The machinations of Mistress Blackthorn’s sworn enemy and the cause of all her misfortune, Mathuin of Laois, are at work once again. With the help of her trusted companion, Grim, and other friends both new and old, maybe Blackthorn will be able to heal old wounds once and for all.

Meanwhile, Cara, a young girl from the town of Wolf Glen, has had her life turned upside down. Who is this strange, wild-looking man who has appeared in Wolf Glen? And why does Cara’s father, Master Tóla, suddenly want the old house in the woods rebuilt after all these years? Grim is employed to do the rebuilding, but what he uncovers at Wolf Glen goes far deeper than he could ever have imagined; he will have to keep his wits about him or else fall foul of Master Tóla. Grim and Blackthorn must face these new dangers that assault them on two fronts, but will they stand together as before, or will they be forced to stand alone?

The enthralling conclusion to Juliet Marillier’s ‘Blackthorn and Grim’ trilogy, Den of Wolves compels you to keep reading. The characters are vibrant and all are written with a deep understanding of what makes them tick. They will seem to jump out from the page and live their lives right before your eyes. The magic of the world that the author creates is similarly enticing, stemming from ancient Irish mythology; the beings known as the Fey will wrap their magic tendrils around you and not let go.

For fantasy fans, Juliet Marillier’s books are a must, and Den of Wolves is no exception.

Reviewed by Ben Lawrence