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Sevenwaters #6
Flame of Sevenwaters
Maeve, daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, was badly burned as a child and carries the legacy of that fire in her crippled hands. After ten years she’s returning home, a courageous, forthright woman. But while her body’s scars have healed, her spirit remains fragile, fearing the shadows of her past.
Sevenwaters is in turmoil. The fey prince Mac Dara is desperate to see his only son, married to Maeve’s sister, return to the Otherworld. To force Lord Sean’s hand, Mac Dara has caused a party of innocent travelers on the Sevenwaters border to vanish—only to allow their murdered bodies to be found one by one.
When Maeve finds a body in a remote part of the woods, she and her brother, Finbar, embark on a journey that could bring about the end of Mac Dara’s reign—or lead to a hideous death. If she is successful, Maeve may open the door to a future she has not dared to believe possible....
Sevenwaters is in turmoil. The fey prince Mac Dara is desperate to see his only son, married to Maeve’s sister, return to the Otherworld. To force Lord Sean’s hand, Mac Dara has caused a party of innocent travelers on the Sevenwaters border to vanish—only to allow their murdered bodies to be found one by one.
When Maeve finds a body in a remote part of the woods, she and her brother, Finbar, embark on a journey that could bring about the end of Mac Dara’s reign—or lead to a hideous death. If she is successful, Maeve may open the door to a future she has not dared to believe possible....
448 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2012
174 people are currently reading
8116 people want to read
About the author
Juliet Marillier
77 books12.1k followersJuliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and Bachelor of Music (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.
Juliet is the author of twenty-one historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.
Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she tends to her small pack of rescue dogs. She also has four adult children and eight grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)
Juliet is the author of twenty-one historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.
Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she tends to her small pack of rescue dogs. She also has four adult children and eight grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 724 reviews
May 6, 2015
Before reading it:
WANT!
* * *
After reading it:
My goodness, everything is Sevenwaters and everything hurts.
I mean, the last Sevenwaters book---
… okay, maybe it’s not the last one—who knows---, but I can’t help but feel like it’s the end of the world somehow.
Without a surprise, Flame was an emotional journey for me, 20% because of Maeve, 70% because of other characters and references to previous books in the series, and 10% just because... you know... I was in possession of a brand new JM book.
I knew it would be painful to go back to Sevenwaters and, Gods help me, Harrowfield, but I didn’t expect to almost drown in my tears before page 30, which so happened. Honestly, when at some point Maeve says that to cross the sea she set sail from a sheltered bay half a day's ride from Harrowfield, I lost it. LOST IT.
[dramatization of said moment]
A sheltered bay?
A sheltered bay as in SORCHA&RED'S BEACH??
Oh God
Half and hour later I managed to get back to my reading, just to receive the news a character dear to my heart was dead and about to be buried, which of course lead to another hour of crying and feeling sorry for myself.
After that I tried to focus on Maeve, a character I waited so long to get to know again---after Child of the Prophecy, where she burned her hands and face, there were hardly any news about her or her recovery, so I had no idea of how damaged she was, and I must say it was a bit of a shock to learn she couldn't use both of her hands. Of course her being a JM heroine meant she was bound to be a fantastic protagonist, and most of all a great woman, despite whatever hardship.
I loved that her journey took me back to the forest and the Otherworld (even if it wasn’t that much fun for her); loved that little Finbar got to be her sidekick; loved Bear and Badger; and OMG, the “avenging” duo Cathal-Ciarán! Excuse me while I swoon. About the love interest, I literally screamed when I found out who he was, ahah. xD
The ending made me tear up yet again, Ciarán will always break my heart when he speaks/thinks of Niamh, and his sacrifice made it all the more painful for some reason. It was also brilliant how Oonagh’s teachings were crucial to protect Sevenwaters, and how it was all meant to be—bad things and all. Just brilliant.
I’d love to go back one day, either through Finbar’s eyes (a male Sevenwaters protagonist, would’t that be interesting---just saying :D) or, I don’t know, one of Clodagh’s twins? How about one of Fainne’s kids? But if it never happens Flame's ending was fitting.
What else is there to say? This is my favorite genre, my favorite author, my favorite series. Love it all so much more than words can explain. Recommended for all.
*PT* Cuidado com o Dálmata
WANT!
* * *
After reading it:
My goodness, everything is Sevenwaters and everything hurts.
I mean, the last Sevenwaters book---
… okay, maybe it’s not the last one—who knows---, but I can’t help but feel like it’s the end of the world somehow.
Without a surprise, Flame was an emotional journey for me, 20% because of Maeve, 70% because of other characters and references to previous books in the series, and 10% just because... you know... I was in possession of a brand new JM book.
I knew it would be painful to go back to Sevenwaters and, Gods help me, Harrowfield, but I didn’t expect to almost drown in my tears before page 30, which so happened. Honestly, when at some point Maeve says that to cross the sea she set sail from a sheltered bay half a day's ride from Harrowfield, I lost it. LOST IT.
[dramatization of said moment]
A sheltered bay?
A sheltered bay as in SORCHA&RED'S BEACH??
Oh God
Half and hour later I managed to get back to my reading, just to receive the news a character dear to my heart was dead and about to be buried, which of course lead to another hour of crying and feeling sorry for myself.
After that I tried to focus on Maeve, a character I waited so long to get to know again---after Child of the Prophecy, where she burned her hands and face, there were hardly any news about her or her recovery, so I had no idea of how damaged she was, and I must say it was a bit of a shock to learn she couldn't use both of her hands. Of course her being a JM heroine meant she was bound to be a fantastic protagonist, and most of all a great woman, despite whatever hardship.
I loved that her journey took me back to the forest and the Otherworld (even if it wasn’t that much fun for her); loved that little Finbar got to be her sidekick; loved Bear and Badger; and OMG, the “avenging” duo Cathal-Ciarán! Excuse me while I swoon. About the love interest, I literally screamed when I found out who he was, ahah. xD
The ending made me tear up yet again, Ciarán will always break my heart when he speaks/thinks of Niamh, and his sacrifice made it all the more painful for some reason. It was also brilliant how Oonagh’s teachings were crucial to protect Sevenwaters, and how it was all meant to be—bad things and all. Just brilliant.
I’d love to go back one day, either through Finbar’s eyes (a male Sevenwaters protagonist, would’t that be interesting---just saying :D) or, I don’t know, one of Clodagh’s twins? How about one of Fainne’s kids? But if it never happens Flame's ending was fitting.
What else is there to say? This is my favorite genre, my favorite author, my favorite series. Love it all so much more than words can explain. Recommended for all.
*PT* Cuidado com o Dálmata
November 12, 2012
I can't tell you how much I've loved the original Sevenwaters trilogy, all of which are still among my favorite books. For that reason I've read most of Marillier's other works, which range from good to mediocre. Seer of Sevenwaters was disappointing, but I hoped it was an outlier: after all, Seer is a middle book and Marillier wrote it during cancer treatment. And I'd been hoping for years for a book about Maeve. As it turns out, Flame is a lot like Seer.
In Flame of Sevenwaters, Maeve--the sister injured in the fire in Child of the Prophecy--returns home after ten years with her aunt and uncle. The first half of the book focuses on Maeve's homecoming, her discomfort in her parents' household and her bonding with a pair of stray dogs. In the second half Maeve journeys into the Otherworld, and we get the conclusion to the Mac Dara plotline begun in Heir to Sevenwaters.
In all fairness, this book does wrap up the dangling plot threads left by the previous two and presents a reasonable end to the story. But even by Marillier standards it takes a long time to get going, and while the action eventually picks up, the plot never grabbed me. Which is symptomatic of a larger problem: the characters. Marillier relies heavily on our previous affection for them, but in this book itself they don't come to life. They're all alike--thoughtful, sensitive, open with their feelings--leaving them a bit flat and recycled rather than real and human. With everyone working hard to anticipate and accommodate each other's feelings, there's little conflict in the first half of the book; and in the second, the Fair Folk play a large role, but don't seem as foreign and menacing as they should because they have all the same behaviors and speech patterns as the humans.
And the humans are all as democratic and considerate with everyone else as if they all lived in a modern hippie commune, even though they're supposedly lords and servants in the 9th century. Their values and interactions scream 21st century, from egalitarian employer/employee-type relationships between masters and servants, to chieftains personally seeking out dependent female relatives and asking deferentially if they might speak with them, to lords and ladies with modern western views of parenthood and who forget their social positions at the drop of a hat. Certainly the original trilogy is set in a medieval Ireland more mythological than realistic, and I loved it, but here the anachronisms are too jarring for me to overlook.
As for Maeve herself, she was mostly disappointing. Again, in fairness, Marillier does a good job handling Maeve's disability: it affects her but doesn't define her, and she works around it without self-pity. Simply having a disabled heroine is great. But there isn't much that does define Maeve--a lot of recycled traits from previous heroines, plus a very modern view of pet ownership. (I might have been more impressed by her courage if she hadn't talked about it constantly; the characters never miss an opportunity to call each other brave.) And the romance: I was eager to see what Marillier would do with a disabled heroine, but the love story comes out of nowhere and is immediately resolved, with none of that slow-burning tension that normally makes her romances so good.
I could go on: about the way we barely see some characters who play important roles here (Cathal for instance), the frequent, self-conscious talk about having "happy endings," Maeve's crucial choice that makes sense only because the alternative would have unfortunate implications for readers (but her decision is bizarre in her actual situation), and so forth. But here's the crux of the problem. The original books had enough danger and suffering to make the happy parts genuinely meaningful, and were never fluffy. In those books, main characters could be victims of vicious attacks, children were neglected, the heroines were often isolated and in dire situations. Flame lacks that darkness and emotional intensity, leaving it predictable and saccharine.
It saddens me to say this, but I think I'm done with Marillier. Her new books just don't have that old magic. This book has clearly pleased some readers, and if you loved Seer you'll probably love Flame, but for me it was just too much.
In Flame of Sevenwaters, Maeve--the sister injured in the fire in Child of the Prophecy--returns home after ten years with her aunt and uncle. The first half of the book focuses on Maeve's homecoming, her discomfort in her parents' household and her bonding with a pair of stray dogs. In the second half Maeve journeys into the Otherworld, and we get the conclusion to the Mac Dara plotline begun in Heir to Sevenwaters.
In all fairness, this book does wrap up the dangling plot threads left by the previous two and presents a reasonable end to the story. But even by Marillier standards it takes a long time to get going, and while the action eventually picks up, the plot never grabbed me. Which is symptomatic of a larger problem: the characters. Marillier relies heavily on our previous affection for them, but in this book itself they don't come to life. They're all alike--thoughtful, sensitive, open with their feelings--leaving them a bit flat and recycled rather than real and human. With everyone working hard to anticipate and accommodate each other's feelings, there's little conflict in the first half of the book; and in the second, the Fair Folk play a large role, but don't seem as foreign and menacing as they should because they have all the same behaviors and speech patterns as the humans.
And the humans are all as democratic and considerate with everyone else as if they all lived in a modern hippie commune, even though they're supposedly lords and servants in the 9th century. Their values and interactions scream 21st century, from egalitarian employer/employee-type relationships between masters and servants, to chieftains personally seeking out dependent female relatives and asking deferentially if they might speak with them, to lords and ladies with modern western views of parenthood and who forget their social positions at the drop of a hat. Certainly the original trilogy is set in a medieval Ireland more mythological than realistic, and I loved it, but here the anachronisms are too jarring for me to overlook.
