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Cybele's Secret (Wildwood #2)

by Juliet Marillier (Goodreads Author)

4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 · rating details · 5,243 ratings · 565 reviews

Scholarly eighteen-year-old Paula and her merchant father journey from Transylvania to Istanbul to buy an ancient pagan artifact rumored to be charmed, but others, including a handsome Portuguese pirate and an envoy from the magical Wildwood, want to acquire the item as well.

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published September 9th 2008 by Knopf Books for Young Readers (first published December 7th 2007)

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Oct 05, 2012 Hannah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, ya

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS even better then the first book in the series (Wildwood Dancing). Perhaps more importantly (at least from my perspective), this book is not only a 5 star read, but is making me a big fan of two genres that I typically have major issues with and generally don't enjoy reading (YA and fantasy).

Marillier blends exotic fantasy with solid writing and creates worlds and characters that I admire and believe in. Her heroines are smart, resourceful and independent but still manage...more LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS even better then the first book in the series (Wildwood Dancing). Perhaps more importantly (at least from my perspective), this book is not only a 5 star read, but is making me a big fan of two genres that I typically have major issues with and generally don't enjoy reading (YA and fantasy).

Marillier blends exotic fantasy with solid writing and creates worlds and characters that I admire and believe in. Her heroines are smart, resourceful and independent but still manage to retain their sense of being a young lady with higher goals then merely "getting the guy". Her heroes are swoon-worthy, intelligent, and tough and treat the heroine with respect and admiration mixed with just the right amount of romantic intrigue that a YA reading audience expects. This is a clean read, but it's not a dry one. Stoyan and Duarte bring plenty of sexy banter and romantic tension to the inevitable love triangle aspect of the story, and it's a good writer that can make the reader want both of them to capture our heroine Paula's (pronounced "Pow-la"'s) hand and heart at the end.

But Cybele's Secret is so much more then just a romance. In fact, the romance element really takes a back seat to the unfolding drama of the fantasy. There's deception, a treasure hunt, a mythical quest and a trial-by-fire that all our main characters will have to prove themselves by. The last 3 chapters are non-stop nail biters. I literally couldn't put the book down until the end. In addition, Marillier takes the reader on an armchair tour of the historic city of Istanbul, Turkey, with all it's rich and exotic east-meets-west cultural backdrop.

If you enjoyed Wildwood Dancing, you won't be disappointed in this second installment in the series. And there are some pretty tantalizing clues that the third book in the trilogy is going to be just as fantastic as the first two. Count me in for the ride, I can't wait to see what adventures little Stela is going to get up to and how she will hopefully bring about a reunion for all five sisters in the other kingdom.

***Extra kudos to the mind-blowing cover illustrator for both books in this series. These are, without a doubt, some of the most beautiful and intricately designed book covers I have even seen. Take a long look at the illustration and you will find many details from the storyline. The artist put so many hidden gems into the cover that I found myself going back again and again to study it, and ended up finding more and more things I had missed earlier. An absolute treat for the eyes. (less)

18 likes · like · see review

Jan 08, 2008 Cassie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fantasy

Whenever I pick up a sequel book, I’m always hesitant, fearing the book simply won’t be as good as the first one. Thankfully, Cybele’s Secret lives up to the standards set by Wildwood Dancing. All the charm and wonder of Wildwood Dancing is here, and Marillier expertly builds on the magical framework she established in the first book, this time weaving in pagan cults and pirates. Unlike Wildwood Dancing, Cybele’s Secret doesn’t build off of any particular fairy tale, but instead uses the trials...more Whenever I pick up a sequel book, I’m always hesitant, fearing the book simply won’t be as good as the first one. Thankfully, Cybele’s Secret lives up to the standards set by Wildwood Dancing. All the charm and wonder of Wildwood Dancing is here, and Marillier expertly builds on the magical framework she established in the first book, this time weaving in pagan cults and pirates. Unlike Wildwood Dancing, Cybele’s Secret doesn’t build off of any particular fairy tale, but instead uses the trials the Other Kingdom likes to set as the basis for an entirely unique tale.

The description alone is reason to pick up this book. Marillier lays out Istanbul in wonderful detail and vivid color. I like to get a glimpse into other cultures in my reading, at least when the author does it well. A good mix of the new and familiar can help the reader experience a place they’ve never been. This means using colloquial phrases and foreign words in the correct balance—just enough to give the flavor, without making the reader flip to a glossary ever five minutes. And of course, things need to be clear in context.

