What I Learned from Liaden and Him in "Son of the Shadows"

Sep 17, 2016
3 min read

I was not expecting to be writing this review. I was indeed looking forward to reading Book 2 of the Sevenwaters Trilogy, but even halfway through the book I felt I was reading purely for enjoyment. That is not a bad thing, I know. Continuing on to the next generation in Sevenwaters, and learning what type of mother Sorcha is, is certainly interesting. However, for these reviews I want to present to you more than just a good book. I want to present to you valuable truths and examples of what that looks like, and how it can be applied through enticing stories.

But then something happened in my personal life. I learned of what is at the root of many if not all the hurtful times my husband and I have been going through lately. One word stuck out from Liaden's story. Liaden the daughter of Sorcha, who like her mother has become a healer through understanding the power that is in the Forest. But this story is not only Liaden's it is also his. His refers to the Son of the Shadows, whose own story develops all the way through to the end of the book, ensuring your interest is consistently held.

The word spoken between these two is trust.

This easy to say but often elusive word, brought unexpected possibilities for both Liaden and the Son of the Shadows. In many ways Liaden is so similar to her mother, they are both petite, and value the gifts the Forest has given them, they are also both observant and courageous, but in so many other ways she is different. I often found myself wishing I could tell her, "No Liaden, that cannot possibly be right… you must be more like your mother!" After all Sorcha's story ended so well. But how true it is that even though we gain good characteristics and learn valuable lessons from our parents or other people in our lives, it does not mean that making the same choices they made, would be right for us as individuals. Our individual life journey we must go through with great self-awareness, as Liaden learned to do.

So… trust. This same word is what I am struggling with in my marriage. It is strange because I cannot give a clear reason or a set moment that I lost trust. Looking back, he has not given me a reason to distrust him. In fact he has remained patient and present when it has been most difficult for him, moments of my own insecurities. Yet complete trust in him is difficult for me. I look at the impossible situations Liaden and the Son of the Shadows were in, and I am in awe of how despite it all they trusted. Then I look at my own life and I know… I am wrong. Whatever happened in my past is in the past, because I cannot even pinpoint it. I know that these 3+ years, the pain I have felt is due to my own insecurities. Therefore, I must trust him. I must swallow the dangerous pride that tries to take over often and remember who he is, and who I chose, and that we both chose based on the truth that God would be our center. Even more than on our wedding day, I understand what it means to have a God centered marriage and life, so there is no excuse. Just as Liaden fought past her own insecurities and fears, just as she moved with great determination and self-discipline to decide what she wanted and go for it even with so much opposition, I too can move in like manner and learn to trust.

So yes, although at first I did not believe I would find a valuable truth in this story, it turns out I did. Juliet Marillier tells an inspiring tale that captivates you all the way through to the last word and beyond that, it is a tale with power and an applicable life truth.

When you read it, let me know if you grasped the same life lesson I did, or was it something else for you.