As for Maeve herself, she was mostly disappointing. Again, in fairness, Marillier does a good job handling Maeve's disability: it affects her but doesn't define her, and she works around it without self-pity. Simply having a disabled heroine is great. But there isn't much that does define Maeve--a lot of recycled traits from previous heroines, plus a very modern view of pet ownership. (I might have been more impressed by her courage if she hadn't talked about it constantly; the characters never miss an opportunity to call each other brave.) And the romance: I was eager to see what Marillier would do with a disabled heroine, but the love story comes out of nowhere and is immediately resolved, with none of that slow-burning tension that normally makes her romances so good.
I could go on: about the way we barely see some characters who play important roles here (Cathal for instance), the frequent, self-conscious talk about having "happy endings," Maeve's crucial choice that makes sense only because the alternative would have unfortunate implications for readers (but her decision is bizarre in her actual situation), and so forth. But here's the crux of the problem. The original books had enough danger and suffering to make the happy parts genuinely meaningful, and were never fluffy. In those books, main characters could be victims of vicious attacks, children were neglected, the heroines were often isolated and in dire situations. Flame lacks that darkness and emotional intensity, leaving it predictable and saccharine.
It saddens me to say this, but I think I'm done with Marillier. Her new books just don't have that old magic. This book has clearly pleased some readers, and if you loved Seer you'll probably love Flame, but for me it was just too much.
May 22, 2017
No, it's not the same caliber as the original Sevenwaters trilogy, but that's a pretty high standard to live up to. The later three books are more along the lines of YA Fantasy, not as complex or deeply emotional, but still superior to others in their class. I ate all three of them up, and I still hope she'll come back to this world again at some point because it will be like coming home again.
April 12, 2018
“If I were telling a story of Sevenwaters - and it would be a grand epic told over the nights of a long winter - I would surely end with a triumph. Happy ending, all well, puzzles solved, enemies defeated, the future stretching ahead bright and true. With new challenges and new adventures, certainly, because that’s the way things always are. But overall it would be a very satisfying story, one to give the listener heart.”
Flame of Sevenwaters finalises the Sevenwaters series. As far as the endings go, it is not the worst. However, since starting with the third instalment, the novels started to look like clones of each other, the things that distinguish this ‘grand finale’ (yes, this is sarcasm) are minor details like the name of the main protagonist.
This is a story about a girl with crippled hands and a skittish horse and her journey to find love and happiness. The journey is both literal (brace yourselves for travelogue in the mundane and the fey realm) and metaphorical in the sense that it involves character development and overcoming daunting challenges.
It is a tale meant to convince you that if you are brave and good and wise you can face anything. It is a tale about a geas, a curse bestowed upon a person. It is also a tale of magical creatures and strange happenings. And dogs. Every dog lover will adore this tale, this I promise.
Maeve is not as bad as other Sevenwaters heroines but she is far from somebody I could bond with. She is a disfigured cripple and this is what defines her. However, for me she is a bit oversensitive and prickly and self-conscious for somebody who has been nurtured by a living family. While this is somewhat understandable, I couldn’t accept her incessant focus on what she is not and cannot be and have rather than counting the blessings around her (which were many). You can call it whatever you want, I call it ungrateful. Additionally, there are some problems with split personality, and so throughout the book you will meet the Maeve proper and then the Wild Maeve, Graceful Maeve, Sensible Maeve, and Maeve Claw-Hands. That is a whole crowd of girls to put up with.
Plot-wise the book is entirely Captain Obvious, but I guess we do not read this kind of novels to be surprised, but rather to be comforted. And Flame of Sevenwaters is a comfort read in the most cheesy and blatant way.
If you got as far as here, either you know what to expect, and just want to have more of the same, or you have heard about Ms Marillier and want to check her books. In the first case, you do not need my recommendation (or review, for that matter). In the second, I’d suggest you to read the Daughter of the Forest and only then deciding whether you want to continue.
Other Sevenwaters books:
1. Daughter of the Forest
2. Son of the Shadows
3. Child of the Prophecy
4. Heir to Sevenwaters
5. Seer of Sevewaters
Flame of Sevenwaters finalises the Sevenwaters series. As far as the endings go, it is not the worst. However, since starting with the third instalment, the novels started to look like clones of each other, the things that distinguish this ‘grand finale’ (yes, this is sarcasm) are minor details like the name of the main protagonist.
This is a story about a girl with crippled hands and a skittish horse and her journey to find love and happiness. The journey is both literal (brace yourselves for travelogue in the mundane and the fey realm) and metaphorical in the sense that it involves character development and overcoming daunting challenges.
It is a tale meant to convince you that if you are brave and good and wise you can face anything. It is a tale about a geas, a curse bestowed upon a person. It is also a tale of magical creatures and strange happenings. And dogs. Every dog lover will adore this tale, this I promise.
Maeve is not as bad as other Sevenwaters heroines but she is far from somebody I could bond with. She is a disfigured cripple and this is what defines her. However, for me she is a bit oversensitive and prickly and self-conscious for somebody who has been nurtured by a living family. While this is somewhat understandable, I couldn’t accept her incessant focus on what she is not and cannot be and have rather than counting the blessings around her (which were many). You can call it whatever you want, I call it ungrateful. Additionally, there are some problems with split personality, and so throughout the book you will meet the Maeve proper and then the Wild Maeve, Graceful Maeve, Sensible Maeve, and Maeve Claw-Hands. That is a whole crowd of girls to put up with.
Plot-wise the book is entirely Captain Obvious, but I guess we do not read this kind of novels to be surprised, but rather to be comforted. And Flame of Sevenwaters is a comfort read in the most cheesy and blatant way.
If you got as far as here, either you know what to expect, and just want to have more of the same, or you have heard about Ms Marillier and want to check her books. In the first case, you do not need my recommendation (or review, for that matter). In the second, I’d suggest you to read the Daughter of the Forest and only then deciding whether you want to continue.
Other Sevenwaters books:
1. Daughter of the Forest
2. Son of the Shadows
3. Child of the Prophecy
4. Heir to Sevenwaters
5. Seer of Sevewaters
August 10, 2025
Reread 2025 - 4.5 stars
Even as a reread this still surprised me and packed an emotional punch. A strong finish to what continues to be a favourite fantasy series!
Read 2019 - 5 stars
An amazing finish to one of my favourite fantasy series. I don't even know what I was expecting, but this book really made me sorry to be done with the Sevenwaters family.
Marillier continues to be one of my favourite authors. This book, like so many of her others, hit such an emotional place for me. Maeve was a strong heroine, and the portrayal of living with a disability was done so well. Maeve's attitude towards her family, her circumstances, and her injuries rang so true and made her a deeply sympathetic and multifaceted character.
Even as a reread this still surprised me and packed an emotional punch. A strong finish to what continues to be a favourite fantasy series!
Read 2019 - 5 stars
An amazing finish to one of my favourite fantasy series. I don't even know what I was expecting, but this book really made me sorry to be done with the Sevenwaters family.
Marillier continues to be one of my favourite authors. This book, like so many of her others, hit such an emotional place for me. Maeve was a strong heroine, and the portrayal of living with a disability was done so well. Maeve's attitude towards her family, her circumstances, and her injuries rang so true and made her a deeply sympathetic and multifaceted character.
January 6, 2018
Creo que es mi preferido de la segunda trilogía de Sieteaguas, Marillier le ha dado un muy buen final a la saga.
Lo que más me ha gustado es que Maeve es una protagonista muy diferente, es una novela más pausada que las demás y por suerte el romance no es ni de lejos tan importante como en los libros anteriores.
Las últimas 150 páginas no podía parar de leer y hay unos buenos giros que te dejan en plan WTF, como siempre.
Voy a echar mucho de menos esta saga fantástica llena de leyendas y cuentos de hadas tenebrosos... Creo que la primera trilogía es muy superior a la segunda, pero aún así la he disfrutado de principio a fin.
Lo que más me ha gustado es que Maeve es una protagonista muy diferente, es una novela más pausada que las demás y por suerte el romance no es ni de lejos tan importante como en los libros anteriores.
Las últimas 150 páginas no podía parar de leer y hay unos buenos giros que te dejan en plan WTF, como siempre.
Voy a echar mucho de menos esta saga fantástica llena de leyendas y cuentos de hadas tenebrosos... Creo que la primera trilogía es muy superior a la segunda, pero aún así la he disfrutado de principio a fin.
May 25, 2013
PROBABLE SPOILERS AHEAD.
I would just like to preface this review by briefly saying how much I love Daughter of the Forest and Son of the Shadows, and how much I respect both Ms. Marillier and the writing she gave us in both of those books, which remain, easily, two of my favorites of all time.
I approached Flame of Sevenwaters uneasily. The last two or three (I remain unconvinced about Child of the Prophecy) books I have read from Ms. Marillier have left me unsatisfied. I truly believe that something has shifted in her writing style or in the way she approaches her stories that has dramatically affected my enjoyment. All of the characters have begun to blend together; there is no crisp edge of interest anymore. I believe this was present in Seer of Sevenwaters and the other installment of this trilogy, which I can't even REMEMBER the name of, and this too, the last.
I don't want to write a long piece about how much I disliked this book. I will be as blunt but brisk as I can. Maeve is no Sorcha. In DotF, we see Sorcha grow and evolve through her suffering to a place where she becomes someone to be respected and idolized. We do not get that chance with Maeve, whose suffering is over and done with by the time the book starts. Perhaps what Marillier was attempting with her was some kind of post-traumatic recovery over the death of Bounder + the fire, but - I found myself unable to believe, even as a dog-lover myself, that Maeve would not have set that wound aside and grown already. Of course I wanted to! Even Maeve assures us that she's fine and recovered! All that happens in this book - and really, truly, not much does - happens to other people. Maeve is an active participant in these happenings, but she does not really strike me as the important heroine that Sorcha was, or the strong, determined Liadan. Instead, she looks for her lost brother and pets and then gets tricked into being angry enough to do what certain people want her to. At the end of the book, people are falling all over themselves to tell her how brave she's been and how strong. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes and say, "Are you kidding me? Ciaran is the hero of this story. Obviously."
In fact, I had a difficult time not rolling my eyes a LOT: Everyone deferred to Maeve, everyone wanted her opinion, she was always the center of attention. I understand she is the main character - she is returning home after ten years, but she is also a cripple. This is medieval Ireland. I sincerely doubt that Sean and Aisling and the entirety of the keep would have been overcome with joy to have her return home. I expected it to be more subdued - more bittersweet.
Continuing in the vein of flawed character development, Maeve is APPARENTLY and SELF-PROFESSEDLY shy and uninterested in being in the company of large groups of people, and yet whenever she was at dinner or at her father's council, she consistently made sure everyone knew what she had to think about everything.
I truly think that Marillier really didn't have a fully-formed idea of who this character was when she began, and that reflected poorly on the way the entire novel was built. The story started far, far too early, worked its way to the action far, far too slowly, and ended far, far too quickly. The pacing was off, the love story was rushed and unbelievable, and Marillier's usually lovely, memorable prose was consistently bordering on purple. I worry that this marks a turn in her writing; hopefully this trilogy was simply pressure from agents and publishing houses for more writing based in the Sevenwaters universe and Marillier panicked because she was uncertain and uninspired. Regardless, I will be cautious the next time I approach a novel with her name on the cover, and that makes me quite sad.
I would just like to preface this review by briefly saying how much I love Daughter of the Forest and Son of the Shadows, and how much I respect both Ms. Marillier and the writing she gave us in both of those books, which remain, easily, two of my favorites of all time.
