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anixhz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
lucidstack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape
alettarrr's review against another edition
2.0
The beginning was very promising. But it quickly evolved into a boring mess. Well, maybe not a mess, because messes can be quite interesting at times.
The plot was not gripping, engrossing, or compelling. It was outright dull.
I did actually like Blackthorn and Grim. But began hating prince, who-has-never-lived-a-day-in-his-life-in-the-real-world, Oran with a passion that I couldn't enjoy other characters any more.
All in all I was left quite disappointed.
The plot was not gripping, engrossing, or compelling. It was outright dull.
I did actually like Blackthorn and Grim. But began hating prince, who-has-never-lived-a-day-in-his-life-in-the-real-world, Oran with a passion that I couldn't enjoy other characters any more.
All in all I was left quite disappointed.
ceena's review against another edition
4.0
I'm thinking this is a slow burn romance... maybe??? So, there aren't really romantic elements shoved in your face.
But, this book is more of a fairy tale, with insights from the background characters, or people trying to figure out what is going on in order to make the best of the situation. There are definitely some darker elements, I mean it starts with Blackthorn and Grim in a horrible prison where the bleakness of Blackthorn's stay is told. That being said, Blackthorn isn't always the easiest character to read about, she is jaded and crabby, but I think if she wasn't it would downplay her past, so I understand her and it didn't bother me. Truly, I want to know more about Grim too.
I also want to take a moment to say how refreshing the prince is as a character. He isn't gungho about being King and he doesn't like swordplay. He want a wife he can love, would rather appreciate nature, and has a kind heart.
The mystery is somewhat mysterious, but is eventually explained fully. I don't want to give much away but I think it was all done really well.
This is a series I will definitely be continuing!! If you are looking for a more historical background that isn't completely overrun with magic or if you want something with a slight fairy tale feeling to it without a ton of romance then you should check this one out!
But, this book is more of a fairy tale, with insights from the background characters, or people trying to figure out what is going on in order to make the best of the situation. There are definitely some darker elements, I mean it starts with Blackthorn and Grim in a horrible prison where the bleakness of Blackthorn's stay is told. That being said, Blackthorn isn't always the easiest character to read about, she is jaded and crabby, but I think if she wasn't it would downplay her past, so I understand her and it didn't bother me. Truly, I want to know more about Grim too.
I also want to take a moment to say how refreshing the prince is as a character. He isn't gungho about being King and he doesn't like swordplay. He want a wife he can love, would rather appreciate nature, and has a kind heart.
The mystery is somewhat mysterious, but is eventually explained fully. I don't want to give much away but I think it was all done really well.
This is a series I will definitely be continuing!! If you are looking for a more historical background that isn't completely overrun with magic or if you want something with a slight fairy tale feeling to it without a ton of romance then you should check this one out!
bergamot_breeze's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
4.0
Another good book by Juliet Marillier, I didn't enjoy Dreamer's Pool quite as much as her YA stuff but it was still very good. I started out reading a copy from the library but ended up listening to the Audible version in the car with the family on a road trip. They all enjoyed it. This is an adult book, and we have young teens so there was one small part that we skipped over because of content.
I wasn't too crazy about the voice actor for Grim at first. I thought he was pretty awful for a while, but got used to him eventually. I do have a hard time listening to audio books sometimes because the voices don't always match up with the way I imagine them.
While this is a fantasy that includes the fey it isn't loaded with those elements. That is the main difference in this book and her YA books I've read. It focused mostly on the human characters and left the fey mostly background. As this is a series I'm sure we will get a lot more of the fey in later books. I'm looking forward to finding out what Conmael's motivation is.
I think the character growth and the lessons different characters learned about the consequences of their actions were the best things about this book. In the beginning Blackthorn is so bitter and bent on revenge and I can sympathize with how she feels, however it was nice to see her eventually soften up a little. I think I liked the character of Grim more and I found it interesting that he, the one everyone thought of as slow, was the one that ended up figuring out the whole "mystery". I'm very curious about his past and hope we get to learn more in the next book.
In the beginning I wasn't too crazy about Prince Oran but eventually grew to really like him as a character. He tried to do the right things but was also human and made mistakes. He never ran away from his mistakes or blamed them on others, but accepted responsibility for them.
The whole family is looking forward to listening to the next book in the series. My husband rates it 3.5 stars, knocking half a star off because of Blackthorn's stupidity at one point. My daughter's give it 4.5 and 3.5 stars.
I wasn't too crazy about the voice actor for Grim at first. I thought he was pretty awful for a while, but got used to him eventually. I do have a hard time listening to audio books sometimes because the voices don't always match up with the way I imagine them.
While this is a fantasy that includes the fey it isn't loaded with those elements. That is the main difference in this book and her YA books I've read. It focused mostly on the human characters and left the fey mostly background. As this is a series I'm sure we will get a lot more of the fey in later books. I'm looking forward to finding out what Conmael's motivation is.
I think the character growth and the lessons different characters learned about the consequences of their actions were the best things about this book. In the beginning Blackthorn is so bitter and bent on revenge and I can sympathize with how she feels, however it was nice to see her eventually soften up a little. I think I liked the character of Grim more and I found it interesting that he, the one everyone thought of as slow, was the one that ended up figuring out the whole "mystery". I'm very curious about his past and hope we get to learn more in the next book.
In the beginning I wasn't too crazy about Prince Oran but eventually grew to really like him as a character. He tried to do the right things but was also human and made mistakes. He never ran away from his mistakes or blamed them on others, but accepted responsibility for them.
