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sorrel29's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
grace_b_3's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is one of my favorite Mercedes Lackey books, and I've read it countless times. However, it's heavily flawed, mainly due to the way Siegfried is handled. Since Siegfried's rape of a random girl drives his character development, this book is a hard read. He is redeemed at the end, and the girl he raped is dead. I really enjoy Odile and her arc, but I still hesitate to recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
scunareader's review against another edition
2.0
I am a Swan Lake purist. I have been listening to the music since i was a wee one. I know what the story is, who the clear hero and heroine are, the villains too. This book, although ballsy to reinterpret the love story of Odette and Siegfried, makes me want to gauge out my eyes with grapefruit spoons. How can Tchaikovsky's masterpiece be turned into this drek?
If you want to see a beautiful interpretation of the story, check out instead, the wnderful Japanese anime film from the early 80's called, ahem, "Swan Lake" or in Japanese, "Hakucho No Mizumi." This is the only non-ballet interpretation I accept with relish.
I have 120 pages left, but I thought I'd review it now while my disgust with it is still fresh. I'll throw the star-rating once I'm done. If my narrative opinion changes, I will edit this here review.
Finished it. My review stands. Not notable in any sense. Off to paperbackswap it goes.
If you want to see a beautiful interpretation of the story, check out instead, the wnderful Japanese anime film from the early 80's called, ahem, "Swan Lake" or in Japanese, "Hakucho No Mizumi." This is the only non-ballet interpretation I accept with relish.
I have 120 pages left, but I thought I'd review it now while my disgust with it is still fresh. I'll throw the star-rating once I'm done. If my narrative opinion changes, I will edit this here review.
Finished it. My review stands. Not notable in any sense. Off to paperbackswap it goes.
tangodiva's review against another edition
1.0
When your "hero" is a rapist who never really repents for his bad action, how is it possible to give a flying swan feather?
Watch the ballet. Listen to the music. Skip this.
Watch the ballet. Listen to the music. Skip this.
ketutar's review against another edition
3.0
Another book I don't know what to think about.
It's a retelling of the ballet, and that story is somewhat stupid. Mercedes manages to keep the spirit of the ballet, there are scenes that are written from the ballet, I can see the scene in my mind. :-D
This is written from Odile's POV.
Mercedes also wrote a different end to the story. I am not too happy about that. So, It felt forced.
So, people die, happily ever after! YAY!
It's a retelling of the ballet, and that story is somewhat stupid. Mercedes manages to keep the spirit of the ballet, there are scenes that are written from the ballet, I can see the scene in my mind. :-D
This is written from Odile's POV.
Mercedes also wrote a different end to the story. I am not too happy about that. So,
Spoiler
Odile kills her father, and moves to live in Odette's household, stripping the wizard's mansion and gave everything away. Or most of it, anyway.So, people die, happily ever after! YAY!
kari_marie's review against another edition
I stopped when the main character raped somebody.
betharanova's review against another edition
4.0
This is sweet and good~. I'm not intimately familiar with the original ballet, but I didn't feel at a loss reading this. Odile was a thoughtful and adept narrator. She is the Black Swan, attentive daughter and eager apprentice to the story's villain. She's intelligent but more sheltered than she thinks, independent but forever craving approval, cool and disdainful but so unaccustomed to warm regard that it can disarm her. I love her sooo much.
This is definitely a 90s feminist fantasy book, very blunt about the sexism in its world. It wouldn't be considered in style today, I hope, but it's also not so outdated that it obstructs enjoyment. The writing is clear and moving. Even the many descriptions of clothes and etiquette are interesting.
You all know I have Feelings on redemption and so on, and the way this book handled things pleased me dearly. Lots of the characters have done some genuinely terrible things. Through the book, you get to see clear opportunities for them to make different choices, or reach out for help, or be loved. Just peak understanding. Love it.
The ending didn't wrap up every little thread, which is a thing I miss about 90s books. Even if I would looove to dive into Uwe's psyche.
This is definitely a 90s feminist fantasy book, very blunt about the sexism in its world. It wouldn't be considered in style today, I hope, but it's also not so outdated that it obstructs enjoyment. The writing is clear and moving. Even the many descriptions of clothes and etiquette are interesting.
You all know I have Feelings on redemption and so on, and the way this book handled things pleased me dearly. Lots of the characters have done some genuinely terrible things. Through the book, you get to see clear opportunities for them to make different choices, or reach out for help, or be loved. Just peak understanding. Love it.
The ending didn't wrap up every little thread, which is a thing I miss about 90s books. Even if I would looove to dive into Uwe's psyche.
ptothelo's review against another edition
2.0
It was billed as part of the Elementary Mage series- albeit the Elementary Mage fairy tales. I enjoyed the re-telling of Swan Lake but I was hoping for something closer to the elementary mage books I enjoy so much.
aisling214's review against another edition
2.0
it was actually a tad better than i expected...and i wasnt expecting much :P