If it helps, WITCHSHADOW might actually be my favorite in the series (though frankly, I love them all.) The world, the characters, the plot just fell so rightly into place. And the fact that series is so meaty, so in-depth, so intricate is what I adore about them--and the sort of books I want desperately to see more of in YA (though sadly, I don't think publishing seems to favor these kind of books much anymore?). I'm glad you've been able to give yourself grace; this industry is so hard.
Also... "Or is it, perhaps, a new beginning…" EXCUSE ME?!
I'm so sorry the haters were so much louder than the rest of us! 😭 I get scared talking to my favorite authors, but let me say now: Iseult is one of my favorite characters ever, and if you published Witchlands books for the next 50 years, I'd continue reading every single one of them. Just make the next one a giant fantasy brick, with a whole part one that someone will complain "could have been it's own book" and a part two of the same length. 👀 The Lord of the Rings was only 1 book at one point. If an old white man can do it, you can too.
Okay no, I’m patient I’m calm 🙂↕️ I was going to comment something else, but then that last bit took me out lol
In an effort to be the vocal majority, let me just say that I’ve never once felt let down while reading any Witchlands book. From the very first sentence I knew l could trust you, I KNEW this was a deep grounded world and that you would deliver! Honestly, every book has been so much better than the last, even when the last was GREAT. You have managed to create a series where the tension just keeps rising and rising and the plot gets tighter and more satisfying, even when it’s complicated! I, too, wish you could have gotten two books for Iseult—not because I was dissatisfied with Witchshadow but because hello more Witchlands book who would say no 😌 but what you did in that one book is jaw dropping ✨ I hope we have more to come 🥹
Witchlander from day one and I’ll be a Witchlander til the end! It’s really such a special series, and since I started working at a bookstore it’s been THE fantasy series that I push. I wish you could see the way people’s faces light up when I describe it to them for the first time! It’s so hard because negativity often gets the loudest voice, but just know that those of us who LOVED Witchshadow are out here!!!
I absolutely loved Witchshadow because of how complex it was! I’m the nerd who’s happiest sitting in a nest of all the books in a series while I read the latest book so that I can pull out a previous book to check something as I go.
One of the things I love so much about your writing is that when I come across something that seems connected (or, conversely, contradictory), it is almost certainly meant to be that way. My busy and obsessive brain is sometimes a little *too* good at remembering things and making connections, so I try to give authors a fair bit of grace regarding inconsistencies or missed opportunities. But when someone does it well, oh boy 😍😍
It’s a sad reality that people who are happy with something rarely bother to comment, but unhappy people will sing it from the rooftops. This pairs with our natural inclination to focus far more on negative feedback, even when it’s the minority, to create a perfect storm of misery. I’m glad therapy (and time) have helped you process this, and hopefully, those of us reminding you how much we love your work can be the icing on the cake. Keep being your incredible self; it’s always enough.
As always, so appreciate your honesty and willingness to be vulnerable about the writing process. It is so clear how much you love this world! And it sucks that you had to face such pushback during a personally vulnerable time.
(On a side note, YES, I am also learning that 5-year-olds can get outsized reactions to bug bites - this was the second summer in a row that my kid's eye swelled shut on vacation in another country...hurray)
I am extremely biased for very obvious reasons, but even if I didn't know about how difficult a journey it was to complete WITCHSHADOW, I still would consider it my favorite of the series.
ALSOOOOOO WHAT IS THAT FOOTNOTE, SOOZ???????????????? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE OWL SPINOFF LETS GOOOOOOOO
This was such an interesting read. Witchshadow has always been a shift in the series for me (title, spine design, storytelling style) and one I really need to revisit before Witchlight. Thank you for sharing!! 💙
I cannot believe readers feel the need to take time away from their days to criticize authors! I have been utterly devastated by a sequel I hated before, and I just... did nothing. OK, I posted a review about WHY I hated it, because that might help other readers who like different things. But I certainly didn't go out of my way to berate the writer!
Perfection isn't always everything because in life, people are always going to critize you (if the book is fast paced, they'll say it was rushed Or if a book is much slower they'll say its boring so don't let those people critize you because the best thing you can do is ignore them and keep moving forward, though I do agree that Witchshadow is the worst book in the trilogy, there was still some moments which were perfect like the wedding scene, the threadsisters reunion, and defeating Corlant so I think its a decent book)
Love love love the series and appreciate all the heart and work you’ve poured into it, Sooz!
