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The Guardians of Dreamdark #1
The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch: A thrilling faerie fantasy from the author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Step into the world of Dreamdark, a place of bright magic and unimagined danger where one determined faerie must fight to defeat a darkness that threatens to destroy the world...
Magpie Windwitch has always felt different to other faeries. While they prefer to live in seclusion, deep in the forests of Dreamdark, she would rather travel on the wind with her faithful gang of crows, exploring the world and dreaming up bold magic.
When an ancient evil rises, Magpie is the only one with determination enough to stand in its way, fighting back where others choose to flee.
But how can a single faerie, even with the help of her friends, hope to defeat the impenetrable darkness of the Blackbringer?
The start of an immersive fantasy duology from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author, Laini Taylor, perfect for readers aged 10 and up.
Magpie Windwitch has always felt different to other faeries. While they prefer to live in seclusion, deep in the forests of Dreamdark, she would rather travel on the wind with her faithful gang of crows, exploring the world and dreaming up bold magic.
When an ancient evil rises, Magpie is the only one with determination enough to stand in its way, fighting back where others choose to flee.
But how can a single faerie, even with the help of her friends, hope to defeat the impenetrable darkness of the Blackbringer?
The start of an immersive fantasy duology from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author, Laini Taylor, perfect for readers aged 10 and up.
Audible Audio
First published June 21, 2007
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About the author
Laini Taylor
30 books39.6k followersHi! I write fantasy books. My latest is STRANGE THE DREAMER, about a young librarian, a mythic lost city, and the half-human children of murdered gods. Check it out :-) Before that I wrote the DAUGHTER OF SMOKE & BONE trilogy, which has been translated into 32 languages. It's about a blue-haired art student raised by monsters, a broken angel, and a war that has raged for 1000 years in another world. I also wrote LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES, which was a National Book Award finalist, and the DREAMDARK books. As well as various short stories and novellas.
Thanks for reading!!
www.lainitaylor.com
@lainitaylor
Thanks for reading!!
www.lainitaylor.com
@lainitaylor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 801 reviews
October 2, 2015
Really excellent fish and chips with wonderfully battered and melt in your mouth Atlantic cod, malted vinegar and crisped chips! That’s my food analogy for Laini Taylor’s Blackbringer (Dreamdark #1). Ah, nothing like excellent fish and chips! As Abby told me at lunch today, a book review is only successful when you get to the end and you’re hungrier than when you started. She might have been joking, but I’m pretending otherwise! Taylor’s faerie world, and the language she uses to inhabit it, transported me to a faraway place which reminded me of the British Isles. I always enjoy Taylor’s language and the story (about a faerie who protects the world from devils) is inventive. I enjoyed this book; however, if you haven’t read Laini Taylor’s work before, I’d start with The Daughter of Bone and Smoke Series. The language and inventiveness is present in this series and I feel the characters are more developed than in Taylor’s debut novel. Blackbringer does establish a distinct world from that in Daughter of Smoke and Bone, one in which you can sit back and enjoy your fish and chips! (Rating 3.75 bumped to 4)
July 5, 2008
I nearly didn't read this book because I was horribly afraid that it would be too much like my own small-winged-faery-hunter-with-knife-and-crows book (can you blame me?!) and I dreaded the possibility that Laini Taylor might have told the same story I had, and better.
However, when my son broke his arm and had to spend the night in hospital last October I was dying for SOMETHING to read, and when I walked into Chapters there it was, my nemesis. I knew Betsy Bird of Fuse #8 fame had loved it, and the cover was certainly intriguing... did I dare?
Reader, I dared. And I spent the next half a day with my nose buried in Magpie's story, and when it was over I was sorry -- but also very glad.
This is NOT the same as my book, glory hallelujah; it is a totally different story, though I like to think that Magpie and Knife might be friends if they met (though they'd have extremely different opinions about the trustworthiness of crows and humans!). It's a wholly different world that Laini Taylor's created -- and in it she's set a wonderful, inventive story full of rich language, engaging characters, and high-stakes action. I can't wait for the sequel!
However, when my son broke his arm and had to spend the night in hospital last October I was dying for SOMETHING to read, and when I walked into Chapters there it was, my nemesis. I knew Betsy Bird of Fuse #8 fame had loved it, and the cover was certainly intriguing... did I dare?
Reader, I dared. And I spent the next half a day with my nose buried in Magpie's story, and when it was over I was sorry -- but also very glad.
This is NOT the same as my book, glory hallelujah; it is a totally different story, though I like to think that Magpie and Knife might be friends if they met (though they'd have extremely different opinions about the trustworthiness of crows and humans!). It's a wholly different world that Laini Taylor's created -- and in it she's set a wonderful, inventive story full of rich language, engaging characters, and high-stakes action. I can't wait for the sequel!
October 21, 2011
Blackbringer is well done fantasy fiction with faeries. The storyline is intricate and inventive. I never thought I'd read a book that was able to combine faerie lore with djinn lore, but it was done very successfully here. I liked the characters, including Magpie, the lead heroine, and her murder of crows who she travels with. They love her dearly and their love is reciprocated in spades. And there is also Talon, a Prince of a faerie warrior clan of Dreamdark, who was born with underdeveloped wings and who has always desired flight. Not only are there faeries, djinn, and talking crows, but there are also hedge imps (mostly benevolent, animal-type creatures) and devils (not benevolent--somewhere between mischevious and annoying to downright malevolent). The narrator, Davina Porter, beautifully illustrates the vitality inherent in the various characters in this novel.
Ms. Taylor has crafted her own creation myth in this story, and it was quite interesting. In this novel, the world was created through the dreaming of the djinn--which forms a tapestry which includes everything that exists in this world. However, the tapestry is unravelling through the dark methods of one who has the form of utter darkness, the Blackbringer. Fortunately, Magpie has a special ability that has kept the world tapestry together, and the potential to save it and everyone within the tapestry from the Blackbringer.
I enjoyed listening to this novel on audiobook. The creativity impressed me, and I thought Ms. Porter's narration was spot-on. Although it seemed a bit long towards the end (of course I had some long days in which I was pretty exhausted, so I can't blame that on the book alone), it was a worthwhile experience. Although this was written as a young adult novel, I think older fantasy readers would enjoy it. I am an admitted fan of YA literature, but I can fairly say that this story has elements that would appeal to older readers as easily as younger ones. I would recommend it to faerie fiction lovers, and fantasy fans in general.
Ms. Taylor has crafted her own creation myth in this story, and it was quite interesting. In this novel, the world was created through the dreaming of the djinn--which forms a tapestry which includes everything that exists in this world. However, the tapestry is unravelling through the dark methods of one who has the form of utter darkness, the Blackbringer. Fortunately, Magpie has a special ability that has kept the world tapestry together, and the potential to save it and everyone within the tapestry from the Blackbringer.
I enjoyed listening to this novel on audiobook. The creativity impressed me, and I thought Ms. Porter's narration was spot-on. Although it seemed a bit long towards the end (of course I had some long days in which I was pretty exhausted, so I can't blame that on the book alone), it was a worthwhile experience. Although this was written as a young adult novel, I think older fantasy readers would enjoy it. I am an admitted fan of YA literature, but I can fairly say that this story has elements that would appeal to older readers as easily as younger ones. I would recommend it to faerie fiction lovers, and fantasy fans in general.
August 21, 2025
I am sorely disappointed.
Magpie Windwitch is a faerie who travels with her found family of crows hunting devils when she finds the worst one. One thought vanquished long ago who brings darkness.
Magpie sets out to find a way to bottle up the devil.
I think I went in with the wrong expectations. I adore Laini Taylor, but this was middle grade and there was so much going on. Too much for such a small book.
