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What Members Thought
This was a gentle Fantasy with all the traditional, read archetypal, side-characters, but it's real strength is in being a great character-driven novel.
I consider Orlan and Flidais to be side characters in this story, with Blackthorn and Grim being the true gift from the author. With Blackthorn and Grim, this shouldn't be much of a stretch to see, despite Orlan's PoV time, because that guy was just too idealistic and good-natured and romantic a prince to make it as anything other than the subjec ...more
I consider Orlan and Flidais to be side characters in this story, with Blackthorn and Grim being the true gift from the author. With Blackthorn and Grim, this shouldn't be much of a stretch to see, despite Orlan's PoV time, because that guy was just too idealistic and good-natured and romantic a prince to make it as anything other than the subjec ...more
Reread 2025 - 5 stars
Although I did rate this 5 stars the first time I read it, Dreamer's Pool is even better on reread. I think it is probably one of Juliet Marillier’s best and definitely deserves a place on my favourites shelf. I love the character, and the friendship and wholly supportive relationship between Blackthorn and Grim is absolutely perfect.
The audiobook was terrific as well. The narrators don’t have Irish accents but they do pronounce all the names properly :)
Read 2016 - 5 stars ...more
Although I did rate this 5 stars the first time I read it, Dreamer's Pool is even better on reread. I think it is probably one of Juliet Marillier’s best and definitely deserves a place on my favourites shelf. I love the character, and the friendship and wholly supportive relationship between Blackthorn and Grim is absolutely perfect.
The audiobook was terrific as well. The narrators don’t have Irish accents but they do pronounce all the names properly :)
Read 2016 - 5 stars ...more
4.5 stars. My first Juliet Marillier and I picked a good one! I liked our world weary and flawed main characters Blackthorn and Grim. Loved the dreamy fairy tale quality to the story, it seemed timeless and magical. I will definitely read the next in this series.
I am still not sure if the rest of Juliet Marillier's books will be for me, despite how much I loved this one. I often see the word 'romantic' used to describe her work and I'm quite picky about what romance I can tolerate! So if anyone ...more
I am still not sure if the rest of Juliet Marillier's books will be for me, despite how much I loved this one. I often see the word 'romantic' used to describe her work and I'm quite picky about what romance I can tolerate! So if anyone ...more
Decided to re-read this before picking up the next in the series, triggered by reading and liking the first 3 books of the Sevenwaters series by Marillier.
RTC!
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Review from January 2016:
I like the changing points of view. The female heroine, Blackthorn, is bitchy in a mature and stark way. Grim is a likeable fellow, who is not as dim-witted as he appears. I am picturing a talkative, more intelligent version of Hodor. The fey are firmly in Tolkien territory in appearance and feel.
Slightly spoi ...more
RTC!
+*+*+
Review from January 2016:
I like the changing points of view. The female heroine, Blackthorn, is bitchy in a mature and stark way. Grim is a likeable fellow, who is not as dim-witted as he appears. I am picturing a talkative, more intelligent version of Hodor. The fey are firmly in Tolkien territory in appearance and feel.
Slightly spoi ...more
A seamless blend of historical places, fairytale and an impressive and healing friendship between broken people.
Blackthorn escapes from an unjust imprisonment with help from a fey man, but the price for the help is seven years of service as a healer in the northern Irish kingdom of Dalriada and putting aside her vengeance on the nobleman who had imprisoned her. Her companion in the horrible jail for a year, a huge quite man named Grim follows her north.
They come to Winterfalls village where the ...more
Blackthorn escapes from an unjust imprisonment with help from a fey man, but the price for the help is seven years of service as a healer in the northern Irish kingdom of Dalriada and putting aside her vengeance on the nobleman who had imprisoned her. Her companion in the horrible jail for a year, a huge quite man named Grim follows her north.
They come to Winterfalls village where the ...more
4.5 stars rounded up. This is a good one! Can't wait to continue with this series.
...more
A deeply pleasant book, for all that it has some unpleasant subject matter. A tale invoking Irish myth without slavishly following it, and some truly great characters in the form of Blackthorn and Grim.
A somewhat slow start but overall, a thoroughly enjoyable fairy tale fantasy tale with some great characters and a lovely depiction of friendship and healing.
Although this is not an official fairy tale, it feels like one. I loved the mystical setting, and I loved the characters. 4.5 stars
When I read the excerpt for this book I downloaded it immediately and moved it to the front of my “to read” list. I was immediately drawn into the story of Blackthorn, wondering how she had managed to wind up in such a terrible prison, but also pulled by the story of Grim. There was no down time in this adventure, no long or drawn out back story; even though as the story progresses we do learn more about Blackthorn’s past, and some of the things that have happened that have made her who she is.
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‘Human memory is a strange thing,’ he observed. ‘How it comes and goes. How sometimes folk tuck the past away so deep they forget it’s there at all. The human mind is full of byways, dead ends, locked chambers. Strongboxes guarding matters too painful to be brought into the light; dusty corners where items considered too trivial are tossed away.
Well this was good! I liked the characters, the plot and the insecurities of our heroes. I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow.
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Nov 07, 2014
Christina Pilkington
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Nov 30, 2014
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