The Swan's Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi (The Star-Touched Queen, The Gilded Wolves, Aru Shah and The End of Time) makes her highly anticipated return to YA this year with The Swan’s Daughter, an endearing tale set within a fairytale world packed with magic and mayhem.
A Fairytale Curse with a Brutal Price
In Prince Arris’ kingdom, it is well known that his wedding day will also likely be the last day of his first life. Born of the bloodline of Enzo the Fool, Arris is the latest in a line of heirs to endure the curse of a sea witch. All one needs to do to gain his power and to rule is possess his hand and heart in marriage. This requirement, much to the misfortune of the kingdom’s heirs, is typically carried out through the most literal means — carving out the heir’s heart.
Prince Arris savors every minute of his life and isn’t quite ready to part from it, so what ensues is a competition to win the Prince’s affection, and his hand, in hopes that he will find true and lasting love that will not result in his immediate demise. Dozens of the kingdom’s bachelorettes journey to Rathe Castle, hoping to win the heart of the Prince, and Arris finds himself wondering who, if any, are truly here to compete for his love, versus simply for his power.
Enter Demelza — a veritas swan whose magical song forces those nearby to tell the truth. Forced to flee her home thanks to a danger to her own heart, Demelza ends up in the only place safe from her monstrous father’s all-seeing gaze — Rathe Castle. In exchange for protection, Demelza swears to determine which competitors are truly here for love, and which are here to kill Arris. But, as the days fly by and the competition intensifies, it soon becomes clear that perhaps Demelza herself is better suited as a contestant after all. Add in an array of memorable competitors, Arris’ prying sister who is determined to keep him safe, and the machinations of Arris’ mother who only wants the best for her son, and what ensues is a high-stakes yet moving tale.
Where Fairytale Fantasy Comes Vividly Alive
Chokshi has created one of the most whimsical worlds I have read in a while in The Swan’s Daughter. From the very first pages, the reader is swept away into a colorful, detailed world that is packed with wonderful creatures and mystical locales. Layer upon layer of intricate world-building bring this stunning novel to another level, from the magical beasts who inhabit the Royal Menagerie and the whispering stones of Rathe Castle and Hush Manor, to the distinct looks and histories of the people from different areas throughout the kingdom. There is so much beauty woven throughout the story, particularly in the setting and the many different people Demelza and Arris encounter.
Two Hearts Seeking Freedom and Truth
The characters themselves are beautifully written as well. Arris is so full of life and longing, constantly yearning to find true love and someone who sees him as he truly is — not just a prince with access to the Isle’s magic, but a human being in love with living. Arris savors every moment, constantly digging his bare feet into the earth, and he is such a joy to read. Likewise, Demelza is seeking that same sort of reassurance that someone will understand and appreciate her for who she truly is, not just for what she can do. She, too, has great power — veritas swans are exceedingly rare and coveted by kingdoms far and wide — and despite knowing that for a veritas swan love means being trapped, she also wants to be seen as Arris does. When the two are together, they share so many sweet yet profound moments that emphasize that this is not just a tale of whimsy and romance–it is a story of true love, finding one’s true voice and finding a life that is truly worth living.
If you love a book with an intricate world and magic system, a marriage competition, delightful characters and a powerful tale of truth, bravery and love, then The Swan’s Daughter is for you!
About Roshani Chokshi:
photo credit: Aman Sharma
Roshani Chokshi is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling series The Star-Touched Queen, The Gilded Wolves and Aru Shah and The End of Time, which Time Magazine named one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time. Chokshi’s adult debut, The Last Tale of The Flower Bride, was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and often draw upon world mythology and folklore. Chokshi is a member of the National Leadership Board for the Michael C. Carlos Museum and lives in New England with her family.