I approached Flame of Sevenwaters uneasily. The last two or three (I remain unconvinced about Child of the Prophecy) books I have read from Ms. Marillier have left me unsatisfied. I truly believe that something has shifted in her writing style or in the way she approaches her stories that has dramatically affected my enjoyment. All of the characters have begun to blend together; there is no crisp edge of interest anymore. I believe this was present in Seer of Sevenwaters and the other installment of this trilogy, which I can't even REMEMBER the name of, and this too, the last.
I don't want to write a long piece about how much I disliked this book. I will be as blunt but brisk as I can. Maeve is no Sorcha. In DotF, we see Sorcha grow and evolve through her suffering to a place where she becomes someone to be respected and idolized. We do not get that chance with Maeve, whose suffering is over and done with by the time the book starts. Perhaps what Marillier was attempting with her was some kind of post-traumatic recovery over the death of Bounder + the fire, but - I found myself unable to believe, even as a dog-lover myself, that Maeve would not have set that wound aside and grown already. Of course I wanted to! Even Maeve assures us that she's fine and recovered! All that happens in this book - and really, truly, not much does - happens to other people. Maeve is an active participant in these happenings, but she does not really strike me as the important heroine that Sorcha was, or the strong, determined Liadan. Instead, she looks for her lost brother and pets and then gets tricked into being angry enough to do what certain people want her to. At the end of the book, people are falling all over themselves to tell her how brave she's been and how strong. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes and say, "Are you kidding me? Ciaran is the hero of this story. Obviously."
In fact, I had a difficult time not rolling my eyes a LOT: Everyone deferred to Maeve, everyone wanted her opinion, she was always the center of attention. I understand she is the main character - she is returning home after ten years, but she is also a cripple. This is medieval Ireland. I sincerely doubt that Sean and Aisling and the entirety of the keep would have been overcome with joy to have her return home. I expected it to be more subdued - more bittersweet.
Continuing in the vein of flawed character development, Maeve is APPARENTLY and SELF-PROFESSEDLY shy and uninterested in being in the company of large groups of people, and yet whenever she was at dinner or at her father's council, she consistently made sure everyone knew what she had to think about everything.
I truly think that Marillier really didn't have a fully-formed idea of who this character was when she began, and that reflected poorly on the way the entire novel was built. The story started far, far too early, worked its way to the action far, far too slowly, and ended far, far too quickly. The pacing was off, the love story was rushed and unbelievable, and Marillier's usually lovely, memorable prose was consistently bordering on purple. I worry that this marks a turn in her writing; hopefully this trilogy was simply pressure from agents and publishing houses for more writing based in the Sevenwaters universe and Marillier panicked because she was uncertain and uninspired. Regardless, I will be cautious the next time I approach a novel with her name on the cover, and that makes me quite sad.
June 6, 2016
This book would be fine if it wasn't for the weird romance that happened.
January 20, 2022
2022 has been off to a slightly shaky start but sinking into a Sevenwaters book was just what I needed; even though this was a bittersweet undertaking knowing it was the last in the series.
This world has such a special place in my heart, as I've gone on about endlessly, and it was so nice to have a reread, with some special friends, and also have the opportunity to finally reread the companion trilogy. They don't quite hold a candle to the originals but each are special in their own way. And with FLAME OF SEVENWATERS, Maeve's story, we had a culmination of everything these last books had been leading up to whilst also having something of an homage to the original book that started it all.
"If I were telling a story of Sevenwaters -- and it would be a grand epic told over all the nights of a long winter -- I would surely end it with a triumph. A happy ending."
And it is. A happy ending; as much as one can have in a Marillier story, at least. Maybe not in the obvious way for everyone, and certainly it isn't an end for all, but there is an ending of a kind and happiness to be found for many -- some immediately and some to come. And that's what has always been a marvel about this world. It is so real, full of complex and complicated characters, differing motivations even within the same family, different priorities, but always a strong love, a strength of character.
We don't get a full reunion of all the siblings in the way many series-enders get but we did get a few people together again -- even as a few bid farewell -- and it was more special because of that, and less overwhelming, too. There are too many standout characters to have seen them all and there were enough updates along the way that those characters without page time still felt seen.
As for Maeve, I love that Marillier gave us a heroine with a disability. We've seen a main character before that had a different physical challenge, though in that case it had less to do with how others treated her and more about how she looked upon herself. In some ways it was also easier to hide. In this case it was very much out in the open and while Maeve wasn't without some self-pity on occasion it was more in light of how others treated her vesus how she often felt about herself. Additionally, it was a disability that needed not just strength to endure but trust in those around her; both in knowing how much she could push herself, or be capable of, but also to trust they not be embarrassed or ashamed of her. Which makes coming back to Sevenwaters, after so long away, and to where she had been hurt, all the more frightening and challenging. But Maeve does it; not for herself but for a charge in need of her strength. A strength that plays a key role in the inevitable confrontation with the Big Bad.
I had done my best not to weep. I had tried not to feel sorry for myself. It came to me that it is not trials and travails that bring us down, but unexpected moments of kindness.
This one didn't get me quite as emotional as many other in this series but there were plenty of feels during many interactions between Maeve and her brother and also with Ciarán. Once again this unlikely character from the main trilogy has had a chokehold on me for every book that has followed book three and I love that this book made a point to highlight his impact; not just on the others but the impact on him, too.
As for the romance, well. This one may surprise you a little but if you followed the breadcrumbs.. maybe not. I'll admit things do rush ahead a bit during the big moments, which was a bit of a pacing whiplash after all the dragging on prior to the conflict (I found myself rather impatient during these scenes, maybe because I just wanted all to finally be revealed? don't know), but we get a few calmer quiet scenes to solidify all the big dramatic outpourings. And, again, as we have seen before, I like that things aren't quite all wrapped up and signed, sealed, delivered by the final page. But we know they will be.
My issue with the pacing notwithstanding, this might be my favourite of the companion trilogy just for how much it gave me some original series vibes while still being very much it's own creature. It was a nice way to book end this series and it definitely ends things on a higher note than the last two. I'm so pleased my Sevenwaters Squad feels the same way, too, as this whole journey was all new for them and I didn't want them to come out feeling disappointed in any way after all my hype and bother.
With the series wrapped, we might not be the Sevenwaters Squad any longer but there's plenty of Marillier still to consume. Maybe we'll be the Marillier Maniacs instead? Who knows.
If you still have yet to discover this series, or this author, I cannot recommend her enough. With stories full of heart, wisdom, respecting the earth and hearth, feats of strength of all kinds, love stories that truly conquer all, magic and sacrifice, the bonds of family, heartbreak and healing, and so much more, you can't go wrong.
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
This world has such a special place in my heart, as I've gone on about endlessly, and it was so nice to have a reread, with some special friends, and also have the opportunity to finally reread the companion trilogy. They don't quite hold a candle to the originals but each are special in their own way. And with FLAME OF SEVENWATERS, Maeve's story, we had a culmination of everything these last books had been leading up to whilst also having something of an homage to the original book that started it all.
"If I were telling a story of Sevenwaters -- and it would be a grand epic told over all the nights of a long winter -- I would surely end it with a triumph. A happy ending."
And it is. A happy ending; as much as one can have in a Marillier story, at least. Maybe not in the obvious way for everyone, and certainly it isn't an end for all, but there is an ending of a kind and happiness to be found for many -- some immediately and some to come. And that's what has always been a marvel about this world. It is so real, full of complex and complicated characters, differing motivations even within the same family, different priorities, but always a strong love, a strength of character.
We don't get a full reunion of all the siblings in the way many series-enders get but we did get a few people together again -- even as a few bid farewell -- and it was more special because of that, and less overwhelming, too. There are too many standout characters to have seen them all and there were enough updates along the way that those characters without page time still felt seen.
As for Maeve, I love that Marillier gave us a heroine with a disability. We've seen a main character before that had a different physical challenge, though in that case it had less to do with how others treated her and more about how she looked upon herself. In some ways it was also easier to hide. In this case it was very much out in the open and while Maeve wasn't without some self-pity on occasion it was more in light of how others treated her vesus how she often felt about herself. Additionally, it was a disability that needed not just strength to endure but trust in those around her; both in knowing how much she could push herself, or be capable of, but also to trust they not be embarrassed or ashamed of her. Which makes coming back to Sevenwaters, after so long away, and to where she had been hurt, all the more frightening and challenging. But Maeve does it; not for herself but for a charge in need of her strength. A strength that plays a key role in the inevitable confrontation with the Big Bad.
I had done my best not to weep. I had tried not to feel sorry for myself. It came to me that it is not trials and travails that bring us down, but unexpected moments of kindness.
This one didn't get me quite as emotional as many other in this series but there were plenty of feels during many interactions between Maeve and her brother and also with Ciarán. Once again this unlikely character from the main trilogy has had a chokehold on me for every book that has followed book three and I love that this book made a point to highlight his impact; not just on the others but the impact on him, too.
As for the romance, well. This one may surprise you a little but if you followed the breadcrumbs.. maybe not. I'll admit things do rush ahead a bit during the big moments, which was a bit of a pacing whiplash after all the dragging on prior to the conflict (I found myself rather impatient during these scenes, maybe because I just wanted all to finally be revealed? don't know), but we get a few calmer quiet scenes to solidify all the big dramatic outpourings. And, again, as we have seen before, I like that things aren't quite all wrapped up and signed, sealed, delivered by the final page. But we know they will be.
My issue with the pacing notwithstanding, this might be my favourite of the companion trilogy just for how much it gave me some original series vibes while still being very much it's own creature. It was a nice way to book end this series and it definitely ends things on a higher note than the last two. I'm so pleased my Sevenwaters Squad feels the same way, too, as this whole journey was all new for them and I didn't want them to come out feeling disappointed in any way after all my hype and bother.
With the series wrapped, we might not be the Sevenwaters Squad any longer but there's plenty of Marillier still to consume. Maybe we'll be the Marillier Maniacs instead? Who knows.
If you still have yet to discover this series, or this author, I cannot recommend her enough. With stories full of heart, wisdom, respecting the earth and hearth, feats of strength of all kinds, love stories that truly conquer all, magic and sacrifice, the bonds of family, heartbreak and healing, and so much more, you can't go wrong.
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
January 24, 2013
So good. SO good. No other words. Except that I hope there will continue to be more. Really, if this series went on forever, I'll be beyond happy. Thank you, Ms. Marillier, from the bottom of my heart, for your wonderful, magical, beautiful, sweeping tales of Sevenwaters.
November 12, 2019
3.5-4*
La última entrega de la saga Sevenwaters sigue a Maeve, a quien conocemos de niña en la tercera entrega de la serie siendo víctima de un terrible acontecimiento. Años después, Maeve ha crecido lejos de Sieteaguas, concretamente en Harrowfield con sus tíos Bran y Liadan, que la han ayudado a adaptarse a su situación y prácticamente la han criado como hija suya.
Ahora Maeve debe regresar a Sieteaguas y sólo espera que esa visita sea solo temporal, ya que el lugar la lleva de vuelta a la fatídica noche del accidente y además ve a sus padres como a unos extraños.
En esta entrega se resuelve el conflicto general que se desarrolla a lo largo de la segunda trilogía de la saga, y eso me ha gustado mucho. Me habría gustado que el libro anterior explotase aún más este conflicto porque creo que daba muchísimo más de sí, pero en esta última historia me he quedado con una buena sensación de cierre.
Aunque Marillier es una autora bastante "predecible", en esta ocasión lleva la trama por lugares que no vi venir (no sé cómo, tenía todo el sentido y las pistas estaban ahí) pero cuando consiguen sorprenderme con un par de giros es algo que me encanta.
