Review: Flame of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

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Publication Date: 6th November 2013
Publisher: MacMillian Australia
ISBN: 9781742611624
Age Group: Young Adult to Adult
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
Source: Bookshelf
Lootability: *****

Going home can be the hardest thing of all...
When Maeve, twenty year old daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, accompanies a skittish horse back to Erin, she must confront her demons. For Maeve carries the legacy of a childhood fire in her crippled hands. She has lived with her aunt in Britain for ten years, developing a special gift for gentling difficult animals. 
Maeve arrives home to find Sevenwaters in turmoil. The forest surrounding her father's keep also has uncanny inhabitants, including a community of Fair Folk. Now the fey prince Mac Dara has become desperate to see his only son return to the Otherworld to rule after him. To force Sean's hand, Mac Dara has made innocent travellers on the Sevenwaters border disappear, and now their bodies are appearing one by one in bizarre circumstances. Mac Dara's malign activities must be stopped. But how? What human army can defeat a force with magic at its fingertips? 
Maeve's gift with animals earns her respect at Sevenwaters. She bonds with her enigmatic small brother, Finbar, his druid tutor Luachan, and two stray dogs. When Maeve discovers the body of one of the missing men, she and Finbar are drawn into a journey where the stakes are high: they may bring about the end of Mac Dara's reign, or suffer a hideous death. For Maeve, success may lead to a future she has not dared to believe possible.

30 Days of Books: Day Three and Four

01 – A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!) 

02 - A Book or Series you wish more people were reading and talking about.

30 Days of Books

Day 03 – The best book you’ve read in the last 12 months

I have no words for just how effervescent this novel is. I went in expecting to like it, but I wound up loving it. The whole story has a fairytale-like quality that captures your imagination and runs away with it. Valente doesn't waste time trying to simplify her novel for children, but understood that even young children can appreciate a well written story.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Gather up your courage and your wishes; grab a little pinch of luck - and prepare to be swept away, in a ship of your own making, to a land unlike any other. September is a twelve-year-old girl, Somewhat Grown and Somewhat Heartless, and she longs for adventure. So when a Green Wind and a Leopard of Little Breezes invite her to Fairyland - well, of course, she accepts (mightn't you?).When she gets there, she finds a land in crisis and confusion - crushed by the iron rule of a villainous Marquess - she soon discovers that she alone holds the key to restoring order. Having read enough books to know what a girl with a quest must do, September sets out to Fix Things.As September forges her way through Fairyland, with a book-loving dragon and a partly human boy named Saturday by her side, she makes many friends and mistakes; loses her shadow, her shoes and her way. But she finds adventure, courage, a rather special Spoon, and a lot more besides . 

Day 04 – Your favorite book or series ever

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet MarillierTo reclaim the lives of her brothers, Sorcha leaves the only safe place she has ever known and embarks on a journey filled with pain, loss and terror. When she is kidnapped by enemy forces and taken to a foreign land, it seems that there will be no way for Sorcha to break the spell that condemns all that she loves. But magic knows no boundaries, and Sorcha will have to choose between the life she has always known and a love that comes only once.Check out my review here

30 Days of Books: Day One

30 Days of Books

Day 01 – A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!) 

That's definitely a hard one. I love books so much that I never want any of them to end. I'm tempted to say Juliet Marillier because she is my favourite author(ess) but she hasn't disappointed us by stopping her Sevenwaters but I guess I'd like to see more of her young-adult novels after reading Wildwood Dancing and Cybele's Secret. 

That said I think I'm leaning towards Tamora Pierces Trickster series, with Tricksters Choice and Tricksters Queen.

For a series that has gone on much too long I'm tossing up between a few again. There was one I read in high school that I can't remember the name of for the life of me, though I can picture the covers. Seven books of the same thing. If I remember what it was then I will come back and edit this entry.

I'll have to go with the Ellie Chronicles. I loved the Tomorrow series, and though they almost went on too long, Marsden managed to make them enjoyable, interesting and new. The Ellie Chronicles was a little too much for me.

