Review: Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Series: Shadowfell #1
Publisher: Knopf Books
Source: Borrowed
ISBN: 9780375983665
Release Date: September 11, 2012
Pages: 287

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Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her own canny skill--a uniquely powerful ability to communicate with the fairy-like Good Folk--Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, a home and training ground for a secret rebel group determined to overthrow the evil King Keldec.

During her dangerous journey, she receives aid from the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. She also finds help from a handsome young man, Flint, who rescues her from certain death--but whose motives in doing so remain unclear. Neryn struggles to trust her only allies. They both hint that she alone may be the key to Alban's release from Keldec's rule. Homeless, unsure of who to trust, and trapped in an empire determined to crush her, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only to save herself, but to save Alban.

I love Juliet Marillier books, but this book I just couldn't get into as much as previous ones Her books are normally slow paced, but Shadowfell seemed excruciatingly slow compared to others I read by her.

The author knows how to weave a magical story without the plot being overtly about magic. It's subtle and that's what I love about the author's style of writing. It brings historical fiction and fantasy together perfectly.

Neryn was a fantastic heroine. She wasn't always physically strong, but had an iron will. She was brave and honest to her path.

I'll fight you. I won't be anyone's puppet. A man who lies to me will never be my friend. I don't need you. I don't want you. I'll get to Shadowfell on my own.

Flint was very mysterious. Not a lot was told about him and his past. Flint wins a wager against Neryn's father for her and rescues her from impending death. They soon part ways while Neryn starts her travels. Even after Flint betrays her she remains conflicted about her feelings for him. She wants him safe, but at the same time she cannot get past the betrayal. After realizing her canny gift may have dire repercussions, she sees that both gifts can be used for a destructible purpose if not wielded correctly.

I loved the Good Folk. They were described so wonderfully and were crucial to Neryn's journey.

I can't wait to meet King Keldec. I really hope that we actually see him in future books, since his wrath is seen throughout his kingdom. He has tyrannised the land of Alban for many years. His villagers fear him, the rebels hate him, he has turned neighbour against neighbour, and friends into foes. His reputation intrigues me and I want to see more of him.

The ending showed us that their journey is not even close to being over. Both Neryn and Flint will be tested along the way and will have far to go to survive.

My Rating:

Review: Flame of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

Flame of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier
Series: Sevenwaters #6
Source: Bought
Release Date: November 5, 2012

Maeve, daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, was badly burned as a child and carries the legacy of that fire in her crippled hands. After ten years, she’s returning home, having grown into a courageous, forthright woman with a special gift for gentling difficult animals. But while her body’s scars have healed, her spirit remains fragile, fearing the shadows of her past.

Sevenwaters is in turmoil. The fey prince Mac Dara has become desperate to see his only son, married to Maeve’s sister, return to the Otherworld. To force Lord Sean’s hand, Mac Dara has caused a party of innocent travelers on the Sevenwaters border to vanish—only to allow their murdered bodies to be found, one by one.

When Maeve finds the body of one of the missing men in a remote part of the woods, she and her brother Finbar embark on a journey that may bring about the end of Mac Dara’s reign, or lead to a hideous death. If she is successful, Maeve may open the door to a future she has not dared to believe possible…

I can't tell you how much I love this series. I have loved almost every single one of the books in the series. I was heartbroken to hear this might be the last. I bought this book back in November when it was first released, but have held back from reading it.

Maeve is a character that has been mentioned briefly in the past few books in the Sevenwaters series. She was badly disfigured in a fire ten years ago, and was sent to live with Liadan and Bran. At Harrowfield she learned to live with her disability. She is no longer able to use her hands and requires a maid to dress and feed her. Throughout this she still remains fiercely independent and refuses to accept anyone who pities her.

Maeve is an an amazing character. She didn't let herself be held back by her disability. She was strong, but vulnerable at the same time. The author knows how to write such strong, likeable characters, and I think that's what has made the series so successful.

My second favourite character in this book was Finbar. He was so wise for his age, but it didn't come across as fake or pretentious. He was a quite and odd little boy, who with the gift of a seer knew too much. Finbar and Maeve's relationship was strong from the start. He was like any other little boy who looked up to his older sister. He saw her as a heroine, even before she become one.

"Going home now is giving up the mission. You're brave. You'd never give up a mission."

This wasn't a traditional love story. There wasn't even an inkling until almost the end. I did love who the author chose for Maeve in the end. The ending was a perfect ending to the series. I hope there will still be another book (there was hints in the book about maybe Elis?) It brought the Mac Dara storyline to a close and he was a terrific enemy for the Sevenwaters clan.

"The tale was one thread in the complicated family tapestry of Sevenwaters"

My Rating: