Synopses & Reviews
The Norseman Eyvind, a fierce and loyal Wolfskin, came to a new land on top of the world to find his destiny. With his priestess bride Nessa he saved the land and weathered the treachery that was caused by Eyvind's blood-sworn friend Somerled. After much pain and sorrow the two lovers have managed to create a society where the Norse warriors and the gentle folks of the Orkney Isles live and thrive in contentment at last. A decade and more has passed since the devastating events of the creation of the settlement and Eyvind and Nessa have watched their children grow and thrive in peace.
But not all on the islands are content or at peace. Thorvald, the young son of Margaret, widow of the slain king and Eyvind's war leader, has always felt apart and at odds with all he knows. He learns upon his coming to manhood that he is not his father's son but that of the love that Margaret bore for the hated Somerled and that Somerled was not killed for his treachery but sent on a boat, adrift with little more than a knife and skein of water, doomed to the god's will. Thorvald is determined to find a boat and cast off to the West in a desperate bid to find a father he never knew...and to find out if he is made of the same stuff as the henious traitor.
The tragedy of this scheme would be horrific enough...if it were not for the fact that Creidhe, the winsome daughter of Eyvind and Nessa has loved Thorvald since birth and unbeknownst to him conspires to go along on this most perilous of quests.
What happens to them on their journey of discovery will ultimately change the lives of all they know and love...and will doom (or redeem) an entire people.
Review
"Another great story full of well developed characters from this fine fantasist."--Booklist (Starred) on
Foxmask"Many fantasy writers burn out or fall victim to their own celebrity, but Juliet Marillier just keeps getting better. Some passages here are stunning their beauty, one scene in particular has an emotive power that should reduce even the most jaded reader to tears, and more often than not you'll be quite wrong if you think you know what comes next. That's the delight of it."--Locus on Foxmask "Compelling ...With an effective blend of the historical and the mystical, Marillier brings an ancient culture to vivid life. This is a strong historical fantasy that will also appeal to readers of medieval romances."--RT Book Reviews "In this captivating historical fantasy ... Marillier sweeps the reader to Dark Age Britain's northernmost islands."--Publishers Weekly "Emotionally charged."--Kirkus Reviews "A rousing page-turner, a heady blending romance, magic, and battle."-Booklist (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
“Sterling characterizations, perfect pacing, appropriately marvelous fairy subplots, and vivid descriptive passages make for a flawless launching of a fantasy trilogy those next volume this books readers will eagerly await.”—Booklist (starred) on Daughter of the Forest
“This novel will delight and astound. An exceptional debut fairy tale that mixes romance, legend, and magic.”—Realms of Fantasy on Daughter of the Forest
“The exquisite poetry of the story is carefully balanced with strong characterizations and more than a nod to Irish mythology.”—Romantic Times (Romantic Times Gold Top Pick) on Son of the Shadows
“A sparkling saga of a family whose destiny is to help free Erin from British tyranny.”—Publishers Weekly on Son of the Shadows
“Marillier blends old legends with original storytelling to produce an epic fantasy.”—Library Journal on Son of the Shadows
"A rich tapestry of love and loss, family loyalty and personal sacrifice."
—Publisher Weekly (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
“A rousing page-turner, a heady blending romance, magic, and battle.”—Booklist (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
Review
"Another great story full of well developed characters from this fine fantasist."--Booklist (Starred) on
Foxmask"Many fantasy writers burn out or fall victim to their own celebrity, but Juliet Marillier just keeps getting better. Some passages here are stunning their beauty, one scene in particular has an emotive power that should reduce even the most jaded reader to tears, and more often than not you'll be quite wrong if you think you know what comes next. That's the delight of it."--Locus on Foxmask "Compelling ...With an effective blend of the historical and the mystical, Marillier brings an ancient culture to vivid life. This is a strong historical fantasy that will also appeal to readers of medieval romances."--RT Book Reviews "In this captivating historical fantasy ... Marillier sweeps the reader to Dark Age Britain's northernmost islands."--Publishers Weekly "Emotionally charged."--Kirkus Reviews "A rousing page-turner, a heady blending romance, magic, and battle."-Booklist (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
“Sterling characterizations, perfect pacing, appropriately marvelous fairy subplots, and vivid descriptive passages make for a flawless launching of a fantasy trilogy those next volume this books readers will eagerly await.”—Booklist (starred) on Daughter of the Forest
“This novel will delight and astound. An exceptional debut fairy tale that mixes romance, legend, and magic.”—Realms of Fantasy on Daughter of the Forest
“The exquisite poetry of the story is carefully balanced with strong characterizations and more than a nod to Irish mythology.”—Romantic Times (Romantic Times Gold Top Pick) on Son of the Shadows
“A sparkling saga of a family whose destiny is to help free Erin from British tyranny.”—Publishers Weekly on Son of the Shadows
“Marillier blends old legends with original storytelling to produce an epic fantasy.”—Library Journal on Son of the Shadows
"A rich tapestry of love and loss, family loyalty and personal sacrifice."
—Publisher Weekly (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
“A rousing page-turner, a heady blending romance, magic, and battle.”—Booklist (starred) on Child of the Prophecy
About the Author
Juliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, a town with strong Scottish roots. She currently lives in a rural area of Western Australia, sharing her house with a cat and a dog. A university graduate in music and languages, she has had a varied career that includes working for government agencies, opera singing, and raising four children. Juliet now writes full time. Her lifelong interest in myth, legend, folklore and traditional music is a strong influence on both style and theme in her writing. A passion for early British history, reflecting her Celtic ancestry, is evident in her choice of settings.
Juliet Marillier achieved international recognition in 1999 with the publication of her award-winning novel Daughter of the Forest. This is the first book of the Sevenwaters Trilogy, a historical fantasy set in Ireland and Britain in the ninth century, and is loosely based on the traditional fairy tale, The Six Swans. The second book in the series, Son of the Shadows, won the 2000 Aurealis Award for best fantasy novel. Child of the Prophecy completes this trilogy.
Juliet Marillier's second series is based on the first Viking voyage from Norway to Orkney, and weaves history and folklore into a saga of adventure, romance and magic. The series is made up of two novels, Wolfskin and Foxmask. Juliet is currently working on a new trilogy set in the north of Britain in the time of the Picts.