Review: A Throne of Swans by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

Author: Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published by: Hot Key Books

Publication date: 09/01/20

Pages: 352

My rating: ★★★★★

I received a free review copy from Hot Key Books in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

A Throne of Swans is inspired by Swan Lake, I’m not familiar with the story, it didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all. In fact it’s made me want to find out more. Our protagonist, Aderyn, has been confined to her home in Merl since the death of her mother which left Aderyn Flightless. After her father’s death she heads to Court in Atratys, seeking answers and revenge on the person who killed her mother, while also hiding her inability to shift from both the King and his court.

You know when you open a book and you just know you’re going to love it? The kind of book where you can feel the magic within the pages? That’s what A Throne of Swans is to me. I knew I would love it, I still wasn’t prepared for just how much though. It was practically glued to my hands.

I adored everything about this book, seriously everything. The characters are full of life, the world building is so vivid and beautifully crafted it felt like I fell headfirst into the story, once I was there I never wanted to leave. Aderyn has become one of my favourite characters, I just love her, her ability to persevere no matter what is thrown her way and the relationships between her, Letya and Lucien. Don’t even get me started on Lucien, I just wanted to give him a big hug by the end. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book.

A Throne of Swans is a stunning and unputdownable read from start to finish, I cannot recommend it enough. 

 

Buy from: Waterstones