Every Juliet Marillier book is such a gift, and this was no exception. I love this new series, set in a familiar world, and cannot wait for the conclusion of the trilogy. Perfect for fans and newcomers alike, however, an absolute must-read for anyone who loves Marillier's Sevenwaters series.

This book was hands down amazing! I couldn’t put it down, i loved every single words, every single sentence. The author makes you feel like your there in her world, the romance was perfect the story was everything and i can not praise this book enough.

Set a few seasons after the ending of the first in the series we return to our main characters - Liobhan and Dau who have returned to Swan Island, and Liobhan's brother Brocc who is still in the Otherworld, now married to the Queen and an integral member of the community made up of little creatures. 

Early on we're thrown into the conflict of the novel. Originally at the start of the first book there were twenty people vying to join Swan Island for good. Of those, 15 didn't make it, and Brocc left as we already know. So there's just four left, and now they have to fight to win Bran's Blade, which is awarded to the most outstanding fighter of the day who then gets to be its keeper until someone else proves themselves worthy.

The other two battle first, and then it's Liobhan and Dau's turn. They're very evenly matched - getting one point each. These two have come a long way since the start of the first book, back when Dau seemed arrogant and Liobhan just as determined to earn a place on Swan Island no matter what the cost. So they enter the fighting circle friends, but also just as determined as ever to best the other.

Liobhan makes a move, Dau tries to twist out of the way and loses his footing, and strikes his head going down, and... is rendered unconscious. And when he finally wakes, he's blind. 

At a point when it seemed like he may not make it through the night his family are sent a message. Dau is a chieftan's son after all, and although the leaders of Swan Island know he's somewhat estranged from his family they do what they think is right, and reach out to them to let them know.

And they come, and they demand a hefty recompense of silver thinking that Dau will now be a disabled burden on the family forever. They have the money to make it seem like Dau will be better in their care, able to seek out the best physicians across the land who may eventually be able to work up a cure. They also demand Liobhan to be a bond-servant, blaming her for Dau's injury. 

As readers of the first book will know, Dau's family are absolutely terrible although they give the impression of being fine and upstanding. They bullied Dau to the point he tried to take his own life when he was young, and Dau makes it clear to Liobhan that the first chance he gets, he'll be trying again if he has to go back with them. So Liobhan volunteers to meet their demands, as headstrong and determined that she always is, to protect Dau from his family however she can.

And that's the novel. Dau blind, Liobhan proving her strength, and the reader getting to see what his family are really like for ourselves.

Brocc has his own storyline weaved throughout the novel and while important and engaging, I will admit that whenever the chapters do flick to his POV I did wish that we were staying with Dau and Liobhan. 

Overall this was an excellent book, and I'm looking forward to the third which will hopefully come out sometime next year.