Son of the Shadows

Note to reader: Son of the Shadows by writer Juliet Marillier is the second part of a trilogy known as The Sevenwaters Trilogy. I didn't know that is wasn't the first book when I picked it up in the library and only found out when I got it home. I decided `what the hell' I'll read it anyway and I'm glad I did as you can read this is a seperate book but I'd still recommend to read the first one as well.

This book is written from a first person narrative and uses some knowledge of Celtic history within the setting and culture. One of the great things about writing from the first-person view is that you can really get into a characters head and the writer does this brilliantly in this novel. Set in Ireland in a culture rich with stories and pagan traditions you could be forgiven for thinking that it will be too unrealistic and true to the genre of fantasy this does delve into areas that some readers just wouldn't accept. However admitting that, I think it would be a shame to dismiss this book as one of its strengths as a fantasy romance tale is that it is very grounded and the relationships seem very real.

The main characters all have homes and family save for `The Fianna' a group of merceneries for hire and a great deal of practicality is used in the events that take place. Part of the contrast between `The Fianna' and the other characters is that they have no names and no homes because none of them can ever go back to where they came from.

Another interesting thing about this novel in particular is that the main character would not be the main character if this had been written for a film or for dramatic effect as she is somewhat over-shadowed by her beautiful, flighty sister who has an impossible romance. While her twin brother prepares to be a leader someday,the main heroine is making herbal remedies as she is the practical, stay at home girl who wants to marry someone who is honest with her, and develops skills as a healer. And yet Liadan undermines herself in her acceptance of herself as plain because she is undoubtedly the strongest character in the book. She is the most honest with herself and though haunted with visions of `the sight' that are not always clear she is extremely understanding of the up's and down's of life.

Her romance with the leader of `The Fianna' know as `The Painted Man' for the tattoo that covers his entire left side starts with conflict and arguments. She nicknames him `Bran' for its meaning raven and after she is abducted by his men without his permission in the hopes of healing an injured smith she has to prove herself in their camp. Bartering for the chance to save the smith and being taken away from a seemingly dull prospect of marriage with a boy she has known most of her life named Eamonn she throws all of her energy in trying to keep the smith alive.

However nothing is a simple as it seems because instead of discovering an band of evil villains that she has been taught to expect she comes to realises that each of them would risk their life for their chief as they all owe him their lives and respect him above all others.

When the smith can last no more Liadan finds herself left alone with Bran who is a complicated man, with a deeply troubled past and after attending to the funeral rites they spend a night together they cannot forget. It all goes well and until the next morning when he finally finds out who her family is his manner changes back and he dismisses her, sending her away immediately. It seems like its all over but before she leaves he warns her not to marry Eamonn (who she did mention to him) which makes it clear that he still feels for her.

It gets even more complicated with more violence happening on her way home and visitations from beings known as `the fair folk' warning her that she must stay at home in the forest and even after she returns she is plagued by problems around her. After several months her life returns more or less to normal but Liadan is changed and finds that she if pregnant but cannot tell anyone who the father is.

This is just a part of the story. There are many more threads within the novel and at the beginning of the story you are with Liadan as more of an observer than a participater. It's a coming of age novel where the girl who people take for granted surprises them all and where the villains are all human, with human reasons for their actions in a culture surrounded with strange beliefs and abilities. One of the deeper and more solidly romantic books I've read this is a good read if you like fantasy and Liadan and Bran are fascinating characters with a complex, secretive yet honest relationship. If you've read the first book you will already know some of the history but you can read this without the knowledge of the past as a stand alone story and its still immensly satisfying. Definately worth reading, I tracked down the other two books as soon as I finished it but this of all three is the one to read and re-read.