A pesar de un par de cosillas (como centrarse un pelín demasiado para mi gusto en las historias personales de las protagonistas y dejar algo descuidada la trama general que une a las historias), debo decir que he disfrutado mucho de la saga en general. Marillier se ha consolidado como una de mis escritoras de fantasía favoritas, con esa mezcla de ficción histórica/folklore/fantasía tan suya y esa prosa maravillosa.
Sieteaguas ya es un hogar más.
La última entrega de la saga Sevenwaters sigue a Maeve, a quien conocemos de niña en la tercera entrega de la serie siendo víctima de un terrible acontecimiento. Años después, Maeve ha crecido lejos de Sieteaguas, concretamente en Harrowfield con sus tíos Bran y Liadan, que la han ayudado a adaptarse a su situación y prácticamente la han criado como hija suya.
Ahora Maeve debe regresar a Sieteaguas y sólo espera que esa visita sea solo temporal, ya que el lugar la lleva de vuelta a la fatídica noche del accidente y además ve a sus padres como a unos extraños.
En esta entrega se resuelve el conflicto general que se desarrolla a lo largo de la segunda trilogía de la saga, y eso me ha gustado mucho. Me habría gustado que el libro anterior explotase aún más este conflicto porque creo que daba muchísimo más de sí, pero en esta última historia me he quedado con una buena sensación de cierre.
Aunque Marillier es una autora bastante "predecible", en esta ocasión lleva la trama por lugares que no vi venir (no sé cómo, tenía todo el sentido y las pistas estaban ahí) pero cuando consiguen sorprenderme con un par de giros es algo que me encanta.
A pesar de un par de cosillas (como centrarse un pelín demasiado para mi gusto en las historias personales de las protagonistas y dejar algo descuidada la trama general que une a las historias), debo decir que he disfrutado mucho de la saga en general. Marillier se ha consolidado como una de mis escritoras de fantasía favoritas, con esa mezcla de ficción histórica/folklore/fantasía tan suya y esa prosa maravillosa.
Sieteaguas ya es un hogar más.
June 21, 2024
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
`Held by hands that cannot hold Stands the steed so proud and bold. Chieftain’s son with seer’s eyes Observes the Lord of Oak’s demise. As the age begins to turn That is when the oak will burn.’
It's the end of an era. I will forever hold this close to my heart and cannot even begin to describe how hard it is to walk away.
Thank you Marillier for an incredible journey.
`Held by hands that cannot hold Stands the steed so proud and bold. Chieftain’s son with seer’s eyes Observes the Lord of Oak’s demise. As the age begins to turn That is when the oak will burn.’
It's the end of an era. I will forever hold this close to my heart and cannot even begin to describe how hard it is to walk away.
Thank you Marillier for an incredible journey.
August 20, 2024
4.5 stars
Fair warning to all before reading this book or my review on it!!!
This read is not for the no-nonsense, down to earth people who like practical and sensible stuff! Those of you will probably want to roll your eyes or even gag at times while reading it.
This read is for sappy ‘romantasy’ lovers (like myself) who love dreamy fairy tales and mushy romantic stuff, scarred heroes/heroines and trusted animal friends, sacrifices made out of love and happy ever afters! Those of you will probably love this particular book.
‘Bad things happen sometimes. They happen even to people who have been good and sensible all their lives. Even to little children sometimes. I don’t know if it’s the will of the gods, or the mistakes of men and women, or simply fate. If it happens to you, you have to go on as bravely as you can and make the best of what you have.’
I loved the first 2 books in this series but was a little disappointed in the following 3. This last one however reminded me of what I loved about both Sevenwaters and Marillier’s writing.
The story is relatively simple and I have to admit a tad predictable too, but despite all that, I ended up loving it. The writing is easy and all you have to do is lean back and enjoy, to find out perhaps, not how the end will be, but how events will come to pass.
It is the story of Maeve, daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, who was badly burned as a child and carries the legacy of that fire in her crippled hands. After ten years she’s returning home, a courageous, forthright woman. But while her body’s scars have healed, her spirit remains fragile, fearing the shadows of her past.
This is a story of courage, where one young woman has to accept crippling and disfiguring wounds as part of her life and try to make a living despite them. And not just a living but a difference!
‘ ‘Some things can’t be changed… and it’s a waste of time to dream of it. But if I knew I could undo something bad that had happened, if I knew I could make a difference, I would try.’
Pity and disdain surround her, given by almost everyone she encounters. But still she’ll try to make the best of what she can. Because:
‘ ‘If you are brave, good and wise you can meet any challenge.’
And at the most trying times, when she’ll find it difficult to go on, she’ll have to remember a brave man’s advice and follow it through.
‘ ‘Set aside everything that’s in your way… Anger, guilt, grief; the pain in your body, the doubt in your mind. Keep going. Find the flame inside yourself.’
And yes, this is also a story of love. Love for silent companions who do not judge or care about being pretty, but are simply there.
‘ ‘You think more of those dogs than of your own kin.
‘Not more… just differently. Their love is blessedly uncomplicated. It forgives all, it never falters. For humankind to love or to receive love is far more difficult.’
Love for a brother or a trusted companion, love for a sister or family as a whole and in the end, love for a man, a soul mate and trusted friend.
‘ ‘Not so long ago, I thought I might look for home all my life and never find it. But I did find it. You’re my home and my shelter.’
Such simple words but so full of meaning! What man wouldn't want to hear them?
Mushy and sappy - yes I know and I admitted that already! But for all of you who don't mind it - this one is definitely worth reading! :)
Check out this review and more over at The Magic Book Corner
Fair warning to all before reading this book or my review on it!!!
This read is not for the no-nonsense, down to earth people who like practical and sensible stuff! Those of you will probably want to roll your eyes or even gag at times while reading it.
This read is for sappy ‘romantasy’ lovers (like myself) who love dreamy fairy tales and mushy romantic stuff, scarred heroes/heroines and trusted animal friends, sacrifices made out of love and happy ever afters! Those of you will probably love this particular book.
‘Bad things happen sometimes. They happen even to people who have been good and sensible all their lives. Even to little children sometimes. I don’t know if it’s the will of the gods, or the mistakes of men and women, or simply fate. If it happens to you, you have to go on as bravely as you can and make the best of what you have.’
I loved the first 2 books in this series but was a little disappointed in the following 3. This last one however reminded me of what I loved about both Sevenwaters and Marillier’s writing.
The story is relatively simple and I have to admit a tad predictable too, but despite all that, I ended up loving it. The writing is easy and all you have to do is lean back and enjoy, to find out perhaps, not how the end will be, but how events will come to pass.
It is the story of Maeve, daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, who was badly burned as a child and carries the legacy of that fire in her crippled hands. After ten years she’s returning home, a courageous, forthright woman. But while her body’s scars have healed, her spirit remains fragile, fearing the shadows of her past.
This is a story of courage, where one young woman has to accept crippling and disfiguring wounds as part of her life and try to make a living despite them. And not just a living but a difference!
‘ ‘Some things can’t be changed… and it’s a waste of time to dream of it. But if I knew I could undo something bad that had happened, if I knew I could make a difference, I would try.’
Pity and disdain surround her, given by almost everyone she encounters. But still she’ll try to make the best of what she can. Because:
‘ ‘If you are brave, good and wise you can meet any challenge.’
And at the most trying times, when she’ll find it difficult to go on, she’ll have to remember a brave man’s advice and follow it through.
‘ ‘Set aside everything that’s in your way… Anger, guilt, grief; the pain in your body, the doubt in your mind. Keep going. Find the flame inside yourself.’
And yes, this is also a story of love. Love for silent companions who do not judge or care about being pretty, but are simply there.
‘ ‘You think more of those dogs than of your own kin.
‘Not more… just differently. Their love is blessedly uncomplicated. It forgives all, it never falters. For humankind to love or to receive love is far more difficult.’
Love for a brother or a trusted companion, love for a sister or family as a whole and in the end, love for a man, a soul mate and trusted friend.
‘ ‘Not so long ago, I thought I might look for home all my life and never find it. But I did find it. You’re my home and my shelter.’
Such simple words but so full of meaning! What man wouldn't want to hear them?
Mushy and sappy - yes I know and I admitted that already! But for all of you who don't mind it - this one is definitely worth reading! :)
Check out this review and more over at The Magic Book Corner
November 22, 2012
Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers
Maeve, the fourth daughter of Lord Sean and Lady Aisling of Sevenwaters, has lived apart from her immediate family for ten years. As a child Maeve fell victim to a terrible fire, scarring her face and body and costing her the use of her hands. For ten years since, Maeve has lived with her Aunt Liadan and Uncle Bran in Britain - sent away by her parents at first in the hopes that Liadan would be able to find a salve or poultice that could help Maeve heal and regain some movement of her fingers and hands. As the years pass, however, and the reality of Maeve's condition sets in, she learns from her foster family how to be brave and strong in the face of adversity, how to accept herself, and live a happy, normal life. Maeve is resigned to never be married or run a household in the manner that a chieftan's wife would, and instead, she hones another skill - Maeve has a natural gift for communicating and soothing animals, and uses her skills to train horses in Bran's stables. As for Sevenwaters and her birth parents, Maeve has little desire to ever return home, where she believes she will certainly be seen as an embarrassment to her father, and a weight on the household to her mother.
All of that changes when Lord Sean writes a desperate missive to Bran - Sevenwaters faces a dire threat. The men and two sons of neighboring Chieftan Cruinn of Tirconnell have disappeared while riding through Sevenwaters woods, and despite Lord Sean's search efforts, the corpses of Cruinn's men are turning up one by one, murdered in cruel, unimaginable ways. Mac Dara, the cold king of the fair folk, is behind the Disappearances - his end goal, presumably, to lure his only son Cathal back to Sevenwaters, to force Cathal to succeed Mac Dara's reign of darkness and grief. Mac Dara's actions have a more immediate and sinister implication, however, as Sevenwaters faces threat of war from Cruinn and other clans that have fallen out of kinship with Lord Sean. In order to appease and soothe these tensions, Lord Sean implores Bran to send his finest, most prized stallion across the sea to Erin as a peace offering while Sean's men continue to search for Cruinn's sons. The journey from Britain is long and hard, though, and for Bran's prize horse - a skittish stallion named Swift - only Maeve can calm the beast enough to endure the journey.
Maeve's long overdue return to Sevenwaters is fraught hardship and heartbreak, as she must confront her past and face her family, but it bears the promise of hope and love, as well. Her homecoming is the key to stopping Mac Dara; together with her younger brother Finbar, and aided by two loyal hounds, Maeve must journey to the Otherworld and fulfill a long forgotten geas to protect those she loves from all harm and safeguard Sevenwaters' future.
The sixth in the Sevenwaters series, Flame of Sevenwaters is an Epic Book (note the capitalization). There's a sense of gravity throughout this novel, as the 'coming storm' feel of all the previous books - including the first trilogy, with the events of Child of the Prophecy - come to an inevitable, high-stakes showdown. It's terrifying and exhilarating, with all of the prophecies and geasa revealed, as older figures like Ciaran, and newer faces like Maeve and Finbar, desperately make one last play to safeguard the future of Sevenwaters.
And dear, sweet readers - I loved this book. With the force of an exploding, devastatingly enormous supernova, I loved this book.
