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Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1)

by Juliet Marillier (Goodreads Author)

4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 · rating details · 21,083 ratings · 1,737 reviews

Juliet Marillier is a rare talent, a writer who can imbue her characters and her story with such warmth, such heart, that no reader can come away from her work untouched. Daughter of the Forest is a testimony to that talent, a first novel and the beginning of a trilogy like no other: a mixture of history and fantasy, myth and magic, legend and love.

Lord Colum of Sevenwater...more

ebook, 384 pages

Published April 1st 2010 by Tor Books (first published April 1st 1999)

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May 21, 2010 Kat Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fun-fantasy, romance-romance-romance, kat-s-book-reviews, australian-writer

***Warning**** Mention of rape and discussion of such follows.

I gave this book four stars so obviously I did enjoy it. There are actually many, many enjoyable elements to this book and I promise to get to them in a moment...

I had rather sad conversation with a very good friend of mine a while back. She had the rather unfortunate (formal word that neglects so much) experience of being brutally raped twice in different situations by different people. She then swore off sex and love and life. So a...more

142 likes · like · see review

May 28, 2010 Tatiana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: all fantasy/fairy tale retellings fans

Recommended to Tatiana by: Harper Bell

Shelves: fairy-tales, 2010, ala-ya-2001

4.7 stars

Aside from a couple of minor qualms, Daughter of the Forest is pretty much an example of an almost perfect debut novel.

This book is a beautiful retelling of the Celtic "Swans" myth, which has been familiar to me since childhood through the Hans Christian Andersen's version - The Wild Swans. Sorcha is the seventh child and the only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. When Colum remarries after being widowed for almost 13 years, the evil stepmother (and witch) puts a dreadful spell on...more

49 likes · like · see review

Nov 24, 2009 Adrienne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-loan

Such a gem to read and have on your bookshelf, full of magic and mysticism, love and romance. One the most beautifully crafted books I've read in a long time, the story line is very simple and has been written about in other reviews ,what makes it extra special is the voice of the narrator Sorcha (sor-ca), she tells her story with such a simple yet very emotive voice that can bring the reader to tears in just a few beautifully put together words. Altho this is a hefty book it didn't seem to matt...more

20 likes · like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 AH rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chubby-chunkster, druid, fae, fantasy, favorites, first-in-series, historical, romance, zzread-feb2011, babr-reviews

What a breathtakingly beautiful book!

It’s hard to describe Daughter of the Forest. It is a fantasy, a historical, and a romance. It reads like a fable or a fairy tale. It has all the elements of a fairy tale – the evil stepmother, a fairy godmother (sort of), an enchantment, an impossible task to accomplish, a prince charming, and a happily ever after.

This has to be my all time favorite book now. I was captivated by the story, mesmerized by the voice of Sorcha, our heroine. I did not put this b...more

29 likes · like · see review

Dec 07, 2012 Keertana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: teary-eyed-reads, swoooon, rainy-day-re-reads, kick-ass-heroines, books-that-linger, favorites, life-changing, beautiful-prose

Incredible. I know I've said I've been speechless when reading books before, but this time, I genuinely don't have the words to express what a masterpiece this novel is. I actually finished this novel early today morning, at around 1:30, but it was only at 2:30-ish that I actually got up to go to sleep. I couldn't get this story out of my head; I simply kept thinking about it. If Juliet Marillier hadn't already made a fan out of me with Heart's Blood, then I'd be tripping over myself to fall at...more Incredible. I know I've said I've been speechless when reading books before, but this time, I genuinely don't have the words to express what a masterpiece this novel is. I actually finished this novel early today morning, at around 1:30, but it was only at 2:30-ish that I actually got up to go to sleep. I couldn't get this story out of my head; I simply kept thinking about it. If Juliet Marillier hadn't already made a fan out of me with Heart's Blood, then I'd be tripping over myself to fall at her feet for truly, this book is remarkable.

Daughter of the Forest is known to be one of the best fantasy novels out there, but it's hard to believe just how good it is until you read it. From its cover, it seems to be a simplistic fairy tale re-telling, but it's a fairy tale like no other. We don't have any knights in shining armor; instead, the princess has to save herself. We don't have an innocent girl for whom circumstances clear up and solve her problem; we have a broken girl who has to struggle to find happiness. Sorcha is the youngest of seven children, six of whom are boys. Thus, she has grown up sheltered, loved, and cared for by her siblings. When her father re-marries, however, bringing Lady Oonagh, a deadly sorcerer, into their peaceful abode, Sorcha's life is turned upside down. Lady Oonagh turns her beloved brothers into swans and the only way for Sorcha to break the spell is to weave six shirts made of a prickly nettle and remain silent for her entire ordeal. It is only when the shirts have been made and worn by her brothers that the spell will be broken, but the journey that Sorcha will embark on will change more than just her future, it will change her very being and shatter her to her core.

