Sorcha is the seventh child of a seventh son, Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Her elder six brothers adore and watch out for her as her mother died delivering her. Her life has been happy and full of wonderment until her father becomes enamored of a wicked sorceress who has him under her spell. Things begin to change quickly for Sorcha as her stepmother seeks to control their lives and pit father, brother and sister against one another. In an act of true inhumanity, the stepmother transforms Sorcha's six brothers into swans and Sorcha's only hope of lifting the curse is to weave six shirts, one for each brother, out of the painful starwort nettle and to not utter a word until her task is complete. Agreeing to the monumental task, Sorcha sets off on a long road full of suffering to restore her brothers and her family. But along the way she meets those will aid and alter her story forever.Set in a pre-Christian Ireland, Marillier's work is full of Celtic mythology and descriptions of people and place that I felt myself right there along Sorcha as she traveled across the land. Marillier's characters never have a easy time of things and this book is certainly no exception - Sorcha pays dearly to gain what she wants with many casualties along the way. This was no easy read for me and is definitely recommended to mature readers only. I find that Marillier can create some truly good characters. They prove themselves time and again. But Marillier allows even her good characters to face challenges and difficulties that forever change them - usually for the better, but not always. Likewise, Marillier's villains are truly evil. There are some folks in this book that are too creepy to think about. It's an amazing book though - based on a Brothers Grimm fairy tale - but competely unique and spellbinding in its heartbreak and joys. ( )

I'm modestly recommending this book not only to the fantasy fans, or just to those who can not do without a great Irish enchanted story, or only to Marion Zimmer Bradley's fans who see the "The best Celtic romance since The Mists of Avalon" advertising on the cover and get intrigued by it, or only to those who love fairytales retold, but to everyone, EVERYONE reading this... because this is one of those books that make our hearts beat furiously through all the chapters that seem so scarce, that fill our eyes with tears and wash our face with them at the last pages, that make us feel brave because that's what the protagonist needs to be; and for all this, this is one of those books that live long and lovingly in our imagination. When you read Daughter of the Forest you become her, you become Sorcha (or Jenny =)...) you feel with her, and for her, for she wins the reader's appreciation both with her unflinching courage, and understandable vulnerability. Only 5? nah ... a million stars ... ( )

Going into this book, I was only slightly familar with the tale which it is based on. I had only encountered it previously in the novel Birdwing, which I completely recommend. Although I won't compare the two to each other, as they take the tale in completely different directions.

I, for one, loved this book. From the first chapter I was hooked, and would have read it one sitting, but I had other work to do. The narrative is engrossing and beautiful. I loved how everything was described, and how in depth the characters were. Every character was distinguishable and bursted with their own personality. You would think six brothers would be hard to keep straight, but it was very easy. The story, though at times slow-paced, was magically told. I loved every minute of it, although I know people who were put off by the one scene in which the narrator was raped. The narrator herself was nice enough, but was sometimes too nice. I swear this girl is a saint, and I sometimes would roll my eyes at her unbreakable goodness. She did not end up with I guy I expected, which is always a nice surprise. I loved this book, and even though I know there are sequels, I think this would be a great stand-alone. ( )

A well written powerful story, the first of the Sevenwaters series. Juliet Marillier finds inspiration for this story from a Grimm brothers fairytale 'the six swans'. The elements from this tale are cleverly woven throughout 'Daughter of the forest. The young evil stepmother, a sorceress of much power. The children, six brothers and one sister. The girl, Sorcha endures many hardships, and must draw on inner reserves of courage and strength to reach her goal. ( )

One of my all time favourite books, beautiful reworking of the Six Swans into a story of drama, sacrifice and love. Sorcha must undertake a tortuous task to free her brothers from a spell cast upon them by the sorceress Lady Oonagh. ( )

Sorcha is one of the strongest female characters I have read in fantasy, a thoroughly entertaining read. ( )

A retelling of the six swans fairy tale. Very well done. I cared about Sorcha so much I had trouble keeping on reading when I knew from my memory of the fairy tale something bad was coming.I'm glad she removed the bit about her having children that were killed. Sorry the brothers dwindled and went away or died - what happened to "Do not underestimate any of your brothers?" But I have some hope Finbar will return, in the sequels. ( )

Growing up wild in the forests of Ireland, Sorcha has a relatively happy childhood with her six older brothers, despite the fact that her mother died when she was born. But when her father marries again, she and her brothers quickly realize that there is something wrong with their new stepmother. Lady Oonagh may be beautiful, but she is also cruel – so cruel that she uses her dark magic to put a curse on Sorcha’s brothers, turning them all into swans. Sorcha must find a way to escape Oonagh and break the curse, but her path soon takes her in a strange direction: she encounters a group of Britons whose leader, Red, takes her back with him to England. Sorcha is grieved at leaving her beloved brothers and homeland, but she is also intrigued by the completely different way of life she now observes. As Sorcha struggles to break the curse, she must eventually choose between the old life she loves and the new life she desperately desires.

