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Blade Of Fortriu (The Bridei Chronicles book 2) by Juliet Marillier
01/12/2006 . Source: Eamonn Murphy 
pub: TOR-UK. 552 page hardback. Price: £17.99 (UK). ISBN: 1-4050-4108-0. pub: TOR/Forge. 496 page hardback. Price: $27.95 (US), $36.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-765-30996-3. Buy Blade Of Fortriu in the USA - or Buy Blade Of Fortriu in the UK  check out website: www.toruk.com , www.panmacmillan.com, www.tor.com and www.Julietmariller.com
'Blade Of Fortriu' is the second of three books of 'The Bridei Chronicles' set in sixth century Scotland. The trilogy is based, very loosely, on fact as there really was a Bridei who was king of that region at the time. Part One, 'The Dark Mirror', introduced Bridei as an infant and followed his path to manhood and the kingship of Fortriu. Now he reigns over the Priteni, his people, and can pursue his dream to drive the Gaels from the lands in the west of Fortriu, conquered three generations before.
It is now five years since he became king and Bridei is preparing his forces for a huge surprise assault on this territory. Meanwhile, he sends Ana, a beautiful blonde of royal blood, north to the highlands. There she must marry Alpin, a powerful chieftain, to secure his allegiance. Her wishes are irrelevant. An armed band escorts her to Alpin's territory of Briar Wood led by Faolan, Bridei's trusted spy and bodyguard.
Bridei marches off to war and leaves wife Tuala and son Derelei at home with Broichan, his druid foster father. The infant child displays a natural talent for sorcery and Broichan wants to train him. However, Tuala does not entirely trust the Druid.
The book is called 'The Blade Of Fortriu' because this is what the Priteni call Bridei. Yet he does not figure that strongly except at the end. Most of the novel is given over to the tale of Ana and Faolan, their journey to Briar Wood and their adventures on arrival. As in a buddy movie, they start off not liking each other and end up liking each other a lot. Alpin turns out to be a brute.
Ana falls for his imprisoned brother Drustan. Faolan becomes comrades with Drustan's guard, Deord, for both were escapees from a terrible Gaelic prison where most died. Like concentration camp survivors, they feel a bond. Ana's plight is the centre of the plot and there is plenty of suspense. Did Drustan commit the terrible crime for which he is imprisoned? Will Alpin honour his treaty with Bridei once he has bedded Ana? Will Faolan get out of Briar Wood alive?
This is really a love story. There is even more romance here than in the first book which boasted a not inconsiderable quantity of gushing between Tuala and Bridei. There is also, to be fair, adventure, plotting, combat, heroic self-sacrifice and noble death. I particularly liked the comradeship between Faolan and Deord.
I liked a lot of stuff. Like part one, the book is very readable and there are fine descriptions of the harsh Scottish landscape. The characters are well drawn and the story keeps you turning pages. We reviewers though must tell the potential buyer what kind of book it is and for me this was a romance. I think ladies will love it. Sensitive chaps will appreciate it. Brutish men who prefer more blood, gore, politics and treachery will perhaps spend their pounds better elsewhere. That said, if you liked the first book you will like this too, though perhaps not as much.
Eamonn Murphy
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