Cybele's Secret Book

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS even better then the first book in the series (Wildwood Dancing). Perhaps more importantly (at least from my perspective), this book is not only a 5 star read, but is making me a big fan of two genres that I typically have major issues with and generally don't enjoy reading (YA and fantasy).

Marillier blends exotic fantasy with solid writing and creates worlds and characters that I admire and believe in. Her heroines are smart, resourceful and independent but still manage to retain their sense of being a young lady with higher goals then merely "getting the guy". Her heroes are swoon-worthy, intelligent, and tough and treat the heroine with respect and admiration mixed with just the right amount of romantic intrigue that a YA reading audience expects. This is a clean read, but it's not a dry one. Stoyan and Duarte bring plenty of sexy banter and romantic tension to the inevitable love triangle aspect of the story, and it's a good writer that can make the reader want both of them to capture our heroine Paula's (pronounced "Pow-la"'s) hand and heart at the end.

But Cybele's Secret is so much more then just a romance. In fact, the romance element really takes a back seat to the unfolding drama of the fantasy. There's deception, a treasure hunt, a mythical quest and a trial-by-fire that all our main characters will have to prove themselves by. The last 3 chapters are non-stop nail biters. I literally couldn't put the book down until the end. In addition, Marillier takes the reader on an armchair tour of the historic city of Istanbul, Turkey, with all it's rich and exotic east-meets-west cultural backdrop.

If you enjoyed Wildwood Dancing, you won't be disappointed in this second installment in the series. And there are some pretty tantalizing clues that the third book in the trilogy is going to be just as fantastic as the first two. Count me in for the ride, I can't wait to see what adventures little Stela is going to get up to and how she will hopefully bring about a reunion for all five sisters in the other kingdom.


***Extra kudos to the mind-blowing cover illustrator for both books in this series. These are, without a doubt, some of the most beautiful and intricately designed book covers I have even seen. Take a long look at the illustration and you will find many details from the storyline. The artist put so many hidden gems into the cover that I found myself going back again and again to study it, and ended up finding more and more things I had missed earlier. An absolute treat for the eyes.