Since I reviewed Daughter of the Forest a few weeks back, it seemed only right to close the year out with the sequel. Just another one of those perfect books I read before I started reviewing books and then sort of shied away from reviewing because it's well nigh impossible to do justice to a book you have all the feelings for, you know? It also happens that this is not only one of my very favorite books of all time but one of my favorite winter reads, as the night of Midwinter's Eve plays rather a large role in the story. SON OF THE SHADOWS is one of those unexpected wonders and another example of how to absolutely kill it with a sequel. If you asked me if it was possible for Juliet Marillier to write a sequel as good as the first book, I would have immediately laughed out loud and uttered a resounding no. I truly didn't believe it was possible to follow Daughter of the Forest with anything that would even remotely measure up. Well, I was never happier in my life to eat my words. Because SON OF THE SHADOWS blew me out of the water. I finished it ready to say that it was not only as good as but better than its predecessor. I'm pretty sure I still think it is. It's hard because they're both stunning, and while Liadan is different from her mother Sorcha in many ways, she shares the strength and determination and goodness that made me fall in love with her mother. I love them both unreservedly, as I do both of these dear, dear books. If you haven't read this one, perhaps this winter is the perfect time to sink back into the world and family of Sevenwaters once more. My mother knew every tale that was ever told by the firesides of Erin, and more besides. Folks stood hushed around the hearth to hear her tell them after a long day's work, and marveled at the bright tapestries she wove with her words. She related the many adventures of Cu Chulainn the hero, and she told of Fionn mac Cumhaill, who was a great warrior and cunning with it. In some households, such tales were reserved for men alone. But not in ours, for my mother made a magic with her words that drew all under its spell. She told tales that had the household in stitches with laughter, and tales that made strong men grow quiet. But there was one tale she would never tell, and that was her own.Liadan has grown up surrounded by the love of her family and the peace and safety of the forest of Sevenwaters. The younger daughter of the beloved Sorcha--the young woman who sacrificed everything for her brothers and won them back from the clutches of the powerful sorceress Lady Oonagh--Liadan has tried to emulate her mother in every way. A talented healer, she spends her days making salves and medicines and taking care of the people of the keep. She is also a twin, an unexpected third child to her parents. And because she was unforeseen, her mother feels certain Liadan's path will be her own, that she is outside the pattern, and that her choices may have the power to change things for good or for ill. But Liadan has no idea just how outside the pattern her path will take her, until she is abducted on the road while on a journey to visit her sister. Taken by the band of the Painted Man, she is forced to offer her services as a healer or pay the price of failure with her life. From the tales whispered around firesides at home, Liadan knows the kind of ruthless killer the Painted Man is. And so she is determined to use her skills to save the man in question, and then return home to her family as soon as is humanly possible. But just as the Fair Folk took an interest in her mother's fate, an even deeper magic is at work in Liadan's. And though the outlook is bleak, and the people around her may not be entirely what they seem, the light of hope still burns as does Liadan's formidable will to survive.To say that SON OF THE SHADOWS holds a special place in my heart is a bit of an understatement. Okay, it's a massive, massive understatement. I love it when an author shows you just how much she has in her arsenal by exceeding every expectation you had and then some. Where Daughter of the Forest was a retelling of a fairy tale, this one is all her own, and the places she takes it are incredible. I think about these characters on a regular basis, they've become so much a part of my consciousness. I fell in love with Liadan first, because she refused to give up on on those she loved. When she was backed into a corner, she pushed back with everything she had. Like her uncle Finbar, she wants more than the rules of her world will allow. And when she comes up against those constraints, she devises ways of holding onto those she has called hers. There is much of darkness in this book. Each character is forced to deal with the pain of their past and the shortcomings of their present. Some of them succumb to their faults and some rise above. But what I love best of all is the ways in which they reach out to each other, across the barriers of time, gender, race, and space. Across even the margins between this world and the next. As with its predecessor, the love story is second to none. I think I fell even harder for these two for how hard they had to work to keep their happiness. Amid the harshness and the violence surrounding them, their bond was doubly precious for its ability to outlast adversity and to mend that which is broken. Here is one of the passages closest to my heart. It comes early on and it just encapsulates Liadan (and the lovely writing):I sat there and made my breathing slow and calm, and told myself what I had told others many a time: Breathe, Liadan, the pain will pass. The night was very quiet; the darkness a living thing, creeping in around the two of us. I felt how tight strung his body was; I sensed his terror, and how he fought to conquer it. I could not hope to touch his mind, nor did I wish to see more of the dark images it held. But I could still speak, and it seemed to me words were the only tool I had for keeping out the dark."Dawn will come," I told him quietly. "The night can be very dark, but I'll stay with you until the sun rises. These shadows cannot touch you while I am here. Soon we'll see the first hint of gray in the sky, the color of a pigeon's coat, then the smallest touch of the sun's finger, and one bird will be bold enough to wake first and sing of tall trees and open skies and freedom. Then all will brighten and color will wash across the earth, and it will be a new day. I will stay with you until then."The color of a pigeon's coat. One bird brave enough to sing of tall trees and open skies and freedom. That is Liadan. That is the power of her hope and her incomparable will. In this beautiful book of light and shadow, of choosing who you will be and protecting those you love, hers is the light that shines the brightest. You could do far worse than give your heart to her and to her story. It will be safe in her hands.