I’m betting most readers of Wildwood Dancing are eagerly awaiting this book. It’s just as good as you’re hoping, except when it comes to the release date. American fans will need to buy the book online from Australia or wait until Fall of 2008 in order to get their hands on a copy. I’m not sure why it’s been delayed so long, but reading an Australian copy isn’t hard, the only real differences (and you’ll probably have noticed the differences if you’ve read any English language books published outside the US) are that you only get single quotes for dialogue and some oddly spelled words.

This is one of those sequels that stars a character who was minor in the first book. Paula was certainly in Wildwood, but as the younger sister of the main character, and her impact on the story was minimal. So this book builds off of the world and family relationships established in Wildwood, but it can also stand on its own. All of what the reader needs to know about the girls earlier adventures in the Other Kingdom is recounted throughout the novel. In some ways, though, I think this might be an easier book to give to friends that you want to read Wildwood Dancing. The first relies a lot on magic, faeries, and the Other Kingdom, where as this book is much more about mystery and intrigue, with the Other Kingdom as simply an instigator.

The cover is once again beautiful and filled with hidden secrets. Like with Wildwood, I often found myself flipping back to the cover as more things became clear. Like many pieces of art, the cover tells a story of its own. I would be enchanted by it if I happened to come across it as a painting in a gallery.

Overall, this book was everything I hoped it would be. I finished in two nights (silly day life keeping me away from reading -_-) and was enthralled the entire time. From beginning to end, the tale is artfully woven with hints and intrigues. Looking at a few fan reactions on Marillier’s message board, some saw plot twists coming, while others were as surprised as I was. I like to think I got all the plot twists at just the right moment—early enough to go “I figured out what’s happening next!” with a gleeful giggle, not but not early enough that anything seemed predictable.
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Mar 03, 2009 Tammy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have come to realize I need to explain my three-star-rating here, because it is lower than many others rate this book. To begin with, I enjoyed the story - it was fun, and despite a slightly slow start, there was a lot of action and the all-important romantic angle to be enjoyed as well. Paula and both her love interests (I can't remember their names and don't have the book here with me) were very likable characters, and everything turned out well.
It wasn't a page-turner for me, however, eve...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Paige rated it 5 of 5 stars

See this review and more reviews at http://fortheloveofliterature.com/

This book was a surprise for me! I expected it to take place in one of Juliet Marillier's usual settings: a mysterious forest, a mountain glade, high cliffs battered by an ancient ocean. Instead, I found myself among the colorful bustle of the "Golden Horn"- Istanbul. I stepped off the boat with Paula into the enticing markets filled with a thousand spices to tempt your nose and mountains of silks to catch your eye. I've never...more

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Dec 19, 2008 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-high

I just finished Cybele's Secret on my road trip home to Utah (from CA). It was a fun road-trip read, and helped pass the time. Overall I really liked this book, I enjoyed the story and characters. I found the first half a combination of intersting and tedious. I enjoy learning about other cultures, but felt in this case that it was a bit distracting. If felt as if Marillier was trying to write a story around a history lesson. Which is why I typically like stories that take place in made up place...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Paula couldn't be more excited to be arriving in Istanbul with her merchant father, where she'll be assisting him in obtaining a valuable and mysterious artifact of the ancient goddess Cybele. If all goes well, she may finally be able to pursue her dream of starting a book-trading enterprise.

To her dismay, trouble awaits them the moment they disembark. Her father's trusted trading adviser has been murdered, and the secrecy surrounding the artifact has g...more Reviewed by Lynn Crow for TeensReadToo.com

Paula couldn't be more excited to be arriving in Istanbul with her merchant father, where she'll be assisting him in obtaining a valuable and mysterious artifact of the ancient goddess Cybele. If all goes well, she may finally be able to pursue her dream of starting a book-trading enterprise.

To her dismay, trouble awaits them the moment they disembark. Her father's trusted trading adviser has been murdered, and the secrecy surrounding the artifact has grown even more difficult to penetrate. If Paula's suspicions are correct, the glimpses she's caught of her sister, who vanished into the Other Kingdom several years ago, mean the folk of magic and myth have their own stake in the unfolding events.

