Juliet Marillier - Foxmask

Foxmask is the continuation of the tale started in Wolfskin, a story of the clash between the warlike Norsemen and the mysterious and magical people who lived at the top of the world in the land that became Scotland.
Truth and honor triumphed and though a terrible price was paid, peace has settled upon the land. A new generation is coming to adulthood: Norse and Orkney folk together. But the past is a thing that may be shunned but not forgotten. And when the terrible secret surrounding one young man's paternity comes to light, it sets in motion a chain of events that could send the best and brightest of the land on a journey to discover the truth. And that truth could destroy whatever joy these people have ever known.  

Comment: This is the second installment in the Light Isles duology by Juliet Marillier. The first book was another good story by her but it wasn't as special as some of her other series. I had hopes about this sequel and thankfully it was something I enjoyed reading more.

 

In this new story we meet Creidhe, one of the daughters of the protagonists of Wolfskin. She is now a young lady and she wants to eventually marry Thorvald, the son of Margaret and Somerled, the character whose fate was unknown at the end of the first book. Thorvald, however, doesn't seem to pay attention to her and when he reads the letter his mother had from his father, he decides to go on a journey trying to find him and get some answers.

Thorvald enlists the help of Sam and his boat but Creidhe finds out and hides in the boat because she has the feeling she will be needed where they're going. When they reach a distant island after a terrible storm at sea they are welcomed but everyone is wary and mysterious... can Thorvald'd father be there? Could it be the island's leader?

 

Well, the author did a great job again. I did like this book a lot more than the previous one. In this new story, most of the plot and situations happen in a more controlled but suggestive manner and not as many unfair scenes as the previous book had. When I say this, I mean situations where we could see how wrong or unfair to some characters things were but we were powerless to avoid them. Here, many situations are described in such a mysterious way that we can't really judge if they're bad or not, only that something must have to happen somehow.

 

The story is classic Marillier. We follow several happenings that to our contemporary eyes seems changeable but there's this aura of magic in the air that makes some actions have a double meaning, there's a very subtle take on many things, not only the romance but also the choices some characters have when it comes to certain paths.

I'm still surprised, though, with the way the author creates her characters and gives them such intriguing personalities. Sometimes I feel no one could ever be like that but then they do things and I wonder why more people can't have the same attitude or behavior. What makes the plots and characters unique is precisely what wouldn't work in nowadays society. An interesting dichotomy.

 

The plot is very simple but I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know why there were so many secret looks and things happening. Why couldn't Creidhe let her hair down? Why had the men to participate in the Hunt? What exactly where they going to hunt? Many things were strangely mysterious and I understand the motivation of it but it still made me curious.

 

The characters are great. The first half of the book seemed amazing to me because of Creidhe's mysterious surroundings and rules about her behavior but the second half of the story presented someone new, someone I really wanted to know more of and that led to the romance which, once again, was so subtle and special...I'm not going to spoil it but the end is both great and bittersweet. I loved the fact we have an HEA but the way things ended...I get it but it feels so definitive and unchangeable...a bit like Child of the Profecy, from Sevenwaters trilogy.

 

There are some things we are supposed to find out through the book, namely if Thorvald meets his father. That one was a surprise alright. But I kind of liked how things ended in that aspect. In fact, most of the author's decisions about the fate of many characters was well adjusted. Much more balanced than with Wolfskin. The author certainly intended to present the possibilities, to let us see what happens when you choose wisely - or not - and in this book I think the lesson is done to be better appreciated by the readers.

Thorvald has the end he needs as do many secondary characters. It was interesting to see them realize what they have and what they want didn't necessarily have to be the same.

 

All in all, a good story, some things stay with me still, two or three unforgettable scenes, very well written and suggestive...emotional too... I do recommend this one but because so many things are better understandable and only have the intended meaning if one reads the other first...do so, please.

Ms Marillier may falter but never lets down.

