The Dark Mirror: Book One of the Bridei Chronicles (Bridei Trilogy) [Mass Market Paperback]

Juliet Marillier (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bridei Trilogy | Publication Date: March 6, 2007

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 possibly 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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred 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.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

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 © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy (March 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765348756
• ISBN-13: 978-0765348753
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as her others, but far, far better than most, November 4, 2005

By 

Susan "snewsat11" (the Boondocks of PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dark Mirror (The Bridei Chronicles, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Marillier, as usual, presents an interesting view of life in the dark ages, ranged side by side with magic tied closely to the earth. Book has alot of ambiance, and her hero is engaging. Somehow, tho, I'm not as riveted as I was in her first several books. I'm a little worried that her talents are becoming diluted with publishing contracts and schedules. Her hero is maybe a little too perfect. Her heroine is a cipher, and THAT I never thought I'd see. There's some meddling by supernatural forces which is downright annoying! The romance in this one is hardly developed at all, and that's very disappointing. In each of her other books, even the ones I don't consider my favorites, you can see love and affection grow between the main protagonists. In this one, it seems only proximity is required. Compared to 99.9% of the books out there, of course, this is a masterpiece. Compared to the author's own works, it's a little weak. Hope she does better on the next.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, October 28, 2005

By 

guitarchick24 (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dark Mirror (The Bridei Chronicles, Book 1) (Hardcover)

I don't often read Juliet Marillier, but this one looked intriguing so picked it up. I'm glad I did. It's just a gorgeous book.

"The Dark Mirror" follows Bridei's life as he grows up from an adopted druid's son to the hope and future of their country. Everything that happens to him and his foster sister Tuala serves a purpose in shaping who they are, how they view the world, and who they will become. The characters all have their reasons for their actions, and even with the best and noblest intentions, things don't always proceed the way they should. Every character in "The Dark Mirror" is three-dimensional and well-developed. There's good and bad in them and they all have to make hard choices and deal with what happens as a result.

I can often get through books quickly, but this one makes you want to slow down, take your time and just get lost in the novel.... An excellent book to pick up and savor.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely incredible, August 15, 2005

By 

Jessica G. "lilac_jive" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dark Mirror (The Bridei Chronicles, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Juliet Marillier begins what seems to be a promising new series with "The Dark Mirror." For fans of the Sevenwaters trilogy, the only aspect that you might not have liked with those is not going to happen here (can't say for those who haven't read it).

This story was so deftly told, I kept forgetting that this was based on a true story. Marillier weaves fact and fiction so well that she'd make Dan Brown shake in his boots. The description is vivid and lush, and the plot is exciting and moving.

The best feature by far are the two main characters: Tuala and Bridei. Bridei at first may seem one sided, so devoted to his studies as well as stoic in his behavior. But he is well balanced with Tuala, who is more wild and ethereal. I found it perfectly reasonable that this pair were two halves of a whole.

From the popularity of her previous books and the amazing manner this book was written in, I think its safe to assume that this whole series will captivate and entrance readers. But since there's a while til "Blade of Fortrui" will be released, I'll settle with everyone giving this first book a read.