Cybele's Secret (Wildwood Dancing Series)

I picked up Cybele's Secret, and I read. And read. And read.If I had any subconscious fears that Cybele's Secret would not live up to Wildwood Dancing, I was happily mistaken. Although this companion novel is set in a completely different part of the world, following the story of a completely different sister with a completely different personality, this story has equal heart, wisdom, and beauty.Set six years after Wildwood Dancing, Cybele's Secret tells the story of Paula, know as the scholarly sister in the family, as she sets out on a journey that takes her from her home in Transylvania to the far off and intriguing culture of Istanbul. If able to obtain the highly mysterious ancient artifact known as Cybele's Gift, Paula's entire family will be set for life, and her dream of becoming a trader of books and manuscripts, despite being a young woman in the early 1500s, might become a reality. When it becomes clear that familiar magical forces are at work, Paula sets out on a quest to assist them in the hope of ensuring her family's fortune and her own future.Strong female leads and love triangles are cliches that crop up so often I am embarrassed to admit they are tending to peeve me a bit these days, but Juliet Marillier knows how to write both with the depth and purpose that makes me remember the power behind those two themes, the oomph that inspires such repetition.I think one of the biggest strengths of the writing is its subtlety. You never feel like the themes are punching you in the face, yelling for your attention as if you never would have noticed without such harassment. As in real life, realization dawns slowly, naturally, and with the pure delight of discovery. As Paula's eyes open, we see and learn alongside her. And what she sees is amazing.A well written romance is beautiful and triumphant. It reminds us that true love requires sacrifices and selflessness but gives us a world greater than we could have ever imagined. Great romances counteract the messages of the crappy romances and give us hope if we haven't found it or remind us of how blessed we are if we have found it.So needless to say, I highly recommend Cybele's Secret, of course after you've finished Wildwood Dancing. If I have done a poor job making the books sound incredible, just take a closer look at their covers! Kinuko Y. Craft's stunning artwork is not only breathtakingly gorgeous, but the detail is mindboggling. After finishing the books, I can't stop peeking over at them and noticing more tiny and yet brilliantly accurate details. I have never seen a set of covers that seemed more like an author's perfect dream. I would love to hang these on my walls.

I didn't realize that this is actually a sequel to "Wildwood Dancing". However, although there is some mention to events and characters from Wildwood Dancing, this book stands up well on its own, and I enjoyed it even though I hadn't read Wildwood Dancing.I didn't really like Cybelle's Secret at first. It lacked the feeling of magic and strangeness that I have always loved about Marrilier's other works. I struggled to really become engrossed in the plot, and I didn't find the characters as interesting as I had hoped. Some of the characters I even found predictable and cliche.However, I thought this book really began to shine by about the halfway point, and I was glad I hadn't given up on it sooner. By about the halfway point, the story becomes a lot more conflict driven and the tone and atmosphere really captures that feeling of magic and strangeness that I have come to expect from Marrilier's work.Having since read Wildwood Dancing, I would recommend this, but would warn readers that it is somewhat inferior to Wildwood Dancing. Wildwood held me entranced from the beginning. This took longer for me to warm to, and was not quite so memorable. It was a fun read though, and one I'd definitely recommend to Marillier fans. Older readers should not be deterred by its recommended age group. I am 33 years old and enjoyed this book a lot.

If you need a back and forth, detailed comparative analysis, stop right here. I am an unconditional admirer of Juliet Marillier. I can't help feeling drawn into the rich tapestry of beautiful detail she weaves her stories from. Her characters and the events they find themselves in, always touch the mythic and they are as true and meaningful as you wish them to be.Cybele's Secret is an excellent example of the skill of Juliet Marillier. It could not have been more different an adventure than the first of the series Wildwood Dancing. In all of her series, I find the stories to be like unique facets of one whole land. Characters open themselves to you naturally, at a pace that draws one in. I savor my time reading a book by this author, and usually I read the book twice. You may like a more skeptical approach to your folk and fantasy reading, but what is not to like about the fey worlds of Magic, demanding devotion and dangerous loyalties? All her stories are filled with riveting situations that she takes her time in the telling of. I ended Cybele's Secret, satisfied, wishing it could go on a little more.There's a lot that's unique to enjoy, in Cybele's Secret, too, including Paula's challenge as a woman in the Muslim environment of Constantinople, the mysterious cult of Cybele and her gift of goddess power, and the well-drawn in words, environment of old Istanbul. It's another good book by an author who comes up with great ones in series.

The sequel to WILDWOOD DANCING, this novel is in a very different key. While WILDWOOD concerned the retelling of a couple of fairy tales, CYBELE'S SECRET was more like a complex puzzle that the protagonist, Paula had to solve. Although there were supernatural elements present in both novels, in CYBELE'S SECRET, that aspect seemed to be much more contained, while the focus was on a murder mystery/detective type of story, this time set in Turkey. (One great thing about being a novelist is the excuse to visit many exotic and lovely places).I enjoyed getting to know Paula, one of the younger sisters in WILDWOOD DANCING, and I enjoyed her adventures in Istanboul. I did think that the end was not as well resolved as it could have been. The shocking discovery concerning the scholarly Irene was not set up well, and hit the reader like a two by four out of the blue. And I wasn't convinced that Paula's choice of life partner was going to bring her much satisfaction. But aside from these qualms, this novel is a charming and engrossing read for both adolescents and adults alike. Four stars.

Juliet paints the setting so well with her words; I felt like I was there in Istanbul. The sights, the smell, the feel and the sounds. Very captivating story of family, love, humanity and strength of mind.

From the seven waters series to this, I love Juliet marilliers books! She is an amazeballs writer and I wish there was always more at the end of each one.

The bookish Paula accompanies her father to Istanbul on a trading mission, gets mixed up with missing treasure, pirates, secret cults and a handsome bodyguard. What's not to like?

I was keen to receive my copy of the second in this trilogy - but I honestly can't say I enjoyed it as much as it's predecessor, Wildwood Dancing. But then WWD is a hard act to follow! Anything as-magical as a tale set in an "eldritch" wildwood, and castle, with characters from the Nature Kingdom abounding, and a romantic thread constant throughout, is a difficult tale to write!I must admit I lost a bit of interest in the middle of the story, but then reconnected again, as Paula and her friends worked their way through the clues which led them to completing their task, each learning something important about themselves (and life) at the same time. I also liked the touch near the end, where we realise that the female "baddie" had been in love with her henchman (a eunuch) just before she was trapped inside a mountain with his lifeless body! ....or was she? ...maybe book three will tell!Extending the story into the 3rd book seems simple - for Stela, youngest sister of the original five, will soon be just about the right age to find her way back to the Wildwood, taking maybe a few of her nephews/nieces (at present toddlers) with her? I must admit I'd love to get back to the world of the Fairy-folk and re-acquaint myself with all of them - so here's hoping J.M. thinks so, too! It'll probably be a wait of 18 months to 2 years, though - but I've got two fascinating books to read through again, to keep the story fresh in my imagination.Ignore any suggested "age-range" for this series - and treat yourself to a bit of magic!

I had already read this book and had bought it for my 15 yr old grandaughter. She loves it and is working her way through all the rest of Juliet Marillier's books.