It is, for some reason, extraordinarily difficult for me to explain my feelings concerning this novel. Son of the Shadows is, as all the reviews proclaim, a worthy follow-up to Daughter of the Forest. In fact, both novels are so vastly different that it is practically impossible to compare them and, without a doubt, Son of the Shadows is a beautifully written story, just as heart-breaking and emotionally impactful as its predecessor. Yet, my feelings of awe for this piece are mixed in with guilty disappointment. I say guilty merely because the majority of my friends have found this to be as remarkable a story as the first, and I definitely thought the first was a better novel, and disappointing because I went into this novel expecting it to be just as good, if not better, than its predecessor, and it wasn’t. Nevertheless, I will attempt to push aside my jumbled feelings and convey that, despite what I may have felt, this novel really was a masterpiece in and of itself. Son of the Shadows chronicles the story of Liadan, Sorcha’s daughter. It introduces us to Niamh, Sorcha’s eldest daughter, Sean, Sorcha’s only son and twin of Liadan, and Liadan herself who happens to be a seer. In Sevenwaters, Liadan’s life has been one of happiness and she, more than her siblings, has received the perfect mix of both her parents’ best qualities. Yet, disaster strikes Sevenwaters when, firstly, Sorcha falls ill and slowly begins her descent to death and later when Niamh is found to be having an affair with a man she is forbidden to be with. As such, Niamh is sent away for a profitable arranged marriage, accompanied by her sister, Liadan. On her way home, Liadan is kidnapped by the troop of the Painted Man, a notorious bandit who wants Liadan to cure his blacksmith. It is here that Liadan’s tale truly begins. What I loved about Son of the Shadows was the fact that, in many ways, it was the opposite of Daughter of the Forest. While Daughter of the Forest is a slow journey of trust, with every step taken one that is a little closer to happiness, Son of the Shadows is the unraveling of that trust and the plunge into darkness. Its themes, different from that of its predecessor, explore the true test of faith, of the multiple sides to every action, and of the importance of recognizing that one person’s happiness or correct path does not necessarily ensure happiness for another. It weaves a complex web of belief in others, one that is very fragile and easily broken, and the steady journey to see where each character winds up in the end and if they can survive and mend relationships despite hurdles is an interesting one to watch unfold. In addition to the themes itself, Son of the Shadows contains a very different kind of romance. In this, Liadan swiftly falls in love with one man, and he falls in love with her too, but the moment he finds out that she is from Sevenwaters, he instantly shuns her and refuses to have anything to do with her due to a past mistake of her father. As readers of Daughter of the Forest, it is impossible to understand why Bran, the Painted Man who falls in love with Liadan, could possibly hate Red and their love story, instead of being one in which the reader is waiting to see if the two characters truly love each other, is one where the reader is waiting to see if the two finally wind up together. I’ll admit that the nascence of this romance moved a little too quickly for me and I wasn’t able to form a solid bond with these two as a couple, but as the story wore on, they won me over and I can frankly admit that their love story is just as beautiful, moving, and powerful as that of Sorcha and Red. Furthermore, Bran is easily my favorite character in the tale, proving to be far more complex and tortured than I imagined and the build-up and eventual truth of his past definitely does not disappoint in the least. Nevertheless, despite its positives, Son of the Shadows certainly had a slew of negative aspects as well. Firstly, I have to state that Liadan experienced little to no character growth at all. When we first meet her, she is already an extremely well-developed character, but it is disappointing to see that her personality doesn’t experience much change despite the events she goes through. Instead, her siblings, Niamh and Sean, are much more flawed and humanely realistic than Liadan is, going through far more drastic stages of growth than she does. Yet, despite this, they don’t feature into enough of the storyline, making Liadan the sibling to love, and furthermore, they lack the strong bond between siblings that is so palpably felt between Sorcha and her brothers. In addition, some parts of this novel almost felt forced, most noticeably the drama. As a novel, it started and ended very strongly, but the middle, opposed to lagging, simply lacked something that left me rather detached from the tale overall. Where Daughter of the Forest made me feel like I was Sorcha herself and made me sob and weep and laugh and smile so much my face hurt, I was so consciously aware of reading a book while reading this. At times, Liadan's journey was just as powerful as her mother's, but during other times, it was simply a very good story. Overall, however, I can’t recommend this novel enough. Sure, it has its flaws, but the ultimate message it leaves you with, the character tales you won’t be able to forget, and the lore that never fails to captivate just cannot be missed. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Juliet Marillier is a remarkable author. For any fan of her novels, this is a definite must-read. It lacks a little something that Daughter of the Forest had, but it is an excellent novel in its own right and it is one that I know I will return to and re-read in a few years, this time without that added expectation, and perhaps I will, after all, find it to be just as good as its predecessor at long last. You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
What do You think about Son Of The Shadows (2002)?