Grade: 8/10

Juliet Marillier - Wolfskin

All young Eyvind ever wanted was to become a great Viking warrior--a Wolfskin--and carry honor out in the name of his fathergod Thor. He can think of no future more glorious. The chance to make it happen is his when his chieftain Ulf is brought the tale of a magical land across the sea, a place where men with courage could go to conquer a land and bring glory to themselves. They set out to find this fabled land, and discover a windswept and barren place, but one filled with unexpected beauty and hidden treasures... and a people who are willing to share their bounty.
Ulf's new settlement begins in harmony with the natives of the isles led by the gentle king Engus. And Eyvind finds a treasure of his own in the young Nessa, niece of the King, seer and princess. His life will change forever as she claims his heart for her own.
But someone has come along to this new land who is not what he seems. Somerled, a strange and lonely boy that Eyvind befriended long ago has a secret--and his own plans for the future. The blood oath that they swore in childhood binds them in lifelong loyalty, and Somerled is calling in the debt of honor. What he asks of Eyvind might just doom him to kill the only thing that Evyind has ever truly loved.
Will the price of honor create the destruction of all that Eyvind holds dear?

Comment: This is the first book of a duology written by Juliet Marillier. As always she presents a strong plot with many elements to explore, in particular facts related to the history of the Ozark islands and its occupation by Nordics.

In this book we meet Eyvind, a young boy whose main goal in life is to honor the God Thor and be one of his warriors. To be one, he has to be brave and eventually earn his place among the other warriors. 

The plot starts with him having to befriend and help Somerled, a timid but weird boy that shows up at Eyvind's house taken by his older brother Ulf. Somerled has a different way of seeing things and soon his personality is revealed to be quiet dark. But they now have a blood bond...

The story changes when the boys are older and travel with Ulf's men to a new place where Ulf wants to develop his ideas. But many things go wrong in that beautiful place and can Eyvind hold on to his honor while doing what should be right?

Juliet Marillier is a brilliant writer and she always manages to fill her stories with interesting philosophical questions, usually about honor and duty and doing what's right. For readers these issues are black and white, we see things and always know how things should go. Characters are actually more realistic therefore their actions are based on many factors when they don't have all the information.

I find this the hardest thing in this author's novels. I see the bad path some characters take, I see the bad things happening, I see how sad some consequences can be and I get so angry at that, how I wish the good guys could know before doing things exactly what that entails.

I think this can be seen as a compliment to the author's talent, to make the reader react, but frankly, I really just wanted the good guys to have the upper hand. I do understand emotion and the depth of feelings that can come forward because of ho characters react to bad and cruel things, but it's still despairing to watch.

As always, the author's writing is very good, evocative and presented to seduce and to grab us. It's difficult to put ourselves in the characters' shoes but often that game is something we can't avoid. I just think that with this author that brings too many charged reactions and it's not easy. 

I liked the story overall, I liked many interesting details about the way of life of the Nordics, about the islands they travel to and some historical data we can learn.

As for the fictional plot... it's nice to learn about characters, about what motivates them, how they become who they are, about the things they do and how all things are connected. It's not so nice to see where some things are going and how wrong they can be and how we can't change some bad things from happening.

I believe not many authors can grab a reader and make them strongly react to their words. We always retain out humanity and wishes in reading and sometimes it's hard to keep in mind this is fiction.

Eyvind is an amazing hero, he isn't perfect, he doesn't find excuses, he just doesn't want to face the truth at some point and he needs time to process that. I liked he wasn't blind but he wished so hard for things to just solve themselves. How good if that were to happen that way in real life too...

Nessa is a good heroine but I got the impression she wasn't as captivating as some others in previous series.

Overall, this book is good. But to be honest, it's not as special or maybe I should say it doesn't have the same interest in all the elements as some of her other work had. Could be this book? Could be that the sequel is better?

This is clearly Marillier, but after all things considered, even with that bittersweet but convenient HEA and finale, I still think this wasn't as well executed as some other books. Still, it's wonderfully written and has a good research work, as always...

Grade: 7/10

Juliet Marillier - The Well of Shades

Juliet Marillier continues the epic fantasy begun with The Dark Mirror, which Interzone called: "A fascinating evocation of life in Pictish England and an emotional roller coaster of a story."

King Bridei is a man with a mission. His wish to unite his kingdom seems almost within his grasp but there are forces working to undo his dream. He sends Faolan, his most trusted advisor (who is also a master assassin and spymaster) out into the world to ferret out the truth of who is friend and who is foe.

Along the way Faolan will uncover many truths. Some may hold the key to Bridei's future. But more important, they may unlock the secrets that Faolan has held deep within his soul for decades.

And offer him the chance of redemption.

 

Comment: I was really eager to start this book after the end of the previous one where we saw how one of the characters was left with so many emotions and still miserable. I think this trilogy has its bigger strength in this final installment because we see a lot of thinking done and there's place to redemption which is always something we want to see for our beloved characters.

