This third book in the amazing Sevenwater's series (truly, you should read them now) continues with the story of the family's three-generation long struggle to safeguard the forests and the fae folk who dwell there which surrounds their home Sevenwaters. Raised by the outcast druid Ciaran and her grandmother, the evil sorceress Lady Oonagh, Fianne has been trained since birth to master the magic that would be able to destroy the Sevenwaters family. Believing this her only choice, Fainne is sent to Sevenwaters with explicit instructions from her grandmother to do her bidding or those she loves will suffer. Fainne finds herself being lulled into the companionable atmosphere at Sevenwaters even though she knows what she must accomplish will hurt those that she grows to love.Fainne's story seems more to delve into how people see themselves - as good or evil - and the lengths they will go to either change or keep that perception. Fainne has had one idea drilled into her head for so long that despite the many times her family tells her otherwise, she struggles to believe it. That said, I did have a little trouble relating to Fainne. With Sorcha and Laidan in the previous two books, I felt an immediate connection that even though I enjoyed this story it made me feel as if something was missing. Fainne is a wonderful character with strength and courage but I found it hard to connect with her choices and sorrows. Even though she is forced, she still has to do some horrible things that fill her with long lasting self-loathing and guilt. Like others, I've found in Marillier's books, her characters always face extreme hardships and suffering before they can achieve happiness - this is pretty standard. But I felt Fainne's reward for her struggles didn't adequately compensate for the hardships she had faced up to that point. I guess it had me feeling a little down after finishing. But it was still a lovely book full loyalty and trust and beautiful Irish stories inherent in any of Marillier's wonderful books. ( )

*spoiler alert*

While I did not enjoy Child of the Prophecy as much as Daughter of the Forest or Son of the Shadows, the experience would have felt incomplete without Fainne's story. The prophecy that is such an integral part of the trilogy is explained in a satisfying manner, but some of the plot lines seemed too easily resolved (like the matter between Eamonn and Fainne; it builds, disappears for half the book, and is tied together in the final pages).

The Lady Oognah also comes across as one of those classic evil witch types who cackle and wreak havoc, but there is not much depth to her actions. She's evil, but it seems like her evil has no real motive; the explanation given for her desire to seek vengeance is weak and only made weaker by her continued inability to do more than manipulate her granddaughter into acting on her behalf. She serves her purpose as the witch who curses the children of Sevenwaters in Daughter of the Forest, but she didn't really work for me as a character in this book.

Gricel @ thingssheread.wordpress.com ( )

Final part of the Sevenwaters trilogy. ( )

http://quettandil.blogspot.com/2009/0... ( )

The final book in the Sevenwaters trilogy, this doesn't disappoint.

Fainne is the daughter of Niamh ad Ceiran, star-crossed lovers who fled Sevenwaters to escape the stigma their pairing would have brought upon them, and granddaughter of the wicked sorceress Lady Oonagh. Fainne has grown to young adult-hood trained by her father in the arts of a sorcerer and the restraint of a druid. Her only friend is a tinker's son, Darragh.

When Oonagh reappears and takes a hand in Fainne's training, she reveals that Fainne is destined to play a critical role in the sorceress's plot to bring about the downfall of Sevenwaters and the Fair Folk themselves. As events unfold, it seems that Fainne may be the only thing standing between the Otherworld and complete devastation. Is she strong enough?

Expertly plotted, and beautifully crafted. Reading through to the grand finale was a pleasure. Probably best to start at the beginning of the trilogy, though, because there are many plot threads that won't make sense, otherwise. ( )