Heir to Sevenwaters

I generally don't make the effort to review a book, but this one is the exception. I would say that Juliet Marillier is my favorite author and yet this is the first review I have done on her books. Why you ask? Mostly because there have been a few reviews, on this site especially, that have been negative. I know that I almost didn't buy this book because of them. I was worried that Marillier had lost her touch like they said. I am so thankful that I stuck with my gut and bought this book. It has become my favorite out of the whole series. Clodagh has now reached top ten level of favorite characters of all time, right up there with Jane Eyre, and Elizabeth from Pride and Predjudce. I know you probably think that Clodagh's keeping some pretty strange company in my mind, huh? :) The reason why is, unlike the rest of the sevenwaters books, Clodagh doesn't have some great destiny, or a fantastic magical power. It's true that she does have the gift of speaking mind to mind with her twin sister, but she is mostly unable to use it throughout the book. Now I'm not against a strong female lead who can kick butt and defy destiny using her magical gifts, and the love in her heart. I think that's why we all read Marillier in the first place. But there is something so incredibly endearing about Clodagh, who acomplished just as much as her Marillier predessesors, but did it without any gifts whatsoever. She defied fate using only love and determenation, one human girl against all the fae. There is something so inately admireable about that. I think that Clodagh is Marillier's most relatable character. I was "with" Clodagh on her journey. I felt her pain and her determination. There were times that I cried with her, and at the end I rejoiced with her. I practically feel like I know Clodagh. Heir to Sevenwaters is some damn good writing. Buy this book, end of story.

When it comes to Sevenwaters, Juliet Marillier always shines. In this fourth installment, which can be read as a stand alone (though way more fulfilling, methinks, if one has read the first three), Clodagh the domestic perfectionist finds herself in a bad position at an absolutely wrong time. Whilst watching over her new born baby brother, her attention is diverted by a sharp - tongued, perplexing individual who asks for love as he pushes her away. When she turns back to her brother, she finds something else that should not be there, something wrong, something not human in place where the baby should have been. What follows is a tense time where she gets blamed for the disappearance. She resolves to go on a quest to find the lost baby and finds way more than most domestic perfectionists are capable to deal with. If you've read the other three novels in this series, I don't even know why you're reading this. Add to cart already. However, if this is your first forray into Juliet Marillier, all the Sevenwaters novels are stand alone and enjoyable in and of themselves. But this is the fourth and it may help to have read the previous ones. Quite frankly, Daughter of the Forest (the first) is one of those novels that lingers, that you read and re-read just because you miss the characters. It should not be missed. Also, it should be noted, her books are not typical fantasy; they may have old Irish myths as their basis, but the characters are fully realized. These are not necessarily fantasy novels, but fabulous novels with a touch of the fantastic that just happen to help move the story along. As for details, Ms. Marillier doesn't disappoint. The writing has a sweet clarity to it with perfect pacing. (I read the whole thing in an afternoon.) One could understand why the main characters were attracted to each other and why they would work as couple. The only thing that I could find fault with (and it's not really even a fault, merely a preference of my own) was that I would have liked to have known a little bit more about a few of the back ground characters. In short, a beautiful novel that I will definitely read and re -read again. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys solidly plotted, character driven books with a touch of romance. Perfect. Her books always leave me dizzy wanting more and wishing that I had selective amnesia so that I could always be reading her books for the first time.

I was so excited to stumble across this book. I had thought I'd seen the last of the Sevenwaters books, which I consider favorites and recommend to friends at every possible opportunity. This did not disappoint. I felt like I'd returned home to all my old friends the instant I began this. I was immediately drawn in, which is not something I can say for every book. I found Clodagh very easy to like, and like the other reviewers, I found it refreshing to have a heroine who had no special powers. She was special because of her bravery, determination and compassion. Cathal was also instantly compelling, and I enjoyed learning about him as the story unfolded. Actually, I enjoyed guessing as I went along and finding out which of my predictions were correct. Without giving anything away, I did manage to guess correctly about his origin, but there were plenty of clues. Like the others in the series, this was a beautiful story. Far too short. I feel sad that it's over already, as I blew through the book in just three days. With certain conflicts left unresolved, I hope this means there will be more Sevenwaters books to come.