Complicating matters are a dashing ex-pirate with an intense interest in Paula, who may or may not be as ruthless as he is charming, and the powerful yet gentle bodyguard Paula's father hires to watch over her, whom Paula cannot help feeling drawn to despite knowing they are worlds apart. As Paula struggles to make sense of the signs her sister sends her and to help her father obtain Cybele's Gift, the three are pulled into a quest more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

Not all friends can be trusted; not all enemies are what they seem; and the folk of the Other Kingdom don't often give second chances. It's up to Paula to get her companions through this adventure alive, and to find the right path for her own heart.

Fans of Marillier's WILDWOOD DANCING will enjoy catching up with the family via Jena's younger sister, and happily devour this new tale of the Other Kingdom. Though somewhat slower-paced than WILDWOOD DANCING, CYBELE'S SECRET doesn't skimp on adventure or romance. Paula is a strong and resourceful heroine, who admits her mistakes when she makes them and doesn't let her fears stand in her way. The settings are so vivid readers will feel as if they're traveling through Istanbul and the Other Kingdom with them.

If you loved WILDWOOD DANCING, don't hesitate to snatch this one up!
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Oct 23, 2008 Grace rated it 5 of 5 stars

I don't think Juliet Marillier wants me to get any sleep.

When I read _Wildwood Dancing_, the accompanying first volume in this series, I ended up staying up quite late to finish the book, something I've almost never done as an adult. (I can count on one hand the number of times) Well, true to form, book 2 also left me stifling a late-night yawn with one hand, and flipping pages with the other.

The book is well-written throughout, but when Paula is in Istanbul, it starts to drag just a little bit...more

6 likes · like · see review

May 06, 2008 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-scifi

I managed to get my hands on an ARC, which delighted me, because this book hasn't been released in the US yet, and I'm not always good at waiting. I ordered one of Juliet Marillier's books from Australia once because I couldn't wait for it to be released here.

Paula, the scholarly sister from Wildwood Dancing, is acting as assistant to her merchant father on his trip to Istanbul to obtain an ancient religious artifact. She finds herself much more involved with the journey of the artifact than she...more

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Feb 12, 2009 Meridyforgot rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is probably 4 1/2 stars, close to a five but not quite. I really loved the authors portrayal of gender roles. I loved how it showed that men and women are capable of great things independently, but that we really need each other at the same time. I loved how the book showed that true love is measured by the caring and sacrifice, and not just by physical attraction, charm, and wit. I loved the subtle message put in their that true love, children, and family are more important than any o...more

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Oct 25, 2011 El Templo de las Mil Puertas added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 06-eltemplo, que-no-leerás-en-español

"Paula, penúltima de las cinco hijas de un próspero mercader de Transilvania, lleva una vida tranquila rodeada de los libros que tanto adora. Tranquila, incluso si tenemos en cuenta que en el bosque cercano a su casa se abrió una vez un portal que la transportó, junto con sus hermanas, a un mundo mágico conocido como el Otro Reino. Sin embargo, su amor por la sabiduría la llevará hasta la capital del Imperio Otomano, donde se dice que se esconde un artefacto mágico conocido como el “Regalo de Cy...more

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Jan 23, 2009 Josie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Josie by: Katie

Shelves: young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Oh goddd. I wanted to like this book more, for Katie's sake, but I just couldn't do it. :| The whole thing with Stoyan was just so awkward that I couldn't bear it. Right from the start I kept a little running tally in my head of all the Moments between Paula and Duarte/Stoyan, even though I knew she'd go for Stoyan in the end because he's the faithful, decent bloke. And therein lies the problem. I didn't like Stoyan. I'm not a fan of muscley men to begin with, but Paula never shut up about how b...more

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Jan 05, 2009 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites

After reading (and loving) Wildwood Dancing I was afraid Cybele's Secret would fall flat for me. However, while different in many ways from its predecessor, it was still a fantastic read.

I've come to realize that I love reading books that feature an out-of-the-ordinary setting, and Wildwood Dancing and Cybele's Secret both deliver in this area. I felt Cybele's Secret delved a bit more into the background and culture of Istanbul than Wildwood Dancing did with its setting of Transylvania, but I t...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Lark rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was so close to giving this book 1 star because I started to dislike it so much towards the end. But no, I reserve one star for books that have horrid sentence structure, improper grammar, and just poor story-crafting skills. This book has no issues in terms of those three things.

