A Dance with Fate, by Juliet Marillier (Ace)
In The Harp of Kings, only the most
promising students qualify for the elite Swan Island school for assassins,
warriors, and spies. Two such were Liobhan, a gifted singer and even more
gifted fighter, and self-exiled prince, Dau. Sent together on a spy mission
along with Liobhan’s bard brother, Brocc, it was hate at first sight and an
ongoing challenge to work together for the success of the mission. Now Brocc
has followed his fae heritage into the Otherworld, leaving Liobhan and Dau to
continue honing their skills and an increasingly friendly rivalry. A freak
training accident leaves Dau blind. Liobhan blames herself, since the two were
sparring at the time, but so does Dau’s vicious, abusive older brother. Rather
than expose the secrets of Swan Island, the elders strike a bargain with Dau’s
family: he is to return home, where he will be cared for, and Liobhan will
serve as an indentured bondswoman for a year. Dau’s brother has agreed not to
harm her physically, but there is nothing to stop his cruelty.
The situation is a
recipe for disaster. Dau is right to be fearful of being at the mercy of his
older brother and heir to the estate, doubly so because of the extreme
vulnerability due to his blindness. Old traumas haunt him, threatening to drag
him into suicidal despair. It will take all Liobhan’s healing skills, empathy,
and bloody-minded authority to keep him alive. Meanwhile, the violently
aggressive Crow People launch ever-increasing attacks on both fae and human
communities.
Engaging, dramatic,
romantic, and thoughtful, A Dance with
Fate is Marillier at her most addictive. Highly recommended.