Part of the reason for this love is Flame of Sevenwaters' heroine, Maeve, who narrates this tale. Like her sisters and her family that preceded her in the prior books, Maeve faces a daunting task that requires incredible courage and dedication. More than that, Maeve also faces physical and emotional challenges unlike any her sisters have ever confronted. Her scars and the lack of use of her hands has made Maeve approach daily life in a different way than Liadan or Clodagh, or even, arguably, Sorcha. Though she must rely on a maidservant to help her eat and perform tasks like washing and dressing, Maeve is defiant and refuses to indulge in self-pity. Instead of becoming a passive heroine, Maeve builds her ability to sense emotion and empathize with animals and humans alike. Her fear, similarly, is not that she will never been seen as beautiful or that she will never marry, nor does she necessarily fear stigmatization - instead, Maeve's greatest fear is being helpless. Her strength is deep-rooted in this belief in herself and her refusal to become an object of pity, making her at times a prickly and stubborn heroine, but one worth rooting for wholeheartedly. Believe me when I say that Maeve is tempted and tested in this book, but even if she has fears and doubts, she never loses sight of who she is and what things matter the most to her - that is, the safety of those she loves, be they dogs, horses, or her beloved younger brother Finbar.
Beyond Maeve, this sixth volume also reintroduces many familiar faces, while acquainting readers with new ones, too. Among the familiar there is Finbar, no longer a helpless babe, who has grown into a solemn young boy with an uncanny gift for seeing what is to come. The bond Maeve and Finbar form is tentative at first as they are complete strangers, but grows quickly - Maeve years to give Finbar cause to hope and smile and live a normal childhood, while Finbar takes heart from his sister's defiance and courage. There's also the reintroduction of Ciaran, who plays such an important and pivotal role in this last fight against Mac Dara. Liadan and Bran make an appearance, as do Cathal and Clodagh (all my favorite, most beloved characters in this universe - outside of Sorcha and Red, of course). As for new faces, Cruinn the grieving chieftan missing his sons is a powerful figure, as is the introduction of conflicted druid (and unlikely bodyguard to Finbar), Luachan. Besides Maeve, though, my favorite characters are beasts - the two wild hounds, Bear and Badger, that Maeve finds in the shadowy regions of the woods, and beautiful horse, Swift. All three creatures play vital roles in this novel and I will not say how or why - just that though the journey is heartbreaking, it is so worth it.
As always, Juliet Marillier's writing is spectacular and lush, though I will say that the plot of this final book takes a tad too long to get going - there is lots of introspection, of Maeve dealing with her return to Sevenwaters and trying to get away from the family keep. This isn't a bad thing as it helps solidify her character and motivations, but the bulk of the actual story takes a good while to start moving. This is a minor criticism in what is an otherwise flawless novel that actually diverts from the other Sevenwaters entries. I appreciate Marillier's different approach to the structure of the book - in which Maeve's narrative is interrupted with six smaller interstitials, detailing a druid's journey - just as I appreciate her creation of a heroine that is not hale and flawlessly beautiful. Nothing against Clodagh or Sibeal, who are wonderful heroines that are powerful in their own ways, Maeve is a different kind of beautiful, whose appeal has nothing to do with her outward appearance. I love that Maeve remains true to herself throughout the book, that there is no miracle cure for her scars or her hands, though there is hope and love aplenty for her future.
And then there's the journey Maeve undergoes itself! I don't want to reveal too much of the particulars of said journey, nor do I want to reveal details of the final showdown to unseat Mac Dara from power. Suffice it to say, the stakes are as high as they have ever been, and the journey every bit as perilous - if not moreso - than those taken by any of Maeve's predecessors.
In short (though it may be too late to call this review short), I adored this book and its singular heroine. Flame of Sevenwaters is every bit as heart-wrenching as Daughter of the Forest, and as powerful as Heir to Sevenwaters. Absolutely, wholeheartedly, enthusiastically recommended - and beyond a doubt, one of my top 10 books of 2012.
Maeve, the fourth daughter of Lord Sean and Lady Aisling of Sevenwaters, has lived apart from her immediate family for ten years. As a child Maeve fell victim to a terrible fire, scarring her face and body and costing her the use of her hands. For ten years since, Maeve has lived with her Aunt Liadan and Uncle Bran in Britain - sent away by her parents at first in the hopes that Liadan would be able to find a salve or poultice that could help Maeve heal and regain some movement of her fingers and hands. As the years pass, however, and the reality of Maeve's condition sets in, she learns from her foster family how to be brave and strong in the face of adversity, how to accept herself, and live a happy, normal life. Maeve is resigned to never be married or run a household in the manner that a chieftan's wife would, and instead, she hones another skill - Maeve has a natural gift for communicating and soothing animals, and uses her skills to train horses in Bran's stables. As for Sevenwaters and her birth parents, Maeve has little desire to ever return home, where she believes she will certainly be seen as an embarrassment to her father, and a weight on the household to her mother.
All of that changes when Lord Sean writes a desperate missive to Bran - Sevenwaters faces a dire threat. The men and two sons of neighboring Chieftan Cruinn of Tirconnell have disappeared while riding through Sevenwaters woods, and despite Lord Sean's search efforts, the corpses of Cruinn's men are turning up one by one, murdered in cruel, unimaginable ways. Mac Dara, the cold king of the fair folk, is behind the Disappearances - his end goal, presumably, to lure his only son Cathal back to Sevenwaters, to force Cathal to succeed Mac Dara's reign of darkness and grief. Mac Dara's actions have a more immediate and sinister implication, however, as Sevenwaters faces threat of war from Cruinn and other clans that have fallen out of kinship with Lord Sean. In order to appease and soothe these tensions, Lord Sean implores Bran to send his finest, most prized stallion across the sea to Erin as a peace offering while Sean's men continue to search for Cruinn's sons. The journey from Britain is long and hard, though, and for Bran's prize horse - a skittish stallion named Swift - only Maeve can calm the beast enough to endure the journey.
Maeve's long overdue return to Sevenwaters is fraught hardship and heartbreak, as she must confront her past and face her family, but it bears the promise of hope and love, as well. Her homecoming is the key to stopping Mac Dara; together with her younger brother Finbar, and aided by two loyal hounds, Maeve must journey to the Otherworld and fulfill a long forgotten geas to protect those she loves from all harm and safeguard Sevenwaters' future.
The sixth in the Sevenwaters series, Flame of Sevenwaters is an Epic Book (note the capitalization). There's a sense of gravity throughout this novel, as the 'coming storm' feel of all the previous books - including the first trilogy, with the events of Child of the Prophecy - come to an inevitable, high-stakes showdown. It's terrifying and exhilarating, with all of the prophecies and geasa revealed, as older figures like Ciaran, and newer faces like Maeve and Finbar, desperately make one last play to safeguard the future of Sevenwaters.
And dear, sweet readers - I loved this book. With the force of an exploding, devastatingly enormous supernova, I loved this book.
Part of the reason for this love is Flame of Sevenwaters' heroine, Maeve, who narrates this tale. Like her sisters and her family that preceded her in the prior books, Maeve faces a daunting task that requires incredible courage and dedication. More than that, Maeve also faces physical and emotional challenges unlike any her sisters have ever confronted. Her scars and the lack of use of her hands has made Maeve approach daily life in a different way than Liadan or Clodagh, or even, arguably, Sorcha. Though she must rely on a maidservant to help her eat and perform tasks like washing and dressing, Maeve is defiant and refuses to indulge in self-pity. Instead of becoming a passive heroine, Maeve builds her ability to sense emotion and empathize with animals and humans alike. Her fear, similarly, is not that she will never been seen as beautiful or that she will never marry, nor does she necessarily fear stigmatization - instead, Maeve's greatest fear is being helpless. Her strength is deep-rooted in this belief in herself and her refusal to become an object of pity, making her at times a prickly and stubborn heroine, but one worth rooting for wholeheartedly. Believe me when I say that Maeve is tempted and tested in this book, but even if she has fears and doubts, she never loses sight of who she is and what things matter the most to her - that is, the safety of those she loves, be they dogs, horses, or her beloved younger brother Finbar.
Beyond Maeve, this sixth volume also reintroduces many familiar faces, while acquainting readers with new ones, too. Among the familiar there is Finbar, no longer a helpless babe, who has grown into a solemn young boy with an uncanny gift for seeing what is to come. The bond Maeve and Finbar form is tentative at first as they are complete strangers, but grows quickly - Maeve years to give Finbar cause to hope and smile and live a normal childhood, while Finbar takes heart from his sister's defiance and courage. There's also the reintroduction of Ciaran, who plays such an important and pivotal role in this last fight against Mac Dara. Liadan and Bran make an appearance, as do Cathal and Clodagh (all my favorite, most beloved characters in this universe - outside of Sorcha and Red, of course). As for new faces, Cruinn the grieving chieftan missing his sons is a powerful figure, as is the introduction of conflicted druid (and unlikely bodyguard to Finbar), Luachan. Besides Maeve, though, my favorite characters are beasts - the two wild hounds, Bear and Badger, that Maeve finds in the shadowy regions of the woods, and beautiful horse, Swift. All three creatures play vital roles in this novel and I will not say how or why - just that though the journey is heartbreaking, it is so worth it.
As always, Juliet Marillier's writing is spectacular and lush, though I will say that the plot of this final book takes a tad too long to get going - there is lots of introspection, of Maeve dealing with her return to Sevenwaters and trying to get away from the family keep. This isn't a bad thing as it helps solidify her character and motivations, but the bulk of the actual story takes a good while to start moving. This is a minor criticism in what is an otherwise flawless novel that actually diverts from the other Sevenwaters entries. I appreciate Marillier's different approach to the structure of the book - in which Maeve's narrative is interrupted with six smaller interstitials, detailing a druid's journey - just as I appreciate her creation of a heroine that is not hale and flawlessly beautiful. Nothing against Clodagh or Sibeal, who are wonderful heroines that are powerful in their own ways, Maeve is a different kind of beautiful, whose appeal has nothing to do with her outward appearance. I love that Maeve remains true to herself throughout the book, that there is no miracle cure for her scars or her hands, though there is hope and love aplenty for her future.
And then there's the journey Maeve undergoes itself! I don't want to reveal too much of the particulars of said journey, nor do I want to reveal details of the final showdown to unseat Mac Dara from power. Suffice it to say, the stakes are as high as they have ever been, and the journey every bit as perilous - if not moreso - than those taken by any of Maeve's predecessors.
In short (though it may be too late to call this review short), I adored this book and its singular heroine. Flame of Sevenwaters is every bit as heart-wrenching as Daughter of the Forest, and as powerful as Heir to Sevenwaters. Absolutely, wholeheartedly, enthusiastically recommended - and beyond a doubt, one of my top 10 books of 2012.
February 23, 2014
I picked up Flame of Sevenwaters as a last-ditch effort to pull myself out of a reading slump.
What a disappointment.
Quite simply put, this novel was boring. It took a significant amount of time to find its stride and, even then, the tell-tale qualities I look for in a Sevenwaters novel were absent.
Maeve is a delightful heroine, her narration starkly realistic and bold. We met Maeve in Child of the Prophecy but now, nearly ten years later in Flame of Sevenwaters, Maeve has learned to survive despite the fact that her hands are burned and useless. While Maeve's voice can often veer into bitterness, I thoroughly enjoyed her inner struggle; finding the courage to move on from the past instead of giving into the fears she continues to harbor. Moreover, the relationships Maeve sustains with those around her - from her father who eagerly welcomes her home after a long stay with Liadan and Bran to her mother who is constantly aware of Maeve's disability - are nuanced and infused with depth. Marillier has always excelled at developing complex relationships, which continues to carry through with this installment.
Flame of Sevenwaters is a satisfying conclusion to this long, but beloved, series. It wraps up the loose ends of the Mac Dara plot line, but not too neatly. With this last novel, Marillier escalates Mac Dara's interest in Sevenwaters, heightening the stakes at hand. Unfortunately, far too much of the story line is spent chronicling menial tasks from Maeve's re-introduction into Sevenwaters to her blooming relationship with her younger brother, Finbar, to the interest she takes in two stray dogs, Bear and Badger, she finds in the woods of Sevenwaters. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Flame of Sevenwaters lay in the miniature snippets told in third person from Ciaran's point of view as he uncovered the secret to bringing down Mac Dara. Of course, these were far too few, contributing minimally to the story as a whole.
