Barbara S. (barbsis) - , reviewed on 7/18/2009 + 1076 more book reviews

The premise for The Dark Mirror is deceptively simple - groom a young boy to be king. Oh but what an epic adventure this is and it's only the beginning. You would think this would be a simple thing to accomplish - teach a boy what he needs to know in order to rule a country. But no, the Gods interfer, the Fae interfer, even Briochan (the one training him) does unspeakable things to thwart Bridei's will.

The tale of Bridei and Tuala is fifteen years in the making. From when a very young Bridei finds infant Tuala on the doorstep to rescuing a 14 year old Tuala from human snakes and spies. This is a tale of the adventures (and misadventures) of a 4 year old boy torn from his family (and country) and foraced to give up his childhood to be trained as a scholarly fighting man and/or druid.

Nothing I say can really do credit to this masterpiece. At times harsh and cruel, sweet and tender, it'll make you scream, it'll make you cry, and it'll make you smile. What a treasure to be read again and again.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of relationship remains between Briochan and Bridei after his betrayal. Does Fereta finally find love. Is Ana set free? What happens with Faolin?

I can't wait for The Bridei Chronicles, Book 2 Blade of Fortriu to see what happens next in Fortriu

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