I love the Sevenwaters trilogy, and this is a wonderful addition. If you have not read the other three books- Daughter of the Forest (The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1), Son of the Shadows (The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 2),and Child of the Prophecy (The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 3), you can still enjoy this book. If however you are a fan of the trilogy, this is like a warm homecoming! I re-read the trilogy to remind myself of the story arc before I read Heir to Sevenwaters. The plot has been summarized in the previous reviews, so I will not repeat it. However here are my thoughts. Most of this will make more sense if you have read the previous three books, because I use them as a frame of reference to compare this book. Clodagh: What a wonderful heroine! She is ordinary with no special abilities(except to mind talk to her twin Diedre) unlike Liadin from Son of.. and Fainne from Child of... I think this makes her more endearing. She is my favorite heroine second only to Sorcha from Daughter.. What makes her special is that she is not brave or heroic but manages to overcome her fear to do what she must do to save her brother, her parents and her beloved. The Love Story: Again this was my favorite romance second to Sorcha and Red from Daughter of... In fact I think is book is heavier on the romance than the previous two. Clodagh and her love interest are together for most of the book, and I loved their interactions. Fainne and Darragh from Child of.. and Liadin and Bran in Son of... had very fews scenes togther. Tone: The book was much lighter in tone than Child of Prophecy, which was quite dark with a sense of doom. Perhaps because the romance was so heaviliy emphasized, it felt much lighter and more cheerful. I think this was a plus. Selfless love: In the end I think all the Sevenwaters books stress the concept of selfless love for family and for your beloved. This book is no different and it is what lends such a warm and magical feel to the story. Favorite chracters back again: Sean, Conner, Ciaran, Johnny are all back. Liadin is mentioned in passing. She was my least favorite heroine, so I did not miss her presence. I loved that the author brought Ciarin back. There is a shocker revelation about Johnny! Also their is a nice family tree in the front which is helpful. New villian: With the Islands back with the Fair Folk through Fainne's sacrifice in Child of.., we need a new villian, and we get a great one: the Fey Lord Mac Dara. The ending leaves it open for more books to come because the conflict with him is not resolved. Hopefully we will get a new book, maybe with Eilis' story next! If you love fantasy, romance and a heroine centered story you will love this book. If you are already a fan of the Sevenwaters series, this is a must buy.

In the Sevenwaters and Glencarnagh that contain the forest where the Tuatha De Danann Fair Folks dwell, Chieftain Sean is excited and frightened as his wife Aisling carries what he prays is the HEIR TO SEVENWATERS and his beloved survivies as she is on the wrong side of age for childbearing. With his oldest daughter Muirrin the healer married to Evan the healer and his second offspring Deirdre about to marry Southern clan chieftain Illann, Sean depends on his third oldest daughter Deirdre's younger twin capable Clodagh to maintain the household and to to care for her mother. Sean's twin sister, her chieftain husband and their son Johnny, the current heir to Sevenwaters, attend Dierdre's wedding. At the gala Clodagh meets Johnny's personal guardsand she takes a dislike for the uncouth Cathal. Soon after the vows are exchanged, Aisling gives birth to the new heir; but the Fair Folk abduct the newborn and replace him with a changeling. Clodagh and Cathal team up to try to save her brother by entering the insane to humans Otherworld where Prince Mac Dara has begun a dangerous ploy. The fourth Sevenwaters romantic fantasy (see DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST, SON OF SHADOWS and CHILD OF PROPHECY) is a strong entry in a magnificent saga. Juliet Marillier once again shows her skill in writing an exciting "border" thriller that enable readers to believe in the Tuatha De Danann; mostly because of how the humans behave towards the Fair Folk. Sub-genre fans will want to accompany the heroic duo as they enter hostile territory on a quest that challenges their lives and minds as their senses cannot be trusted with a different perception than on their side of the thin separating veil. Harriet Klausner