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.

I will live and die by the opinion that you can never go wrong with Juliet Marillier. 

This has happened before, but with A Dance with Fate I totally requested an ARC without realizing  it was the second book in a series. Whoops, my bad! Lucky for me, I got to go back and read The Harp of Kings (which was really freaking good) so I have no complaints.

Things I enjoyed:
-multiple POV done well (no suprise)
-the Crow-folk
-It's a slow read but for good reasons. There is a lot of attention to detail and story-telling that makes it worth it.

Complaints:
-less Brocc (waa)
-change in Liobhan (she just didn't seem as 100% badass in this book?)

I want to write a fuller review soon, so these opinions may be changed- but for now I bestow the rating of 

4.2/5 stars

Last year I read and really enjoyed The Harp of Kings and was so curious to see where Marillier planned to take this story. I was not at all disappointed with A Dance with Fate--and in fact, if anything I think I liked it even more than the first book. 

Some of Marillier's strongest points, in my opinion, are her characters and settings. We follow the three same characters of Liobhan, Dau, and Brocc in this book as we did in the first book, and I always appreciate POV consistency in fantasy series. This time, however, since Brocc has chosen to stay in the Otherworld it is only Liobhan and Dau that are together in the 'regular' world and Brocc is separated in his own. I have really enjoyed following these characters and watching Marillier focus on their evolution as characters through their carefully crafted development. We really get to dive deep into the thoughts and motivations of each characters, and in this installment especially we get to observe these characters through some emotionally intense events. Dau, for instance, faces more than a few incredibly difficult circumstances in this book that has must overcome, and his journey from being obstinate and refusing help to slowly opening himself up just enough is exciting to watch. Liobhan also has to learn more things about both herself and others in order to make the best of her situation. Although Brocc's circumstances are noticeably different from Dau's and Liobhan's, he too undergoes his own discoveries to become more at ease with his time in the Otherworld.

The world-building itself is strong in this book, but it's almost more the individual settings themselves that stand out to me. It's safe to say that Marillier has great talent for crafting a scene that feels both real and magical all at once. In the Otherworld, the magical aspect is subtle, yet always present in the way she describes both the people that inhabit it and the way in which the land works. In the regular world, the magic is in her descriptions of the lands and places that the characters inhabit. It's not necessarily that there is actually magic in these lands, but moreso that her creations of them have this effortless comfort to them that is both welcoming and mysterious all wrapped up into one, which is sometimes difficult to understand when some settings are not actually that welcoming. 

One of my favorite things about this series and Marillier's writing is the sheer respect and sense of solemnity that permeates the tone of the book. It's both a comfort and a sign of her talent, as I find that this series has been one that I always know is going to be a good read, and that even if something horrible happens in the plot or to a character, I know it's going to be handled in a respectable manner. I'm not sure if I'm conveying what I mean by this accurately, but it basically just feels like a nice break from the relentless intensity of horrors that many other books I read tend to focus on. There's a nice bit of optimism and carefulness that goes into tackling some truly heartbreaking and horrifying things that occur in this book. 

The pacing of A Dance with Fate is definitely on the slower side overall, but that's not to say it is without inciting events or a compelling narrative. In fact, I found myself far more captivated by this story than the first book, and I would argue that the first book technically had more large plot events and action. This book, however, had so much of it's intrigue in the smaller details and the overarching narrative that allowed it to follow a slightly slower pacing in order to highlight and fully cover the character development and journeys each character undertook for themselves.

Overall, it's 4.5 stars from me for A Dance with Fate! I really enjoyed this sequel and am now so excited for the third book.

Yes, wow, this book was so fantastic to read! I just love this world that Juliet Marillier has created with these 2 series, and I loved spending more time with these characters! I couldn't wait to see where the journey would take them, after that ending of the first book!

The whole idea that Liobhan would be a bond servant to Dau's family for a year, yeah, that enraged me. After all, it was an accident, and oh, yeah, he doesn't have a good relationship with his family. But we did get to see why, first hand! 

