A magnificent saga set in the Celtic twilight of 10th century Ireland, when myth was law and magic was a power of nature, brilliantly brought to life: the legendary story of an evil stepmother opposed by a seventh child. Lord Colum of Sevenwaters is blessed with seven children: Liam, a natural leader; Diarmid with his passion for adventure; twins Cormack and Conor each with a different calling; rebellious Finbar made old before his time by the gift of Sight; and the young compassionate Padriac. But it is ...
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A magnificent saga set in the Celtic twilight of 10th century Ireland, when myth was law and magic was a power of nature, brilliantly brought to life: the legendary story of an evil stepmother opposed by a seventh child. Lord Colum of Sevenwaters is blessed with seven children: Liam, a natural leader; Diarmid with his passion for adventure; twins Cormack and Conor each with a different calling; rebellious Finbar made old before his time by the gift of Sight; and the young compassionate Padriac. But it is Sorcha, the seventh child and only daughter, whose birth was the cause of their mother's death, who alone is destined to defend her family and protect her land from the invading Britons and the clan known as Northwoods. For Lord Colum has been bewitched by the sensuous and malevolent Lady Oonagh - and Sorcha's six brothers are bound by a spell that only Sorcha can lift. Exiled from Sevenwaters and cast out into the forest and beyond, Sorcha falls into the hands of the enemy. She finds herself torn between the life she has always known and a love that comes only once. And still she must work to lift the spell that has turned her brothers into six vulnerable swans. This is an old Celtic legend in its own right, here brilliantly evoked and brought to life. All of the brothers are beautifully delineated characters, and Sorcha has a unique inner strength that drives the narrative to a startling series of endings. Like Marion Zimmer Bradley's MISTS OF AVALON or Jean Auel's CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR, this is first-rate historical fantasy that can have the widest possible appeal, taking in also the readership of historical fiction writers like Mary Stewart (THE CRYSTAL CAVE), Mary Renault (THE PERSIAN BOY) and Anya Seton (AVALON).
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Add this copy of Daughter of the Forest: Book 1 of the Sevenwaters to cart. $14.63, good condition, Sold by Reuseabook rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Gloucester, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2000 by Voyager.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages.
Add this copy of Daughter of the Forest: Book 1 of the Sevenwaters to cart. $15.05, good condition, Sold by Goldstone Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ammanford, CARMS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2000 by Voyager.
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Add this copy of Daughter of the Forest to cart. $105.61, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2000 by Tor.
I highly recommend this book to any fiction or fantasy lover. Marillier's work is brilliant; Daughter of the Forest is my favorite. It takes old stories from the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, and she makes it a phenomenal story all her own. I've read it over and over. Excellent read, excellent author.
Ellyb
Nov 8, 2008
Oh, the heartache!
Written in a rich, captivating voice, "Daughter of the Forest" is one of my new favorite books. The mood is atmospheric and intense as the legend behind "The Wild Swans" is fleshed out into minute detail. I was impressed by just how well the author manages to avoid obviousness of plot and denouement, even though those who are familiar with the legend or Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale version will have a pretty good idea of how it all will end. Also, the six brothers are defined in personality and character, not all fading into the next as easily happens when there is such a great number to include. Sorcha is an empathetic, likable heroine, and the reader will ache with her as she goes through trials that would easily obliterate the spirit of someone less committed to her task. There are indeed some things in this book that are not for children, so parents should proceed cautiously. Sorcha travels practically to Hades and back, experiencing the worst of what humanity can do to itself before her story comes to a close. Through all this pain, however, is a very strong and heart-achingly beautiful love story that is utterly believable with the fantastic circumstances of the book.
dolphingirltay
Sep 6, 2008
Beautiful
This book is Beautifully written, and one of the most compelling I've read. I agree that it definitely has a Celtic Flavor, and is a lovely story, but would add to the previous review that there is one bit that's rather graphic, so it may not be suitable for younger readers.
badams
Apr 4, 2007
Read and re-read
I will start by telling you that this book is a little slow at first but it has to set the scene. I got to the point that I couldn't put it down. I even read it during meals to my husband's exasperation. I have re-read sections repeatedly and the flavor of the book just gets better. If you have no interest in Celtic history or myth, this may not be the book for you. It is NOT fantasy in the sense of supernatural happenings, although there is a small amount of it in the book. It is also told from the woman's point of view which some people don't enjoy (I don't know why). Gripping, detailed, wonderful.