Just Arrived: “Shadowfell” by Juliet Marillier
I love it when I open my post office box and find lovely cardboard packages, and inside them — books! This week I’ve received:
Shadowfell — the new YA Novel by Juliet Marillier
Unlike Juliet Marillier’s two previous YA novels, Wildwood Dancing and Cybele’s Secret, which were set in an historical Roumania and Turkey respectively, Shadowfell is set in a Celtic-infused world reminiscent of—but not the same as—her adult “Sevenwaters” novels.
Here’s what the backcover says:
“The people of Alban are afraid.
The tyrannical king and his masked Enforcers are scouring the land, burning villages and enslaving the canny.
Fifteen-year-old Neryn has fled her home in the wake of its destruction, and is alone and penniless, hiding her extraordinary magical power. She can rely on no one — not even the elusive Good Folk who challenge and bewilder her.
When an enigmatic stranger saves her life, Neryn and the young man called Flint begin an uneasy journey together. She wants to trust Flint but how can she tell who is true in a land of evil?
But Neryn has heard whisper of a mysterious place: a place where rebels are massing to free the land and end the king’s reign.
A place called Shadowfell.”
It definitely sounds interesting—I am very much looking forward to reading it and discussing with Juliet Marillier in a forthcoming interview.
I’ve been waiting for this book to come out.
Ms. Marillier does do good YA novels which happily cross-over to adult readers as well.
You and mnay others, I think, June.:) I have had a sneak peek at the first few pages and suspect you are not going to be disappointed…
Sounds great, got some classic elements there. Looking forward to getting this one, reminds me a little of ‘The Red King’ by Victor Kelleher.
I think it’s a very strong story, even if stepping a little outside Juliet’s traditional style in terms of the darkness of the story and a more societal as well as ‘personal/local’ focus to the tale being told — but I like it when authors I like try something a little different.:)
I haven’t read Victor Kelleher: shall see if I can find ‘The Red King.’ I think I shall like if is of similar style to ‘Shadowfell.’
Excellent, will place an order later tonight – thanks for all the recommendations, finding heaps of books to try out!
Here’s a short blub from The Red King 🙂
“Aided only by a trained bear and a monkey, a magician and an acrobat challenge the power of the evil Red King who rules the Forest Lands by spreading the red fever to those who refuse to pay him tribute.”
With the acrobat being a young girl and main character, along with some of the elements to the plot, I thought of the book when reading the blurb of Shadowfell. Looking forward to reading it now
Ah, thanks for the thumbnail–but having read Shadowfell I think you will find it quite a different sort of story.:)