If it helps, WITCHSHADOW might actually be my favorite in the series (though frankly, I love them all.) The world, the characters, the plot just fell so rightly into place. And the fact that series is so meaty, so in-depth, so intricate is what I adore about them--and the sort of books I want desperately to see more of in YA (though sadly, I don't think publishing seems to favor these kind of books much anymore?). I'm glad you've been able to give yourself grace; this industry is so hard.
Also... "Or is it, perhaps, a new beginning…" EXCUSE ME?!
I'm so sorry the haters were so much louder than the rest of us! 😭 I get scared talking to my favorite authors, but let me say now: Iseult is one of my favorite characters ever, and if you published Witchlands books for the next 50 years, I'd continue reading every single one of them. Just make the next one a giant fantasy brick, with a whole part one that someone will complain "could have been it's own book" and a part two of the same length. 👀 The Lord of the Rings was only 1 book at one point. If an old white man can do it, you can too.
IS IT A NEW BEGINNING??? IS IT omg (!!!!!!)
Okay no, I’m patient I’m calm 🙂↕️ I was going to comment something else, but then that last bit took me out lol
In an effort to be the vocal majority, let me just say that I’ve never once felt let down while reading any Witchlands book. From the very first sentence I knew l could trust you, I KNEW this was a deep grounded world and that you would deliver! Honestly, every book has been so much better than the last, even when the last was GREAT. You have managed to create a series where the tension just keeps rising and rising and the plot gets tighter and more satisfying, even when it’s complicated! I, too, wish you could have gotten two books for Iseult—not because I was dissatisfied with Witchshadow but because hello more Witchlands book who would say no 😌 but what you did in that one book is jaw dropping ✨ I hope we have more to come 🥹
Witchlander from day one and I’ll be a Witchlander til the end! It’s really such a special series, and since I started working at a bookstore it’s been THE fantasy series that I push. I wish you could see the way people’s faces light up when I describe it to them for the first time! It’s so hard because negativity often gets the loudest voice, but just know that those of us who LOVED Witchshadow are out here!!!
I absolutely loved Witchshadow because of how complex it was! I’m the nerd who’s happiest sitting in a nest of all the books in a series while I read the latest book so that I can pull out a previous book to check something as I go.
One of the things I love so much about your writing is that when I come across something that seems connected (or, conversely, contradictory), it is almost certainly meant to be that way. My busy and obsessive brain is sometimes a little *too* good at remembering things and making connections, so I try to give authors a fair bit of grace regarding inconsistencies or missed opportunities. But when someone does it well, oh boy 😍😍
It’s a sad reality that people who are happy with something rarely bother to comment, but unhappy people will sing it from the rooftops. This pairs with our natural inclination to focus far more on negative feedback, even when it’s the minority, to create a perfect storm of misery. I’m glad therapy (and time) have helped you process this, and hopefully, those of us reminding you how much we love your work can be the icing on the cake. Keep being your incredible self; it’s always enough.
As always, so appreciate your honesty and willingness to be vulnerable about the writing process. It is so clear how much you love this world! And it sucks that you had to face such pushback during a personally vulnerable time.
(On a side note, YES, I am also learning that 5-year-olds can get outsized reactions to bug bites - this was the second summer in a row that my kid's eye swelled shut on vacation in another country...hurray)
Do you gotta sign all them books Susan? Whew! Course, most of us would sign every book published : )
I am extremely biased for very obvious reasons, but even if I didn't know about how difficult a journey it was to complete WITCHSHADOW, I still would consider it my favorite of the series.
ALSOOOOOO WHAT IS THAT FOOTNOTE, SOOZ???????????????? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE OWL SPINOFF LETS GOOOOOOOO
This was such an interesting read. Witchshadow has always been a shift in the series for me (title, spine design, storytelling style) and one I really need to revisit before Witchlight. Thank you for sharing!! 💙
1) I love this series
2) I love your writing
3) 👀 at footnote #7
4) thank you for always being so open and transparent about this whole writing as a career thing. I appreciate it immensely.
I cannot believe readers feel the need to take time away from their days to criticize authors! I have been utterly devastated by a sequel I hated before, and I just... did nothing. OK, I posted a review about WHY I hated it, because that might help other readers who like different things. But I certainly didn't go out of my way to berate the writer!
Perfection isn't always everything because in life, people are always going to critize you (if the book is fast paced, they'll say it was rushed Or if a book is much slower they'll say its boring so don't let those people critize you because the best thing you can do is ignore them and keep moving forward, though I do agree that Witchshadow is the worst book in the trilogy, there was still some moments which were perfect like the wedding scene, the threadsisters reunion, and defeating Corlant so I think its a decent book)