However, I did not like this book. It was okay, but I can't say I liked it. The plot was too contrived. I was not engaged. The mystery and intrigue about the artifact wasn't interesting enough - I didn't care about it...more I was so close to giving this book 1 star because I started to dislike it so much towards the end. But no, I reserve one star for books that have horrid sentence structure, improper grammar, and just poor story-crafting skills. This book has no issues in terms of those three things.

However, I did not like this book. It was okay, but I can't say I liked it. The plot was too contrived. I was not engaged. The mystery and intrigue about the artifact wasn't interesting enough - I didn't care about it, why should I? She gave me no reason to care if we found it or not, other than that was their purpose. There wasn't enough importance to Cybele. Who cares? There was no reason to. It didn't affect any character at all. Poor motivation for the entire plotline of the story.

The characters were okay, but rather bland. There was no twist or turn to their personality. Of course Paula is a scholar and she proves it. Stoyan: of course he has depths and a intuitive mind, rather than just being a muscled body-guard. Of course Duarte is more than just the rakish pirate. It bores me to death. There was no spark in any of their interaction. Paual's voice wasn't exceptional either. It really almost just felt like Jena's except with a more scholarly take.

I think Marillier is weakest in dialogue. The words feel fake, the interactions don't seem real. There is no hidden intention or subtlety. Every character says exactly what is on their mind. It gives everything a very 2-D feel. The romance was too obvious. I felt like there was no spark between the characters. There is no tension, no tug or push and pull. It was just... boring.

I also figured out the big reveal very early on as well, which made the story infinitely more boring.

The father character was worthless except as a prop and an excuse to get Paula to Istanbul.
The tasks are ridiculous, just like Wildwood Dancing. There is no purpose to them beyond that fairy tales have them and they are expected. It is too easy to get past these stupid tests.
It is like Marillier has a preconceived notion of what should happen in a fairy tale novel and just inserts in random tasks and challenges just so. It says it tests for courage and faith and all that crap, but honestly? Not really. The characters breeze through the tests and trials in mere paragraphs. Ugh.

The ending sucked. What a disappointment. It's also like Marillier crams all the romance into the last 1/8 of the book. Everything is resolved except the romance. It pisses me off, really. It makes things so much more annoying when a book ends on finding "true love" when the entire book wasn't even really about true love. And why the heck do these strong women always waste away from true love? It's like it's a necessity in her books. Ugh.

I had to push through to finish - I almost wanted to drop the book halfway.

What I do like... the world building. She writes the backdrop of the story well. You can see the marketplace, the baths, the library. It's barely enough for me to hang on.

1.75 stars if that's possible? I guess 2 stars because I'm not really on a 0.25 scale. Recommended for people who read Wildwood Dancing and really want to finish the series. Not recommended for people who want a gripping book. Sorry if you are both types.
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Aug 25, 2012 Thatfondimpossibility rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fantasy

I was terribly disappointed with this book. I got the impression that the author spent a lot of time and thinking on Wildwood Dancing, but she had neither of these to spare for Cybele's Secret.

1. We were constantly told that Paula was super smart. What we saw was that she was a bit of a ninny.
At one point, Paula (the heroine)'s father is severely beaten and left unconscious in an alley. Paula believes she knows exactly who did such a heinous act. So what does she do? She leaves her bodyguard b...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Jessie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: summer-2012

This book is stated to be a companion novel to Wildwood Dancing. I did read that first book a long time ago. It stands alone, but it would be best to read Wildwood Dancing first to understand the characters better. This book is full of adventure, pirates, romance, and moral lessons. It is well crafted and fun to read. The premise is that a merchant has been made aware of an ancient artifact that is for sale. He finds an interested collector and then embarks on an expedition to procure the item....more

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Apr 12, 2012 Kiirsi Hellewell rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who loves a good, deep expanded fairy tale/fantasy story

I didn't know there was a sequel to "Wildwood Dancing" until 2 weeks ago, upon which time I immediately had to read it.

