Den of Wolves (Blackthorn & Grim, #3)

by Juliet Marillier

"Healer Blackthorn knows all too well the rules of her bond to the fey: seek no vengeance, help any who ask, do only good. But after the recent ordeal she and her companion, Grim, have suffered, she knows she cannot let go of her quest to bring justice to the man who ruined her life. Despite her personal struggles, Blackthorn agrees to help the princess of Dalriada in taking care of a troubled young girl who has recently been brought to court, while Grim is sent to the girl's home at Wolf Glen to aid her wealthy father with a strange task--repairing a broken-down house deep in the woods. It doesn't take Grim long to realize that everything in Wolf Glen is not as it seems--the place is full of perilous secrets and deadly lies. Back at Winterfalls, the evil touch of Blackthorn's sworn enemy reopens old wounds and fuels her long-simmering passion for justice. With danger on two fronts, Blackthorn and Grim are faced with a heartbreaking choice--to stand once again by each other's side or to fight their battles alone."--

• ISBN10: 0451467035
• ISBN13: 9780451467034
• Publish Date: 1 November 2016
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Ace Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 448
• Language: English

Reviews

[Silvara]

Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The big twist I saw coming very early on. That didn't detract at all from the story though. Especially as I wasn't sure of the why or the how. We also finally get confirmation about why Conmael has been helping Blackthorn.

I loved the song/rhyme that's given in bits and pieces and then finally in full in the book. I usually skip over that sort of thing, but it really resonated and stuck in my head. I also liked the story of the Heartwood House, and how we got to see different versions of it, both good and bad.

I didn't care for Cara's father at all, he seemed way too cold and strict to have had a daughter as dreamy and connected to the forest as Cara was. I liked how the secrets were uncovered, and how they interlinked with each other, even when some didn't seem like they would fit.

A lot of things were tied up with this book, some major plot lines from the previous books, as well as the ones from this book. But there are enough loose threads that another book could easily fit in.

If you like a lot of mystery and twists with your fantasy, you should read this series.

This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon

[ayla_abbott]

Well. Didn't see that coming. I figured the resolution of the baddie would be an entire book of her railing against her promise and political embroilment and, well, like every other book about revenge and justice has ever done. But no. This was better. A good surface story and then in the background turns out good people, with more power-- money, armies, influence-- were doing good things to right ALL the wrongs. Since the series is about healing and learning to trust again then that way of wrapping it up was very satisfying.

[lizarodz]

Quite the Novel Idea http://quitethenovelidea.com http://quitethenovelidea.com/liza-reviews-den-wolves-juliet-marillier/Den of Wolves is the third book in Juliet Marillier's Blackthorn and Grim series and one of my most awaited released this year.  Oh my goodness! It is SO good :)

Since I failed terribly in reviewing the previous books let me just gave you a basic premise.  This series is very different of the books that I've read before.  It's an epic adult fantasy at it's best.  Blackthorn and Grim meet in a terrible prison where horrible atrocities are allowed to happen to the inmates, both the innocent and the guilty.  Blackthorn is saved by a fairy that after imposing certain conditions, allows her to escape and gives her a new reason to leave outside of the burning desire for vengeance.  Grim, at a loss of what to now now that he's free, follows Blackthorn to make sure she's safe.  They decide to travel together to keep each other company and keep each other safe.

Den of Wolves starts a few months after the ending of Tower of Thorns and starts with a new mystery in Wolf Glen.  Both Blackthorn and Grim are involved in it in different ways.  Blackthorn takes the shy Cara under her wing as a request of the princess and Grim accepts to help the seemly crazy Bardan to build a fairy house with magical qualities.  Our main characters get separated and feel the separation quite keenly. They don't keep any secrets from each other and the are constantly in each other's thoughts.

Blackthorn and Grim are both broken, complex and difficult to love characters.  However, as get get to know them thought the books, we can't help but fall in love with them and which them the peace and acceptance of their new life.  The abuse, heartbreak, horror they've endure has make them into the people they currently are: straightforward, open minded about magic, distrustful, afraid of love, prickly, and good to the bone.

The mystery of what happened in Wolf Glen was awful, but I was able to guess most of what happened. I don't want to spoil it for you, but I will say that that part of the story was very satisfying.  Mathuin, the Laois chieftan, makes an appearance here

I found the pace to be slower than previous books, and it has a lot of retrospection.  It also might have to do with the fact that Grim and Blackthorn were not together for most of the book.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed all the parallel stories, I was just impatient to get the ending :)  The ending was very satisfying and not open ended.  The writing is enthralling, interesting, and thought provoking. 

The Blackthorn and Grim series is, without question, one of my favorite of all time.  Although the ending was quite perfect, I would be ecstatic if we could get a few more books in the series.  I believe there's plenty of room for more strange, weird, fascinating stories involving these two beloved characters.This review was originally posted on Quite the Novel Idea