The Ice Swan is a powerful and beautiful novel of exile, heartbreak, redemption, and love amid war.

Wynn is a hero who was at first glance quite ... Normal. Until I got further in the book and his strengths and his character showed that the author made a character who went deeper in ways that I loved seeing and made the words jump off of the pages even more.

Svetlana is a heroine I could instantly like and I felt her emotions as surly as if they were my own.

Ciesielski wove a story that charmed, delighted, and made me fall in love. I love every bit, the characters, the setting, the mystery and danger, and the romance.

And, I'll not spoil it by naming the character but there was one side character who I LOVED seeing more of even when I expected his part in the story was over.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A very enjoyable read. If you at all like the animated film "Anastasia", you're probably going to like this. The author sweeps you from the terrors of St. Petersburg at the height of the Russian Revolution to the dangers of the Russian underground in Paris. Danger lurks everywhere for members of the old guard. A Scottish doctor, who also happens to have a title, helps a displaced Russian princess and finds himself falling in love. She finds herself drawn to him as well. Can they overcome the odds and find their own happily ever after?

Recommended reading! ( )

I rather liked a previous book I recently read by this author (The Socialite), but I'm not really sure where to start with this one. I liked the premise: Russian noblewoman fleeing a violent revolution meets a Scottish doctor in Paris during the final days of World War I. But the dialogue between the characters often felt forced and flat and a couple of times details came up that made me wonder if anyone proof-read the book before it was published. Overall, the story felt inauthentic and unrealistic, which admittedly I can appreciate in a book, but I suppose I was hoping for something a little different from this book. ( )

In The Ice Swan, Svetlana Dalsky has escaped Russia during the Russian Revolution with her mother and sister and are taking refuge in Paris. Hiding from the Bolsheviks in war-torn Europe, Svetlana and her family must hide their royal identities to stay safe. They seek help from a local Russian man who has connections, but have they placed their trust in the wrong man? Wynn McCallan is a surgeon stationed in Paris during the war. When he sees a beautiful Russian girl in need of help, he wants to come to her rescue, but she rebuffs him at every turn. When she finally comes to him in desperation he will offer everything he has for her safety. But if he offers her his love, will she ever return his feelings?

For me, this book started off slowly. I struggled to get through the first third of the book. It there was a lot of conversation (in broken English, due to the Russian characters not speaking English well), and there wasn’t a lot of action. I didn’t feel a particular connection to the characters, and I felt a frustration that Wynn kept pursuing Svetlana when she wasn’t even nice to him. The story did pick up, and I enjoyed the last two-thirds of the book. I appreciate that the author keeps language and romance clean. Over-all a good story, just a slow start.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ( )

The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski is another excellent story by this author. I absolutely adore her books, so rich in history, and yet filled with intricate and personal stories. I loved getting a different view of Europe, especially France, during World War I. From the flames of revolution in Russia to the colonies of Russian refugees in Paris to the soothing heather-laden hills of Scotland, this story transports you to another time, another culture, to a search for freedom and peace in all its forms.
I loved these characters. They are deeply crafted and brought to life beautifully. I love the rich history surrounding Svetlana--a history of elegance, brutal revolution, survival, and hope. I loved how much she changed, and how Wynn was able to help her accept a world of possibilities completely different from her old hopes and dreams. Wynn was fantastic. A combination of haughty surgeon and soft-hearted teddy bear, he was a charmer and a hero on so many levels.
This story is complex and far from a light-hearted read. But it still lifts the heart to see two people whose lives have been ravaged by war come together and seek new expectations for their lives. To build from the ashes. And to discover the true persons at their core. But be ready. Once you start on this journey with Svetka and Wynn, there’s no stopping until the end!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book. Any fan of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this story.
I was given a copy of the book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )