Den of Wolves

Starred review from September 12, 2016
Marillier’s superb Blackthorn & Grim fantasy series (Tower of Thorns), set in the ancient Irish kingdom of Dalriada on the edge of mystical and dangerous Dreamer’s Wood, continues with another tasteful combination of a mysterious task and an unusually tender romance. The wealthy master of Wolf Glen inexplicably sends his teen daughter, Cara, to Prince Oran’s seat at Winterfalls while he employs Grim, the stalwart companion of healer and wise woman Blackthorn, to build a heartwood house to bring him luck. Blackthorn, who’s under fey bond to assist anyone who needs her help, first smoulders with vengeful fury against the cruel king, who killed her husband and child and savagely imprisoned her and Grim, but gradually she realizes the depth and worth of human love and compassion. Marillier’s evocative, poetic prose, coupled with her finely crafted delineation of personality in even the most minor of her characters, makes this a thoroughly convincing and touching journey into her mystical, imaginative world.

October 15, 2016

Grim, companion to wise woman Blackthorn, is asked to travel to nearby Wolf Glen to assist with a building project for Lord Tola. He is rebuilding the ruin of a heartwood house--a special dwelling only one haunted, fey-touched man knows how to construct. As the project progresses, Tola sends his daughter Cara to stay near Blackthorn in Winterfalls. Grim has been sworn to secrecy about the project, but his protective nature won't let him stand by when Bardan, the wild man supervising the construction, is mistreated. Bardan, Tola, and Cara all seem tied up in an old secret Tola is desperate to keep. Meanwhile, Blackthorn's sworn enemy might finally be brought to justice, leaving her with a difficult choice. VERDICT This is another emotionally powerful entry (after Tower of Thorns) in Marillier's fantasy series set in ancient Ireland. The growing bond between Grim and Blackthorn is consistently a pleasure to follow in each book as they lean on each other to get through every challenge.--MM

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2016
Healer Blackthorn and her steadfast companion, Grim, barely survived their brutal ordeal in the dungeons of Mathuin. They are burdened by their haunting secrets, and Blackthorn is desperately trying to abide by her promise to the fey to seek no vengeance. Ever inscrutable and hardly known for her warmth and tact, she is careful not to let her despair and blunt misery show while she helps the prince of Winterfalls against their sworn enemy. A mysterious girl, Cara, is sent to the castle, where she discovers secrets of her own and tries to understand her unusual powers within the woods. Grim is sent to repair a magical and broken-down house in Wolf Glen, and while he and Blackthorn are separated, their bonds are tested to their limits. Grim and Blackthorn's battles are solitary, but they remain in each other's hearts, so that the reader is rooting for them to be reunited and for justice to be served quickly and sharply. This is a satisfying conclusion to an emotionally resonant series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)