Reread: The Swan Maiden, by Zoe Marriott

Every once in awhile I reread a book that I've enjoyed. I don't usually review them, my justification being I already know I like them. Then I realized that of course I should be reviewing them, because who doesn't want a good book recommendation? I find I typically read books over again that got at least a B or higher. You can click on those labels at the bottom of the blog.


The Swan Kingdom, by Zoe Marriott
Young Adult, 2007

from the publisher:
Shadows fall across the beautiful, lush kingdom after the queen is attacked by an unnatural beast, and the healing skills of her daughter, Alexandra, cannot save her. Too soon the widowed king is spellbound by a frightening stranger, a woman whose eyes reflect no light. In a terrifying moment, all Alexandra knows disappears, including her beloved brothers, leaving her banished to a barren land. But Alexandra has more gifts than she realizes as she confronts magic, murder, and the strongest of evil forces, and is unflinchingly brave as she struggles to reclaim what is rightfully hers.

This is a fractured fairy-tale, of course, of the Seven Swans - you know, the time honored classic where the brothers are turned into swans by an evil witch who married their father. The sister has to knit shirts out of nettle in complete silence. It's a beautiful story, if done correctly. I've always been a big fan of Juliet Marillier's Daughter of the Forest (I love her poetic writing.), and read it shortly before my first reading of this version.

In this retelling, I completely adore the quiet romance that sidelines. It doesn't crowd out the main plot, but sweetens it instead. I love that there are only 3 brothers - heaven knows 7 can be hard to keep track of. It makes them more individual. Also, the witch step-mother is perfectly horrendous, someone you can truly hate. I could go on, but the fact is that Marriott is great at characterization, playing each as she would a game of chess, with the ending a satisfying checkmate.

Graded a B+.