Review: Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

Book Three of the Blackthorn & Grim series

Publisher: Roc

Publication Date: November 1, 2016

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Feather bright and feather fine, None shall harm this child of mine...

Healer Blackthorn knows all too well the rules of her bond to the fey: seek no vengeance, help any who ask, do only good. But after the recent ordeal she and her companion, Grim, have suffered, she knows she cannot let go of her quest to bring justice to the man who ruined her life.

Despite her personal struggles, Blackthorn agrees to help the princess of Dalriada in taking care of a troubled young girl who has recently been brought to court, while Grim is sent to the girl’s home at Wolf Glen to aid her wealthy father with a strange task—repairing a broken-down house deep in the woods. It doesn’t take Grim long to realize that everything in Wolf Glen is not as it seems—the place is full of perilous secrets and deadly lies...

Back at Winterfalls, the evil touch of Blackthorn’s sworn enemy reopens old wounds and fuels her long-simmering passion for justice. With danger on two fronts, Blackthorn and Grim are faced with a heartbreaking choice—to stand once again by each other’s side or to fight their battles alone...

What I Liked:

This book... this book was everything I'd hoped for, and then some. I don't know how Marillier does it! She stunned me with Dreamer's Pool, ensnared me with Tower of Thorns... and now Den of Wolves has captured my heart. Honestly this series has been so amazing. I don't read a ton of adult fantasy fiction (a lot of adult romance, yes), but I think it's safe to declare this series my favorite adult fantasy fiction series. I am utterly amazed!

In this final novel, Blackthorn and Grim are separated almost immediately. Blackthorn has new responsibilities at Winterfalls, keeping a young girl occupied and taking care of her. Cara, the young girl has been sent to court by her father, to learn social etiquette and comportment. But Blackthorn quickly sees that Cara does not belong in court, and should be back at her forested home in Wolf Glen. Meanwhile, Cara's father employs Grim to rebuild a heartwood house that was once nearly completed, in Wolf Glen. Something is very strange about the two occurrences (Cara being sent to Winterfalls, and Grim being called to Wolf Glen to build the house, with a deranged master builder). Blackthorn and Grim are forced apart, but they will need each other to understand what is happening.

Each of the books in this series is so unique and captivating in its own way. The series is a continuous series (not a companion series), yet it almost seems like you could read each one individually (though I don't recommend it). This story introduces many new characters that weren't present previously in the series, as well as many of the characters in the other two books were not in this book. 

I love how subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) feminist this story is - and Blackthorn is. Blackthorn is blunt and loyal and so strong and capable, but she's also vulnerable and very human. But she is every inch the warrior that Grim sees in her, that she begins to see in herself. Blackthorn becomes selfless on her own, regardless of her agreement with Conmael.

I loved Grim's narrations as well as Blackthorn's. Grim has a distinct manner of thinking, a distinct voice. He's rough on the edges, and a rather large guy, but he is kind and pensive and he sees right through everyone. He's loyal and generous to a fault. He and Blackthorn are such a good pair because they complement each other really well. They have a strong bond, which is friendship, mostly.

There is a third and fourth narration, but those two are in third-person (whereas Blackthorn's and Grim's are in first-person). Cara has quite a story to tell, as does the wild man that is the master builder of the heartwood house (Bardan). Bardan's narratives were often confusing, but it becomes apparent as to why. Cara's narratives are not confusing but those of a frustrated fifteen-year-old.

I love how it seemed like this story was going in two different directions (Blackthorn's, and Grim's), but the two plots converge and intertwine rather neatly. Bardan is not a random master builder, and Wolf Glen is not a random holding with no secrets. It was so clever and mind-blowing and intriguing, what secrets this holding had hidden away, and Cara's father too.

I love the way the author weaves the story together, and her writing as well. Her world-building is so meticulously crafted, and her years of experience in writing novels really shows. This series is quite the masterpiece, in my opinion. There is magic in this story, and fey, and a twisted tale that dictates a lot of the history of certain characters of the story. Which was intriguing! And sad, too.

