Post by marianne on Mar 5, 2014 22:12:33 GMT
Bel:
Cover
I believe I borrowed the first edition Aussie cover from the Library. It is a charmingly illustrated image of a waif-like girl beside a fire in a deep dark green forest. The title is embossed and Juliet’s name really pops in the bright red used on both the cover and the spine.
Characters
In this high fantasy setting there is no room for the weak of mind or the weak of will. Kind hearts are a plenty, though trying to figure out whose heart is true, is tricky.
Favourite
Mara. Mainly because she is making do in a horrible situation and loves her family anyway.
Least Favourite
King Keldec… though we haven’t technically met him. What a poop head.
Beginning
Neryn is put up as a prize and is lost in a gambling and drinking binge her father goes on.
Storyline
She is aiming to head to a place called Shadowfell, where people with unexplainable gifts are free to be themselves without fear of judgement by King Keldec’s cronies.
Ending
There is a book 2… and to be quite frank I want it in my hands right now!
Thoughts
It took me longer than it should have to finish Shadowfell, though I think it had more to do with life getting in the way than any disinterest on my part. I found grabbing a page or two on the bus in the morning was enough to get me through to lunch. I could spend all day in the world Juliet Marillier has created for Neryn. It is enchanting to say the very least.
Quote
‘I’m fond o’ banes’ the brollachan commented, noticing me looking.
‘I see that.’ My voice was unsteady
‘Ye thinkin’ I might eat ye up for supper?’
‘That did cross my mind, yes. I seem to remember that, in the tales, brollachans sometimes do that.’
‘Ye canna see yersel’, wee one. There’s hardly a scrap o’ meat on ye. Nae worth the trouble.
~ Conversation between Neryn and the brollachan
Read the rest of this months book club over at The Escape Club.