Dreamer's Pool

Book Title: Dreamer's Pool

Author: Juliet Marillier

Series: Blackthorn & Grim #1

Date Started: June 22nd 2020

Date Completed: June 23rd 2020

Genres: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy

Quality Rating: Three Stars

Enjoyment Rating: Four Star

Final Rating: Three Stars

Review:

Dreamer's Pool turned out to be more of a detective story than an adventure. It wasn't quite as serious as I expected it to be (accidental magical swaps feels more Scooby-Doo than Marillier) but enjoyable nonetheless.

Of course, when it came to the worldbuilding, I got exactly what I expected from Marillier: a good epic-scale story with multiple threads leading to a whole tapestry. Blackthorn & Grim should be a good trilogy, though I'm sad we didn't get to the meat of it in this one. The real interest is in the underlying premise and its future potential with these two characters and their revenge plot. Luckily Blackthorn is just as impatient as we are as the reader, so she keeps the action moving even if she doesn't get to where she needs to be immediately.

One of the things I loved so much about the other book of Marillier's I read was the subtle politics underneath everything. This time, it's a lot more gender-focused, but still just as gentle and unintrusive. I love the blend of historical facts with these more contemporary themes, and it makes it very satisfying to read - though I must admit I'm a bit uneasy about some of the things touched on/featured in this one. But I also applaud other parts, so I suppose a balance isn't a bad thing. Though steer away from this if sexual violence is triggering for you.

Dreamer's Pool was good fun and I'll be continuing with the series soon enough, but I also quietly hope that another series might be more like Sevenwaters since that's the richer, darker side of Marillier's writing that I feel in love with.