This book was completely absorbing; I spent all of yesterday devouring it. Fans of fantasy, fairy tales, and love stories will really enjoy this book. The plot is engrossing, especially the many obstacles Sorcha must face before she can break the curse and determine her true path in life. The romance is also very good, both strong and tender. The villains are a bit too villainous, which was surprising considering how great the characterization is in other areas…Sorcha has six brothers, and they each have a distinct personality! I also liked the way magic is described: none of the characters make a big deal of it, because it’s just there as a normal part of their lives. In short, this novel is very interesting and unique – in my opinion, definitely worth owning!

I have always enjoyed fantasy, and I absolutely adore historic fiction, so one would think that I would naturally gravitate towards Juliet Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest. However this book and I were several years in the making. I would go to the bookstore, be attracted by its cover, and then shy away from the idea of “another” Celtic fantasy. Not that I had ever really read any, but for some reason or another I held this strong opinion about the subject. Finally one day I broke down and bought it, and in many ways was surprised.

Summary: (Spoilers)

Sorcha is the youngest of seven, and if you asked her father she should have been the seventh son of a seventh son, but instead she had to mess things up and be, well, a girl. Her mother died in childbirth, another thing her father never could forgive her for so she was practically raised by her brothers. She and her brothers were all very close, but she was closest to Finbar. With him she shared a telepathic bond with which they could have whole conversations and share thoughts and feelings. Despite her father’s distance life seemed ideal for Sorcha and her six brothers. That is, until Lord Colum brings home the Lady Oonagh. Read More ( )

When her six brothers are transformed into swans, Sorcha must save them by completing a terrible task without ever uttering a sound.

If you think that sounds familiar, you're right. DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST is based on a fairy tale called "The Six Swans." Marillier has changed some things, of course, but the basic setup is the same.

This is one of those wonderful, immersive books that draws you in slowly but surely. It did take me a little while to really commit to it, but once I did... wow. I couldn't help but feel for Sorcha. She's in a really difficult place. Terrible things happen to her because she can't speak. I mean, terrible things. I won't tell you what they are because I don't want to spoil the book for you, but they are absolutely heartwrenching. I bawled my eyes out. From her brothers' transformation on, I had a tough time putting the book down. I got so wrapped up in it that I was almost afraid to speak, lest I ruin Sorcha's one chance to free her brothers. I love it when a book affects me that deeply.

I also appreciated how Marillier handled the romance. I'm a total sucker for a love story that rips my heart out and stomps on it, and this one certainly did so. Sorcha's love blossoms slowly and organically. There are no shooting stars and fireworks. She meets someone. Things are tense between them, but eventually she gets to know him. And then... and then...

God. I'm tearing up again just thinking about it.

And the stories! Stories form the backbone of Sorcha's world. She's a storyteller, through and through, and she uses stories to guide her through the dark times and to celebrate the good. It's beautifully done.

On the down side, the book does begin very slowly. Marillier spends a lot of time introducing us to the political climate and showing us what these seven people mean to one another. We also have a rather long segment that sets up another character's emotional arc. I hesitate to say that any of this is unnecessary, but I think the book might have been just as strong without it. It's Sorcha's situation that affected me here; it's her situation that kept me reading. I knew how she felt about her brothers and the love interest because of how she fought to save them, and that all went down in the latter half of the book. The beginning is interesting and immersive, but it was all supplementary. I'm not too sure how I feel about it.

But that quibble aside, this was wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in historical fantasy. It's a wonderful, engaging, tearjerker of a book that reminded me of both Jacqueline Carey and Robin Hobb. It does have a very definite ending, but there are several loose ends that I imagine will carry on through the next two books in the series.

(A slightly longer version of this review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina). ( )

“For a rather long book, I read it in a very short period (like 3 days). It is not demanding reading and the story is very entertaining. An evil witch, the unassuming heroine, the unexpected love interest, etc, the book has it all.
A very pleasing and well-rounded story.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Suggested With: Warm tea on a quiet night.” ( )

Sorcha, the youngest daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters is, like her six brothers, blessed with a unique and helpful talent. Sorcha's particular talent is that of healing. Sorcha's childhood, in spite of her mother's death at her birth, is a mostly happy one. Mainly untouched by the ongoing struggle between her people and the Britains, Sorcha tends her garden, heals the sick, and enjoys her brothers' company.

