The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
meringued's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I've reached the end of the Sevenwaters series.
I have many more Marillier books to look forward to, but there was something extra special about this particular series for me. The ending was beautiful, bittersweet and hopeful in only the best ways that Marillier can capture. I really loved Maeve as a character; she wormed her way into one of my favorite Sevenwaters women. She is so fiercely committed to doing things herself when she can, and I found I could relate to her in many ways. The main action of the book took sometime to get going, but the beginning was interesting and necessary to me. We get to see how Sevenwaters has fared since Clodagh and Cathal have left it as many years have passed from the time written about in [b: Heir of Sevenwaters]. The romantic elements felt lacking to me, The romance is honestly one of the strongest parts of these books for me, so it was disappointing for the final installment to be a let down in that area. I adored seeing Finbar again, and having a younger brother myself I easily understand the instinct Maeve and Clodagh have to protect him above all else. Also, Cathal and Clodagh continue to steal the spotlight in other people's books. They are such a magnetic couple for me, especially in Seer and Flame of Sevenwaters where I was a little disappointed in the main romances.
I have many more Marillier books to look forward to, but there was something extra special about this particular series for me. The ending was beautiful, bittersweet and hopeful in only the best ways that Marillier can capture. I really loved Maeve as a character; she wormed her way into one of my favorite Sevenwaters women. She is so fiercely committed to doing things herself when she can, and I found I could relate to her in many ways. The main action of the book took sometime to get going, but the beginning was interesting and necessary to me. We get to see how Sevenwaters has fared since Clodagh and Cathal have left it as many years have passed from the time written about in [b: Heir of Sevenwaters]. The romantic elements felt lacking to me,
Spoiler
if only because Artagan spends most the books as a dog. It was hard for me to buy Maeve and Artagan's human connection, although it was obvious they shared a very strong bond.hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
The bones of this story are great, magic mixed with everyday life and everyday issues, courage, family bonds, love, loss, and friendship. Darkness vs light, kindness vs cruelty.
I did like the characters and I enjoyed the fact that I could read this book without having read any of the previous Sevenwaters novels.
However, the narration was too slow moving for me and the excitement of the last few chapters didn't make up for what felt like a heavy read for the first 320 pages.
Also, I applauded Maeve's courage and chutzpah, but it drove me crazy how she was made out to be so helpless for a good part of the book. Yes, I understand she went through a horrible ordeal and I understand how it left her scarred and with obvious limitations - I would have understood this even without being beaten over the head with it by the author. I just feel that Maeve could have been more empowered and "allowed" to do more things. Ok, she can't hold a brush and run down a horse, but maybe a special brush could have been made for her that could be tied around her wrist? And perhaps someone could have invented if not a fork, then maybe a stabbing stick she could hold between her two fingers, so instead of someone putting each little bite in her hands, she could have it cut up and stab it herself...I don't know, I honesty just felt that there had to be ways around it and it drove me crazy how she had to suffer because no one could invent a few tools to help her. I do understand her suffering and disability helped shape her, but as she was presented as such a courageous and strong person I cannot imagine she would be content without figuring out how to solve some of the challenges of everyday life.
I did like the characters and I enjoyed the fact that I could read this book without having read any of the previous Sevenwaters novels.
However, the narration was too slow moving for me and the excitement of the last few chapters didn't make up for what felt like a heavy read for the first 320 pages.
Also, I applauded Maeve's courage and chutzpah, but it drove me crazy how she was made out to be so helpless for a good part of the book. Yes, I understand she went through a horrible ordeal and I understand how it left her scarred and with obvious limitations - I would have understood this even without being beaten over the head with it by the author. I just feel that Maeve could have been more empowered and "allowed" to do more things. Ok, she can't hold a brush and run down a horse, but maybe a special brush could have been made for her that could be tied around her wrist? And perhaps someone could have invented if not a fork, then maybe a stabbing stick she could hold between her two fingers, so instead of someone putting each little bite in her hands, she could have it cut up and stab it herself...I don't know, I honesty just felt that there had to be ways around it and it drove me crazy how she had to suffer because no one could invent a few tools to help her. I do understand her suffering and disability helped shape her, but as she was presented as such a courageous and strong person I cannot imagine she would be content without figuring out how to solve some of the challenges of everyday life.
kcoccia's review against another edition
3.0
Decent but it was slow like the last book. I also didnt like Maeve. She's really annoying. Being a daughter of Sevenwaters, she should know how things work...yet she kept acting like an idiot. Honestly I didnt really like any of the characters except for Cathal and others who were from other books. But the story was good I suppose.
killa2022's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
athenathenerd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jadziadax's review against another edition
4.0
Great most of the way through, but the ending was a little odd and abrupt.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
5.0
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! It was a great conclusion to the series, as sad as I am to let these books go. Marillier is a great author and storyteller, and I've immensely enjoyed these books, and others from different series.
I loved the animal characters, the side stories, the character interactions, it was beautifully done. Everything had intention, it was a pleasure to read, and I was caught between trying to quicken my pace to find out what happened and not wanting the story to end.
This is absolutely a worthy conclusion for the series, and probably my favorite in the series besides the first book. This series is absolutely Ciaran's epic, and the 'Flame' is not Maeve-anybody who disagrees did not read this book properly or fully. The revelation made the series even stronger in my eyes, and I want to go back and re-read with this new information.
My only almost a gripe is that Maeve is a BIT too reluctant a heroine that I would have preferred, but I still loved her nonetheless. Marillier does an excellent job of handling her injuries while still making her a human being, not just a stereotype, or worse, an injury-she was a fully formed, and flawed, woman.
I recommend this book to all readers that enjoy fantasy, particularly those that like more nature-based fantasy. If you've read other of Marillier's books, or The Mists of Avalon, this is a winning pick.
I loved the animal characters, the side stories, the character interactions, it was beautifully done. Everything had intention, it was a pleasure to read, and I was caught between trying to quicken my pace to find out what happened and not wanting the story to end.
This is absolutely a worthy conclusion for the series, and probably my favorite in the series besides the first book. This series is absolutely Ciaran's epic, and the 'Flame' is not Maeve-anybody who disagrees did not read this book properly or fully. The revelation made the series even stronger in my eyes, and I want to go back and re-read with this new information.
My only almost a gripe is that Maeve is a BIT too reluctant a heroine that I would have preferred, but I still loved her nonetheless. Marillier does an excellent job of handling her injuries while still making her a human being, not just a stereotype, or worse, an injury-she was a fully formed, and flawed, woman.
I recommend this book to all readers that enjoy fantasy, particularly those that like more nature-based fantasy. If you've read other of Marillier's books, or The Mists of Avalon, this is a winning pick.
lorien13's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. The twist of Cisan was easily noticed, but I loved all the others. Ciaran is officially my fav character, who stands so strong no matter what horror's he's had to over come.
Dunno if this is the last novel, but it can stand as one of the best in this series. I think this may be my favorite.
<3
Dunno if this is the last novel, but it can stand as one of the best in this series. I think this may be my favorite.
<3
colorcrystals's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5