Dreamer's Pool (Blackthorn & Grim, #1) in Fantasy-Faction.com

Dec 15, 2013 Mogsy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, magic, arcs-and-galleys, review-copy, fae, favorites

5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/10/27/b...

“Spellbinding” is the only word to describe Dreamer’s Pool. Reading it was like walking into a gorgeous, living fairy tale. I just loved this book, it’s probably one of the best I’ve read all year…and I’ve read A LOT of books this year.

This is the first in an adult series by Juliet Marillier, called Blackthorn and Grim. Blackthorn is a woman we meet at the beginning of the novel, imprisoned for speaking out against a wicke 5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/10/27/b...

“Spellbinding” is the only word to describe Dreamer’s Pool. Reading it was like walking into a gorgeous, living fairy tale. I just loved this book, it’s probably one of the best I’ve read all year…and I’ve read A LOT of books this year.

This is the first in an adult series by Juliet Marillier, called Blackthorn and Grim. Blackthorn is a woman we meet at the beginning of the novel, imprisoned for speaking out against a wicked and corrupt chieftain. Hours before she is to be executed, she is visited by the fey, who offers her a chance to escape in exchange for her promise to set aside her desire for vengeance. Reluctantly, Blackthorn agrees and makes her way north to Dalriada to start her new life. She is trailed by her fellow prisoner and escapee Grim, a hulking man of few words. Unable to turn away anyone who asks her for help, Blackthorn also recognizes Grim’s potential as an ally, and the two of them strike up a tentative partnership.

Meanwhile in Dalriada, Prince Oran prepares to wed. He has never met his future bride the Lady Flidais, though he has seen her portrait and they have written extensively to each other. However, the crown prince is convinced that the sweet, compassionate and intelligent woman he has come to know through her letters is his perfect match, which is why he is dismayed when the Flidais who arrives at his castle is nothing like the Flidais he thought he knew. Had he been taken for a fool, merely blinded by youthful naiveté? Or is there something stranger, more mystical afoot? Perhaps the newly arrived wise woman and her big strong helper could be of some assistance in this mystery.

This is a tale of magic, set in a world where one imagines myths and legends can come to life, but it also feels surprisingly grounded at the same time, almost like a fairy tale infused with a bit of realism. These elements gave the world more depth and kept it from feeling too simplistic, but they were also muted enough not to be overbearing or risk completely obliterating the magical nuances. Marillier tackles the craft of world-building meticulously and flawlessly, striking the perfect tone. I’m beyond impressed.

Dreamer’s Pool is told through the perspectives of Blackthorn, Grim and Oran. These three characters made this book a joy to read, and there’s no hemming and hawing about it – I loved them all equally. They’re very different people, and the way they’re written by Marillier, you would never mistake any one of them for another. Each person’s voice feels unique and extraordinarily real and powerful. The reader perceives the world and various events through a character’s eyes, at the same time watching him or her develop along with the story. We’re with Oran as he grows from a young, carefree man into a thoughtful and worldly leader. We’re in Blackthorn’s head even as she is blinded by her own personal biases and unaware of her flaws. And Grim is just Grim. He’s simply an amazing and special man and there can be no other like him.

This book made me wonder why I waited so long to pick up something by Juliet Marillier. She writes so beautifully, with every word like an enchantment or spell drawing the reader deeper into the story. There’s a mystery here I couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of, and then as we drew closer to the conclusion I didn’t want this story to end!

Alas, it did. But I’m also glad this is going to be a series because I can’t wait until we can return to the world of Blackthorn and Grim. Until then, I’ve bought other books by Marillier because I just can’t get enough of her writing. Dreamer’s Pool gave me a taste, and now I’m hooked. ...more

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Sep 15, 2015 Althea Ann rated it liked it

After being unfairly imprisoned by a cruel lord, the healer/wise woman Blackthorn is freed by an enigmatic fey and charged with his rule: for seven years she may not seek revenge for the wrongs done to her and hers; instead she must take up residence in the kingdom of Dalriada and must provide aid to anyone who asks her for help.

Although reluctant, Blackthorn does as she is bid, and sets out for Dalriada, accompanied by her former fellow prisoner, Grim, a giant of a man whose feelings for Blackt After being unfairly imprisoned by a cruel lord, the healer/wise woman Blackthorn is freed by an enigmatic fey and charged with his rule: for seven years she may not seek revenge for the wrongs done to her and hers; instead she must take up residence in the kingdom of Dalriada and must provide aid to anyone who asks her for help.

Although reluctant, Blackthorn does as she is bid, and sets out for Dalriada, accompanied by her former fellow prisoner, Grim, a giant of a man whose feelings for Blackthorn hover somewhere in the realm between courtly love and devoted worship.

