Book Review: Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier

Cybele's Secret (Wildwood #2)

Juliet Marillier

Review of Wildwood Dancing (Wildwood #1)

Publication Date: September 9th 2008

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pages: 432

Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Faerie

Scholarly eighteen-year-old Paula and her merchant father journey from Transylvania to Istanbul to buy an ancient pagan artifact rumored to be charmed, but others, including a handsome Portuguese pirate and an envoy from the magical Wildwood, want to acquire the item as well.

I am currently debating whether or not this or Wildwood Dancing is better. It is another hard decision, as both find themselves on my favourite's shelf and I really need to purchase them both. It was also a good idea to read it instead of listening like I did with Wildwood Dancing because I finished it much quicker and got to enjoy it at a much faster speed.

Marillier's research is fantastic. This book is not set to mirror an actual fairytale, but is more a quest and adventure that Paula is sucked into. It takes place in Istanbul as opposed to Transylvania and as I just mentioned the author's research is fantastic about the place. I felt as if I had been shoved into Turkey's past and was enchanted by pretty much everything.

The plot meanders, but at the same time it isn't slow or annoying in its meandering. It is following a path still and keeps us interested, though not taking us to the point directly. The characters once again are depth filled and interesting. The prose is enchanting. Literally there really isn't anything bad I can think of about this book's construction (I'm sure others could due to personal tastes, but not I).

I would just like to say that I never trusted Irene. There was always something too accommodating about her, too seductive and manipulative. So when it turned out she was the major villain, I was not surprised at all, instead rather vindicated in my suspicions. Though I do know the moment was terrible for Paula.

I loved how the quest played out as well. In Wildwood Dancing we were not privy that the characters were truly on a quest to grow and learn, but in Cybele's Secret it is very obvious. Paula finds herself knowing she has to complete a quest and at wit's end trying to figure it out. Then when they are in Cybele's tree I loved the tasks they had to complete an how they ended up complete. I also loved the inclusion of Tati and what I'm hoping is the set up for a third book starring Stela (I was half expecting the portal to reopen for her, because Stela is right, she is the only sister not to get anything through the help of the Other Kingdom).

Stoyan, oh Stoyan, you are so adorable. It's probably wrong to call big strong Stoyan adorable, but the way he is with Paula makes him so. I was incredibly happy when they ended up together. As soon as Duarte did not believe about the Other Kingdom I knew there was no way he could be a good as more than a friend for Paula. Paula gets enough ridicule for her scholarly pursuits, she doesn't need it for her more fanciful pursuits as well.

I honestly loved this book so much I could go on talking about it for days. You don't have to read Wildwood Dancing to enjoy this book, though it'll help explain the situation with Tati if you do. I recommend this book for lovers of historical fantasy, Istanbul and the idea of the Other Kingdom of fae and magical beings. And if you enjoyed Wildwood Dancing you will enjoy this as well. 

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