This is the story of Faolan, King Bridei's bodyguard and often assassin, who is sent on both personal and professional missions to his home country. Faolan goes through a lot of emotions and challenges while at home. He seeks forgiveness and he also wants to pay off a debt, while looking for clues about something Bridei is involved with. Faolan wasn't counting on being the one who had to save someone but after all things considered, he was saves as well...

The amount of research the author works on before a book is published is clear to see in every page of this book - and the others. I think this must be one of the most careful writers out there that, despite writing fantasy novels, inserts her worlds in historical places and traditions. I had such a good time reading this book and looking for each new chapter and to see what would happen.

This story is focused on Faolan. We've met him better in the previous book but the way things ended and what we learned about his past made any reader certainly conscious of the hardships he must face every day just by breathing.
Faolan is doing a mission for King Bridei for which he needs all his focus, but he also plans on meeting his family again after a long absence. He also wants to respect the wishes of a dead man and he goes to check on that man's family, something he thought would be the easiest task of them all. However, nothing happens easily and Faolon makes an impression even if he isn't aware of it. There's a lot for Faolan to come to terms with and that will ask a lot of him.

While this world is heavily based on historical facts from the beginning of Scotland even before it was the Scotland we know about, and considering all the political elements in the story, I can't help but being most impressed with the fiction side of things and how each character has a part to play, a role to interpret. Eile is a wonderful character and I liked her a lot. I was very happy to see how her future is set on the dreams she always wanted.
We see Bridei e his wife, with both personal and political issues to solve but still in love and willing to do their best for their people. We see the solution to some beloved character's future which we haven't seen in the previous books.
But the best part is indeed, Faolan's evolution from someone cold and even to be pitied at the end of the previous book, to someone who went to a personal hell, struggled and in this book was a hero, a friend, a son and the man everyone knows he was capable of. I loved how he got such a deserved HEA because his path in this story faced so many unexpected emotions and situations we wouldn't think of but he never lost his honor, something that bothered him for so long. He is a worthy character and I like him a lot.

There are some issues with this book, but nothing major and nothing that ruined the overall story for me. I cherish this story a lot and I'm sure I'll re-read my favorite scenes often.
I'm definitely returning to this author's work next year.
Grade: 8/10

Juliet Marillier - Blade of Fortriu

The kingdom of Fortriu has enjoyed five years of peace since Bridei came to the throne. Now the king is preparing for the long-awaited war that he hopes will see the Gaelic invaders driven from the west forever. The princess Ana, a hostage of Fortriu since childhood, is sent north to make a strategic marriage with a chieftain she has never met - and with it gain an ally on whom Bridei's victory relies. Her escort is led by a man she despises: the enigmatic Faolan, Bridei's assassin and spy.
The expedition is ill-fated, and when Ana arrives at the chieftain Alpin's stronghold in the mysterious Briar Wood, she is uneasy. This is a place full of secrets. When Ana discovers a prisoner kept within the bleakest of confinement, she is met with a conspiracy of silence. Faolan, tortured by an impossible love, walks a delicate path between loyalty and betrayal...

Comment: I've had this book in the TBR pile for years. probably 4 but it might be a bit more. I admit that I out of the reading of this book for two reasons. 

First, I knew it would feature a love triangle somehow, I saw something about it back then, although the blurb isn't completely clear about whom might be involved in the whole thing. I don't like love triangles that much because or it features three likable people and one suffers a lot or one of the them is a villain and then it feels weird.

My second reason is a bit irrational, for the first book in this Bridei Chronicles trilogy was one of the first I've read in English, when I had to struggle a lot to keep going. The experience wasn't that good so I dreaded to read about a world I thought I wouldn't enjoy again, but the truth is, I was just put off by my take on things when I couldn't read English that well and that affected my impressions. Thankfully, I've improved a lot and was able to confirm the writing is as good as any of the author's work and my impressions were purely mine and only adequate to that time frame.

I'll have to confess I no longer remembered much from the first book, but as this one's reading went on, I recalled some moments, some feelings from that read back in 2009 (IIRC). After a while I managed to immerse myself completely in this story and what a story.

