Blade of Fortriu

I’m a huge fan of Juliet Marillier and wanted the paperback version with the original cover art for my collection. I got sent the version with the LHJB cover art instead. Not as advertised.

In this second book of the Bridei Chronicles, Juliet Marillier picks up the story five years after The Dark Mirror concludes. Bridei is king, has built his new "castle," and is married to Tuala (the Fey girl) who has given birth to his son. While this book gives hints and glimpses of the toddler's (Derelei) special gifts, and develops the reader's interest in the elderly druid Broichan's health and obsession with Derelei, this plotline is obviously meant for a future novel. The story line that this book concentrates most closely on is Bridei's campaign to get the Christian-practicing Gaels out of Priteni lands, which includes forming an alliance with a particular chieftain (Alpin of Briar Wood) that no one in his immediate council knows very well. To form that alliance, Bridei sends the lovely hostage Ana, a friend of Tuala's, to marry the guy. Despite Ana's stoic, queenly march off to her duty, surprise after surprise messes with her heart. Now, don't get me wrong. This doesn't turn into merely a mushy romance story. Marillier maintains a well-researched, historically-influenced fantasy story with several intricate plotlines. The plotlines take a while to develop over the seasons during which the action and travel takes place, but, as the first novel in the series did, the book gives time to learn more about the characters and to look forward to the next installment in the story. From Fantasy Author Sandy Lender

I just finished reading Blade of Fortriu, the second of the Bridei Chronicles. I was extremely pleased with this book. I have to say that I liked it better than the first! After reading several of Marillier's novels, I have decided that she is my favorite author. Her writing is so good. She knows how to make you care about the characters. And her work is completely original and often unpredictable. It doesn't follow the classic storylines. For example, in Foxmask, the main character does not fall in love with the one you think she will. In Blade of Fortriu, two men are in love with the same woman. I find myself caring for Faolan, and I sincerely hope he is the focus of the next book, Well of Shades. I am hoping for a happy ending for him.

Juliet Marillier has an amazing ability to weave the most haunting, poignant tales, and "Blade of Fortriu" is no exception. In fact, I enjoyed it even more than its predecessor. The story follows Ana of the Light Isles, who is finally deployed by Bridei as part of a strategic marriage alliance. She is accompanied by Faolan, Bridei's trusted but darkly mysterious right-hand man. The portrayal of such conflicted characters as Faolan is yet another of Marillier's strengths, and in my opinion, this one character steals the book. It's amazing to see Faolan's progression through the novel. He begins much as we left him in "The Dark Mirror": stoic, practical, elusive; but on the journey to deliver Ana to Alpin of Briar Wood, he forms a geniune respect for the royal bride and eventually comes to love her. He struggles with this newfound emotion, which is pitted against his loyalty to Bridei and his desire to complete the mission successfully. In his guise as a bard, readers begin to see more chinks in his impentrable armor, which towards the end culminates in the revelation of his shocking and moving past. The final scenes between Bridei and Faolan left me misty-eyed. This is not to say that the other characters were not fascinating in their own rights. Ana herself proves to be a strong heroine: she is intelligent, resourceful, and capable of handling herself with poise and dignity in even the toughest circumstances. Her relationship with Drustan, while it did seem rushed, was nonetheless beautifully scripted. Bridei and Tuala are more side-characters in this book, but their struggle with the knowledge of the impending war, and in Bridei's case, the inevitable loss of life, is written very sympathetically. Broichan and Tuala, as well, have a small breakthrough that was refreshing to read, and a twist towards the end that I hope will be explored more in the next book. The villain of the piece is also provided with a backstory that, although predictable, serves to add some dimemsion to the character. The plot itself is not so complicated, but that is far from a complaint. It's the story of people facing duty, people who make choices that ripple in ways they could not imagine, and people who find and fight for love. The tale is lyrically told, written in vivid detail, with several powerfully haunting scenes that I'll admit I read and re-read several times. "Blade of Fortriu" had me thoroughly entranced. It's an excellent novel, and I highly recommend it.

Another exceptionally well crafted story by Juliet Marillier! The Dark Mirror began the beautiful tapestry and Blade of Fortriu continues weaving the story so beautifully I can hardly wait for the next book in The Bridei Chronicles. Marillier's characters and landscaping come alive with the skill of the most cunning of artists on the palette of my imagination. This a story of love, passion, adventure, heroism, mystery, beauty, betrayal, magic, flight from injustice and so much more.

if youve been reading Marillier's books for a while now, you know how they progress, each sequal will include old as well as new characters, but will evolve on an entirely new storyline to further it. I really, truely enjoyed the Blade of Fortriu, watching Ana grow beyond being the hostage princess, watching the king's cold and distant assasin beome more human. and i have to say that Durstan is one of my favorite characters that has so far appeared in her books. don't hesitate to pick this one up! i can't wait for the next one!