The Riddle (Pellinor, #2)

by Alison Croggon

The Books of Pellinor are a high fantasy series that is a more accessible version of Tolkein's Lord of the Rings with the same richness of imagery and world building but with straightforward names and a less complicated history. That said it could also be that The Books of Pellinor are less intimidating because they're not as famous or as widely read as Tolkein.

The Books of Pellinor are set in the land of Edil-Amarandh - a land which has been on the precipe of danger for years - ever since Sharma, the Nameless One stole the Treesong from the Elementals (Elidhu) and broke the song. Cadvan of Lirigon is working against the dark but there's only so much he can do - until while on a mission he runs into Maerad - a slave girl who can see through his invisibility. Soon they're travelling together and finding that all is not right in the land. Then Maerad leads Cadvan to a boy named Hem and nothing is the same. Maerad and Hem have an instant connection and it's not long before Cadvan realises nothing happens without a reason and that only by working together can the light prevail.

The second book, The Riddle, picks up where the first book left off two days later. Maerad and Cadvan have fled Norloch and are on their way north to find the Treesong.

I found this one a bit slow to start with, but it picks up the pace as they progress. I enjoyed the town of Busk. The Thoroldian's were so full of life and humour and energy. It was funny how Maerad was initially shy but learnt to relax and take part in their joy. I liked Elenxi and Ankil. The scenes with Cadvan teaching Maerad to control her Elidhu powers were hilarious. “By the Light!” Cadvan jumped up and moved cautiously backward, his hands outstretched before him. “Ilader, andhaseä,” he said soothingly, and the red light dimmed in the lion’s eyes, and it yawned. “Ilader. Ilader.” The beast gradually drooped, as it was overborne with a great weariness, and then quite suddenly curled itself up like a domestic cat, nose to tail, and went to sleep. Maerad was sitting with her mouth open. “Well, that proved something, I suppose,” said Cadvan, glancing at Maerad and running his hands through his hair. “Though why I suggested a lion I’ll never know. Next time, make a rabbit. I think you had better turn it back into a rock.” “I don’t know how,” said Maerad. “What do you mean? You just turned a rock into a lion; you must be able to turn it back.”

Croggon, Alison. The Riddle: The Second Book of Pellinor (Pellinor Series 2) (p. 100). Candlewick Press. Kindle Edition. He really should've thought it through. It was a toss up between the lion and the rabbit She focused fiercely on the figure of the Hull and shut her eyes. Now. She heard a clatter of stones as Cadvan fell over, slashing wide with his sword against blank air, and she opened her eyes again. Her first thought was overwhelming relief; the pain in her belly was gone. She looked up. Cadvan had rolled as he fell, twisting like a snake to avoid any sword thrust aimed his way, and had scrambled to his feet, his sword upraised. There he had halted, his face a mask of astonishment, looking this way and that. His opponent was nowhere to be seen. Then something small hit his boots, making him step backward, and he looked down. On the ground was a furious, mangy brown rabbit with black ears. It hopped forward and sank its teeth into the ankle of his boot and tried to slash the toe with its back claws. It seemed that the Hull hadn’t quite realized that it had become a rabbit, and it still attacked with single-minded ferocity. Cadvan sheathed his sword and bent down, grabbing the struggling rabbit by its ears. He held it up and looked sardonically at Maerad, who was stumbling toward him, and then back at the rabbit. Maerad started to giggle.

Croggon, Alison. The Riddle: The Second Book of Pellinor (Pellinor Series 2) (pp. 121-122). Candlewick Press. Kindle Edition. as to which was my favourite.

Mostly though, I felt so sorry for Maerad in this one. She's had a tough life and it only seems to get tougher as she goes. Although by the end, things are looking up, her life is bleak for a long, long time.

Cadvan drove me mad at points. The whole lead up to Gwalhain Pass, I wanted to shake him. I mean honestly, she's a sixteen (maybe seventeen by now?) year old girl, who has lived her whole life as a slave. Did he really expect to understand her feelings? Or not to ever stuff up? I mean her killing the Bard was a complete accident and he acts like she murdered the Bard purposefully. Cadvan was supposed to be the freaking adult and it drove me mad he just abandons her to her fate - regardless of him trying to think things through or whatever his excuse was.

I liked Mirka and the Pilanel people and I liked that Maerad got to meet some family. Although poor (cousin) Dharin. The Winterking was fearsome. But did Maerad have to lose her fingers getting there? I mean jeez, hasn't she suffered enough?

I was sad not to see Hem in this one but I can't wait to pick up his journey in the next book. This one though is a well written, strong addition to the series, 5 stars.