Series: Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier ("Daughter of the Forest")

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Buddy read for books 2-6 of the Sevenwaters series. Please use spoiler tags and tell us which book and chapter/page/percentage you're talking about. Book 1 is a group read:

Daughter of the Forest >> First impressions | Final thoughts

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[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Content warnings for those who want them.


Daughter of the Forest: (view spoiler)[ rape, mutilation, religion, torture, negligence of children, loss of autonomy, harm to animals including graphic death of 2 dogs (hide spoiler)]
Son of the Shadows: (view spoiler)[ loss of loved ones, torture, domestic abuse, rape, incest (hide spoiler)]
Child of the Prophecy: (view spoiler)[ loss of loved ones, suicide, torture, fire, death of a dog, war, murder, all kinds of sexual dubiousness (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

I added the CWs I can remember. Anyone who has read these more recently, please let me know (in spoiler tags or send me a message) and I'll add!

[DivaDiane]

I really enjoyed Daughter of the Forest and plan to continue with the series. Not sure if I’ll manage to get to it as quickly as some of us who read DotF recently, though.

[Aga]

Thank you for CWs, Anna. Any (view spoiler)[harm to animals or killing animals (hide spoiler)] in the sequel?

[Anna]

I tried to think about that, but I don't remember for sure.

[Nicol]

Aga wrote: "Thank you for CWs, Anna. Any [spoilers removed] in the sequel?"

I recently read it and don't remember any

[Aga]

Nicol wrote: "Aga wrote: "Thank you for CWs, Anna. Any [spoilers removed] in the sequel?"

I recently read it and don't remember any"

And this is a good news.

[Christopher]

So I just received my copy of SoS, when would people want to start?

[Feliciana]

I can start whenever.

[Aga]

I’ve got an e-book and I’m ready to start.

[Christopher]

Ok then -- no time like the present, let's begin!

It's a long book -- my copy weighs in at 580 pages -- my goal will be to finish by the end of April, but I'll post thoughts here along the way.

[Aga]

Ok, I’m starting this evening :)

[Jen]

I picked it up yesterday, not quite ready to start but I’ll join in a few days. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts.

[Christopher]

Read the first 20 pages and it's nice to slip back into this world. Fun to hear glancing references to characters for whom we know the in-depth backstory.

[Aga]

Chapters 1-2:(view spoiler)[I'm impressed that Red decided to teach his daughters how to protect themselves. Finally! I hope they are going to be more independent than their mother.

At first, Niamh and Liadan's relationship reminded me of Sansa and Arya from GoT. But Liadan is rather Sorcha 2.0, so far.

I like that we have fairytales told by the characters again. Young druid is going to make some trouble, I'm sure of it. He is the lost half-brother, right? I wonder how did they find him and what has happened to Oonagh. (hide spoiler)]

[Christopher]

@ Aga I'm in a similar place in the book and I agree with your theory on the druid

[Aga]

I’m in chapter 7 now. I think, I’ll split my thoughts by chapters later today.

[Christopher]

I'm on Chapter 4.

(view spoiler)[ I hate how Niamh wasn't told about the druid's true identity and why it was impossible for them to be a couple.
I suppose that is the type of thing that happens in a story like this though. Liadan's capture was surprising! Her care for Evan mirrors a bit her mother's story. I loved the tale of Cu Chulain around the fire. (hide spoiler)]

[Anna]

Chris, I hated that so much! It's the number one reason why I have such a difficult relationship with this series :S

[Aga]

Hah, I was so busy yesterday I didn’t have time to write down my thoughts. And I couldn’t sleep, so I’m in chapter 9. I have to say this is more engaging for me than DotF. I have a serious problem with putting it down when I start reading.

Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[I agree! This is so frustrating! Why didn’t they just tell them "Oh, and this young druid is your uncle. You know girls, THAT uncle". Liadan says somewhere in the book, that secrets have divided the family and she’s right. It’s so horrible how Niamh was treated in this situation. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[I was surprised too. There was something off about the woman asking for help, but I didn’t see that coming.

I was impressed how Liadan was handling the situation. She isn’t just Sorcha 2.0. She is much more independent.

And I love the stories she was telling. (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Chapters 5-6

(view spoiler)[Ok, I usually hate Stockholm syndrome/romance confusion but here we have a magical connection element and it works for me somehow.

