It took me forever to read this, which is weird since Juliet Marillier is one of my all time favorite authors. I think I was distracted by my own writing project and it took me a long time to get into this novel as a result.

I am a big fan of the Blackthorn and Grim series. I like how they are darker than her other series, deal with more serious and complex concepts. Blackthorn and Grim each clearly have PTSD and it is interesting to see that played out in a medieval setting.

I loved learning more about Grim’s story, his past and where he might have come from. It kept me hooked and looking forward to reading more.

As usual, this novel was filled with lots of vivid imagery and beautiful use of language, typical for Marillier. I look up to her as a writer and hope one day to have as lush and rich a writing style as she does.

Every year, I set myself a certain number of books to read through my Goodreads account. This year, I’m going to try to read 60. Last year, my goal was 50, and I managed 61, which is surprising. I’d like to do more than that, though with a young child and things that interfere in things that I actually want to do, like working full time and, it can be hard. But I’m going to try! Below are the reading challenges I’m shooting for. In addition to these, I’m going to try to read at least two complete series from start to finish without taking a break. I’m planning to read the Saxon Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell, and all of the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett.

By Bookriot

By Popsugar

 

A book of short stories for younger readers by Neil Gaiman, the literary love of my life. I think these had all been published elsewhere at some point but other than Instructions and the bit from The Graveyard Book, I’d never read them before. Yay! Continue reading “M Is For Magic” →