Alex
Written on Dec 20, 2016
After escaping her wrongful imprisonment, magical healer Blackthorn, living on the fringe of a mysterious forest with a former prison mate named Grim, is duty bound to assist anyone who asks for her help.
"In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she'll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help. Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters. With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic" --
- ISBN10 0451466993
- ISBN13 9780451466990
- Publish Date 4 November 2014
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
- Imprint Ace Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 448
- Language English
Reviews
e_rodz_leb
Written on Oct 18, 2015
lizarodz
Written on Oct 18, 2015
stacey_is_sassy
Written on Oct 10, 2015
I read Dreamer’s Pool in book form…as in paper. I haven’t read a book with paper in years and I admit, I tapped a few times before I remembered to turn the page. I also kept looking to the top of the page to check the time. Who’d have thought that the act of turning pages in a book would become unfamiliar? By halfway I’d stopped tapping luckily and was fully engrossed in this wonderful tale full of adventure, mystery, magic and romance.
When I started Dreamer’s Pool, I was intrigued with the gritty and dark start to the story. Intolerable conditions had left Lady (aka Slut and Filthy Whore) beaten and nearly broken. Her fellow inmates were in the same condition, but the prisoner opposite, Grim, was always there to talk to in her darkest hour. The story starts the night before she is set to face the council to tell her story. Her imprisonment was due to her speaking out against the Chieftan of the area, Mathuin. He is an evil man and her life and thoughts are consumed with revenge against the injustices performed at his hands. She is approached by one of the Fey, Conmael, who has a proposition for her. If she is willing to abort her plans for revenge, he will help her escape. There are conditions that need to be filled and at first Lady is hesitant. She must leave, return to her old career as a wise woman and healer and head towards an unknown place with a new name, Blackthorn. She eventually accepts the conditions and finds herself on a new path…with Grim following close behind.
Grim hasn’t had it easy either. He was a giant of a man who’s nickname was Bonehead. Grim has a wee bit of a temper and a few times we see the red haze descend and take away his control. With no faith in himself, he feels comfort in Blackthorn’s company. He follows her to protect her, liking the feeling of purpose it gives him. To be honest Grim was my favourite character.
Their journey takes them to Dalriada where they serve as magical healer and handyman under the rule of Prince Oran. Prince Oran is himself on a journey…to true love. He is betrothed to a beautiful maiden named Flidais. They have been corresponding for some time and feel they would make a good match. Unfortunately on her journey to Oran an accident happens and Flidais’ maid is killed. When Flidais and her party arrive Oran is excited to see her. It doesn’t take Oran long to realise that the woman in front of him, might not be his dream woman after all.
Blackthorn, Grim and Oran must come together to work out mysteries and intrigues within Dalriada. Each face their own challenges and find help and support from the people of Dalriada, Conmael and each other.
While not my normal read, it was very enjoyable. Julie Marillier has an amazing ability to make you see the world she has created and believe that magic is real. I was in the head of each character and could feel the anguish, despair and loneliness each felt. I also enjoyed working through the mysteries with the characters and felt the satisfaction when everything was solved.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher, Pan Macmillan Australia, in exchange for an honest review.
Silvara
Written on Feb 19, 2015
You know how most times, you pick up a book and start reading, and then you need to do something else like sleep, and say "at the end of this page." or "at the end of this chapter." Yeah. I totally spent the entire day doing nothing but reading this book. I didn't have lunch. The only reason I had dinner was because it was brought to me and the book taken away for the short time it took to eat the fast food burger.
I loved Blackthorn and Grimm. They were believable characters, with quirks and faults and three-dimensional personalities. Oran was interesting, but not a favorite. And even though we don't really get a sense of his personality, I liked Conmael and hope we get to know him more in the next book.
I loved the twist about what was wrong with Flidais and how it had happened. I had a number of theories, all of which turned out to be mostly or completely wrong. I didn't like one character (who will not be named or the story will be spoiled!) much, but I'm fairly sure we weren't supposed to like her, so that's all right.
Oran I would have liked more if it hadn't taken him so long to realize there was a problem. And the reason he realized it? Really? I liked most of the minor characters and smaller plot lines in the book. I can hardly wait to read the next in the series. If you haven't read this book yet, you should!
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
ayla_abbott
Written on Nov 21, 2014