Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Started Reading: July 1, 2007
Finished Reading: July 1, 2007
Is there something more to the fairy tale about the six brothers turned into swans and their sister weaving them garments to break the spell? Juliet Mariller adds more magic to this old mystical tale. I’m glad she had picked a tale that wasn’t universally common already. Cinderella and Snow White have been told and retold countless of times, that the tale about the swans and their sister becomes a refreshing change.
The book was very enjoyable, and it does a good job of developing its characters. Seven siblings may be hard to handle, but they all developed into individuals with unique characteristics that even though Sorcha is the main protagonist, they manage to have their own, little stories incorporated as the plot progresses. It would never be easy to forget even one character, no matter how significant or not they are. Mariller manages to create characters that make lasting impressions on the readers, and this is one of her strong points because without it, one may have easily missed important details in the web of the story.
Sorcha could be called a “Mary Sue”, but it was also hard for me, personally, to hate her because of what she had to go through. Even Red could be described as perfect, but some of that may be credited to the Fair Folk’s tricks (though, when it comes down to it, he really is almost perfect). I don’t have a very hard time dealing with them because yes, these kinds of people do exist no matter how rare. An annoying fact, but a fact nonetheless. It’s easier dealing with it in fiction after having known such a person in real life.
Some of the best characters are Sorcha’s brothers (Finbar, Conor, among the four others) wherein the effects due to the curse are more prominent. Their change from man to swan affected them in a way that the principles they held on to before were not the same principles they came to believe by the time the curse was lifted. It depicted how man could be affected by the misfortunes and obstacles in his life - how it opens his eyes to reality and destroys fragile ideals prominent in youth.
We also see love handled in various ways in the novel. Lust vs. true love, selfishness vs. sacrifice. Romance is one of the prominent aspects in the story, aside from fantasy. We’re also reminded that not everyone receives a happy ending. Character deaths, fate, and personal choices could bless one or two with their happily-ever-after, but could also bring misery to others.
This is not exactly the best fantasy-romance book out there, but it was still a good read. The plot gained suspense at the latter part and it became hard for me to stop reading without finishing the book. 
All in all, I was very satisfied. I’m just not sure if I want to read the sequel. I wonder if it is going to be better than this, or lower than the standard this book had already set.
Tags: Juliet Marillier