Shadowfell

Shadowfell #1

by Juliet Marillier

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 with their words.

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 this land of evil?

For Neryn has heard whisper of a mysterious place far away: a place where rebels are amassing to free the land and end the King's reign.

A place called Shadowfell.

A story of courage, hope, danger and love from one of the most compelling fantasy storytellers.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Magic, Young Adult Fantasy, Fiction, High Fantasy

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2012

About the author

Juliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and Bachelor of Music (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.

Juliet is the author of twenty-one historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.

Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she tends to her small pack of rescue dogs. She also has four adult children and eight grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)

Reviews

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some­thing inef­fa­bly mag­i­cal about Marillier’s nov­els. There are pre­cious few authors, in my opin­ion, who cre­ate as earnest a fan­tasy envi­ron­ment replete with mys­ti­cism and magic as Mar­il­lier does.

I feel a lit­tle embar­rassed and ashamed. I was des­per­ate for this book. After lov­ing Wild­wood Danc­ing and Heart’s Blood with a fiery pas­sion, I was sure I’d adore this one too.

The first thing that you should know about Shad­owfell is that it’s not as much the same ilk as Wild­wood Danc­ing and Heart’s Blood. It’s closer to her Daugh­ter of the For­est series in tone and story telling though less adult. The sec­ond thing you should know is that the pace and story telling of this novel is even slower than that of Daugh­ter of the For­est. If you’re not famil­iar with Marillier’s prior work then you will need to con­sider where the aspects of Lord of the Rings series in which Sam and Frodo were walk­ing to Mor­dor were some­thing you enjoyed as a reader. If they weren’t then I would highly advise you give this a skip. In fact, if you’re not a fan of walk­ing in gen­eral then give this book a skip – there was a lot of damn walk­ing in this book. A LOT.

Whilst the prose and char­ac­ters and sus­pense made up for a lot of the stag­na­tion in plot – it didn’t always feel enough to carry the novel enough for me to give it four stars. Neryn’s char­ac­ter in par­tic­u­lar gave me great pause. Marillier’s female pro­tag­o­nists are often strong, capa­ble, wise and dig­ni­fied. That’s just the way she writes them and I love her for that. But Neryn lacked the spark of per­son­al­ity, of sub­stance that I usu­ally enjoy. She has no real flaws – unless you count not being able to trust a man who she has no rea­son to trust (I call that com­mon sense). Per­haps she has a whole breadth of char­ac­ter that we haven’t seen yet. I don’t know. This novel doesn’t afford her to show much since she lives in a con­stant state of sur­vival mode.

Over all, I would still pick this novel up over a whole host of nov­els, but for a Mar­il­lier novel, I felt a tad let down. I’m hop­ing the next in the series shall rec­tify that and con­tain a great deal less walking.

*This book was provided to me by the publisher.

[Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. If I had to choose a word to describe it I'd say that this book is ... quiet. Look, quiet is not necessarily a bad thing - it brings a different atmosphere along its path, almost soothing and completely enchanting.



① There is a lot of walking in this book, and when I say a lot, picture Frodo and Sam wandering in the Middle-Earth. That kind of walking.

② The plot is incredibly repetitive, the whole book revolving around the fact that a) Neryn has to go to Shadowfell, b) she doesn't trust (with reasons) Flint, c) she has a power that makes her able to see and talk with fairies and other magical creatures. I won't lie to you, this is highly frustrating at times.



③ I might have been under a spell because despite the walking, despite the repetitions, I was never bored, but enchanted and enthralled. Will it be the same thing for you? Fuck if I know. I can't say without doubt that you won't be dying from boredom, but I sure didn't, not for a second, and it was a page-turner for me (trust me, I'm astonished).



① Neryn is afraid but fierce, independent, and believable - she wants to be strong but doesn't succeed all the time and that's GREAT. She doesn't trust the first guy coming (I confess that I would have LOVED for her to trust Flint on sight, but hey, I'm weak, she was right, okay, I stop sulking - maybe). And if she sometimes takes risks, it's only because she wants to overcome the obstacles she meets during her quest.

"Weapons sharp. Backs straight. Hearts high"

If I had some concerns about her personality at the beginning, her courage and her perseverance definitely won me along the way (she's still a little bit of a special snowflake, though).

② Flint is the best kind of characters : hard to trust, complex, morally ambiguous , conflicted. I can't express how much I'm eager to learn more about him.

"Become my friend and you embrace a nightmare. I don't wish that on anyone."

I might be crazy, because I felt attracted to this tortured guy from the start. *shrug*

③ The Little Folk speaks in a dialect that can be unsettling at first :

"Bide ye here awhile. Dinna be afeart o' the shadows; they canna harm ye. Sit quiet; ye look weary tae the bane. I willna be lang."

Strangely, it didn't bother me because a) it's rare and 2) it became easy to translate pretty fast. Don't ask me, I have no idea why, except maybe because it makes sense : contrary to many books that use a dialect, the author goes beyond throwing some words here and there, but uses a coherent language, and once the reader has digested the initial surprise, it becomes more and more easy to follow their conversations.



① The writing is really, really good, not heavy and flows smoothly. As far as I'm concerned, the way Juliet Marillier writes played a large role in determining my enjoyment.

② Nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems : indeed while at the beginning the boundaries between good and evil seem to be thick and steady, we quickly realize that nothing is as simple as it appears. Good reasons can lead to bad choices, and the contrary is also true. This world is brutal, unforgiving, and sometimes there's no such thing as a right choice. To be frank, I can't wait to learn more about this world.

③ Although I can't say when this event occurred, in the end I care about every one of these characters especially Flint. God I love him, and in my opinion that's perhaps the most important of all things, don't you think?

PS. I don't know why the blurb says that Flint is handsome because he's not, and that's one of the things I loved about him.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

This book . . . was underwhelming.

For the first 100 pages, I was bored out of my eyeballs. It took me three days to read it. B/c bored. THREE DAYS to finish a 400 page YA fantasy.

On the bright side, I was very productive blog-wise . . . b/c I couldn't make myself read . . .

I know I'm beating a dead horse here (<------not really a spoiler), but I love Juliet Marillier. One of my favorite books of all time is a book by Marillier ( Wildwood Dancing ), and I've very much enjoyed several of her adult fantasy series as well.

I was expecting this to be a sure thing.

It wasn't.

It picked up a bit after those first 100 pages, and I did enjoy the depictions of the Fae as a fractious band of Labyrinth -type creatures, but ultimately it all felt very average:

A tyrannical king has practically snuffed magic out of the world, except for his own private use. A girl with a powerful gift has lost her entire family b/c Tyrannical King. A manboy in a cloak rescues Girl, but is he trustworthy? Girl ditches Manboy to travel to Rebel Base that Girl isn't sure really exists. But Manboy manages to find Girl over and over again.

