Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
---|---|---|
Searching... Stillwater Public Library | SCI_FI FANTASY MAR | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
THE DARK MIRROR is the first book in Juliet Marillier's Bridei Chronicles.Bridei is a young nobleman fostered at the home of Broichan, one of the most powerful druids in the land. His earliest memories are not of hearth and kin but of this dark stranger who while not unkind is mysterious in his ways. The tasks that he sets Bridei appear to have one goal-to make him a vessel for some distant purpose. What that purpose is Bridei cannot fathom but he trusts the man and is content to learn all he can about the ways of the world.But something happens that will change Bridei's world forever... and possible wreck all of Broichan's plans. For Bridei finds a child on their doorstep on a bitter MidWinter Eve, a child seemingly abandoned by the fairie folk. It is uncommonly bad luck to have truck with the Fair Folk and all counsel the babe's death. But Bridei sees an old and precious magic at work here and heedless of the danger fights to save the child. Broichan relents but is wary.The two grow up together and as Bridei comes to manhood he sees the shy girl Tuala blossom into a beautiful woman. Broichan sees the same process and feels only danger... for Tuala could be a key part in Bridei's future... or could spell his doom.
Author Notes
Juliet Marillier (born July 27, 1948) is a New Zealand born writer of fantasy, especially historical fantasy. She currently lives in Western Australia. While Marillier writes mostly for adults, her recent books have included Cybele's Secret, a sequel to her novel for young adults Wildwood Dancing. Cybele's Secret won a 2008 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel - Young Adult.
Her latest release is Heir to Sevenwaters, a stand-alone novel related to the Sevenwaters Trilogy. She won the Aurealis Award in 2014 for Fantasy Novel with her title Dreamer's Pool.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
Bookseller Publisher Review
Fostered to the Druid Broichan from his earliest years, Bridei lives devoted to study. From Broichan he learns Druidic lore, while other tutors in the Druids household teach him the arts of war and the history of the Kingdom of Fortriu. When a mysterious baby is left at the door in the dead of winter, it is the child Bridei who is led to her and takes her in. With her wide eyes and milk-white skin she is obviously not human but rather one of the Faerie folk, left at the house of Broichan for some unknown purpose. Broichan also has a purpose, a work of many years involving Bridei and the future of the divided and war-torn Kingdom of Fortriu. As the girl child, Tuala, grows it becomes clear that there is a strange bond between her and Bridei. Broichan fears the bond may threaten the destiny he has planned for Bridei. With mistrust from friends and the plots of unknown enemies at every turn, Bridei and Tuala face dark and lonely paths hoping to reconcile their destinies in a land where everyone thinks they should be kept apart. Marillier does ancient Britain better than just about anybody, Ill be giving this one prime space in the Fiction and SF/Fantasy sections. Glorious. Stefen Brazulaitis is a bookseller and sci-fi/fantasy specialist at Dymocks Carousel. C. 2004 Thorpe-Bowker and contributors
Publisher's Weekly Review
Having given pre-Celtic Scotland a once-over in Wolfskin (2003) and Foxmask (2004), Australian author Marillier returns with a much more in-depth study that draws on what little history is known and surrounds it with the pretty boy-meets-girl story of Bridei, a boy raised by a group of wily councilors determined to mold him into a king who can reunite their divided land, and Tuala, his fey-born adopted sister who runs wild while he studies and is outcast where he is welcome. No one familiar with the current crop of historical fantasy will be in the least surprised by Bridei's extraordinary ability to command both men and magic, or Tuala's struggle to be accepted as a strong-willed and intelligent woman in an alien and prejudiced society. Yet somehow, carefully rounding her characters and paying exquisite attention to detail, Marillier pulls it off so well that you completely forget you've read essentially the same story a hundred times before. Fans of Judith Tarr, in whose footsteps this tale meticulously treads, will be enthralled, and the happy ending-all too rare in first volumes of series, and only slightly overshadowed by the inevitable dark portents-will encourage new readers to seek out both future installments and past publications. Agent, Russ Galen. (July 17) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Bridei is only four when he is sent to live with Broichan, one of Fortriu's most powerful druids. Broichan is reserved, but Bridei feels welcome, and the druid's household quickly becomes his entire world. His lessons are engaging, and time passes uneventfully until he discovers a tiny fairy child--a gift, he thinks, from the Shining One herself. Smitten, he names her Tuala. Broichan, however, sees her as a threat and wants to send her away. Intuitively knowing that old magic is at work, Bridei insists Tuala stay. Broichan remains distrustful but reluctantly agrees, and the two children grow up together. When Bridei reaches majority, he is certain that he is to be king in perilous and turbulent times and that, to succeed, Tuala must be his queen. Dark and formidable forces disagree. In this captivating tale based on the elusive history of the Picts, Marillier excels at breathing life into the past. Possessing the charm and sweetness of the very young, Bridei and Tuala keep their golden glow to the last page. --Paula Luedtke Copyright 2005 Booklist