Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

Synopsis:
The chieftains of Sevenwaters have long been custodians of a vast and mysterious forest--one of the last refuges of the Tuatha De Danann, the Fair Folk of ancient story. Human and Otherworld dwellers have existed there side by side, separated by a thin veil between the realms and sharing a wary trust--until the spring when Lady Ashling of Sevenwaters finds herself expecting another child, and everything changes.

With her mother pregnant, Clodagh fears the worst, since Aisling is well past the safe age for childbearing. Her father, Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, faces his own difficulties as warring factions threaten his borders. When Aisling gives birth fo a son--a new heir to Sevenwaters--the responsibility of caring for the infant falls to Clodagh while her mother recovers.

Then the family's joy turns to despair when the baby is taken from his room and something unnatural is left in his place. To reclaim her brother, Clodagh must enter the shadowy Otherworld and confront the powerful prince who rules there. Accompanied on her quest by a warrior who may be more than he seems, Clodagh will have her courage tested to its breaking point. But the reward may be far greater than she ever dreamed...

My Rating: 8/10

My Thoughts:
Books like this, where it's series predecessors are so good, are hard to review because I end up comparing it to them, rather then judge it based on its own merits.

With that said, I liked it. I loved being able to catch up with all the characters we met in other books and seeing what they have been up to. Almost like visiting old friends. Plus on top of that, we get to witness a new epic love story. Who could ask for more.

Unlike the other books, this one takes us into the Otherworld, and we learn more of the peculiarities of all the peoples that live there. While the Fair Folk have played a major part in the other books, they were always coming out of their world to manipulate the mortals. Here we have a mortal who is going to manipulate the Fair Folk.

I was slow to like both Clodagh and Cathal, but as the story gets going, both characters become much more likeable.

It was so fun to revisit Sevenwaters after believing the series was over, and now I can't wait for the next book to come out in December!