Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier

Posted December 10, 2015 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Book Review / 0 Comments

Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Tower of Thorns by Juliet MarillierTower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
Series: Blackthorn & Grim #2
Published by Roc on November 3rd 2015
Genres: Fantasy
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

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.

 

I always think I don’t really like regular fantasy since it’s more like a historical fantasy rather than urban fantasy, but now reading these Ace Roc books I find I love it, some of it.  I read somewhere recently about the genre being timeless and that is true enough.   It doesn’t have the changing technology issues of urban fantasy or futuristic science fiction.

But to get to the point, this book and its predecessor,  Dreamer’s Pool,  are interesting, wonderful, well-written books.  The main characters, Blackthorn, and Grim have their strengths and their horrid pasts they are hiding. Yet they can still be kind and supportive to others.

These are thought – provoking books, not the romantic books with humor I favor for comfort reads. Tower of Thorns kept me engaged anyway.  I was happy Blackthorn found an old friend. I enjoyed the comfort it gave her, but I didn’t like him.

The one note I will make here, without giving away the story, is what a pack of liars!  Nobody seems to tell the truth – even the “good” guys! Of course, it is in the name of what is best for everyone. *Snorts*  This is a different situation from the first book.  There are those who actually work hard and sacrifice for the greater good; and those who only care about themselves no matter how it affects others.  Such is life.  

 

 

About Juliet Marillier

Juliet Marillier was born July 27, 1948 in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and a B Mus (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.

Juliet is the author of twenty historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet’s novels and short stories have won many awards.

Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she is active in animal rescue and has her own small pack of needy dogs. She also has four adult children and seven grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)

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Posted December 10, 2015 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Book Review / 0 Comments