I was there for the Tinkerbell vibes, but descriptions were rushed over and I couldn’t visualise anything.
The found family was sweet, but we never had enough time to feel settled and names were thrown at you constantly. Background characters who had no purpose other than filling the scene.
This is a republishing of an old book Laini Taylor wrote, but I think this could have gone through more edits.
Arc gifted by Hatchette Children’s.
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Magpie Windwitch is a faerie who travels with her found family of crows hunting devils when she finds the worst one. One thought vanquished long ago who brings darkness.
Magpie sets out to find a way to bottle up the devil.
I think I went in with the wrong expectations. I adore Laini Taylor, but this was middle grade and there was so much going on. Too much for such a small book.
I was there for the Tinkerbell vibes, but descriptions were rushed over and I couldn’t visualise anything.
The found family was sweet, but we never had enough time to feel settled and names were thrown at you constantly. Background characters who had no purpose other than filling the scene.
This is a republishing of an old book Laini Taylor wrote, but I think this could have gone through more edits.
Arc gifted by Hatchette Children’s.
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Want to read
July 24, 2024Talking crows?
Djinns?
fun/relatable FMC?
YA Fae fantasy book??
From the author of Daughter Of Smoke And Bone?
Illustrations??
Sign me up!
Djinns?
fun/relatable FMC?
YA Fae fantasy book??
From the author of Daughter Of Smoke And Bone?
Illustrations??
Sign me up!
January 29, 2009
I was enchanted by Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer. Laini Taylor's writing pulled me in, and the characters and story wouldn't let me go. The first bit of dialogue hooked me; I loved how the characters don't use some exalted High Language, but instead speak in a wonderful rough-and-ready dialect. Dialect is tough to pull off, and one that's largely invented even more so. But Taylor does it brilliantly; enough to add richness and flavor, not so much as to be confusing.
The main character, Magpie, is simply a joy. Flawed, impetuous, down-to-earth, surprising, with an endearingly tender heart...I could spend 400 more pages happily in her company. And I have a special soft spot for Talon; his and Magpie's bumpy, growing relationship is pitch-perfect. The writing is marvelous, with unexpected twists and details that make the story pop off the page. (I have visual images of Batch, the scavenger imp, that I will never get out of my head! Not that that's a bad thing...they made me laugh out loud.) The story moves at a great pace, never slacking, right through to the very satisfying end.
Dreamdark's world of faeries and imps, crows and Djinns and mannies is a delight. Highly, highly recommended.
The main character, Magpie, is simply a joy. Flawed, impetuous, down-to-earth, surprising, with an endearingly tender heart...I could spend 400 more pages happily in her company. And I have a special soft spot for Talon; his and Magpie's bumpy, growing relationship is pitch-perfect. The writing is marvelous, with unexpected twists and details that make the story pop off the page. (I have visual images of Batch, the scavenger imp, that I will never get out of my head! Not that that's a bad thing...they made me laugh out loud.) The story moves at a great pace, never slacking, right through to the very satisfying end.
Dreamdark's world of faeries and imps, crows and Djinns and mannies is a delight. Highly, highly recommended.
January 27, 2008
An amazing book! This is Laini Taylor's debut novel, and she has created a world that I would love to live in. In fact, I'm jealous that I didn't think of it. Her faeries are tiny and insect winged, all that you'd imagine, and yet more. A rich society, living parallel to ours, and struggling to protect the world from dark forces like the Blackbringer. Magpie is a great characters . . . actually, all her characters are great: real and believable, yet magical at the same time. Can't wait for the sequel!
Read
April 17, 2012Dreamdark – Blackbringer, by Laini Taylor
As a Youth Services staff member, I have been whittling down the list of must-reads recommended by both book review periodicals and fellow Juvenile and YA readers. I have been mired in teen angst, hurled through recycled adventures, and generally worn-out by stories that just don't wow.
This book, Dreamdark, was recommended to me by a staff member. It sounded like another rehashing of fairy-tale ingredients, but because it had earned such praise, I forged ahead.
A world was crafted through the unlikely perspective of a clan of crows and their adopted faery, named Magpie. Never have I read a book so freshly inspired, with language so beautifully wrought, including the author's own cleverly invented words. Her use of a story's flow kept me reading, not able to put it down.
Taylor's vision of her world is whole and three-dimensional, with colors and textures easily imagined. The story is unexpected, dark, thrilling. Characters are fully realized, believable, relatable, and amusing, including odd little creatures that endear or repulse, and some truly frightening antagonists. I would never limit this to a juvenile read. Any book lover who enjoys a gorgeously articulated story will savor this one.
This book can be described in one word – delicious.
Caroline Poppendeck, Librarian
Head of Youth Services
Steele Memorial Library
As a Youth Services staff member, I have been whittling down the list of must-reads recommended by both book review periodicals and fellow Juvenile and YA readers. I have been mired in teen angst, hurled through recycled adventures, and generally worn-out by stories that just don't wow.
This book, Dreamdark, was recommended to me by a staff member. It sounded like another rehashing of fairy-tale ingredients, but because it had earned such praise, I forged ahead.
A world was crafted through the unlikely perspective of a clan of crows and their adopted faery, named Magpie. Never have I read a book so freshly inspired, with language so beautifully wrought, including the author's own cleverly invented words. Her use of a story's flow kept me reading, not able to put it down.
Taylor's vision of her world is whole and three-dimensional, with colors and textures easily imagined. The story is unexpected, dark, thrilling. Characters are fully realized, believable, relatable, and amusing, including odd little creatures that endear or repulse, and some truly frightening antagonists. I would never limit this to a juvenile read. Any book lover who enjoys a gorgeously articulated story will savor this one.
This book can be described in one word – delicious.
Caroline Poppendeck, Librarian
Head of Youth Services
Steele Memorial Library
October 21, 2011
Originally posted here.
Laini Taylor is one of my favorite discoveries this year. I fell in love with both Lips Touch and Daughter of Smoke and Bone when I got to read them. Since the latter is getting a lot of attention from bloggers and readers alike, I thought it would be a good idea to feature her lesser-known Dreamdark novel during Retro Friday.
Blackbringer is the first book in the Dreamdark series. Laini Taylor mentions in her website that she initially wanted to write five Dreamdark books but the publisher has decided not to continue with the series. When I found out about that, I rushed to the bookstore to get my own copies of both Blackbringer and Silksinger because I was afraid I would have a hard time looking for copies later on. I had a difficult time getting into Blackbringer at first because it's different from the other Laini Taylor books that I've read but after a couple of chapters, I was hooked and enjoyed reading the whole thing until the end. It's written for younger audiences, middle grade instead of young adult, and is epic fantasy rather than urban fantasy.
Other faeries are content to live in their own world, enclosed by protective spells that keep away both humans and devils. But Magpie is different, she gets her restless energy from her parents and her grandfather, the West Wind. She travels with her band of crows to fight against devils, just like the champions in the golden days of Dreamdark. Devils are evil creatures who devour and destroy everything they can get their hands on. Magpie is one feisty character and I didn't have trouble liking her. She's young for her race, about a hundred years old, but she's determined to do something for their dying world. Even though I didn't think the writing in Blackbringer is as beautiful and lyrical as her YA novels, I still think she created an enchanting world in her first Dreamdark novel and I look forward to seeing how she builds upon that. Some things that I liked about her faeries: they belong in different clans and have their own special skills (e.g. one clan tends to plants and trees while another warrior clan is in charge of protecting Dreamdark) and their wings vary too. Some faeries have butterfly or moth wings while Magpie has dragonfly wings. Another thing that I liked is how significant dreams are in this story - dreams play important roles in the events that unfold in this novel. Illustrations by the author's husband, Jim di Bartolo, also appear in various sections of the book. Here are samples:
I love books with illustrations in them and I think these are beautiful. While the book didn't end on a cliffhanger, it's set up in such a way that the reader knows that there's more to this world. I'm excited for the sequel, Silksinger, especially since I've heard that it's even better than this one. Recommended for those who enjoyed reading R.J. Anderson's Knife or for fans of faerie books. I'm hoping that because Daughter of Smoke and Bone is getting a lot of attention, more readers will pick up Laini Taylor's backlist.
