26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fantasy Filled With Love, Magic and Celtic Lore- Excellent, June 18, 2004
Since my childhood, I have always loved a good fairy tale and Juliet Marillier's Celtic-themed Sevenwaters trilogy is a real winner - for both teens and adults alike. "Son of the Shadows," book two in the series after "Daughter of the Forest," is every bit as good as book one. A second generation of the Sevenwaters family is introduced here and many familiar folks from the first book have roles to play also. The characters are wonderful. They change and grow so much throughout the novels, that it is easy to care about and empathize with them. And the magic is...well, simply magical.
Sorcha, the "Daughter of the Forest," married her beloved British husband Hugh of Harrowfield, who gave up his ancestral home to move to Erin and live with his wife at Sevenwaters. Together they became stewards of the enormous estate which, with its magical forest and strong ties to the old, druidic faith, prosper under their care. They have been blessed with three children: Niamh, who is as beautiful as she is willful; Sean, strong and capable like his father; and Sean's twin, Liadan, who, like her mother, is a gifted healer and seer.
Liadan's birth was not foreseen by the fairy folk, the Tuatha de Danaan, who so frequently intervene in the lives of this family. It is they who are determined to preserve the old ways through those of the Sevenwaters line. Neither Liadan's mother nor the magical beings who populate the age-old forests of Sevenwaters had counted on Sean, (whose birth was predicted as part of a prophecy), having a twin sister. This lack of foresight gave Liadan the power to change things previously ordained - to defy prophesy. But Liadan does not want power nor does she want a position of leadership in the clan. She is shy, and prefers the art and lore of healing to the more common pleasures of girls her age. Yet, it is Liadan who is finds herself thrust into the midst of the enemy, and taken away from the family that has loved and sheltered her. She is carried off to heal a dying outlaw, a mercenary in the band of the notorious and feared "Painted Man."
This is a beautiful tale of familial devotion, self-sacrifice, steadfastness, adventure, travel - and above all, of love that must be strong enough to defy all odds - with a hero who is worthy of the exceptional young woman Liadan is. Although the plot and subplots are very strong this novel is definitely character driven. And, as noted before, Ms. Marillier develops her cast of characters and gives them great depth. As with all fairy tales, there is magic at work here, just the right amount to awe but not to disturb reality too much or take away from the characters' independence and ability to choose.
Although "Son of the Shadows" can be read and enjoyed without reading the first book, I strongly recommend reading "Daughter Of The Forest" before picking-up this terrific novel. ENJOY!
JANA
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant compliment to it's predecessor, June 1, 2001
I stumbled along Marillier's book Daughter of the Forest when a friend that I swap books with gave it to me. I was somewhat skeptical at first but when I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I bought Son of the Shadows the day it came out and spent a sleepless night finishing it. I am an avid Science Fiction and Fantasy reader and I can honestly say there have been very few authors who have been able to lure me so completely into the characters world. I can not think of a better compliment to give Marillier than to say her character developments remind me of Orson Scott Card's. She makes you understand why people are the way they are and to sympathize. Son of the Shadows in a continuation of the Seven Waters Trilogy and tells the story of Liadan, the daughter of Sorcha and Hugh (who were the main characters of Daughter of the Forest). While not as fantasy driven as Daughter of the Forest it still keeps hold the fairy tale basis established in the first book. Marillier's is so good at pulling you into her story that every pain and joy she writes becomes your own, not allowing you to see it as just a story. It is an excellent compliment to Daughter of the Forest which has quickly become one of my favorites and I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates a well thought out and well written story .
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Follow Up, January 25, 2001
After reading Daughter of the Forest, I was eagerly awaiting Son of the Shadows, and I was not disappointed the main story is of Liadan, Sorcha's youngest daughter and it is full of mystical folk law tales and adventure. If you enjoyed Daughter of the Forest then Son of the Shadows is a must read.
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