Daughter of the Forest starts out slowly, introducing us to Sorcha, her world, and her close relationship with her brothers. Thus, when her brothers are turned into swans, we, as readers, feel just as much pain as Sorcha herself. I could feel myself visibly wincing every time Sorcha was reminded of her past life with her brothers, full of happiness and delight. Daughter of the Forest is a dark tale. A very dark tale. I sobbed for a solid five minutes at one point in this story because of the utter horror of the situation. Yet, despite all the darkness, there is a subtle undercurrent of hope, of happiness, of love. It's all so beautifully interwoven that one cannot help but be reminded of life itself with its ups and downs and darkness and light.

You see, Daughter of the Forest is a painfully realistic tale. Sorcha has an incredible trove of inner strength. I admire her immensely and she's one of those heroines I'll never forget. I could simply be in the supermarket having a bad day and Sorcha is one of those protagonists who will come to mind and I already know I'll tell myself, "If Sorcha could go through all that, I can get through today." Sorcha isn't a saint - she's only human and that is felt so palpably despite the ordeal she manages to go through. Thus, despite the seemingly amazing feats she manages to achieve, Marillier weaves this tale in such a way that she is able to convey that each and every one of these ordeals is possible to overcome, just as anything is with the right dose of love, faith, and perseverance.

Nevertheless, one of my favorite aspects of this novel is, hands-down, the romance. If Marillier is the Queen of Slow Burn Romance, I am the Glutton of Slow Burn Romance. I can't get enough of it and Marillier writes it to pure perfection. What I loved about the romance in this novel, particularly, is the fact that it manages to happen all without Sorcha uttering a word. Somehow, against all odds, Sorcha manages to find someone who understands her very soul, who sees her task as a brave ordeal she is facing, and who can understand her with little difficulty, despite her silence. Furthermore, Sorcha never even realizes that she's falling in love. As the reader, we can see this romance unfold in front of our eyes, but Sorcha's task remains to be the main plot thread, until eventually, Sorcha comes to realize the love she had and how, despite not realizing it before, she needs the very presence of her lover to calm her. For, to be in love isn't necessarily to crave physical affection or even understanding, but often, it comes from the most basic, innocent, and true primitive instinct of needing that other person's presence and strength by you. It is this that Marillier manages to embody so beautifully within this novel and I can't get enough of it.

Daughter of the Forest is a dark, emotional, and achingly bittersweet fantasy like no other. It is one that kept me on the edge of my seat with a box of tissues within the grasp of my hand and a warm blanket draped over me. It's one of those stories that continues to plague you long after you've read it as you marvel over both the author's creativity and skill along with the characters and their complexity. I can't recommend this book enough, but really, everyone should read this. Everyone. Like all fairy tales, Daughter of the Forest contains a trove of themes and lessons and Marillier conveys all this in a subtle and beautiful manner that touches and stays with you like nothing else quite does. Truly, if there's one book you should make yourself read before you die, it's this one. (less)

23 likes · like · see review

Aug 19, 2008 Jon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, read-in-my-40s

Part of me wanted desperately to give Daughter of the Forest four stars. Perhaps if I hadn't read six or eight additional books during the time it took me to finish this one.

Sorcha is the seventh child (she has six older brothers) of the household of Seven Waters in Erin. Her mother died bearing her and her father seemingly can't interact with his daughter because she reminds him of his beloved wife. He throws himself wholeheartedly and ruthless into the defense of Seven Waters.

This is a re-te...more

11 likes · like · see review

Mar 23, 2013 Kathleen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, fantasy-scifi, series-opener, ya

3.5 stars. Wondrously evocative and lyrical. Enthralling. Suspenseful. Redundant. Too redundant. This is an extremely popular romantic fairy tale for YAs (yet I question that classification, as explained below).

Summary, with big spoilers hidden and italicized comments:

Daughter of the Forest is an über-extended take on The Six Swans, set in medieval Ireland, when Druidic and Christian cultures first started to overlap.

Sorcha of Sevenwaters is about 16 years old when the story ENDS. She is deep...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jul 29, 2009 Meridyforgot rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: adults

I just want to say that I have very mixed feelings about this book. It is one of my favorite love stories of all time. It is not some mere trite story. It is meaningful and deep.

However be warned, it does have what I have referred to before as "content". There is a part near the beginning where she is abused. Skip it. There is a part at the very end after they are married. There you go. So if you read it, and want to come away unscathed, be careful. Start at the part where Red finds her(maybe s...more

23 likes · like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 Misty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Misty by: Ashley

Shelves: ya-challenge-2, recommended, folklore-myth-fable-fairy-tall-tale, historical, juvenile-ya, international-multicultural, read-in-2009, retelling, sci_fi-fantasy, own, read-in-2010, favorites, weaving

What can I say, I saved the best for last. Daughter of the Forest is my favorite fairy tale retelling of all time. (So far. Let me know your faves and try to prove me wrong!) I did a mini-review of this once before, but I want to expand on that now, and get a little gushy fangirly.