Nada melhor que pegar num livro e devorá-lo até ao fim como se não houvesse amanhã.Nada de grandes filosofias, nada de duplos sentidos, nada de descrições monótonas ou escrita complicada. Nada aborrecido, tudo fantástico – e o que não é perdoa-se porque a história envolve e faz sonhar.Sonhar com ambientes de magia, florestas encantadas, criaturas do além, druidas, feiticeiras, maldições e encantamentos, amores avassaladores capazes de derrubar qualquer contrariedade e triunfar.A autora sabe o que faz, o livro prende desde a primeira página e vai ganhando ritmo até atingir velocidade de cruzeiro nos últimos capítulos. Sem demasiados exageros, mantendo um bom equilíbrio entre personagens boas/más, e sem extrapolar demasiado o sobrenatural -o mais importante acaba por ser a tenacidade das personagens, a força dos laços que os unem, e a confiança que depositam uns nos outros.Bom para uma evasão deste mundo cruel, leva-nos de volta a um tempo em que acreditávamos que tudo era possível.
—Carmo Santos
I devoured this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop, and I finished the book in about fifteen hours with breaks in between. It made me wonder why it took me so long to read this second installment to the Sevenwaters series, though the answer came to me pretty quickly as I was reading. To explain why this is, I have to start off with my experience with the first book. The first book, Daughter of the Forest, was an emotional journey. It was a tale about family, sacrifice, suffering, violence, and strength. It was about pushing the very limits of endurance, almost to the breaking point, until when all I wanted was to hold my hands up in defeat for Sorcha and ask wearily for the easy way out, even knowing that the alternative was to lose everything. But even for all that, the tale was beautiful, magical, and romantic. The book affected me deeply and twisted my emotions so that I needed some breathing time to unwind before diving headfirst into another Sevenwaters book.Only recently did I buck up and decide that it was time to pick up the second installment. I was expecting more epic feats of human endurance, something that would twist and overturn my heart. I was, perhaps misguidedly, expecting another Daughter of the Forest. But it was not to be. Don’t get me wrong. I really enjoyed Son of the Shadows. It was very well written, and the plot was interesting. It was a strong follow-up to the first, and I was more than pleasantly surprised at the paths it took. However, if the first book is the ocean during a torrential storm, this book is more like a calm lake during an autumn drizzle. Liadan, the main character, is the model protagonist. Perfect, but not to the point of being annoying. She is the heart of Sevenwaters, repeated several times verbatim in the book. She is strong, loyal, fair-minded, and wise beyond her years. She’s a character that doesn’t require much development because she’s already very developed from the beginning. Bran, Liadan's foil, is similar. He is a haunted man, but aside from his past, you can tell he’s an otherwise perfect male lead. He’s someone who clearly requires the healing skills of Liadan to mend that gaping gap of “imperfect” before he can become a worthy companion to Liadan. It was fun reading about the two because, despite their difficulties, I already knew in the back of my mind, that they would come through somehow. I suspect this is why I got through this book so quickly.Also, it was easier for me to orient myself emotionally in this novel. One of the main themes was authority. Women were much more susceptible to the whims of men, both in politics and the family unit. So were young children victim to the whims of adults. While this is a fair issue to explore, it was a constricting setup and somewhat at odds with the other theme of “deciding one’s own destiny.” Liadan’s birth, after all, was not foreseen, and thus she is an anomaly, someone who can change things, whatever that means. But the constant mention and examples of women being subject to the desires of men became obvious very fast. In short, authority = bad (most of the time); finding one's own path = good.The romance was also pretty direct. The attraction between Liadan and Bran is prevalent as soon as they meet gazes. They were much more physical than Sorcha and Red, which was a refreshing change, but they also faced less hardships. The depth of emotion between the two, while strong, did not reach the shadowy depths of Sorcha’s and Red’s. I still enjoyed reading about Liadan and Bran, though their relationship was not as memorable as their predecessors’. In sum, this book lacked the subtlety and depth of the first, but considering all other factors, it was still a very good story. The writing is strong, the characters are strong (albeit a little too perfect or a little too flawed), and the story itself is strong. I found that this book read more like a historical romance novel but with more spirit, less bodice ripping, and much more of a gripping storyline. Some of the reveals towards the end of the book, especially Niamh’s and Ciaran’s, are definitely WTF-worthy. Overall, a SOLID 4 STARS. Definitely buying the third book asap.
