Product Description

At seventeen, scholarly Paula embarks on an adventure – a trip to Istanbul with her merchant father, Teodor, to purchase an ancient artefact known as Cybele’s Gift. Paula’s fervent wish to rediscover the mysterious Other Kingdom, the realm she and her sisters visited as children, has been replaced by a more practical ambition: to become a trader in books and manuscripts. But the ways of the Other Kingdom are never predictable. Clues and whispers soon convince Paula that she has been set a magical quest – and that the person laying the trail may be her lost sister Tati.

Competition for Cybele’s Gift is fierce, and Paula and Teodor soon find themselves in deadly danger in the great Ottoman city. Their protector against worldly perils is their hired guard, Stoyan, a young man with secrets of his own. When the artefact is finally unveiled, Paula finds herself on a wild chase by sea and land, accompanied by an unlikely pair of companions in adventure. Puzzles, riddles, tests of strength and of loyalty lie before them, and the price of failure is death. Along the way, there are lessons to be learned in wisdom, trust and love.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #427943 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

The Guardian
'a charming mix of romance, history and fantasy'

Death Ray
'Marillier is adept with the first-person viewpoint, successfully placing the reader right in the heart of her story'

About the Author

Juliet Marillier holds advanced degrees in music and languages, and has had a lifelong passion for both Celtic music and Irish folklore. She resides with her family in Perth, Western Australia.

Customer Reviews

Warm Turkish nights, how could you resist!
Having read all of Juliet Marillier's books I was extremely excited when Cybele's Secret was released, for it had seemed like years since Juliet Marillier's last book was published. While Wildwood Dancing (Cybele's Secrets predecessor) was enjoyable, Cybele's secret eclipses it. In this book, set six years after the previous books events we are once again introduced once again to scholarly Paula. She and her merchant father are on a quest in Istanbul for the ancient religious artefact known as Cybele's gift rumoured to grant its beholder luck and untold knowledge. Unlike some other reviews of this book I would argue that Cybele's Secret is in no way a love triangle, at least not in the traditional sense (which is good, if like me you find those books slightly annoying.) Juliet Marillier makes it clear from the beginning, both in her writing style and events in the plot, who Paula will come to love, the other male character (not wanting to ruin it) is merely a plot device for the ending of the book (not that his character isn't interesting, eye candy is always fun.) Unlike Marillier's other books Cybele's Secret is the first to be set in such an exotic location, Istanbul is brought alive and the aspects of its Muslim culture, which today are often so villainised, are shown the respect they deserve while still regaining their uniqueness. As with all of Marilier's books it is the small detail and minor characters which add reality to the story, from the ever watchful eunuch, to Stoyans intimidating mother, this is a plot moved by the characters character. This book explores the importance of wisdom in contrast to intellect, and as in all of Juliet Mariliers books has a strong heroine, a dusting of ancient magic and a romance which compliments the plot instead of drowning it (unlike all those bodice rippers on the market.) Truly it is a rare gem among Juliet Mariliers crown

An interesting sequel
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!

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Paula couldn't be more excited to be arriving in Istanbul with her merchant father, where she'll be assisting him in obtaining a valuable and mysterious artifact of the ancient goddess Cybele. If all goes well, she may finally be able to pursue her dream of starting a book-trading enterprise.

To her dismay, trouble awaits them the moment they disembark. Her father's trusted trading adviser has been murdered, and the secrecy surrounding the artifact has grown even more difficult to penetrate. If Paula's suspicions are correct, the glimpses she's caught of her sister, who vanished into the Other Kingdom several years ago, mean the folk of magic and myth have their own stake in the unfolding events.

Complicating matters are a dashing ex-pirate with an intense interest in Paula, who may or may not be as ruthless as he is charming, and the powerful yet gentle bodyguard Paula's father hires to watch over her, whom Paula cannot help feeling drawn to despite knowing they are worlds apart. As Paula struggles to make sense of the signs her sister sends her and to help her father obtain Cybele's Gift, the three are pulled into a quest more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

Not all friends can be trusted; not all enemies are what they seem; and the folk of the Other Kingdom don't often give second chances. It's up to Paula to get her companions through this adventure alive, and to find the right path for her own heart.

Fans of Marillier's WILDWOOD DANCING will enjoy catching up with the family via Jena's younger sister, and happily devour this new tale of the Other Kingdom. Though somewhat slower-paced than WILDWOOD DANCING, CYBELE'S SECRET doesn't skimp on adventure or romance. Paula is a strong and resourceful heroine, who admits her mistakes when she makes them and doesn't let her fears stand in her way. The settings are so vivid readers will feel as if they're traveling through Istanbul and the Other Kingdom with them.

If you loved WILDWOOD DANCING, don't hesitate to snatch this one up!

Reviewed by: Lynn Crow