The young seer Sibeal is visiting an island of elite warriors, prior to making her final pledge as a druid. It's there she finds Felix, a survivor of a Viking shipwreck, who's lost his memory. The scholarly Felix and Sibeal form a natural bond. He could even be her soul mate, but Sibeal's vocation is her true calling, and her heart must answer. 

As Felix fully regains his memory, Sibeal has a runic divination showing her that Felix must go on a perilous mission-and that she will join him. The rough waters and the sea creatures they will face are no match for Sibeal's own inner turmoil. She must choose between the two things that tug at her soul-her spirituality and a chance at love... 

Title : Seer of Sevenwaters
Author : Juliet Marillier
Series : Sevenwaters (book five)
Format : physical
Page Count : 432
Genre : fantasy / historical fiction / retellings
Publisher : Roc
Release Date : December 7, 2010

Reviewer : Micky / Hollis
Rating : ★ ★ ★ .5 / ★ ★ ★ .5

Micky's 3.5 star review

Headlines:
Couple connection
Sea monsters
Slow pacing

Overall Seer of Sevenwaters was a solid installment in the series but there are a bunch of reasons why I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the others. Sibeal was a likeable and intriguing main character but I didn't love her. She did have great character growth later on, though. The strongest thing about this book was the connection between this 'couple', Sibeal and Felix but oh, I needed more expression/communication of the strong feelings they had. It was all inner feeling.

"...we're like wind and rain, like leaf and flower.."

I enjoyed the context of sea monsters even if I found that plotline somewhat predictable from the off. However, the execution of the culmination of that plot was so slow moving and detailed in execution, I wanted to press the 1.5 speed button.

Getting to see life on Inis Eala after hearing much about it on previous books was a welcome insight. I liked spending time with Gull and Johnny again. Fans of the previous book will be glad to hear we got plenty of Clodagh and Cathal too.

While this wasn't my favourite of the series, it was likeable and at least I didn't hate any characters as per book three. I'm hoping for a strong finish when we tackle the final book next month.

Hollis' 3.5 star review

Let's face it. Nothing can surpass the excellence of the main Sevenwaters trilogy. I knew that I had liked, but not loved, these follow-up companions but I was also so far removed from them, having only read through them one time, plus being so in love with the world, the family, and Marillier's magic and writing, I was biased to like them regardless. But while there's still a lot of greatness to be found in these additions, they don't quite measure up.

That said, there were two parts to Seer of the Sevenwaters; one, the romance. And two, the mystery of the week, as it were. This one takes something of a break from the over-arcing concern introduced in book four, though it's mentioned in dialogue and worried over, and instead there's a wrong to be set right, a memory to recover, and lies to be revealed. And despite there being a really unlikeable character twisted up in the plot, it might've been my favourite part of this book.

"Is this reserve something they teach you, your Ciarán and his fellows? Always to hold back, always to keep control, never to show the world your true self, a living, breathing woman? Is this what your gods require of you?"

Having said that, though, Marillier did a great job of offering us a romance that was believable from an emotional and intellectual aspect. This is one of the first she's provided that didn't rely on an opposites-attract or hate-to-love or even just reluctant-allies-to-more dynamic. And it's perfectly fitting for Sibeal; nothing else would've worked. So I definitely appreciated it, and the journey that she goes on, as her happily ever after is true to every part of her, without too much compromise. Additionally, the ending of this one gives us a bit of a break in the formula and offers an interesting circumstance to the romance; no spoilers. But did I love them as a pair? Not really. I did, however, love the dual POV; which, due to the nature of Felix's situation, was necessary for the story.

If my life had taken a different path, and I'd wanted a sweetheart, I wouldn't be choosing a warrior, no matter how impressive his fighting skills.

What adds extra delight to this instalment was that it takes place away from Sevenwaters and we get to see, live, and breathe amongst all sorts of colourful characters who have been sprinkled into the last two books. And I love this whole cast and crew with my whole heart.

I'll admit, though, there were two brief moments that Marillier did get me, she caught me in my feels. They weren't the usual devastations and I was spared any sobbing sessions but even in a story that I didn't love, this author still has the power to get to the heart of me.

I'm really looking forward to the final book which, though I'm a broken record at this point, I also don't remember much of -- having only read it, like both previous spinoffs, once before. As we've seen with the finale of her original trilogy, I'm sure there are some twists and turns to endure on the way to the resolution. And I'm really looking forward to some potential heartbreak. Also the Marillier magic. Can't wait.

Thanks go to, as always, the Sevenwaters Squad for another great buddy read.

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