The first 2/3 was a bit disappointing...it read like a sort of travelogue of Renaissance-era Istanbul. It was VERY well-researched and the amazing details of the culture, time period, people, rituals, costumes, food, and traditions were fascinating. But I would have liked to have more of a plot happening during that time. There were a few vague hints and clues of more to come,...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Johanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-fantasy, young-adult

Juliet Marillier kept popping up on "suggested reading" lists for me so I thought I'd give her a shot. I must admit that a lot of what drew me to this particular book was the cover art (yes, yes, insert judging books by covers comment here...) done by Kinuko Craft. The reason for this is that Craft does a lot of the cover art for one of my all-time favorite authors, Patricia McKillip. The prospect of a new book that even the slightest similarity with a McKillip was exciting. And I wasn't disappo...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Bluerose's Heart rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: clean, fantasy, young-adult-12-and-up

4.5 stars

This was my first time to read Cybele's Secret, although it had been waiting for me to pick it up entirely too long. It's the companion book to Wildwood Dancing. They were VERY different, in my opinion. While Wildwood Dancing was classic fairy tale, Cybele's Secret is very adventurous. It's maybe a little like a female Indiana Jones with a tiny bit of fairy tale world added in. There's a great deal more romance than Wildwood Dancing, since most of the story somewhat revolves around a lo...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: eng-420

Fantasy Category

Marillier's novel meets the sixteen-year-old protagonist,Paula, with her merchant father in historic and colorful Istanbul. Paula and her father are, along with other merchants and collectors, seeking an ancient treasure said to be owned bu Pagan goddess, Cybele. Paula finds that her maturity and her abilities as a scholar are pushed to the limit as influences from the Other World start to creep into her everyday adventures. Street thugs, pirates, and magic eventually lead Paula,...more

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Aug 25, 2011 Lia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, supernatural-fiction

She plays chess ... she gets so engrossed in a game chess when -- well, I can't tell you, because it would spoil part of the book. Nah, I'm going to spoil it. Here goes. So the heroine is angry that her father has been beaten by thugs. So what does she do? She leaves into a dangerous city, alone, without telling anyone where she is, boards a pirate ship, and confronts the captain without a clue as to what she's going to say and no weapon of any kind (oh, and this pirate captain has been sexually...more She plays chess ... she gets so engrossed in a game chess when -- well, I can't tell you, because it would spoil part of the book. Nah, I'm going to spoil it. Here goes. So the heroine is angry that her father has been beaten by thugs. So what does she do? She leaves into a dangerous city, alone, without telling anyone where she is, boards a pirate ship, and confronts the captain without a clue as to what she's going to say and no weapon of any kind (oh, and this pirate captain has been sexually harassing her throughout the book to that point -- which she sometimes sort of enjoys -- although she finds him untrustworthy and believes he is responsible for her father's beating) and then ... well, she ends up trapped on board the ship and off to who knows where. And her father has no idea she has even left their lodgings. Her father who is injured. And what does she do? She sits down with the captain for a game of chess.

It was at this point in the book that I could no longer suspend my eye-rolling. I had let plenty of things pass in the name of adventure and fantasy, but somehow it all suddenly felt lame. I never really got "into" the book after this point.

Now, it is still a compelling story. I finished it, and only skimmed a few paragraphs where the story was belaboring a point here and there (peril! yikes! peril, peril! ... yes, I get the point; move on with the story). The heroine is likeable some of the time, but other times she feels ridiculous. Like the chess incident. And the way she flies off the handle in her impulsiveness and then turns around in almost the same breath to tell someone else to "let it go." At the end of the book (another spoiler!), when she is going to be married, I couldn't help but think that she was too young and immature for marriage. She still needed to grow up. The author could have written this story so we could feel her coming of age, coming into her womanhood. But it didn't happen that way. She feels just as young at the end as she does at the beginning.

The ideas in the book are fun and interesting, but the characters all act out the plot like players. This is another book that could do with a rewrite before it hit the shelves. It is a fun read, but ultimately not worth a re-reading. And it could have been, with more work.

But it really would have taken more work. It would need to create a meaningful place for Tati in the story and provide some kind of closure. "You want to see your family? Ha! Well, first you'll have to do all these crazy things, but only in the background, not as any part of the plot, and then you have to wait on a ledge, blind-folded, with fire and gargoyles licking and biting at you, and hope that someone will figure out how to get to where you are, and then, once they find you, they can't talk to you, and when you do finally get down off the ledge, well, there's your sister, so you got to see your family, but now you have to leave. HA! How's that for a visit!"

And the litany of tests and trials ... just for the heck of it. They weren't actually part of the plot, just another, "well, this is how the other world works, so we don't have to make it make any sense or have any bearing on reason or logic or ... well, the plot even."

It was like the book was meant to be a tapestry, carefully woven, with characters and colors placed just so, resulting in a marvelous whole. But what we ended up with instead, was a half-baked counted cross-stitch with a couple of iron-ons placed over spots where the pattern hadn't worked out. Disappointing to say the least.

