Pellinor Series: The Riddle

Reader reviewed by Sara

"Maerad is a girl with a tragic and bitter past, but her powers grow stronger by the day. Now she and her mentor, Cadvan, hunted by both the Light and Dark, must unravel the riddle of the Treesong before their fractured kingdom erupts in chaos. The quest to solve thei ancient puzzle lures Maerad ever closer to the seductive Winterking - author of her sorrows and the ally of her most powerful enemy, the Nameless One. Trapped in the Winterking's icy realm, Maerad must acknowledge what she has always suspected - that she is the greatest riddle of all."
It seems that lately I have had a hard time finding really good fantasy novels, but I think I've found a favorite in Croggon. The only part of these books that I don't particularly like is the fact that Maerad is often very whiny. I suppose that many in position might be, but it is still annoying. Most of her narratives are about her own self-pity.
However, there were many good points of the book as well. Maerad travels to many new parts of the landscape and many new characters are introduced. We learn more about the varying cultures and how Maerad is percieved by each.
More is learned about Cadvan as well that makes him a much more dynamic character than in the first book.
I'm anxiously awaiting the third book, titled The Crow.