Rating: 
Summary: All that was bad about Daughter of the Forest
Review: A second star only because it is about vikings. This is a moronically simple tale full of ludicrous characters and plot-lines, told in a clumsy, heavy-handed style. The main character is dumb, beautiful, and ever-conscious of the rights of women, and he also happens to be a berserker. As was the case with Daughter of the Forest, the author seems to think it's important to let us know how well-endowed her male characters are, i.e., "I see why they call you 'the little ox' ! ".
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful
Review: After finishing the Sevenwaters trilogy, I was eager to read her other books, but hesitant as well. Although the beginning of this book got a bit long describing Evyind's life, I understood that it laid down a foundation for the rest. I enjoyed the romance much more in this book than her Sevenwaters trilogy. There was more leading to the romance and less abrupt in the coming together of the two people. Although I'd like some new material from Ms. Marillier rather than just having a heroine nurse a hero back to health all the time (like most of her other books). I enjoyed it at first but would like something new and maybe some more obvious romantic tension (kinda like in this book but more). Additionally, I liked how she wrote a little bit about the life they lead after coming together (some books just end at the part where the couple gets together and it always leaves me curious to know more). There were some cheesy parts in this book but it was a good, leaves-a-goofy-grin-on-your-face cheesy. Something I'd like to read in her sequel is about the life Evyind and Nessa have together and not just cutting straight to their children. It's a bit depressing to read about the people, who you cheered for in the previous book, die or become minor characters. I'm sure their lives can still be interesting and challenging after they come together... Thus far, my favorite book from Ms. Marillier is the first book in the Sevenwaters Trilogy (Daughter of the Forest) though it could've had more romance earlier, the characters and situation pulled me in and made it very interesting. Overall, I have really enjoyed Ms. Marillier's books and hope to read more in the future!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not up to par
Review: Although I felt this was a strong foray into another world for Marillier, Wolfskin never ended up affecting me as strongly as her previous Sevenwaters trilogy. The book in general was an excellent read, with some extremely haunting parts regarding Somerled's acts that made the story more real for me. However, after bringing the story to an emotional height, Marillier still had about 100 pages to go, and those 100 felt a little too dragged out for me. Although the fate of the Isles still had to be decided by the end, I felt as though much of the tension and interaction between the main characters had already been resolved, leaving me a bit bored while waiting for the ending to fall into place. I would still recommend it as a good book -- just doesn't compare to her first trilogy.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: Although I personally preferred the Sevenwater series, Wolfskin was a great book with many of the same characteristics as her previous series. If you want to know what it is about the best way is to go to Juliet Marillier's Website.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: Having read The Sevenwaters Trilogy, I was somewhat nervous about reading this new effort by Marillier. Too often in the past, I have been disappointed by second series from an author. Not this time. I won't try to compare the two, as this is a more realistic painting, with less, though not empty of, the magical elements of the old myths and legends. It is an excellent psychological portrayal of disparate personalities, forged in totally different settings and cultures. Marillier's blending of historical reality and fantastical imagination was well paced, beautifully worded and ended with a combination of both hopefulness and a fear for the future. All the characters came vividly to life. The basis of the story is written in other reviews, but the beauty of the book is in how it is brought to life. There is no stereotyping, no simplistic escapes. There is no dumb Norseman, no feministic ranting, no male chauvanistic chest beating. For a reader who likes depth to his or her fantasy reading, who likes character and plot development over gory action, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: read the other titles and it sums it all up
Review: I absolutely ADORED the Seven Waters Trilogy... but not so much the same reaction for Wolfskin.
For a little background into the story, there's a young stoutly honorable fellow by the name of Eyvind who is our protagonist for this evening. The setting is back in Norway in the time of free-range Norsemen. Eyvind has but one goal in his life - to become a wolfskin which is an uber elite killer/beserker type of person. He's also one of the people you have a lot of trouble rooting for because he's so oblivious to EVERYTHING that I was to the point of hoping that he just might accidentally fall off a cliff or something and a new protagonist would appear in his place and not be so idiotic. But, anyways, Eyvind also has a good chum by the name of Somerled who would put most sadists to shame because they cared too much. So these two become blood brothers, and in the begginning of this tale, there's a story told about two blood brothers and one of the fellows asked him friend to help get revenge on this one family and kill 'em all, but as it so happens, the friend was in love with one of the people in that very same family... but ended up killing 'em all anyways... cuz they were blood brothers. ANd basically, to some it all up, Somerled asks Eyvind to do something bad and hence the dilemma.
I just didn't like any of the characters. I'm one of those people who needs to care about the main people otherwise, no matter how well written and how engrossing the plot, I can't really like the book. The only reason I'm not giving this book 3 stars is because Juliet Marillier wrote this and I really like her style... but she should definitely stick to the more folk lore type story plots and stronger, more likable, LESS DUMB characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Painfully stupid.
Review: I adored "Daughter of the Forest." Sorcha was an achingly human heroine, with all her faults and virtues, and her struggle to redeem her brothers from their stepmother's curse was heartbreaking. The remaining two books of the "Sevenwaters Trilogy" weren't quite as well done, but beautifully completed the tale. So, I eagerly looked forward to Ms. Mariller's next tale. What a disappointment. Instead of a vulnerable, yet strong heroine, we get a dumb lummox. Eyvind only wanted to be a Beserker, an exceptionally violent Viking warrior who would sacrifice his conscious choices to kill in service of Thor and his king. So...dumb obedience replaces conscience. Or, as Sommerled, his cunningly manipulative and amoral friend would say, Don't try to think...you're not any good at it. Sommerled, the villain, is the more interesting of the two, in his straightforward dedication to making himself king of the Isles. He lies, murders, outwits, and manipulates everyone around him. Those who see through him either die, or quietly escape. Evyind, however, because Sommerled manipulated him into a "Blood Brothers Forever" type oath as a child, continues to blindly believe the best of Sommerled long past the point of the reader's screaming frustration. With the help of Nessa, a native priestess of the Isles, Evyind finally gets a clue about Sommerled's true nature...but not until murder, betrayals, and bloodshed have permanently damaged the Isles. Thanks Eyvind...but too little too late for me. Forget this one and read "Daughter of the Forest" for a heroine you can believe in.
Rating:
Summary: Another masterpiece
Review: I can't wait for book 2. I found this Sunday at my local Barnes and Noble...took it to my favourite pub, and was so engrossed I let my beer get warm *lol*. Before I knew it I was halfway through and finished it last night. Evyi and Nessa made for fine hero's in the tale. Somerled, while twisted and devious, had a certian spark that you can't help but hope he comes around. Once again Marillier has struck gold.....
Rating:
Summary: very good
Review: I couldnt put it down.... Well worth a read!
Rating:
Summary: satisfactory
Review: I loved the Sevenwaters Trilogy and when I found out Marillier had written another book I ran to get it. I started reading it but it did not grip me the way Sevenwaters did. It took me quite awhile to finish it and I just was not left with the urge to read more. It is a good book and I'm glas I read it but there is something lacking.
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