I think that much of what is being published lately is being pumped out too quickly. It seems like more and more, these books are slap-dash. They have promise that is left unfulfilled. And can we let the love triangle rest? And the over-protective strong man with the helpless "independent" woman? I think Twilight beat it to death, and yet it seems to have created a huge following, where many books now go for this worn out plot binder.

I guess what I want are more books that I want to OWN and RE-READ. Books to cherish and savor. I'm tired of quick, fun-for-the-moment reads. This could have been a book to keep. Instead it's a book to discard. (less)

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Jul 28, 2011 Erin added it

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Juliet Marillier and her books revolving around the 5 sisters of Piscui Dracului rock my world! I was reading it the week before finals and couldn't put it down! Its basically the sequel to Wildwood Dancing except Paula is the main character. She goes to Istanbul on a mission with her father to buy Cybele's Gift, an ancient artifact of a pagan cult. During her journey she meets the dashing pirate Duarte de Aguiar, befriends Irene of Volos, an...more

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Jan 13, 2011 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Cybele's Secret is the companion to Wildwood Dancing. I have to compare it to The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. I was thinking about that book during some of the story. There's the acquiring and mending of a magical artifact that different parties are after that moves the novel forward.

Our narrater, Paula, is the scholarly younger sister to Jena and Tatiana. She's grown now and on a merchant trip with her father in Istanbul. I couldn't quite like Paula as much as I've liked other female leads in...more

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Nov 01, 2009 Arya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Paula was not my favorite character in Wildwood Dancing - and she certainly wasn't the one I would expect to have her own story - but this book was (as the one before it) amazing!

Paula is a scholar, quite excited about her first trip abroad. Little does she realize that this vacation will be riddled with brushes with the paranormal.

Tati is the lovely girl who left our world to be with her otherworldly sweetheart. She does not regret her disicion, but she does miss her family. Determined to see...more

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Oct 19, 2009 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult-fantasy

I love anything written by Juliet Marillier. Love. Love love love. And Cybele's Secret is no different, though, after I got to the end, I wondered exactly WHY I loved it so much.

Paula, one of the sisters of Wildwood Dancing (the scholarly one) accompanies her father on a business trip to Istanbul. In fact, it's more of a quest than a business trip - a quest to obtain the legendary Cybele's Gift... a reputedly magical artifact from an ancient goddess. But there are, of course, complications, inc...more

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May 15, 2009 Loralee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

While I loved Wildwood Dancing, the companion of this book, this book was not
as entertaining for me. I really enjoyed the last 100 pages, but there were
times when I just wanted the book to end so I could read the next book waiting
for me.

This story follows the 4th sister in the Wildwood Dancing book. Paula is now
17 years old and an accomplished scholar. She is excited when her merchant
father gives her a chance to accompany her on a voyage to exotic Istanbul. The
culture is exotic and fascinati...more

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May 14, 2009 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Really, Juliette Marillier can almost do no wrong in my eyes about now. This companion to Wildwood Dancing lived up to my every expectation and yet is a completely different book from the first one. While Wildwood Dancing takes place in the wildwoods of Transylvania with mystical creatures and magical enchantments; this one is set in the colorful and bustling city of Istanbul and has adventure, intrigue, betrayal, and a high seas chase.
The story is centered around the second youngest daughter P...more

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May 02, 2009 Rachael rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is very similar to Wildwood Dancing in a lot of ways, which is a good thing and a touch disappointing at the same time. I think that Marillier's greatest talent is in the details and descriptions of the setting. She travels extensively to the countries she writes about so she doesn't have to imagine nearly as much. And with settings like Turkey and Romania, the realities are as magical as the fictional magic she incorporates into her stories. That part is great. It feels far away, authentic...more

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Dec 12, 2012 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, otherworldly, fiction

"How brave are you, Paula?"

Marillier is an absolute artist with this book. Reading Cybele's Secret gave me goosebumps every other chapter. Paula and Stoyan's quest to find Cybele's gift is titillating to say the least. Nothing happens how you expect it to. The plot could change an instant, and where you can even feel your heart strain a little for the bad guy.