EDIT: I found the series that I hated. I typed the words "fantasy, series, crown" into Google and it came up as the first result. Who doesn't love Google? It was Crown of Stars by Kate Elliot. I'm not saying they were bad books but I just didn't enjoy them. Elliot was striving too hard to create her own LotRs and unlike Terry Brooks didn't manage it. She seemed very repetitive, but that's just from memory. I'll re-read them one day if I can get my hands on them. But for now, that's the series that went far too long.

Day 02 – A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
Day 03 – The best book you’ve read in the last 12 months
Day 04 – Your favorite book or series ever
Day 05 – A book or series you hate
Day 06 – Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Day 07 – Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Day 08 – A book everyone should read at least once
Day 09 – Best scene ever
Day 10 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 – A book that disappointed you
Day 12 – A book or series of books you’ve watched more than five times
Day 13 – Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!)
Day 14 – Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Day 15 – Your “comfort” book
Day 16 – Favorite poem or collection of poetry
Day 17 – Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Day 18 – Favorite beginning scene in a book
Day 19 – Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)
 Day 20 – Favorite kiss
Day 21 – Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 22 – Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 23 – Most annoying character ever
Day 24 – Best quote from a novel
Day 25 – Any five books from your “to be read” stack
Day 26 – OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
Day 27 – If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Day 28 – First favorite book or series obsession
Day 29 – Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
Day 30 – What book are you reading right now?

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

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Publication Date: 1999
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN:  0330361937
Age Group: Adult/Young Adult (Mature content)
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Source: My bookshelf
Lootability: *****

To reclaim the lives of her brothers, Sorcha leaves the only safe place she has ever known and embarks on a journey filled with pain, loss and terror. When she is kidnapped by enemy forces and taken to a foreign land, it seems that there will be no way for Sorcha to break the spell that condemns all that she loves. But magic knows no boundaries, and Sorcha will have to choose between the life she has always known and a love that comes only once.

The first book of, in my opinion, Australia’s best fantasy author, Daughter of the Forest is a brilliant start. Marillier published her first book, in her later years, and since it broke through has undertaken the time and effort to research another 11 novels. 

Guest Review: Marta reviews Shadowfell

Shadowfell takes place in Alban (read Scotland, oh Beloved Scotland), and the main character Neryn is on the run, soon to be very alone in a country ruled by a tyrant, and where people who have uncanny powers are either executed or made to work for the king against their will. The odds are not very good for Neryn, even worse because she also has an uncanny power herself, on that allows her to see and talk with all sorts of Good Folk. She is in search of a place called Shadowfell, a name that is only whispered and is the synonym to the fight against king Keldec, but that to her it's a place where she can be safe.

Shadowfell Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Shadowfell giveaway, and especially to Juliet Marillier who not only agreed to let me interview her but offered a signed copy of Shadowfell for an international giveaway.

The winner was Marta from Portugal and here she is enjoying her new book with the beautiful Australian cover.

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Its name is spoken only in whispers, if the people of Alban dare to speak it at all: Shadowfell. The training ground for rebels seeking to free their land from the grip of the tyrannical king is so shrouded in mystery that most believe it to be a myth.

But for Neryn, Shadowfell's existence is her only hope. She is penniless, orphaned, and utterly alone - and concealing a treacherous magical power that will warrant her immediate enslavement should it be revealed. She finds hope of allies in the Good Folk, fey beings whom she must pretend she cannot see and who taunt her with chatter of prophecies and tests, and in a striking, mysterious stranger, who saves her from certain death but whose motives remain unclear. She knows she should not trust anyone with her plans, but something within her longs to confide in him.
Will Neryn be forced to make the dangerous journey alone? She must reach Shadowfell, not only to avenge her family and salvage her own life, but to rescue Alban itself.

