Son of the Shadows

The second book of The Sevenwaters Trilogy. Written by Juliet Marillier.

Set almost twenty years after Daughter of the Forest, the story centers on Liadan, the second daughter of Red and Sorcha. During a religious gathering, she begins to feel uneasy and has disturbing visions of the future. In the midst of trying to figure out what her sister is up to, why her friend Eamonn is courting her and how to keep her mother alive, she is abducted by a group of mercenaries. She is charged with healing a fallen member of their group under the watchful eye of their leader, the Painted Man. Despite constantly arguing and insulting each other, they come to depend on each other for help and comfort.

After she returns home, she finds the noose of an ancient prophesy tightening itself around her neck and that of her unborn child. She also discovers a sinister plot that threatens to destroy her family and friends. Liadan must walk a fine line between right and wrong to save those she holds dear. But it will not be easy. Loyalties will be tested, risks must be taken, and the prophesy looms large over her head.

This book contains examples of:
""If you had accepted me, my path would have been different…. If you dislike what I have become, you have only yourself to blame.""
 * Arranged Marriage: Fionn and Niamh, although the reasons for it are varied.
 * Bad Dreams: Bran comes off as a very unpleasant man, making it difficult to sympathize with him in any light. . Some of his dreams are disturbing enough to be High Octane Nightmare Fuel.
 * Brother-Sister Team: Sean and Liadan share a strong bond as twins. Niamh and Liadan are a Sister-Sister variation.
 * Converse with the Unconscious: Liadan speaks to  to bring him back from the dead.
 * She also talks to her unborn child frequently.
 * Dark and Troubled Past: Want to know why the Painted Man acts the way he does?
 * The rest of his crew is made of this trope. Each of them had no future until Bran pulled them out of their funk and made them a part of his team.
 * Damsel in Distress: Niamh. It’s minor before, but afterwards she becomes incapable of helping herself. Only Liadan’s planning and persistence save her from going back to.
 * Face Heel Turn:  seemed like a pretty decent guy until he didn't get what he wanted. Everything went downhill steadily until he decided to try his hand at torture. His villainy is pretty much established by then.
 * Freudian Excuse: Bran has some serious Mommy Issues.
 * I Am Who?: Poor Ciaran doesn’t find out who he really is until he tries to marry Niamh.
 * Incest Is Relative:  after her family drops the bomb on him.
 * Love Makes You Evil:  tries to put this guilt trip on Liadan, saying that her refusal to marry him is what turned him into an evil wanker.


 * May-December Romance: Seamus Redbeard and his teenage wife. Niamh is not amused.
 * Now Let Me Carry You: In return for rescuing him when he was at his lowest,  across the marsh to safety despite being tortured mercilessly just hours before their escape.
 * Rebel Leader: The Painted Man, also known as Bran.
 * Also known as
 * Scary Black Man: Gull is the only dark skinned man in the group, he’s huge and his hands are incredibly disfigured. He gives Liadan and Niamh a fright when they first see him.
 * Screw Destiny: Liadan defies the Fair Folk to their faces and takes her son away from the forest, essentially
 * Secret Relationship: Both Niamh and Liadan keep their relationships secret from their families to try and protect themselves and their men. It doesn’t end well for either of them.
 * She's All Grown Up: Aisling was Sean’s childhood friend. It’s amazing what hormones can do to a friendship.
 * Team Mom: Liadan to the mercenary group after her capture. Her status increases to Action Mom after she fights her way through  with her son strapped to her back.
 * Tear Jerker: Red's last story to the.
 * The Consigliere: The mercenaries behind the Painted Man. They aren’t afraid to point out when he’s being reckless or stupid. They acknowledge that he is the leader and his word is final, but they do share their opinions when they deem it necessary.
 * Treachery Cover-Up: Liadan promises to remain silent about  involvement in several important deaths to protect her family and their alliance with his family.
 * Twin Telepathy: Liadan and Sean can communicate through their minds.
 * You Are Not Alone: Liadan and the mercenaries all say this to Bran