Scholarly eighteen-year-old Paula and her merchant father journey from Transylvania to Istanbul to buy an ancient pagan artifact rumored to be char...
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Jan 08, 2008
Cassie
rated it: 
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
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Mar 03, 2009
Tammy
rated it: 
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, howev More...
It wasn't a page-turner for me, howev More...
Oct 23, 2008
Grace
rated it:
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 start More...
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 start More...
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May 06, 2008
Debbie
rated it: 
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 artif More...
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 artif More...
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Feb 12, 2009
Meridyforgot
rated it:
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 an
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Oct 25, 2011
"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
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Jan 23, 2009
Josie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 05, 2009
Megan
rated it:
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 Transy More...
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 Transy More...
Jan 30, 2012
Johanna
rated it:
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
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Jan 11, 2012
Bluerose's
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
Jan 09, 2012
Julie
rated it:
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 l More...
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 l More...
Aug 25, 2011
Lia
rated it:
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
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Jul 28, 2011
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
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Jan 13, 2011
Jessi
rated it:
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 femal More...
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 femal More...
Sep 12, 2010
Adria
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 01, 2009
Arya
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
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Oct 19, 2009
Jenny
rated it:
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, compli More...
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, compli More...
May 15, 2009
Loralee
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
May 14, 2009
Beth
rated it:
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 daug More...
The story is centered around the second youngest daug More...
May 02, 2009
Rachael
rated it:
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, auth
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Oct 14, 2011
Krista
rated it:
After reading the Wildwood Dancing, you are probably asking yourself if there could possibly be a better read then Wildwood Dancing, and as well you should. And the answer is YES!!! It comes in the form of Cybele's Secret the sequel to Wildwood Dancing. So as you are dashing out the door to grab Wildwood Dancing (which I'm almost positive you all are), make sure to nab Cybele's Secret as well. Where as Wildwood Dancing I could HARDLY stand to put down, Cybele's Secret I COULD NOT put down. As a
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Apr 07, 2011
I really enjoyed this one. Juliet Marillier is becoming a favorite of mine. Her ability to incorporate folklore into her novels is absolutely fantastic. I'm beginning to think there must be something in the water Down Under because it seems like every book I pick up from an Aussie author is just fantastic.
Wildwood Dancing (the 1st book in the series) followed the story of the five sisters, but was mostly about Jena and Tati, the 2 eldest. This book follows the story of Paula, More...
Wildwood Dancing (the 1st book in the series) followed the story of the five sisters, but was mostly about Jena and Tati, the 2 eldest. This book follows the story of Paula, More...
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Aug 20, 2010
Brenda
rated it:
This is one of the most beautiful fantasy novels I've ever read. It's a companion sequel to WILDWOOD DANCING, but you don't have to read that first in order to get into this one.
Paula is a character I can personally connect with. While not a sword-wielding maiden, she doesn't rely on a man to save her. Even when she chooses Stoyan to be her bodyguard, she manages to remain smart and stubborn. Oh, and she has an interest in learning languages. That's always a plus for me!
O More...
Paula is a character I can personally connect with. While not a sword-wielding maiden, she doesn't rely on a man to save her. Even when she chooses Stoyan to be her bodyguard, she manages to remain smart and stubborn. Oh, and she has an interest in learning languages. That's always a plus for me!
O More...
Jun 19, 2009
Christina
rated it:
This book is a sequel to Wildwood Dancing, but I read this one first and didn't have any trouble--as long as you don't mind knowing how the first book ends, because she does give that away in this book. But Cybele's Secret focuses on a different sister, and it is 6 years after the first book's events. 17 year old Paula has traveled with her merchant father from her home in Transylvania to Istanbul, where he is trying to purchase a rare artifact that is important to followers of an ancient goddes
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Dec 19, 2008
Kathy
rated it:
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
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Mar 13, 2009
Alana
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 17, 2009
Sylver
rated it:
I liked this story very much because Marillier went away from Irish lore in which she excels, and set the story in exotic Istambul. This story is told from Paula's point of view (the 4th sister) and even though there are a few mentions of Jenna and Costin (the main romance from Wildwood Dancing) at least I knew they were well and happy. Tati plays a significant role in this book, even though we only see glimpses of her.
I liked the love story, and the way things ended, but since I've read More...
I liked the love story, and the way things ended, but since I've read More...
Apr 30, 2010
Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms)
rated it:
I discovered Juliet Marillier about six weeks ago and this is the seventh of her books that I have read. It is one of my favorites although I loved them all. If I could give it six stars I would. This is the sequel to Wildwood Dancing and the story of another of the five sisters who discovered the Otherworld when they were children. I liked this book better than Wildwood Dancing. I read it in two days but admit the first day lasted until 2:00AM the second day. The author's ability to More...
Jan 18, 2012
Laura
rated it:
In my somewhat limited experience, the first book of Marillier's trilogies tends to be the best, and I think that is the case here. I found this book to be enjoyable, but paled quite a bit to the first one.
Goods: Exploring Ottoman-era Istanbul, a real and true quest like you read about in fairy tales (complete with riddles!), the bee goddess Cybele. I also liked the three main characters and appreciated seeing old friends a bit too.
Bads: This book is much more of the roma More...
Goods: Exploring Ottoman-era Istanbul, a real and true quest like you read about in fairy tales (complete with riddles!), the bee goddess Cybele. I also liked the three main characters and appreciated seeing old friends a bit too.
Bads: This book is much more of the roma More...
Oct 30, 2009
Aimee
rated it:
You may have seen me write this earlier, but seriously, where has Juliet Marillier been all my life?! I have been living without some good magic literature for WAY too long.
Cybele's Secret is a companion novel to Marillier's first YA novel venture, the incredibly popular Wildwood Dancing. Set several years later, the second to youngest sister of five, Paula sails from her home in Transylvania (!) to Turkey with her father in search of a famous Pagan relic connected to the ancient mat More...
Cybele's Secret is a companion novel to Marillier's first YA novel venture, the incredibly popular Wildwood Dancing. Set several years later, the second to youngest sister of five, Paula sails from her home in Transylvania (!) to Turkey with her father in search of a famous Pagan relic connected to the ancient mat More...
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