Another negative aspect to this novel was, unexpectedly, the romance. Marillier's romances are one of the strongest components of this series. Every novel has featured an incredible love story, but Flame of Sevenwaters lacked a true arc. In fact, the name of the love interest appears at around the half-way point of this story and he himself only makes a proper appearance towards the end of the novel. Even more disconcerting, however, is the fact that there is a male friend who isn't quite love interest material but could have had the potential to be if developed in a slightly different manner. Maeve and her romantic interest in Flame of Sevenwaters share an emotional bond; theirs is a relationship composed of little conversation but large amounts of trust. Of this basic foundation, I have no complaint, but I could have used a great deal more discussion and development of the love story in this novel. I simply...wasn't on board.
Both Seer of Sevenwaters and Flame of Sevenwaters have been rather disappointing in light of this series as a whole. Where the former at least contained a worthy romance and sufficient action to carry it forward, this last installment lacked even those two components. Marillier's Sevenwaters series is one of the best Adult Fantasy series out there. It's full of heart, soul, and deep emotion. While its second trilogy has lacked the excellence of the original trilogy - with the exception of Heir to Sevenwaters - it still remains a memorable experience I won't be likely to forget anytime soon. And, best of all? I can - and will - be revisiting Sevenwaters; whenever I need Sorcha's strength, Liadan's courage, Fianne's will, Clodagh's perseverance, or even just the presence of Red, Bran, Darragh and Cathal to remind me that true love does, in fact exist. For that, for them, I cannot thank Marillier enough.
What a disappointment.
Quite simply put, this novel was boring. It took a significant amount of time to find its stride and, even then, the tell-tale qualities I look for in a Sevenwaters novel were absent.
Maeve is a delightful heroine, her narration starkly realistic and bold. We met Maeve in Child of the Prophecy but now, nearly ten years later in Flame of Sevenwaters, Maeve has learned to survive despite the fact that her hands are burned and useless. While Maeve's voice can often veer into bitterness, I thoroughly enjoyed her inner struggle; finding the courage to move on from the past instead of giving into the fears she continues to harbor. Moreover, the relationships Maeve sustains with those around her - from her father who eagerly welcomes her home after a long stay with Liadan and Bran to her mother who is constantly aware of Maeve's disability - are nuanced and infused with depth. Marillier has always excelled at developing complex relationships, which continues to carry through with this installment.
Flame of Sevenwaters is a satisfying conclusion to this long, but beloved, series. It wraps up the loose ends of the Mac Dara plot line, but not too neatly. With this last novel, Marillier escalates Mac Dara's interest in Sevenwaters, heightening the stakes at hand. Unfortunately, far too much of the story line is spent chronicling menial tasks from Maeve's re-introduction into Sevenwaters to her blooming relationship with her younger brother, Finbar, to the interest she takes in two stray dogs, Bear and Badger, she finds in the woods of Sevenwaters. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Flame of Sevenwaters lay in the miniature snippets told in third person from Ciaran's point of view as he uncovered the secret to bringing down Mac Dara. Of course, these were far too few, contributing minimally to the story as a whole.
Another negative aspect to this novel was, unexpectedly, the romance. Marillier's romances are one of the strongest components of this series. Every novel has featured an incredible love story, but Flame of Sevenwaters lacked a true arc. In fact, the name of the love interest appears at around the half-way point of this story and he himself only makes a proper appearance towards the end of the novel. Even more disconcerting, however, is the fact that there is a male friend who isn't quite love interest material but could have had the potential to be if developed in a slightly different manner. Maeve and her romantic interest in Flame of Sevenwaters share an emotional bond; theirs is a relationship composed of little conversation but large amounts of trust. Of this basic foundation, I have no complaint, but I could have used a great deal more discussion and development of the love story in this novel. I simply...wasn't on board.
Both Seer of Sevenwaters and Flame of Sevenwaters have been rather disappointing in light of this series as a whole. Where the former at least contained a worthy romance and sufficient action to carry it forward, this last installment lacked even those two components. Marillier's Sevenwaters series is one of the best Adult Fantasy series out there. It's full of heart, soul, and deep emotion. While its second trilogy has lacked the excellence of the original trilogy - with the exception of Heir to Sevenwaters - it still remains a memorable experience I won't be likely to forget anytime soon. And, best of all? I can - and will - be revisiting Sevenwaters; whenever I need Sorcha's strength, Liadan's courage, Fianne's will, Clodagh's perseverance, or even just the presence of Red, Bran, Darragh and Cathal to remind me that true love does, in fact exist. For that, for them, I cannot thank Marillier enough.
January 10, 2022
I enjoyed this book more than I can say . I think that has to do with the fact that I figured out of main plot twist very early on and it allowed me to enjoy it much more . If I hadn't then I might have found the story lacking romance when in truth it was there.
I went through so many emotions while reading especially towards the end but I was left satisfied and happy with the storyline . The Flame of Sevenwaters will definitely be fondly remembered by my right along side books 1 and 2 of the series.
I went through so many emotions while reading especially towards the end but I was left satisfied and happy with the storyline . The Flame of Sevenwaters will definitely be fondly remembered by my right along side books 1 and 2 of the series.
February 26, 2022
4.5 stars
Headlines:
Riding the waves of all the feelings
Animals to break and heal your heart
Family
This series means so much to me now, finishing this last book on such a high has been emotional, wonderful and special. This series across generations has connected me to the Sevenwaters family and characters in the most unforgettable way.
Flame of Sevenwater brought us back to Maeve who we last saw in tragic circumstances in book three. This book represents disability so well, with realism, difficulty but also in an empowering way, showing Maeve's autonomy and determination. Maeve was an easy character to love, a true heroine with biggest heart. Her skill, love and care towards animals was everything.
Bear, Badger, Swift, Finbar and the snatch we saw of Becan were so much of my favourite parts of this story. While I saw where the plot was ultimately going, there was one genius twist towards the end that pulled me back from 'how could she do this to us again' to Marillier is a genius' territory.
That's it. I'll be over here in my emotions, my soggy tissues and in our buddy reading DMs until I've run out of gush.
Go read this series.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
Headlines:
Riding the waves of all the feelings
Animals to break and heal your heart
Family
This series means so much to me now, finishing this last book on such a high has been emotional, wonderful and special. This series across generations has connected me to the Sevenwaters family and characters in the most unforgettable way.
Flame of Sevenwater brought us back to Maeve who we last saw in tragic circumstances in book three. This book represents disability so well, with realism, difficulty but also in an empowering way, showing Maeve's autonomy and determination. Maeve was an easy character to love, a true heroine with biggest heart. Her skill, love and care towards animals was everything.
Bear, Badger, Swift, Finbar and the snatch we saw of Becan were so much of my favourite parts of this story. While I saw where the plot was ultimately going, there was one genius twist towards the end that pulled me back from 'how could she do this to us again' to Marillier is a genius' territory.
That's it. I'll be over here in my emotions, my soggy tissues and in our buddy reading DMs until I've run out of gush.
Go read this series.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
February 18, 2022
O fim de sevenwaters deixou o meu coração dividido. Por um lado achei bastante interessante acompanhar a jornada de Maeve, observar a sua transformação de uma mulher marcada por diversas cicatrizes numa heroína que arrisca a sua segurança para acabar com o reinado de terror de Mac Dara. O seu dom com os animais, principalmente a sua relação com os dois cães a tornaram mais especial. Contudo esperava um pouco mais da intervenção do grande vilão e o destino do druida foi demasiado trágico.
Apesar de todo, a saga de sevenwaters continuará na minha memoria como uma das sagas mais encantadas e místicas. Chegou o momento de embarcar noutras viagens e sonhar com novos universos.
Apesar de todo, a saga de sevenwaters continuará na minha memoria como uma das sagas mais encantadas e místicas. Chegou o momento de embarcar noutras viagens e sonhar com novos universos.
January 15, 2021
Wat een zeer goede serie.Ze stond al heel lang op mijn to read lijstje.Maar ik had zo mijn twijfels.Ben nu wel blij dat in ze gelezen heb en heb spijt dat ze gedaan is.Het 5 de boek vond ik iets minder maar de rest was zeer goed.Voor wie van dit genre houd zeker een aanrader.
February 9, 2013
This review will contain spoilers.
I love this author and will continue to pick up any book that she writes. She does character like no one else. She lets me get inside and understand their hopes and fears and dreams. I love it. However, in this instance, I was a little tired of Maeve's continual whining about her useless hands. It seemed to be all she ever thought about. Until she ran off after Swift/Finbar/Bear/Badger. Once she began her heroic journey, her hands became much less of an issue. I was still aware of the useless hands, but not in a pathetic, whiny way.
I imagine this is because Maeve is put on the defense when she has to confront and live with her parents, especially her mother. Once she is on her own, she is not so painfully aware at how her way of doing things is not measuring up to her mother's expectations. Still, it was a bit much and caused me to become annoyed with Maeve.
Also, (and this is a big spoiler, so if you are still reading and don't want to have a major plot twist ruined, quit reading now) I knew who Bear and Badger were almost from the beginning. I suppose other readers might feel the same way because at one point, it's pretty obvious who they really are. However, I felt robbed of the developing love story between Maeve and Bear because the main interaction between them for 99% of the book was as girl and dog. There was no chance for her to grow in love with him, except as a person does for an animal. The one thing I love the most about Marillier's other books is the way she builds relationships on trust and sacrifice and eventually, a deep, unbreakable love. I didn't get that at all between Maeve and Bear in this story and I very much missed it.
There was a point when they were traveling together in the Otherworld that I wish Bear would have transformed back into a man, and that she could have gone through all the uncertainty and self-doubt and finally, trust and love. I realize now that this would not have worked with the whole story line, but Maeve falling in love with a dog just didn't do it for me.
There were a few other fun plot twists to figure out along the way, and one that I didn't figure out until the very end. I love the Sevenwaters world and the magic and lore that goes with it. A fabulous setting for sure.
p.s. I don't think I've ever read a story with so many instances of the main character going to the bathroom. Not that she went any more than a person with normal bladder control would go, it was just that it always seemed to get mentioned.
I love this author and will continue to pick up any book that she writes. She does character like no one else. She lets me get inside and understand their hopes and fears and dreams. I love it. However, in this instance, I was a little tired of Maeve's continual whining about her useless hands. It seemed to be all she ever thought about. Until she ran off after Swift/Finbar/Bear/Badger. Once she began her heroic journey, her hands became much less of an issue. I was still aware of the useless hands, but not in a pathetic, whiny way.
I imagine this is because Maeve is put on the defense when she has to confront and live with her parents, especially her mother. Once she is on her own, she is not so painfully aware at how her way of doing things is not measuring up to her mother's expectations. Still, it was a bit much and caused me to become annoyed with Maeve.
Also, (and this is a big spoiler, so if you are still reading and don't want to have a major plot twist ruined, quit reading now) I knew who Bear and Badger were almost from the beginning. I suppose other readers might feel the same way because at one point, it's pretty obvious who they really are. However, I felt robbed of the developing love story between Maeve and Bear because the main interaction between them for 99% of the book was as girl and dog. There was no chance for her to grow in love with him, except as a person does for an animal. The one thing I love the most about Marillier's other books is the way she builds relationships on trust and sacrifice and eventually, a deep, unbreakable love. I didn't get that at all between Maeve and Bear in this story and I very much missed it.
