The Swan's Daughter - by Roshani Chokshi (Hardcover)

About the Book

Eighteen-year-old Prince Arris hopes to escape the cursed fate of his predecessors, each of whom dies shortly after marriage, so he strikes a deal with Demelza, a seventeen-year-old veritas swan maiden who can separate truth from lies.

Book Synopsis

In this lush and romantic 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.

Review Quotes

"Skillful writing and intricate world-building make this story a must-read. Within the dazzling setting lies a heartfelt tale of being different, of finding your true voice, and of the value of kindness." --Juliet Marillier, author of the Sevenwaters and Heartwood series

"A book to carve your heart out." --Holly Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Cruel Prince

"Lingers like a dream you'll never want to wake from." --Isabel Ibañez, #1 bestselling author of the Secrets of the Nile duology

"Roshani never disappoints. The Swan's Daughter is a confection, layers of airy delight and layers of soul nourishing truth. Loving someone is never not dangerous. Loving someone is always a leap of faith" --Megan Whalen Turner, New York Times bestselling author of the Queen's Thief series

"Effortlessly charming, deeply romantic and laugh-out-loud hilarious, The Swan's Daughter is a dream of a book. Sparkling with magic, and imbued with an enchanting sense of nostalgia, it reminds me why I fell in love with fairytales in the first place. I adored every single page!"--Catherine Doyle, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dagger & the Flame

About the Author

ROSHANI CHOKSHI is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling series The Star-Touched Queen, The Gilded Wolves and Aru Shah and The End of Time. Chokshi's adult debut, The Last Tale of The Flower Bride, was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages. Chokshi is a member of the National Leadership Board for the Michael C. Carlos Museum and lives in Georgia with her family.