A review by twocents
A Wild Winter Swan by Gregory Maguire

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

A twist on the tale "The Wild Swans," but it's mostly a coming-of-age story featuring a girl who is dealing with grief, yes, but who holds herself as superior, "can't" do schoolwork, and who takes advantage of her loving grandparents, even as it brings them to the brink of financial ruin. The swan brother takes about 60% of the book to show up and is barely present even when he does.

Gregory Maguire has written several wonderful retellings that twist the original into something fresh and fascinating. This book is not one of them.