The whole family is looking forward to listening to the next book in the series. My husband rates it 3.5 stars, knocking half a star off because of Blackthorn's stupidity at one point. My daughter's give it 4.5 and 3.5 stars.
twbartho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so fun. It feels like a slow burn, but actually so much is going on at every point in the story—and it feels exciting to uncover new clues and piece things together with the characters.
You can tell a lot of time went into mapping out POV switches, and every character ends up feeling important because of it. Everyone has a part to play, and the stakes feel so much higher as the story ends. By those last pages, more than a few lessons have been learned… almost like a tale you’d hear from a healer, a wise woman…
Super recommend, especially if you’ve never read a fantasy mystery like me. Can’t wait to read the other two in the series!
You can tell a lot of time went into mapping out POV switches, and every character ends up feeling important because of it. Everyone has a part to play, and the stakes feel so much higher as the story ends. By those last pages, more than a few lessons have been learned… almost like a tale you’d hear from a healer, a wise woman…
Super recommend, especially if you’ve never read a fantasy mystery like me. Can’t wait to read the other two in the series!
drewmacmacmac's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dreamer’s Pool pleasantly surprised me. What I had expected to be a cozy, mostly atmospheric fantasy novel turned out to be a gratifying mystery and exploration of healing from traumatic experiences. Each of the three POVs offered a unique and engaging voice, while the plot, though a little unbalanced towards the back end, kept me captivated as the narrative unfolded. On that note, however, I felt that the uneven pacing, as well as the just-okay prose, was the book’s biggest weakness. That all said, though, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to readers who want a fun mystery and like fantasy that leans into historical folklore.
jessarratt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amiascah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think I had this too hyped up in my head being by Juliet Marillier and it mostly fell flat at the beginning for me.
'Dreamer's Pool' is the first novel in the Juliet Marillier's series that features the wise women healer Blackthorn and her companion Grim. In the beginning we see both Grim and Blackthorn being held in prison. It turns out Blackthorn has had a turbulent past that has come against the local lord Mathuin's one too many times and he has decided to be rid of the problem of her. Before he can do that her unlikely rescue from the fey is orchestrated and she plus the prisoner across from her, Grim are freed. Part of the bargain of her freedom entails her agreeing to go north to Dreamer's Wood and helping those in need.
Close to Dreamer's Wood we've been following along with Prince Oran at Winterfalls, where he is struggling with the prospect of finding a bride. He thinks he has found his match with Lady Fidalis, the two correspond for some time until her father's land being unsafe and she leaves for Winterfalls and for her marriage to Oran. But the woman that arrives in Winterfalls does not seem to be the same Fidalis that Oran corresponded with.
Marillier weaves together this two stories creating a beautiful world full of full characters and lush folktales.
spoilers
So I love Mariller, I love her Sevenwater series and I love her Light Isle series. And I will admit that looking back Daughter of the forest doesn't take off for me until Sorcha is on her own but I don't think that it felt as slow and boring as the beginning of Dreamer's Pool did. This could particularly be because I quite disliked Oran and his story line. He was a huge bore and an absolute drag. Even when he's starting to figure out that something is off with Fidalis I felt bored by him. Blackthorn on the other hand was refreshing, so often I hear people saying I wish for an older FMC that has seen a few things and been around the block and why does the world always need saving by a 16 year old. I know that most want to see some granny with her cats, but I enjoyed the midget jadedness of Blackthorn. I was disappointed in her personally that she fell so fast for Ciar's lies but I completely get it and can't say I wouldn't have done the same in her position, the lies were crafted perfectly for her.
Unfortunately life is blowing up so Ill have to keep the rest of my thoughts to myself.
'Dreamer's Pool' is the first novel in the Juliet Marillier's series that features the wise women healer Blackthorn and her companion Grim. In the beginning we see both Grim and Blackthorn being held in prison. It turns out Blackthorn has had a turbulent past that has come against the local lord Mathuin's one too many times and he has decided to be rid of the problem of her. Before he can do that her unlikely rescue from the fey is orchestrated and she plus the prisoner across from her, Grim are freed. Part of the bargain of her freedom entails her agreeing to go north to Dreamer's Wood and helping those in need.
Close to Dreamer's Wood we've been following along with Prince Oran at Winterfalls, where he is struggling with the prospect of finding a bride. He thinks he has found his match with Lady Fidalis, the two correspond for some time until her father's land being unsafe and she leaves for Winterfalls and for her marriage to Oran. But the woman that arrives in Winterfalls does not seem to be the same Fidalis that Oran corresponded with.
Marillier weaves together this two stories creating a beautiful world full of full characters and lush folktales.
spoilers
So I love Mariller, I love her Sevenwater series and I love her Light Isle series. And I will admit that looking back Daughter of the forest doesn't take off for me until Sorcha is on her own but I don't think that it felt as slow and boring as the beginning of Dreamer's Pool did. This could particularly be because I quite disliked Oran and his story line. He was a huge bore and an absolute drag. Even when he's starting to figure out that something is off with Fidalis I felt bored by him. Blackthorn on the other hand was refreshing, so often I hear people saying I wish for an older FMC that has seen a few things and been around the block and why does the world always need saving by a 16 year old. I know that most want to see some granny with her cats, but I enjoyed the midget jadedness of Blackthorn. I was disappointed in her personally that she fell so fast for Ciar's lies but I completely get it and can't say I wouldn't have done the same in her position, the lies were crafted perfectly for her.
Unfortunately life is blowing up so Ill have to keep the rest of my thoughts to myself.