Laini Taylor is one of my favorite discoveries this year. I fell in love with both Lips Touch and Daughter of Smoke and Bone when I got to read them. Since the latter is getting a lot of attention from bloggers and readers alike, I thought it would be a good idea to feature her lesser-known Dreamdark novel during Retro Friday.
Blackbringer is the first book in the Dreamdark series. Laini Taylor mentions in her website that she initially wanted to write five Dreamdark books but the publisher has decided not to continue with the series. When I found out about that, I rushed to the bookstore to get my own copies of both Blackbringer and Silksinger because I was afraid I would have a hard time looking for copies later on. I had a difficult time getting into Blackbringer at first because it's different from the other Laini Taylor books that I've read but after a couple of chapters, I was hooked and enjoyed reading the whole thing until the end. It's written for younger audiences, middle grade instead of young adult, and is epic fantasy rather than urban fantasy.
Other faeries are content to live in their own world, enclosed by protective spells that keep away both humans and devils. But Magpie is different, she gets her restless energy from her parents and her grandfather, the West Wind. She travels with her band of crows to fight against devils, just like the champions in the golden days of Dreamdark. Devils are evil creatures who devour and destroy everything they can get their hands on. Magpie is one feisty character and I didn't have trouble liking her. She's young for her race, about a hundred years old, but she's determined to do something for their dying world. Even though I didn't think the writing in Blackbringer is as beautiful and lyrical as her YA novels, I still think she created an enchanting world in her first Dreamdark novel and I look forward to seeing how she builds upon that. Some things that I liked about her faeries: they belong in different clans and have their own special skills (e.g. one clan tends to plants and trees while another warrior clan is in charge of protecting Dreamdark) and their wings vary too. Some faeries have butterfly or moth wings while Magpie has dragonfly wings. Another thing that I liked is how significant dreams are in this story - dreams play important roles in the events that unfold in this novel. Illustrations by the author's husband, Jim di Bartolo, also appear in various sections of the book. Here are samples:
I love books with illustrations in them and I think these are beautiful. While the book didn't end on a cliffhanger, it's set up in such a way that the reader knows that there's more to this world. I'm excited for the sequel, Silksinger, especially since I've heard that it's even better than this one. Recommended for those who enjoyed reading R.J. Anderson's Knife or for fans of faerie books. I'm hoping that because Daughter of Smoke and Bone is getting a lot of attention, more readers will pick up Laini Taylor's backlist.
October 5, 2013
Well lassies, I waffled between a two and three star. The potential is there but the book falls short on plot and character development. Magpie Windwitch is a roaming faerie who fights devils that humans are releasing from bottles that had been sealed by fairies long ago. When she finds a devil that threatens to devour the world she seeks the help of the Djinn King that sealed it thousands of years before. In the process she discovers how she came to have strange powers that help heal a world that is slowly unraveling. She must use those powers to defeat the most threatening devil yet, Blackbringer, and save her friends from an inky fate of living in an empty vacuum unraveled but not dead.
The book sets up Magpie's powers and how they came to be. The pace in the beginning as this is revealed is at times confusing and slow. While there is plenty of action, there isn't enough sub-characters that interact with the protagonist. The crows are the main ones and they love her and fuss over her, but they don't really do or say much to talk her out of dangerous adventures. I needed more character traits than an Irish accent, to become vested in their actions. Maniac doesn't mean anything to me, so when something awful happens to him I didn't have the emotional - oh no! - that I should have had at that part of the story. Bored, I started to skim ahead until page 150 when Magpie meets the Djinn King. Shortly after that Talon enters the plot along with another villain and their interactions create enough tension to pull me into the story.
At the heart of this plot is a creation story with the Djinn King being one of the creators. He is awakened by Magpie and finds hope again in her belief that things can change. Magpie is not a flawed character who grows throughout the story. She's impulsive and courageous, but she mainly is trying to survive one adventure after-the-other. She and Talon disagree but it isn't much. She and Poppy are the best of friends who work side-by-side to defeat evil, but their dialogue has little page time. I kept waiting for more emotion and internal struggles, but it is mostly external struggles. There are many creation stories and some really well-written ones such as "The Thief" by Megan Whalen Turner. Rick Riordan uses creation myths in his stories. While I loved the creativity of this book combining faerie and djinn, it comes up a wee bit short - as the crows would say.
If ye be like me and loves a good monster, the author does a nice job creating a creepy Djinn King and Blackbringer. The snag or character of Batch Hangnail seemed to have been a missed opportunity of working in the theme of low creatures being prejudiced by others who considered themselves better. It is touched upon but I kept waiting for the author to go into more depth and instead got a quick wrap-up at the end. For the most part the story follows the formulaic quest of a hero saving the world with unusual powers. She is interested in a prince but the two are too busy saving the world to think much about their feelings for each other.
All ends happily, but I wanted more of an explanation about Queen Vesper's history with Batch. The world and time shifts were confusing and abrupt in spots. I thought Magpie was dreaming in the castle but she was out fighting the Blackbringer in reality. I wasn't sure why she didn't have reinforcements and got a bit confused. Then the action picked up and with a shoulder shrug I plowed onward. The world building was sketchy here-and-there and clear in others. I do think this author shows promise but the pacing and evolving plot lines were not on target for me. If you like faeries, djinn, and a strong heroine with little internal struggles then you'll enjoy this one.
The book sets up Magpie's powers and how they came to be. The pace in the beginning as this is revealed is at times confusing and slow. While there is plenty of action, there isn't enough sub-characters that interact with the protagonist. The crows are the main ones and they love her and fuss over her, but they don't really do or say much to talk her out of dangerous adventures. I needed more character traits than an Irish accent, to become vested in their actions. Maniac doesn't mean anything to me, so when something awful happens to him I didn't have the emotional - oh no! - that I should have had at that part of the story. Bored, I started to skim ahead until page 150 when Magpie meets the Djinn King. Shortly after that Talon enters the plot along with another villain and their interactions create enough tension to pull me into the story.
At the heart of this plot is a creation story with the Djinn King being one of the creators. He is awakened by Magpie and finds hope again in her belief that things can change. Magpie is not a flawed character who grows throughout the story. She's impulsive and courageous, but she mainly is trying to survive one adventure after-the-other. She and Talon disagree but it isn't much. She and Poppy are the best of friends who work side-by-side to defeat evil, but their dialogue has little page time. I kept waiting for more emotion and internal struggles, but it is mostly external struggles. There are many creation stories and some really well-written ones such as "The Thief" by Megan Whalen Turner. Rick Riordan uses creation myths in his stories. While I loved the creativity of this book combining faerie and djinn, it comes up a wee bit short - as the crows would say.
If ye be like me and loves a good monster, the author does a nice job creating a creepy Djinn King and Blackbringer. The snag or character of Batch Hangnail seemed to have been a missed opportunity of working in the theme of low creatures being prejudiced by others who considered themselves better. It is touched upon but I kept waiting for the author to go into more depth and instead got a quick wrap-up at the end. For the most part the story follows the formulaic quest of a hero saving the world with unusual powers. She is interested in a prince but the two are too busy saving the world to think much about their feelings for each other.
