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Shadowfell (Shadowfell, #1)

Juliet Marillier

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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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Jan 31, 2012 Lenni marked it as to-be-released · review of another edition

Shelves: coming-out-in-aus, 2012, 2012-must-have

May 31, 2012 Marianne Pierres added it

Feb 10, 2014 Belinda. Hamilton rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: supernatural, fantasy, ya-fiction

Mar 06, 2014 Brittany added it

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