Search This Blog

Monday, October 17, 2016

Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier may or may not be the last in this series.  Originally planned as a trilogy, the characters of Blackthorn & Grim have reached a satisfying conclusion, and yet many readers are not ready for the series to end.

I liked Den of Wolves much more Tower of ThornsThe characters of Blackthorn and Grim have more depth and variety in this latest adventure, and again, Marillier melds plot, folklore, and myth in an intriguing way.  

Grim separated from Blackthorn more than he would like when he undertakes the job of helping the crippled Bardan build the heartwood house for Tolas, the master of Wolf Glen and Cara's father.  Grim takes pity on Bardan and is unhappy with the way he is treated by everyone at Wolf Glen.  Grim, big of body and huge of heart, cannot leave Bardan unprotected. 

Blackthorn is asked to befriend Cara, the child-woman who tells stories to trees while birds perch on her shoulders; who loves her father, but is more comfortable with Gorman, the forester who taught her to carve; who is sent away from her beloved Wolf Glen without understanding why; and who eventually reveals great strength under apparent fragility.

Mathuin, the Laois chieftan, remains a specter throughout the first of the novel, and while Blackthorn continues to fear that he has spies who will discover her whereabouts--the secrets of Wolf Glen dominate most of the story.

Near the end, however, the connection to Mathuin is renewed.  

If Marillier chooses to let Blackthorn and Grim go for a while, Cuan and Segan and the rest of the Swan Island Warriors would make a fitting diversion.  I would happily see these characters develop and have no doubt that the author would find fitting plots for them.

Read in Aug.; blog review scheduled for Oct. 17

NetGalley/Berkley Publishing Group

Fantasy/Myth.  Nov. 1, 2016.  Print length:  448 pages.

7 comments:

  1. She has never really knocked my socks off as an author. I should probably give her another try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I only read the second and third in this trilogy, but I liked the final one much better.

      Delete
  2. I've only read one book (Heart's Blood) by this author and loved it. I know her Sevenwater's trilogy is one of her popular works and I'm looking forward to reading them one day. This one sounds like another great series, too. And I love that cover!

    (I got your postcard today! :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read the first two books in her Shadowfell (YA) and enjoyed them, but haven't read her Sevenwater's series.

      Delete
  3. I know many bloggers who love her work. I'm not sure I'm the correct target audience but I never say never with titles, authors, or genres :) Glad you enjoyed it, and hope there is a 4th book, for the fans' sake.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I haven't read anything by Marillier except her very first book; but I really enjoyed that one. In fact, it's one I own. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. You always find such interesting fantasy books! That's a genre I feel very lost in and definitely can use a lot of recommendations :)

    ReplyDelete