I read this for the first time after having just finished Wildwood Dancing (also by Marillier). It came highly recommended by a friend, so I was pretty gung-ho. But the first 30 pages almost made me put it down. It's n...more

7 likes · like · see review

Dec 06, 2012 Allison rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fantasy, aficionados-best-fantasy-list, 0400s-1400s, dark-depressing, faerie-fae, classics-retold, fairytale, romantic, mature, ireland, own-it-e-book

Daughter of the Forest is an absorbing, heart-breaking story. It's a retelling of the classic fairytale of the Wild Swans, and it doesn't gloss over the darker implications. Wallowing in the misery of them is more like it.

In Ireland in the time of the Druids, Sorcha is a healer and a true child of the forest. Each of her six brothers is distinctly drawn, and the bonds of love and loyalty between them are firmly established - tangible, almost. As everything falls apart, their closeness makes the...more

6 likes · like · see review

May 04, 2011 Peep (Pop! Pop!) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011, really-liked, what-a-creeper, addicted-to-ya

I judge books by their cover, I admit it, so in all honesty I would have never picked up this book on it's own. It looks too science fictiony/fantasy for me, and I can never get into those books. Also, the way the girl is on the cover kinda reminded me of

(which I still need to finish - I will Chachic!). At any rate, I saw that most of my Goodreads friends had read it and they all seemed to enjoy it... which is surprising because usually we're all across the board.

Atnywho, I picked it up and s...more

6 likes · like · see review

Aug 03, 2008 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fantasy lovers, fans of Robin McKinley, people who love folktales and Celtic folklore

Recommended to Emily by: I saw it on the shelf at my brother and sister-in-law's appartme

Shelves: all-time-favorites-i-will-read-ag

If you are looking for a review that is more about the plot and characters, you'll have to look elsewhere. However, these are my thoughts on my experience of reading this book:

This is now one of my favorite books. It was amazing. There are several reasons I loved this book but there is one that explains all the others - somehow I really identified with the protagonists even though on the surface I am nothing like her. However, I must have found something in her to identify with because I actuall...more If you are looking for a review that is more about the plot and characters, you'll have to look elsewhere. However, these are my thoughts on my experience of reading this book:

This is now one of my favorite books. It was amazing. There are several reasons I loved this book but there is one that explains all the others - somehow I really identified with the protagonists even though on the surface I am nothing like her. However, I must have found something in her to identify with because I actually cried while reading this book. Twice! The really horrific things that happened to Sorcha (the heroine of the story) were so real when I was reading I couldn't help crying for her. Then at the end, I cried for a very different reason but I won't say why exactly because it would give things away.

Crying at the movies is something people admit to a lot. Crying while reading books I think is less common. This is only the 2nd book I can remember that made me cry. The other one was Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, about the Holocaust. I think the mood one is in makes a big different to how one reacts to a story but even so, the story must be told well enough for the reader to identify so strongly.

The other way I know I identified with Sorcha has to do with talking. In order to break an evil enchantment placed on her brothers, she is not allowed to speak or explain why she is not speaking in any way until she is finished with a task set out for her. Therefore all her dialogue for most of the book is in terms of descriptive gestures or thoughts she can communicate with a few of her brothers without speaking. The story is also told in 1st person which makes her silence fascinating since the reader knows everything she wants to say but can't say. As I was reading on Saturday, I was startled when I had to say something to my roommate or if she said anything to me throughout the day. It was as if I was thinking "Don't talk! Everything will be ruined if we talk!"

This book was one that I wanted to never end but at the same time I really wanted to finish it so I could make sure everything turned out okay! When I took it back to the library tonight I almost didn't put it in the book drop, thinking I may want to read parts again. However, I let it go because I do recognize that I have a strong, probably abnormal attachment to books and reading... That attachment, though, is what makes me love reading so much. I have plenty of friends in real life but books are the only friends I can really "hang out" with when I am feeling introverted, if that makes any sense to anyone but me. I can read a book alone and feel completely renewed, the way that extroverts can gain energy from socializing. Reading gives me the energy to really enjoy my extroverted social times. This book is a perfect example because I had a wonderful weekend reading alone but when I went out with friends tonight, I felt more free and willing to socialize than I have in a long time. Maybe I just needed to have a good book to talk about ;)
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14 likes · like · see review

Feb 28, 2008 Angela rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: folklore-fairytales

I would not recommend it, especially to young adults. The story was beautifully woven and the writing is very engrossing, but there is graphic description of abuse that did not strengthen the book and was very unnecessary. It pretty much ruined the book for me.

