Product Description

A landmark publication in the world of Fantasy writing In a world where creatures of legend haunt the lands of men, and to be caught outside after dark means almost certain death, the inhabitants of Isse Tower are amazed when a mute, starving foundling is discovered outside their gates. With no recollection of her name or past, the girl soon realizes that her only hope of happiness lies in distant Caermalor, where a wise woman might be able to restore her memories. To get there, Imrhien must survive a wilderness of endless danger. Lost and pursued by unhuman wights, Imrhien is saved by Thorn, a mysterious, handsome ranger who becomes her protector-and the object of her hopeless love. But unknown to them, a dark force summons the Unseelie, and malignant hordes amass in the night.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #297030 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 608 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
This first novel by Australian Cecilia Dart-Thornton launches the Bitterbynde series, a saga of a young woman's search for her past and her destiny. An orphaned refugee taken in as a servant of powerful Isse Tower, a prominent Relay Station in the world's communications network, the main character is a nameless, badly scarred mute with little hope for better. He eventually escapes by stowing away on a magical Windship and is befriended by cheerful Sianadh, a self-professed madman and adventurer. Sianadh gives his companion two precious gifts: a name, Imrhien, and the knowledge that he is really a she, raised as a boy to protect her from even worse treatment. Together the two journey into the deep green heart of a great forest, defeat the tricky magic of various eldritch wights and discover a vast treasure that will change their lives forever. When Imrhien learns of Maeve One-Eye, a healer who may be able to heal her scars and restore her memory, the girl is determined to seek her out. On the dangerous journey, Imrhien meets and falls in love with the Dainnan ranger Thorn, but doubts he could ever return her affections. While this novel doesn't stand well alone, readers who crave long and detailed journeys through fantastic lands filled with magical creatures will enjoy Imrhien's travels. Dart-Thornton's world takes many traditional elements of epic fantasy and manages to stir them into something charming and new. --Charlene Brusso

About the Author
Cecilia Dart-Thornton lives in Australia

Customer Reviews

Over-written, but worth the slog
I'll admit that, for about the first 50 pages or so of this book, I could cheerfully have put it down and not bothered to finish. Cecilia Dart-Thornton has a lush, heavily-detailed writing style which really interfered with me getting into the story and, to be honest, which annoyed me quite a bit.

Once I really engaged with the character, though, I found this to be an excellent, mature read. Yes, the character does come of age and yes, the plot revolves around a quest for self-knowledge, but this story has little in common with the common run of fantasy novels. There's a maturity here that can't help but ensnare the reader.

I found the world-building breathtakingly detailed, and although I found myself skimming great chunks of descriptive detail right to the end, I also ordered my copy of The Lady of the Sorrows as soon as I finished the last page. What greater praise?

Absolutely brilliant.
I love this book. From the very first sentence, I was engrossed in another world. It is like no other fantasy story I have ever read, filled with weird creatures, adventure and romance. I can hardly wait for the second and third books in the series.

Exallent!
This book captivated me!
I could not put it down even the house work was neglected for 2 days! The charicters are so rich and the story spell binding though it does take time to get used to the alternative vocab. However the glossery at the back explains most words that can't be figured out.
I felt quite cheated at the end however, as the novel ends at a pivotal moment and the next book does not come out until next year! This book is the best I have read in a while. Buy it!