Blah, blah, a thousand times BLAH.

And Neryn (Girl) is a very young heroine, both in age and temperament. The blurb says she's sixteen, but unless she had an unremarked upon birthday somewhere in the book, she's only fifteen, and there is a lot of character growth going on. But it's the timid second-guessing, early adolescent kind of character growth. The, "Can I trust him? I can't trust him. Maybe I can trust him. I'm starting to trust him. HE BETRAYED ME! Did he betray me? He definitely betrayed me. Maybe he didn't betray me. I LOVE him," type of character growth. *bangs head against wall*









Then at the very end (of course), it's Epiphany Time!

Suddenly Neryn works her way to all the conclusions you've been screaming at her throughout the book. And yeah, better late than never, but b/c of the earlier back and forth, you don't really trust that it will survive the next teenaged bout of gratuitous drama.

So that was frustrating.

BUT . . . it wasn't all bad. I adored Flint (Manboy). He was an incredibly complex character, and beyond that, he was a character whom I could admire. He chose to live his life for the greater good, he lives with the consequences of that choice, and they are dire. I might have a fanatical mild case of hero worship . . . Just sayin'.

And we all know how bloodthirsty I am--I OWN IT--but I don't want to throttle Neryn for being reluctant to KILL THEM ALL.

"Why not?" you ask

Well . . . b/c this is the place where Marillier's brilliance finally shines through. Neryn is hesitant to kill others, not b/c she's preoccupied with the state of her soul (me, me, me, me, I, I, I, I *rolls eyes*). Not b/c she's having a pity party knowing that once she begins (*switches to announcer voice*), HER LIFE WILL INEVITABLY BE FILLED WITH DARKNESS AND DEATH (boo-friggin'-hoo). No . . . Neryn is hesitant to kill, b/c through Flint she sees that the king's men are just men. Men fighting on the wrong side, but just men, nevertheless. And she is desperate to find a way to help the rebels that doesn't involve the mass slaughter of men.

I have no doubt that if it comes down to it, she'll make the hard choice. But Marillier so ingeniously lays the groundwork for Neryn's internal struggle, that even I--violent urges and all--do not cry out for these men's blood.

*tips hat*

So not my favorite book, but not a total loss either. And I have it on good authority that book 2 is significantly better, so I'm not ready to give up just yet. Onto RAVEN FLIGHT I go. BUT. *lowers voice ominously* Beware my wrath, if I've been misled . . .

[Melanie (meltotheany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I offhandedly bought this series from Book Outlet one day and it's just been sitting on my shelves. I've felt sort of reading slumpy after A Court of Mist and Fury, so I figured a new series would be just what I needed. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the start of this series to blow me away like it did.

“It seemed to me it would be better to die standing up to a tyrant than to survive as a tool of his will.”

Shadowfell was everything I could ever want in fae story. It was so magical and whimsical, yet so full of adventure and mystery. Juliet Marillier's writing flows so eloquently that it was impossible not to become addicted to this world after chapter one.

In this world, some people are blessed with canny gifts. There is a vast array of canny gifts, from being able to see the future, to altering people's minds, to just heightened senses and skills. These are all outlawed and punishable by death, unless it would work in the favor of the king, Keldec. Not only is anything involving these gifts illegal, even talking to or housing fae (or people who have) is punishable by death.

Autumn is the time of the Cull, and is even more dangerous for wandering travelers. The king's enforcers will kill mercilessly, seeking out these individuals and their entire villages. They do not hesitate...they exhibit no restraint. They take and they take and... Oh my gosh, I am such Hamilton trash.

This book surrounds Nerya, who has a very special canny gift. Normally the fae(Good Folk/Little Ones) only can be seen or heard by humans if they wish to do so. Well, Nerya can see and hear them all the time. Obviously it's easy to see how useful that would be for the king, so she has been hunted, and on the run, for a very long time.

Nerya's life has had a lot of sadness in it, but in her childhood her grandmother taught her some things about the fae. How to offer them food, how iron hurts them and will keep them away, how some things are worth a sacrifice.

After her father parts with her over three silver, this book becomes an adventure story of Nerya trying to get to Shadowfell. Along the way, the adventure becomes full of quests, questions on who Nerya can trust and, most importantly, survival.

There is also a little romance, but my bleeding heart wished there was much more. Flint is a double agent in this medieval world, who is also harboring his own secrets. Honestly, I fell in love with him from the start. Juliet Marillier lets the reader know from start to finish that Flint is not the drop dead gorgeous male protagonist we are used to the heroine swooning over, and honestly that made me love him even more.

“Be safe, my heart”

Also, I know I said above that the fae in this book are called Good Folk and Little Ones, but they aren't magical humans with pointed ears. No, no, they are little creatures that come in all shapes and sizes. Some even are much more on the animal side when it comes to their looks. I completely loved this version of fae and, like I said before, I easily became addicted to these characters and this world.

Also, where can I sign up to get cuddled by 20 wolf puppies? Because I need that in my life immediately.

This book was as amazing journey, and I felt so blessed to be able to come along for the ride. The world building is captivating, the prose is beyond gorgeous, and the characters evoked much emotion from me. This was my first Juliet Marillier book, but it will not be my last.

Like, I'm literally going to binge read Raven Flight right now.

[cc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading the book (I can't delete the little fellow, he got me a few likes)
September 11!!

After reading the book

I should probably start this review by saying I’m a HUGE Juliet Marillier fan (for those who don’t know this yet) -- she’s my favorite author, fantasy is my genre of choice, and every time I’m in possession of a new JM book it’s like Christmas, and it’s snowing outside while I’m inside the house by the fire, looking out the window, with a cup of cinnamon flavored hot chocolate warming my hands, a blanket over my legs, and I’m about to open the perfect gift, which by the way, would be a JM book.

That said, Shadowfell tells the story of Neryn’s journey across Alban, a land ruled by the tyrant Keldec -- at first she’s travelling with her father, who after doing something terrible to her, dies and leaves her all alone in the world; after this tragic event she decides to travel to a place in the north called Shadowfell, the alleged land of the rebels, where she believes she’ll be safe from the Enforcers, and from the king himself, because he could use her powers for his benefit. Yes, the girl has powers.

Naturally I loved this book from page one, and I loved especially how the story picks up rhythm in the first couple of pages and barely slows it down afterwards, there’s always something happening with or around Neryn, something that would make it impossible for me to put the book down.

