The first? This was a wonderful, BEAUTIFUL book.
The second? I must read more books by Roshani Chokshi. I have the Gilded Wolves trilogy and Pandava series, so I'll be fixing that soon.
I'll admit, besides the author name I recognized, the stunning cover art caught my attention. There are three things that can guarantee I pick up a book: author name, cover art and the final point? An intriguing synopsis. And this book had one very intriguing synopsis.
The Swan's Daughter follows Demelza and Prince Arris on a quest to find independence and a happily ever after. Prince Arris is the latest descendant of a long line of kings that have ended up with shortened lives thanks to a wish made by one of his ancestors. Marriage for Prince Arris means he most likely will die on his wedding night because all his bride needs to rule the Isle of Malys is his literal heart and hand. Demelza is the youngest daughter of a wizard and a veritas swan, and as a veritas swan herself, Demelza can force people to tell the truth by singing to them and asking any question she wants. At the start of the story, Prince Arris's mother has put together a competition to find a bride for her son. Demelza makes a deal with Prince Arris in exchange for a safe place to stay. Demelza will question every bridal candidate, weeding out each one with murder on her mind so that Prince Arris can have a chance at a long, happy life. As the two work together, they come to find that the possibility of a happy life with love could be something they both can find in ways they would not have considered until their partnership.
Honestly, I'm still thinking about this world. Chokshi came up with the most unique setting, filled with so many interesting locations and creatures and people. I hope the official book has a glossary with explanation for every animal in this book, every plant, every location and information on all the different people. And a map! A book like this needs an elaborately detailed map. I would study it for hours with a magnifying glass so I could understand this book that much more. It was just so beautiful, I was in awe half the time reading because of everything that was in this book.
The story itself is so sweet. Demelza and Arris are young and hoping for something more than the hand that fate has dealt them. Demelza has been trying her whole life to be as important as her sisters and when she finally gets the attention she wants, it is for the wrong reasons. She's independent enough to fight for herself which leads her to joining the competition for marriage to Prince Arris. She's awkward but willing to learn, happy with the chance to finally make some friends with people she would not have had the chance to meet while being kept alone at home with her parents. Prince Arris is a daydreamer, wishing for a true love match that would mean he could live long enough to try everything he want while he is alive. With so many candidates to choose from and unable to discern their true intentions, Arris has resigned himself to dying young. Putting Demelza and Arris together, they make an interesting partnership, working together as friends as they get to know each other while working to keep Arris alive. Their relationship develops carefully, making their ending feel earned and this reader smiling happily while hugging her phone.
Each of the side characters are so much fun in this book. There is the reigning King and Queen, who have managed to keep their relationship going strong while the Queen has fun trying to kill her husband every few months, just to keep him on his toes. Arris's twin sister, Yvlle, is a force to be reckoned with, working with every resource she has to keep her brother safe. Ursula and Talvi, Demelza's first friends are endearing, and if there is a chance for more from this world, I hope Chokshi gives readers more about those two characters, with a lot of Yvlle thrown in. I loved every character in this world, from the mean girls trying to win the competition to the wizard Prava, Demelza's father and a trickster of a character with his own evil machinations driving portions of the story from the sidelines. Everything is so detailed and developed, I'm still sitting here sighing and thinking how much I loved this book.
Rating on my scale? 10 Stars. I am still not over the way this book unfolded, from the characters to the worldbuilding, and everything in between. Read this if you want something that feel like Howl's Moving Castle, which has been on my mind lately, especially as I was reading this book.
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