Shadowfell (44 page)

Juliet Marillier

Wolfskin

All Eyvind has ever wanted is to become one of the greatest Viking warriors – a Wolfskin. His friend Somerled, with whom he has sworn a blood oath of lifelong loyalty, secretly desires a very different path.

A world away, Nessa, niece of King Engus of the Folk, is learning the ways of the mysteries. Her people live in peace and harmony, until a voyage of discovery, led by Somerled’s much-respected brother, Ulf, brings a group of settlers to Nessa’s homeland. Though their arrival is friendly, Nessa feels a shadow has been cast over the Folk . . .

The signs are small at first; trouble aboard a ship, whispered grievances, a deadly sickness. Then a brutal murder occurs and the tentative peace is shattered. Now Eyvind begins to feel the ties of his boyhood oath, and realises what sort of future Somerled had in mind for himself all those years ago . . .

‘A potent mix of fine story-telling, rich imagination and meticulous research’
A
USTRALIAN
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W
EEKLY

‘A must-read . . . Escape and enjoy this terrific journey’
W
OMAN
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‘I couldn’t read this fast enough’
G
OOD
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EADING

Juliet Marillier

Foxmask

Seeking to uncover the truth about his father, Thorvald makes a perilous journey north to the forbidding Lost Isles. With him travel his childhood friend Sam and an unwelcome stowaway, Creidhe.

On the isles the weary travellers find the Long Knife people, ruled by a cruel tyrant. Suspicious and frightened, the islanders will not explain why Creidhe must cover her golden hair, or why there are so few children amongst them . . .

When a baby is born, Creidhe discovers the horrific truth of the curse the vengeful Unspoken tribe has placed on the Long Knife people – and the only solution. But there are deeper secrets in this battle for survival, secrets that Thorvald, Sam and Creidhe discover when it may be too late . . .

‘
Foxmask and Wolfskin
are examples of just how wide the appeal of fantasy novels can be. An artful blend of history and mythology, with a hint of magic’
A
USTRALIAN
B
OOKSELLER
& P
UBLISHER

‘To say what happens . . . would be to deny readers the excitement of the story’s resolution. There is tragedy here together with the risk and power of sacrificial love’
S
YDNEY
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ORNING
H
ERALD

‘[Marillier] disdains the Galahadian-type hero and creates characters rich in emotion and heart that have a life of their own’
H
OBART
M
ERCURY

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM PAN MACMILLAN

Juliet Marillier

The Dark Mirror

When the child Bridei is sent to the kingdom of Fortriu to be raised by Broichan, a powerful druid, he knows only that he must be studious and obedient. Bridei applies himself to learning, unaware that a secret council of elders, including Broichan, has long been working on plans for the future of their divided homeland, and that Bridei himself is central to their strategy.

When a baby girl is left on the doorstep one winter’s night, Bridei thanks the gods for sending him a companion to share his lonely existence in the remote household. But Tuala’s arrival spells a perilous complication to Broichan’s master plan. As Bridei moves ever closer to his grand destiny, and as Tuala grows from fey child to beguiling young woman, powerful forces turn against the secret council; enemies will stop at nothing to foil the druid’s plan, even if they must endanger Bridei’s life.

Juliet Marillier

Blade of Fortriu

King Bridei is preparing for the long-awaited war to drive the Gaelic invaders out of the west. He sends Ana, a hostage of Fortriu since childhood, north to make a strategic marriage which will strengthen his chances of victory. Ana is escorted by a man she despises, the enigmatic Faolan, Bridei’s assassin and spy. Their expedition is ill-fated, and their destination of Briar Wood, stronghold of the chieftain Alpin, proves to be a place of dark secrets. Ana is drawn towards a mysterious prisoner, while Faolan must walk a delicate path between loyalty and betrayal.

Bridei’s forces march into battle. To those left behind, the omens become clear: the king is heading towards certain death. There is only one messenger who can reach him in time, but to use him will endanger Ana’s chance of happiness . . .

Juliet Marillier

The Well of Shades

Sent home to Ireland on a secret mission for King Bridei of Fortriu, Faolan, the king’s chief assassin, finds himself confronting the demons of his family’s dark past. Once he has tracked down the powerful Christian cleric who may be a threat to the stability of Bridei’s pagan kingdom, Faolan returns from his mission having become responsible for a child, a dog and Eile, a troubled, volatile young woman with a deeply disturbing past.

At Bridei’s court in White Hill, unsettling news from the neighbouring kingdom of Circinn prompts the king to call his chieftains to council. But after the disappearance of Bridei’s closest adviser and the tragic death of a young maid, the threat posed by the encroaching influence of Christianity appears to be the least of the dangers at hand . . .

Juliet Marillier

Heart’s Blood

Fleeing from the nightmare of her past, young scribe Caitrin arrives, bruised and alone, in the remote settlement of Whistling Tor. Desperate for work and shelter, she ignores the villagers’ warnings of an accursed chieftain, malevolent whispering in the night, and a hill swarming with eerie manifestations, and seeks refuge in the crumbling fortification atop the Tor.

In the unconventional household of volatile Lord Anluan, Caitrin attempts to regain control of her life. But all is not as it seems in this place of shadows and memories. What do Anluan’s skewed features and volatile temper hide? Do the ancient manuscripts in his library hold salvation or a curse? Who are the men and women of the Host? And what is the dark force, an entity that will do anything to keep her from uncovering the truth?

Juliet Marillier

Wildwood Dancing

Jena, along with her five sisters an
d constant companion, the frog she calls Gogu, lives in a crumbling castle on the fringe of a wildwood in Transylvania. Theirs has always been a privileged if somewhat restricted life, however, the girls share a fantastic secret, which they have kept hidden even from their family for twelve long years.

When Jena’s father falls ill and must leave their forest home over the winter, Jena and her older sister Tati are left in charge. Everything runs like clockwork until a tragic accident allows their greedy cousin Cezar to take control. When it becomes clear that their secret is in danger of discovery, Jena knows there is only one place, no matter how dangerous, she can go to for help . . .