Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier

Penguin Publishing Group | November 2016 | 448 pgs

Source: Library

Den of Wolves, the third book of Marillier's Blackthorn and Grim series, tells a mystical tale of more perilous tasks Blackthorn and Grim have to face; this time around the mystery surrounding a fifteen-year-old girl, Cara, and the place she lives called Wolf Glen.

When Lady Flidais, princess of Dalriada approaches Blackthorn and ask if she could assist in taking care of Cara, daughter of landholder at Wolf Glen, Blackthorn thinks it a little unusual, considering the family is well connected and that there will doubtless be a personal maid and maidservants to wait on her and guide her some modicum of social awareness, considering Cara is a simple girl at heart, with her mind only on nature and birds. But that is not all, Cara's father requires the help of Grim to build a heartwood house. Together with a builder named Bardán, they are to build the house as quickly and discreetly as possible. Now Grim and Blackthorn aren't sure of Cara's father's agenda, but based on what Grim had heard, Bardán had been taught the skills of building a heartwood house by his father who is believed to have grown up in the Otherworld and become a craftsman of almost uncanny talents. There are also rumours that Bardán had a half-fey mother. There is also an old tale that said a heartwood house conferred a whole range of blessings, as long as it was built the right way. 

Perhaps it is the final book of the series (hopefully there's more!), Den of Wolves covers a lot of issues which had me thinking and feeling the emotions some of the characters had gone through. It was a book full of hearts, full of loyalty and righteousness that I couldn't help but to be swept away by this enchanting tale; and not to mention that close bond between Blackthorn and Grim. Blackthorn's justice towards her sworn enemy, Mathuin of Laois, concluded this series beautifully and despite everything is wrapped up with a big red bow I wasn't ready to see this series end. Blackthorn and Grim had both come a long way to where they are now and I felt connected to them considering I'd been reading this series consecutively. Highly recommended if you love a good fantasy and compelling protagonists. 


Related links:
Dreamer's Pool (Book 1)
Tower of Thorns (Book 2) 
(Each book works as a stand-alone though it's recommended to read them in order.)

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