Dreamer's Pool - Juliet Marillier

Dreamer’s Pool (Blackthorn & Grim #1) – Juliet Marillier

Award-winning author Juliet Marillier “weaves magic, mythology, and folklore into every sentence on the page” (The Book Smugglers). Now she begins an all-new and enchanting series that will transport readers to a magical vision of ancient Ireland…

In exchange for help escaping her long and wrongful imprisonment, embittered magical healer Blackthorn has vowed to set aside her bid for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that she once held dear. Followed by a former prison mate, a silent hulk of a man named Grim, she travels north to Dalriada. There she’ll live on the fringe of a mysterious forest, duty bound for seven years to assist anyone who asks for her help.

Oran, crown prince of Dalriada, has waited anxiously for the arrival of his future bride, Lady Flidais. He knows her only from a portrait and sweetly poetic correspondence that have convinced him Flidais is his destined true love. But Oran discovers letters can lie. For although his intended exactly resembles her portrait, her brutality upon arrival proves she is nothing like the sensitive woman of the letters.

With the strategic marriage imminent, Oran sees no way out of his dilemma. Word has spread that Blackthorn possesses a remarkable gift for solving knotty problems, so the prince asks her for help. To save Oran from his treacherous nuptials, Blackthorn and Grim will need all their resources: courage, ingenuity, leaps of deduction, and more than a little magic.

My Review of Dreamer’s Pool

First off I want to comment on the absolutely BEAUTIFUL cover! OMG I ADORE THIS COVER! Even though I have no idea who it is meant to depict, as the main character in this series has bright red hair, I DON’T CARE! It’s bloody gorgeous!

This story follows Blackthorn and Grim, they escape an awful prison and with some magical help, they find their way to a kingdom run by crown Prince Oran, who is having some lady troubles. Blackthorn soon becomes the town healer and Oran calls upon her for some assistance.

Yes that was an awful synopsis, but I don’t want to spoil the story for you. It isn’t exactly a romance as much as it is a tale of great friendship and with typical Marillier style, Fae and magic are in abundance.

I loved it. I thought it was fantastic. The characters were well developed, there were some absolutely hilarious moments as well as a lot of touching ones. I didn’t quite give it five stars because it was a bit long-winded at times and there was a large lack of romance for my liking. Especially for a Juliet Marillier book.

I also guessed the plot twists from the very beginning, but It didn’t hamper my enjoyment of it.

Did I enjoy the audio version?

YES! Loved the three narrators! Oran was by far my favourite. Scott Aiello was fantastic! I have listened to a few books with his narration now and I have enjoyed them all. A good narrator makes all the difference!

Would I Recommend Dreamer’s Pool?

Yes, anyone who enjoys a good Celtic fantasy will love this one. I can’t wait to listen to the second one to see what Blackthorn and Grim get up to next!

(4.5 / 5)