glass, winter, Ice like Fire, P.S I still love you.* Where are the books I need to read!?!!!!?!??! sigh
2
0
1
6
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!??????????????????
*tears hair out* and I was so hopeful I wouldn't have to wait long for this one....... WHY!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
oh well. *adds it to my growing list of waiting to reads along with red queen 2, the next throne of glass, winter, Ice like Fire, P.S I still love you.* Where are the books I need to read!?!!!!?!??! sigh
Read
June 12, 20233.5
I liked that this one focused more on the action, there were some epic battle scenes that I definitely enjoyed. and some parts that broke my heart. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending, especially what Tristan and Cècile had to go through to be together then have that happened? I think it was a little unfair.
I liked that this one focused more on the action, there were some epic battle scenes that I definitely enjoyed. and some parts that broke my heart. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending, especially what Tristan and Cècile had to go through to be together then have that happened? I think it was a little unfair.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 914 reviews