Actual Rating: 2.5 
 Okay, I wrote a review for this, but officially have deleted it, because as I wrote that review, I mulled things over and became very frustrated and now this has turned to something altogether different. 
 Juliet Marillier, I am disappointed. In general, I love your works. The magical setting of the Celtic woods, mountains. All the mythological beings and faerie folk. The plots are engaging and active. Your Wildwood Dancing is one of my absolute favourite faerie tale retellings. 
 So what went wrong here? 
 Usually your heroines are strong, fiery, and capable. They can handle their own, and they don't need to ride on the shoulders of men to get them to safety. 
 Neryn was practically useless. She may have had her strength in her uncanny-ness, but most of the book showed her being completely unable to take of herself and then being saved by that one male hero over and over and over again. She could do practically nothing, and it was infuriating. 
 This isn't to say that I didn't at least enjoy your book, because I did. Like I said earlier, your Celtic settings are always enchanting and lovely. The faerie folk are easily my favourite characters. 
 And, yes, I'll probably read the second book because this one ended on a cliff hanger (grr) and because I do want to see where Alban's fate lies. 
 But I repeat: I'm disappointed.