The Well of Shades (Bridei Chronicles) (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "WINTER WAS COMING..." (more)
Key Phrases: chief war leader, scrying bowl, upper courtyard, White Hill, King Bridei, Lady Breda (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this captivating third installment in Marillier's historical fantasy series (after 2006's Blade of Fortriu) set in the sixth-century Scottish Highlands and Ireland, Faolan of the Uí Néill clan—bard, assassin, spy and adviser to the Pictish King Bridei of Fortriu—must complete three difficult missions. For Bridei, he must track down a cleric named Colmcille. For his own peace of mind, he must return home to Erin and confront his past. (Ten years earlier Faolan faced an impossible choice that shattered his family and left his eldest brother dead.) For his deceased comrade Deord, he must bring news of the warrior's death to the man's family in Cloud Hill, a task that lands Deord's impoverished 16-year-old daughter, Eile, and her toddler in Faolan's care. Faolan brings Eile back to the court of King Bridei, where they find themselves enmeshed in a plot against the king's half-fey son, Derelei. Despite some anachronistic instances of liberated female behavior and a few discordant modern colloquialisms, this episode will appeal to series fans and new readers alike. (May)
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Review

"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."--Booklist on The Dark Mirror

"Fans of historical fantasy will devour this one and wait eagerly for its sequels."--VOYA on The Dark Mirror

 

"Marillier blends old legends with original storytelling to produce an epic fantasy."--Library Journal on Son of the Shadows

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (May 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765309971
• ISBN-13: 978-0765309976
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #514,022 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Juliet Marillier book yet, June 6, 2007

By	Terri Sajecki (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Juliet Marillier's The Well of Shades combines poetic writing with strong character development in this third installment of the Bridei Chronicles. The two main characters, Faolan and Eile, are among the most realistic characters Juliet has ever portrayed. Both of these characters share tragic pasts, but with the help of each other, work to overcome them. Juliet Marillier did an excellent job at interweaving multiple storylines in this novel without neglecting any characters or plots. As always, the historic setting of Marillier's work draws readers in to a new world, filled with love, war, earthly spirits, magic and transformation- in both body and soul. Readers of the previous two books will be amazed at the heart warming development of Faolan and Broichan.

This is by far Juliet Marillier's best book yet (And all of her books are worth 5 stars), but new readers should be advised to at least read Blade of Fortriu first.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping page-turner in the continuing Bridei Chronicles, September 27, 2007

By	guitarchick24 (USA) - See all my reviews

Juliet Marillier's written another winner in her third installment of the Bridei Chronicles.

"The Well of Shades" takes place almost immediately after the second book ("Blade of Fortriu") ends. A heartbroken Faolan returns to his homeland to complete an intelligence mission for Bridei, while also confronting the ghosts of his past. A side quest to inform Deord's family of his death brings Deord's daughter, Eile, into his life. Already open to his emotions (a result of his friendship with Ana from Book Two), his relationship with Eile helps him learn to heal and to love.

Book Three continues to focus on Faolan's road to rediscovery and learning how to feel again. Providing a fascinating backdrop is Bridei's leading Fortriu in a tenuous peace shortly after a great war (Book Two) and in the face of a rapidly changing political climate. A smaller side plot involves Broichan coming to terms with his past and a devious schemer from the Light Isles.

Overshadowing all the events is Bridei's concern that he has offended the Nameless God by not continuing the human sacrifice ceremony at the Well of Shades. But the Well and the ritual itself are just a reflection of the characters' need to come to terms with their past.

While the first two books focus more on the actions of the characters, Book Three really delves into the underlying motivations of the people of Fortriu. We learn more about the characters as their carefully constructed worlds fall apart and they learn to deal with that. Gripping and emotionally intense, this book (and series) is highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Exciting conclusion to Faolan's story; sloppy Kindle editing, November 30, 2009

By	Patricia Brogan (MInneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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Fans of the series are likely to be well pleased with _The Well of Shades_. The most recent installment in Marillier's Bridei Chronicles is satisfying and uplifting. It's a story of growth and renewal; in it winter turns to spring, intolerance into tolerance, rejection into acceptance . . . and love conquers all. The ending is, perhaps, the happiest of any of her previous novels--things resolve not only for Faolan but for many other beloved characters too.

The new characters are well drawn, including the villains. Interestingly, three of the most important new faces are womens', and all three have endured isolation and abuse. Two dedicate themselves to the acquisition of power; one is quite sociopathic, while the other seems more like a Machiavellian prince--amoral, but practical. The third, Eile, overcomes her circumstances in ways that will have the reader cheering.

Overall this is an enjoyable read, but the book did have its flaws. The first half of the story was rushed. Faolan's homecoming happens offstage, which is maddening after so much foreshadowing. Eile's rescue of Faolan, which is a turning point in their relationship, is barely sketched out--told rather than shown. It ought to have been a scene to savor; instead it's over before it begins. In other places she has Faolan using whole paragraphs to describe, quite rationally, his psychological growth. It wouldn't sound convincing coming from anyone, really, but especially not the damaged assassin who has only begun to accept that he has feelings in the first place.

Fortunately, these problems resolve by the middle of the novel. The latter half is well-paced and engrossing, and though we see the resolution coming miles away, there are enough twists and dangers to keep the journey enjoyable. By the end, you won't care a jot about the mishandled scenes at the beginning. And Marillier is so good at character and plot that it almost doesn't matter. If I were commenting on the hardback edition, I'd give this a solid four stars.

However, the Kindle edition leaves a lot to be desired. It looks like a pdf of the original book, which is fine insofar as we get a nice typeface and what was, originally, a professional layout. I miss those things when I read Kindle books. THIS edition, though, was inexcusably sloppy: ink blots, slanting lines, misplaced lines, in other words, a mess. It's obvious no one proofed this. Unless desperate for reading material on your long foreign trip, I'd buy a paper copy instead.