Reading is always a way to escape reality for a little while into a different universe.
Juliet Marillier is one of my favorite authors. I love and re-read almost all of her books. She deals primarily in historical fantasy – mostly for adults, and some for young adults.
Blackthorn and Grim:
The Blackthorn and Grim trilogy consists of Dreamers Pool, Tower of Thorns, and Den of Wolves.
This particular series touches on some very serious issues, such as PTSD, trust-building, growth, recovery, how helping others can help yourself, and how to rebuild your life after you have suffered from extreme trauma. PLUS: medieval Ireland, unconventional heroes, and mysterious MAGIC!
Here is part of the description of the first book:
“What if you were locked up awaiting execution and a stranger offered you a bargain that would set you free? What if accepting bound you to certain rules of behaviour for seven years, rules you knew you were likely to break within days? And what if the penalty for breaking them was to find yourself back where you started, eaten up with bitterness and waiting to die?
Blackthorn chooses life, even though she must promise not to seek vengeance against her arch-enemy, Lord Mathuin. In company with a cell-mate, the hulking, silent Grim, the one-time healer and wise woman flees north to Winterfalls, where she settles on the fringe of the mysterious Dreamer’s Wood. Blackthorn has promised her benefactor, the fey nobleman Conmael, that she will use her gifts only for good. But she and Grim are both scarred by the past, and the embittered healer finds her promise increasingly hard to keep.”
Read more about these great books on Juliet’s website: julietmarillier.com!
Amazing characters. Great portrayal of people who’ve gone through unbearable situations and learned… not to “bear” them, but to at least have a good life moving forward.