Ana has been a hostage in Bridei's Court since she was 10 years old. She knew she would eventually marry someone important due to her family connections and heritage. In hopes to gain an ally in his war against the King Of Dalriada, Bridei sends Ana to Briar Wood, where she would marry their leader and hopefully help Bridei in his politics. But the man charged of taking Ana and securing a treaty doesn't hide from his distaste of her and the feelings are mutual. When tragedy strikes and hey are forced to help each other, their opinions of the other have to change too. And after meeting her future husband and being among the secrets of his house, how could Ana be the lady she thought she would and do her duty, how can she be blind to what is around her?

As always, this book is full of adventure, secrets and political maneuvers, something the author had us used to in her novels. This series, Bridei Chronicles, is set in old Scotland, or should I say where Scotland is now. In terms of writing, it seems the writing is more refined when compared to the Sevenwaters series I've previously read. Not that is better or worse, it just seems more focused, a bit more polished. Maybe it's my perception of things.

I liked the story, all the action steps and scenes are important, meaningful and well put to make the story feel richer and more intense. Many scenes made me want to do something to change what was happening because they had such an impact on me. I felt this story a lot and how wonderful to be able to count on mrs Marillier to make me feel it.

The love triangle, like I sort of predict it, was bittersweet. It really makes you think and commiserate when one of the elements is left out but I have so much hope for that character, I want to get my hands on the next book soon.

The characterization of all key players was amazing. One or two things could be different, but once again, personal taste. I liked how all the important charterers had to act, had to change themselves to help, to make things happen, to grow. The author did a good job in making everyone feel alive and affected by the things around them, giving more credit to everyone.

The politics can be interesting but I rad these more for the romance aspects and the fiction. So, I do confess some parts were a bit boring to read, especially when it was references to political things or things a bit obscure, which weren't as captivating to me. Still, it didn't ruin the book for me, just made it a bit slower at moments when I wanted to get to the action quick.

All in all, a great story, so many amazing details, a romance that makes you want happiness to be given and still secrets and possibilities to crave. Apart from some elements, quite the success.

Grade: 8/10

Juliet Marillier - Flame of Sevenwaters

Maeve, daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, was badly burned as a child and carries the legacy of that fire in her crippled hands. After ten years, she’s returning home, having grown into a courageous, forthright woman with a special gift for gentling difficult animals. But while her body’s scars have healed, her spirit remains fragile, fearing the shadows of her past. Sevenwaters is in turmoil. The fey prince Mac Dara has become desperate to see his only son, married to Maeve’s sister, return to the Otherworld. To force Lord Sean’s hand, Mac Dara has caused a party of innocent travelers on the Sevenwaters border to vanish--only to allow their murdered bodies to be found, one by one. When Maeve finds the body of one of the missing men in a remote part of the woods, she and her brother Finbar embark on a journey that may bring about the end of Mac Dara’s reign, or lead to a hideous death. If she is successful, Maeve may open the door to a future she has not dared to believe possible...

Comment: Here it is, the sixth installment of he Sevenwaters series by well known author Juliet Marillier. Well, here it is for me, at least, I know it was released way before.

This is the story of Maeve, sister to the heroines of the previous two books. Those who have read the books know she is the sister who was hurt over an accident with fire, and that Maeve was sent to her aunt Liadan where she has been living for the last ten years in order to heal her injuries.
Now Maeve has to return with a task her uncle Bran requested of her. This will prove if Maeve has what it takes to take her life back and if she dares to be happy in the place where she was hurt the most. Despite her appearance, can Maeve be loved and cherished too?

Well, this story was as powerful and as full of details as all the others. In a way, I think it was a level more intense in terms of story development than the others, it was as emotional but I'm afraid the romance was a bit more lacking and I'm sure, again, that anyone who read knows why. I won't be going into spoilers but let me just say that it's hard to develop a solid romance as we imagine a love story to be if one of the elements isn't very available to... be rational about it. (I'm laughing like I know a secret right now)
All aspects considered the book was a true trademark of the author, with all the expected elements to work both as fiction and as fantasy. The best part of things is how any character has such human emotions and traits, it's difficult not to imagine ourselves in their positions.

