Spellbinding! I highly recommend this book

What did you like most about Daughter of the Forest?

I read the book years ago and loved it and the audio book brought it all back to life again. I can't wait to start on the second book in the series. The characters are true and life like, the story is gripping and the narration did the book justice in every way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have a favourite character. I liked them all for different reasons.

Have you listened to any of Terry Donnelly’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No. But I will look for other books narrated by Terry Donnelly

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I was on a long flight it would be perfect! Unfortunately I don't have enough spare time to listen for so long but if I could, I would.

11 people found this helpful

Daughter of my heart

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

Yes, most definitely. I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written. Not my usual genre but I was captivated from start to finish and found myself wholly invested in the characters. It's a long book but I still wanted more.

What other book might you compare Daughter of the Forest to, and why?

I haven't read a book like this before.

What about Terry Donnelly’s performance did you like?

The narrator was very good and I would listen to her again.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed, cried, and basically lived on my nerves throughout this book I was that invested in the characters.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely loved this book and was looking forward to the second book in the series, but having listened to the preview of the second book, I won't be able to as I didn't like the narrator.

7 people found this helpful

A vivid and beautiful take on a classic fairy tale

The books is written beautifully with a lyrical and dreamy tone. It makes you believe that the magic under the sprawling moss-covered depths of the oak forests is real and tangible, inextricably woven into the fabric of the life of those who have eyes to see it. If you love a book for the beauty of its language and enjoy a good fairy tale, this is the read for you.
Juliet Marillier remains faithful to the story, without resorting to horrid modern crudeness. Instead the myth is made real by a beautiful love story, realistic historical background, masterly infusion of magic, unyielding sibling love and loyalty and a couple of utterly hateful villains.
I will be following this series further to discover what lies behind the couple of unresolved loose ends.

6 people found this helpful

Fantasy does rape...again

This book got off to a decent start and then came the rape scene. Why do authors think traumatising women with rape improves the story? Clearly they have never experienced this for themselves. Lazy writing, from a substandard author.

4 people found this helpful

Female character squashed by overbearing men

I enjoyed this book, it's well written and the narrator is perfect. However, I found myself disappointed that such an engaging main character, who was frequently described as strong and fearless was entirely subject to the male characters. The difficulties she faced and overcame seemed to count for nothing and she shrank back to nothing in the face of her overbearing and controlling brothers. A good story with a disappointing and unbelievable ending.

4 people found this helpful

As captivating as I remember it.....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this series of books to anyone you likes a fantasy novel. There is plots and conspiracy written in a wonderful way which will keep you captivated!

What did you like best about this story?

I couldn't choose a favourite piece in the book as I really thoroughly enjoy it from beginning to end. Sorcha has is a character that you can follow with ease as she works through the turmoils set upon her by the Lady Oognah and Fairy Folk of the Forest in a quest to save her 6 brothers.

Which character – as performed by Terry Donnelly – was your favourite?

Terry Donnelly does take some getting used to. I must admit to begin with she wasn't the easiest listening voice but as the story progressed you certainly get into it and relax into her style of reading.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole story is a quite a moving one in different ways. You'll find yourself annoyed and saddened by events, relief and happiness as some tasks are met and achieved,

Any additional comments?

I really looking forward to listening to the rest if the series. Each book has a different narrator so we'll see if that works or not.....

4 people found this helpful

Old tale retold.

The plot is a story I knew but at no point did I feel it was pointless to continue listening. The settings are vividly described and the characters come to life, drawing you into their world.

2 people found this helpful

Adversity and trials, grief and stress...

Hmmm- I seem to be in a minority here in that I'm not swooning with delight over this. The whole thing is a recounting of events, so has things like (I paraphrase here) "Little did we know this was to be our last happy day." , or "Three tradegies were to occur before the moon next rose" or somesuch, so you're constantly waiting for the next awful thing to happen. And boy oh boy, do they happen. Awfulness and pain and crushing burdens are heaped onto our poor young heroine, while she eats one of the most unsustainable diets imaginable, mostly bread, fruit, the odd smidgeon of cheese, a bit of barley broth, oh and bean curd (sounds a bit tofu'ish to me - did they have tofu in 1st millenium Ireland and England?).
There are the occasional lightenings of the mood, but they are brief and you know all too well that the next horror is just around the corner. There are times when I longed for a bit of editing - Richard's gloating towards the end seemed to go on for an eternity, and generally it could have been pruned without losing any of the lyricism. But I did hang on in there to the surprisingly romantic and, dare I say it, almost Mills & Boon type ending.
This is well read, with the narrator inhabiting characters from a naive 12 year old girl to seasoned warriors, I thought she read Red particularly well.
So, overall this is a not bad version of an old tale, with a stonkingly determined in the face of overwhelming adversity heroine, a stone faced, tormented and very decent hero, a two quite nasty baddies and an assorted cast of supporters. But be prepared for endless trials and tribulations - and while there is an ending to the main part of the tale, other parts are left very unfinished for the other two parts of the trilogy to deal with.

7 people found this helpful

Amazing Story and Narrator

I loved the story and couldn't wait to always listen to the next chapter! The narrator really gives life to each character and you can feel the emotions and imagine each scene.

3 people found this helpful

Folk tales reconstructed

This unique tale held aspects of old Irish folk tales, traditions and history and was captivating in its story telling.
I had to keep reminding myself of how young the story's main character Sorcha is, as even as an adult there would not be many who could persevere though her trials. I empathised with her greatly and felt great love for her brothers. I also enjoyed the characters from both sides of the water and the way the author gave honest representation of both without favouring one over the other. I'm look forward to the next in the series.

1 person found this helpful