11 likes · like · see review

Jul 29, 2012 Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: could-not-put-it-down-books, favorite-series, favorites, historical, romance, supernatural

I first read this incredible book in March of 2010. Before I had finished it I had ordered all the books in the Sevenwaters series. Before I finished the series I had purchased every book Juliet Marillier had written. She is a storyteller like no other.

A friend of mine is reading Daughter of the Forest now, so I decided it was time to re-read it. I can not tell how much I enjoyed this re-read, and I felt I had to re-write my review. Daughter of the Forest takes place in about the 5th century in...more I first read this incredible book in March of 2010. Before I had finished it I had ordered all the books in the Sevenwaters series. Before I finished the series I had purchased every book Juliet Marillier had written. She is a storyteller like no other.

A friend of mine is reading Daughter of the Forest now, so I decided it was time to re-read it. I can not tell how much I enjoyed this re-read, and I felt I had to re-write my review. Daughter of the Forest takes place in about the 5th century in Ireland, a time of superstition and a sense of the supernatural This is a kind of re-telling a new version of an old Celtic "Swans" legend. Told in in the first person by Sorcha, the seventh born child of a seventh son, she has six older brothers. Not only was she not the desired boy, but her mother died shortly after her birth. Lord Colum of Sevenwaters, her father, is devastated by the loss of his wife and leaves the raising of this daughter mostly to her brothers. Although they practice the old religion, an old priest teaches the children in his cave not far from their home. Sorcha has a special bond with her brother Finbar, and they can communicate through the mind. She later finds her brother Connor can also communicate with her in this manner and is probably a candidate to become a Druid. The seven children have a beautiful relationship that is like no other I have encountered in books.

It is up to the reader to find out about Sorcha's beautiful, painful, and sometimes dreadful story as she follows a path perhaps destined by those of the "otherworld" as the forests of Sevenwaters are the home to entities seldom seen but who do exist.

Sorcha's first disruption from her happy life as a child is when a young Briton man is captured and tortured for information. Her brother Finbar comes to her for help in rescuing him and taking him to the priest's cave to hide him and to try to heal him. The priest then seeks Sorcha out for her abilities to heal as the young man needs help healing his mind as well as his body. When Sorcha is called back home because her father has brought home a bride to be, she has to leave this young man, Simon, who has come to depend on her. She is devastated when he disappears into the forest where it appears there is no way he can survive in the condition he is in.

I am only going to give one more part to the story. Sorcha's new stepmother is evil and the time comes when she reveals her power as a witch to Sorcha and her brothers and turns all six brothers into Swans. Sorcha escapes and encounters the Faery Queen in the forest who tells her what must be done to release her brothers from the spell. The brutal and painful task that is put on her will take a very long time to complete and would be beyond the endurance of any but the bravest and most dedicated. We follow Sorcha through a series of twists and turns that can not help but impress the reader with the bravery, determination, and courage of this heroine. For one night twice a year her brothers will become human again and seek her out and otherwise she will be alone. I cried more than once in this book, but it is a beautiful wonderful story. It is a love story in many ways, a family love and the love of a man and a woman too. I will forever love Finbar. I know I will re-read this book many times, and since I have read all of the series so far, I love them all - each is the story of another of the wonderful mystical Sevenwaters family and their world.

EDIT I am adding this as I could not resist taking up Son of the Shadows again for a re-read. I just wanted to add that throughout this entire series there is a thread of the "Fair Folk" weaving the story of these people's lives. The interfere at times and yet the individuals have free choice - to follow or to defy them and to change the direction of the weave. A quote from the next book, "Sooner or later , the Fair Folk would decide it was time: time to meddle in our lives again, time to pick up the half-finished tapestry and weave a few more twisted patterns into it. Which would they choose? Was one of us the child of the prophecy, who would at last make peace between the people and the Britons of Northwoods and win back the islands of mystic caves and sacred trees? Myself I rather thought not. If you knew the Fair Folk at all, you knew they were devious and subtle. Their games were complex; their choices never obvious.....Didn't it say something about bearing the mark of the raven? Nobody knew what that meant, but it didn't seem to fit any of us."...Liadan-daughter of Sorcha.

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6 likes · like · see review

Sep 08, 2012 Chachic rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: actual-books-owned, favorites, would-love-to-reread, retelling, fictional-crushes, best-of-2010

Reread parts of this for Seven Days for Sevenwaters.

2010 review: Originally posted here.