AND THE MALE LEAD. Goodness! Juliet really knows how to write them. (Not sure why I sounded surprised just now.) His attitude towards Neryn melted my heart from the very first moment – his posture, his patience, the way the helps and takes care of her even when she’s doubting his motives. Awww. In fact he reminded me a bit of Red, which is always the best compliment I can give to a male character.

I also loved the secondary characters, mainly the Good Folk who follows Neryn on the journey, their knowledge is crucial for her mission, and they also help her survive along the way -- would give them all a big hug if I could; still my favorites were the Brollachan and the pookie -- the image of a giant using a cat-like creature as a ball he throws in the air is forever stuck in my brain, I’m sure it will be useful for when I’m feeling down. xD

*kind of spoiler ahead, not really if you know Neryn will be heroine of the whole series*
The end surprised me -- this is the first JM book that ends without the couple actually getting together (don’t even try to contradict me, I know what happened in Seer, they got together, Felix just needed to get some stuff done before), and all I can say is: MY HEART CAN’T TAKE IT! I need them together, I need it! But Neryn will still be the heroine in the second book, so I’m thinking, hoping, praying, they will have plenty of time to get together and leave my heart at peace. I know the wait will be worth it, I just know it.
*end of spoiler*

What else can I say? I honestly could go on and on about Shadowfell to the point of people reading this review eventually run away screaming, but I’ll stop right now because if I go on more spoilers will find its way out of me and I’d hate for that to happen.

Buy it, read it, let your minds rejoice in the excellence of Juliet Marillier’s writing--do yourselves the favor.

Am I right, or am I right, little dancing owls?
<- I believe this is a "The human is right, she's right!"

*PT* Cuidado com o Dálmata

[Amaryllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINDING A CURE FOR MY OBSESSION
AKA MY WRITING THERAPY FOR SHADOWFELL
This is not a review, more like the ramblings of an addict.


When it comes to Juliet Marillier's stories, I love EVERYTHING. I really do.

I love everything from the captivating world-building to the gorgeous, enthralling writing style, and the likeable heroines who, like Neryn, all have a clever, enlightened and strong-willed nature.
I love the tales of these young girls embarking on a learning journey that brings all kinds of trials and hardships to them, but always ends with a happily ever after ending, most of their hopes answered and their wishes granted.
And, while on the way to freedom, they also find true love.
Yes. Everything is perfect.

...

BUT LET'S BE A BIT MORE HONEST.
Among all of these good things, TRULY, it is the latter that constitutes my obsession : the ROMANCE.

How to put my infatuation into words ?

>> JULIET MARILLIER'S IDEA OF LOVE

To put it simply, what I like about the romance by Juliet Marillier is her depiction of love .

I have learned from her books (the ones I've read so far) that LOVE (according to her writing) is a feeling that grows inside you, taking root slowly in your heart. Time and patience help building this feeling into a conviction so strong that, to you, it becomes an all-encompassing religion, the most powerful and deep-rooted belief to guide all of your actions.

(Moreover in JM's books, the characters fall in love at a realistic pace.)

On a normal day, I'm the kind of reader who shamelessly drools over sexy Alpha type of men with cocky attitudes, who like to make a habit of falling in desire for their women at the very first glance. (But urgh. Instant attraction gets old.)

And, sometimes (those are the best of times), I get the chance to come across a book introducing me to a male character like Flint.
THAT's when I truly lose it completely.


>> ABOUT FLINT, THE MALE LEAD, AND OTHER JULIET MARILLIER'S HEROES

Like most of JM's heroes, Flint is a confident, skilled and capable man.
He's a person of few words, keeping his thoughts to himself mostly, and he scarcely lets any emotion show on his face.
However, as indifferent as he seems, we can see immediately that he treats Neryn with unmistakable patience, respect, and what looks suspiciously much like kindness.
His secretive behavior doesn't help Neryn lower down her guard though. Because of it, she has a hard time believing in his promises and entrusting herself to his care completely.
Yet, no matter what her opinion of him is, Flint keeps looking out for her, not asking for any form of compensation in return.
With the growing sense of safety and protection he provides her, Neryn can't help but surrender to the change of feelings taking hold of her.

(At this point, seeing as I have eagle eyes for details, not to mention a tendency for overanalyzing, I am sure I must have had a know-it-all smile plastered on my goofy face.
I was so eager to see the development of Neryn's and Flint's relationship, that I must have looked every bit like the fool who hurries off, as soon as she hears the sound of a storm coming, to stand outside in plain sight and wait for the lightning to come and strike her.)

But let's get a better look at the reader's reactions, shall we?

>> READERS, PREPARE YOURSELVES NOT TO BE YOUR NORMAL SELVES

So what happens to the reader in face of such economic display of feelings on the hero's part?

1) as time passes, far from getting frustrated, you become more and more restless with anticipation and excitement

2) without knowing it, you have built your own personal radar, to warn yourself of ANY progress in the romance department

3) slowly, you find yourself speaking out-loud to Flint, giving him words of encouragement on how to approach the heroine


4) at the merest sight of blush forming on Flint's cheeks,
at the smallest brush of his fingers,
at the tiniest whisper of kind words,
etc...
in short, at ANY SIGN hinting at the possibility of romantic feelings on his part, YOU BREAK OUT INTO:

A GIGGLING FIT,


A SCREAMING FIT,


A JUMPING FIT,


or in my case, A SALSA FIT


I can well explain this kind of pathologic behavior:
this is the result of having craved a confession of Flint's feelings for so long : therefore, the smallest of his concessions feels like a hard-earned victory.
Which brings us to the reason for the uncontrollable fits : they simply are the reader's way of dealing with the pent-up anticipation.

>> TO SUM IT ALL UP

Flint has nothing to envy to charming bad boys and their arrogant ways.
There's no need for him to show off his best physical attributes, or to demonstrate his badass prowess.
No need to seduce by giving words of compliment either.

But you, reader, would do well to judge him by his actions, for actions speak way louder than words.
You will understand quickly that his swoon worthiness lies in his warm steady presence.
One of his rare smiles is enough to make you weak in the knees (or in my case, run around in circles like I've just won the lottery).
SUCH is the level of his masculinity.

>> CONCLUSION

Juliet Marillier's heroes are the kind of men that you want to marry.
Because any woman in her right mind would like to spend her life being forever protected, respected and admired. That's how it feels TO BE LOVED.

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Juliet Marillier is a fable teller or what I like to think of as a modern-day Grimm. She weaves these very intricate stories that usually involve humans with hints of the fae and she does this very well. Shadowfell is the first book in the, already completed but new to audio, three book Shadowfell series.  While Shadowfell isn’t my favorite story by Juliet it still has the unique feel Juliet Marillier brings to her stories to transport you into another world.

