The Swan's Daughter
A Possibly Doomed Love Story
-
- $249.00
-
- $249.00
Descripción editorial
A Good Morning America Book Club Pick!
In this lush and enchanting novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.
To find love is a curse ...
Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.
Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris's parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, tea time on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.
Until he meets Demelza.
As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.
While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life, but find the courage to chase a life worth living.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
To become ruler of the Isle of Malys, one must win the hand—or literal heart—of a male descendant of the royal bloodline, resulting in sometimes deadly consequences in this sharp romantasy by Chokshi (The Spirit Glass). Unless Prince Arris meets a girl who loves him, any potential bride can carve out his heart and ascend the throne. Despite being resigned to living a short life that ends in heartbreak and bloodshed, Arris sets up a tournament of brides as a last-ditch effort to find true love. It's through this competition that he encounters Demelza, the human daughter of a veritas swan whose voice can reveal any truth. Arris and Demelza strike a deal: if the prince allows her to hide from her murderous wizard father in his castle, she'll use her abilities to discern which brides seek love and which are plotting Arris's murder. Though Arris is quick to fall for Demelza, she must be cautious—for a veritas swan, falling in love means relinquishing control over her own power forever. At once humorous and lush prose captures both the whimsy and darkness of classic fairy tales, while unique worldbuilding, charming characters, and wistful ambiance heighten the novel's appeal. Demelza is described as having "pearly" skin. Ages 13–up.