While Liobhan's bond servant status really ticked me off at Dau's family, well, Dau's situation, man, it was pretty hard to read. He had a pretty big character arc in the first book, and again in this one, dealing with being blind, as well as being home, from where he'd run away from. So he has a lot of struggles with that which made for excellent reading. But at least they were together! Loved their relationship, and where it's developing towards! 

Again, we were in Liobhan, Dau, and Brocc's heads, mainly. The main storyline was Liobhan and Dau in Oakhill, but Brocc's story was interesting to read, as well. And I'm really excited to see where it goes in the future, because that situation, is one that I personally find pretty daunting! But overall, that ending was pretty satisfying, if faced with loss, and I really enjoyed it! 

This was such a great read, and I can't wait to continue the series!

Warrior Bards #2.  Can be read separately, but would lose a great deal of depth without the first, is complete in itself (not a cliffhanger).  After an accident in a match with Liobhan on Swan Island leaves Dau blind and delirious, his estranged family is contacted, and demands compensation for his care which includes Liobhan as bond-servant for one year.  Dau left his family after years of abuse, so to return now blind is horror personified. But he is older now, with skills and Liobhan, and things have changed at "home" as well, changed greatly.  At the same time Brocc is now with the Fae in the Otherworld, and even there the Crow people are wreaking havoc with only Brocc's voice to stop them, and even then one of his lieutenants is grievously injured and sends Brocc on a journey that proves long and costly.  As with all Marillier's books, this one is psychologically intense and emotional, rich and dense.  Dau's older brother is truly vile, and you will be chewing your knuckles waiting for the monster to strike.  How a child grows up sane out of that all by himself is magic by itself, as much dark fantasy as the Crow people, and maybe so by some of the hints.  I suspect it will all come together in the third volume.  The plot is fairly straightforward, but the psychology is far more complex, and masterfully done.  Highly recommended.

A Dance with fate takes place a year after the ending of the first book. Liobhan and Dau are the top students and through an accident Dau is blinded, Liobhan agrees to be a servant to Daus family in order to pay back her part in the accident. I liked Dau and Liobhans relationship grew in the second book and the mystery of Daus family. I also found that Daus reaction to his blindness was very believable and anyone in his position would react the same way. A Dance with fate is more of a character driven fantasy but the plot and pacing were smooth.  Overall, A Dance With Fate is an excellent sequel to an interesting series.

Marillier is one of my favorite authors, so I was glad to get to watch Liobhan and Dau continue on their journey.  Always looking forward to Marillier's next story.

This book was in every way a worthy sequel to The Harp of Kings. Blending a dreamy sense of fairy folklore with a very-real blend of politics and real-world struggles, the novel pushed deeper into the lives of Liobhan (my feisty warrior-musician hero!), Dau (the Sad Boi who just can't seem to catch a break), Brocc (the sensitive half-human, half-fae musician caught between worlds), and Eirne (Brocc's wife). By returning Dau to his childhood home, a place where he grew up abused by his brothers, Marillier was able to also explore the long-lasting effects of trauma and the strength of the human spirit in overcoming that pain. It pulled no punches when exploring both the horrors of a twisted mind and the shattering effects on those around it, but it didn't revel in its moments of darkness--it simply presented them as they were.

Trigger/content warnings: suicidal ideation, abuse (physical and psychological), torture (of both humans and animals), death of a pet, brief mention of intended rape

A full (and more eloquent) review of this book is forthcoming on my blog!

ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Ever since I was a young teen I have been in love with Juliet Marillier's works. She has been one of my favorite go to authors. This book felt just like that. I really enjoyed two of the three main characters. There chapters are where this book shined. Where it felt a little lacking was with the brother's chapters. His felt like a story line that was just there to give him a reason to show up later in the book. Which is why I am going to give this four instead of five stars. I just wish his had been a stronger story instead of just a character there to help give the book a good ending. In the end, I would read this book again and, hopefully, whatever book might come next.

4 stars! This was slower than The Harp of Kings and very different in terms of plot. It was on the predictable side but a lot of building and fleshing out was done. I love Liobhan even more now and Dau was involved in the story a lot more which made me happy. Brocc, however, was absent for most of the book which is fine with me since I don't particularly care for his wife. I'm eager to see what happens with the Crow-Folk and Liobhan and Dau in the third book! 

