by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A retelling, ‘anyone but me’ love story (you know the kind where the last people who are supposed to get together do). With an obvious outcome, and a game of challenges to win a Prince’s heart. The Swan’s Daughter is exactly what you would expect from a Romantasy. Its blurb tells you everything you need to know. While there is nothing overly special here; there is also nothing wrong. For me this is a cozy, easy going ‘beach read’. I know (more or less) exactly what is going to happen (and not just because I know the original story outcome) as it is telegraphed from the opening chapters.
I really enjoyed the use of tree imagery, unique ‘life’ of the chosen one, and the overall layout of the curse. A well written, easy to follow story that provides some lovely landscapes to transverse. Roshanki Chokshi is as description and lovely in her prose as ever; whilst making this an easy enough cozy young adult read. There are zero surprises but sometimes that’s okay. A story like this will never be 5 stars for me but I can be content in one when I’m looking for something easy.
A cute, frustrating at times, friends to lovers storyline with a dash of girl power. I am impressed the girls don’t all claw each other’s eyes out during the competition; and it’s nice to see them (mostly) come together as friends supporting one another near the end. Kudos to Chokshi for not making this another woman pitted against woman story that degrades friendship and implies women must always be in competition with one another. This is the perfect type of story to show that there is a place suitable for each and every woman; we need not be all vying for the same life or partner. We aren’t all going to be princesses, and that’s okay. The sooner we accept that each woman’s path is her own and needs to be found for themselves the better off we will all be. I’m happy to say The Swan’s Daughter gives that morale in the end and I felt our ‘chosen one’ girl isn’t the only one to get what she desired. It’s a good message to give teens, and one we could all stand to be reminded of.
Overall, The Swan’s Daughter is a cute narrative, with exactly the right kind of young adult fantasy prose to bring a teen over to fantasy for the first time. A solid choice for any youngster interested in delving into fantasy and romance; or an adult looking for a cliche, predictable break.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A retelling, ‘anyone but me’ love story (you know the kind where the last people who are supposed to get together do). With an obvious outcome, and a game of challenges to win a Prince’s heart. The Swan’s Daughter is exactly what you would expect from a Romantasy. Its blurb tells you everything you need to know. While there is nothing overly special here; there is also nothing wrong. For me this is a cozy, easy going ‘beach read’. I know (more or less) exactly what is going to happen (and not just because I know the original story outcome) as it is telegraphed from the opening chapters.
I really enjoyed the use of tree imagery, unique ‘life’ of the chosen one, and the overall layout of the curse. A well written, easy to follow story that provides some lovely landscapes to transverse. Roshanki Chokshi is as description and lovely in her prose as ever; whilst making this an easy enough cozy young adult read. There are zero surprises but sometimes that’s okay. A story like this will never be 5 stars for me but I can be content in one when I’m looking for something easy.
A cute, frustrating at times, friends to lovers storyline with a dash of girl power. I am impressed the girls don’t all claw each other’s eyes out during the competition; and it’s nice to see them (mostly) come together as friends supporting one another near the end. Kudos to Chokshi for not making this another woman pitted against woman story that degrades friendship and implies women must always be in competition with one another. This is the perfect type of story to show that there is a place suitable for each and every woman; we need not be all vying for the same life or partner. We aren’t all going to be princesses, and that’s okay. The sooner we accept that each woman’s path is her own and needs to be found for themselves the better off we will all be. I’m happy to say The Swan’s Daughter gives that morale in the end and I felt our ‘chosen one’ girl isn’t the only one to get what she desired. It’s a good message to give teens, and one we could all stand to be reminded of.
Overall, The Swan’s Daughter is a cute narrative, with exactly the right kind of young adult fantasy prose to bring a teen over to fantasy for the first time. A solid choice for any youngster interested in delving into fantasy and romance; or an adult looking for a cliche, predictable break.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Follow me on Goodreads
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