Seer of Sevenwaters (2010) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 5 stars

“This is the series that introduced me to fantasy fiction and began my obsession with it. After reading this latest installment, I remember why. Marillier is such a talented storyteller and the characters she creates are so believable that you can't help but fall into their world. I hope she continues to write more Sevenwaters stories.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Same as others in this series. Enjoyable, non intellectual read.”

• Rated 4 stars

“The story of Sibeal. Claudagh's sister I don't think I spelled it right. Not one of my favorite stories but like all her stories unforgetable. I knew she would somehow have to end up with Felix. I am glad that she was able to do both follow her druid teachings and be able to love her Felix. I like happy endings. I like endings to books. I am so tired of being left off because another book will follow. Yes, another book can follow but please have some closure to the story. All of Marillier's books are awesome! I think because the story ends but then you get to hear a little bit more about the characters in another book. Well I have to say my life is in transition at this point. Changing jobs and going to school everything is in a process of change. I think that this helped me to relate to the book. Setting off on an adventure and just hoping to get to the end intact! ”

• Rated 3 stars

“This series has been a favorite of mine since the get go and so I was thrilled to bits that she was going to do another installment. However, I fear I got my hopes too high, and though the book was very good, I didn't feel it was up to her usual standards and there were certain things that stuck out to me as not being quite right.

While the book has all the traditional things that make Marillier's novels wonderful, this one didn't seem to fit into the grand scheme of things or tie in the way the rest of her books tend to. Sibeal had proved from Book 3 & 4 to be an intriguing character, but I feel she was wasted in the setting of this story and felt disappointed that her own character arch was less than impressive in comparison to the predecessors. Not only did it take far too long to even make sense of the plot, I was disappointed that there was not even the smallest visit to the place the books are named for. While the problem of Mac Dara is certainly a powerful presence in Cathal's mind, there was no progression on this front. Another small annoyance- in the past novels every Sevenwaters heroine has either been mentioned or put in an appearance. Now, perhaps I missed it somehow, but while her brothers are certainly mentioned, the first of them all, Sorcha, is not mentioned at all. I've always had an annoyance that Liadan is set up as sort of the idol of the series, but to see Sorcha not even mentioned was quite sad. Not only that, but another child leaving the forest- I'm becoming frustrated that so many of the daughters leave, and I'd like to see one stay for once.

My complaints aside, the book is still very good. It blends Celtic mythology in well with every day existence, very believable characters and emotions. Sibeal is an incredible character with fantastic potential, but wasted in a meh sort of plot. Her spirituality and strong faith are very appealing, though I wish we had been able to see her more in the role as a druid back in the forest. I think I might enjoy the story more on a second reading now that I won't be expecting things that never happened. Still, I hope that if Marillier returns to Sevenwaters as I suspect she will, that she will go back to her hanging plot threads about Mac Dara and little Finbar.
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• Rated 5 stars

“I love just about anything by Juliet Marillier. I love the ebb and flow of life that we see throughout the generations of the Sevenwaters Clan. Their joys and sorrows are so well put that it makes the books hard to put down.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Marillier pulled me right into the world of Inis Eala. The setting and characters are vivid and though the story is set in the mists of long ago fantasy, I found the characters dilemmas to resonate with me.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Another good story of the Sevenwaters household! This book follows Sibeal, one of the daughters of Sean and Aisling. Sibeal has always planned on becoming a druid, and, after this summer, plans on pledging herself to the nemetons of Sevenwaters. However, Ciaran sends her to Inis Eala, Johnny's island of fighting warriors, to spend time with her family.

Shortly after she arrives, however, disaster strikes in the form of a shipwreck with only a few survivors--glaring Knut, out-of-her-wits Svala, and a young man who has lost his memory and barely clings to life. The tale of the shipwreck is strange and mysterious, and Sibeal must find the answers in order to calm the unrest that is steadily growing on the island. The answer will take her on a strange journey that will test her heart and the strength of her dedication to her future as a druid. Can Sibeal reconcile the ways of her druid life with what she never knew her heart wanted?

Read to find out!”

• Rated 4 stars

“Ahh I never thought the series would continue but I am so glad it didn't stop at child Of prophecy! Can't wait to get my hands this baby!”

• Rated 5 stars

“Juliet Marillier's Sevenwaters series follows the family of the Lord of Sevenwaters, beginning with Sorcha and ending, in Seer of Sevenwaters, with Sibeal. Each of the five novels follows the adventures of a daughter of Sevenwaters. Each of these women are strong, stubborn and steady in their love for their family and friends.
Unlike the previous heroines, Sibeal is not a young maiden who easily accepts love and longs for a family. Sibeal is destined for the nemetons and has trained from the aged of 6 to become a druid. Her vocation was her life, until her sixteenth Summer when Sibeal begins to learn that nothing is impossible and not everything is as it seems.

Marillier weaves an emotional adventure in Seer of Sevenwaters, where romance is unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome. Sibeal is a a protagonist we can relate to, though celibacy and Druidic faith may not be our ultimate goals. Her passions, strength of character and steadfast faith combined with her vulnerability and naivety make her likeable.

Sibeal is not the only voice in Seer of Sevenwaters. The survivor of a shipwreck just off the shores of Inis Eala, dubbed Ardal when it becomes known that he can remember nothing of his past. Ardal is recealed early on as Felix and Sibeal's narrative is complemented, periodically, but interruptions from his perspective. Marillier rarely writes in the male voice (see Wolfskin) but she encapsulates the voice of a frightened and confused man well.

Marillier has produced another wonderful tale in Seer of Sevenwaters, one that complements the earlier novels and raises our expectations for further novels. I recommend it, and the rest of the Sevenwaters series, to anyone who enjoys historical fantasy or a good romance. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“I have been a fan of the Sevenwaters series for quite a long time now. When I heard that Marillier was going to continue the series after the third book, I was both very happy and also apprehensive. Authors tend to get stuck in ruts when they extend a series for longer than was planned. While Marillier does tend to have a formula with her stories, she adds plenty of other elements in order to keep the reader interested. Her writing is superb and her character development is great. I love being able to visit these characters over and over again. Please don't miss this latest installment, it's definitely worth reading.”