There are some great things this book has going for it. For one it has the orphaned girl who has been on the run for years now and the head of the King’s elite task force who seems to care about her more than he should. That has forbidden love written all over it so I was totally in. Then there are the Fae, I do love a good story with Fae in it. I couldn’t help but root for Neryn as she traveled to find the very secret place of Shadowfell and learns she might have a gift that could save her kind and the Fae too if used on the right side.

“It seemed to me it would be better to die standing up to a tyrant than to survive as a tool of his will.”

The struggle I had with this as with many fantasy books is all the travelling. Neryn is on the road the majority of the book and while she meets some very cool people along the way most of the time she is alone, or sick, or struggling to get to where she is going and it all felt like it was taking so long. I’ve had this issue before in fantasy and I’ll have it again I’m sure, I usually enjoy the traveling parts in a story as much as other things and so I really wish we would have made it to the resistance earlier in the journey.

Still this is a really great introduction into the world and I did love learning what Neryn could possibly be, there is a lot that can be done with that. I even liked the hints that she would eventually have to deal with all the Lords of the Fae so to speak. This is still a very nice faery story, great villain we have yet to see in person but the King is horrible to be sure. I’m definitely continuing on with the series.

Narration:

Henrietta Meire did a fantastic job with the tone of the story and all of the content. She really brought a lot to characters and made the story feel real. With over 100 titles to her narration credit you’d think I’d have heard her before, but this was my first book narrated by her. I was definitely impressed and was able to listen easily at my normal 1.5x speed.

Listen to a clip:  HERE

[Keertana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Shadowfell is, I am ashamed to admit, my first Juliet Marillier novel. While I doubt it is her best, I can already see why she has such a huge fan following. Not only is her writing simply beautiful, but her world-building also manages to be exceedingly unique as her story grabs you in, even from the start. Furthermore, each and every one of Marillier’s characters is wonderfully developed, containing an immense amount of depth. While Shadowfell’s main fault seems to lie with its protagonist, it is still a thrilling tale that will engage readers and perfectly sets us up for an epic trilogy in the making.

It is a dangerous time in Alban, especially for Neryn. King Keldec has nearly wiped out all the magic in the kingdom, but his deadly Enforcers still search for Neryn, a girl rumored to have unique powers. Thus, when Neryn is given off to an enigmatic traveler, Flint, and loses her remaining family, she decides to travel to Shadowfell, a mysterious safe-haven for those with abilities like her who can see the Good Folk. Neryn will soon learn, however, that her journey to Shadowfell may not be as easy as she once thought. You see, Neryn possesses a unique gift – one that has not been seen in Alban for years and has the potential to overthrow Keldec. Yet, to use her gift, Neryn must pass through a series of tasks, all unknown to her, during her travels. Neryn’s journey will not only test her strength and morals, but they will test her bonds of loyalty, friendship, and perhaps even…love.

Shadowfell, despite being a novel that I simply loved, mostly because of its genre, was one in which the heroine unfortunately fell flat. When this novel begins, we don’t know much about Neryn and are rather confused by her innate goodness, kindness to the Good Folk, and respect for ancient lore. Yet, as the novel progresses, we slowly begin to understand Neryn a bit more and are able to see the events in her past which have made her the way she is. Still, throughout the novel, Neryn is a very naïve character. In a world filled with desperation, evil, and tragedy, I found it hard to believe that Neryn managed to remain so pure and trusting without having the faults of the world she lived in damage her personality. Furthermore, Neryn constantly fails to learn from her mistakes and there is very little character growth in this installment. Neryn does begin to change during the end of this novel, so I am hopeful that we will be seeing a different Neryn in the sequel, but the Neryn in Shadowfell was quite a disappointment. I admired her resilience, her strength, her kindness, and her hopeful nature, so I definitely did like her and I even understood how so much of her past had made her the way she was, but I was still hoping for something more from her overall which I, unfortunately, did not get to see.

Neryn aside, Shadowfell was a remarkable novel. I loved the world-building straight off the bat as it was a unique blend of fey lore and Celtic mythology, combining together to create the Good Folk. Furthermore, the story of Alban was not only extremely interesting, as were the politics of the nation, but it was also something you felt. While originally seeming to be similar to Throne of Glass in the sense that both novels were set in fantasy realms with kings who despite magic, Marillier, unlike Maas, enables us to see and truly witness the misfortune that befalls this nation and Alban itself became a character of its own. Even the Good Folk, who are mysterious creatures, were wonderful to read about and I was thoroughly immersed in the many tales they told, their history, the slow uncovering of their importance to the story, and the many gifts they possessed.

Yet, what really made me love Shadowfell was Flint. From the surface, it seems as if Flint is your typical tortured male protagonist. As the story unfolds, however, it is evident that Flint, while remaining to be a tormented character, is also one with an immense amount of courage, strength, and heart. Furthermore, Flint’s pain stems from the fact that he carries a heavy burden – one no one should have to bear – but that only makes him all the more likable, admirable, and ultimately inspirational for it. In other words, there is simply so much more to Flint than what first meets the eye and I fell hard for the budding romance between him and Neryn. It was written with a beautiful subtlety and was incorporated into the story in such a breath-taking manner that I was completely invested in it. I honestly can’t remember being so taken by a romance in a long time, so it was extremely refreshing. Furthermore, Flint really drove this novel forward as the scenes with him in it were much more fast-paced, contained a lot more action, and simply seemed to have more of everything. In other words, it is Flint and not Neryn who controls much of this story and while I found this to be a strange balance of power, I still loved it.

Overall, Shadowfell is a great start to a new series. It has all the right ingredients to become a remarkable trilogy and I love the fact that everything is set up so perfectly for us. It is evident that Marillier has a set plan for this series and her lore, ideas, and plans are all very well thought-out and executed. It rarely happens, but I do believe that the sequel to Shadowfell will be a much stronger novel overall. While Neryn did bring the quality of this story down a bit, I still enjoyed it a lot, so if you’re looking out for a new fantasy novel, you should seriously consider picking this one up this month. It may not be Marillier’s best work, but it is a remarkable piece of fiction regardless.

You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

August 2014 re-read: Still just as good. Maybe even better than I'd remembered. I think most will feel the start is slow, but I find this an eminently easy read that's comfortable and enveloping to step into. The prose doesn't seem overt or in-your-face, but it's so perfect at being what it needs to be that you just flow over the words and are swept along.


September 2013 re-read thoughts: I love this even more on a re-read. Solid 4.5 stars. Strong characters, fascinating world, and beautifully developed storyline.

Review:

I’d been meaning to pick up a book by Juliet Marillier for years before chance allowed me to get an early copy of Shadowfell. I’m so glad I started here. Ms. Marillier’s prose is evocative and beautiful to read, with lush descriptions that immerse you in the world and make you care about these characters. Shadowfell is a pretty classic quest story, with Neryn setting out to learn her powers, accomplish tasks – which she doesn’t know details about – and finding a place where she can be who she is.

