Maeve, daughter of Lord Sean of Sevenwaters, was badly burned as a child, leaving her with scarring on her face and hands like claws. She has lived the past 10 years with her Aunt Liadan and Uncle Bran at Harrowfield in Britain, but now she returns to Erin and Sevenwaters at Bran's request, to care for Swift, a high-strung yearling colt. For Maeve has a gift with animals, able to calm horses and dogs with nothing more than her voice.

At Sevenwaters, she learns that the fey prince Mac Dara, in a desperate bid to get his son Cathal back to the Otherworld, has abducted the men of Lord Cruinn of Tirconnell, in what is being called the Disappearance. So far, a number of the men have been found, each one dead in peculiar circumstances. None of the men, however, is either of Cruinn's sons, Tiernan and Artagan, or their bosom companion Daigh. When Maeve discovers one of Cruinn's men, she and her little brother Finbar embark on a strange journey that will change their lives, and the lives of their family.

I have loved Marillier's Sevenwaters books since I read Daughter of the Forest years ago. This one does not disappoint. In fact, it moved me near to tears on several occasions. The characters are wonderfully drawn, especially the dogs, Bear and Badger, that Maeve saves from the forest. Marillier clearly understands dogs as well as she does people.

If you like your fantasy with a Celtic twist, try these books.