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  • Daughter of the Forest

  • Sevenwaters, Book 1
  • By: Juliet Marillier
  • Narrated by: Terry Donnelly
  • Length: 26 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (181 ratings)

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Daughter of the Forest

By: Juliet Marillier
Narrated by: Terry Donnelly
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, July 2013 - I loved two things as a teen: fairytales and history. After watching me give up on The Once and Future King for the umpteenth time, my first girlfriend gave me a little package of books. Daughter of the Forest was on the top, probably due to its size, but I like to think she hoped I’d read it first. I devoured it in one sitting. But let’s be clear: Daughter of the Forest is a coming-of-age story, but it is not YA. Set in medieval Ireland, this is the story of Sorcha, youngest child of Sevenwaters, an ancient fortress stewarded by a noble family tasked with overseeing the spiritually-important lands. When her father’s new wife turns her six brothers into swans and forces Sorcha to go on the run, she is set to a curse-breaking task by the Fair Folk inhabiting the dark and dangerous woods – weave six shirts of starwort, and speak no words while you are working, or your brothers will be swans forever. Sorcha’s magically-enforced silence lands her in serious trouble when she’s captured by a rival clan, and she is forced to try and complete her task in a stranger’s land. While ultimately a tale of what we’ll do for our families, Daughter of the Forest is great fantasy for the fairer set, those who are historically minded, or those who want a break from the heaviness of Game of Thrones. I’m thrilled to finally see it in audio. —Erin, Audible Editor

Publisher's Summary

Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives and they are determined that she know only contentment. But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift - by staying silent.

If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever. When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs that she will never able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all....

©2000 Juliet Marillier (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Daughter of the Forest

Average Customer Ratings
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Disappointing choice of voice for an old favourite

I read this book back as a young adult several times and loved it. Remembering it fondly, I was excited to find it available on audible, but have not been able to make it through the first chapter due to the atrocious choice of voice talent. The read is unnaturally staccato with contact upward inflections making it very difficult to follow the story. This is combined with a tone that is either emotionless or whining.
I'd highly recommend the story - but perhaps go find a paperback version!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A walk in a forest in Erin is fraught with danger

Would you listen to Daughter of the Forest again? Why?

This is a long audio and much is retelling of familiar traditional lore so once is probably enough.

What about Terry Donnelly’s performance did you like?

It takes a while to adapt to the storytellers style - initially a little childlike and irritating but once you have tuned in you caught up in the flow. As much of the story is told in the first person, Sorcha's 'voice' can become a little dull.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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simple and heartfelt

old myths and legends retold in the lyrical irish way. its not fast paced like modern fantasy, so wondered how it could hold the interest for over 20 hours! yet somehow it draws you into a time of history and mythical world of 'dreamtime' Ireland

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow

Beautifully written... Well told ... Sad in some parts but the rest make up for it .... Had me on the edge of my seat ...

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the favs

This book has always been one of my favs and Terry did great justice to it in her narration. I credit this story with my love of reading now, it is such an old tale but Marillier gives it new life. this is 100% worth the listen.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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one of my favourite books

loved it ! Always a favourite book of mine. Can take me far far away into a whole other world! With adventures, love, happiness and sadness. I recommend this book to anyone, but be prepared for a book that will change your life...

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Beautifully Written

Another fabulous instalment from Juliet Marillier, I couldn't put it down! I do love a happy ending 😀

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    2 out of 5 stars
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vikki

Ive read the books years ago in my early 20s and loved them , as i dont have much time to read these days i thought i would download a copy to listen to before bed .... well i was disappointed as i found the readers voice annoying with a whinny tone and the book was read too slowly

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

FABULOUS StoryTERRIBLE narrator UtterlyLostMyself

found myself pacing the floor in fear,yet the narrator,I so wanted to dig myeardrums out

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing, simply amazing story

Loved every minute!
I had to refrain from speeding the reading up during the exciting parts of the story! Wonderful story!

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