Shadowfell (Shadowfell, #1) in Aussie Readers

Jul 19, 2012 Kate Forsyth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-fantasy

The latest book from one of my all-time favourite authors, Shadowfell is a magical quest set in an otherworldy Scotland. I loved it!

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Jul 01, 2012 Teresa rated it really liked it

Shelves: favourite-series

Mid June, I've had the opportunity to meet Juliet Marillier, as well as receive a signed copy of her new novel, Shadowfell, at her book launch in Perth.

I've only ever read one of her previous works, Wildwood Dancing, and have loved the sort of omnious but enchanting tale, plus I was in Year 8 and had a strange phase of fairies (you'd expect this of a 5 yo), as well as for not-so-happy-endings.

I'm not going to make a summary because I want you to go check it out for yourself, or you guys should a Mid June, I've had the opportunity to meet Juliet Marillier, as well as receive a signed copy of her new novel, Shadowfell, at her book launch in Perth.

I've only ever read one of her previous works, Wildwood Dancing, and have loved the sort of omnious but enchanting tale, plus I was in Year 8 and had a strange phase of fairies (you'd expect this of a 5 yo), as well as for not-so-happy-endings.

I'm not going to make a summary because I want you to go check it out for yourself, or you guys should already know it. But simply, it's about a 15 yo girl who finds herself alone and on a journey that brings danger, loss and love.

The story was compelling, and at times, cliche, but take note it is a YA fiction. There's the mysterious stranger (who happens to be male and all levels complicated, the type you'd want to peel away the masks etc etc...) who saves Neryn, but she's all levels of complicated as well. Both characters were rounded and I absolutely loved the heroine. I did love the adventure Marillier illustrates through her writing, but at times I felt like the journey was dragged out too long for her to you know, get there?

And the Good Folk! I though it was only going to be fairies, like in her previous works, but I'm glad now that it's not just fairies! The mention of other folklore creatures is good, except I have a hard time imagining how they look, especially since they're described as young but with an old soul (well that's my interpretation). And some of the appearance descriptions could have been done a bit better 'cause some of them were hard to imagine (or maybe I just need to be more imaginative).

Overall, I completely enjoyed this tale, and am eagerly waiting for the sequel, which is titled Raven's Flight (?), coming out in a years time.

And yes, I'm greedy and wish it was out now because the ending wasn't so...round in it's conclusion. I felt a little dissatisfied, yet satisfied? Possibly because Marillier didn't just blow the whole lovey dovey stuff out in the open and deliver to the reader a happily ever after (as unrealistic, fiction-wise, as it seems). There were so many things readers will be left curious about, but these things must be left for the two books to come.

In the meantime, I will probably read some of her other works...Now I just got to decide what to read next. ...more

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Dec 03, 2013 Nicki Markus rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-fantasy-sci-fi

Shadowfell was a book that didn't grip me from the first page, but by the time I was a few chapters in, I was hooked and keen to see how the story would progress.

This book has all the clichés you'd expect from a YA fantasy, all the standard characters and plot devices, and yet it has enough originality to stand out from the crowd and some beautifully crafted prose that is a delight to read.

Marillier's greatest strength is her ability to play to convention yet still craft interesting characters, ...more

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Aug 12, 2010 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, for-review, publisher-sent, pan-macmillan-sent

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!

Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier is a deeply written fantasy tale full of courage, hope and unparalleled magic that will sweep readers into a dangerous story where love and loyalty are tested and betrayal is just around the corner.

In the fantasy genre, Juliet Marillier is a well known name. A talented author of many books, it m Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!

Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier is a deeply written fantasy tale full of courage, hope and unparalleled magic that will sweep readers into a dangerous story where love and loyalty are tested and betrayal is just around the corner.

In the fantasy genre, Juliet Marillier is a well known name. A talented author of many books, it may come as a surprise to hear that this is actually the first book of hers I've ever read. Although I doubt it will be the last. Superbly written and with traditional fantasy elements interwoven with unique myth, Shadowfell proves to be quite the interesting story.

Shadowfell introduces us to Neryn, a young woman with the unique ability to see what others cannot--the Good Folk, magical begins that inhabit the land of Alban she calls home. In a time where a tyrant king rules with an iron fist; the people cower behind his rule and bloodshed litter the villages, towns and forests that span Alban.

Neryn's canny gift marks her as special, and hunted; forcing her to flea and hide to protect both herself, and others from her canny gift. During her journey to Shadowfell, a rumored land with rebel forces, Neryn meets many individuals, some human, some Good Folk. Some are friend, others are foe and at times both help and hinder her on her quest. As Neryn struggles to understand truth from lies, she must learn to trust those around her and rely on herself like never before, finding companionship in the form of Flint, a mysterious young man who saves her during one of her darkest moment, but who is more than he seems and whose ties to the royal court may be of a nefarious nature and that of Sage, Sorrel and Red Cap, Good Folk who aid Neryn in the beginning of her journey.

Neryn's tale is a hard one, and at times quite sad. Marillier writes Neryn as a kind, innocent young woman, and details the hard journey she finds herself on, alone and often unsure of who she can trust perfectly. Marillier doesn't shy away from the harsh journey Neryn is on and forces her into difficult situation after situation, forcing her to rely on herself and at times others. Neryn is a kind soul; giving and sharing of what little she has, and though she is young at times naive, Marillier writes it impossible not to like her. As she begins to grow, her voice becomes more and more riveting to follow.

Though this story is masterfully written and detailed, admittedly there were times when the book seemed to lag and I found my mind wandering. That being said, I understood the purpose for certain extended explanation and description to set the setting and explain certain aspects of the story. These slower moments of the book often led to a dangerous fight sequence or important discussion between Neryn and Flint, so in this instance I will forgive Marillier for this.

Encompassing many delightful fantasy elements and a young, but strong main character, Shadowfell does a good job of introducing this new series by Juliet Marillier. As this chapter of Neryn's story comes to an end, I find myself looking forward to the next one and seeing what developments Marillier has in store next!
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Oct 05, 2012 Ch'kara SilverWolf rated it it was amazing

I devoured this wonderful story of Nerryn and Flint. Although this is an evolving love story and I hope there is more to come in future books, this story is about so much more. It is about oppression, war and betrayal, about friendship and hope.

Those who are different and gifted are tracked down and destroyed. After losing all of her family, Nerryn must hide as she tries to find those fighting against the tyranny that infects her world. She is aided by Flint who she does not trust, even though s ...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Zoë rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2.5 stars
I absolutely loved Juliet Marillier's Wildwood Dancing series. Too much walking and not enough action or anything really happening for me. The characters were great and loved Neryn but not enough that it didn't bore me reading this. If that doesn't bother you then you probably will enjoy this book much more than I did. ...more

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