The Centaur's Daughter

Watersmeet #2

by Ellen Jensen Abbott

Abisina had found a home in Watersmeet--the community her father led until he was killed by the evil White Worm. But now, Watersmeet is as divided as the village she fled as an outcast. The land faces a new threat, and an uneasy alliances between the humans and the creatures will have to be formed to survive. If Abisina doesn't become the leader Watersmeet needs, she may lose everything. But can she take her father's place?

This powerful and moving fantasy deals with timely issues about identity, prejudice, and war. The Centaur's Daughter is the sequel to Watersmeet, which was an IRA Young Adult Book Award Notable and a YALSA Teens' Top Ten Nominee.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Adventure

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Ellen Jensen Abbott grew up in the foothills of New Hampshire’s White Mountains—often disappearing for a whole day to build forts, pretend, and read in the fields and forests around her house. She has degrees in English and education from Brown and Harvard Universities. When she is not dreaming up stories about Seldara, she teaches English at a boarding school in Westtown, PA. Ellen, her husband, and two children like to spend time outdoors: camping and hiking in the summer; skiing and snowboarding in the winter. She and her family live in West Chester, PA with their dog and small flock of chickens.

Reviews

[Robin]

I like the book. It really makes the point that what you look like doesn't matter/

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

Em's Review: Ellen Jensen Abbott’s Watersmeet tells the story of Abisina, an outcast from Vranille whose call to adventure comes when a new leader comes to power. With her dark hair and skin, and her lack of a father, Abisina is an outcast in Vranille and has been treated horribly all of her life. Her mother’s role as the village healer is the only thing that has offered them protection. One day, Abisina’s mother tells her of her estranged father, and promises that soon they will leave for Watersmeet. But when a long-awaited leader arrives and turns the town against all outcasts, Abisina must flee for her life. On her own now, she must seek out her father and the place called Watersmeet. Along the way she meets dwarves, centaurs, and other classic fantasy creatures, and begins to come to terms with her own prejudices.

The Centaur’s Daughter, the follow up to Watersmeet, picks up two years after where book one left off. In an attempt to avoid too many spoilers, I’ll keep the summary here vague. Abisina has found her place in her new home, but there are new threats, new challenges, and Abisina must set off to forge alliances between various lands/groups/creatures. As she comes of age, she also struggles with what it means to be her father’s daughter – contemplating leadership, exploring her special abilities, and dealing with her own lingering prejudices.

Several memorable characters and locations from Watersmeet return or are revisited in the second book. Abbott doesn’t leave new readers to the series in the dark, but instead finds ways to fill them in on what they missed. This is generally a pet peeve of mine, but since it had been a while since I first read Watersmeet, I was happy for the refresher. I think a reader could hop right into The Centaur’s Daughter without having read the previous book, but I wouldn’t suggest it. Watersmeet is a fabulous read and the issues that Abisina continues to struggle with in The Centaur’s Daughter are much richer given the context of the first book.

What I appreciate most about this series is that it is classic fantasy, reminiscent of Narnia and Earthsea novels. The story deals primarily with issues that are common place, but explores them in a fictional land inhabited by humans, centaurs, fauns, dwarves, fairies, and minotaurs. The books both have maps that make it easier to get a sense of the land and to follow along where the various adventures take the characters. And while the novels are considered YA, and our main character is a teenager in both stories, I think that this series is especially appropriate for younger readers.

While I have enjoyed both books so far, I would definitely suggest Watersmeet more enthusiastically than The Centaur’s Daughter. Watersmeet has a strong balance of character development and action, and introduces us to an interesting and complicated new world. It works well as a stand-alone, which is something that I always appreciate in a series book. The Centaur’s Daughter is a great follow up for those who fall for the world, characters, and story that Abbott created in Watersmeet, but it felt at times like an interlude. Sure there was action, but it felt like it was building up to something that was just too big to fit into this installment of the series. I suppose we’ll have to wait for book three! (not the worst thing that could happen to a person) That being said, Abisina’s character development in The Centaur’s Daughter is captivating, and makes for an engaging and worthwhile read.

[Chelsy Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it! dwarves, centaurs, faeries, o my. Like a mild Game of thrones, where all races need to come together to defect one common enemy, cant wait to see what happens in the last one!

[Maddy Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75

[Jessica Jett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free of charge through Goodreads First Reads giveaways, this review may contain spoilers. This review is also posted to Amazon.

This story's action begins swiftly and doesn't slow down until the very end. I found myself captivated immediately, wanting to finish it in one sitting if life didn't get call for my attention. This is the type of book I enjoy reading. Wonderful world building and interesting characters.

The Centaur's Daughter is a sequel to Watersmeet. I had not had the chance to read the first book but I looked it up and got the general information I needed to understand everything. I plan to get that one and read The Centaur's Daughter again so I can read the third book as well.

Abisina, the main character, must battle to unite the North and the South in the aftermath of the war against Charach. Watersmeet's supplies are depleted due to refugees from the South seeking help and shelter. Abisina must find a way to help everyone effected.

This book deals with important themes such as dealing with prejudices that have spanned many generations, and instilling acceptance in the new generation.

I recommend this book for anyone interested Adventure/Fantasy, Young Adult books.

Happy reading!

