marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite kind of book: the kind I can't wait to pick up again, and never want to end! It has a little bit of everything: culture, mythology, adventure, romance, pirates, a smart girl who is clever and not afraid of occasionally stepping out of the conventional. I even kept away from reading ahead because I didn't want to spoil the plot for myself. If you know me, that is saying something!
*****
Updated upon listening to the audio - still a very good book. I also appreciated that with the audio, I learned how "Cybele" is pronounced.
*****
Updated upon listening to the audio - still a very good book. I also appreciated that with the audio, I learned how "Cybele" is pronounced.
onewinternight's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good and not too fluffy, but I was still able to knit while reading it.
rochelleisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
zenithharpink's review against another edition
5.0
This was another AMAZING read from Marillier, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She's so imaginative, descriptive and compelling. I'm always torn between dying to know what's going to happen next, and not wanting the story to end!
I honestly can't decide which I prefer, this book or its predecessor, Wildwood Dancing. They are both super entertaining and everything I hope for from a fantasy book. This story wasn't based on a known fairytale like Wildwood Dancing, but I don't think that was a plus or a minus. I also appreciated that she carried on the narrative of known (and beloved) characters.
This world is incredibly rich, I was entirely immersed from page 1, that I felt as though I was emerging from underwater when I'd put the book down (which happened rarely). I love the characters-even minor characters have true depth, and everybody feels fully formed in Marillier's mind-it's an amazing feet of authorship.
I felt that the end of this book was alluding to a third installment, but perhaps that was just my wishful thinking. I would recommend this book to all fans of Wildwood Dancing, fantasy, Juliet Marillier, or who are simply looking for a great read-this fantastic books checks ALL the boxes!
I honestly can't decide which I prefer, this book or its predecessor, Wildwood Dancing. They are both super entertaining and everything I hope for from a fantasy book. This story wasn't based on a known fairytale like Wildwood Dancing, but I don't think that was a plus or a minus. I also appreciated that she carried on the narrative of known (and beloved) characters.
This world is incredibly rich, I was entirely immersed from page 1, that I felt as though I was emerging from underwater when I'd put the book down (which happened rarely). I love the characters-even minor characters have true depth, and everybody feels fully formed in Marillier's mind-it's an amazing feet of authorship.
I felt that the end of this book was alluding to a third installment, but perhaps that was just my wishful thinking. I would recommend this book to all fans of Wildwood Dancing, fantasy, Juliet Marillier, or who are simply looking for a great read-this fantastic books checks ALL the boxes!
unicorn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
freesien's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this book even more than the last installment. Paula was my favourite character in the first book and now she is the protagonist and I really liked reading from her point of view.
This book was so much fun: Pirates! Adventures! Magic! Books! It has it all. I don't want to say goodbye to all the characters, I am really curious about Stela's story. One day maybe.
This book was so much fun: Pirates! Adventures! Magic! Books! It has it all. I don't want to say goodbye to all the characters, I am really curious about Stela's story. One day maybe.
linaria's review against another edition
5.0
While not my favourite Marillier book (That award goes to her spectacular Heart's Blood), this is a strong follow-up to her YA debut, Wildwood Dancing. Cybele's Secret follows the younger sister of the main character of Wildwood Dancing as she journeys to Istanbul from Transylvania to help with her father's trading business.
Since Paula and her sisters lots their access to the other world, she has been looking for a way back. By journeying to a land of scholars, Paula may have access to some book or document that will help in her search. There are dangers though, someone doesn't want her father to complete his trade. With murderers, pirates, and questionable bodyguards, Paula doesn't know who to trust.
Marilier always has a lush voice to her writing, and this one does not disappoint. The setting is vibrant and richly detailed. It has Juliet Marillier's standard romance, where you can't help but love the characters and want to give them a giant hug. Stoyan was possibly not my favourite of the love interests, but it was still expertly done.
I don't care how many years go by, I will hold out hope for Stela's book.
Since Paula and her sisters lots their access to the other world, she has been looking for a way back. By journeying to a land of scholars, Paula may have access to some book or document that will help in her search. There are dangers though, someone doesn't want her father to complete his trade. With murderers, pirates, and questionable bodyguards, Paula doesn't know who to trust.
Marilier always has a lush voice to her writing, and this one does not disappoint. The setting is vibrant and richly detailed. It has Juliet Marillier's standard romance, where you can't help but love the characters and want to give them a giant hug. Stoyan was possibly not my favourite of the love interests, but it was still expertly done.
I don't care how many years go by, I will hold out hope for Stela's book.
marimoose's review against another edition
5.0
Gosh darn it. I expected that after Wildwood Dancing, I'd have gotten over my apparent awe and bubbly admiration for such a good tale, and that I'd avoid having cried like I did with Jena's story. Of course the rivulets of tears erupted at the end, as if the author went out of her way to say: "Excuuuuse me, Mari, you can't escape so easily!"
Besides Jena, who I absolutely adored in Wildwood Dancing, Paula was definitely my second favorite sister. When I found Cybele's Secret and realized it was a companion novel to Wildwood Dancing, I immediately borrowed it without knowing it would be about Paula. I borrowed it without knowing the setting was Constantinople (another thing I am also currently obsessed with). Somehow, I was just compelled to get it. And once I realized the character, the premise, and the setting, I already knew I was going to love the book.
And I did.
True, it wasn't as intensely written as its first book, but Wildwood truly dealt with the fairy tale and the supernatural. It dealt with a more threatening purpose, Jena's fear which loomed around the corner, just past their bedroom. Cybele's Secret followed a more simple and adventurous path, further East to an exotic land of pirates and multicultural traditions and numerous stories lost in a myriad of different languages--though this is not necessarily without magic of its own. And while I whined and wailed through--and knew the results of--the love triangle, I did appreciate it to the very end. Leave it to the ever-bookish and scholarly Paula to attract two fine, strapping men to her! I'm almost jealous. Almost.
It's been hours past my usual bedtime, and I've been sitting here wondering where the time's gone. If that was all I needed to say about how much I've invested in this book, then I suppose that would have been enough as well.
Besides Jena, who I absolutely adored in Wildwood Dancing, Paula was definitely my second favorite sister. When I found Cybele's Secret and realized it was a companion novel to Wildwood Dancing, I immediately borrowed it without knowing it would be about Paula. I borrowed it without knowing the setting was Constantinople (another thing I am also currently obsessed with). Somehow, I was just compelled to get it. And once I realized the character, the premise, and the setting, I already knew I was going to love the book.
And I did.
True, it wasn't as intensely written as its first book, but Wildwood truly dealt with the fairy tale and the supernatural. It dealt with a more threatening purpose, Jena's fear which loomed around the corner, just past their bedroom. Cybele's Secret followed a more simple and adventurous path, further East to an exotic land of pirates and multicultural traditions and numerous stories lost in a myriad of different languages--though this is not necessarily without magic of its own. And while I whined and wailed through--and knew the results of--the love triangle, I did appreciate it to the very end. Leave it to the ever-bookish and scholarly Paula to attract two fine, strapping men to her! I'm almost jealous. Almost.
It's been hours past my usual bedtime, and I've been sitting here wondering where the time's gone. If that was all I needed to say about how much I've invested in this book, then I suppose that would have been enough as well.
m4tr1m0ny's review against another edition
3.0
I've been watching too much Taskmaster to take this as seriously as I should