—Kay
Son of the Shadows is the second book in Juliet Marillier’s captivating Sevenwaters series. If you had told me several months ago that any book would measure up to the immediate love I felt for Daughter of the Forest I wouldn’t have believed it. Son of the Shadows was probably a great book, sure, but just as good? Really? I wouldn’t believe it. Until I read it and I had no choice but to face facts: Son of the Shadows is every bit the masterpiece that Daughter of the Forest was. Rather than attempting to capture the same air and emotions, Son of the Shadows managed to grab my heart in ways that Daughter of the Forest had not. Where there had been delayed gratification, now there was a consistent struggle of mind and body, where there had been trust and a definite purpose, now there was uncertainty and defiance. And yet, both books contained a steadfast hope that warms my heart to think on, and a breathtaking romance that I will forever adore.Liadan, the daughter of Sorcha and Red, combines her parents’ best qualities to create a stalwart heroine that is not to be trifled with. She has her father’s strength and patience coupled with her mother’s (and uncle Finbar’s) talent for healing the mind and body. She is exactly the combination the Fair Folk have been hoping for, only her choices prove her characteristics have manifested in ways most unpleasing to what those who shepherd prophecy would prefer. There are times when she despairs that she is only another powerless woman in a world full of unthinking men, and yet she refuses to give in. I love Liadan for her unapologetic strength and desire to earn what she wants from life–not take what life others would give to her.Son of the Shadows reveals an old shadow over Sevenwaters, one we only now begin to see was there long before the Lady Oonagh worked her evil magic in Daughter of the Forest. Here we are able to see how this family was not ripped apart one generation prior, it has been slowly fraying for generations past. The family of Sevenwaters love one another deeply, but despite their love they struggle for trust in one another. Trying to shield those you love can hurt them as much as it could help, and simple actions have dire consequences beyond your imagining. While the idea of a truth that cannot be spoken was quite literal in Daughter of the Forest, the theme is retained with a much more sinister air in Son of the Shadows. It is one thing to be unable to speak, and another entirely to choose not to. Son of the Shadows is as good example as any that life isn’t as simple as it is in the tales.I can hardly discuss my love for Son of the Shadows without discussing the romance. If you like your mystery, feel free to skip ahead, but I feel this is the driving force behind the entire book, and thus cannot go unmentioned. Friends, I loved Bran. The Painted Man who is both terror and hope, who has suffered to the point that he no longer recognizes suffering, he only sees it as his place in the world. Liadan’s love for him comes about unexpectedly, for he is a hard man to love. A man with no past, no future, and a present only in the harsh moments he chooses as his due.“You don’t have to do this alone you know.”Brighid help me. I was suddenly overtaken by the most profound sadness. Arrogance, scorn, indifference I could deal with. Quiet competence was just fine. Arguing with him was almost enjoyable. It was the unexpected words of kindness that threatened to shatter me in pieces.Liadan is for Bran the balance that no other person could provide. When most of us would be shaking him and calling him an idiot for not seeing what is right before his eyes, Liadan is patient and careful as one is with an injured animal, which is sort of what Bran is. Also, I have to mention, I love that in both Daughter of the Forest and Son of the Shadows there is a seemingly nameless character that is given a name by the one destined to love them.Once again I was drawn to love the family of Sevenwaters, Liadan and her siblings, but the highlight of this book for me was Bran’s tribe of Painted Men. The outcasts of every land with no past and no stories of their own who look only to take care of one another and guard those they may call friend if only they are given the chance. As it is clear that the children of Sevenwaters know only one way to love–deeply, it is clear in both the light and shadows of this story that they are not the only ones.Son of the Shadows is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books I have ever read. There are pages I have already read enough times to have lost track, and I know I must obtain a copy of my own as soon as possible so as not to incur massive library fines. If you’ve been wondering if you can go on after taking in the beauty of Daughter of the Forest, take this as my assurance that you can–it will be worth it.
—Heidi
