Shadowfell (original 2012; edition 2012)

Thankfully, the story inside is much better than the cover. That girl with the vacant stare . . . she's kind of creepy. ( )

3.5. ( )

The first book in a new series for teens by well-respected fantasy author Julie Marillier. After the loss of her father, sixteen-year-old Neryn travels alone in the land of Alban. The people of Alban live in fear of their tyrannical King who wants anyone with magical ability captured and carries out regular 'cull's where homes and village's are destroyed and people killed. Hiding her ability to communicate with the Good Folk, Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, home of the rebels working to overthrow the evil King Keldec. Along the way she is rescued from certain death by the shadowy figure of Flint, who may not be what he seems. Living in fear for much of her life has left Neryn unable to trust anyone.

An excellent start to what promises to be a fantastic teen series. ( )

My first Juliet Marillier novel, and I am already considering myself a fan. Though primarily known and loved as a gifted fantasy writer for adults, this prolific and beloved Australian writer extends herself easily into the growing YA fantasy genre with the first in her new series about the oppressed magical land of Alban. Though rife with well-known and often overdone fantasy tropes - the "chosen one", the slow realization of virtues of the protagonist, usually during the long long quest filled with some few adventures and then more walking, the medieval feel to the country and culture - Marillier manages to infuse these often used conventions and make them exciting, fun, and emotional. Boasting a well-rounded cast operating on a lively stage, Shadowfell is occasionally formulaic but still manages to shine and involve readers in Neryn's journey for safety in a land wracked by distrust, suspicion, and fear. Combining fey legends ("The Good Folk") with pieces of Celtic lore, Marillier builds a novel that enchants and entertains all at the same time.

Neryn is the likable, kind, and also incredibly naive protagonist of Shadowfell. It's both easy to like the canny girl and root for her on her trek, but also to become increasingly frustrated with the character's guileless attitude as the tension increasingly grows and her awareness of who to trust, what to do in these situations does not. I liked the character, she's easy to empathize with early on, but often enough her reactions would be silly, too trusting and thus lead to contrived, frustrating situations with her secondary protagonist and obvious love interest, Flint. The book is more internal and personal struggle-driven than moved by action or adventure - though there are incidences of both throughout - and Neryn's wide-eyed acceptance of whatever is most recently told to her can get a bit wearying. Her inner monologue and thoughts are very readable and easily engrossing, but I do think that a more skeptical eye, a more discerning look at what she sees and hears, would clear up a lot of unnecessary conflicts that pop up more than once with Flint.

Flint is a character of contradictions as well. His is a dangerous world without the benefit of neryn's black and white morality, and the role he is forced to play shows a clear hand at the author's ability to evoke pathos from her readers. Flint's relationship with the young girl is delicate balance (just like his with the King), full of equal amounts of cautious trust, doubt, and attraction (hopefully, unlike his interactions with the King). Like Neryn, he is more than he seems and is wonderfully fleshed out as the story progresses and more of his character is revealed. He's also a great love interest, outside of the "do what I tell you because I can't give you any pertinent information." It's an obvious ploy to cause drama between the two, and I must admit that it got old after a while. I did get frustrated with the lack of communication between the two, but I still came out of reading this pretty enamored with Flint. The slow burning mutual attraction and connection between Flint and Neryn are core parts of the story, but romance is not what drives the plot forward. Neryn's quest(s) for safety, knowledge, and self-awareness do the heavy lifting.

Shadowfell clocks in at a respectable 416 pages, but the characters, setting, and even the message at the heart of everything (though non too subtle) make for a fast-engrossing, easy, and fun read. It's a fantasy novel with two interesting characters wrestling with their future roles in the fight to free Alban, their mutual growing attraction to one another, their independent wants and hopes, which makes for a cast of well-rounded, distinct people with a well-crafted plot to keep interest high and the pages turning with alacrity. This was a one-day read, and I found myself severely jonesing for the next in the series as soon as I finished. Juliet Marillier has impressed me, and I won't be waiting long to try my hand at her more well-known and widely loved adult fantasy titles. ( )

Shadowfell is an adventure book set in a fantastic world not so very different from what Juliet Marillier usually brings us, which is awesome. It’s about a teenage girl with certain magic gifts that make her a target in a country where being magical, or «canny», is forbidden.

I really enjoyed this book, not only for the customary amazing, beautiful ambiance, but also because it was really an adventure book. As Neryn kept going on her jorney, all sorts of things happen, some strange, some unpredictable, and some that made me cross my fingers in hope they would be as I expected.

This is the first book of a trilogy, and I’m looking forward to reading the next one. ( )