walkingunund's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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
5.0
Juliet Marillier can tell stories and she draws you as reader in with these wild and untamed lands that exist between the human settlements that are inhabited with more than trees, animals and creepy crawlies.
This second book sees Blackthorn and Grim setting out to solve another mystery that comes their way. And as they figure out the answers of the wailing tower they come to understand some more about themselves and who they are in relation to each other.
This second book sees Blackthorn and Grim setting out to solve another mystery that comes their way. And as they figure out the answers of the wailing tower they come to understand some more about themselves and who they are in relation to each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death and Murder
Spoiler
Both Blackthorn and Grim emerge from a situation of immense traumatisation and grief into the story line of this series, and this background is present in all three books, as the author follows them on their way beyond the immediate situation and where the work on healing what has been so broken starts.moirwyn's review against another edition
5.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2016/04/07/tower-of-thorns-by-juliette-marillier/
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier is the second installment in Blackthorn & Grim, a fantasy series about a prickly young woman who is bent on vengeance against Malthuin, a powerful man who killed her family. She can’t execute her revenge because her very freedom from prison was purchased by a bargain with a fae named Conmael–she can’t seek her revenge for seven years, she has to stay in a specific region, and she has to answer any requests for help from the people she encounters. And so Blackthorn and her comrade Grim have carved out a suitable existence living in a cabin in the woods, where they have the time and space to heal and come to terms with their PTSD and other mental issues.
One day, Blackthorn receives a visitor who comes not with a direct request, but an unusual story. There’s a beast in a tower in her province whose screams drive people insane, and legend says that only a woman can break the spell. Blackthorn is intrigued, and she and Grim travel there to try to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, an old acquaintance from Blackthorn’s past gives her an opportunity to plot against Malthuin, and she is enthralled by his story and the chance to strike. But being a part of his plan would mean abandoning Grim, and it puts Blackthorn in a somewhat tricky position.
In the first book in the series, Blackthorn was my favorite, but in this book, Grim definitely stole the show. He’s portrayed as a gentle giant type of character, and people think he’s a bit slow. But at the same time, he has a quiet intelligence and perceptiveness that allows him to read between the lines and understand things that other people can’t. In Tower of Thorns, we finally begin to learn more of Grim’s mysterious past, and the man he used to be before he and Blackthorn met in prison. He had the most character development in this book, and I loved learning more about him. And of course, there’s still the promise of more secrets to unravel.
Marillier’s writing is enthralling. She weaves together her story, dropping hints that some characters know much more than they are letting on. Everyone has secrets, and answers are revealed over time to continually entice readers as we piece together the bigger picture. And while there were some moments where I wanted to kick characters for not seeing something that seemed obvious to me, or not fact-checking Geleis’ story in much more depth, I was willing to overlook those moments and suspend my disbelief.
This series is quite lovely, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2016/04/07/tower-of-thorns-by-juliette-marillier/
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier is the second installment in Blackthorn & Grim, a fantasy series about a prickly young woman who is bent on vengeance against Malthuin, a powerful man who killed her family. She can’t execute her revenge because her very freedom from prison was purchased by a bargain with a fae named Conmael–she can’t seek her revenge for seven years, she has to stay in a specific region, and she has to answer any requests for help from the people she encounters. And so Blackthorn and her comrade Grim have carved out a suitable existence living in a cabin in the woods, where they have the time and space to heal and come to terms with their PTSD and other mental issues.
One day, Blackthorn receives a visitor who comes not with a direct request, but an unusual story. There’s a beast in a tower in her province whose screams drive people insane, and legend says that only a woman can break the spell. Blackthorn is intrigued, and she and Grim travel there to try to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, an old acquaintance from Blackthorn’s past gives her an opportunity to plot against Malthuin, and she is enthralled by his story and the chance to strike. But being a part of his plan would mean abandoning Grim, and it puts Blackthorn in a somewhat tricky position.
In the first book in the series, Blackthorn was my favorite, but in this book, Grim definitely stole the show. He’s portrayed as a gentle giant type of character, and people think he’s a bit slow. But at the same time, he has a quiet intelligence and perceptiveness that allows him to read between the lines and understand things that other people can’t. In Tower of Thorns, we finally begin to learn more of Grim’s mysterious past, and the man he used to be before he and Blackthorn met in prison. He had the most character development in this book, and I loved learning more about him. And of course, there’s still the promise of more secrets to unravel.
Marillier’s writing is enthralling. She weaves together her story, dropping hints that some characters know much more than they are letting on. Everyone has secrets, and answers are revealed over time to continually entice readers as we piece together the bigger picture. And while there were some moments where I wanted to kick characters for not seeing something that seemed obvious to me, or not fact-checking Geleis’ story in much more depth, I was willing to overlook those moments and suspend my disbelief.
This series is quite lovely, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
sunny_with_0_chance's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the idea of the story, but it suffered from a LOT of repeating and telling-not-showing. I think with a good thorough editing it would've been a lot better! The ending wasn't much of a surprise because of how often hints were repeated. But I still love these characters and enjoyed most of it.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
There is magic in Juliet Marillier's books that makes them hard to put down. Tower of Thorns was not an exception.
fairpersephone's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
gregoreads's review against another edition
5.0
God, I’m falling in love with these books. Grim and Blackthorn are such wonderful characters, and their bond is so full of emotion. They just love each other unconditionally and barely even realize it. And while I was sad to leave Oran behind this book, and didn’t like Geleis, per say, the whole Bann tale was really interesting. Not to mention everything to do with St Orcan’s. I felt like crying for half of this book because Grim is just so pure and deserves everything!! And the little folk!!!! I hope we get to see more of them but I don’t think we will. UGH. If you’re looking for fantasy books that are more lowkey, with characters you can fall in love with, these will suit your fancy.
lassarina's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this continuation of the series. I loved the explanation of Grim's backstory, and the changes we see in Blackthorn--still prickly, still angry, still doing unwise things, but she's learned from the last book (and it's obvious that the lesson Conmael set her is slowly having its necessary effect, which I saw coming from the time he set it.)
I liked the mystery, and the way the secrets were layered and the story of Ash and Lily was woven through the modern-day main story. I liked the cruelty of the curse, and the way it ended. I enjoyed the side characters and the many little details, especially around Grim, when the prior book focused heavily on developing Blackthorn.
I like the way the relationship between the two of them is growing and developing, the care they're taking with each other, and the understanding that grows slowly between them.
I'm really eager to see how this wraps up in the third book.
I liked the mystery, and the way the secrets were layered and the story of Ash and Lily was woven through the modern-day main story. I liked the cruelty of the curse, and the way it ended. I enjoyed the side characters and the many little details, especially around Grim, when the prior book focused heavily on developing Blackthorn.
I like the way the relationship between the two of them is growing and developing, the care they're taking with each other, and the understanding that grows slowly between them.
I'm really eager to see how this wraps up in the third book.
laurengeauxbear's review against another edition
4.0
I had to try hard not to cry several times.
Moved slow at times, but well worth it. I will always love Juliet Marillier’s writing.
Moved slow at times, but well worth it. I will always love Juliet Marillier’s writing.