Book Review – A Throne of Swans by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

In a world where the flightless are ruled by those who can fly…

When her father dies just before her birthday, seventeen-year-old Aderyn inherits the role of Protector of Atratys, a dominion in a kingdom where nobles are able to transform at will into the bird that represents their family bloodline. Aderyn’s ancestral bird is a swan. But she has not transformed for years, not since witnessing the death of her mother – ripped apart by hawks that have supposedly been extinct since the long-ago War of the Raptors.

With the benevolent shelter of her mother and her father now lost, Aderyn is at the mercy of her brutal uncle, the King, and his royal court. Driven by revenge and love, she must venture into the malevolent heart of the Citadel in order to seek the truth about the attack that so nearly destroyed her, to fight for the only home she has ever known and for the land she has vowed to protect.

Written in rich detail and evocative language, this is the start of an irresistible, soaring duology about courage, broken loyalties and fighting for your place in the world.

My rating:

I won a copy of the arc of this at YALC, but as always, my opinions are honest.

Ooooooh yes. This was just what I needed! Really beautiful and interesting. I found the concept fascinating – especially the idea that the flighted can’t touch the flightless, which is heartbreaking and a very literal take on a class divide.

As always, I really enjoy politics like this, and I found the scheming by side characters brilliant. And I loved Aaron, Odette and Aderyn in terms of how they handle it and approach the goings on around the throne.

I’m definitely intrigued with this one and am eagerly awaiting book 2!

Buy A Throne of Swans from Amazon UK.