In this book, Maeve has to be brave and be part of her family again, although most of the book is full with her thoughts of not being pretty or likable enough and how she wished she could be someone a man could love. But at the same time she mocks the feelings she has, the idea that she should be different because she accepts her injuries and her physical aspect as part of herself and of what she is. I had some trouble trying to figure out if I felt empathy towards Maeve for her feelings of inadequacy or a bit anger for her rude behavior at times even if more than earned.
Of course Maeve is the key protagonist of the book and the book is mostly about her journey and how that matches the overall storyline for we finally have the end of an enemy who wanted to reach a goal not caring about anything or anyone else.
I liked the story and all the little details that once linked made it possible for the end to be reached the way it was.

Of course, this wouldn't be a Juliet Marillier's story if we didn't have some heartbreak. I'll be honest, it wasn't so about Maeve's hardships or knowing some beloved characters' fate and lives...it was really about the end, the last page, where we see a scene that almost broke my heart. It's really complicated to deal with those emotions of seeing yourself doing the sacrifices, even for good and noble reasons. It was hard and it's still surprising to me that, after so many years reading fiction and romance, how easily I can feel touched by what I read and how much talent a writer has to write things that drive readers to test their own emotions. Is it good? Is it normal? Can't really answer but I hope this feedback won't disappear ever...Prepare to feel emotion with this book, for sure.

There's a surprise I didn't see coming by the end of the book. I think the outcome was a bit rushed and not very believable but I'll put that into the fantasy side of the story and that's it.
I liked the importance given to small things, to special details and traditions. The author tries to honor the rituals and the knowledge of those times, of an era and a place divided between old faiths and the rise of Christianism. Although faith and religion aren't a part of the books we still see its influence in the story's development.

I think the author is very, very talented and so far her books have charmed and delighted me, even though they make me cry a bit too.
This story is one of her best, even with the not so good elements, in my opinion.
But overall, it's good and for me, winning reading.
Grade: 8/10

Juliet Marillier - Seer of Sevenwaters

The young seer Sibeal is visiting an island of elite warriors, prior to making her final pledge as a druid. It's there she finds Felix, a survivor of a Viking shipwreck, who's lost his memory. The scholarly Felix and Sibeal form a natural bond. He could even be her soul mate, but Sibeal's vocation is her true calling, and her heart must answer.
As Felix fully regains his memory, Sibeal has a runic divination showing her that Felix must go on a perilous mission-and that she will join him. The rough waters and the sea creatures they will face are no match for Sibeal's own inner turmoil. She must choose between the two things that tug at her soul-her spirituality and a chance at love...

Comment: This is the fifth installment in the Sevenwaters series. It started to be a trilogy but years after that one, the author kept the story lines going and this is another of those books, which I begun to read last month and will finish the next.

This is Sibeal's story, she's the seer in the family and she has known her vocation since she was a child. In the following years she has been educated and getting ready to become a druid. Now, her mentor and uncle Ciáran sent her to Inis Eala to spend the summer with her sisters and to get ready for her final pledge as a druid.
But when a shipwreck happens and only three people survive and are rescued, a series of strange things start to develop and everyone on the island is involved in what happens. And that is something so surprising, so different from everything they know, that Sibeal plays a vital part to help solve things. But what's the cost for her vocation..and her heart?

I've seen out there some sentences by readers who didn't enjoy this book much. I didn't read their reviews, just the first words in the book's page at GR and people complain about the lack of plot and how this was disappointing. 
I guess for the fans of the Sevenwaters world how it can be so because the scenes only happen at the island where Johnny has the warriors and their families. But I wouldn't say this was disappointing because this book has a story that grabbed me until the end and shows the author's imagination and how it seems to have no bounds. I was really impressed with the magical details about the beings we see in this book and about the kind of courage Sibeal and other characters showed.

The book is pretty much revolved around the shipwreck's survivors and their tale. From the start we see things that don't match up and lots of mystery as the plot moves forwards and we see more and more details about the 3 survivors and their personal behavior. 
Felix at first doesn't have his memory but he's a key part of the whole thing and it's from him we see what really happened. I have to say, I think this is pure fantasy at its best.

The characters we know are still their honest, wise beings. We see how their lives are being fulfilled, we see the fears still there, but also happiness. Clodagh, Cathal, Muirrin and Evan for instance have new things in their married lives and despite not always perfect, there's a certain satisfaction to know good always wins. 
Another interesting fact is Johnny's love life. I wish the author could write him a novella or something because he has been such a key element in all this and his fate is set and I'd really love to see more of him.

