ejpass's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: retellings, witchy magic, fairytales
The Swan Maiden is one of those fairytales that's 'lesser known' but everyone probably knows some version of. I also haven't seen too many retellings of it, so I enjoyed reading this one.
I will say, it is insta-lovey and I don't really feel like there's enough buildup between Rowenna and Gawen. I couldn't quite tell what period of time the book took place over, but it couldn't've been more than a month, and for most of it Rowenna and Gawen couldn't even talk. They do fit together well, the romance just progressed quickly.
I thought the setting was an interesting one. The book takes place in Scotland at a time when there's trouble brewing between the English prince on the Scottish throne and the Scottish people who want independence. In the mix of that there are some people accepting of magic and others who are more interested in scorning, or worse, people who bear magical gifts. I liked getting to know the world and the goings-on, and I also liked that not all of the tension was related to the main plot, it made things feel more fleshed-out.
Rowenna, for all her supposed flaws, was actually a pretty good person. She was quick to temper, sure, but she was also good at keeping that temper in check and only occasionally let it out. She is also loyal and clearly loves her family dearly, even when they think the worst of her. I liked seeing her grow into her magic and her confidence, and her love and determination came back again and again to save the day, and not just with her family. I do wish she'd bite back more against her brothers' vitriol though.
Gawen came across as kind and knowledgeable. He is one of the few who wasn't wary of Rowenna because of her temper or her magic. Yet Gawen is someone who keeps a lot of secrets and they didn't always rub me the right way. When he was being his normal self, I liked Gawen and his care and concern for Rowenna, as well as for the plight of the common people.
Rowenna's brothers were a trickier matter. While they were understandably upset about the curse...why they just thought it was Rowenna made no sense to me, especially when they seemed to defend her at first. Thus far in their lives, Rowenna had been nothing but loving and loyal, so it seems strange to me that they'd instantly suspect her. I also wasn't a fan of how the one brother who knew the truth just seemed to double down on being angry with her. Later in the book this characterization seems to reverse and the brothers are more loving toward her, seeming to believe all his forgiven, and it was very jarring to see that with no explanation.
The side plot with the prince/false king was...interesting. I wasn't a huge fan of the detour and mostly felt that the English prince took up page space that could've been used for more interesting things. That being said, it was useful to be in Inverness and have Rowenna learn more about magic and magical creatures. It also served as a way to show Rowenna her depths, the good and the bad. So while it was helpful and productive to the story for them to be there, I'm not sure I loved the prince playing such a major role.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a nice, light read. There are some flaws, but by and large it's a good retelling of the Swan Maiden.
Recommended if you like: retellings, witchy magic, fairytales
The Swan Maiden is one of those fairytales that's 'lesser known' but everyone probably knows some version of. I also haven't seen too many retellings of it, so I enjoyed reading this one.
I will say, it is insta-lovey and I don't really feel like there's enough buildup between Rowenna and Gawen. I couldn't quite tell what period of time the book took place over, but it couldn't've been more than a month, and for most of it Rowenna and Gawen couldn't even talk. They do fit together well, the romance just progressed quickly.
I thought the setting was an interesting one. The book takes place in Scotland at a time when there's trouble brewing between the English prince on the Scottish throne and the Scottish people who want independence. In the mix of that there are some people accepting of magic and others who are more interested in scorning, or worse, people who bear magical gifts. I liked getting to know the world and the goings-on, and I also liked that not all of the tension was related to the main plot, it made things feel more fleshed-out.
Rowenna, for all her supposed flaws, was actually a pretty good person. She was quick to temper, sure, but she was also good at keeping that temper in check and only occasionally let it out. She is also loyal and clearly loves her family dearly, even when they think the worst of her. I liked seeing her grow into her magic and her confidence, and her love and determination came back again and again to save the day, and not just with her family. I do wish she'd bite back more against her brothers' vitriol though.
Gawen came across as kind and knowledgeable. He is one of the few who wasn't wary of Rowenna because of her temper or her magic. Yet Gawen is someone who keeps a lot of secrets and they didn't always rub me the right way. When he was being his normal self, I liked Gawen and his care and concern for Rowenna, as well as for the plight of the common people.
Rowenna's brothers were a trickier matter. While they were understandably upset about the curse...why they just thought it was Rowenna made no sense to me, especially when they seemed to defend her at first. Thus far in their lives, Rowenna had been nothing but loving and loyal, so it seems strange to me that they'd instantly suspect her. I also wasn't a fan of how the one brother who knew the truth just seemed to double down on being angry with her. Later in the book this characterization seems to reverse and the brothers are more loving toward her, seeming to believe all his forgiven, and it was very jarring to see that with no explanation.