All ends happily, but I wanted more of an explanation about Queen Vesper's history with Batch. The world and time shifts were confusing and abrupt in spots. I thought Magpie was dreaming in the castle but she was out fighting the Blackbringer in reality. I wasn't sure why she didn't have reinforcements and got a bit confused. Then the action picked up and with a shoulder shrug I plowed onward. The world building was sketchy here-and-there and clear in others. I do think this author shows promise but the pacing and evolving plot lines were not on target for me. If you like faeries, djinn, and a strong heroine with little internal struggles then you'll enjoy this one.
November 15, 2010
Magie Windwitch is much more adventurous than most faeries. Accompanying her scholarly parents around the world to record dying magics, she becomes a devil hunter with a merry band of crows. When she discovers a loosed devil that seems different than all of the rest, she returns home for the first time in 80 years to get answers.
I was reluctant to start this because as much as I love Susanna Clarke's fae, I was growing kind of tired of the teen faery sagas I'd run across lately. This story was completely different. The fairies are old world, earthy and mostly uninterested in "mannies" (humans). The world and system of magic are perfectly developed. The characters are favorites. I loved this book for inspiring my sense of wonder and adventure. All that being said, the ending is a little "fairy tale," but who can begrudge such wonderful creatures a happy ending?
I was reluctant to start this because as much as I love Susanna Clarke's fae, I was growing kind of tired of the teen faery sagas I'd run across lately. This story was completely different. The fairies are old world, earthy and mostly uninterested in "mannies" (humans). The world and system of magic are perfectly developed. The characters are favorites. I loved this book for inspiring my sense of wonder and adventure. All that being said, the ending is a little "fairy tale," but who can begrudge such wonderful creatures a happy ending?
September 15, 2025
This was a really enjoyable book, with plenty to like. Full of fairy-tale elements, including faeries(!), the story follows Magpie as she goes on a magic-filled journey of self-discovery, whilst getting embroiled in a quest to save the world.
Magpie herself is very likable, as are pretty much all of the supporting cast. There's plenty of mystery for Magpie and her cohort of crows to uncover, and whilst I'd have preferred something a little darker, I had a blast reading this. It ticks along at a good pace, has some cool magical elements and a world I'd love to explore more of! A great piece of fantasy for younger readers!
A very solid and entertaining read! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you NetGalley, Hodder Children’s Books and Hachette Children’s Group for the ARC!
Magpie herself is very likable, as are pretty much all of the supporting cast. There's plenty of mystery for Magpie and her cohort of crows to uncover, and whilst I'd have preferred something a little darker, I had a blast reading this. It ticks along at a good pace, has some cool magical elements and a world I'd love to explore more of! A great piece of fantasy for younger readers!
A very solid and entertaining read! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you NetGalley, Hodder Children’s Books and Hachette Children’s Group for the ARC!
July 8, 2012
I grew up with Disney versions of the famous Grimm collection of fairytales. Color, imagery, whimsey melded into a tapestry of beauty. I especially loved Fantasia and as an adult still love it. Blackbringer brings Fantasia to mind. Faeries, whimsical crows, impish imps, delightful crows that sing, dance. love and fight to save their world. All make for a reading experience that it just that - an experience.
Faeries. Magpie Windwitch comes from dreams, she's made from the fabric of dreams and woven into the tapestry of Dreamdark, the forest filled with all creatures bright, fanciful, dangerous and dark. It's the tiny, lovely form of Magppie whose delicate shoulders bear the fierceness of love and her destiny to save her world and those she cherishes.
I can't say too much about the plot as it's a simple one. Dark forces gather to eradicate all that is beautiful and free. One small creature delves into her newly discovered magical powers to prevent what seems inevitable. This plot is not complex but the beauty of the language and the philosophy of faith and holding tight to dreams greater than oneself guide you into a land that is Fantasia put to words.
Magpie comes to understand the depth and meaning of creation through learning that the literal tapestry of life is "energy . . . that's all around us? Like a river." And like a river this tale flows into a beautiful tale that left me thinking how much I loved the book but frustrated with my inability to explain in simple words how it touched me as deeply as it did.
The best way to state the thoughtful and lovely quality of the book comes from Magpie's mind as she contemplates what makes the impossible possible. "Love. She'd always thought of love as . . . affection, the look that passed often between her parents or the feel of their arms around her. But wasn't it this too, the core of iron in someone's soul that made them capable of impossible things? it seemed a terrifying force."
This then is the lyrical force of Blackbringer: whimsical creatures, another world within our world and a novel that moves like a symphony.
Found within the pages are beautiful pen and ink illustrations by Jim Di Bartolo that appear like gifts wrapped among the pages of the book. They're detailed and intricate. It's easy to immerse yourself in the beauty of words artistically blended to inspire the pen to create visual art as well.
One caution! I couldn't read Blackbringer quickly. I became lost in the imagery and color that flashed before my eyes as I brought words into my mind, therefore creating my own version of a Fantasia like tale. Laini Taylor's work will give you a unique reading, one that I feel confident will vary greatly from reader to reader.
I wrote an extended review of this book for Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.
Faeries. Magpie Windwitch comes from dreams, she's made from the fabric of dreams and woven into the tapestry of Dreamdark, the forest filled with all creatures bright, fanciful, dangerous and dark. It's the tiny, lovely form of Magppie whose delicate shoulders bear the fierceness of love and her destiny to save her world and those she cherishes.
I can't say too much about the plot as it's a simple one. Dark forces gather to eradicate all that is beautiful and free. One small creature delves into her newly discovered magical powers to prevent what seems inevitable. This plot is not complex but the beauty of the language and the philosophy of faith and holding tight to dreams greater than oneself guide you into a land that is Fantasia put to words.
Magpie comes to understand the depth and meaning of creation through learning that the literal tapestry of life is "energy . . . that's all around us? Like a river." And like a river this tale flows into a beautiful tale that left me thinking how much I loved the book but frustrated with my inability to explain in simple words how it touched me as deeply as it did.
The best way to state the thoughtful and lovely quality of the book comes from Magpie's mind as she contemplates what makes the impossible possible. "Love. She'd always thought of love as . . . affection, the look that passed often between her parents or the feel of their arms around her. But wasn't it this too, the core of iron in someone's soul that made them capable of impossible things? it seemed a terrifying force."
This then is the lyrical force of Blackbringer: whimsical creatures, another world within our world and a novel that moves like a symphony.
Found within the pages are beautiful pen and ink illustrations by Jim Di Bartolo that appear like gifts wrapped among the pages of the book. They're detailed and intricate. It's easy to immerse yourself in the beauty of words artistically blended to inspire the pen to create visual art as well.
One caution! I couldn't read Blackbringer quickly. I became lost in the imagery and color that flashed before my eyes as I brought words into my mind, therefore creating my own version of a Fantasia like tale. Laini Taylor's work will give you a unique reading, one that I feel confident will vary greatly from reader to reader.
I wrote an extended review of this book for Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.
October 17, 2015
I just wasn't able to get very interested in this one. Kind of a bummer, the narrator was fantastic.
May 27, 2014
I’m not saying I’m book-stalking Laini Taylor. I’m not not saying it either. My landlady happened to borrow Blackbringer (or Dreamdark: Blackbringer for those in favour of colon book titles) from the library while seeking the third instalment of the
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
trilogy. This isn’t it, incidentally—it’s actually Taylor’s debut novel, but in many ways it’s even better. How can that be? Well, it has fairies. And djinn. And dragons.
Did I mention it has fairies?
In Blackbringer, eight Djinn wove the Tapestry of the world, including fairies. (Humans, apparently, are an anomaly no one saw coming.) Four thousand years ago, the Djinn withdrew into hibernation. Since then, the fairies have declined from once-great masters of magic and knowledge to smaller, more insular tribes. A lone fairy, Magpie Windwitch, has revived the practice of demon-hunting, and travels the world with a troupe of actor crows in search of demons to rebottle before they can cause mischief and destruction. The eponymous Blackbringer is the Big Bad, and as Magpie struggles to defeat it, she uncovers the truth behind her own identity and the answer to many of the mysteries surrounding the mythology of the world Taylor has created.
