araulsten's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
haewilya's review against another edition
3.0
Grim was the best part of this book. I didn't like the 'mystery' in this book. Everything felt selfish to me. But the mythology was awesome. Even better than the first book. I just liked the characters in the first book better.
aphelia88's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a few years since I read the first book in this trilogy, [b:Dreamer's Pool|17305016|Dreamer's Pool (Blackthorn & Grim, #1)|Juliet Marillier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1396748896s/17305016.jpg|23963283], and I was worried that I'd find it difficult to remember the characters. Turns out there was no need to worry: revisiting the world of Blackthorn and Grim is liking meeting with good friends after a long absence. It's easy to pick up right where you left off. In fact, I think this book is even better than the first!
The Lady Geileis comes to Court to petition for Prince Oran's help with a strange curse that sounds like something from an ancient tale: in a tower guarded by magical thorns, a strange beast howls from dawn to dusk, while the land sickens, crops fail and the people suffer from sorrow and despair.
Erstwhile wise woman Blackthorn and her companion Grim set forth to help investigate Geileis' claims, because to their experience with the uncanny. But they fall into a fairy tale where magic warps reality, becoming part of a tale that is older than they think and is endlessly tangled. Confronted by manipulation, treachery and betrayal at every turn, it will take all their considerable courage and cleverness to attempt to break the cycle.
Meanwhile, Blackthorn is taken in by an offer that sounds far too good to be a true - a chance to finally see justice done. Despite her natural caution, her longing to see Mathuin pay for his crimes blinds her to her own naivety and duplicity, as she is driven by her own memories of past tragedy.
We also learn about Grim's past, and it makes me finally understand his character. Both Blackthorn and Grim are very complex characters. Although we understood Blackthorn's tragic past at the end of the first book, Grim's troubles remained a mystery.
Final thoughts: An entertaining, captivating read that is highly recommended!
The Lady Geileis comes to Court to petition for Prince Oran's help with a strange curse that sounds like something from an ancient tale: in a tower guarded by magical thorns, a strange beast howls from dawn to dusk, while the land sickens, crops fail and the people suffer from sorrow and despair.
Erstwhile wise woman Blackthorn and her companion Grim set forth to help investigate Geileis' claims, because to their experience with the uncanny. But they fall into a fairy tale where magic warps reality, becoming part of a tale that is older than they think and is endlessly tangled. Confronted by manipulation, treachery and betrayal at every turn, it will take all their considerable courage and cleverness to attempt to break the cycle.
Meanwhile, Blackthorn is taken in by an offer that sounds far too good to be a true - a chance to finally see justice done. Despite her natural caution, her longing to see Mathuin pay for his crimes blinds her to her own naivety and duplicity, as she is driven by her own memories of past tragedy.
We also learn about Grim's past, and it makes me finally understand his character. Both Blackthorn and Grim are very complex characters. Although we understood Blackthorn's tragic past at the end of the first book, Grim's troubles remained a mystery.
Spoiler
He was a monk, Brother Conall, in a monastery violently raided by invaders. It's tragic and heartbreaking and explains so much. It is deeply affecting and makes me hopeful for a better future for Blackthorn and Grim.Final thoughts:
Spoiler
The ending is good, although Flannan's unmasking could have been more convincing. I really thought he was the changeling, Cully, that Blackthorn remembers twice from the past, taken on the form of her old friend to fool her.rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
3.0
A little too lovingly detailed. It would have been better if it had been more concise, I think.
I think that Blackthorn is thick and obsessed.
I also think that her story is one that shows the power of forgiveness. Not in making an evil thing/person no big deal, but in removing their ability to continue harming you. The murder of her husband and child, the actions of Mathuin against his own people - there is no doubt that he is evil.
Honestly, Blackthorn needs the Christian god she rejects. Through him, she could obtain healing and forgiveness, and trust in his perfect justice. Then she could live a life that is less marred by Mathuin going forward. She's been out of his hands for a year, but he lives in her head, rent free, every day, almost every minute.
I think that Blackthorn is thick and obsessed.
I also think that her story is one that shows the power of forgiveness. Not in making an evil thing/person no big deal, but in removing their ability to continue harming you. The murder of her husband and child, the actions of Mathuin against his own people - there is no doubt that he is evil.
Honestly, Blackthorn needs the Christian god she rejects. Through him, she could obtain healing and forgiveness, and trust in his perfect justice. Then she could live a life that is less marred by Mathuin going forward. She's been out of his hands for a year, but he lives in her head, rent free, every day, almost every minute.
ritsinwonderland's review against another edition
4.0
“A torre estava mergulhada na treva, à exceção daquela única vela solitária que tremeluzia no quarto de cima. O vento uivava; as árvores vergavam-se ao seu sopro gelado. Era como se o Inverno tivesse vindo usurpar o lugar do Verão. Nuvens voavam à frente da face da Lua; relâmpagos rasgavam os céus e a voz grave do trovão rebentava no ar. Ela corria, sem pensar no perigo, corria com o coração desgovernado no peito, corria até lhe doerem os flancos, corria com lágrimas de esperança e de terror caindo-lhe sobre as faces.”
