If you’ve been following this blog, you might have noticed that I love Juliet Marillier. Last year I reviewed her book “Dreamer’s Pool“, and while I try to space our her novels as much as I can, I finally let myself read “Tower of Thorns”, which is the sequel.
“Tower of Thorns” continues the story of Blackthorn the healer and Grim the strongman, the unlikely pair who have found themselves once again in the middle of a magical mystery. Bound by oath to help all those who ask for help, Blackthorn agrees to help a beautiful yet haunted lady by travelling with her to her lands and performing a summer solstice ritual. Increasingly frustrated by the lady’s secretive manner and hidden agenda, Blackthorn finds her loyalties tested when a person from her past arrives. She pays less and less attention to her companion Grim, who himself is forced to face demons from his past.
One of my favourite things about Marillier’s series is that she never starts on a high and peters out. Her books just build and build. “Dreamer’s Pool” was good, but “Tower of Thorns” was better. The characters are really starting to develop, the ambiance is dark and moody and you’re really starting to get invested in the story. I was really excited a when Juliet Marillier announced a couple of weeks ago that her publishers have given the third installment of the Blackthorn and Grim series “Den of Wolves” the green light.
I love this author. I love her books. I love her feminist historical fiction/fantasy blend. If you haven’t read her books yet, definitely give them a go, and this series is as good a place as any to start.
Tinted Edges 