Seer of Sevenwaters [Mass Market Paperback]

I absolutely loved that book! It was like coming home again to the world of Sevenwaters, where Marilliers characters have become good old friends. Although the description on the back of the book seems a bit cliché, the story is not. It is more an intriguing blend of celtic and norse historic setting, myths, suspense and adventure - romance is there, and it is an important part of the story, but it didn't seem like the most important one. I just loved to go back and get to know how the characters from the older books are doing now, their story is also being developed, and they played an active part.

The book felt different than the other Sevenwaters books, which reflects perfectly the fact that Sibeal, the main character, is a different kind of person than Sorra, Liadan or even Clodagh.

There are hints for another book to come, can't wait for that, it seems the final battle between MacDara and Cathal will be there some time.

For newcomers to the series, one could start with the book, but to understand all the clues and for not missing the best series in the world, read "Daughter of the forest", "Son of the shadows", "Heir to Sevenwaters" (didn't like child of the prophecy, the 3rd book, so much). You will not be sorry!

**spoiler free**

And Marillier does it again. Writes to sweep her readers off their feet, and crave for more. (Moooore. Moooooore.) Seer was a lovely comeback to Sevenwaters, or shall I say, to its characters, because this time the Sevenwaters forest will be present only in Sibeal's thoughts and tales to help Felix get better. Does the story loses its magic because of it? Not at all. It is my deepest belief Juliet could send any of these characters to the most exotic places and the Sevenwaters magic would still be there, because it lives in them, in the love that clearly shows when a character thinks or speaks of the forest, tells the story of the brothers turned into swans, or that one about the girl who saved the Painted Man (and so on). But Sibeal doesn't even go that far, and Inis Eala with Johnny, Clodagh, Muirrin, Cathal, Gull, and so many others, can surely be called home.

Seer's tale starts in the island, with Sibeal managing between her druid's tasks, and -to the reader's rejoice- helping Felix restore his health; but later there's a rescue mission that requires a group to get on a ship, sail through unknown waters, reach an unknown place, home of a legendary seamonster, and save a few of Felix's comrades. I won't say the boat trip was my favorite part (because my favorite part was the whole book), but it was the one that kept me reading all night, until morning. I loved Juliet's take on the seamonster myth (I can't say more or I'll spoil it, and I don't want to) and how she portrayed the creature. Sometimes I seem to forget that it's so like her to make the reader see the other side of a story, a character, and even of a terrifying, men-eating beast.

Prior to my reading, with only the synopsis for support -Sibeal+Viking shipwreck- I often thought Seer sounded like a cross between Sevenwaters and The Light Isles. Now if someone asks me, I'll probably be a little more specific and say it's kind of a cross between Son of the Shadows and Wolfskin, first because there is a man in need of rescue from a dark place, this time called loss of memory/physical limitations/feeling guilty/am I brave enough?/can I do this?; second, because besides the fact that for obvious reasons the couple kept reminding me of Nessa and Eyvind -when he's sick and she takes care of him, Sibeal also sent me the Nessa vibe when she goes through a inner war to make the choice between her religious call and her heart. But that's not all, I also think Seer has a very mysterious storyline, from beginning to end, which at times, reminded me of some thrilling (chilling *scary*) Wolfskin moments.

Still about the couple: as always, it was delicious (really, this is the word for it) to witness their relationship grow, slowly, tenderly, and this particular set amused me greatly because they are the "nerdiest" of Juliet's couples until date, with Sibeal being a druid, and Felix a scholar (and a poet!) - and don't I love nerds and geeks so. (I really do :D )

About everyone else: it was delightful to meet those beloved characters from previous books again, but I'll admit some reencounters were quite, quite painful; on the other hand, almost everyone provided me with laughing out loud scenes, being Gull, Cathal and Clodagh clearly in the leadership - I wasn't expecting for them to be so active in this one, so it was a good surprise.

I say this all the time, and I'll say it again: I'll never be capable to put into words just how much I love this author and every single sentence she writes. Never. No praise is or will ever seem enough, simply because she's beyond it. Her stories and writing go further than everything I have in high esteem. Her books, to me, are prized treasures I keep both on my bookshelf and in my heart. I do believe she knows, and at the same time doesn't (fully), the precious gift she presents me -and I presume, all of the other fans- with, when a new book comes out, and everytime I look at my Marillier collection I immediately feel the need to somehow tell her thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. So, to finish, and as I gaze upon my Seer, I'll just say this: thank you master storyteller, thank you queen of historical fantasy, thank you beautiful, kind, and much cherished lady, thank you for sharing your wisdom, your craft and your heart, once again, with all of us.
(review originaly posted at my blog, Cuidado com o Dálmata)

brilliant ....what more can i say. all jullets books are fab and this is no exception. a wondeful read that i will come back to again and again.