Silvara's Review of Tower of Thorns (Blackthorn & Grim, #2)

by Juliet Marillier

Award-winning author Juliet Marillier's lavishly detailed * Blackthorn & Grim series continues as a mysterious creature holds an enchanted and imperiled ancient Ireland in thrall. Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn's bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim. Lady Geileis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada's help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land--one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim. As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it's apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle--a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides. * Publishers Weekly

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.

I loved this one just as much as the first book. I also liked the fact we got to see the point of view of Lady Geiléis as well as Blackthorn and Grim's.

The way the mystery unfolded, with the little folk and the fairytale feel of the story being told night after night was a really neat twist. You knew immediately that there was something not right, but I at least, had no idea what was going to happen with the curse until it actually happened.

I also liked that we got to learn Grim's tragedy in this book, the way we found out Blackthorn's in the last book. And he got at least some of the healing he needed. It made an already well-rounded character even more real, and showed him growing a bit.

I didn't like Blackthorn's old friend at all. Mostly because of how Blackthorn ended up treating Grim for part of the book once the friend was on the scene. Not that she ever treated him badly mind, I just didn't like some of her choices.

I loved the little folk! Especially the healer woman and the little man who spoke with Grim. And even though Blackthorn didn't understand about the plant she was told to take, I made the connection once it happened.

We also got to learn more about how the world works, the religion and meet some of the 'common' folk of the realm. All in all, I loved this book and if you haven't read it yet, you should!

This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon

Tower of Thorns (Blackthorn & Grim, #2)

by Juliet Marillier

Reviewed by Silvara on Nov 3, 2015

Reading updates