There was a point when they were traveling together in the Otherworld that I wish Bear would have transformed back into a man, and that she could have gone through all the uncertainty and self-doubt and finally, trust and love. I realize now that this would not have worked with the whole story line, but Maeve falling in love with a dog just didn't do it for me.
There were a few other fun plot twists to figure out along the way, and one that I didn't figure out until the very end. I love the Sevenwaters world and the magic and lore that goes with it. A fabulous setting for sure.
p.s. I don't think I've ever read a story with so many instances of the main character going to the bathroom. Not that she went any more than a person with normal bladder control would go, it was just that it always seemed to get mentioned.
January 24, 2019
A nice miss mash of fairy tales, Irish mythology and historical fiction! It is the last book of the series and I will miss the characters!
January 4, 2019
4.5 stars
Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96Aww...
Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96Aww...
January 9, 2013
Can't wait for this to come out November 6th!
Update- Wow, what a whirlwind ending to the Sevenwaters series! Loved this story, although I predicted too much for there to be much surprise at the end. I still had doubts about my guesses though, so it wasn't COMPLETELY predictable. I loved the dogs and the time spent in the Otherworld. I feel like I got to know the Fair Folk better than ever. I really enjoyed the descriptions of their halls and appearances. Mark Maeve down as another strong, brave daughter of Sevenwaters. My only complaint was that at the beginning I was afraid she was going to go on and on about her flawed hands and how it would keep her from living a normal life. At first, Maeve tells us she's put all that behind her and gets on with life the way it is and I cheered....but then she kept talking about it, and yes she had to come to terms with it or she would have been a static character, but I could have done with less remindings that she would never lead a normal existence. (A pretty small complaint amid a load of praise.)
I think the way it ended was satisfying and didn't leave too many loose ends. I loved Finbar, but wanted to scream at all the characters to, "Just listen to Finabar, gosh darn it!!" I'm glad that he was named after the original Finbar, another of my favorites. All of these characters have become so dear to me, I feel as if they are family. I love tracing their stories back all the way to my beloved Sorcha. What an amazing, heart wrenching, and passionate world has been created!
So, Juliet Marillier, I have something to propose- Flame of Sevenwaters makes book number six in this series... wouldn't the number seven really bring things home to SEVENwaters? And I think we would all love a story starring our young and adventurous Eilis! Pretty pleeease! :)
Update- Wow, what a whirlwind ending to the Sevenwaters series! Loved this story, although I predicted too much for there to be much surprise at the end. I still had doubts about my guesses though, so it wasn't COMPLETELY predictable. I loved the dogs and the time spent in the Otherworld. I feel like I got to know the Fair Folk better than ever. I really enjoyed the descriptions of their halls and appearances. Mark Maeve down as another strong, brave daughter of Sevenwaters. My only complaint was that at the beginning I was afraid she was going to go on and on about her flawed hands and how it would keep her from living a normal life. At first, Maeve tells us she's put all that behind her and gets on with life the way it is and I cheered....but then she kept talking about it, and yes she had to come to terms with it or she would have been a static character, but I could have done with less remindings that she would never lead a normal existence. (A pretty small complaint amid a load of praise.)
I think the way it ended was satisfying and didn't leave too many loose ends. I loved Finbar, but wanted to scream at all the characters to, "Just listen to Finabar, gosh darn it!!" I'm glad that he was named after the original Finbar, another of my favorites. All of these characters have become so dear to me, I feel as if they are family. I love tracing their stories back all the way to my beloved Sorcha. What an amazing, heart wrenching, and passionate world has been created!
So, Juliet Marillier, I have something to propose- Flame of Sevenwaters makes book number six in this series... wouldn't the number seven really bring things home to SEVENwaters? And I think we would all love a story starring our young and adventurous Eilis! Pretty pleeease! :)
December 20, 2012
Yippee! As far as I’m concerned, Juliet Marillier could bring out a new book every week and I’d be happy. I (like many, many other people) particularly love her books set at Sevenwaters. This new novel is number six. Each can be read alone, but they are definitely best read in order.
The heroine of this book is Maeve, who in an earlier book was badly burned while trying to rescue her dog from a fire. She was crippled as a result, her hands twisted into stiff and useless claws. For me, this gave the story echoes of the terrible fairy tale ‘Maiden with no Hands’. Like the poor handless maiden in that tale, Maeve must try and get through life without the use of her hands. In the tradition of Juliet’s heroines, however, she is brave, philosophical, and determined not to let her life be ruined. She gains comfort and consolation from the animals in her life, particularly a highly-strung stallion named Swift who can only be calmed by Maeve’s soft voice and gentle manner.
Maeve returns to Sevenwaters after many years, to find her home under threat from Mac Dara, the cruel king of the Underworld who was the villain of one or two earlier Sevenwaters tales. A group of travellers through the forest have disappeared, their bodies appearing in cruel and unusual ways. The ripple effect of these murders has Sevenwaters facing the very real possibility of war. Maeve befriends and tames two stray dogs, and her love for them and for her young brother Finbar sets off a chain of events that sees Maeve travelling by herself – crippled and very much afraid – into the Otherworld.
As always, Juliet Marillier’s new book is a beautiful story of love, courage, faith and kind-heartedness … and I want another one right NOW!!!
The heroine of this book is Maeve, who in an earlier book was badly burned while trying to rescue her dog from a fire. She was crippled as a result, her hands twisted into stiff and useless claws. For me, this gave the story echoes of the terrible fairy tale ‘Maiden with no Hands’. Like the poor handless maiden in that tale, Maeve must try and get through life without the use of her hands. In the tradition of Juliet’s heroines, however, she is brave, philosophical, and determined not to let her life be ruined. She gains comfort and consolation from the animals in her life, particularly a highly-strung stallion named Swift who can only be calmed by Maeve’s soft voice and gentle manner.
Maeve returns to Sevenwaters after many years, to find her home under threat from Mac Dara, the cruel king of the Underworld who was the villain of one or two earlier Sevenwaters tales. A group of travellers through the forest have disappeared, their bodies appearing in cruel and unusual ways. The ripple effect of these murders has Sevenwaters facing the very real possibility of war. Maeve befriends and tames two stray dogs, and her love for them and for her young brother Finbar sets off a chain of events that sees Maeve travelling by herself – crippled and very much afraid – into the Otherworld.
As always, Juliet Marillier’s new book is a beautiful story of love, courage, faith and kind-heartedness … and I want another one right NOW!!!
November 7, 2012
Updated - Nov 7, 2012
Another solid book from Marillier! I enjoyed this more than the last Sevenwaters book featuring Sibeal. It didn't quite capture all the magic of some of the earlier books, but I still found myself enchanted with the Sevenwaters clan and eagerly staying up late to drink in the latest saga.
I liked Maeve, as we've heard brief asides from her since book 3 but never really knew how she fared. I enjoyed her relationship with Finbar, and did not see . I'm also glad we got some glimpses of other book characters once again. Everyone's happy and (spoiler for earlier books, just in case you're crazy and haven't read them yet)
Glad to see we finally get some resolution in the Otherworld. I wonder if Marillier will continue on with this series or if she finds this to be a fulfilling conclusion. It would be very interesting to see a book from Finbar's perspective once he gets older.
Earlier:
2 new Marillier books in one year? Woohoo! I really thought she was finished with Sevenwaters, but I'm so glad to see that isn't the case!
Another solid book from Marillier! I enjoyed this more than the last Sevenwaters book featuring Sibeal. It didn't quite capture all the magic of some of the earlier books, but I still found myself enchanted with the Sevenwaters clan and eagerly staying up late to drink in the latest saga.
I liked Maeve, as we've heard brief asides from her since book 3 but never really knew how she fared. I enjoyed her relationship with Finbar, and did not see . I'm also glad we got some glimpses of other book characters once again. Everyone's happy and (spoiler for earlier books, just in case you're crazy and haven't read them yet)
Glad to see we finally get some resolution in the Otherworld. I wonder if Marillier will continue on with this series or if she finds this to be a fulfilling conclusion. It would be very interesting to see a book from Finbar's perspective once he gets older.
Earlier:
2 new Marillier books in one year? Woohoo! I really thought she was finished with Sevenwaters, but I'm so glad to see that isn't the case!
September 22, 2015
Ai o fim de Sevenwaters, tão emocionante! Uma das melhores séries de fantasia de todo o sempre.
April 25, 2018
In our last visit to the world of Sevenwater the author seems to have somehow run out of ideas, so he resorts to the easy solution of recycling. There are, of course, some different things, such as the heroine of the book that is quite different from the protagonists of the previous ones, but they are not enough to make a substantial difference.
Our heroine is a woman whose body has been deformed by fire, so she needs help even in the simplest of things. She has accepted her condition, but her disability still causes sadness and makes her believe that there are no prospects in her life. But with her involvement in the battle to deal with the threat of the ruler of the Underworld , she understands that she has some distinct talents and above all a particular ability to manage difficult situations. This heroine is what makes the book have some value as her fight moves us and passes a message of persistence towards the difficulties.
The problem, however, is that the story involving our dear heroine while it seems to have some interest and to hide some mystery is actually a repetition of ideas that the author has already explored while the ending did not leave me satisfied and I can say that I did not understand exactly what happened. This ending of course has a fairy-tale element that I liked but in general I found it pretty hasty. Of course, in fact, maybe I'm just tired of reading in a row the books of the series, and in the last one I'm grumbling a little. Whatever it is, it will be the first time I will not be too lenient on my rating.
Στην τελευταία μας επίσκεψη στον κόσμο του Sevenwater η συγγραφέας φαίνεται να έχει κάπως ξεμείνει από ιδέες, με αποτέλεσμα να καταφεύγει στην εύκολη λύση της ανακύκλωσης. Υπάρχουν, βέβαια, και κάποια διαφορετικά πράγματα, όπως για παράδειγμα η ηρωίδα του βιβλίου που είναι αρκετά διαφορετική από τις πρωταγωνίστριες των προηγούμενων, δεν αρκούν, όμως, για να υπάρξει μία ουσιαστική διαφοροποίηση.
Η ηρωίδα μας, λοιπόν, είναι μία γυναίκα που το σώμα της έχει παραμορφωθεί από τη φωτιά με αποτέλεσμα να χρειάζεται βοήθεια ακόμα και στα πιο απλά πράγματα. Έχει αποδειχθεί την κατάσταση της, η ανημποριά της, όμως, εξακολουθεί να της προκαλεί θλίψη και να την κάνει να μη βλέπει ότι υπάρχουν προοπτικές στη ζωή της. Με την εμπλοκή της, όμως, στη μάχη για την αντιμετώπιση της απειλής από τον άρχοντα του Κάτω Κόσμου καταλαβαίνει ότι διαθέτει κάποια ξεχωριστά ταλέντα και πάνω από όλα μία ιδιαίτερη ικανότητα να διαχειρίζεται δύσκολες καταστάσεις. Αυτή η ηρωίδα είναι που κάνει το βιβλίο να έχει κάποια αξία καθώς ο αγώνας της συγκινεί και περνάει ένα μήνυμα επιμονήw απέναντι στις δυσκολίες.
