Sorch, is the seventh daughter of the seventh son who rules Ireland. Sorcha's father marries a dangerously beautiful woman who is actually an evil sorceress. This sorceress turns Sorcha's six brothers into swans. Their only salvation is Sorcha, who has to sew six shirts made out of a weed that has thorns which burn and destroy Sorcha's hands. This book beautifully recounts Sorcha's inner strength and the adventures she goes through to save her beloved brothers.
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The review of this Book prepared by Missy
Sorcha was raised by her six brothers, and they were all she had. Her father had withdrawn, deep within his grief, until he had no feelings left, save those for war. The source of his grief is Sorcha's mother's death, which occured because she was born. Her six older brothers watch over her, and protect her, each in his own way. Liam warns away those who would harm, Diarmid lifts her spirit when she is sad. Twins Cormack and Conor both help her see the truths of the world, while Finbar sooths every hurt she ever has. Padriac is her playmate- the closest to her age, although he is as fiercely protective as the rest. Then, in one, cruel swipe, her brothers are taken from her, separated as surely as the desert and forest. It is up to Sorcha to bring them back, and she must do it without the unspoken gifts from her brothers that she took for granted. There will be no Liam to protect, no Conor to heal, and no Finbar to understand. Alone, and voiceless, she must complete the task laid before her. For two years she is alone in the forest, working, ever silent, to bring her brothers home. Until the day her past catches up with her. Again, Sorcha's life is turned upside down when a Briton rescues her, and finds a token of his own brother in her small back of possessions. Swearing that he will let her leave the moment she tells him what happened to his brother, he takes her back to his home in England, where she is shunned by all because of her heritage and her strange task. And among these strangers, there are those who would do anything to see her dead.
The review of this Book prepared by Rebekkah Farr
Tor, March, 14.95, 410pp.
ISBN:031287430
Of the seven Irish siblings, only Sorcha, the youngest and only female, does not remember their deceased mother. Her older six brothers have fond memories of their mother, that is until, their malevolent stepmother Oonagh bewitched their father and changed the males into swans. Sorcha is the solo hope of rescuing her family. Sorcha enters the forest only to be raped. She manages to escape with the help of an English nobleman Hugh of Harrowfield.
Due to her vow, Sorcha hides her mission from Hugh. However, they marry and travel to England where Sorcha continues her quest to transform her siblings back into humans even as she becomes the focus of a deadly power struggle between Hugh and his enemies.
DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST is an entertaining romantic fantasy that retells the legendary Celtic fairy tale of the swans. The story line is fast-paced, filled with action, and loaded with romance yet brimming with magical elements that seem real. The lead charcaters are warm, compassionate, and share a sense of family loyalty that adds to the adventure. Though her debut novel, Juliet Marillier shows the talent of a folk tale teller that will send fantasy fans and romance readers delightfully desiring similar set stories
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