Bran reminds me of Simon. He’s behavior seems similar. Is it possible he is Simon’s son? He hates stories and women… He knows about Liadan’s parents and hates them, especially Sorcha. (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

One more thing about chapter 6: (view spoiler)[ The weakest point so far is the Dog’s death. It counters everything we know about Bran and his men. What was he doing there alone? How was he spotted? They are usually like a bunch of ghosts. Why couldn’t he defend himself? Ok, the opponents outnumbered him, but he is one of the most skilled assassins. I don’t buy it. It’s not convincingly explained. I think the only purpose of this scene is to Liadan kill somebody out of mercy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7-8:
(view spoiler)[ Liadan seems more and more independent and brave. I’m glad that Red had learned something after his horrible failure with Niamh’s situation. I’m only surprised that the family sees that Niamh is not okay and they do nothing.
Eamon is going to cause trouble, I’m sure of it.
And now we know what has happened to Finbar. But I don’t understand why Ciaran and his mother are a secret. Or this is a secret because it causes the whole chain of events: Liadan finds out her sister’s romance, she accompanies her on her way to the new home, gets abducted and so on.

The history of the Sevenwaters was interesting and I bet it will be very important later. (hide spoiler)]

[Christopher]

Chapter 5:

(view spoiler)[I'm getting a little bit of a Wendy, Peter Pan, & the Lost Boys vibe (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Christopher wrote: "Chapter 5:

[spoilers removed]"

Hah, exactly what I felt reading this part. With a hint of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

[Christopher]

Around page 200
(view spoiler)[I was wondering why this was blurbed by a romance review but now makes more sense this does have a bit of that aspect (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

I’m glad that the romance didn’t overtook the story.

I’m in chapter 12 suddenly… I’ll gather my thoughts tomorrow.

[Christopher]

I'm targeting 20 pages a day so it'll likely take me most of April to finish this unless I happen to accelerate at some point

[Aga]

The story picks up the pace from chapter 9 in my opinion.

[Aga]

Chapter 9:
(view spoiler)[An emotional rollercoaster. I suspected what has happened to Niamh but it was hard to read about it.
And then Bran came back into the story, what a surprise!

But there is no explanation about the Dog and the circumstances of his death. I still don't buy it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10:
(view spoiler)[Ok, I love complications to the plan. I'm usually very angry if in the story characters plan to do something, do it, succeed, or the end. I need my potion of complication.
I liked Bran's improvisation skills. But I was a little surprised that Eamonn let go so easily.

So, Bran is Johnny! I thought he was Simon's son. I wonder what has happened in Harrowfield? (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-12:
(view spoiler)[I cried a lot reading these two chapters. Sorcha's death was sad but beautifully written. I'm so curious what Red will find out in Horrowfield.

The big secret about Ciaran's identity seems silly. It was stupid to keep it and destroy Niamh's life. Liadan is right that this secret is exactly what has awakened the evil forces and divided the family.

I'm a little surprised that no one asks about the raven and where it came from. (hide spoiler)]

[Feliciana]

Aga wrote: "Chapter 9:
An emotional rollercoaster. I suspected what has happened to Niamh but it was hard to read about it.
And then Bran came back into the story, what a surprise!

But there is no explanati..."

(view spoiler)[ I agree with you. Keeping Ciaran's identity a secret made no sense to me. How the family treated Niamh was horribly unfair, especially forcing her to marry. The double standard of how she is treated compared to Liadan was frustrating. (hide spoiler)]

[Christopher]

I just finished chapter 9:

(view spoiler)[ Ugh, I hate all the secrets! (hide spoiler)]

[Aga]

Christopher wrote: "I just finished chapter 9:

[spoilers removed]"

Prepare yourself for more 😆

[Anna]

And even more if you read the next book!

[Nicol]

Ann wrote: "Aga wrote: "Chapter 9:
An emotional rollercoaster. I suspected what has happened to Niamh but it was hard to read about it.
And then Bran came back into the story, what a surprise!

But there is ..."

I agree with all of you! Unnecessary drama in my opinion, leading to such sadness :(

[Nicol]

Anna wrote: "And even more if you read the next book!"

Yes! But I still really liked the 3rd book.

[Christopher]

Page 420 or so...