A escritora enfeitiça-nos com uma história que envolve uma maldição (in)quebrável, uma torre altíssima rodeada com espinhos, um habitante desconhecido que leva todos à loucura, uma mulher atormentada por fantasmas do passado, seres encantados que vivem na floresta e claro, Blackthorn e Grim, uma dupla improvável, mas inseparável.
Livro escrito a três vozes.
Três mentes absolutamente distintas.
Considerei que a escritora poderia ter suprimido alguns capítulos porque se foi repetindo ao longo do livro com pensamentos que eu já sabia dizer de cor. Como seria de esperar, e apesar da história ter um fim, Juliet deixa tudo em aberto no final para deixar os leitores curiosos e ansiosos por ler o último volume desta trilogia.
Recomendo para quem precisa de viajar para mundos fantásticos, apaixonantes e que dispõem tão bem!
A escritora enfeitiça-nos com uma história que envolve uma maldição (in)quebrável, uma torre altíssima rodeada com espinhos, um habitante desconhecido que leva todos à loucura, uma mulher atormentada por fantasmas do passado, seres encantados que vivem na floresta e claro, Blackthorn e Grim, uma dupla improvável, mas inseparável.
Livro escrito a três vozes.
Três mentes absolutamente distintas.
Considerei que a escritora poderia ter suprimido alguns capítulos porque se foi repetindo ao longo do livro com pensamentos que eu já sabia dizer de cor. Como seria de esperar, e apesar da história ter um fim, Juliet deixa tudo em aberto no final para deixar os leitores curiosos e ansiosos por ler o último volume desta trilogia.
Recomendo para quem precisa de viajar para mundos fantásticos, apaixonantes e que dispõem tão bem!
doodlewinger's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this book but found it a bit predictable. That said I will read another in this series if the author writes one.
paula_s's review against another edition
4.0
Una vez más la ambientación de Marillier me ha parecido un sueño y un viaje al pasado, a la magia, a los druidas, las hadas y otros seres legendarios en un relato lleno de engaños, medias verdades, traiciones, lealtades férreas y revelaciones muy necesarias entre los dos protagonistas, aunque éstos aun no sean capaces de poner todas las cartas sobre la mesa. Que en algún momento se sentarán, se mirarán a la cara y soltarán toda la carga que lleva cada uno a sus espaldas. Deseando estoy de que llegue ese día.
El pero: debo decir que la antagonista me ha parecido el perfecto ejemplo de por qué una bofetada a tiempo hace más bien que mal. A la "niña" le echan una maldición de esas largas cuando tiene 15 años... y ella, viendo los años pasar sigue en esa mentalidad de niñata que no ve mas allá de sus propios problemas. De hecho, finalmente Blackthorn se da cuenta de muchas cosas por este motivo. Por su egoismo propio de la adolescencia pese a que han pasado... no lo voy a decir porque es spoiler.
Aún así Blackthorn y Grim siguen siendo lo mejor del libro (ya lo fueron en el libro anterior), son tan complejos e imperfectos los dos. Tan apasionados en sus luchas. En esto es en lo que se sustenta realmente la historia y, como ya dije, en la ambientación. Es el segundo volumen de una trilogía y cuenta la historia de Blackthorn y Grim desde que escapan del infierno (hasta aquí puedo contarios de su trama), sin embargo cada volumen es, en cierto modo, autoconclusivo pues abre la puerta a nuevos personajes con historias propias y leyendas que desentrañar.
El pero: debo decir que la antagonista me ha parecido el perfecto ejemplo de por qué una bofetada a tiempo hace más bien que mal. A la "niña" le echan una maldición de esas largas cuando tiene 15 años... y ella, viendo los años pasar sigue en esa mentalidad de niñata que no ve mas allá de sus propios problemas. De hecho, finalmente Blackthorn se da cuenta de muchas cosas por este motivo. Por su egoismo propio de la adolescencia pese a que han pasado... no lo voy a decir porque es spoiler.
Aún así Blackthorn y Grim siguen siendo lo mejor del libro (ya lo fueron en el libro anterior), son tan complejos e imperfectos los dos. Tan apasionados en sus luchas. En esto es en lo que se sustenta realmente la historia y, como ya dije, en la ambientación. Es el segundo volumen de una trilogía y cuenta la historia de Blackthorn y Grim desde que escapan del infierno (hasta aquí puedo contarios de su trama), sin embargo cada volumen es, en cierto modo, autoconclusivo pues abre la puerta a nuevos personajes con historias propias y leyendas que desentrañar.