New to me authors Katharine &Elizabeth Corr have managed to pleasantly surprise me with this well crafted high fantasy novel inspired from Swan Lake. This is the first in a duology set in the Kingdom of Solanum. Its nobles have the ability to shape-shift at will into the bird that represents their family bloodline. After the death of her father seventeen-year-old Aderyn inherits the role of Protector of Atratys. Aderyn's ancestral bird is a swan, yet since witnessing the brutal death of her mother some years previously she hasn’t been able to transform.
Her uncle is currently the king and as she is now closer in line of succession, Aderyn has to present herself to the royal court. It is of vital importance that she conceals her inability to transform in order to protect herself and the sovereignty of Atratys.
She hopes to discover the truth behind the attack on her mother by hawks that were believed to be extinct since the War of the Raptors. She quickly discovers that the royal court is a dangerous place, brimming with intrigues.
Although this was marketed as Teen & YA, I feel that it is the kind of fantasy that will appeal to lovers of the genre of all ages. I have long been fascinated by bird lore and so was intrigued by the premise of this novel.
Her uncle is currently the king and as she is now closer in line of succession, Aderyn has to present herself to the royal court. It is of vital importance that she conceals her inability to transform in order to protect herself and the sovereignty of Atratys.
She hopes to discover the truth behind the attack on her mother by hawks that were believed to be extinct since the War of the Raptors. She quickly discovers that the royal court is a dangerous place, brimming with intrigues.
Although this was marketed as Teen & YA, I feel that it is the kind of fantasy that will appeal to lovers of the genre of all ages. I have long been fascinated by bird lore and so was intrigued by the premise of this novel.