I have mentioned Daughter of the Forest several times here on my blog because I've heard so many good things about it. Book blogger and Goodreads friends have told me that this novel is one of their favorites and because it's a retelling of the fairy tale The Six Swans, makes it more than interesting for me. This was my Want Books? pick just last week and luckily, Fully Booked had one copy left. Sure it was...more

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 29, 2012 Elise rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Elise by: Carla *Jen7waters*

Shelves: fantasy, own-paper-copy, 2012, series, fairy-tale, 5-stars, favorite-female-character, favorite-male-character, favorites, reviewed, favorite-series

Five stars doesn't seem to be enough. In fact, I want to go back and give all of my five star books four stars because they just can't compare. These characters will be in my heart forever, and this book has forever changed what books I choose to read.

My only regret is that I chose this book when I had to actually DO things, like work and SLEEP.

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 25, 2013 Filipa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, library, not-own, portuguese-books, 2013-reads

Originalmente visto aqui

Sevenwaters é uma região que faz parte de Erin, antiga Irlanda. É uma região algo misteriosa, com os seus costumes encantadores, tradições seculares e lendas maravilhosas. Quem governa este domínio é Lord Colum, que vive aqui com os seus sete filhos. Seis rapazes e uma menina, Sorcha. A sua mulher morreu já há alguns anos, deixando a Lord Colum e aos filhos o trabalho de proteger a única filha dos males deste mundo. Lord Colum, sempre ocupado em campanhas militares, na g...more Originalmente visto aqui

Sevenwaters é uma região que faz parte de Erin, antiga Irlanda. É uma região algo misteriosa, com os seus costumes encantadores, tradições seculares e lendas maravilhosas. Quem governa este domínio é Lord Colum, que vive aqui com os seus sete filhos. Seis rapazes e uma menina, Sorcha. A sua mulher morreu já há alguns anos, deixando a Lord Colum e aos filhos o trabalho de proteger a única filha dos males deste mundo. Lord Colum, sempre ocupado em campanhas militares, na guerra contra os Bretões, pouca atenção dá à filha, visto que esta lhe faz lembrar a sua amada mulher. E os filhos representam uma ajuda preciosa nas suas batalhas.
Os sete irmãos estão assim destinados a tomar conta de si mesmos, sem direcção do seu pai a não ser as visitas ocasionais, como senhor da casa. Contudo, algo de mau está para acontecer e estes sete irmãos vão ter que passar por uma jornada muito difícil. Sevenwaters corre o risco de desaparecer e com ele o legado da família de Sorcha.
Os piores receios desta família tornam-se realidade quando Lord Colum anuncia que irá desposar Lady Oonagh, uma mulher aparentemente encantadora, mas com um interior completamente vazio e maldoso. Esta acaba por lançar um feitiço aos habitantes de Sevenwaters, mas os seis irmãos acabam por ser transformados em cisnes, animais selvagens sem qualquer consciência humana e assim o domínio de Sevenwaters cai em mãos alheias. Sorcha é a única que poderá desfazer este feitiço e libertar os seus irmãos. Mas a jornada que se prepara para a pequena Sorcha é uma que se revela longa e complicada e as Criaturas Encantadas, que povoam as florestas de Sevenwaters, nem sempre são um aliado na sua demanda.

Juliet Marillier é uma autora conhecida e reconhecida em todo o mundo. É tida como uma das melhores de fantasia de todos os tempos. A sua capacidade mais prezada é a de conseguir pegar em contos e lendas e trabalhar com este material mantendo o núcleo praticamente inalterado, mas trabalhando os outros elementos a seu favor, moldando os seus personagens e os seus enredos, até criar lendas vivas com a sua marca única. A sua habilidade narrativa, responsável pela criação de tantos e tão belos mundos e realidades, continua a tocar várias gerações. Adolescentes, adultos - toda a gente lê esta autora e poucos são os que dizem que os seus livros não os marcaram de alguma forma especial.
Eu aparentemente, era a excepção até este livro ter sido um dos mais votados no meu Desafio aos Leitores.
A minha ignorância sobre esta autora não era total. De facto, já muitas vezes tinha ouvido falar bem das suas obras, mas sendo que fantasia nunca fez parte dos meus géneros literários favoritos, nunca tive oportunidade de dar atenção a esta autora. Contudo, nos últimos 2/3 anos tenho tentado explorar outros géneros e abrir o meu leque de leituras. Como anteriormente outros livros já me provaram, posso estar a perder muita coisa boa.
E a verdade é que hoje em dia, leio um pouco de tudo e as surpresas nunca acabam. Este A Filha da Floresta, naquele que marca o início de uma trilogia sobre o domínio de Sevenwaters, foi outra desta surpresas não só dentro do mundo da fantasia, mas dentro do mundo da literatura.