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of A Dance with Fate!

In this page-turner of a sequel to The Harp of Kings, we return to Swan Island just as warrior bard Liobhan and her friendly rival Dau are completing their training. During an exhibition fight between the two, a freak accident robs Dau of his sight, forcing him to return to Oakhill, the family stronghold now controlled by his psychopath brother. For her role in the accident, Liobhan must serve the family as a bond-servant for one year. As they dance around the perils of Oakhill and Dau's physical and emotional condition, another type of bond develops between the two warriors. 

Even stronger than its predecessor, A Dance with Fate dives deeper into these characters, their relationships with one another and with their families. Dau's character development is especially rich and satisfying, as is the book's conclusion. I highly recommend this book to fans of low fantasy with a side of slow-burning romance. And it's worth readers' whiles to ground themselves in the ancient Ireland of the Warrior Bards world by first reading The Harp of Kings. I look forward to the third in Juliet Marillier's Warrior Bards series, due in 2021.

A Dance with Fate continues the story of the warrior-bard twins Liobhan and Brocc, and their special forces-esque companions on an island off the coast of Great Britain (Ireland? I'm not entirely sure). Their cohort mate, Dau, takes center stage as he's called back to his family home by his father and brother. Given that his family traumatized him, it's not a journey he's eager to make. Liobhan goes with him while Brocc is living in the Otherworld with his new companions. Their stories meet up in the end, but for once I didn't find a split narrative too cumbersome - both Liobhan's and Brocc's stories are interesting and suspenseful. 

I liked this sequel better than the prequel, especially because of the reveal of Dau's personal history and the developing relationship between him and Liobhan. I found the pacing to be faster and more even than the prequel novel.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

3.5 Stars rounded up.

This book follows Liohban, Dau, and Brocc about a year after the events of Harp of Kings. A training accident makes Dau lose his vision, and after being forced to go back to his childhood home Liohban chooses/is forced to go with him. Brocc's story continues where it left off in the otherworld.

This story packed a huge emotional punch: TW for past child abuse and animal abuse. I really enjoyed getting to see the story from Liohban and Dau's POVs. 

There was sadly not nearly as much music in this story as the first one, and I really really enjoyed the musical aspects of book 1. I also really did not like Brocc's POV. After finishing the story I can see why it is necessary, but I was tempted to skip past it for much the story.

I will continue to read this series. As I enjoy this universe, and I do plan on picking up books from Juliet Marillier's backlist when I have the chance. If you enjoyed book 1 you should absolutely pick this up.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It hurts to give my queen, Juliet Marillier, anything less than five stars. Marillier is a master in her wheelhouse - healer heroine/slow burn romance/being tested by Fae Folk - which is probably why Warrior Bards isn't as strong.

Liobhan breaks the mold as a warrior, which is cool. However, as a character she's straddling what Marillier presumably wants her to be and what she's comfortable writing. The outcome is a character who is an amazing warrior, musician, and a healer to boot. This is a problem for me for four reasons.

1. Reading about characters who are good at everything never makes for good drama.

2. It doesn't make much sense why Liobhan is a bard to begin with? Her brother, Brocc, is a super, magical bard. When he uses his music, it's an intrinsic part of the plot. With Liobhan it's more like a nice party trick.

3. Outside of some training scenes, Liobhan rarely uses her fighting skills. Each book centers on one mission, and in each one Liobhan is required to not show her strength. It's just odd to write about a warrior and then weaken her in each book.

4. Liobhan is a fair healer, and Marillier loves a healer. Maybe it was brought to her attention that warrior teenagers make for more popular characters these days. Maybe she just wanted to try something different. However, Marillier's books have always been so strong because she's avoided the YA Tough Girl Who Fights Good + Big Bad formula. The Warrior Bards series feels a bit too much like mainstream YA fantasy, and it's stifling the series as a result.

The plot for this book was more interesting than The Harp of Kings, and I still plan on reading the next. Dau's chapters were my favorite, and he had the strongest arc. It's just a bummer reading a so-so book by the most capable of authors.

