Elizabeth Creith

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the chance to read and review this book!

While I did really like the plot and the swan shifting, there was something about the way the author wrote that was not young adult for me and I did have to try to not DNF the book. It felt a bit more middle grade and it didn't really make me invest in the characters. While this writing style makes it an easy read for sure, it does not make it a very good one, unless you explicitly target a much younger audience; but the book was marketed as young adult.

A lot of things felt predictable, like the romance between Tuan and Kier. That the queen loves Orla a bit more is never really unpacked in the book. The fact that Kier does gain the ability to shift seems like a bit of a bait and switch when it comes to things because the blurb literally talks about how she cannot shift. The stuff with the other princes was a bit meh, as well as the attitude in the kingdom, like yes we help with harvesting and the girls have a choice in everything they do. I also feel like no one really ever focused on the oldest sister, even after stuff happened between her and Orla. There is also no real sense that Kier has grown enough to resist the calls of being a swan, except that she wore an iron necklace. I'm also a bit miffed that Kier didn't keep the other horses.

We also didn't really unpack why Orla was ready to give Kier to Hafor; like I understand why she wanted Gill, but what was up with that? Besides to make her evil for the sake of being evil?

I don't think I'll be reading the rest of this series.… (mehr)

First, thank you to the author and the publisher for sending me the book so promptly. The cover is beautiful. I was very excited to win this book.
I tried several times to read the book but it could not keep my attention. I found the story line to be too predictable. I skipped pages and read excerpts from different parts of the book hoping to find something to entice me further, but it did not. From the description the author posted, I assumed it would be more "substantial". I usually like books that are more involved in writing content and story line.
Sorry, this book is not for me… (mehr)

I received a copy of this book from the Library Thing's Early Reviewer program. This does not effect my review.

Kiar can't wait for the day she can transform into a swan. Her mother is one of the swan folk, and both of her sisters have already changed. (Even though Kiar is heir to her father's throne. ) But getting her wish doesn't make things easier.

This story read like a familiar fairy tale, one that I had heard a long time ago. All the great elements were there - young lovers, A dastardly enemy, betrayal from within. It is rather dark, with a tragic death and mental illness. But I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the chance to read this one.… (mehr)