Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"An engrossing, beautifully written work of historical fiction and a portrait of a man's fierce struggle to find his own truth."--Booklist on
Wolfskin"A rich tapestry of love and loss, family loyalty and personal sacrifice."--Publisher Weekly (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
"The author's keen understanding of Celtic paganism and early Irish Christianity adds texture to a rich and vibrant novel."--Library Journal on Daughter of the Forest
Review
"An engrossing, beautifully written work of historical fiction and a portrait of a man's fierce struggle to find his own truth."--
Booklist on
Wolfskin"A rich tapestry of love and loss, family loyalty and personal sacrifice." --Publisher Weekly (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
"The author's keen understanding of Celtic paganism and early Irish Christianity adds texture to a rich and vibrant novel."--Library Journal on Daughter of the Forest
Review
"Juliet Marillier is among the most skilled of fantasy writers--she is far better than Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Sevenwaters trilogy is so beautiful, and so magically woven, that it deserves to become a fantasy classic. This trilogy should be a 'must have' for any fantasy reader."--Sara Douglass
"Fans of Judith Tarr, in whose footsteps this tale meticulously treads, will be enthralled."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Dark Mirror
"Juliet Marillier just keeps getting better. Some passages here are stunning their beauty, and more often than not you'll be quite wrong if you think you know what comes next. That's the delight of it."--Locus on Foxmask
"An engrossing, beautifully written work of historical fiction and a portrait of a man's fierce struggle to find his own truth."--Booklist on Wolfskin
Review
"Fans of Judith Tarr, in whose footsteps this tale meticulously treads, will be enthralled."
Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
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 possible 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.
Synopsis
Bridei is a young nobleman, a fosterling of one of the most powerful druids in the land, Briochan. All of Bridei's memories are of this dark and mysterious man who seems to be training him for a special purpose he will not divulge.
But, everything changes when on one bitter MidWinter Eve Bridei discovers a child on their doorstep--a child abandoned by the fairie folk. In order to avoid the bad luck that seems to come with fairie folk, all counsel the babe's death. But, Bridei follows his instinct and, heedless of the danger, fights to save the child. Briochan, though wary, relents.
As Bridei comes to manhood, and the foundling Tuala blossoms into a beautiful young woman, he begins to feel things he didn't know were possible.
Briochan sees this and feels only danger, for Tuala could be a key part in Bridei's future...or could spell his doom.
About the Author
Juliet Marillier is the author of the Sevenwaters trilogy: Daughter of the Forest, Son of the Shadows and Child of the Prophecy, as well as her two volume fantasy series Wolfskin and Foxmask. She holds advanced degrees in music and languages, and has had a lifelong passion for both Celtic music and Irish folklore. She resides with her family in Perth, Western Australia.