Neryn is a character that I instantly related to. She made the decision long ago to live life, something that is much harder than it sounds in the bleak world that Keldec has made of Alba. On the run for much of her life, seeing atrocities that would break others, Neryn let all of that strengthen her resolve. Added to this, she’s unfailingly kind, protective, and smart – if a bit naïve. At just 15 (or 16, the text of my ARC copy did seem to waver on that), it all felt real. She’d experienced some things that made her grow up more quickly than she should have, and she still had an innocence about her that could frustrate me. She did spend a good deal of time sick, and relying on others for help, but I didn’t hold that against her. This was the first time she was really learning about what she was, and assistance was needed. What I loved here was that she still stood strong on her beliefs, needs, and what she needed to do. It endeared me to her. As I’m sure it did Flint – even while it frustrated him to no end.

Flint is a very conflicted character. Though I was fairly sure of his true allegiance throughout the book, there was just enough doubt thrown in there for me to question, just enough that I understood when Neyrn didn’t trust him and took some rather risky chances. I would love to see a bit more from Flint’s point of view, but I think the lack of that made me really appreciate what I did get near the end.

While the pacing isn’t fast there is a lot happening in Shadowfell. It’s a long journey, and Neryn has to accomplish many things along the way. I was pulled along, desperate to see what happened next, and how Neryn would beat these almost insurmountable odds to make it to her destination. One slight warning, while the book does end at a good stopping point, this is definitely not the end of Neryn’s story. There is a lot more to be told in the next two books. I didn’t think anything of this, because it seems pretty common in fantasy novels, but wanted to be sure others knew that the overall storyline is not tied up in these 400 pages.

Shadowfell is the best young-adult fantasy I’ve read in a long time. I enjoyed the story immensely, and connected with the characters. But the world is what will keep me coming back for more. Ms. Marillier has a gift for writing, one that I’m happy to have finally discovered – and I can’t wait for the next book in this trilogy.

[Lynsey is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edit: I just re-read my review from 2012 in 2024. Not me trying to describe the "romantasy" genre before it had a name. 😂

*****

I love, love, loved it!

This was sooooooo absorbing! And, funnily enough, compared to other similar books of this genre, the book wasn't even particularly action-packed or fast-moving, so it wasn't that that had me flipping the pages. It was more that I was simply enchanted by it. By the world, the story and the writing. This is my first book by Marillier, but will definitely not be my last! Her writing style is immediately engaging, no doubt in part due to being in first person, which is quite unusual for this type of book.

Full confession time: this genre is fast becoming by own personal literary crack, I can't seem to get enough of it. So that will have upped my enjoyment and my rating because I was in my reading element, my happy place. It's a difficult genre to pin down, really. It's essentially a historical fantasy setting (in this case loosely based on a magical ancient Scotland) with lush world-building and a strong (either of magic, character or body) and often quite young, female main character, and usually has a slow-forming but very sweet romance. I may not know what the genre is called, but I know exactly who I would recommend it to. If you are a fan of any or all of the following, you should love this book.

Maria V. Snyder. (Study Series, Healer of Avry series)
Kristin Cashore. (Seven Kingdoms series)
R. L. LaFevers (His Fair assassin series)
Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass series)
Kristen Britain (Greed Rider series)

And probably more I'm forgetting or haven't 'met' myself yet.

I've seen from other reviewers who have had the pleasure of reading Marillier before, that this isn't even necessarily her best or most thrilling book, no doubt due to the aforementioned lack of action or solid conclusion. But it's a great opener for a series I'm now extremely excited about continuing. The main conflict of the story arc—an evil King on a mission to cull every town of anyone who has Canny magic (unless they work for him, of course) by whatever ruthless means necessary—is set up nicely in this first book, but as of yet, our brave young heroine, Neryn, isn't quite ready to face him. She's just at the beginning of her journey, but has SO MUCH potential.

At the start of the book, Neryn has just about lost everything and finds herself on her own and on the run. Help comes in the most unexpected of forms and there are many a challenge and test of wills along the way. Much like in the great fairy tales of the past, our heroine first has to prove her worth, have her mettle tested to breaking point, and that's exactly what this book shows us. Seeing these early stages of our heroine's growth, while she's still so young and even a little bit naive, will no doubt make seeing the rest of her journey that much more fulfilling.

Flint, who was the other main character out of the wide and varied cast, all of whom were vivid and essential, was a real treat. Not your typical hero by any means, but what an amazingly complex and conflicted character! I can't wait to see more of him.

Even lacking in action or any big, climactic ending as it was, this was not a boring book by any means, and I thoroughly enjoyed every page as I said. There is a lot of time that Neryn is alone and travelling, but she's faced with constant challenges that kept me well entertained. And then when Flint came on the scene...well, I was entertained for all kinds of different reasons then! :)

Recommended to fans of all of the above authors, and to anyone who loved a good (and often rather gruesome) fairy tale as a child. Suitable for younger readers, but perfect for big kids too.

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

First person

My first Juliette Marillier as I had been eagerly anticipating her books for years!

An interesting experience as the chunk of the book where our main character is with non-humans, I found to be the most boring and almost had me DNF it. I’m so glad I didn’t DNF though, as the rest of the book and the world and the conflict were very good!

Brief synopsis? Neryn’s father loses her in a game of cards to a strange man. Neryn has a special ability that is ground upon and could be used for evil. The king is a bad dude. Invisible, little creatures.

[Krystle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliet Marillier, you haven’t disappointed me yet!

I was already a fan of her writing before I picked this book up. I know it’s shameful but my introduction into her writing didn’t begin with the Sevenwaters series but her Wildwood one, which I read and devoured like it was prized chocolate.

She writes the most wonderful fantasy stories that are subtle and have female characters that are all portrayed with depth, spirit, and personality. These are not your lifeless women pulled along by the plot or squashed down by the presence of men.

Neryn is much of the same. At first her young age threw me off and younger voice was a bit different than I was used to but I warmed up to her in no time. She is determined, resilient and the most very important thing that really had me rooting for her was common sense. Something that’s lacking in so many YA heroines these days. She was always suspicious, cautious, and wary of her kidnapper/guide, Flint. She does not go googoo eyed and trust him explicitly after one sob story. No, she does not. She keeps him at bay and always questions his motives and tries not to open herself up to him which he can exploit as a weakness.