As for the main characters, Sibeal and Felix, of course there are setbacks, of course there are difficulties ahead and for the most time, their relationship is severely modest and full of doubts because each has a path they think they must follow and it's not always easy to accept there must be something else for them, it's not easy to take a risk, to follow one's heart..I got both their struggles, mostly inner ones, but all that helps shape their personalities and to give them the strength to keep going. I applaud their decision and the honesty with which they do things.

Did I wish for s different end for them...in a way, yes. Because if there's one thing this author seems to be totally keen on is never to give a HEA where the couple's lives are easy and ready. There's setbacks before the HEA and even that comes with a price..as all the HEAs in the series before. I get it's part of mystic energy the author imprints on her novels, and it's pretty consistent with the fantasy feel of the novels, but for a romance reader it can also be frustrating that all the happy endings come with a "but". Oh well...

This book was full of adventure and bravery and imagination and I had a great time reading, it were enjoyable moments for sure. I'd change some aspects but overall, it wasn't bad for me.
Grade: 7/10

Juliet Mariller - Heir to Sevenwaters

The chieftains of Sevenwaters have long been custodians of a vast and mysterious forest, and a new heir has been born. But the family's joy turns to despair when the baby is taken, and something unnatural is left in his place. To reclaim her newborn brother, Clodagh must enter the shadowy Otherworld and confront the powerful prince who rules there...

Comment: After having read he previous trilogy by the author about Sevenwaters, which was the original, I knew there were three more books to please all the devoted readers out there. In previous months I've been purchasing them and this month I started reading. The Heir to Sevenwaters keeps the story going years after the happenings in the third book in the original trilogy.

This story is narrated by Clodagh, one of Lord Sean's daughters. The book starts with the marriage of Clodagh's twin sister, Deirdre. There is worry too because their mother is about to give birth and she very much wants a boy, but her health isn't as good as it could, plus her age and her worrying don't help. When a boy is successfully delivered, apparently things should improve, but something terrible happens and Clodagh is the only one who can help the family. She travels to the world of the Fair Folk and with the aid of one of her cousin Johnny's warriors she must do her mission and bring back her little bother before her mother despairs. But Clodagh also learns things aren't as obvious as that and maybe it's not about her at all...

The best thing about the books of Juliet Marillier's, I've come to understand, is how magical everything is, and I don't mean the magic in the stories. The author has a special talent of turning every little thing special and almost magical, which is alluring and so captivating, the reader feels part of the story. I don't now how many times I felt like crying when Clodagh was telling things that moved me or made me put myself in her shoes and imagine what would be like. We often say this about several author's writing, but in this case, I think this author is the queen of making the reader feel that way.

The story follows Clodagh's thoughts, actions and feelings. She's the narrator and we know everything from her eyes. There are many things she believes to be true or a certain way, but then she learns best and her mind changes and she isn't afraid of saying so, she isn't as proud as to be superior to others. I liked this side of her and how she was fair to those around her.
Being Clodagh a good character to see in the main position, we can more easily understand what is happening without her thoughts distorting what we see.

The action takes its time and is full of puzzles and little clues everywhere about what is happening. In a way, this is what slows the reading a bit, because most things have another purpose, a certain goal and the reader has to pay attention to all the details and that doesn't allow a super fast reading. On the other hand, it's better to savor and taste all the gifts such writing provides. I think it took me a while, as it happened with the previous books by her, to get into the mood and tone and s«pace of the story, but after being used to it, things progressed better.

There's a mystery in the story, one we slowly start to consider the more clues we get. At some point it becomes obvious and the main thing is how will that play into the HEA and how will be the path towards that. It's not easy and Clodagh and her helper have a lot to understand and solve before their final battle and success. Apart from the expected folklore about fae and myths from the old Ireland of the Celts, there are many details about the way of life in those times, it can be seen how much research the author has put into this, and her talent to write and to create an involving world.

There's a romance too, very cute, very encompassing. True love really conquers all and there's such beauty in these romances...
We also learn things about other characters that made me happy, namely about Johnny.

