Dreamer's Pool

Juliet Marillier is an author who isn't shy, isn't afraid, doesn't hold back from horrible traumatic experiences and details when called for. And she's expert at this pseudo-historical old Ireland when Christianity is already there, druids are still there, but she doesn't lecture either side or idolize them, either.

This book is in the same vein as her others in terms of setting, but does everything new in technical terms. The story is told through three first person narrators in both past and present tense. What's also new is that this is a kind of buddy cop story but with all the fantasy trappings. It isn't Marillier at her best, but it is her work. It makes me want to go re-read her other books on my shelf. The plot is brilliant, and still surprised me up to the last page. Quite suspenseful.

That being said, some of the execution is a little off. Some is a bit on the nose, though I'd like to blame mystery-genre expectations. I was able to move past those parts pretty easily, despite thinking more could have been left to the reader. I can't wait to read more of her work.