But two episodes change Sorcha's stable life forever - her father brings home, tortures, and almost kills a young Britain. Sorcha and her brother smuggle him to relative safety where Sorcha attempts to heal him, but the damage is great. Still not over the shock of war's grim realities, Sorcha returns home to find her father is to remarry. And like most traditional tales, step-mothers are never a good thing. This one turns Sorcha's brothers into swans and Sorcha is condemned to spend her life in self-imposed silence while weaving the shirts that may save them from a nasty stinging plant.

A deep and slow-moving story that doesn't balk at the horrific things men (and women) do to women do to one another. An excellent adaptation of Celtic mythology. ( )

Daughter of the Forest is an award winnig novel by the author Juliet Marillier.
Sorcha was unexpectedly born a girl after six boys, when she was supposed to be the seventh son of a seventh son. Her mother died giving birth to her, and Sorcha was raised by her brothers in the enchanted and protective florest of Sevenwaters. The father, Lord Colum, spent most of the time out.
The siblings led a happy life until one day everything changed. Lord Colum brought a red-haired women to their household, anoucing that he was going to marry her. She blinded everyone with her abnormal beauty, but Sorcha and her brother Finbar could see right through her wicked soul. So the siblings gathered in the forest and tried to rid their home of the witch, but they were trapped. The horrible woman cast a spell on them and Sorcha was the only one who escaped by running into the the deep forest. There, she met the Blue Lady, one of the Fair-Folk, who gave her a task to set her brothers free.
Sorcha is determined to do anything to save her brothers, and she has to go through the most excruciating trials, to the point where death seems the best way out. But she is rescued by a Briton, the enemy of her people, the people of Erin. Their destiny is entertwined in ways that they themselves don't quite understand. And while our heroine finds true friends among the enemy, she has yet to ovecome the most agonizing obstacles, and realizes that good and evil are two sides of the same coin.
After all the pain and suffering Sorcha and her family go through, she earns the right to a peaceful life, filled with love, joy and happiness.
This is a beautiful story for all book lovers. The characters are incredibly lovable, believable and they do not disappoint.
Juliet Marillier is a talented writer who tells stories in an enganging way. This is one of the best books ever written.
READ IT! ( )

Ms. Marillier wrote a magical, lyrical, absorbing story based on the fairy tale of the seven swans. Each word is a precisely placed brushstroke that combined together make a masterpiece. The characters of Sorcha and Hugh (also called Red in the story) are wonderfully drawn. ( )

Daughter of the Forest is an enjoyable read. It was a bit disconcerting at first having the story told in first person. The reason for this becomes clear as the story unfolds.
I liked how an old fairy tale ,familiar from my childhood has been developed into such an engrossing story. The end of the book leaves a few threads unfinished. I hope these will be addressed in the second book. ( )

I will always be grateful that a friend recommended these books to me, as, even having worked in a bookstore and spent umpteen hours of my own free time browsing shelves, I never came across Ms. Marillier's name. Daughter of the Forest is one of the best retellings of a fairytale (in this case "The Seven Swans") that I've come across in a very long time. Marillier's characters are rich and her settings are detailed and complex. I wish she were better known in fantasy circles and take the time to mention her name whenever I hear or see people asking for recommendations. ( )

This had been recommended I think in Locus at the time it came out, and had been on my lookout list since then.
I enjoyed the book, it is a great retelling of the seven swans fairy tale, put in a magical realistic bronze age ireland. The story is suitably dark, and steeped in magic, although I didnt always understand the 'logic' of the lore. I enjoyed the romanced historical setting behind the tale, the characters are interesting and the plot moves nicely, parts of it in unexpected ways. I could not discern much motive behind the actions of the 'bad stepmother' of the tale, which did deter a bit from the book for me. It also leaves some strange loose ends. There are hints that further books will clarify this. ( )

I thought this was a page turner. I've read quite a few books that have a smiliar setting, but this book had quite a twist to it and I found it really refreshing ( )

Anna O’Rourke
EDCI 4120/5120: Literature for Young Adults
Citation:
Marillier, Juliet. (2000). Daughter of the Forest. New York, NY: A Tor Book.
Grade Levels:
I would recommend this novel for grade levels eight (for advanced eighth grade readers) through twelve because it is a little longer than most young adult novels.
Category:
I would place this novel in the fantasy category because even thought it has some historically true background, the basis of the novel is fantasy (druids, fairies, etc.).
Read-Alouds:
I would read aloud the section in the book, beginning on page 151 where Sorcha, the main character, is raped and talk about the implications of this and the problems she has in the future as a result.
I would also open up discussion about the attempt to burn Sorcha at the stake for witchcraft and adultery. Here I would try to discuss with my class the dangers of “mob mentality” and acting without reason or justice.
Summary:
This novel is about a young girl in Ireland long in the past named Sorcha. She has six brothers and her mother died giving birth to her. Her father is a king and is an empty shell since his wife’s death. In the novel, their father is entranced by a woman that wants his kingdom and fails to recognize the damage she is doing to his family. She somehow turns his sons to swans and it is Sorcha’s task to free them.
Themes:
I feel that there are many sub-themes present like family and love that supplement the overarching theme of perseverance. Through Sorcha’s love of her family she is able to accomplish her task after many difficult years, but she never gives up.
Discussion Questions:
1) Is this novel too far-fetched to be taken seriously?
2) What do you think will come of Simon?
3) Would Sorcha have finished her task sooner had she stayed in Ireland? Why or why not?
Reader Response:
I really enjoyed reading this novel but I have a hard time taking novels with fantasy elements seriously. However, once I was able to get past this I saw how many elements there were in this novel that do in fact occur in the lives of adolescents still today. This was a good escape from reality and I think that it would be very popular in a classroom.

