The Swan's Daughter: A Possibly Doomed Love Story by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
“Bad things befall those who consort with humans,” she had warned . “Even worse things befall those who love them.”
Told in a fable, fairy tale, and folklore rich context, The Swan's Daughter was a fantasy about the hurts, pains, and joys of love. The story starts off in a fantasy land where Prava, a wizard, begins to fall in love with Araminta, a veritas swan. Not knowing that the backbone of his love is how he plans on using her, Araminta gives her heart to him, which gives him a key with her heart on it and control over her ability to switch from human to swan. Once a veritas' heart is given, it is said that if anything happens to their mate, they will die too, trapping Araminta fully. This has their marriage constantly pushing and pulling, with hatchlings eventually arriving. Their first six daughters all arrive with their necklaces given directly to their father while a late seventh born, Demezla, has her key buried in her heart.
Demelza had no wings. And when she was raised out of her cracked eggshell, there was no key around her neck. It was locked deep, deep in her heart. And like any veritas swan, only one thing would summon it into being: Love.
Demelza's childhood was full of love but of the service kind, particularly how she could be useful to her father. She wasn't the most beautiful and her swan song came out harsh to the ears, if still able to make the listener tell the truth, but works to learn all she can about the spell of immortality, what her father has been searching for all his life. This part was full of family dynamics and how love binds us, underlining discussions on unhealthy and healthy love. When Prava figures out the spell, Demelza has her first wake-up call at seeing her parents in an adult eye and sense of betrayal. With her mother's help, she escapes to Rathe Castle, a home her wizard father helped build but after the family realized how he was setting up to betray them, barred him from the premises, making it the only safe place for Demelza.
Two individuals whose purpose outweighed their personhood.
Demelza arrives as numerous other young ladies do, there's to be a three part trial for the Prince Arris' hand in marriage. Arris comes from a family cursed to lose their hearts to the ones they love too. His ancestors have had their hearts cut-out by their partners as it leads to the partner having power. While the partners get the power, the now heartless ancestors become tress in a grove or some other nature specific entity. His parents have been the exception with his mother monthly “trying” to kill his father but never succeeding. Demelza doesn't want to give her identity in fear they'll kick her out because of who her father is, so she strikes a deal with the prince that she'll sing her song to get truth from the contestants in hopes they'll find his true love and protect him from someone just wanting to cut his heart out.
There were many uncertainties that lay ahead, but there was much joy too, and in the pursuit of the latter, the former becomes easier to bear.
As Demelza and Arris spend more time together, their relationship starts to deepen and form, binding the two in ways they never expected. This was great for showcasing all the ways love, between a couple, parents-child, siblings, and friends, can hurt and strengthen an individual and relationship. I most enjoyed how all the allegory deployed and fantasy setting and language, made this a story that all ages could enjoy and learn from. You'll recognize some shadows of well known fairy tales and folklore and get lost in the fantastical descriptions of beings and land as you'll feel for these characters that want to feel useful without being used and want to love and be loved safely.
