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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
I loved Daughter of the Forest so much. But this was not it. The plot made no sense. I liked the love interest for the most part but that ending was just ridiculous. There were some scenes where I got a spark of what I loved from the first book, but not enough to rescue this book for me. What really bothered me though was how Marillier handled Niamh. Characters that I loved just acted in ways that made no sense to me whatsoever.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 - if I can't put a book down that's a 5 star to me, I read this till 2am and my kindle died. It doesn't require reading the first book in the series (reading it does give more depth but it's not required depth) which was really nice.
Even though I didn't love this one as much as DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST, I still really liked it and I flew through it. The writing is great and I love following this family and all its troubles, for some reason it keeps being 'entertaining' enough for me to keep going.
I hated and loved the passing of Sorcha. Obviously, I didn't like that she had to die at all, but the way Marillier wrote it was really well done. She took her time, it wasn't rushed and there was plenty of forewarning, which I appreciate as reader.
I also at first struggled a little with the romance between Liadan and Bran, but by the end I came to love them, there just was a high standard after Sorcha and Red, ya know.
There were a couple of things that didn't work for me. First and foremost, Niamh. The way her own family treated her, the way no one spoke up for her, the way they judged her. And then the way they treated Liadan completely opposite, for similar transgressions... wow. I didn't really see the point of that.
Also, Aemon's character could have been a little more fleshed out. He turned bad bad really quick, but only after being rejected by a woman?? His cruelty towards Liadan and his sister (and the Sevenwaters family as a whole, with Liam being killed) came a bit out of nowhere. And even towards Bran and his men, I mean sure Aemon swore vengeance, which I took to meaning he wants to kill Bran, but then all of a sudden he's into torture??
I also at first struggled a little with the romance between Liadan and Bran, but by the end I came to love them, there just was a high standard after Sorcha and Red, ya know.
There were a couple of things that didn't work for me. First and foremost, Niamh. The way her own family treated her, the way no one spoke up for her, the way they judged her. And then the way they treated Liadan completely opposite, for similar transgressions... wow. I didn't really see the point of that.
Also, Aemon's character could have been a little more fleshed out. He turned bad bad really quick, but only after being rejected by a woman?? His cruelty towards Liadan and his sister (and the Sevenwaters family as a whole, with Liam being killed) came a bit out of nowhere. And even towards Bran and his men, I mean sure Aemon swore vengeance, which I took to meaning he wants to kill Bran, but then all of a sudden he's into torture??
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest
I basically cried the whole way through this re-read. While I love this whole series, Son of the Shadows is a clear favourite for me. It is here that Marillier some of her best characters and scenes: so many that I couldn't even try to list them. Liadan is such a strong, awe-inspiring character, but I also love her stubbornness (and the fact that she makes more than a few 'mistakes'). This is an emotional story, and a complete tale on its own - here is a second novel that isn't just a placeholder.
I could rave about this novel, this series, this author, all day... Even 18 years after I first read it.
(Side note: Yes, there were a few moments where I could see how the the pacing and writing could have been improved upon, but I have LOVED this book for 18 years and I wouldn't change a thing.)
I could rave about this novel, this series, this author, all day... Even 18 years after I first read it.
(Side note: Yes, there were a few moments where I could see how the the pacing and writing could have been improved upon, but I have LOVED this book for 18 years and I wouldn't change a thing.)
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved this one too! There were similarities with the first but it was also different enough that it didn’t feel repetitive. I did not rate it quite as high because I felt like it took some time for Liadan to feel solid; she was kind of inconsistent for her age and within the book to me. Also, I thought that the way the old magic and the Fair Folk were used and contrasted were a bit erratic and confusing, also prophecy. maybe it’s supposed to be that way at this point but still a bit awkward. i kind of felt more should have been going on with Ciaran too but that is probably for another book. I appreciated how the telling of stories was worked in. and I did like the main romance, and Liadan experiencing the Sight, and her learning healing of the mind and so on.
could not put this book down, Marillier really does a fantastic job so far in this series weaving fantasy, real world, and romance together to create a compelling narrative!
I honestly can't tell you how many times I have read this book over the last 10 years, but I can tell you that each time I fall in love anew, finding something different to adore about the story. The novel is enthralling, it breaks my heart and mends it simultaneously. If you're a fan of strong heroines, deeply rooted and intricate plots, and heart wrenching love, pick this one up immediately.