It's safe to say that there really is no "romance" in the book. Blackthorn and Grim have a deep friendship, but we can all see that it runs deeper than that. But nothing on the romance end happens... until the very end. Which I liked, because the story didn't need romance, but I liked that it was a bit of an afterthought.

You can probably tell how much I enjoyed this book! Dreamer's Pool remains my favorite, but this book definitely comes next. I loved all three books so it's hard to have a favorite. I am sad that the series is over, but I loved how it ended!

What I Did Not Like:

The only thing I think I'd take issue with is that this one took a little more to get into, versus the other two books. I had a bit of trouble with the first hundred pages or so. Maybe it was just me though! (I was a little tired, when starting the book.)

Would I Recommend It:

If you like adult fantasy fiction, then this is definitely a series to try! It was such a lovely and adventurous and spellbinding series. This conclusion really does not disappoint; there was magic, fey, spells, lore, secrets, and nonstop guessing as to what would happen next. This book (and series) was highly enjoyable, and definitely the kind that you want to savor!

Rating:

4.5 stars. I'm rounding down to 4 stars. This series is so, so good. I think I may need to binge-read some of Marillier's other books! I'm glad my first experience with her books was so positive. She is quite the talented writer, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

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Waiting on Wednesday (#177): Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

Book Three of the Blackthorn & Grim series

Publisher: Roc

Publication Date: November 1, 2016

Summary (from Goodreads):

Feather bright and feather fine, None shall harm this child of mine...

Healer Blackthorn knows all too well the rules of her bond to the fey: seek no vengeance, help any who ask, do only good. But after the recent ordeal she and her companion, Grim, have suffered, she knows she cannot let go of her quest to bring justice to the man who ruined her life.

Despite her personal struggles, Blackthorn agrees to help the princess of Dalriada in taking care of a troubled young girl who has recently been brought to court, while Grim is sent to the girl’s home at Wolf Glen to aid her wealthy father with a strange task—repairing a broken-down house deep in the woods. It doesn’t take Grim long to realize that everything in Wolf Glen is not as it seems—the place is full of perilous secrets and deadly lies...

Back at Winterfalls, the evil touch of Blackthorn’s sworn enemy reopens old wounds and fuels her long-simmering passion for justice. With danger on two fronts, Blackthorn and Grim are faced with a heartbreaking choice—to stand once again by each other’s side or to fight their battles alone...

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

  

Dreamer's Pool | Tower of Thorns

Gosh I cannot wait to read this book! One of my favorite adult fiction series for sure! The covers are really pretty too. ;)

Review: Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier

Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier

Book Two of the Blackthorn & Grim series

Publisher: ROC 

Publication Date: November 3, 2015

Rating: 5 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.

Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.

As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.

What I Liked:

WOW. This book was really great. It took me by surprise, to be honest. Rarely is one book in a series just as good as another book in the series. I LOVED Dreamer's Pool, and it would appear that I loved Tower of Thorns as well!

In this sequel, Blackthorn and Grim set out to court, to attend Lady Flidais during her pregnancy. The prince is holding court while the king is away. While they are at court, a noblewoman arrives and pleads for help; a monster in the tower near her properties has been disturbing the land for nearly two years, wailing and screaming in the tower. The sound is unbearable, and Lady Geleis wants Blackthorn to rid the tower of the monster. Blackthorn and Grim begin to uncover secrets and truths about the holdings, the tower, and Lady Geleis. Something strange is afoot, and it could cost them their lives.

The first thing I'd like to say that I liked is that this book could probably be read as a standalone companion novel, which is pretty cool. I'd recommend you read Dreamer's Pool before reading this one, but I don't think it's actually necessary. This story is so different and separate from book one, and also, the author does a really good job of reintroducing information from book one that is important to know.