The first thing you need to know about the one who is writing this review is that few authors hold my interest with the same magnetic pull of Juliet Marillier. If I was ever to consider “must-read authors” as an immutable concept, Marillier would be one of those most highly regarded on such a list.

As such, it’s safe to say that any time I decide to venture into one of her stories, my longing for her richly built historical fantasies irrevocably amounts to certain high expectations. Such things are perhaps unfair (in their extent) to the author, but I am proud to announce that, every single time, Marillier conquers the delivery of remarkable tales of courage brought alive by magic. A Dance with Fate was an incredible addition to those tales.

Whereas the first book in the author’s latest Warrior Bards series represented a lesson in communal resilience brought about by unity and trust among a coordinated group, its sequel, though no less daring, explores all the ways a person can find strength in another and themselves when they believe all hope has been stolen. 

At the beginning of our story, Dau suffers a grave injury that alters the course of what he and Liobhan believe to be an unobstructed path towards their desired place in the Swan Island community. 

They will soon find that such paths are hardly ever straightforward, as Dau’s injury ushers in his past, and with it, his lingering demons. Dau and Liobhan must unite stronger than ever and assure neither of them falls prey to unspeakable darkness. 

Brocc is not forgotten in this story, as he also battles uncertainties and fears of his own; for his newfound family, for his people. His is a tale tightly interwoven with the magical folklore that sets Marillier’s work apart from any other in its genres. 

All of our characters find themselves forced to discover the joys, freedom, and afflictions of opening oneself up to comfort.

From the first page, it’s plain to see that while The Harp of Kings brokered its fair amount of challenges, the sequel presents more intimate quests centring on the theme of family, as well as a timely discussion on the dangers of frighteningly manipulative men of influence.

Marillier plays grief like the strings of a harp; tightly-coiled, posed to break your heart with the echoes of a sorrowful song. Her storytelling skills infuse every scene with such raw emotion that, slowly and steadily, every scene tethers itself around your heart, linking you to this story and its characters. 

Marillier may be a grand folklorist, capable of enthralling even the most skeptic of readers with her fascinating lore, but her mastery has always lied in the craft of her extraordinary characters. They have always been the driving engine behind the elegant fables and myths that so enchant readers of the author’s expert storytelling. 

In this particular story, men cry openly and freely, which doesn’t account to shatter some illusory concept of strength, but rather testifies to the solidity of their character. Women are caretakers, powerful warriors, mothers. All carry the flawed, incomplete, compelling attributes of more than characters made of ink, rather, they become people born of realistic imagination. 

The author knows exactly where to end and begin each POV as to make the reader quickly fly through the story in an edge-of-your-set excitement to unravel what comes next. Despite this being quite a long book, I devoured it expeditiously.

I only wish Dau’s predicament had come to a more satisfying and dignified resolution, as I found the conclusion added to disparaging narratives concerning people and their disabilities. 

A Dance with Fate earns its title well by the way it fills you with uncertainty over its conclusions, even as it lifts your spirits. It’ll call to any reader who prizes a heartfelt story of folklore and emotional character development.

Return to the world of Juliet Marillier’s Warrior Bards, where the uncanny can be found by those who know where to look and where the bonds of love and friendship are the greatest weapon against the darkest of hearts. A Dance with Fate is full of struggle and sorrow, but balanced with hope and triumph. It’s a bridge book and has the ups and downs of being the middle story, but it’s balanced by Ms. Marillier’s addictive prose. I made the mistake of starting this book late in the day and I was up reading until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer, then immediately went back to finish the next morning.

