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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I remember how the witch's kiss ended on my bookshelf. I was buying books in a facebook group and accidentally typed the wrong title first. Instead of just deleting the comment, I looked up the synopsis and decided to just go for it. I really loved that trilogy in the end so when they announced this book I hit the pre-order button as soon as I could.
And I do not regret it at all. The book has everything I like so much in my books. First of all it has a fairytale vibe. It's slightly inspired by Swan Lake and even though the story is a lot more than a retelling, the vibe of the story is there. It's magical and in a way also dark and scary and that atmosphere is partly set by the wonderful writing style that fits the world and the characters so much.
Because the world is another highlight of this book. I'm pretty sure we haven't even seen half of it, since we spent most of the time at the Citadel, but it's not that hard to understand why Aderyn loves it so much, why she cares so much about it. The glimpses we saw, the wonderful places we heard about, I would totally love to explore all those spots and I hope we get to see more of the world outside the Citadel in the next book.
And although I didn't form a very strong emotional connection with the characters, I did care about them and I did enjoy the politics, the complicated interactions and patterns, the intrige and all the layers. Every time I thought we kinda knew a character a new side was added and revealed and our image was once more shaken. And I'm sure that we're far from done with this game of Chess, so I can't wait to see what will happen next and what other characters will reveal different colors.
I don't think I can pre-order the next book already, but if I could I would have done so now.
And I do not regret it at all. The book has everything I like so much in my books. First of all it has a fairytale vibe. It's slightly inspired by Swan Lake and even though the story is a lot more than a retelling, the vibe of the story is there. It's magical and in a way also dark and scary and that atmosphere is partly set by the wonderful writing style that fits the world and the characters so much.
Because the world is another highlight of this book. I'm pretty sure we haven't even seen half of it, since we spent most of the time at the Citadel, but it's not that hard to understand why Aderyn loves it so much, why she cares so much about it. The glimpses we saw, the wonderful places we heard about, I would totally love to explore all those spots and I hope we get to see more of the world outside the Citadel in the next book.
And although I didn't form a very strong emotional connection with the characters, I did care about them and I did enjoy the politics, the complicated interactions and patterns, the intrige and all the layers. Every time I thought we kinda knew a character a new side was added and revealed and our image was once more shaken. And I'm sure that we're far from done with this game of Chess, so I can't wait to see what will happen next and what other characters will reveal different colors.
I don't think I can pre-order the next book already, but if I could I would have done so now.
aradhnak's review
5.0
This was SO INTENSE and so good! I'm in awe? I can't wait for the sequel.
Full review to come.
*EDITED*
Somehow I didn’t realise this was a retelling of sorts of The Swan Princess until I was 50 pages in. This was a very different fantasy concept involving shapeshifting and politics. I did not expect the story to be so political, but it honestly is what made the book so gripping for me.
Aderyn is a protagonist that you just cannot help but root for. She is impulsive at times, and focused on her motives, but she is willing to grow and listen and learn. She can be scared, and manipulated, and yet, she is so strong.
The other characters are equally as three dimensional and complex. We have Lucien, who is Aderyn’s clerk and portal into the politics of the kingdom. Letya, who is Aderyn’s best friend and handmaid, who cannot touch Aderyn skin to skin without getting hurt. Aron, Aderyn’s cousin and former Crown Prince of the kingdom. Odette - honestly I should have recognised the name instantly - who is now Crown Princess. Siegfried, who is Odette’s betrothed and a noble in his own right.
Every character has their own identity and their own motives, and there is so much laid out to trust and mistrust everyone that you are right there with Aderyn in trying to figure out how to protect herself and her people. It all unfolds believably - nothing feels forced for plot’s sake - with glimpses of the underlying political instability of the kingdom. And the end of the novel gives us answers - and sets up the sequel so well.
The novel just kept picking up with each chapter. The story was so intense, with the stakes growing steadily. And this is the second political fantasy I have been so engrossed in. I cannot wait for the sequel. My only regret is that I have to wait quite a while for it.
Full review to come.
*EDITED*
Somehow I didn’t realise this was a retelling of sorts of The Swan Princess until I was 50 pages in. This was a very different fantasy concept involving shapeshifting and politics. I did not expect the story to be so political, but it honestly is what made the book so gripping for me.
Aderyn is a protagonist that you just cannot help but root for. She is impulsive at times, and focused on her motives, but she is willing to grow and listen and learn. She can be scared, and manipulated, and yet, she is so strong.
The other characters are equally as three dimensional and complex. We have Lucien, who is Aderyn’s clerk and portal into the politics of the kingdom. Letya, who is Aderyn’s best friend and handmaid, who cannot touch Aderyn skin to skin without getting hurt. Aron, Aderyn’s cousin and former Crown Prince of the kingdom. Odette - honestly I should have recognised the name instantly - who is now Crown Princess. Siegfried, who is Odette’s betrothed and a noble in his own right.
