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Son of the Shadows

Son of the Shadows

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great!
Review: The Sevenwaters Trilogy is GREAT...with just enough fantasy and myth combined with reality to make it almost believable. Of course, the location being Ireland is perfect. Indeed, I am looking forward to reading the last book in this trilogy and yet, I will be sad to see it end. Let's hope Ms. Marillier gives us other books of this style. I do not care for purely fantasy books so these were just right!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: One for the Storytellers
Review: Liadan is the youngest child of Sorcha, the heroine of the first book in the trilogy, Daughter of the Forest. She has her mother's gift of Sight, those unbidden visions of past and future, of what may be or what will be. Unlike her sister, Niamh, who longs for excitement, Liadan is content with her life at Sevenwaters, their home. Her twin, Sean, is destined to rule as Lord of Sevenwaters after her uncle's death. The family's history has touched magic often and even as Christianity spreads through the land, Sevenwaters worships the Old Gods.

But her life is turned upside down when first, her sister is hastily married away after becoming involved with a young druid, and then she, herself, is kidnapped by a band of mercenaries to care for one of their wounded. She meets their leader, Bran, and over a period of weeks, their mutual acrimony turns to love. But when Bran discovers her parentage, he sends her back to her family in a bitter leave-taking. There is a history between Bran and Liadan's father that she could never have suspected. She returns to Sevenwaters but refuses to reveal anything about her abductors, even when she discovers she is pregnant.

Black clouds have been gathering over the house for some time, and now Liadan realizes that there are family secrets she does not know. She discovers the dark truth her sister hides about her marriage, as the same mercenaries she helped threaten a neighbouring ally and as a friend becomes a foe. Throw into the mix the Fair Folk, who played such a part in her mother's story and now want to direct hers. Then add Liadan's own dilemma of choosing between her lover and her family, and you find yourself drawn into a complex, intricate tale where the past is never left behind.

The author, who based her first book on the old tale of The Seven Swans, has continued to build her world to encompass a second generation and the lyrical, story-telling rhythm of the first book is carried through this one, too. At times the pace does slow, and descriptive prose could have been trimmed a bit, but those are a minor criticisms. This book is atmospheric enough to be the 'forgotten' second act of the original fairytale.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You Have GOT to Read This
Review: Julliet Marillier's books are abosolutley fabulous. She is a great new talent and if you are a fantasy book reader, you should definatly read her books. She takes magic and myth and writes it all her own, making it seem real, making you think, 'Wow, this really could have happened'. She writes with passion, and her stories involve love and hate, war and marriage. She takes fantasy writing to a whole new level. For all who knows, she could be the next Jane Yolen. If you don't want to buy the books, because you think that it's too risky, Marillier being a brand new author and all, you should check your local library for her books. Start with Daughter of the Forest, and then move on to this one, Son of the Shadows. You'll decide to buy them after the first chapter, I should think.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful!!
Review: This book like the first was hypnotic to me!! I read it in two days, staying up extra hours to get to the next chapter! It is amazing how these characters became real to me! I feel like I know them and could reach out and touch them. Their lives are extraordiary and the book really takes you there and lets you become a part of their world. I look forward to the 3rd book! I can hardly wait!!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Servicable but thinly stretched
Review: For someone who has never read the folk and fairy tales on which Ms. Marillier's books are based, I guess it would not be impossible to enjoy these books. As someone who loves the lore from which they are derived, however, I think Ms. Marillier is doing a terrible disservice to it.

The insular narrative is annoying and somewhat tedious to read. I get the feeling that this material was not really enough to be a book on its own, but as we know in fantasy everything seems to come in threes.

This really is a very green author, new to the field and therefore I guess we can give her some slack while she works out her professional chops. But I will be sure to do so in papaerback.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Better and Better
Review: I love this novel! I loved the first in the Sevenwater's Trilogy, Daughter of the Forest, but Son of the Shadows is even better. Daughter of the Forest was a bit predictable, cliche-ish in ots romance ect. But Son of the Shadows just blows all of that away; it is not yor traditional romatic fanasty. Its wonderfull, rich in emotion and detail, and haunting in its vividness. I reccomend this novel to all those who have an imaginantion and love to read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Superb!
Review: Normally I avoid family-saga-dynasty type books like the plague. I hate seeing my favorite characters grow old and have my attention shifted to the children. But this is the only exception to my rule. Liadan, though not Sorcha, is still a strong and formidable character. She carries the book on her own. It was hard to let Sorcha go, but Liadan was a worthy person to take her place. I cannot wait for the next book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Once again....
Review: Marillier will pull you into her world, and you'll find yourself unable to leave. I read this book in a single sitting. I found myself transfixed by the continuing saga of Sorcha and Hugh, and the family they now have. The 'Painted Man' was a wonderful touch. Dog, Snake, Gull, while all men of questionable pasts, are turned into some of the most memorable characters in the book, and in the end, the most sensitive. Score another for Juliet Marillier! I cannot wait for the next book..........

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Son of the Shadows is a Shining literary masterpiece
Review: After having read the first novel in the Sevenwater Trilogy, I couldn't wait until the second book came out. Juliet Marillier did not dissapoint me........in fact she surpassed my expections with her insight into the human soul and her endless imagination. A work of literature that is so filled with myth and magic yet still contains the reality of human emotions and relationships is truely a rare jewel. I have been enveloped in the world she has woven.......so much so that I don't know how I will survive without being able to get my hands on the final chapter to such an engrossing story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: I absolutely could not put this book down. It was a wonderful follow up book to "Daughter of the Forest". Everyone needs to purchase this book and follow Liadan daughter of Sorcha back through a time where the old ways are preserved and the existance of love and life are strong. I can not wait to read the 3rd book in the trilogy "Son of Prophecy".


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