Win A Signed Copy of Juliet Marillier's Shadowfell

Shadowfell
by Juliet Marillier

Its name is spoken only in whispers, if the people of Alban dare to speak it at all: Shadowfell. The training ground for rebels seeking to free their land from the grip of the tyrannical king is so shrouded in mystery that most believe it to be a myth.
But for Neryn, Shadowfell's existence is her only hope. She is penniless, orphaned, and utterly alone - and concealing a treacherous magical power that will warrant her immediate enslavement should it be revealed. She finds hope of allies in the Good Folk, fey beings whom she must pretend she cannot see and who taunt her with chatter of prophecies and tests, and in a striking, mysterious stranger, who saves her from certain death but whose motives remain unclear. She knows she should not trust anyone with her plans, but something within her longs to confide in him.
Will Neryn be forced to make the dangerous journey alone? She must reach Shadowfell, not only to avenge her family and salvage her own life, but to rescue Alban itself.
This first novel in a new trilogy from enchanting fantasy author Juliet Marillier is a captivating tale of peril, courage, romance, and survival.

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THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!

Author Interview: Juliet Marillier

Juliet Marillier, a New-Zealand born resident of Western Australia, is a popular writer of historical fantasy best known for her Sevenwaters adult series. Her young adult novel Cybele's Secret won a 2008 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novel - Young Adult. She has won an assortment of awards for her books including the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2000, Son of the Shadows; 2005, Blade of Fortriu; 2006, Wildwood Dancing), the American Library Association's Alex Award (2001, Daughter of the Forest) and a YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Best Book For Young Adults (2007, Wildwood Dancing). Look here for a list of her awards.

Juliet graduated from Otago University with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in languages. She is a member of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, and her beliefs are deeply reflected in her writing. Her latest books, Shadowfell and Flame of Sevenwaters are due for publication this year.

In My Mailbox (7)

I've been slacking lately on my segments so I'll be doing IMM for the month!

It was my birthday at the start of the month so I got so I have more books than usual.

Second-hand Bookshops
Bookshops are failing and it's breaking my heart. However, I've discovered quite a wonderful wellspring of opportunity in second-hand bookshops. I have a lovely Op-shop down the road, and there is a second-hand bookshop on Maling Road, in Canterbury (Victoria) that I love. 

• War and Peace, Volume One, by Leo Tolstoy
• Magician (The Riftwar Saga #1 + 2) by Raymond E. Feist
• Axeman (Wayfarer Redemption #1) by Sara Douglass
• Starman (Wayfarer #3) by Sara Douglass
• Terrier (Beka Cooper #1) by Tamora Pierce

Library

• 1984 by George Orwell
• The Time Machine by H.G Wells
• Stolen: A Letter to my captor by Lucy Christopher

Birthday Gifts!
I'm being a little silly, but I'm including the ARC as a birthday gift because I got it so close to my birthday.

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey.
• Beowulf
• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
• Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

I've been keeping an eye on (FB stalking) Juliet Marillier, and am getting all excited about her two releases this year. Mostly, I'm excited for her new young adult/adult crossover, but her next Sevenwaters instalment should be out in November. I look forward to next Christmas just because of the books I want it to bring.

Shadowfell 
Juliet Marillier
September 11, 2012

 Until recent times, a wary tolerance has existed between the human residents of Alban and the uncanny Good Folk. Then Keldec ascends the throne, and the kingdom becomes a place of fear where magic is shunned, neighbour turns on neighbour and no secret is safe. When fifteen-year-old Nevyn suffers an unthinkable betrayal of trust, she finds herself all alone in a world turned hostile. The secret she guards so closely could be her doom. It could also be the key to Alban's future. 
Shadowfell is a story of tyranny and rebellion; of magic and of human courage

Cover art has not yet been released. I'll be posting it when it has been put up.

Thief of Shadows
Elizabeth Hoyt
July 1, 2012

A masked man... Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles—protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide. 
A dangerous woman... Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society— flirtation, double entendres, and scandalous liaisons—Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar—and his lips so tempting. 
A passion neither could deny... During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed...But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything—the Home, Isabel...and his life.