My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Blackthorne. A broken women cursed with waiting 7 years to seek revenge upon the filth that ruined her life. Be good, do good. Let no cry of help go unheard. That is the promise she is bound to in exchange for her freedom.
Grim. Big lump of a man who needs desperately to be needed by someone. Black and shadows of a mysterious past haunt him.
A man who seeks to be needed. A woman who seeks to help the needy. Together they arrive in Prince Oran's lands. A strong but whimsical leader who is sure that his betrothed is truly not his betrothed. Blackthorne and Grim seek to make a home for themselves while helping Oran and the village out with their day-to-day problems. Some more abominable than others.
Dreamer's Pool is a dark fairy tale. Filled with magic, mystery and horrors that most of us cannot imagine going through. Marillier blurs the lines between what is good and what is evil. Does one bad deed deserve a life sentence? Is one life more important than another? The world is not full of good and bad. Dreamer's pool specifically tells the tale of people who live within the shades of grey.
Romance? This book didn't need it. I'm a romance lover and, honestly? Romance would have ruined this book. Dreamer's Pool was strong without it. The forging of friendship through mistakes, mistrust and patience was a stronger story than many flimsy romance tales I've read.
PICK THIS BOOK UP. I was hesitant after the disaster that was Shadowfell, but Dreamer's Pool MORE than makes up for it. Well worth the read, if not a bit slow at times. I'll be picking up the next book hopefully very soon.
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