Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier (Blackthorn & Grim #2)
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Roc on November 3, 2015
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
My thanks to Roc and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy. No compensation was provided for this review, and all opinions are my own.
Disillusioned healer Blackthorn and her companion, Grim, have settled in Dalriada to wait out the seven years of Blackthorn’s bond to her fey mentor, hoping to avoid any dire challenges. View Spoiler »
In DREAMER’S POOL, Blackthorn made a bargain with the fey: in exchange for freedom from imprisonment, she would help all those who asked and not seek vengeance against the despicable chieftain Mathuin of Laois for seven years. This is a Herculean effort for Blackthorn, as her burning hatred of the Mathuin has been all that’s kept her going. With the help of her friend and companion Grim, Blathorn has kept her promise – but when the temptation to break the bargain proves too strong, what will become of the wise woman and healer?
Following the formula of the series’ opener, TOWER OF THORNS continues Blackthorn and Grim’s story and introduces a new fantastical mystery for the unlikely friends to solve. The beautiful and tragic Lady Geiléis comes to court, begging Prince Oran for aid in ridding her community of a terrible monster. A monster locked in a tower of thorns, whose haunting wails plague the land day in and day out. Blackthorn and Grim have earned themselves a reputation for dealing with the uncanny, so off they go to tackle Geiléis’ problem. But of course, Geiléis has been less than forthcoming, and there may be more to the story than anyone could guess…
Juliet Marillier has the ability to write fairy tales that seem familiar, yet they remain unpredictable and captivating. The monster, locked in a tower. The beautiful leader of a people, desperate to slay the monster. The competing presence of Christianity and the old faith. All these elements are both common in fairy tales and present in TOWER OF THORNS, but the issue Geiléis faces still felt fresh and unpredictable. I don’t know how Marillier does it!
As if her ability to brilliantly reimagine fairy tales weren’t enough, Marillier is also an expert at crafting characters. Blackthorn and Grim are absolutely fascinating individuals – flawed people who you can’t help but root for. Both have suffered terrible trauma and clawed their way to a semblance of freedom, but ultimately get very little respite from their respective demons. But their friendship provides some light in the darkness: they lean on each other when the darkness inside them threatens to take over. The love and loyalty between the two of them is so beautiful, particularly given the deception all around them. I just hope that in the next book, Blackthorn stops keeping so many secrets. Also, just as an aside: people thought I was nuts last year when I said I wouldn’t mind seeing them become a romantic couple…clearly I’m not the only one who’s had those thoughts! *smug face*
If DREAMER’S POOL was Blackthorn’s book, then TOWER OF THORNS is most definitely Grim’s. Grim completely stole the show, as we finally get some insight into this complex man. His backstory was absolutely tragic, and I’m not ashamed to say that tears were streaming down my face as I read his account of the horrible ordeal he survived. Many dismiss Grim as a simpleton, a “Bonehead” who has little to offer besides the intimidation factor his hulking presence provides. Fans of the series – and Blackthorn herself – know that this isn’t true, but it was pretty damn gratifying to see Grim getting some recognition.
Just in time for the end of 2015, TOWER OF THORNS is the best book I’ve read all year. All you Juliet Marillier hold-outs, get your butts in gear and pick up the Blackthorn & Grim series!