Daughter of the Forest is a testimony to an incredible author’s 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 Sevenwaters is blessed with six sons: Liam, a natural leader; Diarmid, with his passion for adventure; twins Cormack and Conor, each with a different calling; rebellious Finbar, grown … rebellious Finbar, grown old before his time by his gift of the Sight; and the young, compassionate Padriac.
But it is Sorcha, the seventh child and only daughter, who alone is destined to defend her family and protect her land from the Britons and the clan known as Northwoods. For her father has been bewitched, and her brothers bound by a spell that only Sorcha can lift.
To reclaim the lives of her brothers, Sorcha leaves the only safe place she has ever known, and embarks on a journey filled with pain, loss, and terror.
When she is kidnapped by enemy forces and taken to a foreign land, it seems that there will be no way for her to break the spell that condemns all that she loves. But magic knows no boundaries, and Sorcha will have to choose between the life she has always known and a love that comes only once.
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.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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Very interesting take on an old fairy tale.
Very engaging characters and story line.
Have read and re-read multiple times.
I love this author & all the books in this series. I can reread over & over!
So so so so good. The entire series is a MUST read.
Juliet Marillier is a master at reinventing fairytales and legends. She so vividly portrayed Sorcha’s pain as she labored for years to free her brothers for a sorcerer’s spell that one could scarcely wait for her to complete her brutal task. It’s a spellbinding story and a marvelous beginning to her Sevenwaters trilogy.
Beautifully written, epic love story for fans of rich and romantic historical fantasy.
There is something to be said about an author who can capture your heart and imagination as much as Juliet Marillier.
This story is my favorite (and the rest in the series). I just finished it for about the 15th time and it still holds my heart and mind. I still get goosebumps reading this story. I still find myself smiling, holding my breath and even crying at different parts.
The story of Sorcha, her brothers, of Red – it speaks to me in so many different ways. It is my go to book when I need a magic, adventure, love and hope. The fight for love – both for her brothers and for herself is encouraging and inspiring. The search for truth, the fight for what is right keeps me turning page after page.
I cannot recommend this book enough to everyone I meet.
It takes eight pages for conflict to erupt in DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST, for the first plot point to be anchored to the story, when Finbur quietly defies his father’s anger and refuses to go fight with him.
But it doesn’t matter. The prose is gorgeous and well-fitted for this story, a re-telling of the Grimm’s Fairy Tale THE SIX SWANS. Let me give you an example:
I don’t remember Finbur answering, but later that day, as dusk was falling, he took me back to the lakeshore. In the half light over the water, we saw the swans come home. The last low traces of sun caught a white movement in the darkening sky.
Beautiful. The prose has a dream-like quality well-fitted to a folk tale, or a story of ancient Ireland where Juliet Mariller has chosen to set this tale.
As you are well aware, I am interested in craft, and in seeing what a truly wonderful writer can do. Here is an example of the sheer power of well-chosen words. An example of how you can get away without conflict, or an obvious hook, as long as you have the talent to weave a spell and send the reader into a trance. Five stars.
I enjoyed this book. I loved how the author created an original fairy tale around Irish stories and a new Swan story, magic, and love intermingled. Though the author used sneer too many times. I was raised when ‘sneer’ meant condescending smile. Over the years, that word took on a new meaning- smile.
I recommend this book.
First in a beautifully written series. I have not read a book yet by this author that was not difficult to put down.
I cut my reading eyeteeth on fantasy. And yet, I was still surprised that this book contained one of the most romantic scenes I have ever read in any book. I often roll it around on the tongue of my mind like fine chocolate. It is everything a fan of fantasy would enjoy, as well. The author is a master storyteller.
addictive. :You will want to read it in one sitting. The first of a trilogy. I lost a week with these.