Entrei para esta aventura sem qualquer tipo de expectativa. Sem saber muito bem o que podia encontrar, foi com algum vagar que entrei deste mundo maravilhoso de Sevenwaters. A escrita da autora é daquelas únicas. Não posso dizer que seja uma escrita leve, de absorção rápida e indolor. Não. Na verdade, achei a escrita e a narrativa desta autora muito densas, mas igualmente ricas. É uma leitura que se faz com vagar, de modo a absorver todo e qualquer pormenor. Não achei uma leitura fácil, mas achei uma leitura mais proveitosa que outras por causa disso mesmo. As descrições e a construção do enredo foi algo muito trabalhado e isso nota-se conforme se avança na leitura. A imaginação é o melhor companheiro para esta leitura. Com as descrições das paisagens, este livro tem uma componente visual muito grande, como qualquer outro dentro do mundo da fantasia, na verdade.
Ajuda a que esta construção seja feita de modo algo gradual, no entanto. Conforme o leitor se embrenha neste mundo, a autora vai enriquecendo o enredo com mais descrições e mais pormenores. A dimensão fantástica deste livro foi aquilo que mais me entusiasmou, paradoxalmente àquilo que achava/acho sobre este género literário. Adorei a forma como ela manipulou as lendas antigas e a forma como trabalhou este universo do imaginário.

No que toca às personagens, os elogios também são muitos. Há uma dimensão muito real em todos os intervenientes desta história e deste mundo. É impossível não nos sentirmos ligados a estas personalidades, nem que seja empatia ou pena pelo sofrimento de Sorcha ou ódio pelos vilões. Contudo, a verdade é que sentimos algo por estes personagens. Os protagonistas são aqueles a que provavelmente nos sentimos mais ligados, por razões óbvias. Contudo, o potencial e o talento que Juliet tem para criar personagens complexas e completas encontra-se neste primeiro volume em grande ênfase. A minha personagem favorita neste volume foi Red. Adorei a consistência dele, a boa natureza deste homem, o exemplo que ele dá à sua comunidade. A sua persistência e a sua paixão em tudo o que faz foi estonteante. O seu irmão, Simon, deixou-me igualmente curiosa e é uma personagem que espero ver num futuro próximo.

Dito isto, o balanço que faço deste livro é um muito positivo. Na verdade, a única coisa com a qual fiquei insatisfeita foi com os vilões e o fim destes intervenientes, por assim dizer. O leitor passa grande parte do livro a sofrer com os infortúnios dos personagens mais 'virtuosos', mas de certa forma, os vilões acabaram por não ser explorados da mesma forma que outras personagens foram. Não me pareceu que existisse um verdadeiro equilíbrio entre a construção das personagens e a construção dos vilões. Não fosse isso, provavelmente diria que este livro era material 5 estrelas, pois tem de tudo: acção, mistério, muita riqueza narrativa e uma belíssima história de amor.
Apesar de tudo - uma estreia em grande, diria eu.(less)

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Aug 27, 2012 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A similar review can also be found at http://www.loveisnotatriangle.com/201...

Daughter of the Forest is a beautiful painful fairytale retelling about the lengths that one young girl will take to save her brothers. Although I did not know the story of the six swans before I began it, it has since become one of my favorites.

This is the path. Straight ahead, Sorcha. You knew it would be hard. It will become harder still.

Sorcha lives with her father Lord Colum and her 6 older brothers in a place cal...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Isamlq rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: aaw-yeah, favorites, 2012-favorites

I went from

to this,

There are books that you take little sips from then are those you devour… this a little bit of both. It’s intricately told with a cast of characters each as nuanced as the other that I couldn’t help but get drawn in. That it’s lengthy is of no issue, in fact, I loved that aspect of it. Particularly since it allowed the reveal of who was close to whom and which sibling had what role. But this is mainly about Sorcha though, youngest of the seven among whom...more

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Aug 03, 2012 ♡Meme♡ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: challenging-reads, fantasy, i-own, read-like-a-fairytale, historical-fiction, 5-star-list

What a wonderful storyteller Juliet Marillier is. I absolutely loved this book It was so deep and full of emotions. The retelling of the seven swans was done wonderfully. I thought at the beginning I was going to have a hard time reading this, but the author has a way of telling a story that makes you want to listen and yearn for more.

Sorcha the sister of seven brothers that were put under a spell, had to endure a lot to break the curse the evil witch that also married their father and enchanted...more

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Jul 30, 2008 Pauline rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, fantasy, read-2008, reviews

"Daughter of the Forest" by Juliet Marillier is based on "The Six Swans" a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm.

This fantasy is the story of Sorcha; she is the sister to six brothers who are turned into swans by their malevolent stepmother. The brothers can take on their human form at the seasonal equinoxes. Sorcha is left with the task to liberate her brothers from the curse by never uttering a sound and by weaving six shirts made from starwort. Construction of the shirts is a horr...more

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Jun 22, 2008 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fantasy/fairytale fans

Shelves: fantasy, fairytale, romance

First book in the Sevenwaters trilogy.