Flint, too, is fun. He’s kind of your typical stoic, enigmatic male figure but he’s a lot softer and opens up more throughout the story. A lot of his personality stems from his cynical attitude and vulnerability that makes him behave in some ways in certain situations. I liked that we get to see things from his eyes from time to time so we can balance our opinions of him together with the ones we have of Neryn.

Honestly, I loved the romance. It was just awesome. It’s a really long and slow gradual process. They don’t fall in love or like each other because of the other person’s looks. In fact, this is infrequently mentioned and usually it’s on the part of Neryn. She doesn’t describe him as someone hot, droolworthy with overbearingly good looks, which is refreshing. They grow to like each other for what they are and what they do, and not what they look like.

I can see why a lot of people couldn’t get into this book. The long journey/questing portions where our characters spend a lot of time in the forest camping and hiding out. Things seem to pass by in slow motion and every ache and pain, sickness, temperature change is detailed for its effect on the protagonist. I had no problem with it all. In fact, I just flew by those portions. I love the long travelling scenes in Lord of the Rings, the camping scenes in Harry Potter, and all that good stuff. So if those weren’t your favorite parts in those books you probably won’t like the first half of it in here.

Ah, I love her prose. If there’s one thing you know she’ll never disappoint you on, it’s her prose. She writes such beautiful descriptions that you can feel it touch some part deep in your writerly brain and soul that makes you coo like a morning bird. Her worldbuilding might be a bit stock, generic medieval fantasy, and the plot a bit too linear but her writing makes up for all of that.

A delicious, gorgeous tale, and I can’t wait to read the next installments!

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Hmmm... now, to round up or down.

I thought this book was going to be about fairies - which I like but am not a huge fan of - but it wasn't about fairies at all. Yes, the Good Folk are magical creatures of the wilderness, but the book was more of your fantasy types - a kingdom with a "bad" king, rebels journeying through the land and a girl with magical powers when fully developed can save them all.

Once I established what the book was about, I found myself liking it quite a bit - though not as much as I like similar types of books. The book was a bit long (which isn't unusual), but I had a hard time following it in several places. I was kind of bored when Flint wasn't in the picture - not because there was a lack of potential romance but because I kind of felt detached from the story. And some of the characters and some of the scenes were hard to imagine, so I was a bit confused and I don't think the pictures in my head did the story the justice Marillier had intended.

Still, I think the story has a lot of potential, and maybe it just needs more explaining - or perhaps a smarter or more imaginative reader. :P Overall, I think I would really, really like it sans the confusion. And despite my earlier complaints about it being long and dragged out, I wasn't ready for it to end. I think the book is definitely worth a read for those who are curious about it.

[✩ Yaz ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Yet here was I, an ordinary girl whose life was all fear, flight and concealment. What had possessed me to stand up and accept a challenge I surely could not meet? The battle I had agreed to fight was for Alban’s freedom.

It physically hurts to give a Juliet Marillier book a 3-star rating, but I could not connect with the heroine.

With the heroine being the chosen one to fight for her Alban's freedom, I was expecting a journey of hardships and hope to unfold, while that was the essence of it yet it felt... monotone.

Neryn had been through so much at 15 years old but it did seem like she had a "damsel-in-distress" and "woe is me" streak to her.

Since this takes place in medieval times, keep in mind there is sort of an age gap love story (no graphic or on page intimate action) between a 15-year-old girl and a man in his early 20s.

This is the first installment in a duology or a trilogy I believe, so the story will continue.

Trigger warning: inappropriate age gap relationship, sexual assault of a minor (just fondling parts of her body), graphic violence, grief, death.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh dear. This one was just delicious.

Full review to come when I can wrangle my brain into producing something other than delighted squees.

Also, please write faster Ms. Marillier. NEED MORE NERYN & FLINT NOW!

***UPDATED 8/24/12
Dealing the worst kind abandonment a girl could ever have to face, Neryn has become a wanderer. Unable to return to her home village for years now -- a place filled with so many memories of death and pain she'd hardly be able to return even if it was safe -- or to settle down anyplace new in Alban, Neryn decides to set off for the mythical haven known only in whispers as Shadowfell. A place where one such as herself, a girl with the uncanny ability of communicating with the Good Folk, could finally find peace and safety from the merciless hunting of the King's men.

Though most people she meets along her way are too scared of King Keldec's wrath to help a stray girl, Neryn does encounter a select few who secretly offer her a meal or a slight kindness. Including a dark stranger called Flint, who after saving her life, Neryn cannot seem to shake from dogging her very footsteps. Along with her strangely persistent savior, the Good Folk become more and more bold with Neryn, hinting that ahead of her lies a great work and that she must be ready when the time comes. Fearful of accepting aid from either set of her new companions, Neryn swiftly comes to learn her part in the struggle to free Alban will be great and to succeed, she's going to need all the help she can get. But she just has to make it to Shadowfell first.

As soon as I put down this book I immediately flipped back to the beginning without hesitation, set on rereading the entire thing again right then and there. It's been awhile since I've had a Juliet Marillier book captivate me as much as Shadowfell did. And as always for me with her books, its the characters that are the true standouts in this story. I've seen that some readers have been put off by Neryn's wanderings but can I say how utterly opposite I felt regarding that solitary time? Such introspection is always welcome and Marillier proves once again that she has a deft hand when it comes to portraying young women figuring out how to become strong, brave and capable. That said, I adored the back and forth exchanges between Neryn and Flint too. Their slow, tender friendship was beautifully developed with plenty of secrets hinted at to keep things interesting. Likewise, Marillier's depictions of the Good Folk and their mythology never failed to delight. I so loved the glimpses of their individual personalities and their varying reactions to Neryn.

Admittedly, I was a wee bit happy to find Shadowfell a bit more...mature...than her previous YA novels, books I truly enjoyed but never really fell for. Shadowfell in contrast has everything I like about her adult fantasy novels, complicated heroines setting out on a seemingly hopeless quest aided by unexpected companions (and usually a good solid --and handsome-- hero) and the fickle Good Folk. Though there is also a definite shadow of darkness over this book which underscores the necessity and danger of Neryn's task. And makes for some compelling sequences I tell you what. I could not help holding my breath each time Neryn came thisclose to disaster. Shadowfell is the latest in a long line of beloved Marillier books and, I am extremely happy to report, the first in a new series. Because there's no such thing as too much Juliet Marillier.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

Mini Review:

“I thought of betrayal and how it came so easily - in a word, a glance, a gesture.”

Shadowfell is my first book by Juliet Marillier. Before the publisher contacted me about the third book of this series, and I admit, I had no clue who this author was.  But now, I can definitely see where all the love for Juliet Marillier is coming from.

