Heir to Sevenwaters

Title: Heir to Sevenwaters
Author: Juliet Marillier
Genre: Fantasy, stand alone
Published: 2008

Recommendation: Must buy for fans of the Sevenwaters Trilogy and Celtic fantasy fans.
Rating: 8/10

Summary: Clogdah is the third child in a large family headed by Lord Sean of Sevenwaters. She is troubled since her mother has conceived another child late in life and her father is dealing with warring factions around their border. Clogdah runs the household, now also hosting her cousin Johnny and his men. Little does she know that soon she and mysterious Cathal, Johnny's warrior, will be plunged into the world of magic and fair folk.

Reactions: I've read Marillier's Sevenwaters trilogy years ago and I was very happy to return to the world of Sevenwaters. The book takes place several generations after the Sevenwaters trilogy and can be read as a stand-alone though a few characters from Sevewaters trilogy show up in the tale. To tie it to the previous books, there is a family chart at the beginning of my edition.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the book. The Sevenwaters holding is set next to a forest where the last of the Fair Folk live. The forest setting is lyrical and the descriptions of the estate are homey and comfortable. There are family dinners, children, animals, and picnics on the lake.

Clogdah is the third daughter of Lord Sean and Lady Aisling and while in the beginning of the book she manages the household, we immediately see that there's a lot of fire in her. Clogdah is smart, capable, and independent without being boyish which I find very attractive.

The book itself is hard to put down. I found myself reading it in 3 long sessions, some going late into the night because I just needed to stay with the story. The story is more character-driven than plot driven, but that doesn't make it any easier to put down. The plot had a fairy-talesque feel with clear distinctions of good and bad characters and plenty of magical artifacts. Yet, somehow, there is lots of thought and feeling hiding behind simple events.

To sum it up, Heir to Sevenwaters is a quick and very enjoyable read that I wouldn't pass up.