The reason I don0t give a better grade to this is the loss feeling. A couple of bad things happen, the moving forward of the books tell the reader what has been lost in the meantime, and I can't help but feeling sad over some things. There are deaths here that make us think and feel bad and it seems part of the author's trademark, that life has its share of bad things. I get it but it still leaves a bittersweet taste in my reading so...
But all in all, another great story and I can't wait for the next one.
Grade: 8/10

Juliet Marillier - Child of the Prophecy

Magic is fading... and the ways of Man are driving the Old Ones to the West, beyond the ken of humankind. The ancient groves are being destroyed, and if nothing is done, Ireland will lose its essential mystic core.
The prophecies of long ago have foretold a way to prevent this horror, and it is the Sevenwaters clan that the Spirits of Eire look to for salvation. They are a family bound into the lifeblood of the land, and heir promise to preserve the magic has been the cause of great joy to them... as well as great sorrow.
It is up to Fainne, daughter of Niamh, the lost sister of Sevenwaters, to solve the riddles of power. She is the shy child of a reclusive sorcerer, and her way is hard, for her father is the son of the wicked sorceress Oonagh, who has emerged from the shadows and seeks to destroy all that Sevenwaters has striven for. Oonagh will use her granddaughter Fainne most cruelly to accomplish her ends, and stops at nothing to see her will done.
Will Fainne be strong enough to battle this evil and save those she has come to love?

Comment: This is the 3rd book of the Sevenwaters series. I guess many people still talk about them as a trilogy, but the truth is there's more than 3 books so far, so...
As I've got the books and decided to read the first three this summer, september was the month for the third story.

This book tells the story of Fainne, she's the granddaughter of the heroine from the first book. Fainne was raised by her father and the evil grandmother. She was set to believe a certain pattern of acting and was led to believe there was only one way to help her father, who she thinks might die if she doesn't do what her evil grandmother tells her to. So, she embarks on a journey to do her task and by doing so she can put in danger the new family she meets in Sevenwaters. 

Well, I didn't like this story as much. The heroine is a good girl but she makes some not so good decisions while coerced by her evil grandmother. However, some are accidents and one thing here and there aren't as much and I couldn't put aside the fact she didn't measure the stakes of her her actions. She grew up through the story, but in the end, when she finally accepts another way of thinking, I thought it wasn't as believable or enough to surpass what she did before.

Fainne tries do help and protect her father and that is something to admire but I thought she could've trusted some people, she could have tried to talk to her father before she left home. It would have made sense even if she were to travel anyway. While she went on her travel she did try to be good but sometimes things got out of her control.
I didn't think this book as emotional as the previous ones. The characters are known from before and the writing and plot are superb as always, but the main storyline isn't as appealing as the others.
Then there's the end, it was all about the prophecy alright, but I wasn't very pleased with the way things ended for Fainne. She ended up with an HEA and good beat evil in the end, but it wasn't as thrilling as I imagined considering the whole thing came developing since book #1. Besides, Fainne has to live a certain way, apparently until she dies, and I thought it was all so lonely and definitive. I didn't picture things like that, although I understand the reasoning and it did made justice to the prophecy.

All in all, it wasn't a bad book. But I was really hoping for more. Of these three first books, the first one was my favorite. I know there are three more and I do intend to read them. Next year only...I'll try to get them and read them somewhere next spring. Hopefully.
I recommend the series anyway. It's wonderfully well written fantasy and no one should miss it.

Juliet Marillier - Son of the Shadows

Beautiful Sorcha is the courageous young woman who risked all to save her family from a wicked curse and whose love shattered generations of hate and bridged two cultures.
It is from her sacrifice that Sorcha's brothers were brought home to their ancestral fortress Sevenwaters, and her life has known much joy.
But not all the brothers were able to fully escape the spell that transformed them into swans, and it is left to Sorcha's daughter Liadan to help fulfill the destiny of the Sevenwaters clan. Beloved child and dutiful daughter, Liadan embarks on a journey that shows her just how hard-won was the peace that she has known all her life.
Liadan will need all of her courage to help save her family, for there are dark forces and ancient powers conspiring to destroy this family's peace--and their world. And she will need all of her strength to stand up to those she loves best, for in the finding of her own true love, Liadan's course may doom them all...or be their salvation.

Comment: In the sequence of my reading the first book of the acclaimed Sevenwaters trilogy by Juliet Marillier, another month means reading another book. This time it was the second book, which some people whose opinion I share, seemed to enjoy the most.

This second book features Liadan, she's Sorcha and Red's daughter and she proves to have inherited many of her mother's skills. Like it happened to her mother before, she also has the task to helps someone in need and by doing so, she is sealing her fate. Then Liadan has to make choices, has to think about which voices from the Fairy Folk to listen to and most of all, she has to learn to accept things and to do what's true to her heart, otherwise the fate of Sevenwaters won't be the same her mother has suffered so much to win over.

