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A review by king_cryptid
Brightfall by Jaime Lee Moyer
5.0
Brightfall is an apt name for this story; we see the tales of Robin Hood, brave, champion of the people, turned onto their head as we find he has taken up a life of hiding in an abby, atoning for sins unspoken, and abandoning his wife and children. As the story progresses, more of his transgressions are brought to the light, casting his fall from grace into sharp focus— but ah, we’re a bit ahead of ourselves.
Marian takes center stage. Her life is quiet until a beloved Friar brings foul tidings that will set Marian on a path that she is bound to walk til the end. Someone, or something, is murdering her friends and loved ones, and all signs point to a connection with Robin.
Marian becomes entangled with the Fair Folk, playing a dangerous game of allegiance and understanding that everything comes with a cost, but quickly balancing those risks against protecting her children.
Help comes in unlikely places, but Marian is constantly reminded that life and death are a balancing act, and that the Wheel of Fate constantly spins, threatening to topple everything in an instant.
Battles are hard won, friends are lost forever, but hope stays ever present, even if it seems just slightly out of reach.
I found myself crying more times than I care to admit, but it’s so easy to get swept away by the immersive world building and characters who feel so familiar that you can’t help but relish in their temporary joy and understand their shortcomings, despite being frustrated by them.
Marian takes center stage. Her life is quiet until a beloved Friar brings foul tidings that will set Marian on a path that she is bound to walk til the end. Someone, or something, is murdering her friends and loved ones, and all signs point to a connection with Robin.
Marian becomes entangled with the Fair Folk, playing a dangerous game of allegiance and understanding that everything comes with a cost, but quickly balancing those risks against protecting her children.
Help comes in unlikely places, but Marian is constantly reminded that life and death are a balancing act, and that the Wheel of Fate constantly spins, threatening to topple everything in an instant.
Battles are hard won, friends are lost forever, but hope stays ever present, even if it seems just slightly out of reach.
I found myself crying more times than I care to admit, but it’s so easy to get swept away by the immersive world building and characters who feel so familiar that you can’t help but relish in their temporary joy and understand their shortcomings, despite being frustrated by them.