And oh, what a world it is. The setup, in which animals and supernatural creatures have anthropomorphic adventures while human civilization is a mere backdrop reminds me a lot of series like Kenneth Oppel’s Silverwing. But Taylor has taken all the tired tropes of fairies and tossed them away. She comes up with a truly fascinating creation story involving the fiery Djinn and an air elemental. And, as with all good cosmogonies, this one ends with the gods abandoning their children: no living fairy has spoken or seen a Djinn, and it’s up to Magpie to wake the Djinn King, the Magruwen, and convince him that this world is worth saving. Because isn’t that always the problem with God? He could save the world, but what if he doesn’t want to?
Magpie is a powerful protagonist. Though she’s technically the Chosen One, there is little in the way of prophecy about her. She has to use her wits and perseverance to weather the challenges that present themselves, including the fearsome Blackbringer, ornery Magruwen, and malicious Vesper. All the while, she builds relationships with other fairies, like Talon and Poppy, and cares for the crows that are her friends and family. Even as a blackness spreads over Dreamdark and threatens the fabric of existence itself, Taylor portrays a world rich with relationships and cultures. The fairies have warriors and artists, historians and healers, archaeologists and opportunists. But, as the legends that Magpie has collected hint, they used to be so much more. So magical.
Magic in Blackbringer is an important force and tied to the fabric of reality. Taylor’s Tapestry metaphor is joined by the idea of envisioning glyphs for various phenomena, such as floating or viewing memories. These glyphs work because of the way the Tapestry is woven. I like how Taylor presents the idea of such a system without going into overwhelming detail. The book is certainly couched in a tone and style that make it accessible to young adults, but the plot and characters make it enjoyable for readers of any age. I never felt too old for Blackbringer, and at the same time, I never felt like Taylor was simplifying things or condescending to younger readers.
The enemy is a fairly interesting one. Half the book consists merely of trying to classify and characterize the Blackbringer, to turn it from a nebulous foe of pure darkness into something that can be fought and (hopefully) defeated. Then there’s Vesper, an unrelated antagonist who crosses paths with Magpie. Theirs is the sort of enmity born from an antithesis of spirit: Vesper is self-centred and deceitful; Magpie is honourable and dedicated to truth. She can’t help but mess up the nice little con Vesper has going in Dreamdark, so Vesper tries to dispose of Magpie (twice). Against the larger problem of Blackbringer, Vesper’s machinations look fairly silly, and indeed, she is brushed away prior to the climax without much trouble at all. (I can only hope that her banishment leaves the potential for a return and a revenge plot one day.) Vesper’s inclusion seems more about establishing Magpie’s character and testing her mettle prior to the final confrontation with Blackbringer than it is about posing a serious threat.
The ending of the book is somewhat rushed and underdeveloped given the meticulous plotting that precedes it. The resolution appears somewhat as a fait accompli once Magpie brings all the appropriate, hard-earned ingredients together. But this doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book as a whole, because it is just so fun to allow Taylor to show us this wonderful world that she has created and watch Magpie’s awakening as a hero, leader, and inspiration. Blackbringer is the ideal combination of daring adventure and thoughtful character study. It has a sequel, and apparently Taylor hopes to return to this world for another book at some point, and I really hope she does. Because the Dreamdark series is Fairies Done Right, and all I can say is that I want more, more, more.
Did I mention it has fairies?
In Blackbringer, eight Djinn wove the Tapestry of the world, including fairies. (Humans, apparently, are an anomaly no one saw coming.) Four thousand years ago, the Djinn withdrew into hibernation. Since then, the fairies have declined from once-great masters of magic and knowledge to smaller, more insular tribes. A lone fairy, Magpie Windwitch, has revived the practice of demon-hunting, and travels the world with a troupe of actor crows in search of demons to rebottle before they can cause mischief and destruction. The eponymous Blackbringer is the Big Bad, and as Magpie struggles to defeat it, she uncovers the truth behind her own identity and the answer to many of the mysteries surrounding the mythology of the world Taylor has created.
And oh, what a world it is. The setup, in which animals and supernatural creatures have anthropomorphic adventures while human civilization is a mere backdrop reminds me a lot of series like Kenneth Oppel’s Silverwing. But Taylor has taken all the tired tropes of fairies and tossed them away. She comes up with a truly fascinating creation story involving the fiery Djinn and an air elemental. And, as with all good cosmogonies, this one ends with the gods abandoning their children: no living fairy has spoken or seen a Djinn, and it’s up to Magpie to wake the Djinn King, the Magruwen, and convince him that this world is worth saving. Because isn’t that always the problem with God? He could save the world, but what if he doesn’t want to?
Magpie is a powerful protagonist. Though she’s technically the Chosen One, there is little in the way of prophecy about her. She has to use her wits and perseverance to weather the challenges that present themselves, including the fearsome Blackbringer, ornery Magruwen, and malicious Vesper. All the while, she builds relationships with other fairies, like Talon and Poppy, and cares for the crows that are her friends and family. Even as a blackness spreads over Dreamdark and threatens the fabric of existence itself, Taylor portrays a world rich with relationships and cultures. The fairies have warriors and artists, historians and healers, archaeologists and opportunists. But, as the legends that Magpie has collected hint, they used to be so much more. So magical.
Magic in Blackbringer is an important force and tied to the fabric of reality. Taylor’s Tapestry metaphor is joined by the idea of envisioning glyphs for various phenomena, such as floating or viewing memories. These glyphs work because of the way the Tapestry is woven. I like how Taylor presents the idea of such a system without going into overwhelming detail. The book is certainly couched in a tone and style that make it accessible to young adults, but the plot and characters make it enjoyable for readers of any age. I never felt too old for Blackbringer, and at the same time, I never felt like Taylor was simplifying things or condescending to younger readers.
The enemy is a fairly interesting one. Half the book consists merely of trying to classify and characterize the Blackbringer, to turn it from a nebulous foe of pure darkness into something that can be fought and (hopefully) defeated. Then there’s Vesper, an unrelated antagonist who crosses paths with Magpie. Theirs is the sort of enmity born from an antithesis of spirit: Vesper is self-centred and deceitful; Magpie is honourable and dedicated to truth. She can’t help but mess up the nice little con Vesper has going in Dreamdark, so Vesper tries to dispose of Magpie (twice). Against the larger problem of Blackbringer, Vesper’s machinations look fairly silly, and indeed, she is brushed away prior to the climax without much trouble at all. (I can only hope that her banishment leaves the potential for a return and a revenge plot one day.) Vesper’s inclusion seems more about establishing Magpie’s character and testing her mettle prior to the final confrontation with Blackbringer than it is about posing a serious threat.
The ending of the book is somewhat rushed and underdeveloped given the meticulous plotting that precedes it. The resolution appears somewhat as a fait accompli once Magpie brings all the appropriate, hard-earned ingredients together. But this doesn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book as a whole, because it is just so fun to allow Taylor to show us this wonderful world that she has created and watch Magpie’s awakening as a hero, leader, and inspiration. Blackbringer is the ideal combination of daring adventure and thoughtful character study. It has a sequel, and apparently Taylor hopes to return to this world for another book at some point, and I really hope she does. Because the Dreamdark series is Fairies Done Right, and all I can say is that I want more, more, more.
September 7, 2025
I have to be honest that this book wasn't at all what I expected in terms of story-telling style but it was quintessential Laini Taylor fantastical. The Guardians of Dreamdark firmly sits in middle-grade territory but there is some YA marketing in the UK for this re-release which I think is somewhat misleading. If you love some middle grade, I think you'll be happy here and younger readers certainly will be.
