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Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters, #1)

Juliet Marillier

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Feb 02, 2016 Lacey Louwagie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fairy-tales, fantasy, retelling, 2016-into-the-forest-challenge

4.5

This book reminded me of why I used to love fantasy so much.*

Reading this, I felt totally immersed in Marillier's world, which she accomplishes by choosing just the right details about her settings and characters to convey. All of Sorcha's six older brothers are realistically drawn and distinct from one another; it seems it would be all too easy for them to dissolve in a jumble of names, but I never had trouble remembering which character traits belonged to which brother, despite the fact tha 4.5

This book reminded me of why I used to love fantasy so much.*

Reading this, I felt totally immersed in Marillier's world, which she accomplishes by choosing just the right details about her settings and characters to convey. All of Sorcha's six older brothers are realistically drawn and distinct from one another; it seems it would be all too easy for them to dissolve in a jumble of names, but I never had trouble remembering which character traits belonged to which brother, despite the fact that the brothers are "absent" for much of the book. The love and devotion Sorcha felt for her family serves as the lifeblood of this story, but it is also more than that, expanding to explore issues of prejudice, recovery from abuse, devotion, and love. And even though Sorcha is mute for most of the book, I was impressed by the way Marillier was still able to convey her engagement with those around her, as well as the way her mute status invited the types of dialogue that would not have been possible if she were speaking. For example, characters told her more than they would have told someone who could repeat their words, and she often communicated with only the most urgent or basic component of what she needed to convey.

This story enriches the source material of "The Six Swans" fairy tale with a deftly drawn world including cultural tension, family loyalty, and the clash and interweaving of pagan and Christian beliefs. It stays close enough to the original to satisfy most fairy tale fans, while also creating a complete enough world to draw in fantasy lovers who are unfamiliar with or not interested in the original tale.

The ending is bittersweet in the best way, with, in my opinion, just the right amount of loose ends remaining. I heard so many good things about this book between the time it was published over 15 years ago and when I finally picked it up, and I was delighted to find that all of them were true.

* I still love fantasy, but my reading tastes have expanded so much that I don't read as much of it as I used to when it was my primary genre. ...more

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Nov 14, 2011 Lindi rated it really liked it

Shelves: fairy-tale-retelling, young-adult, indy-girl, romance, speculative-fiction

A classic fairy tale with a strong and independent heroine who saves her brothers single-handedly and while she's at it, falls in love with a sensitive, strong (handsome of course) guy -- what's not to love?

I loved the family relationships, the setting and cultures, and especially how these two people learn to trust one another. Thanks, Leslie! ...more

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Sep 11, 2008 Karla rated it it was amazing

I absolutely loved this book. Perfect blend of fantasy with romance.

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May 15, 2007 Heather rated it it was amazing

May 29, 2007 Sachi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi-fantasy

Mar 24, 2008 Terri marked it as to-read

Apr 21, 2008 Laura rated it really liked it

Dec 11, 2008 Carla marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: own, portuguese

Jul 17, 2009 L rated it really liked it

Aug 02, 2009 Erin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, favorites

Oct 19, 2009 Tara marked it as to-read

Shelves: to-read-fic

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Sep 25, 2011 Adriel rated it it was amazing

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Sep 27, 2016 Anie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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Feb 14, 2018 Nita rated it really liked it

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Jul 04, 2021 Christine Hopkins rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own

Sep 03, 2021 Teresa marked it as to-read

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Jul 26, 2022 Novena rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Apr 27, 2023 Joanne marked it as to-read

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