(view spoiler)[ I thought Sorcha's death scene was sad, but well done. (hide spoiler)]

[Christopher]

About to start chapter 14 and starting to think if I want to read Child of the Prophecy next... would anyone want to read that too? I'm definitely planning to read it at some point, just a matter of when.

[Aga]

I have finished the book just before Easter. I’ll gather my thoughts today. I’m interested to see how the story goes, so I want to read the next book. I’m reading A Darker Shade of Magic right now and then Lirael early in May. And there’s a scheduled RR for The Night Circus… So I’ll be available at the end of May if it’s not too late for you.

[Christopher]

Late May works for me, I have a few other books I wanted to get to first also so this is good. Looking forward to it!

[Aga]

Nice. I’m writing it down in my calendar.

[Anna]

The first three books form a nice complete story arc. I think it was originally going to be a trilogy? I don't remember the other three books well enough to add any content warnings, but I think if you've made it this far, you already know what sort of things to expect.

[Aga]

Chapter 13:
(view spoiler)[Another strange element is Liadan’s (and Finbar’s) hesitation to talk about visions. I understand that they are afraid to push events in some horrible direction but so far it’s the other way around.

I’m not a big fan of Sean and I wasn’t sure about his intentions towards Bran. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14:
(view spoiler)[Reading the book I have thought that there will be a moment when Bran will be forced to save Liadan. What a pleasant surprise that it’s Liadan saving Bran. I love how she has dealt with Eamonn. The plan has worked without any complications but it was dramatic enough. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15-16:
(view spoiler)[So Liadan was right and Ciarán himself admitted that it was Conor’s secret that pushed him towards Oonagh.

Simon’s role in Bran’s was rather minor. (hide spoiler)]

Final thoughts:

I have to admit that all those secrets were irritating but I liked the book very much. Liadan was strong and independent women in comparison to her submissive mother. Bran was an interesting character too. I’m very curious what is going to happen next. And who has caused the fire.

[Tamara]

Regarding all the difficult events contained in these books (and all of her books): the author has said that she tries to write about what people actually experience that is painful and hard. It seems she deliberately weaves these into her stories, and so her characters do face very hard things, as listed in the 'content warnings' above for these.

I don't think it's possible to enjoy reading about those things happening, and sometimes I've been disappointed with the author for including them. But she always demonstrates redemption and healing - usually through other people, animals, and supernatural elements. The characters go through such hard things, but they come out of them, and do good in the world. They use what they've experienced to work for it not happening to others, or to give love instead, or to deal with their weaknesses and become better.

This is the aspect I really like about her writing, despite the uncomfortable things. So I think that, even though these things exist in her books, and you could be put off by that, and want to avoid them if these things have occurred for you or others, or you just feel sensitive to them, they show a way out. How people have dealt with them and overcome them - not easily, but through the things mentioned above. I think this is, then, not dangerous to read, but hopeful and healing. And I think this is what the author aims for - that her stories will be hopeful and healing for people who are sensitive to these things.

So it's possible that a brave and careful reading could yield benefits, and not end up a negative thing or something to be avoided. In the right cirumstances, of course, which you have to judge for yourself. Sometimes even a story of hope and overcoming is still too much, with such things.

[Aga]

My sensitive spot is violence against animals. I usually have to prepare to read a scene like that or just skip it. If it’s frequent in the book, it goes straight to my DNF shelf.

The sequel has only mentioned one event like this in the past. Just a line or two about that. It wasn’t that bad.

I know that authors use this to show how evil some characters are, but I think it’s a little lazy, a shortcut. You don’t have to kill a dog to be evil.

I hope the next book will be safe to read. If you encounter something like this, just let me know.

Oh, and if any of you need a specific trigger warning, let me know.

[Anna]

Aga there is more of that in three but not as bad as the first book.

[Aga]

Anna wrote: "Aga there is more of that in three but not as bad as the first book."

It should be ok.

[Christopher]

I finished this yesterday and although it resonated a little less than the first one I enjoyed it enough to want to continue with the series (which we'll do at the end of May!). Honestly my favorite part was probably the stories from Irish mythology so there may be a case that I should read more of that directly! But I did like Liadan a lot and compared to Sorcha she seemed more confident and an active protagonist.

[Nicol]

I look forward to everyone's thoughts on book 3 - hopefully I'll still remember the biggest thing I wanted to discuss by then!

[Anna]

Nicol, you can post it now so you don't forget! :)

Also I really want to know what it is :D