The side plot with the prince/false king was...interesting. I wasn't a huge fan of the detour and mostly felt that the English prince took up page space that could've been used for more interesting things. That being said, it was useful to be in Inverness and have Rowenna learn more about magic and magical creatures. It also served as a way to show Rowenna her depths, the good and the bad. So while it was helpful and productive to the story for them to be there, I'm not sure I loved the prince playing such a major role.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a nice, light read. There are some flaws, but by and large it's a good retelling of the Swan Maiden.
bookswithjk's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
katzuyas's review against another edition
3.0
this wasn’t a bad read, as far as retellings go. I enjoyed the fairytale vibe to it, and I didn’t hate anything about this book. it was okay and... just okay? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ it could’ve been longer to give the plot a bit more depth or some more character development, but I believe that the main audience for this is far younger than I am, so that’s okay.
3.5 stars for a fine fairytale told and a gorgeous cover
3.5 stars for a fine fairytale told and a gorgeous cover
procrastinating_pigeon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
janinereader's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, how the sense of place here is done well! An utterly transporting story that makes you feel where the characters are. I love that so much was conveyed in this standalone.
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
There are some books that make you sit back and go “gosh, I’m so glad books exist.”
Simultaneously fresh and classical, with immersive world building and lovable characters, A Rush of Wings is more than just a Scottish retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ “The Six Swans”. It’s a beautiful urge to find inner strength, to speak truth to power, to reject the easy path.
If you’re a fan of Rebecca Ross or Hannah Whitten, I urge you to pick up this book!
Simultaneously fresh and classical, with immersive world building and lovable characters, A Rush of Wings is more than just a Scottish retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ “The Six Swans”. It’s a beautiful urge to find inner strength, to speak truth to power, to reject the easy path.
If you’re a fan of Rebecca Ross or Hannah Whitten, I urge you to pick up this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Blood
writer09's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lunamoon62's review against another edition
5.0
AHH! My heart! This was so good! So beautiful! Where is the hype? I see no hype and there absolutely needs to be. Friends, if you liked Six Crimson Cranes, this book is inspired by a very similar tale; and if you liked The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, it has those vibes. Now, let me tell you about the story so I can convince you to read it. :)
It follows a girl with a wild heart named Rowenna whose mother was a witch that worked gentle magic to protect their village. Rowenna's mother was murdered, and she's now left trying to pick up the pieces of her family. BUT, one morning Rowenna's mother comes back... except Rowenna suspects it's not her mother at all. Thus begins a beautiful fairytale of curses and romance and monsters and one journey of a girl who is equal parts light and dark, trying to battle all kinds of forces that are working against her, and also trying to discover who she really is and unearth the hidden magic inside her... without becoming the monsters that surround her. It's just... so good. The writing and atmosphere is gorgeous, and I fell in love with Enna as she stumbled along on her journey, but all the while having such spirit and strength and love for her brothers and her family. I loved the magic in this book, and the romance was so sweet, and there was even some dealing with trauma and bonding over said trauma that was just so wonderful to see. This has all the engredients of a cozy, sometimes dark fairytale, and it was everything I wanted and more out of a retelling. It's just a very empowering and lush story that contains so many wonderful things and I highly, highly recommend for anyone looking for a fairytale to read, with many good boys, a monster or two, and some very interesting explorations of morals and emotions. Oh, and a generous amount of magic. Just... I loved this one. Please read it. :)
It follows a girl with a wild heart named Rowenna whose mother was a witch that worked gentle magic to protect their village. Rowenna's mother was murdered, and she's now left trying to pick up the pieces of her family. BUT, one morning Rowenna's mother comes back... except Rowenna suspects it's not her mother at all. Thus begins a beautiful fairytale of curses and romance and monsters and one journey of a girl who is equal parts light and dark, trying to battle all kinds of forces that are working against her, and also trying to discover who she really is and unearth the hidden magic inside her... without becoming the monsters that surround her. It's just... so good. The writing and atmosphere is gorgeous, and I fell in love with Enna as she stumbled along on her journey, but all the while having such spirit and strength and love for her brothers and her family. I loved the magic in this book, and the romance was so sweet, and there was even some dealing with trauma and bonding over said trauma that was just so wonderful to see. This has all the engredients of a cozy, sometimes dark fairytale, and it was everything I wanted and more out of a retelling. It's just a very empowering and lush story that contains so many wonderful things and I highly, highly recommend for anyone looking for a fairytale to read, with many good boys, a monster or two, and some very interesting explorations of morals and emotions. Oh, and a generous amount of magic. Just... I loved this one. Please read it. :)