It's the writing. Juliet Marillier writes beautifully and I devoured every word of it; this was probably the aspect that transcended my expectations most. Unfortunately, this book falls in the category where there's beautiful, beautiful prose but felt boring. That probably sounds incredibly odd, but there's been many times where I've read a book, loved the prose but just struggled to keep attentive and engrossed into the novel. Sometimes I wonder whether the author is focusing way too much on writing brilliantly, that he/she forgets that we are humans and we get bored if nothing is happening if there are just words words words... and no action.

My second major nit-pick was the main character, Neryn. She's not particularly irksome to begin with, as I was expecting some character growth however she remained naive and way too innocent  throughout the book. Maybe it's just that I am not used to reading such pure characters who try to see light in every other character, but she stayed like that the entire journey which I began deem as unrealistic.

Aside from a few problems, Shadowfell was a beautifully-crafted tale that many fantasy/magic lovers will fall in love with. I am definitely curious to see how everything continues in the next instalment.

~Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me this copy!~

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Férias! Tempo de excelência para nos evadirmos.
A minha relação com Juliet Marillier é sempre muito emocional.
Já o admiti antes.
Que me perdoem todos os escritores pelo escrutínio mais racional relativamente aos seus livros.
Mas ler as histórias desta escritora é como regressar a algo do passado que nos é (e será) sempre inestimável.
Ansiosa por iniciar o segundo livro da trilogia.

[Steph | bookedinsaigon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I write this review from the point of view of a Juliet Marillier fan who, shamefully, has only read a handful of her books (so far!). SHADOWFELL, the first book in her new YA fantasy series, may not be as canonical as some of her other works, but it is still a solidly good fantasy read that will please fantasy and non-fantasy readers alike.

SHADOWFELL’s strengths lie, strangely enough, in its great use of common fantasy tropes. Say what? But you hate tropes, Steph! Yeah, well, sometimes you just need a story in your favorite genre with a bit of feel-good predictability. SHADOWFELL does that primarily with its straightforward quest plot, angelic heroine, and simmering romance.

The primary thing that Neryn does in this story is walk…all the way…to her destination. Rather than be bored, however, I was fully engrossed in the many adventures she encountered along the way: the people she talked to, the Folk she befriended, the constant tense threat of encroaching Enforcers. Marillier doesn’t spend too much prose describing the landscape of Alban, but you know enough to envision Neryn traversing dark forests thick with thousand-year-old trees, bleak rocky landscapes, and mountain ridges with the sharp autumn wind conspiring to push her off the edge of the world. Neryn may only do one thing throughout SHADOWFELL, but the story purrs along in that smooth, pleasant way of good rides.

Neryn is a sympathetic heroine, despite her being almost too good to be true. As she unwittingly completes more and more of the “tests” that determine her (ahem) calling, she maintains a sort of golden-heartedness that seems only to exist in literature. Neryn follows her late grandmother’s mantra of “You always have something to give others” so carefully that some readers might be prone to rolling their eyes. Nevertheless, she makes for the perfect protagonist for a quest plot, as she encounters, and overcomes, a number of scenarios and obstacles.

Last—but certainly not least—we have what probably makes all of Marillier’s fantasies stand out the most: the romance. Huzzah, no insta-luv! Flint and Neryn’s attraction develops almost painfully slowly. Neither one of them had an upbringing that endears them to easily trusting others. Perhaps the thing I appreciated most in SHADOWFELL was how we readers, alongside Neryn, never knew whether or not we could trust Flint. That man sure walks the line between two sides so talently. The uncertainty of Flint’s loyalty adds a refreshing uncertainty to this literary romance.

SHADOWFELL probably doesn’t break any new grounds in fantasy, but it’s the sort of story that could’ve easily gone wrong at the hands of a less talented author. Marillier fans, this book may not be your new Marillier favorite, but it is worth your time. And as SHADOWFELL’s voice runs a little younger, this may be the perfect book to give to young readers who have received devoured all of Tamora Pierce’s books and are begging for more.

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm too loyal to Juliet Marillier to give her anything less than three starts, but I almost gave this one two. What a disappointing read, especially from one of my favorite authors! It was predictable and unoriginal down to the last supporting character. The whole shadowed and frightened kingdom ruled by a reincarnation of Hitler and the girl on the run from pursuers--I've heard it a million times, I've read it a million times. I've even PLAYED it a million times as an eight-year kid, complete with the butchered family and fairy folk who offer assistance in return for food. Marillier did nothing new, nothing that a hundred other writers hadn't done before. The book might have worked if I had connected with the protagonist, but I had absolutely no sympathy for her. In fact, I found many of her antics, especially concerning her trust issues, eye-roll worthy. I knew exactly how everything would unfold, so I could not appreciate her character growth. The only parts I really loved were the extremely vague letters sent by the Stag-Lord Trooper to his King. Those were mysterious and fun to read.

For a long-time Marillier fan, this book was not the package of loveliness I had hoped for =(

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

August 30-31, 2014
Second time through, and I still loved Neryn. I see where people were put off by the pacing, but it is in the great classic journey motif pattern. It's hard to have your character's journey match what she is figuring out on the inside, but Marillier makes Neryn's internal journey mirror her physical one. Now, off to Raven Flight!


June 21-22, 2012
What can I say - I love Juliet Marillier! She always brings her A game to any tale that she tells. I loved this book, but she set the bar so high with Heart's Blood and Daughter of the Forest that I can bring myself togive her 5 stars. It should be 4.5, but for the fact that this is so far above much of the stuff that is being written today. I loved the world building - the badder bad guy is really evil and the Good Folk are simply irresistible. I think that knowing this was one in a trilogy helped with the abrupt ending and the knots that were not loosed in the story. Can't wait until September 2013 for the sequel. PLease write quickly, Ms. Marillier!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Blackthorn and Grim trilogy and loved it. Now Shadowfell can join the ranks. Marillier writes enchanted and enchanting stories, magical which produce a kind of warm glow. This is quite a slow steadily paced story but you don’t really feel it as the story is so engrossing. And Flint is my next new book boyfriend. Can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Shadowfell was my first foray into Juliet Marillier’s YA books, and I have to admit I was nervous. I knew going in that there was no way it could level up to the breathtaking wonder that is her Sevenwaters series, and I knew it would suffer from comparison as I read Son of the Shadows at the same time. The unfortunate reality is, both these fears were justified, or maybe it was a self-fulfilling prophecy. I enjoyed Shadowfell a great deal, but still couldn’t help but feel a wee bit disappointed–I had to keep reminding myself that if this wasn’t a Marillier book, I’d probably be rating it higher (alas, show me great and I will hold you to higher standards). Still, Shadowfell is the promising start to a new trilogy in a fantasy world that touches on what we know of Celtic mythology but twists it to something new and different. It is simultaneously that old school fantasy comfort read for fans of the genre everywhere and fresh new use of Marillier’s deft hand with romance and magic.