These are the kind of books we feel might have some sort of doomed things to come. I started the book knowing some things wouldn't be happy or easy. The anticipation itself is difficult because I felt I couldn't really rest throughout the story just wondering when something bad would happen. I know this isn't meant to be happiness all around and if things didn't happen the way they do, then it wouldn't be the same story, but my heart breaks by reading some scenes. Once again, I've cried like a fool while some things were happening. Sometimes we wish to keep forever some things with us...whether it's a person, a memory or even the hope for something...

So, sadness it's to be expected in this novel. Also to see is Liadan and her struggles to be someone good and respectful of what is going on around her. In this book the things taken for granted after Sorcha's victory over the curse aren't that easy to maintain. But Liadan has a heart of her own and she tries to be true to herself and the legend she is living. I couldn't help but being amazed at some turnabouts in the story, things I wasn't expecting but that gave the plot much more strength. I was very curious over several subjects at the same time.

All in all, in this book we see many emotional happenings. It's the personal lives of the characters we met, it's the things they are doing and hoping and it's what all that means to us, as a person. Many of the things in there seem very far away and on one hand it's easy to put ourselves in a distant place as this is a fantasy story, but on the other hand it's complicated, because those things, the emotions the story brings to us touch our personal ideals, our own memories and in that way, it's hard to put that distance between us and the story.

I liked the story and how Liadan went after what she wanted and believed. There is political fights and moral ones too, in the book. In the end, some people have another part to play, others come back and others find another way to be. It's something to process, as we learn to care for the characters. The very end was a bit melancholic for me, not bad, just...thoughtful.
Let's see what the third book tells us.

Juliet Marillier - Daughter of the Forest

Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives, they are determined that she know only contentment.
But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift--by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever.
When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all...

Comment: Another book that has been waiting and waiting....the whole trilogy, actually. I got it several years ago and I wanted to save it for the "right" time - what is the right time, I ask, but all readers have those, don't they? When a certain book is right for? - but it never felt like it. Then I thought this was it and here I went, to read it. Like happens with most series I wanted to read a book a month so this time it was the first one's turn.

Sorcha is the youngest of seven and she is very close to her brothers and everyone knows they care for each other all the time.Their father is very focused on his battles so he doesn't see when he's being bewitched or how that is affecting his children's lives. One day, her new stepmother makes her move and Sorcha is the only one left to make things right but for that to happen she must endure so many tears and sacrifice...but she accepts it because her soul is good and there's nothing she wants more than to have her family back.

I lost count on how many times I've cried while reading this novel. I never thought I'd feel so many emotions during this time because despite knowing many people felt this book was wonderful and captivating I never imagined it would be so heartbreaking as well.
Sorcha has a tough path to walk while trying to get her brothers back. I think most people know this a take on the fairytale of the woman who must sew her brothers shirts while they are swans and she must never speak a sound or the curse won't be broken. The story is told from Sorcha's perspective and we see everything she does and what happens to her since the story begins to her task and what happens after. Of course the reader feels it more strongly this way than it would be if it was a third person narrator, but I thin it's mostly due to the author's writing talent. The story is beautiful, even in the sadder moments, and the author knows how to enhance it well.
While we feel sad over Sorcha's difficulties and the awful things she must deal with, we also see her falling in love and once again, nothing is free..in order for us to gain something good, there's always some price...at some parts it as really hard to not feel something and it was particularly difficult to want to see the good ones have some win and that didn't always happen.
Still, Sorcha's path was full of adventures and challenges and she never lost her goal, she always believed he could make it..right until the end, where she takes a chance and things could've gone wrong, but thankfully they didn't. So, she got her brothers back - it's more than obvious the story had to go that way - but things weren't that simple anymore. I guess, when you go through something, whatever it is, that demands a bit of yourself in turn, then it's unlikely you remain the same.
I confess it was what it cost me the hardest to accept. The how the brothers dealt with everything that happened. To this day I still think about them and their choices. It's really difficult for me to accept the way the story ended. It makes me feel sad...but well, Sorcha is happy and we were on time to see one of the most wonderful declarations of love in fiction. It was so beautiful how Sorcha got her happiness!
I really recommend this fantasy story...it's something spectacular.
And I'm told the second story is the mot wonderful of them all....Can't wait to get to it.