It is so different from the first book where you have responsible Jena. I'm so glad to see that Marillier was able to distance herself fr...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Trang rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite, 2013, fantasy, ya

In short, Cybele's Secret is a fantasy coming-of-age story in which the characters put aside their differences and conflicts to join forces on a magical quest. Treachery, misfortune and violence dog their steps. Failure will cost them dearly. On the other hand, the rewards are handsome, among which are invaluable self-knowledge and, yeah, true love.

I’ve been considering to put Marillier into my humble list of favorite authors ever since Wildwood Dancing, and Cybele's Secret is what seals the de...more In short, Cybele's Secret is a fantasy coming-of-age story in which the characters put aside their differences and conflicts to join forces on a magical quest. Treachery, misfortune and violence dog their steps. Failure will cost them dearly. On the other hand, the rewards are handsome, among which are invaluable self-knowledge and, yeah, true love.

I’ve been considering to put Marillier into my humble list of favorite authors ever since Wildwood Dancing, and Cybele's Secret is what seals the deal for me. It's such a beautiful book in and out, (literally, I dare people to look at the illustration cover and say otherwise). The book swept me into a magical quest with Paula, Stoyan and Duarte as the three of them set out to complete a set of physically demanding and intellectually challenging tasks and trials, not to mention deadly and treacherous at times. Set against the backdrop of Istanbul, a hotpot of melting cultures, the tale feels so real with its rich, vivid and elaborate cultural and historical facts, well-blended with imaginative personal touches. I have a habit of skipping through lengthy scenery description but I delishly drank in all the details Marillier could offer. Never a dull or pointless moment. Never a repetition. Her writing is powerful and eye-opening.

Goodread's summary for Cybele's Secret is rather lacking and misleading. It forgot to mention the fine-looking Stoyan who is hired to protect Paula during her stay in Turkey. In his discreet manner, the Bulgarian bodyguard is just as every bit attractive as the flamboyant Portuguese pirate Duarte. Paula and those two men make quite an appealing tri-angle romance. I found it hard to choose who I want her to be with in the beginning, but as the story ran its course, it became clearer who would win the heroine's heart.

Marillier's characterization is just as strong as her world-building and narrative. I’ve seen someone pointed out that all her females are similarly capable and strong-minded, but it's a ‘repetition' I, for once, don't mind at all. A heroine who can stick up for her own is always a big plus in YA gerne. I love that Paula is smart and mature for her age but still a teenage girl at heart; she isn't beyond making an idiot or petulant mistake of a young adult. She's a female protagonist who I can appreciate and identify with (although I'm no teenager). Her love interests are comparatively charming and well-developed. They're respectful of her, protective without imposing. I'm amazed at the delicate juggle of the gender roles at play, there are definitely some traditional expectations but they are reasonable, conventional but not stereotyping. Paula is no fighter, but she is nowhere near a typical damsel in distress. She does her fair share of protecting and fighting, albeit more with her wits and will.

Her antagonists are compelling and fleshed out, vile with just a convincing touch of humanity. My only problem is that it's rather predictable who are the real perpetrators in the book. Some twists work better than the others, but I'm not really bothered by that.

Cybele's Secret tells of a love that transcends differences in education, background, language, profession and nationality. It's a love where contradictory qualities become complementary elements instead a device of separation or segregation. It also celebrates family and friendship, reinforcing the concept that there is more to a fulfilling life than just satisfaction in romance. (less)

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Oct 09, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-boyfriends

I have so many feelings right now!!

The good:
The characters (Smart women, a pirate, a protector)
The story (Historic mixed with magic.)
The setting (Istanbul, which is one of my favorite cities ever.)
The love triangle (Two schmexies. And usually I don't like love triangles but this one just added to how sweet the love story was.)
The heart-wrenching last chapter (Eee I just want her to be happy! She went through so much! She is depressed and argh!)
The riddles (Smart women figuring shizz out.)
Everyth...more

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About Juliet Marillier

Juliet Marillier was born July 27, 1948 in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Marillier was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and a B Mus (Hons). She has said in an interview that this academic training strengt...more

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Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters, #1)

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Quotes from Cybele's Secret

“If a man truly loves,....He does not consider the obstacles, the restrictions, the reasons why his choice may be flawed or impratical. He gives no heed to what others may think. His heart has no room for that, for it is filled to the brim with the unutterable truth of his feelings.” — 60 people liked it

“Water and stone
Flesh and bone
Night and morn
Rose and thorn
Tree and wind
Heart and mind” — 22 people liked it

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