Three seasons have passed since the events of The Harp of Kings and Liobhan and Dau are in their final display bout on Swan Island when things go horribly wrong. An accident leaves Dau blinded and forced to a return to Oakhill, a place of nightmares where he was tortured by his evil brothers for most of his childhood. As recompense for her part in the accident, Liobhan goes as well to serve a bonded servant for one year. It’s immediately clear that all is not right at Oakhill. Dau’s eldest brother is truly evil and there are mysteries Liobhan and Dau must uncover as they fight to stay alive. The fight is harder for Dau, a warrior struggling to cope with his new life without sight. Dau broke my heart in this book. The memories at Oakhill have vicious teeth and he bleeds from old wounds and new. I wanted to see Dau come back to himself, but it’s difficult. Liobhan doesn’t give up on him, though. While there are those who would seek to hurt her, Liobhan is good at making friends and allies wherever she goes. She’s quick, smart, skilled, and fierce, which I just love about her. She has a generous heart to match her mind and spirit and it was easy to get lost in her story. She and Dau go through a lot (to be more detailed would spoil the story) but I was rooting for them every step of the way. It would be remiss of me to not mention that the connection between Liobhan and Dau that was apparent in the previous book grows over the course of this story. The love story that is developing between them is understated but still intriguing.

Meanwhile, in the Otherworld we have Brocc, Liobhan’s half-fey adopted brother. Brocc is wrestling with missing his family while finding his place as husband to Eirne, the half-fey queen. Brocc is looking into the Crow Folk, the mysterious, violent creatures who have been attacking people both in the Otherworld and human realm. Brocc’s compassion and understanding are what I love best about him and it is those traits that clue him into the fact that there’s more to the Crow Folk than meet the eye. How this plays out, I cannot wait to see. But as much as I like Brocc, his chapters were the weakest for me in A Dance with Fate. When he’s away from Eirne, Brocc shines. But with her, he’s muted and sometimes forced to tamp down on the more human part of him. With events ending as they did, I desperately hope Ms. Marillier gives him a satisfying ending.

Liobhan, Dau, and Brocc face challenges unlike any before in A Dance with Fate, but they are growing confident in themselves and what they stand for. I cannot wait to see what they do in the next Warrior Bards book!

4.5 stars
I'm so glad I grabbed The Harp of Kings and read it before I started this book. I would have missed out on so much great backstory and perspective had I not. And coming in with my investment in the characters, I enjoyed this second installment of the Warrior Bards series even more than the first.

Like book one, the narrative is split three ways in the POVs of Brocc, Liobhan, and Dau. I kind of thought that with the way we left Brocc, he'd be out of the picture, but no. Instead, he's got his own story in Faerie running congruent with his sister and friend's happenings in the human world.

As the story begins, Dau is accidentally blinded in an exhibition fight with Liobhan. The Swan Island trainers, having no idea of his fraught relationship with his family, reach out to his father who demands he return home. On top of that, Liobhan is summoned to work as a servant for a year to pay penance for her part in what happened. Though she's innocent, she goes to protect her friend from the sadistic brother who tormented him in his youth.

Like in the last book, Liobhan stole the show as a main character. She is fierce and loyal and charming in her way. I adored her unwillingness to back down from any situation, no matter how hard it wears on her. Dau is also incredibly sympathetic as this strong man who is forced back into an untenable situation by circumstances. He questions whether he's even able to go on at times. And his dynamic and growing bond with Liobhan is great stuff.

Brocc... well, I'll admit I got a little annoyed every time we cut away to his story. It turned out to be relevant before the end of the book, but his storyline didn't wow me the way the other one did.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book. And I'm excited to get one more installment in the trilogy. Hopefully, we'll get to spend a little time with Blackthorn and Grim before we're all done.

On Swan Island, Liobhan and Dau are about to become Swan Island warriors, but, in their last display bout, Dau is accidentally blinded. Unable to tell the extent of the damage, the leaders of Swan Island call for Dau's estranged family, unaware of the dark past of the family Dau fled. His family blames Liobhan for Dau's blindness and demands she spend a year with them as a bond servant. To protect her friend, she agrees, but both are unprepared for the dark secrets lurking around Oakhill and the danger they stumble into. Meanwhile, Brocc has settled into life with the Fair Folk, protecting them from the Crow Folk. But, when they discover the Crow Folk being cruelly tortured and murdered, Brocc suspects something greater, leading him into danger.

Don't worry; I read the first book first this time! The Harp of Kings was a surprise approval on Netgalley for me, and I thoroughly loved it. I had no doubt I would love the second book as well, so was excited to be approved for A Dance with Fate and couldn't wait to return to Swan Island and the lives of Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau, as well as the formerly acrimonious relationship between Liobhan and Dau that had begun to evolve.