Despite this being MG there is a pervading darkness to the tale. An evil Dijinn, imps, crows and faeries. Magpie who was at the helm of this tale was an endearing character, adventerous and brave.
I found the dialogue jarring, it was a mixture of olde English, pirate-speak and cockney. It didn't really flow for me if I'm being honest but maybe I over analysed it.
Overall, a tale for the younger readers with lots of depth.
Thank you Team Bkmark for the review copy.
Despite this being MG there is a pervading darkness to the tale. An evil Dijinn, imps, crows and faeries. Magpie who was at the helm of this tale was an endearing character, adventerous and brave.
I found the dialogue jarring, it was a mixture of olde English, pirate-speak and cockney. It didn't really flow for me if I'm being honest but maybe I over analysed it.
Overall, a tale for the younger readers with lots of depth.
Thank you Team Bkmark for the review copy.
dnf
June 8, 2010Nothing wrong with this book, but it is just too young for my taste. I will wait for Laini's next YA book.
June 2, 2015
Actual Rating: 4.5 / 5
I did a double-take when a Goodreads friend recommended Blackbringer for my fairy novel "market research" project. For some reason, I was under the impression that Daughter of Smoke and Bone was Laini Taylor's first novel. (It's actually her fourth.) And since I'd been meaning to read Taylor's work for a while, Blackbringer went to the top of my TBR list. Well, I'm now grateful I made that choice, because this was such a treat!
Blackbringer introduces readers to Dreamdark, a modern-day forest tucked away from human knowledge and teeming with magic-wielding faeries, hedge and scavenger imps, and djinn. One of the faeries, Magpie Windwitch, has devoted her life to hunting devils in the human realm. When Magpie and her flock of talking crows track down an opened devil's bottle once sealed by the Djinn King, she knows something is terribly wrong. Her search takes her back to Dreamdark, where she reunites with old friends, meets new ones, and must contend with a suspicious new faerie queen and the standoffish Djinn King himself. But how can she - a tiny faerie - defeat something that is no mere devil, but a vindictive, ravenous evil that threatens to destroy Dreamdark and the world beyond?
Within a couple chapters, I fell in love with Blackbringer and its rich world-building. The history of Dreamdark and its faeries, and the origin story of how the djinn created Earth, plays a crucial part of the story. Yet it's sprinkled methodically throughout, and readers learn everything they need to know as the plot unfolds. And Laini Taylor's writing style... Gosh, it took my breath away! Fluid, precise, and lyrical, all without becoming too sophisticated for a young audience. Her grace with language bolstered everything from Dreamdark's lushness to the faeries' ethereal wings and garb, to the mysteries of the Djinn King and the "tapestry" holding the world together. Occasional illustrations from Taylor's husband Jim Di Bartolo also accentuate the story's charm.
And the characters! Magpie's a sweet yet spunky tomboy who's eager for adventure and loyal to everyone she cares about. The crows, especially Magpie's mount Calypso, entertained me with their comedic relief and devotion to their beloved huntress. Still others like Magpie's childhood friend Poppy Manygreen and the persistent prince Talon Ratherstring are well-rounded and memorable in their own way. Plus, aren't the names adorable?? They match the playful spirit of Dreamdark, and are perfect for a Middle Grade fantasy.
The Dreamdark faeries are more of the Tinkerbell kind than the dark fey folk of Julie Kagawa's The Iron Fey series. They're tiny, winged, and ethereal in appearance, with a range of magical talents. They're also curious, nature-connected, and zealous fighters. You wouldn't want to mess with Magpie and crew if you too were the size of a thumb! Taylor also takes advantage of the Dreamdark faeries' flying abilities by making it part of the action. Swooping, darting, and other aerial-robics turned fights and chases into breathless scenes that played like a movie in my mind's eye, which only fueled my adoration for the book even more.
The only thing I wasn't always keen on was the omniscient point of view. The story isn't told entirely from Magpie's perspective, and sometimes Taylor switches back and forth between POV characters during a single chapter. I don't mind novels with multiple POV characters as long as the viewpoint switches at a logical endpoint, like the end of a chapter. Omniscience, however, doesn't always prepare readers for those character-to-character transitions. But there's a bright side to this double-edged sword: Had Taylor not used omniscient POV in Blackbringer, I wouldn't have grown to love the secondary characters so much. So, it's a teensy bit hard for me to say she should have avoided that approach. ;)
Which explains the overall grade I've awarded Blackbringer. This is a delightful flight from start to finish, with a whimsicality akin to the Harry Potter series, Cornelia Funke's Inkheart, and Philip Pullman's Dark Materials Trilogy. It may be geared more for pre-teens, but older teens and adults will also appreciate the sophisticated world-building and the poetry in Laini Taylor's prose. Actually, I almost feel ashamed for not reading Taylor's work sooner! I'm absolutely game for her second Dreamdark novel, Silksinger. As for her more well-known series... Guess which YA fantasy I'll review next? (Hint: It's mentioned in the first paragraph of this review.)
I did a double-take when a Goodreads friend recommended Blackbringer for my fairy novel "market research" project. For some reason, I was under the impression that Daughter of Smoke and Bone was Laini Taylor's first novel. (It's actually her fourth.) And since I'd been meaning to read Taylor's work for a while, Blackbringer went to the top of my TBR list. Well, I'm now grateful I made that choice, because this was such a treat!
Blackbringer introduces readers to Dreamdark, a modern-day forest tucked away from human knowledge and teeming with magic-wielding faeries, hedge and scavenger imps, and djinn. One of the faeries, Magpie Windwitch, has devoted her life to hunting devils in the human realm. When Magpie and her flock of talking crows track down an opened devil's bottle once sealed by the Djinn King, she knows something is terribly wrong. Her search takes her back to Dreamdark, where she reunites with old friends, meets new ones, and must contend with a suspicious new faerie queen and the standoffish Djinn King himself. But how can she - a tiny faerie - defeat something that is no mere devil, but a vindictive, ravenous evil that threatens to destroy Dreamdark and the world beyond?
Within a couple chapters, I fell in love with Blackbringer and its rich world-building. The history of Dreamdark and its faeries, and the origin story of how the djinn created Earth, plays a crucial part of the story. Yet it's sprinkled methodically throughout, and readers learn everything they need to know as the plot unfolds. And Laini Taylor's writing style... Gosh, it took my breath away! Fluid, precise, and lyrical, all without becoming too sophisticated for a young audience. Her grace with language bolstered everything from Dreamdark's lushness to the faeries' ethereal wings and garb, to the mysteries of the Djinn King and the "tapestry" holding the world together. Occasional illustrations from Taylor's husband Jim Di Bartolo also accentuate the story's charm.
And the characters! Magpie's a sweet yet spunky tomboy who's eager for adventure and loyal to everyone she cares about. The crows, especially Magpie's mount Calypso, entertained me with their comedic relief and devotion to their beloved huntress. Still others like Magpie's childhood friend Poppy Manygreen and the persistent prince Talon Ratherstring are well-rounded and memorable in their own way. Plus, aren't the names adorable?? They match the playful spirit of Dreamdark, and are perfect for a Middle Grade fantasy.
The Dreamdark faeries are more of the Tinkerbell kind than the dark fey folk of Julie Kagawa's The Iron Fey series. They're tiny, winged, and ethereal in appearance, with a range of magical talents. They're also curious, nature-connected, and zealous fighters. You wouldn't want to mess with Magpie and crew if you too were the size of a thumb! Taylor also takes advantage of the Dreamdark faeries' flying abilities by making it part of the action. Swooping, darting, and other aerial-robics turned fights and chases into breathless scenes that played like a movie in my mind's eye, which only fueled my adoration for the book even more.
