Book Review: Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Blackthorn & Grim
Publisher: Roc (11/3/15)
Author Information: Website
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read a whopping number of books last year. Like, the final tally was probably somewhere close to 200. And out of the dozens upon dozens of books, do you know which one stood out to me the most? Juliet Marillier’s Dreamer’s Pool. It should come as no surprise then, that its sequel Tower of Thorns is hands down my most anticipated novel this fall. Heck, most anticipated novel this year. We’re talking, if there’s one book I need to read in 2015, THIS. IS. IT.
So, please understand now when I say I need a moment to pull myself together. I’m still trying desperately to come up with the words to describe how I felt about this novel, without coming off as a gushing, fangirly lunatic. After all, it’s not every day that I get to read a book that I’ve been dying for, only to have that book exceed all my expectations.
What can I say? Tower of Thorns, you were utter perfection. Juliet Marillier, you are truly amazing.
Yeah, that whole trying-not-to-be-a-gushy-fangirl thing. Not really working out, is it?
Let me start again, all proper-like this time. Tower of Thorns is the direct sequel to Dreamer’s Pool. Theoretically, you can start with this book, though in my opinion you’d be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t start from the beginning. Blackthorn and Grim have a very special connection, and being familiar with the story of how these two characters first met and came to be partners in Dreamer’s Pool made Tower of Thorns all the more powerful and touching.
Almost a year has passed since Blackthorn made her deal with the fey, buying her freedom and a new beginning by promising two things: 1) that she will travel to and settle in Dalriada as a wise woman healer, never turning away any request for help, and 2) for seven years she will stay there, putting aside her desire for revenge against Mathuin, the cruel Lord of Laois who destroyed her life and took everything away from her. Hatred for Mathuin and the need to see him brought to justice has made keeping her end of the bargain difficult, but Blackthorn is aided by Grim, her steadfast and taciturn companion who has stayed by her side since their escape from Mathuin’s dungeons.
However, peace is disrupted once again with the arrival of Lady Geiléis, a noblewoman who comes to beg Blackthorn for help with a monster of a problem—literally. A howling creature has taken up residence in an old tower on Lady Geiléis’ land, its mournful calls driving the surrounding populace to depression and madness. The tower is inaccessible due to a hedge of thorns surrounding its base, and it soon becomes clear that any means to vanquish the monster would have to be magical.
Have you ever wanted to peel back the layers of a fairy tale? Dive deeper into its secrets and investigate its puzzles? If fairy tales were turned into mystery novels, I think they would look very much like these books. And I couldn’t ask for a better detective team on the case than Blackthorn and Grim.
As characters, they are broken and flawed, but I’m more than a bit fond of them. Tower of Thorns is a defining book for both our protagonists, exploring the pain in their pasts. Blackthorn gave up a huge part of herself when she struck her bargain with the Fae, a part that she still cannot completely let go of, even if it will mean paying a steeper, more severe price down the road. Grim too is haunted by his own demons, his memories of blood and loss brought to the surface by the miserable cries of the monster in the tower.
I can’t deny Grim really stole the show in this one. As much as I admired Blackthorn’s intelligence and her strength in the face of overwhelming odds, my heart broke for Grim and the darkness he’s kept locked up inside himself for so long. A big, quiet man often dismissed as an oaf and a simpleton, Grim’s character actually holds the sort of depth rarely seen in fantasy fiction. His sincerity and unwavering loyalty to Blackthorn is what makes their relationship so remarkable and unique, reducing me to tears in the concluding chapters of this novel.
All this takes place in a world infused with as much darkness as whimsy, reminiscent of most fairy tale settings. And like many fairy tales, the themes of love and sacrifice are strong in Tower of Thorns. The courage of unlikely heroes is pitted against the malice and underhandedness of tricksters, both the mortal and immortal kind. Even the closest of friends will find themselves torn at a crossroads, faced with decisions that can change their entire lives. There’s no doubt about it, the gut-wrenching emotions that this book brought out in me made reading this sequel even more rewarding than the first book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel filled with irresistible characters and the kind of rich, evocative magic that will take your breath away, look no further than this brilliant series by Juliet Marillier. Tower of Thorns made me fall in love with Blackthorn and Grim all over again. Powerful and emotionally-charged, this tale will hold you absolutely spellbound. I highly recommend it.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Dreamer’s Pool (Book 1)
The BiblioSanctum 
I’m glad you continue to enjoy the series! I thought this one was so much more atmospheric than Dreamer’s Pool. I prefer Lady Geleis to Prince Oran as a third narrator, I guess.