Every character has their own identity and their own motives, and there is so much laid out to trust and mistrust everyone that you are right there with Aderyn in trying to figure out how to protect herself and her people. It all unfolds believably - nothing feels forced for plot’s sake - with glimpses of the underlying political instability of the kingdom. And the end of the novel gives us answers - and sets up the sequel so well.
The novel just kept picking up with each chapter. The story was so intense, with the stakes growing steadily. And this is the second political fantasy I have been so engrossed in. I cannot wait for the sequel. My only regret is that I have to wait quite a while for it.
edem_92's review
1.0
While the premise of this book sounds intriguing, it REALLY falls short with the characters. None of the characters were likeable, and I DNFd this about half way through
anitiiro's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
lqvekanej's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pewterwolf's review
4.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
***ARC given by publisher, Hot Key Books, in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
Inspired by Swan Lake, Throne of Swans follows Aderyn who inherits the role of Protector to Atratys after her father dies. Atratys is a dominion in a kingdom where nobles can transform into birds that represent their family bloodline. Aderyn’s is a swan. But she hasn’t transformed for years after witnessing the brutal murder of her mother, ripped apart by hawks who are supposedly extinct sing the great War of the Raptors.
Aderyn wants revenge, she must venture into the heart of the royal court, ruled by her cruel uncle, the King, to seek the truth. But how far is she willing to go…?
As you guys know, I really enjoyed the Corr sisters previous trilogy, The Witch’s Kiss, so I had high hopes that I would enjoy this. And I did enjoy this. It’s very different from Witch’s Kiss and I think this works in this duology’s favour.
While [b:The Witch's Kiss|29984535|The Witch's Kiss (The Witch's Kiss, #1)|Katharine Corr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461438941l/29984535._SY75_.jpg|50384983] was light and fun and something of a beach read for me, Throne of Swans is much more mature in writing and in tone. This seems to go a tad further than Witch’s Kiss ever could with language and with situations and I really liked it. You can see the hints of where Swan Lake and Hamlet fits in, and there’s an element of Game of Thrones which surprised me. It was hinted at when I first heard of this book, and as someone who hasn’t read or seen the series (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! Kinda am the same with Buffy, but let’s not go there, shall we?)
And I did like the twists this book went, but there were times I did get a little frustrated with one of two characters’s decisions. I get why the characters made those choices and decisions (don't you hate it when you read a book, a character does something stupid or so out of character and you have no idea why the character did it as IT'S SO STUPID AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THEY DID IT!), I still wanted to shake them.
I admit this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea as it could be a tad troupe-y for some, but I enjoyed myself reading this (once I found time to read! Work and Christmas preparations take up A LOT of time) and I will be very intrigued how the second book in duology, Crown of Talons, is going to wrap up (the prologue to that is at the end of Throne of Swans and I am very intrigued to see where the characters go next)…
***ARC given by publisher, Hot Key Books, in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
Inspired by Swan Lake, Throne of Swans follows Aderyn who inherits the role of Protector to Atratys after her father dies. Atratys is a dominion in a kingdom where nobles can transform into birds that represent their family bloodline. Aderyn’s is a swan. But she hasn’t transformed for years after witnessing the brutal murder of her mother, ripped apart by hawks who are supposedly extinct sing the great War of the Raptors.
Aderyn wants revenge, she must venture into the heart of the royal court, ruled by her cruel uncle, the King, to seek the truth. But how far is she willing to go…?
As you guys know, I really enjoyed the Corr sisters previous trilogy, The Witch’s Kiss, so I had high hopes that I would enjoy this. And I did enjoy this. It’s very different from Witch’s Kiss and I think this works in this duology’s favour.
While [b:The Witch's Kiss|29984535|The Witch's Kiss (The Witch's Kiss, #1)|Katharine Corr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461438941l/29984535._SY75_.jpg|50384983] was light and fun and something of a beach read for me, Throne of Swans is much more mature in writing and in tone. This seems to go a tad further than Witch’s Kiss ever could with language and with situations and I really liked it. You can see the hints of where Swan Lake and Hamlet fits in, and there’s an element of Game of Thrones which surprised me. It was hinted at when I first heard of this book, and as someone who hasn’t read or seen the series (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! Kinda am the same with Buffy, but let’s not go there, shall we?)
And I did like the twists this book went, but there were times I did get a little frustrated with one of two characters’s decisions. I get why the characters made those choices and decisions (don't you hate it when you read a book, a character does something stupid or so out of character and you have no idea why the character did it as IT'S SO STUPID AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THEY DID IT!), I still wanted to shake them.
I admit this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea as it could be a tad troupe-y for some, but I enjoyed myself reading this (once I found time to read! Work and Christmas preparations take up A LOT of time) and I will be very intrigued how the second book in duology, Crown of Talons, is going to wrap up (the prologue to that is at the end of Throne of Swans and I am very intrigued to see where the characters go next)…
measishouldbebooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0