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

When word reaches Watersmeet of Vran fallilng to the hands of an evil ruler, Abisina feels bad for her mother’s people and the refugees that head to Watersmeet. Still grieving her father’s death and feeling inadequate to feel his shoes, she still has not taken up her father’s old role of Keeper. Met with opposition from the current keeper, Glynholly , Abisinia feels she must find a way to help her people before Glynholly closes off her mother’s people from escaping their torment. Hoping the fairies will help her, she and her friend, Kyron, leave without notice to try and get the selfish race’s help. Instead of gaining help, however, she is betrayed and branded a traitor by her own people. Can Abisinia find a way to help both Watersmeet and Vran or will she lose everything?

An action-packed adventure filled with peril and suspense. The characters are well-developed. The story is a page-turner and hard to put down. Readers who like mythology, Percy Jackson, fantasy, and adventure will enjoy reading this book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sequel to Watersmeet, Abisina must fight to unite the North and the South in the aftermath of the war against Charach. Watersmeet's supplies are exhausted due to refugees flooding in from the South and the surviving villages in the South are in the same situation. It's up to Abisina to help them all.

I was skeptical at first, because I thought Watersmeet was a decent stand-alone book. However, I actually liked The Centaur's Daughter better. This book deals more with the depth of the characters and their attempts to overcome generations of prejudice. I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy and anyone looking for a great allegory.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads' giveaway process. I first read Watersmeet (book one in the series) with my 11-yr old daughter and then we moved on to The Centaur's Daughter. Although written for the young adult age group, as a 35-yr old I found the story interesting and captivating. It was well written and full of important lessons to learn about acceptance and learning to work together. My daughter and I look forward to reading the third installment "The Keeper" as soon as we can get a hold of a copy!!

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid YA fantasy, I liked this read better than Watersmeet, the first book in the series. Could have used more closure, but at least the cliffhanger is not as painful as it could have been. I am very interested to see where the story goes next, and wonder how Abisina will rally the diverse peoples of her world to protect themselves from the dangers they are suddenly facing.

Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of our 2012 YA nominees. I am not the biggest fantasy fan but loved her first novel Watersmeet. This book picks up the story. While it feels a bit like a middle novel in a trilogy, I found the storyline compelling. The debates about immigrants and prejudices seem contemporary. Abbot has a nice writing style that also for a story and characters to unfold while she creates her fantasy world.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like how both books ended with a huge death. Not every great book has to have a great character die!! Was it really necessary? I loved both characters and I don't think it was in the benefit of the book to have this specific character die at the end of the book. :( Character development for Abisina is great though

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first. Now Abisina gets to help others face their fears and prejudices, while improving herself. Once again lacking in descriptive detail of foraging and fighting, plenty of details about emotions.

[Ms. Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Watersmeet. Slow moving story for almost the whole book, and then BAM, everything is jammed into the last four chapters. It was hard to keep track of it all. I hope this is just the middle book in a trilogy, for much is still unknown.

[Cassandra Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Centaur's Daughter by Ellen Jensen Abbott is a great follow up to Watersmeet. The battles and adventures of the centaurs, fawns, and other folks kept me riveting until the final page. I look forward to the third novel in this series.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received copy for free for a review.

Action started almost at the main beginning and continuously through out the book. I have not read the first book and as such at times I had no idea what they were talking about. ie, hole in the mountain, why are they considered demons?

[Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten)]

Sep 28th

[Aine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous follow-up to Watersmeet. I really need book three though.

[Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this as much as Watersmeet. Characters journey and acceptance of self and others are important themes told through a series of exciting events.

[Brandielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really liking this series. I love when main characters still have flaws and can see them.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great follow-up to Watersmeet! I can't wait for the next book!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its ok a lil disappointing at how much material there was to read for how little the story progressed though

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than Watersmeet...

[Ecila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book... Names are bit difficult to remember and kind mush together but good altogether!

[Jennifer Tso]

Great, interesting plot

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a easy good read. Very appropriate for older kids. It won't make you blush. I didn't realize it was a second in the series, but was still enjoyable anyway.

[Jeff]

Thank you. I just won this book in a first reads giveaway. I will read and comment once I get the book.

[LPL Staff Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than Watersmeet. It was faster paced and I sympathized more with the characters reactions.

Amber S.
Librarian
Mahon Branch

[Michelle Mcroberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great follow-up book!! Can't wait for the thrid one. More review to come!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis: "Abisina had found a home in Watersmeet--the community her father led until he was killed by the evil White Worm. But now, Watersmeet is as divided as the village she fled as an outcast. The land faces a new threat, and an uneasy alliances between the humans and the creatures will have to be formed to survive. If Abisina doesn't become the leader Watersmeet needs, she may lose everything. But can she take her father's place?

This powerful and moving fantasy deals with timely issues about identity, prejudice, and war. The Centaur's Daughter is the sequel to Watersmeet, which was an IRA Young Adult Book Award Notable and a YALSA Teens' Top Ten Nominee."

My Review: While this book was a slight improvement over Watersmeet in some manners it was pulled back in others. I like how the series picked up not exactly where it left off but allowed for a little time to pass, but with that it left some important matters up to you to figure out. The world building still needs a lot of work and it has gotten to the point that I really need a map. I do like how this book has transitioned into more of a internal and coming of age type of book for Abisina, she is trying to find her place in her world as her body changes as does her roles. With that said I think to make the book more appealing some love triangles were thrown in but they weren't well done and I did not care for them at all. Again this was a book that fell flat for me, it really kept me at arms length and I didn't get emotionally involved with any of it.