Son of the Shadows

Son of the Shadows
by Juliet Marillier
Copyright 2001
590 pages

This is the second book in the Sevenwaters Trilogy; the first I wrote about here.

In this second book we meet the daughter of Sorcha, the heroine of book one. Her name is Liadan and she is very much like her mother. However, she is a bit more selfish and passionate than Sorcha.

She lives at Sevenwaters with her parents, a twin brother, a sister, and an uncle. Her sister commits a mortal sin and is sent away to wed in a strategic alliance. Liadan is kidnapped and asked to heal a brigand. During her captivity she falls in love with the leader. When he learns who she is, he is repulsed because of some history. She returns home and is with child.

Unlike her sister, she is not ostracized and her demands, which are to remain unwed, are met. The Fairy Folk visit her and tell her to raise the child in the forest to fulfill a prophecy.

Bran, the child's father, learns he is a daddy. He is in love with Liadan but not ready to live a law-abiding life.

Eventually he is captured and Liadan saves him. They figure out their destiny.

Of course the book is much more complicated than that and the climax is very intriguing. The book probably stands on its own but I think is more poignant for the reader if the first book has also been read.

3.5 stars