Book: Cybele’s Secret by Juliet Marillier

Pages: 432/Hardcover

What Did I Think? Cybele’s Secret is the 2nd book in the Wildwood Series.  In this book, we follow Paula and her father in Istanbul, as they try to buy an ancient pagan artifact, Cybele’s Gift.  Paula ends up going back to the Other Kingdom, with her bodyguard, Stoyan, and Duarte Aguilar, a pirate, and another who bid on Cybele’s Gift. 

I loved the detail, which really made the book come to life.  But it took me most of the book to actually get interested in it, the Other Kingdom making it’s grand appearance towards the end.  It was only hinted at for most of the book. 

I didn’t like it as much as Wildwood Dancing- it was missing some of the charm that Wildwood Dancing had.  Plus, Stoyan and Duarte were clearly set up as romantic interests for Paula, though it was fairly obvious that it was Stoyan that Paula would end up with. 

Paula’s sister Tati, who went to the Other Kingdom in Wildwood Dancing, made a few appearances in Cybele’s Secret.  Tati had her own quest to fulfill, which would allow her to see her sisters.  She only sees Paula, so if Tati does visit her sisters, it’s likely to be in any sequels.

Rating: 2 out of 5.  I didn’t like it as much as Wildwood Dancing, but I did like the detail Marillier put into it.