Where Shadowfell was weakest, for me, was in its heroine. Neryn wasn’t the strong willed female lead I was expecting or looking for. Despite being of age with her Sevenwaters counterparts, Neryn shows clearly that this is indeed a YA novel in her youth and naivety. Smacking of ‘chosen one’, we spend the majority of Shadowfell following Neryn’s journey to the place that shares the novel’s name as she faces the question of whether or not she has been born with a special gift that has the potential to set her people free. Living in the kingdom under a harsh ruler, Neryn has never known a life of freedom or without fear. She grew up with the knowledge that it is not safe to speak one’s mind, or to acknowledge her canny abilities to see and communicate with the Good Folk. I was shocked at how utterly sheltered Neryn’s life had been, despite the horrible things she had born witness to. I had a difficult time making sense of her when she was so desperate for hope, but unwilling to trust, or even to talk about things that seemed obvious to me. Neryn is meek, with brief flashes of backbone, and it took her a good 2/3 of the book to gain my confidence. She did, however, make an excellent contrast for the other leading character who I adored, Flint.

Neryn is young, and as such she sees the world in black and white, completely oblivious to the many shades of grey that seep into our perceptions as we grow older. Flint, however, is those shades of grey. I love this character and his existence on the very precipice of right and wrong, good and evil, love and hate. Flint and Neryn provide the perfect balance for one another, and it was with this realization that I began to accept Neryn a bit more. My comments on Flint will remain brief (though I could go on and on) so as not to spoil the story, but suffice it to say that he is the reason I kept coming back to this book, and it was the portions with him in it that for me flowed best.

Shadowfell is clearly the groundwork for a story, rather a complete story in and of itself. It is that set-up novel leading to a very wrote path that is predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. At times it felt as if the world were being constructed around me as I went, as opposed to me being plopped down in a world that was already fully formed, but that made it no less intriguing. I loved the folklore that Marillier played with, indeed, the novel really took off for me when Neryn finally falls into this world and embraces it fully.

Shadowfell is very clearly a young adult focused novel, rather than one of those line-blurring crossovers I so adore, but as such it was very strong. As expected, I held my breath, I hoped, I despaired, and I replayed favorite scenes in my head for days after I’d finished. If I didn’t fall head over heels for Neryn’s tale, it’s also not one I’ll be turning my back on anytime soon. Neryn, her world, and her story only have room to grow, and left me with the promise to do so. If you enjoy Marillier or fantasy with enchanting mythology, captivating characterizations, and companions you will adore, look no further than Shadowfell.

[Susana · Rating 4 out of 5]

(review in English below)

Uma boa história, bem contada, com a escrita especial de Juliet Marillier.

Andei ali um bocado enervada pelo facto de me terem apresentado o Flint para depois mo tirarem durante uma série de capítulos, mas valeu a pena. Sempre gostei do mistério que normalmente envolve os personagens masculinos principais dos livros desta autora.

A tradução e a revisão não são nada más, só não percebi a ideia de pôr uma vírgula a seguir a cada "mas"...

Lá vou eu atacar o segundo volume!

A good story, deftly narrated, with Juliet Marillier's special writing.

I was a little on edge for a while on the account of being presented Flint and then being left without him for several chapters, but it was worth it. I've always been drawn to the mistery that usually surrounds the main male characters in this author's books.

The translation and revision are ok, I just didn't get what's with putting a comma after every "but"...

On to book 2!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gobbled this book up! Just didn't want to put this one down. I love stories like this, one of my favorite themes is an ordinary person goes on an adventure for whatever reason and finds, love, truth, themselves or there own power. This was one of those books and I enjoyed it so much. Neryn is on the move with her father when the book opens, just trying to stay alive. Through a series of hardships she meets up with Flint, I loved how there friendship developed. You spend most of this book with Neryn traveling and grieving with her and it was well written and beautifully done. I can always trust Juliet for a deep moving fantasy. This is a young adult novel and stays true to that. There is violence that is talked about a lot. The mad crazy king is really a freaky bad guy. There is one scene of almost rape where Neryn is grabbed and touched for a second but is saved quickly. I'm a little worried it will get more violent as the series continues. This one is 16 and up.

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely flew through this unexpected gem of a book. From start to finish I was completely enthralled with this story and just couldn't put it down! This book was filled to the brim with magic and I loved every bit of it. I thought the characters were really great, especially the fey ones. And I just adored Flint and couldn't get enough of him! Really I just loved everything about this book and can't wait to get started on the rest of the series!

[Gabbie Pop · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
Not my favourite Juliet Marillier, but still a really great read that left me thinking of the characters long after I put it down & makes me want to pick up the sequel as soon as possible. Even while working on a personal, smaller scale plots, Marillier writes such large scale conflicts that her protagonists find themselves in, with their mythical scope and worldshattering potential. There is such heart behind all of her characters and they make for such an interesting bunch, especially the protagonist and her love interest -as they're the ones you spend most time with-, but you will unavoidably fall for their companions, human and fair folk alike.

[Liliana Rio · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5***

[Katie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long-time fan of Juliet Marillier, I looked forward to reading this book and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, it was the first book in a long time that totally kept my attention to the point of neglecting other things I should have been doing, like sleeping. Neryn, the fifteen-year-old protagonist, is wonderfully drawn and develops well through the story. Flint, the man who saves her when her drunken father gambles her away, remains a mystery until almost the end. Is he really Neryn's friend or her greatest enemy?

The world that Neryn lives in is full of Marillier's usual magic, beautifully described and carefully pieced together. Both the human and Good Folk characters are distinctly portrayed and developed, drawing the reader into the story.

There was only one disappointment in this book and that was to realise at the end that it wasn't the end. While one thread is tied up, the rest of the story remained open, obviously for the next in the series. I have never liked for serials to end that way. If leaving it at a cliffhanger was meant to persuade the reader to carry on with the series, it was unnecessary. At the end of a story by Marillier, I am always deeply invested in the characters and the world they live in. I don't need to be left on tenterhooks to make me buy the next in the series.

That said, I'd still highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy.

[Elaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Ehhh...this book first of all took forever to get going in my opinion..it was so slow-paced to me and I just did not enjoy it as much as I thought that I would :/ Well, I actually did not know what to expect, but to me this book was not anything special. Who knows though, it could just be me and you guys might love it..But there were some other things about this book that bothered me that I do not think I will get into right now...I might continue on with the series just to see if I like the second book more, but I am not sure yet :/

[biblioceraptor]

***Will Flint make it into my 'Best Book Boyfriends' list? Update to come***

omfg I am so lame and immature how am I not single.