I think this book was really a good read. It is based on a fairytale. It is about brothers that are changed into swans by an evil stepmother and a little sister that tries to break the spell by weaving shirts of very nasty plants that hurt her and she has to remain silent for as long as she is working on the shirts.
The story is set in a Celtic/Irish environment. There are some magical components in the story, like the evil sorceress, magic animals (the swans) and a magic forest. But I think that people that are not die-hard fantasy fans will also like this book. ( )

This is the book that changed my mind about fantasy novels. Great story about a sister's sacrifice to save her brothers. ( )

This is the first book in the Sevenwaters Trilogy. While I have to admit I haven't yet read the subsequent books, I believe that you can read each independently. Daughter of the Forest Ms. Marillier's beautiful, haunting first entry, and is a skillful take on the Six Swans fairy tale.

Sorcha should have been born the seventh son of a seventh son. Instead she was born a girl, with six older brothers. Her mother died in labor, breaking her father's, Lord Colum of Sevenwaters, heart. As an Irish warlord, Lord Colum turned away from the painful memories at his Sevenwaters home and dove single-mindedly into battle against the English, only returning to visit his seven children rarely, and not particularly paying them any attention--especially not Sorcha, who is the splitting image of her mother. Until, one day Lord Colum returns home with a new beautiful bride--who is actually a cruel sorceress. Determined to save her father who has fallen under the Lady Oonagh's thrall, Sorcha and her brothers try to break her spell in any way they can. The powerful and crafty Lady Oonagh curses them though, and turns the six brothers into swans, doomed to remain as such, save for twice a year when they can return to human form for a day. Sorcha manages to escape, and now is faced with the task of trying to break the curse on her brothers, and save her family. The Fair Folk--faries, fae, whatever you wish to call them--help Sorcha by telling her that if she wishes to break the curse, she must weave six shirts from the burning, thorny starwort weed for each of her brothers. The shirts must be made by her alone, from the weed gathering and thread spinning to the actual weaving and sewing of the cloth. What's more is, Sorcha cannot speak a word until her task is done, or her brothers remain swans forever.

This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story of sacrifice, family, and romance. I could not put the book down. I even found myself biting my tongue to keep from speaking along with Sorcha while reading it! I kid you not.

Fantasy fans, romance fans, I implore you--get Daughter of the Forest off your TBR shelves already! It is simply, undeniably, brilliant.

Full Review at:
http://thebooksmugglers.blogspot.com/... ( )

Daughter of the Forest is the first book of the Sevenwaters trilogy and (in my opinion) the best. Sorcha is the youngest child of an Irish war-leader and has been brought up by her six older brothers. When their father marries the mulberry-eyed, sinister Lady Oonagh, events are set in motion that will change the comfortable pattern of life at Sevenwaters forever. Sorcha is given a nearly impossible task that only she can perform to save her brothers from Oonagh's wicked enchantment.

I've reread this book at least three times now, and every time I'm impressed again with the writing and characters. There are a lot of pagan religious elements and some explicit scenes, but they don't take over the story. The tension Marillier is able to create between her characters is amazing, and Sorcha is a wonderful heroine.

It's too bad that Marillier's later books after the Sevenwaters trilogy are just recycled from it. I think she's done writing her books; everything I've read that came after is just the same thing, only weaker.

A very enjoyable read — recommended. ( )

I guess I really did not like this one. I just couldn't get past the fact that Sorcha really is a Mary-Sue. Nobody can suffer that much and still be a good, pure-hearted, loving and caring person. Somewhere in the middle I just did not feel sorry for her anymore - she just annoyed me.

Nonetheless, it may be very good break-up reading (the "suffers-a-lot-but-then-finds-love"-type).

Or perhaps I'm just too cinical. ( )

What a surprise this book - could not put it down. Loved the legends, the clever story, the strong characters. Absolutely everything I want in a fantasy book. ( )