Tower of Thorns

The following was typed prior to 12/16/2015.  I've added the cover image, but otherwise, I'm just going to post it as is...

Oh, did Blackthorn ever annoy me in this one, while Grim was able to step up even more.  They remain a partnership, but sometimes Blackthorn seemed to forget that.

Traveling as far as they could without breaking Blackthorn's agreement, they went to help with the curse and/or being associated with the Tower of Thorns.  But there is manipulation and secrets afoot from multiple directions.  I am never a fan of manipulation and secrets.  And selfishness too.  But alas, there it is.

But Blackthorn is still clever and wise.  That is the nature of being a wise woman after all.  And Grim remains solid, except when he isn't.  And during those times he is still faithful and true.  Qualities I really admire.

But while Prince Oran (the third perspective in Dreamer's Pool), was generally a good guy, Lady Geiléis (the third perspective in Tower of Thorns) failed to gain my respect (or sympathy) from start to finish.

Tower of Thorns
Juliet Marillier [Website][Facebook]
ROC
9780451467010
Blackthorn & Grim, Bk 2
415 pages

Dreamer's Pool

Title: Dreamer's Pool

Author: Juliet Marillier [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: ROC

Series: Blackthorn & Grim, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780451466990

Length: 434 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

The series title "Blackthorn & Grim" caught my attention when I saw this on Wowbrary... it's the Grim thing.  I had to read the synopsis, and though it obviously was unrelated to anything "Grimm", the concept sounded very intriguing.

Comments:

This was the second book I read on my trip to the Dominican Republic, and it was a great choice.  Blackthorn and Grim's circumstances in the beginning are horrible, drear, and, quite frankly, hopeless.  But I guess there is always hope, because they end up on a journey that, if finished could bring a new chance at life.

The characters have very strong perspectives, and I always appreciate that in a book.  The character that really stood out to me was Grim.  I really, really liked him.  If felt sorrow for his hurts, and proud when he showed himself off well.  I also liked Blackthorn, but I didn't relate to her all-consuming sense of bitterness and anger.  Perhaps if I walked in her shoes.  But I would guess that I'm more the type to react to troubles in life more like Grim than Blackthorn overall.  I cared least for Oran's perspective, though he seemed like a mostly okay guy.  I was always impatient to get back to Blackthorn or Grim, though.

When it came to Oran's issue, I did suspect what was wrong long before anyone else.  So I simmered with impatience while I waited for Blackthorn and Grim to discover what was wrong.  There is also another mystery in the story that I guessed, somewhat off hand, and then dismissed so it managed to surprise me when it came back up.  And even then I never guessed all the details.

While not the longest ever, this is a book of substance, and I moved relatively quickly through it.  It had its moments of high emotion, and by the end I was crying.  I cannot wait for book 2, Tower of Thorns, expected to be out in late 2015.

Interview with the author can be found here:

Darkstars Fantasy News Interview with Juliet Marillier
and
in German