Posted on  20/08/2024 14:02:21

My rating: 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 book and more of Juliet Marillier on www.julietmarillier.com