The Plot: About a Family

This is really the story of a family being set right. After years of pain, horrors, lies, and secrets, the family is given a chance to heal, if only Liobhan and Dau can uncover what's been going on and seek the real truth.

It all started during a display bout right before they were to become full-fledged Swan Island warriors. It was an accident that Dau was blinded, but his family decided to lay the blame on Liobhan, forcing her to become a bond servant for a year. It was heartbreaking to see their dreams ripped away from them, to see the friends potentially heading in different directions once Liobhan's year at Oakhill was over.

But Liobhan is Liobhan. Headstrong and protective to a fault, she somehow manages to become a companion and nursemaid to Dau, whether he wants her around or not. It felt a little too easy and made the whole story somehow less difficult for the characters, but it was also heartwarming to see them get to know each other in a more intimate way.

Meanwhile Brocc is in the Otherworld with his bride Eirne. The Crow Folk are still a menace and seriously wound True, one of the Fair Folk, forcing the two to travel on a journey in search of a cure. Curiously, the Crow Folk are absent from Oakhill even though they've been found brutally mutilated and tortured near the border with the Otherworld. It doesn't take long for Liobhan to incite the ire and cruel nature of Dau's older brother Seanan, and to simultaneously discover the answers her brother has been asking while unlocking the secrets in Dau's family. But, of course, nothing is ever easy for Liobhan.

In comparison to the first book, A Dance with Fate seemed far more straightforward and not as full of danger and machinations. At it's heart, it was about finding redemption for a family while also moving the overarching story to the series along. It moved along at a decent pace, but I also felt it took a little too long sometimes and I couldn't help but feel a little impatient. I did like that the relationships deepened and changed, but the story felt a little lackluster.

The Characters: Exactly as I Left Them

I loved the characters in The Harp of Kings. Liobhan was so head strong, so stubborn, so fierce. I loved everything about her. Brocc, the harpist, was softer compared to his sister. Though a fierce warrior, he has some Otherworld blood in him, making him a masterful musician with a magical song. Dau was cocky and almost off-putting, but he evolved so much during the first book that I became sympathetic towards him as Liobhan and the reader come to understand him. He's talented and dutiful with a fierce loyalty to those he cares about. I couldn't wait to return to them all in A Dance with Fate.

The characters were all as I remembered them. They were wonderfully fun and fierce. Liobhan was fiery as usual, and too curious for her own good. But she really has a soft spot for those she cares about and I loved that she was willing to go the distance to do what was right. She has a strong backbone, but it often got her into trouble. There were times when I felt like cringing at her actions, but I still loved that she was unflinchingly herself. Dau was a little more complicated, though he still managed to show he was every inch a Swan Island warrior even while blind. It was heartbreaking to see him blinded and having to come to grips with his entire world and life changing. I wasn't a fan of how he wanted to give up so easily and his resolve to keep going because of a promise to Liobhan felt a little thin, but I also saw him be fiercely loyal to his friend and compatriot, and it definitely painted him in a much better light. I was a little sad to not see much of Brocc, and was quite curious to see how his story line would converge with Liobhan and Dau's. However, I felt a little torn to see Brocc pulled by two different loyalties, making me constantly wonder if he was making the right choices.

At the end of The Harp of Kings, Liobhan and Dau's relationship evolved for the better. I was delighted to see more forward progress in the book. It was definitely more of a slow burn, taking tiny steps forward. It felt beautiful and natural, though I did feel Dau's feelings came on a little too strong in an interesting contrast to the first book. For most of the book, I delighted in their relationship, but then it seemed to hit double fast forward by the end and it just lost me. Now, though, I'm wondering how they'll progress in the next book.

The Setting: Dau's Family Home

Since Dau is injured early on, most of the book takes place at Oakhill, Dau's family home. His father is a chieftain, so the grounds and the family home are large and expansive with a number of servants moving about. It did make me think of a medieval holding, with a number of different areas to it, like the gardens and stables.