The only thing I wasn't always keen on was the omniscient point of view. The story isn't told entirely from Magpie's perspective, and sometimes Taylor switches back and forth between POV characters during a single chapter. I don't mind novels with multiple POV characters as long as the viewpoint switches at a logical endpoint, like the end of a chapter. Omniscience, however, doesn't always prepare readers for those character-to-character transitions. But there's a bright side to this double-edged sword: Had Taylor not used omniscient POV in Blackbringer, I wouldn't have grown to love the secondary characters so much. So, it's a teensy bit hard for me to say she should have avoided that approach. ;)
Which explains the overall grade I've awarded Blackbringer. This is a delightful flight from start to finish, with a whimsicality akin to the Harry Potter series, Cornelia Funke's Inkheart, and Philip Pullman's Dark Materials Trilogy. It may be geared more for pre-teens, but older teens and adults will also appreciate the sophisticated world-building and the poetry in Laini Taylor's prose. Actually, I almost feel ashamed for not reading Taylor's work sooner! I'm absolutely game for her second Dreamdark novel, Silksinger. As for her more well-known series... Guess which YA fantasy I'll review next? (Hint: It's mentioned in the first paragraph of this review.)
unreleased
April 9, 2025✮⋆˙{pre-read review}:
๋ ࣭ ⭑⤷ OMG THE QUEEN OF FANTASY IS BACK AND SHE IS HERE TO S E R V E. LITERALLY DGAF ABOUT ANY OTHER BOOK COMING OUT THIS YEAR RN EXCEPT FOR THIS, WITCHLIGHT AND THE WICKED POWERS OMFG. AND THAT C O V E R ASHBFSDBFQIEHBIEIFWBHBFRSHBFHERBFHEBFHEFRHE FEHBFEIQUWEIBWEBEWHBIEBDEBDHBWJDBEWIBIEWUBDEIWQIWEBDIWEBFBEKBFEQBF. inhaling bk 1 asap<3
๋ ࣭ ⭑⤷ OMG THE QUEEN OF FANTASY IS BACK AND SHE IS HERE TO S E R V E. LITERALLY DGAF ABOUT ANY OTHER BOOK COMING OUT THIS YEAR RN EXCEPT FOR THIS, WITCHLIGHT AND THE WICKED POWERS OMFG. AND THAT C O V E R ASHBFSDBFQIEHBIEIFWBHBFRSHBFHERBFHEBFHEFRHE FEHBFEIQUWEIBWEBEWHBIEBDEBDHBWJDBEWIBIEWUBDEIWQIWEBDIWEBFBEKBFEQBF. inhaling bk 1 asap<3
January 6, 2019
Around page 20, I think: I'm too old to read about the adventures of a crow-riding faerie devil-slayer. I almost DNF, but have no other novels within easy reach of my bed. A hundred pages later, I concede that the underlying mythology of the world and its magic are intriguing. I'm also amused by the concept of awakening ancient powerful beings with...magical cakes. And now I'm all finished with Blackbringer and I am surprised by how much more I liked it than I thought I would.
Most fairy books are either too twee for my taste or have a bit too much of a Twilight complex going on; Blackbringer neatly sidesteps both of those pitfalls by having a well-realized fantasy world in which faeries largely sequester themselves away from humans (and rightly so, in my opinion), and characters who have more urgent things to do (such as keep the fabric of the magical world from unraveling) than be ravished by exotic faerie princes. The main character Magpie occasionally goes by the nickname Pie, which might well put a damper on her career as a romantic heroine. Also, she might count as a special snowflake, but she's one who unwittingly does things like this:
The first half isn't particularly fast paced, but Laini Taylor writes well - action scenes as well as world building and characters whose friendships are key to this story. This is a fresh and rewarding story that, unlike so much of the middle grade/ YA fantasy being published, doesn't feel like I've read it ten times before.
Also, the occasional illustrations by the author's spouse are really fun and seem to fit the story just right.
Most fairy books are either too twee for my taste or have a bit too much of a Twilight complex going on; Blackbringer neatly sidesteps both of those pitfalls by having a well-realized fantasy world in which faeries largely sequester themselves away from humans (and rightly so, in my opinion), and characters who have more urgent things to do (such as keep the fabric of the magical world from unraveling) than be ravished by exotic faerie princes. The main character Magpie occasionally goes by the nickname Pie, which might well put a damper on her career as a romantic heroine. Also, she might count as a special snowflake, but she's one who unwittingly does things like this:
The Magruwen traced the threads of one of her glyphs to their origins and saw what she had done this time. He scowled, and then from deep within him welled up...laughter. It was absurd. Henceforth, because of this unlikely clump of threads, a cake with the footprints of a gecko in its frosting would enable any who ate it to walk on the ceiling!
The first half isn't particularly fast paced, but Laini Taylor writes well - action scenes as well as world building and characters whose friendships are key to this story. This is a fresh and rewarding story that, unlike so much of the middle grade/ YA fantasy being published, doesn't feel like I've read it ten times before.
Also, the occasional illustrations by the author's spouse are really fun and seem to fit the story just right.
June 26, 2021
Review:
This bums me out so much. Laini Taylor is my absolute favorite author, but this book just didn't do it for me. I loved most of the writing, the way a vivid picture was painted... until the dialog hit. The old(ish) English the characters used was a little jarring for me. It also made it harder for me to connect to the characters and the story.
I ended up just reading words, and not a story. I wasn't getting immersed in anything.
I think my motivation to read this also lies with not having access to the second book that might expand on the story, and the existence of the third book still being up in the air.
This bums me out so much. Laini Taylor is my absolute favorite author, but this book just didn't do it for me. I loved most of the writing, the way a vivid picture was painted... until the dialog hit. The old(ish) English the characters used was a little jarring for me. It also made it harder for me to connect to the characters and the story.
I ended up just reading words, and not a story. I wasn't getting immersed in anything.
I think my motivation to read this also lies with not having access to the second book that might expand on the story, and the existence of the third book still being up in the air.
Read
December 5, 2008This was the sort of book I like to linger over, just enjoying the pretty words and the vivid images. I was not surprised to learn that Ms. Taylor is an artist, because BLACKBRINGER reminds me of the sort of intricate, beautiful-with-corners-of-creepiness picture books I loved as a kid. But it was also a just plain fun story, with a fresh and spunky heroine, and ancient mysteries and magic.
Also, I just loved the crows. Unreasonably. I wish I had my own pack of cheerful, loyal, cheroot-smoking theatrical crows to fly off on adventures with.
Also, I just loved the crows. Unreasonably. I wish I had my own pack of cheerful, loyal, cheroot-smoking theatrical crows to fly off on adventures with.
December 13, 2015
Awe! I'm so glad for Talon! :-)
February 27, 2017
Oh, that was lovely, creative, and sharp. Skews a bit younger than her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, but still full of the same gorgeous writing and imagery.
July 17, 2019
Freaking finally. I have been sick for ages and very little reading was happening.
April 15, 2018
Everything i've read by this author i've loved, and this one is no exception. A book to get lost in. Only wish that the second in this series was available in the UK.
September 18, 2025
I was so excited when I saw this book was to be published soon – a new book by one of my favourite authors. But, then I realised, I actually owned it in paperback, under the title ‘Dreamdark: Blackbringer’ – an American publication, with illustrations by Jim Di Bartoli, the author’s husband. I checked the start of each chapter – yes, it was the same, though no illustrations. However, as I started reading it on Kindle, nothing seemed familiar. I cannot believe I had an unread Laini Taylor on my bookshelf!