Το πρόβλημα, όμως, είναι ότι η ιστορία στην οποία εμπλέκεται η αγαπητή μας ηρωίδα ενώ φαίνεται να έχει κάποιο ενδιαφέρον και να κρύβει κάποιο μυστήριο είναι στην πραγματικότητα επανάληψη ιδεών που έχει ήδη εξερευνήσει η συγγραφέας ενώ το φινάλε της δεν με άφησε ικανοποιημένο και μπορώ να πω ότι δεν κατάλαβα ακριβώς τι συνέβη. Αυτό το τέλος έχει βέβαια ένα παραμυθένιο στοιχείο που μου άρεσε αλλά γενικά το βρήκα αρκετά βιαστικό. Βέβαια στην πραγματικότητα μπορεί απλά να με έχει κουράσει η συνεχόμενη ανάγνωση των βιβλίων της σειράς και στο τελευταίο λίγο να γκρινιάζω. Όπως και να έχει θα είναι η πρώτη φορά που δεν θα είμαι αρκετά επιεικής στη βαθμολόγηση μου.
Our heroine is a woman whose body has been deformed by fire, so she needs help even in the simplest of things. She has accepted her condition, but her disability still causes sadness and makes her believe that there are no prospects in her life. But with her involvement in the battle to deal with the threat of the ruler of the Underworld , she understands that she has some distinct talents and above all a particular ability to manage difficult situations. This heroine is what makes the book have some value as her fight moves us and passes a message of persistence towards the difficulties.
The problem, however, is that the story involving our dear heroine while it seems to have some interest and to hide some mystery is actually a repetition of ideas that the author has already explored while the ending did not leave me satisfied and I can say that I did not understand exactly what happened. This ending of course has a fairy-tale element that I liked but in general I found it pretty hasty. Of course, in fact, maybe I'm just tired of reading in a row the books of the series, and in the last one I'm grumbling a little. Whatever it is, it will be the first time I will not be too lenient on my rating.
Στην τελευταία μας επίσκεψη στον κόσμο του Sevenwater η συγγραφέας φαίνεται να έχει κάπως ξεμείνει από ιδέες, με αποτέλεσμα να καταφεύγει στην εύκολη λύση της ανακύκλωσης. Υπάρχουν, βέβαια, και κάποια διαφορετικά πράγματα, όπως για παράδειγμα η ηρωίδα του βιβλίου που είναι αρκετά διαφορετική από τις πρωταγωνίστριες των προηγούμενων, δεν αρκούν, όμως, για να υπάρξει μία ουσιαστική διαφοροποίηση.
Η ηρωίδα μας, λοιπόν, είναι μία γυναίκα που το σώμα της έχει παραμορφωθεί από τη φωτιά με αποτέλεσμα να χρειάζεται βοήθεια ακόμα και στα πιο απλά πράγματα. Έχει αποδειχθεί την κατάσταση της, η ανημποριά της, όμως, εξακολουθεί να της προκαλεί θλίψη και να την κάνει να μη βλέπει ότι υπάρχουν προοπτικές στη ζωή της. Με την εμπλοκή της, όμως, στη μάχη για την αντιμετώπιση της απειλής από τον άρχοντα του Κάτω Κόσμου καταλαβαίνει ότι διαθέτει κάποια ξεχωριστά ταλέντα και πάνω από όλα μία ιδιαίτερη ικανότητα να διαχειρίζεται δύσκολες καταστάσεις. Αυτή η ηρωίδα είναι που κάνει το βιβλίο να έχει κάποια αξία καθώς ο αγώνας της συγκινεί και περνάει ένα μήνυμα επιμονήw απέναντι στις δυσκολίες.
Το πρόβλημα, όμως, είναι ότι η ιστορία στην οποία εμπλέκεται η αγαπητή μας ηρωίδα ενώ φαίνεται να έχει κάποιο ενδιαφέρον και να κρύβει κάποιο μυστήριο είναι στην πραγματικότητα επανάληψη ιδεών που έχει ήδη εξερευνήσει η συγγραφέας ενώ το φινάλε της δεν με άφησε ικανοποιημένο και μπορώ να πω ότι δεν κατάλαβα ακριβώς τι συνέβη. Αυτό το τέλος έχει βέβαια ένα παραμυθένιο στοιχείο που μου άρεσε αλλά γενικά το βρήκα αρκετά βιαστικό. Βέβαια στην πραγματικότητα μπορεί απλά να με έχει κουράσει η συνεχόμενη ανάγνωση των βιβλίων της σειράς και στο τελευταίο λίγο να γκρινιάζω. Όπως και να έχει θα είναι η πρώτη φορά που δεν θα είμαι αρκετά επιεικής στη βαθμολόγηση μου.
November 14, 2020
Voy a extrañar mucho Sevenwaters.
March 18, 2013
What can I say? Oh. Wow. Talk about conjuring mixed emotions in the reader. I feel like either donning black and keening or dancing wildly through the room. I want to do the former because Flame of Sevenwaters is, I believe, the final book in this sublime series, and kick my heels up because it was so exquisitely beautiful.
This novel tells the story of Maeve, one of Lord Sean’s daughters who, in an earlier novel, Child of the Prophecy, was badly disfigured as the consequence of a fire ten years ago. Sent to live with her aunt and uncle to recover, she learns to accept her physical limitations. Cruelly twisted and maimed, Maeve’s hands are all but useless, but she proves her worth to the household in other ways, mainly by working with animals. Maeve has an uncanny knack of being able to calm and reassure even the most fractious of beasts. What Maeve appears to be unaware of is that her talent can also work with the humans who come into her sphere.
When her uncle asks her to accompany a spirited, lovely and flighty horse, Swift, to Sevenwaters, Maeve reluctantly agrees, knowing her homecoming with be as much an emotional journey as it’s physical. In many ways, Swift’s nature functions as a mirror for Maeve’s and, in the horse’s doubts and transformation, Maeve’s is partially echoed.
Arriving back at Sevenwaters after such a long absence, she’s much changed. Forthright, loyal, brave and kind, Maeve’s mother particularly doesn’t know how to respond to the daughter she loves but whom she doesn’t understand. While her father appears to cope better, it’s really her young brother, Finbar, who seems to grasp Maeve’s needs and be able to read what she cannot articulate. Appearing at times stubborn and selfish and torn with self-doubt, Maeve’s struggles to be herself and live by her rules is also made clear.
Finding Sevenwaters on the brink of war, mostly brought about by the machinations of the lord of the Otherworld, Mac Dara, Maeve is at a loss to know how she can help. But other forces know how she can and they enlist her and her brother’s aid to resolve a dispute for power that’s long been brewing and for which Lord Sean’s family and his allies have been paying the price. But the cost of this power struggle between the fey is yet to be reckoned and not even Maeve may be prepared for the sacrifice that will be asked of her and those she loves.
I cannot begin to tell you how beautifully Marillier conjures this world and the people within it. Her prose is as lilting and haunting as the forest that encircles Sevenwaters. Her descriptions so evocative that you are transported into the stillness of the nemetons, the eerie Otherness of Mac Dara’s realm and the homeliness and memory-haunted halls of the castle.
Like all the novels in this series, there are tales within tales, stories that bind, reveal and conceal, and this novel is no exception. From the mouths of seers and seers in training come fables that function as thinly disguised lessons in life, relationships, love and choices as well as the future. Even the title of the book is a description, noun and verb. “Flame” is a role that can be fitted to more than a couple of the characters as they “flame” brightly at times. Indeed, the word ‘flame’ itself contains within it positive and negative attributes that evoke notions of destruction, cleansing, death, transformation and rebirth all at once. There is also the idea of power, steadiness, warmth and passion.
I really don’t want to give too much away, but there are two more points I’d like to make. In this novel particularly, Marillier does a simply lovely job of making her animals wonderful, steadfast and real characters. I adored the animals. Like the humans, I championed them, came to know and love them and wept copiously when they were in peril or worse.
This leads me to the other point. I cried almost non-stop throughout the final quarter of the book, pausing only to blow my nose, wipe my eyes (so I could continue reading) and absorb this magical novel. I admit, I was a compete sook, a wet-rag of emotion as I wept tears of sadness, joy, heartache and triumph. I went from sheer horror to exhilaration and was taken on such an emotional journey, all of which reminded me that, like Ciaran and the other seers who have featured throughout the series, I was in the hands of a master storyteller, someone who cares deeply about their tale and those who read it.
This was an experience I won’t fast forget and nor do I want to. But I do want to thank Juliet Marillier for creating such a beautiful world, populated by incredibly complex dark and light beings.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
This novel tells the story of Maeve, one of Lord Sean’s daughters who, in an earlier novel, Child of the Prophecy, was badly disfigured as the consequence of a fire ten years ago. Sent to live with her aunt and uncle to recover, she learns to accept her physical limitations. Cruelly twisted and maimed, Maeve’s hands are all but useless, but she proves her worth to the household in other ways, mainly by working with animals. Maeve has an uncanny knack of being able to calm and reassure even the most fractious of beasts. What Maeve appears to be unaware of is that her talent can also work with the humans who come into her sphere.
When her uncle asks her to accompany a spirited, lovely and flighty horse, Swift, to Sevenwaters, Maeve reluctantly agrees, knowing her homecoming with be as much an emotional journey as it’s physical. In many ways, Swift’s nature functions as a mirror for Maeve’s and, in the horse’s doubts and transformation, Maeve’s is partially echoed.
Arriving back at Sevenwaters after such a long absence, she’s much changed. Forthright, loyal, brave and kind, Maeve’s mother particularly doesn’t know how to respond to the daughter she loves but whom she doesn’t understand. While her father appears to cope better, it’s really her young brother, Finbar, who seems to grasp Maeve’s needs and be able to read what she cannot articulate. Appearing at times stubborn and selfish and torn with self-doubt, Maeve’s struggles to be herself and live by her rules is also made clear.
Finding Sevenwaters on the brink of war, mostly brought about by the machinations of the lord of the Otherworld, Mac Dara, Maeve is at a loss to know how she can help. But other forces know how she can and they enlist her and her brother’s aid to resolve a dispute for power that’s long been brewing and for which Lord Sean’s family and his allies have been paying the price. But the cost of this power struggle between the fey is yet to be reckoned and not even Maeve may be prepared for the sacrifice that will be asked of her and those she loves.
I cannot begin to tell you how beautifully Marillier conjures this world and the people within it. Her prose is as lilting and haunting as the forest that encircles Sevenwaters. Her descriptions so evocative that you are transported into the stillness of the nemetons, the eerie Otherness of Mac Dara’s realm and the homeliness and memory-haunted halls of the castle.
Like all the novels in this series, there are tales within tales, stories that bind, reveal and conceal, and this novel is no exception. From the mouths of seers and seers in training come fables that function as thinly disguised lessons in life, relationships, love and choices as well as the future. Even the title of the book is a description, noun and verb. “Flame” is a role that can be fitted to more than a couple of the characters as they “flame” brightly at times. Indeed, the word ‘flame’ itself contains within it positive and negative attributes that evoke notions of destruction, cleansing, death, transformation and rebirth all at once. There is also the idea of power, steadiness, warmth and passion.
I really don’t want to give too much away, but there are two more points I’d like to make. In this novel particularly, Marillier does a simply lovely job of making her animals wonderful, steadfast and real characters. I adored the animals. Like the humans, I championed them, came to know and love them and wept copiously when they were in peril or worse.
This leads me to the other point. I cried almost non-stop throughout the final quarter of the book, pausing only to blow my nose, wipe my eyes (so I could continue reading) and absorb this magical novel. I admit, I was a compete sook, a wet-rag of emotion as I wept tears of sadness, joy, heartache and triumph. I went from sheer horror to exhilaration and was taken on such an emotional journey, all of which reminded me that, like Ciaran and the other seers who have featured throughout the series, I was in the hands of a master storyteller, someone who cares deeply about their tale and those who read it.
This was an experience I won’t fast forget and nor do I want to. But I do want to thank Juliet Marillier for creating such a beautiful world, populated by incredibly complex dark and light beings.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
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