Oakhill itself seemed like a perfectly normal, bustling estate, but there was also something sinister about it, not so much in how it looked, but in how the people behaved. It felt like whispers were everywhere, secrets hiding around every corner. It held a mysterious air that made it feel unwelcoming. I think the people definitely made the setting, though Oakhill itself felt clear in my mind.

Overall: Great for Relationship Progression

I loved that the characters were the same. They were exactly as I liked them and exactly as they had been left off after the first book. It was fun to see their relationships grow and evolve, but it also felt like that was the entire point of the book. Since it takes place at Dau's family home and is about repairing his family, it felt like something of an aside to the greater story, not that I know what that is, but it was quite different from the first book where the story revolved around a Swan Island mission. Still, this was a fun book, if only for the character development and the progression of their relationships. I adored Liobhan and Dau together, but was sorely missing Brocc.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ace-Berkley Publishing Group for a free e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Link to post: https://thelilycafe.com/book-review-a-dance-with-fate-by-juliette-marillier/

This review was originally posted on <a href="http://booksofmyheart.net/2020/09/01/a-dance-with-fate-by-juliet-marillier/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

Juliet Marillier is  an author I always enjoy.  <strong>A Dance with Fate</strong> continues with the primary perspectives being Dau, Liobahn and Brocc.  As with the first book, I struggled a bit to get going. It felt like the first 20% of the book took me 3 days to read and then I finished the rest in a day or so.  It might have helped me to reread <strong>The Harp of Kings</strong>, since it was a year ago I started this <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/215913-warrior-bards" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Warrier Bards</strong></em></a> trilogy. I would not read these alone or out of order.

All three of our main characters faced rather dire circumstances in this tale.  They were strong and compassionate and worked hard themselves but some others were not helpful or kind. The fae are always difficult.  In <strong>The Harp of Kings</strong>, Brocc learned more of his heritage and found love and a new life.  Now he has to adjust to that marriage and life. It's not just his wife and community, but the outside threats to learn.

Dau undergoes a trauma and ends up having to go back to his family and the past horrors there. Liobahn will not let him face it alone, but it is a grave challenge.  It was not a good place for Dau when he was young and it has not really improved.  Dau manages to grow a lot personally, learning much more compassion and a different kind of control.  Liobahn also adapts to working hard and being unobtrusive.

Music did not play as large a role. There were more politics, and class distinctions.   By the end, everyone is headed home. The strange Crow creatures are still an issue in both worlds  and that seems to be the next mystery.  I hope for a better start to the final book with the world and characters well in mind.  I'm intrigued to know more about the Crow folk and the relationships of our three.  I still hope we may get a scene with Grim & Blackthorn.  I'm so glad to be back in this world.

Master storyteller Juliet Marillier has once again succeeded in getting into my heart with the continuing story of Liobhan, Dau and Broc. These characters became family for the brief time I was reading their story. When they hurt, I hurt. When they laughed, I smiled. When they loved, I smiled even more!

Chapters alternate viewpoints between Liobhan, Dau, and Brocc. Brocc has married the queen of the Otherworld and uses his warrior training and singing voice to protect the peaceful creatures from the crow people. When he discovers a disturbing death of one of the crow people, things start to change between Brocc and his wife, Eirne. At one point, Brocc suffers a personal loss that will surely have long lasting effects. Not all these effects are witnessed in this book, so I am certain there will be more to come in the next book.

In the meantime, Dau and Liobhan are struggling with their new roles as invalid chieftain son and bond servant in a place where both suffer at the hands of Dau’s older brother. There is more going on here than is obvious. Dau and Liobhan will be in the center of the mess to come. There will be much to learn and much to make better. And there will be a redemption.

In The Harp of Kings, the beginnings of a romance between Liobhan and Dau hinted at more to come. In A Dance With Fate, that ‘more to come’ means that the two come to care for each other, while realizing that the warrior’s life means they cannot be together.

A Dance With Fate is often heartbreaking. At times I wondered if even wanted to continue because I knew it was going to get worse before it got better. But as an experienced Juliet Marillier reader, I knew that eventually, the heartbreak would be eased and be replaced with beauty and magic, hope and happiness.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.