Arriving in Dalriada, the pair stumble into a scenario that will be extremely familiar to any reader familiar with the fairytale, 'The Goose Girl.' The local lord, Prince Oran, has been betrothed to a woman he's never seen. However, through extensive and intimate correspondence, he's fallen in love with Lady Flidais in absentia. However, the woman who arrives, although she physically matches the portrait of Flidais, seems to have an utterly different personality from that which he came to expect through the letters he's treasured. Is the change caused by shyness? Trauma due to the death of Flidais' maidservant during the journey? Or were the letters written by an artful scribe, not Flidais herself? All of Oran's associates pretty much tell him to suck it up - but eventually, he'll request Blackthorn's help, which she is honor-bound to give.

I liked a lot about this book. The writing is lovely, and the story is a nice mesh of original and traditional fairytale elements. Characters' actions spring naturally from their personalities and past experiences; and I liked that on occasion, it's shown that conclusions based on past experiences can be the result of fallibility. However, there was also a lot I didn't like about the book, especially as it went on. Throughout the entire story (including the subplots), there was a persistent thread of the idea that "good girls don't." (And 'nice' men don't either, or if they do, it's a moral failing.) Certainly, rape and abuse is a horrible thing, and certainly there are women who use sex as a tool of manipulation. But what's portrayed here goes past that, and into the realm of "enjoying sex is a sign of a bad character." I'm not on board with that message.
Moreover, (view spoiler)

My other criticism is that, if we regard this book as a stand-alone, the fey exists solely as a deus ex machina. His motivations are never revealed. I assume that more will come out in the sequel(s), but taking this book on its own, it feels like a structural flaw.

I've only read one other book by Marillier so far, and liked it very much - so I'm definitely going to continue on with the sequel to this one. ...more

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Oct 27, 2014 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2015/0...

Dreamer’s Pool is a truly captivating fairy tale, but keep in mind, many fairy tales are really quite dark. One of the first things to surprise me is how incredibly dark the beginning of this book is. I see the pretty cover, start reading and was just really quite taken by the grimness. But this is because two of our three POVs start this story together in a really, really dark place. As they move past that place, the story be Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2015/0...

Dreamer’s Pool is a truly captivating fairy tale, but keep in mind, many fairy tales are really quite dark. One of the first things to surprise me is how incredibly dark the beginning of this book is. I see the pretty cover, start reading and was just really quite taken by the grimness. But this is because two of our three POVs start this story together in a really, really dark place. As they move past that place, the story becomes less dark, but that experience never leaves characters, there is always some darkness shadowing over them, especially Blackthorn.

Blackthorn and Grim (the two POVs I mentioned starting in a dark place), meet in a prison, but one that is much darker and less humane that what you might imagine. Really, it’s just plain horrific, the type of place that makes people wonder if death is potentially a better option. Blackthorn is an incredibly strong women who has gone through hell. Perhaps going through and surviving hell is what made her strong. She describes losing her sense of humanity and self in that place, being reduced to a ‘thing’ that just kept living. This book is not out for shock value, the story just starts incredibly grim.

That brings me to our next character, who actually goes by the name Grim. You can immediately tell something is just a bit different with Grim. He sometimes refers to himself as slow, but honestly, reading his POV, I think others may perceive him as slow, but he is certainly not completely lacking intelligence. I think he is just not astute in the typical ways. And he is incredibly devoted to helping and protecting Blackthorn.

We don’t know much about the history of these two characters, especially in the beginning. But that is part of the fun, wondering and hoping to get bits of information, and honestly just getting to know both Blackthorn and Grim. They both have a history that placed them in that prison where they met and you can’t help but to want to know what they were like before landing there, as well as why they were in there.

Blackthorn is made an offer that she is not in a position to turn down, regardless of how skeptical she may be of the person offering it. Part of this offer requires her to travel to Winterfalls, the place where we meet our third POV.

Prince Oran has been pressured by his mother to settle down and get married. To start providing the throne with future heirs. He is a poetic soul, that is taken by the idea of romance, so he has been quite reluctant. Until his latest match. You can’t help but like Prince Oran. He is a romantic, and his is also a people’s leader, a royal who actually meets with the people and listens to them. He is interested in making them happy, not just exerting power. He thinks he has finally found love (in an arranged marriage to a women he has yet to meet in person).

The story really takes an interesting turn as Prince Oran’s fiancee’s party meets tragedy on their way to Winterfall. There is definitely a mystery to figure out, something not quite right, and you can’t help but suspect fae interference, but you don’t know how or why. You just have to keep turning pages, reading until you learn more and more about the story and the characters.

I feel like no words of mine can do justice to this story. It is a truly magical journey of words that captivates the reader from beginning to end. ...more

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May 08, 2017 Julia Sarene rated it liked it

Shelves: 1-fantasy-romantic-girly, 1-women-in-sff, 1-fantasy-all-subgenres

This books is split into three alternating POVs. Two of those I really enjoyed - the third had me rolling my eyes and hoping for the character to drown or something...