Marillier has crafted a gorgeous retelling of a Celtic fairytale. Lord Colum, an Irish widower, with six sons and a daughter, buries his grief at his beloved wife's death by throwing himself into fortifying his stronghold in order to withstand the endless attacks of the Britons.

Finbar believes that his father is too harsh and decides to help a wounded Briton escape from Colum's dungeon. He asks his young sister Sorcha, a gifted healer, to save the man's li...more

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Dec 25, 2008 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is absolutely the gold standard in fairy tale reimaginings/retellings. It's based on "The Six Swans," which is anyway one of my favorite tales, for its psychological complexity, suffering, and mysterious, almost baffling love story. Marillier's version captured me from the first page. It's detailed and passionate and emotionally convincing, and the writing is gorgeous without being overblown. I loved the world Marrillier creates. And what a heroine is Sorcha; what a hero is Red; and GO...more

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Jun 07, 2013 Helena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, las-series-son-un-coñazo

Fun fact: twilight has around 10 reviews written by men in its first page. Who knows how many mothers, sisters and girlfriends were involved in making that happen. This book has none.

What’s the matter with men and women and books anyway? Growing up, I loved Jack London and Jules Verne every bit as much as Enid Blyton and Louisa M. Alcott. Still, as a teen, I read Pride & Prejudice; now I know it so well that I can skim through it in half an hour and feel like I remember every word. I also st...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Susana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fairy-tales, fantasy

No esperaba mucho de este libro, pero tras las primeras páginas me di cuenta de que el setting y los nombres me gustaban y me interesaban y quelos cisnes salvajes es la caña como cuento y siempre me ha gustado.

Esta versión no está mal - el nuevo material encaja bastante bien en general con el antiguo y la base me sigue gustando.

Hasta que los hermanos se convierten en cisnes todo iba bien. En su mayor parte porque las historias de hermanos-a-la-vida-a-la-muerte son un punto flaco mío. Después......more No esperaba mucho de este libro, pero tras las primeras páginas me di cuenta de que el setting y los nombres me gustaban y me interesaban y quelos cisnes salvajes es la caña como cuento y siempre me ha gustado.

Esta versión no está mal - el nuevo material encaja bastante bien en general con el antiguo y la base me sigue gustando.

Hasta que los hermanos se convierten en cisnes todo iba bien. En su mayor parte porque las historias de hermanos-a-la-vida-a-la-muerte son un punto flaco mío. Después... empiezan a desmadrarse las cosas. Para empezar, era estrictamente necesario llamar a Sorcha hija del bosque? Es cutrísimo. Ya me doy cuenta de que se lleva muy bien con las plantitas sin que me lo remachen.

En cuanto se van los cisnes por un lado y la protagonista por otro parecía que se iba a convertir en una historia de supervivencia en el bosque, que me encantan. Y que me encuentro? Que la protagonista más o menos pasa de todo. Hablan mucho de su fortaleza y es cierto que yo no haría lo que hace, pero en la práctica se deja llevar por los acontecimientos. Que hay hambre? Pasemos hambre. Que hay que irse de Irlanda? Si lo dice el fair folk, adelante.

Y todo esto sin hablar de la violación, que yo diría que no viene a cuento. Nunca mejor dicho.

Para seguir, las series son lo peor. Permiten que los autores se dejen tramas sueltas, comportamientos inexplicados y finales poco satisfactorios. Me parece muy bien que la lady of the forest resulte ser una intrigante monumental después de que me la vendieran como la gemela de Galadriel, pero así ha quedado como idiota porque no parece haber conseguido nada.

Y lo peor es que al final esto deja de ser una historia de hermanos amantísimos para convertirse en algún punto en hermanos represores que después del favor que les hace Sorcha dejan de estar incondicionalmente de su parte. Razonable? Es posible. Que me guste? Nada. Y este triste estado de las cosas sirve para justificar que suban al pobre Red a la tarima a explicar en tercera persona sus sentimientos intimos. Que manía de los discursos, joder. De pasada se cargan el personaje de Simon, que me caía muy bien hasta que resulta que sin que nadie se haya dado cuenta quería a Sorcha.

(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Jeanine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-can-t-live-without

All words fail me when trying to describe how AMAZING Daughter of the Forest is. I found myself drawn deep into a fantasy world, filled with unyeilding love, promise, torment, and devotion like no other. The trials that Sorcha and her six brothers withstand are unbelievable. The people Sorcha comes into contact with on her journey and how deeply she affects their lives are breathtaking. I've never read anything like Daughter of the Forest and cannot wait to get lost in this beautiful world again...more

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Apr 02, 2013 Christy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved this book...so 4 1/2 stars may be more appropriate. I imagine the females in my family will now accept me. They have held this series in high regard for at least a few years. My sister finally gave me her copy of the book with one (less than 2 page) part I would not care for marked. I thankfully skipped that section and still shed tears for Sorcha. A beautifully told story!

