New Book: Tower of Thorns: A Blackthorn & Grim Novel by Juliet Marillier

Tower of Thorns: A Blackthorn & Grim Novel by Juliet Marillier was released earlier this month. It is the sequel to Dreamer's Pool: A Blackthorn & Grim Novel which has been on my reading list for too long. It is tempting to think maiden in tower tales have inspired this one but I won't know until I've read both books.

Marillier has been wonderfully writing under the influence of fairy tales and folklore since her debut book, Daughter of the Forest (The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1), which was when I found her for my own shelves. Daughter of the Forest is still my sentimental favorite since it retells the Six Swans fairy tale so wonderfully and inspired me to add the annotated tale to the SurLaLune site. Although specific tales may not be the full impetus of her books, they definitely make appearances with nuance and plot devices.

But all of the reviews are leading me to believe that this series may rival for my affections. I have now moved it up my own reading list.

Book description:

Award-winning author Juliet Marillier’s “lavishly detailed”* Blackthorn & Grim series continues as a mysterious creature holds an enchanted and imperiled ancient Ireland in thrall.

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. But trouble has a way of seeking out Blackthorn and Grim.

Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman from the northern border, has asked for the prince of Dalriada’s help in expelling a howling creature from an old tower on her land—one surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns. Casting a blight over the entire district, and impossible to drive out by ordinary means, it threatens both the safety and the sanity of all who live nearby. With no ready solutions to offer, the prince consults Blackthorn and Grim.

As Blackthorn and Grim begin to put the pieces of this puzzle together, it’s apparent that a powerful adversary is working behind the scenes. Their quest is about to become a life and death struggle—a conflict in which even the closest of friends can find themselves on opposite sides.

*Publishers Weekly