It turned out that this was the first time the book had been published in Britain, and it was Laini Taylor’s first book.
It took me a while to get into the book. A new magical world of fairies, imps, demons and djinn – existing alongside our human world, though out of sight. The heroine, Magpie Windwitch, a demon-hunting young fairy, is accompanied by a murder of talking, cheroot-smoking crows. They find an abandoned human boat, and an empty demon-prison flask, with the sigil of the Djinn King, Magruwen, and realise a very bad demon has been released.
They search for the demon, and also for Magruwen, who disappeared millennia ago.
Along the way we meet more fairies, imps (some loveable, others venal), drooling demons, and lots of danger.
There is magic, practised through the use of glyphs that need to be memorised, then held in the mind. And some magic Djinn spelled knitting needles.
Overall, this was a great story, though not as good as Laini Taylor’s later books. At times I felt like she was trying to cram in every magical/mythical being/trope she’d been dreaming of over the pre-writing years. It was enough to fill a many-booked series.
I wasn’t too enamoured of the writing style, where much of the dialogue was written in mock-pirate speech. But, as I got more and more interested and involved in the book, this mattered less and less.
So, it is a great debut novel – with outstanding later books and series to follow. I do hope that ‘Silksinger’ – the sequel to ‘Blackbringer’ will also be republished. I never managed to get a copy of that.
Recommended to fantasy fans.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
It turned out that this was the first time the book had been published in Britain, and it was Laini Taylor’s first book.
It took me a while to get into the book. A new magical world of fairies, imps, demons and djinn – existing alongside our human world, though out of sight. The heroine, Magpie Windwitch, a demon-hunting young fairy, is accompanied by a murder of talking, cheroot-smoking crows. They find an abandoned human boat, and an empty demon-prison flask, with the sigil of the Djinn King, Magruwen, and realise a very bad demon has been released.
They search for the demon, and also for Magruwen, who disappeared millennia ago.
Along the way we meet more fairies, imps (some loveable, others venal), drooling demons, and lots of danger.
There is magic, practised through the use of glyphs that need to be memorised, then held in the mind. And some magic Djinn spelled knitting needles.
Overall, this was a great story, though not as good as Laini Taylor’s later books. At times I felt like she was trying to cram in every magical/mythical being/trope she’d been dreaming of over the pre-writing years. It was enough to fill a many-booked series.
I wasn’t too enamoured of the writing style, where much of the dialogue was written in mock-pirate speech. But, as I got more and more interested and involved in the book, this mattered less and less.
So, it is a great debut novel – with outstanding later books and series to follow. I do hope that ‘Silksinger’ – the sequel to ‘Blackbringer’ will also be republished. I never managed to get a copy of that.
Recommended to fantasy fans.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.
April 24, 2018
I loved this book! Laini Taylor is an amazing writer! The whole badass faerie thing was an amazing idea to begin with and add in that they're irish just made this a fantastic book. I love how Laini Taylor thinks and how her storied play out and I absolutely loved the diversity of the characters!
2018 reread review:
I have to say I was worried about rereading this book. I remember it being amazing and truly sparking my love of books and fantasy. I remember this being a thrill ride of adventure, courage, and strong female characters (as well as interesting characters in general). However, I was young when I read it and I feared that since growing up this book would not hold up after so much time (especially after reading the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series which I was not a fan of).
But I must say, this was, and still is, and phenomenal book! As I am rereading it i'm remembering everything I loved about Laini Taylor: the well developed characters, the intricate plot, the fascinating world building, the culture. I was blown away all over again. This book is at once mature but with a child like wonder. I was sucked into the plot immediately. I loved all the characters, even the despicable ones. I loved the main character the most because she was short tempered, but patient with the people she loved, arrogant, strong, clever, and witty. She was proud and I LOVED this. I needed a character like Magpie in my life. I needed her when I was young and I need her now. I applaud Laini Taylor for creating this world and I want to give my daughter (if/when I have one) this book series because she deserves to know the kind of strength she can possess through characters like these.
I didn't intend to go through the series again, just to reread this one to see if it was as good as I remember it. But after reading this book I really want to read the books again. I think I only made it to the second one before but I think now I'll devour any and all of the rest of the series (like the blackbringer) ;)
2018 reread review:
I have to say I was worried about rereading this book. I remember it being amazing and truly sparking my love of books and fantasy. I remember this being a thrill ride of adventure, courage, and strong female characters (as well as interesting characters in general). However, I was young when I read it and I feared that since growing up this book would not hold up after so much time (especially after reading the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series which I was not a fan of).
But I must say, this was, and still is, and phenomenal book! As I am rereading it i'm remembering everything I loved about Laini Taylor: the well developed characters, the intricate plot, the fascinating world building, the culture. I was blown away all over again. This book is at once mature but with a child like wonder. I was sucked into the plot immediately. I loved all the characters, even the despicable ones. I loved the main character the most because she was short tempered, but patient with the people she loved, arrogant, strong, clever, and witty. She was proud and I LOVED this. I needed a character like Magpie in my life. I needed her when I was young and I need her now. I applaud Laini Taylor for creating this world and I want to give my daughter (if/when I have one) this book series because she deserves to know the kind of strength she can possess through characters like these.
I didn't intend to go through the series again, just to reread this one to see if it was as good as I remember it. But after reading this book I really want to read the books again. I think I only made it to the second one before but I think now I'll devour any and all of the rest of the series (like the blackbringer) ;)
February 14, 2015
Most faeries are happy to live in seclusion deep in the forest of Dreamdark. But Magpie Windwitch is not like most fairies. She is the granddaughter of the West Wind and she travels the world, hunting devils, with her loyal gang of talking crows. When they encounter an entirely different kind of devil they fear they are in over their heads. So they return to Dreamdark in search of the help they need to fight this ancient evil.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy renewed my faith in YA fantasy. The stories in Lips Touch are the perfect mix of magic, romance and darkness. So when it comes to Laini Taylor my expectation are high.
Blackbringer didn't disappoint. It's a charming, whimsical story full of adventure and magical creatures of all kinds.
The plot itself is quite simplistic and seems to have been written for a slighter younger audience than her other work. But the gorgeous prose, vivid world-building and rich back-story/mythology lifts it to another level and makes this another enchanting and engrossing read from a fantastic author.
I'll read anything this lady writes. Anything.
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy renewed my faith in YA fantasy. The stories in Lips Touch are the perfect mix of magic, romance and darkness. So when it comes to Laini Taylor my expectation are high.
Blackbringer didn't disappoint. It's a charming, whimsical story full of adventure and magical creatures of all kinds.
The plot itself is quite simplistic and seems to have been written for a slighter younger audience than her other work. But the gorgeous prose, vivid world-building and rich back-story/mythology lifts it to another level and makes this another enchanting and engrossing read from a fantastic author.
I'll read anything this lady writes. Anything.
August 10, 2009
Magpie Windwich is a fairy who, with her band of crow companions, hunts down the devils that are plaguing the world. She has discovered a new kind of evil however in the most recent devil she found. There is nothing but darkness and gnawing hunger where she would normally expect to find filth and blood. To learn of what she has found, she decides she must chase down the djinn, the elemental forces that created the world, but they are in hiding and have not been seen for millenia. 'Pie is not stopped by such a challenge and is determined to save her world from the nothingness that is threatening to envelop it. In her efforts she is joined by a host of magical companions from the forest of Dreamdark - the most sacred place of the ancient world.
Though it tells a tale of a dark and dreadful enemy, this book never becomes overwhelmed by despair. Magpie and her friends are likable and sincere. It's pure fantasy that feels very real.
Though it tells a tale of a dark and dreadful enemy, this book never becomes overwhelmed by despair. Magpie and her friends are likable and sincere. It's pure fantasy that feels very real.
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