This story was so enchanting and haunting and eerie and intriguing! It's almost like a Sleeping Beauty tale, or Rapunzel. A woman has to go to the tower and slay the monster, ridding the village of the curse. Err, maybe not Sleeping Beauty, but some sort of fairy tale. Towers aren't new to fantasy or fairy tales, nor are thorns surrounding the tower, or fey, or curses. 

The fantasy of this book is so rich and incredible. Marillier has the world-building down to a science! I love how descriptive her writing is, without making the novel boring or stagnant. You get a clear sense of where the characters are, what the woods look like, what the tower looks like. There are fey at work, creepy haunted forest, isolated tower, and secrets secrets secrets.

Blackthorn is her usual direct, astute, intelligent self, and Grim is his usual gruff, quiet, observant self. They are a great team, one catching the other's mistakes, or calming the other's moods, or just being there. Their relationship is very platonic, and it's nice how well they get along, knowing each other in and out.

Then there is Lady Geleis, who is the noblewoman in distress. We get to read from Blackthorn's perspective, Grim's perspective... and Geleis's. So we know that she knows more than she is telling Blackthorn. We know that she is hiding things deliberately. And we find out her secrets before Blackthorn does. I like how the author shares small bits of information bit by bit through Geleis's perspective. It keeps the reader guessing, and it makes us feel for Geleis.

There is another new secondary character in this story - Flannan, an old friend of Blackthorn's. His appearance is quite sudden and coincidental. Blackthorn is happy to see him, though he stirs up memories of her husband and child. Flannan is a good friend, an ambitious scholar, and not all that he seems, either.

Trust me when I say that this story will have you guessing and guessing incorrectly, mind you. It's almost creepy, in an eerie sense. I got chills at times, and not because the temperature just dropped drastically in the last few days (but seriously, this weather though). Marillier did such a great job with constructing the mood of this story!

Another interesting and heartbreaking and amazing thing she included in this story was more details on Grim's backstory and past, and how he struggles with PTSD in this story. I don't want to give away any details, but basically, parts of his past appear in this story in an indirect way, and he suffers greatly from PTSD. My heart broke for him every time my experienced a flashback or got physically ill or something of that nature! Yet it really shows how well Marillier dug into PTSD.

This story was different from the story of Dreamer's Pool, yet just as engrossing and fascinating. It has such a fairy tale vibe to it, but a really dark fairy tale, with a good ending. The ending is highly satisfying, people! And it makes you want another book, but not in a cliffhanger sense. More like a I-want-to-experience-more-from-this-world type of feeling!

What I Did Not Like:

Hmm, nothing in particular. This book is long? Didn't bother me, but just an FYI for those who don't like long books. It's a bit dense too, but once you're hooked, you'll not be able to stop reading!

Would I Recommend It:

I love fantasy and I loved Dreamer's Pool and clearly I loved this book too, so I must recommend this book (and series). If you like fantasy, especially adult fiction type of fantasy, this is your book. It's not Young Adult at all, very adult fiction, but not in a blood/gore/sex/explicit content kind of way. It's dense, but it's a great read!

Rating:

5 stars. This rating is very rare from me - I don't find many books that I can call a "favorite" or THAT GOOD. But this book is that good! It's even rarer that a novel and its sequel will get back-to-back five-star ratings from me. So... that's an indicator of SOMETHING, right?! Go forth and experience this series!

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Review: Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

Book One of the Blackthorn and Grim series

Publisher: ROC Hardcover

Publication Date: November 4, 2014

Rating: 5 stars

Source: Review copy sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she'll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help. 

Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters. 

With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic.

What I Liked:

I've never read anything by Marillier, but I've heard such wonderful things about her and her books. I love fantasy, and there are some adult fiction writers whose fantasy I've always wanted to read. Marillier is one of those authors. I have no doubt that I will be reading more of her books (pre- or post-published) in the future!

Just so we're clear - this book is NOT Young Adult fiction, it's adult fiction. The protagonists are NOT young adults. Blackthorn is probably in her late twenties, Grim is probably about the same (or older), and the prince is twenty-two and about to be married (so *maybe* he could be considered a young adult. Maybe. But not really). 