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Yes, I agree this book was waaaay more atmospheric. I think that might have to do with the slower start.
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Haven’t started this series yet, but i do have the first two books in one of her other series. Hmm, I’ll have to see if my library has the first book to this one. I think I’m gonna like this.
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I need to check out more of her series – I’ve read this one and the first two of her Sevenwaters series. I’d love to check out her YA too, though!
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I am afraid, her books always makes me super depressed
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Yeah, some of them, like her book Daughter of the Forest could be pretty depressing at times. Thankfully most of them end on a hopeful note.
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So glad this lived up to your hopes and expectations! One of my goals is to read both books by the end of the year:-)
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I hope you do! Better get on that STAT! 🙂
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I probably shouldn’t have read this review, because I still need to read Dreamer’s Pool (actually, it’s more like “I need to get a copy of it so I can read it” *lol*). But I’ve read it, and now I know I need ALL THE JULIET MARILLIER BOOKS in my life. Right now. 😀
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Me too! I want to read the rest of Sevenwaters and also pick up some of her YA, I’ve heard some beautiful things about her Wildwood books. MORE MARILLIER!!!
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I just recently read ‘Dreamer’s Pool’ and loved it. Blackthorn was a bit too prickly for me but I loved the setting and Grim was so cute. I love quiet, grumpy characters.
So, I am now also super excited to read ‘Tower of Thorns’. I’m glad to hear my high expectations (hopefully) will not be let down. 🙂
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Oh yes I adore Grim so much I just want to hug him and never let go. I just love the dynamic between these two characters 🙂
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I’m getting so excited reading your review. Honestly, the excitement is just bubbling up I want to shout with glee!!!! I can’t wait to get my copy. 😀
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And your excitement is getting me even more excited too! I just want everyone to read these books! 🙂
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I remember your review of the other novel and it sounded so good! Now I really want to try how it is! Glad it’s one again a great one!
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You’d love Dreamer’s Pool, Melliane! I think it would be right up your alley.
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Ahhhh I am freaking out over here!!! I have an eARC copy of this one but I’ve been holding off in favour of backlog books. Clearly I need to say “screw it” and get to this one ASAP because your review makes it sound A+
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Do it! Get to this book ASAP! 😀
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Maaaan, I have to read the first one. I’m so terribly behind.
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Hope you’ll get the chance soon! I adored Dreamer’s Pool.
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I want a copy of this book so badly that I think I’m going to explode, or combust or just get a freaking toothache or something!!
Not available in eArc in Uk – sad am I. Still, all good things to those that wait and this is a glowing review so I’m happy.
Lynn 😀
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ARRGH, curse those geographic restrictions!!! I hope you get a chance to read this one soon, I think you’ll really like it.
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Marilier’s “Dreamers Pool” has been on my radar for a while now: it’s one of those books that come up quite often when mentioning milestones of the genre, so I have a standing mental note about reading it. Now that I’ve seen your review of the second book in this series I need to move it up the queue. Fast.
Thanks for a great, intriguing review 🙂
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I hope you’ll get the chance to read Dreamer’s Pool soon, it really blew me away. It made me wonder why the hell I’ve waited so long to read her books, so much love for her writing!
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I really need to read this one. But may wait and do the audio (did the the audio for the first one). Glad to see it’s still going strong!!)
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I just saw the preorder for the audiobook go up today! I love these books so much that I’m even tempted to buy them again in audio, lol.
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I completely missed out on Dreamer’s Pool. Like, seeing the cover around is the full extent of my knowledge. Two 5-star ratings in a row, and being your most anticipated of the year – maybe I have to back and read some reviews of Dreamer’s Pool. See what I’ve been missing out on 🙂
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I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts if you get the chance to read Dreamer’s Pool. Those covers are gorgeous though, aren’t they? I’m getting hair envy.
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Oh man. SO EXCITED for this book!
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Only a few more days til release, eeeee!
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There’s nothing wrong with coming off like a gushing lunatic. I do it all the time. lol I’m glad your most anticipated read was worth it. I really need to get started on this series. A fairy tale mystery, how could it go wrong? Sounds like she has room for tons of books too, always a good thing.
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Haha, I try not to gush to the point of incoherence, but when I do then I guess you know I really LOVE the book!
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I met her at World Fantasy Convention two years ago because one of my friends is a big fan of her work. Haven’t checked out any of her books yet, but it seems they are really good. Moved up on the list 😉
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Gah! I am insanely jealous. I would love to meet Ms. Marillier!
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