We have two broken main characters, who met in a hellhole of a prison. Blackthorn is a healer, but after what she went through it is hard for her to be around people. She is also driven by a need for revenge for the man who got her into that prison.
We don't really learn anythign about Grims backstory, but he attached himself to Bla ...more

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Nov 22, 2019 Art (aka Whistler Reads) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sos-bsb-round-19

This is a Deep, complexly imagined world, where Fae and even ancient gods still interact with the lowly human Kings and peoples of a gaelic-infused Ireland, 'tho that's not exactly how it's spelled here. Conditions are bleak, often extremely violent, and truths are lost in fairy tales and buried memories.
Getting the names right involved audio, and I read some, then listened to most of this book, then read the following, and finally read a bit, then listened to the last one. The Author chose to j ...more

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Mar 12, 2015 Lynn Williams rated it it was amazing

https://lynnsbooks.wordpress.com/2015...

Look, far be it from me to tell you to read a book – but just read this book, pretty please. I’m not going to beg – okay, I will, please, please, please read this book. That should probably give a slight hint as to my feelings for this story. It was great, it was enchanting, it put a spell on me which I couldn’t break until I’d completely finished reading – literally in virtually one day!

In a nutshell (a little acorn maybe) the story is about a woman, wron https://lynnsbooks.wordpress.com/2015...

Look, far be it from me to tell you to read a book – but just read this book, pretty please. I’m not going to beg – okay, I will, please, please, please read this book. That should probably give a slight hint as to my feelings for this story. It was great, it was enchanting, it put a spell on me which I couldn’t break until I’d completely finished reading – literally in virtually one day!

In a nutshell (a little acorn maybe) the story is about a woman, wrongfully imprisoned who accepts help from the most unexpected source. Blackthorn, as she will become known, is a wise woman and healer. She has been incarcerated in a miserable, filthy prison for too long, the only thing sustaining her the dreams she has of bringing down revenge on the head of the man who destroyed her life.

The story gets off to an immediate start as Blackthorn finds out that she is to be murdered rather than given the opportunity to air her tale. At the same time, she receives a visitor, Conmael, a member of the fae who has an unusual proposition in which Blackthorn will give up her desire for revenge, will live a life of good far away from this place and provide help to all those who ask. In return he will save her life and see to her escape. And so a pact is made, of course, a pact with a member of the fae is not to be taken lightly. The terms between Conmael and Blackthorn will remain intact for seven years. If the terms are breached, a year will be added for every time the pact is broken.

And so Blackthorn escapes into the night. Followed closely by a giant of a man, and former prisoner called Grim. The two will find themselves travelling to the land of Dalriada where their services will soon become in great demand.

To be honest I don’t really want to go into the plot. It’s just a magical explosion of gripping story told almost like an adult fairytale. The writing is simply gorgeous and evocative.

The story is narrated in three different voices, Blackthorn, Grim and Prince Oran. Crown Prince Oran of Dalraida has finally chosen a bride and although this is an arranged marriage the two have exchanged letters and seem to be perfectly well matched. Most believe that Prince Oran is too sensitive, he cares about nature, he’s respectful to people regardless of station or sex and he enjoys reading and poetry. And yet, in spite of the doubts of some, his little neck of the woods seems to run smoothly, his people wish to work for him and work hard to please and the villages within his remit are pleasant places to live. And then there’s Dreamer’s Wood. One of the old places, on the edges of the realm, it has a mystical feel and walking under the dark canopy usually produces a feeling of being watched. Nobody really enters the forest. The ‘others’ are believed to dwell there and none will brave the unspoken menace.

Why did I love this so much. It’s difficult to pin down. I wouldn’t say I had any difficulty in second guessing certain elements of the plot and I’m sure that others would no doubt do the same. But, there are a number of different strands to the tale and more than the actual main story, which seems to have turned into a mystery that Blackthorn and Grim will become involved in trying to solve on the Prince’s behalf, there are little jaunts into side stories not to mention a number of occasions where we look back at Blackthorn’s past. I also really enjoyed the three main characters and alternating the chapters between them gave the story an added pace and a more rounded feel.

Blackthorn is a great character, twisted with anger and yet the chances she has been given have already started to have a positive effect. We have Oran, the thinker – and in fact forward thinker given the way most nobles behave. And Grim. I loved this character. He’s a great hulk of a man with a quick temper that once roused is usually followed by a blinding flash of temper resulting in the use of fists – and yet he’s afraid of the dark and has developed a strong devotion to Blackthorn. Both of these characters are badly broken and yet in coming together they are forming a strange bond that is helping them to heal.

On top of this we have a setting straight out of a storytime read. Castles, damsels in distress. Wicked nobles and scheming fae. What’s not to love!

I really loved this book. I can’t give it enough feels. If you enjoy a story with beautiful writing, strong and intriguing characters, a fairytale setting and magical creatures then I think you will also enjoy this book. Juliet Marillier definitely goes on my authors to be watched and auto bought (yep, I’ve got my beady eye on JM!) And, given the way this book develops I’m expecting more instalments – at least six maybe???

What are you waiting for. Get out of here and pick up a copy. ...more

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Nov 07, 2014 Dee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: loanage, world-fantasy, a-kind-of-magic, eldritch

Blackthorn and Grim are splendid characters with strong voices and driving needs. That said, though I enjoyed reading this a great deal, I can't say I'm desperate to read more of their adventures. ...more

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