Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier is the fifth and penultimate book in the Sevenwaters series. Sibeal is a druid seer and one of the daughters of the Big Jerk Sean and his wife Aisling. (I have lots of feelings about Sean - see my review of Son of the Shadows for more on that). However, Sibeal is sent to the island of Inis Eala to rest for the summer before taking her formal and final druid vows, so what's unique about this book is that we're not actually at Sevenwaters! Which is great! Less Sean!
Sibeal has just arrived at Inis Eala when a shipwreck strands two men and a woman. Sibeal is helping to care for one of the men who is extremely sick, a man we soon learn has amnesia. Sibeal gives him the name of Ardal as he waits for his memory to come back. Meanwhile, the married couple who survived the shipwreck are behaving quite strangely indeed.
I will say this wasn't the best book in the Sevenwaters series. I thought there was a whole lot of nothing happening (it wasn't until page 307 that anything resembling real action took place) - lots of weeding, watching men train, cooking, and Sibeal fainting all the damn time. BUT! I don't mind me a meandering wander through a slightly mystical world where not much happens (see most of The Tawny Man trilogy) and I actually like to see how people live their lives and spend their time. I like the hints of magic and mysticism. Sure, it was a little predictable, but it's the fifth book in the series and I am a careful enough reader to have figured out some of Marillier's tricks.
So, this might not be as good as some of the other books by Marillier, but even her worst is still worth reading and enticed me enough to read the last book in the series.
3.5/5 stars
Line of note:
"You won't be going on without Paul. He is dead, yes. Most likely laid in his grave to the sound of my prayers. But he will walk with you step by step for the rest of your life. You will feel his presence in the air you breathe. In the cry of a gull you will hear his laughter; in the wash of the sea you'll hear him whispering to you, late at night, telling you a story after the candles are quenched. You will remember his goodness and courage every time you see a man help a comrade. You'll see his strong features, his humor, his kindness, when one day you have a son of your own." (page 157-158)
Good little pep talk.
No comments:
Post a Comment