Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

The Witchlands book 1. Pan Macmillan, 2016. ISBN 9781509825028
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. 2017 Locus Awards nominee. Safiya and Iseult are two young women with uncanny powers. Safi is a Truthwitch, who can tell when something is true. This power is very valuable and empires would do anything to have a Truthwitch as a servant. She keeps her talent hidden and trains with Iseult, whose true powers are unknown, even to herself. When they encounter a Bloodwitch, who can follow on the scent of blood, they must flee their home and go into hiding. At court, Safi meets Prince Merik, a Windwitch and danger faces all three when the elderly King decides that he will marry Safi. With the Bloodwitch, Aeduan following them closely, Safi and Iseult go on the run.
This is a story to keep the reader completely engrossed with the exploits of Safi and Iseult as they come into their powers and realise that they have a part to play in the fate of their countries. The friendship of these two Threadsisters sustains the story, which is very original and compelling. They lean on each other, using each other's skills to come up with solutions and face danger together. Prince Merik's character is complex and the slight romance between Safi and him will delight any romance lovers. The Bloodwitch is quite sinister, but Iseult seems to be able to come to grips with abilities, even as he hunts them relentlessly.
The first in the Witchlands series, Truthwitch will delight fantasy lovers with the friendship between its two main characters who can save themselves, the political machinations of court, swordplay and piracy as well as romance. There is a book trailer at the author's website, and a site for the series here.
Pat Pledger