Have I mentioned how much I effing love the tale of the Six Swans? (aka The Wild Swans; variation: The Seven Swans. Basically, I like the swan stories...) I have this one sitting on my shelves right now, and I wanted VERY BADLY to read it for this FTF. But also, I'm a little trepidatious because, though I love Zoe, my fave FT retelling EVER is Daughter of the Forest - a retelling of The Six Swans... It's a high bar, for sure. But Ashley loves this one like a maniac, so...one of these days!
The Swan Kingdom by Zoë Marriott
272 pages
Published March 25th 2008 by Candlewick Press
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. Fantasy lovers will be held in thrall by this tale full of visual detail, peppered with a formidable destructive force and sweetened with familial and romantic love.
Also, look at this cover!
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That bottom cover is gorgeous, and even more in person, since that's the one I have. But - and I cannot believe this - they revamped it in the UK. How can you revamp such a gorgeous cover, man????!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is very, very nice and I liked it a lot. I hope you get a chance to read it soon. However, while it's very hard to compare books with different approaches and different styles, and I usually refuse to do so quoting the apples and oranges cliche, I'm going to stick my neck out here and tell you there isn't any way this is going to upset the throne on which Daughter of The Forest sits. In terms of all the things that Ms. Marillier so unobtrusively, smoothly packed into her version. All the added lushness and life that surrounded the story and made it so perfect will still make Daughter of The Forest stand by itself. This only applies to you, Misty. It's based on reading what you think of many, many books. Once again, the two different approaches and styles will cause complete reversal of the opinion if applied to someone else.
ReplyDeleteSo...I'm thinking I'm going to have to read some of these books by Zoë Marriott. This is the second time I've read about her on your blog, and I've been blown away by the synopsis both times. I'm kind of sad that I've only learned about this author now!
ReplyDelete- Jackie G. @ Books & Tea
P.S. OMG! That second book cover!