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Dec 15, 2011 Hilda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-favorites, fairy-tale, tears, magic, young-adult

The story is set in Britain and Ireland before the time of Christianity. The framework for Daughter of The Forest is a Germanic tale, The Six Swans, a wonderful story from the collection of the Grimm Brothers. Daughter of the Forest is a beautiful and tearful tale, and I find myself crying in many parts of the story.

Sorcha (pronounced: Sor-ra) is the youngest child and the only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. After her mother’s death, Sorcha and her six elder brothers live freely. Quiet a...more The story is set in Britain and Ireland before the time of Christianity. The framework for Daughter of The Forest is a Germanic tale, The Six Swans, a wonderful story from the collection of the Grimm Brothers. Daughter of the Forest is a beautiful and tearful tale, and I find myself crying in many parts of the story.

Sorcha (pronounced: Sor-ra) is the youngest child and the only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. After her mother’s death, Sorcha and her six elder brothers live freely. Quiet abandoned by her father, the seven siblings become so dependent on each other. Together they learn the secrets about their forest and the mythic tale which surrounded it.

One day, their father comes and tells them that he brings a new mother for them. Lady Oonagh is a beautiful woman with proper manners, but all the siblings know that she is dangerous. She is not even human. The seven siblings try to destroy her dark power using the forest power, but Lady Oonagh knows what they try to do and catches them. Sorcha is able to escape, but her six brothers must suffer Lady Oonagh’s curse. She turns them into six swans, and the only time they return to their true shape is on the day of midsummer and midwinter.

Sorcha, with help from mythical creature of the forest, knows that there is a way to break the spell. She has to sew six shirts, one for each brother. The shirts must be made from a thorn bush, and she has to suffer the thorns cutting through her hands while she sews the shirts. She must tell nobody about her brother’s spell, and she has to sacrifice her voice until the curse is lifted. If she says even one word before the curse is undone, then her brothers will remain swans forever.

I find the story is really beautiful, and there are times I find myself drawn deeply into the story. The meeting of Sorcha with a guy from her enemy land plays a great part of the story. Red, the red-haired man who saves her when she is almost drowned, happens to be one of the leaders from her enemy land, Britain. The story of Sorcha and Red is really fun to read. I love most about the way Red protects Sorcha and understands her even though Sorcha can’t say anything at all.

Daughter of the Forest is a really good book and I really recommend it, especially for people who loves remake of fairy tales. Sorcha is a wonderful heroine and she has my sympathy. I admire her dedication and love to her family and her land. Red is a suitable hero to balance Sorcha with his strength and his patience. In short, a must-read book!

Finally I fell asleep, still staring into the candle flame, curled up by small Alys for warmth, with my brothers’ names sounding over and over in my head, as if by saying them I could keep them alive a little longer, just a little. Just long enough.(less)

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Mar 16, 2008 Jackie "the Librarian" rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: female fantasy readers ages 15 and up

Shelves: fairytalesretold, fantasy, favorites

Superb retelling of the Seven Swans folktale, set in medieval Ireland, with the added complication of British soldiers invading and capturing Sorcha, who may not speak if she is to have any hope of breaking the enchantment on her brothers. Some intense content make this inappropriate for young teens. Highly recommended.

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Jul 20, 2011 ~☆ Alice☆~ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: everyone-should-read, the-faye

Thanks Terry for this tip. I started Tithe and this one today and so far love this one but I do not like the other one at all. (maybe I need to give it more pages but the language already gets on my nerves) from this one: "From then on I knew what starwort was, and I began to teach myself about other plants that could hurt or heal. A child tha grows up half-wild in the forest learns the secrets that grow there simply through common sense. Mushroom and toadstool. Lichen, moss, and creeper. Leaf,...more

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About Juliet Marillier

Juliet Marillier was born July 27, 1948 in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Marillier was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and a B Mus (Hons). She has said in an interview that this academic training strengt...more

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Quotes from Daughter of the Forest

“He would have told her - he would have said, it matters not if you are here or there, for I see you before me every moment. I see you in the light of the water, in the swaying of the young trees in the spring wind. I see you in the shadows of the great oaks, I hear your voice in the cry of the owl at night. You are the blood in my veins, and the beating of my heart. You are my first waking thought, and my last sigh before sleeping. You are - you are bone of my bone, and breath of my breath.” — 333 people liked it

“Perhaps this is what the stories meant when they called somebody heartsick. Your heart and your stomach and your whole insides felt hollow and empty and aching.” — 154 people liked it

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Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1)

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