Blackthorn has been granted escape from prison by exchanging her desire for vengeance for her services to the services of the people of Dariada. There, with a former prison-mate, she will serve as a wise woman (basically, a healer). Meanwhile, the prince of Dalriada is getting ready to become betrothed to a lady Flidais, whom he has fallen in love with through their letters. An accident in Dreamer's Wood causes one of her maids to drown in Dreamer's Pool, and the lady is not the same after the drowning. The prince suspects that there is something wrong with the lady, and enlists Blackthorn and Grim's help in the matter. Something is amiss, and it will take some wit and magic to figure it out.

At first, I thought this book was all about Blackthorn, an angry woman who has spent a year in prison for trying to go after a nobleman who has been raping and impregnating innocent woman. But this book is also about Grim, a quiet and gruff man who has been quietly serving his sentence for an unknown crime. And it is also about a young prince who believes in romance and dreams and does not have a taste for blood sport and other things that princes should love. This book tells the story of all three of these people, and how their paths intersect.

I love this book. I love each character's story. I think the prince was my favorite perspective to follow - which is surprising, because the book starts with Blackthorn's, then Grim's, then Oran's (the prince). Usually, I like the character whose perspective I've seen first the most. But I liked them all! 

Blackthorn is bitter over her past, and she has every right to be. She hates that she has to spend seven years in the service of those who need her help, before she can seek her vengeance. But she does a world of good for the people of Dalriada, especially the prince. Without her help, the situation with lady Flidais would not have been solved.

I'm glad that Blackthorn let Grim stick with her, and that Grim stuck around for as long as he did. Don't get the wrong idea - they are NOT lovers, or in love, or anything like that. They are platonic, friends if anything, but not really friends? They trust each other, they work together well, they make an excellent team.

The romance lies in the prince's story, but even that is not really romance... the romance in this book is very subtle and very not-so-important, compared to the other main plots of the book. Oran is totally in love with the lady who wrote him letters, but the lady who appears to him, the lady who went through a traumatic experience when her maid drowned in Dreamer's Pool, is not the same lady. His notions of romance and dreams of love are splintered when he realizes that he will never have that kind of marriage.

So there is a mystery to this book - I could not WAIT to find out how things would end. What is wrong with Lady Flidais - is she an impostor, or did she deceive the prince in her letters by having a scribe write them, or is she just completely traumatized over the entire experience of traveling to Winterfalls and then her maid drowning, etc.? I knew the ending would have to be all sorts of epic, and I was not disappointed. 

The fantasy of this book is flawless. Wait - that makes it sound like the fantasy is part of this book, but that's wrong, because the fantasy IS the book. The world-building is beautiful and carefully constructed and excellent. I love the fantasy world that Marillier has created. It isn't explosive and remarkable and epic, but it is intricate and haunting and fascinating. 

This book wrapped up really neatly, so I'm interested in seeing how this series continues. Hopefully we get to see how Blackthorn continues to struggle with her seven-year-sentence against vengeance. Maybe she will get a happy ending, at the end of the series. One can hope!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't really think of anything to say in this section, woohoo! Not that any book is perfect, but I can't think of anything.

Would I Recommend It:

I so would! I loved this book by Marillier, so I definitely want to read more of her books. I always hear about her amazing fantasy and breathtaking romance - I was hoping for more of that romance in this book, but somehow, with the way this story was woven, I wasn't disappointed. Fantasy in adult fiction - for those of you who love this, check out this book!

Rating:

5 stars. Well deserved, well earned. I'm so glad I decided to give this book (and author) a try. If you're interested, there is a giveaway happening on Goodreads until October 28th!

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Waiting on Wednesday (#70): Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

Book One of the Blackthorn and Grim series

Publisher: ROC Hardcover

Publication Date: November 4, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she'll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help. 

Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters. 

With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Fantasy? I'm sold! This one sounds great :D