The Swan Maiden (Hardcover)

by Heather Tomlinson (Author)
Key Phrases: wool mistress, swan skin, shearing pens, Lady Sarpine, Tante Mahalt, Lord Pascau (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Layered, elegantly written, and filled with unexpected twists and turns, The Swan Maiden soars with grace and power.”—Booklist, Starred Review

“Inspired by French fairy tales, Tomlinson skillfully weaves a satisfying and enchanting tale that flows quickly and immerses readers in a charming, rustic setting.”—School Library Journal

“This novel has a light and enchanting quality . . . Doucette’s struggles and dreams will resonate with teenage girls who are trying to find their place in the world.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

In the quiet hour before dawn, anything can happen. A third daughter can dream of being a creature of flight and magic, of wearing a swan-skin like her sisters. But Doucette must run the castle household while her older sisters learn to weave spells. Her dream of flying is exactly that—until the day she discovers her own hidden birthright.

Sudden, soaring freedom—it is a wish come true. Yet it comes with a price. As Doucette struggles to find her own way in the world, she risks losing the one she loves most of all.

An age-old fairy tale told in a refreshingly original voice, Heather Tomlinson’s stunning debut is fantasy at its most eloquent and richly imagined.

See all Editorial Reviews

---

Product Details Reading level: Young Adult Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (August 7, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 0805082751 ISBN-13: 978-0805082753 Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #653,931 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
wool mistress, swan skin, shearing pens, swan maiden, tapestry bag, feast hall, honey jar

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Lady Sarpine, Tante Mahalt, Lord Pascau, Lady Doucette, Sieur Nicolau, High Arts, Jaume of Vent'roux, Lady Cecilia, Queen of the Birds, Lavena's Cauldron, Captain Denis, Brother Martin, Cecilia's Animated, Lord Luquet, Lady of the Seas, Lady Mahalt, Lady Azelais, Lady Sarpinc

Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	69% buy the item featured on this page: The Swan Maiden 4.7 out of 5 stars (6) $14.00
	9% buy Wild Orchid: A Retelling of "The Ballad of Mulan" (Once Upon a Time) 4.2 out of 5 stars (5) $6.99
	9% buy Princess of the Midnight Ball 4.4 out of 5 stars (19) $11.55
	7% buy Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale 3.4 out of 5 stars (16) $6.99

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below. fairy tale retellings(12) fairy tales(8) young adult fantasy(8) romance(6) sorcery(5) coming of age(2) fairy tales - retold(2) abc(1) retold fairytales(1) tagged(1) teen historical romance(1) See all 12 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search

No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

---

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

---

 

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 20 of 22 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A tale for all readers, September 4, 2007 By  Fletcher Lokey - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Here is my full disclosure. I taught Heather Tomlinson physics in high school. She was unforgettably sharp, so quick and delightful. When I learned that she had written a novel, a fairy tale for young readers, I naturally thought I should get it and see. I certainly did not think of reviewing it. But I certainly have to. Let me start with a summary statement. The tale pulled me in and stepped right along - rich, surprising, greatly satisfying. It will not spoil the plot to say that I was as spellbound as Nicolau, the unfortunate character who was unable to let go of the door bolt. Any work that means to create a world in some degree unlike our real world must have two things to succeed, beyond an obvious need for a plot that works. It must have imagination and invention to draw us in, and it must have depth, those touches large and small that surround and fill and give us room to watch the story from inside. This one has both, in full measure, and would earn a hearty recommendation without need for more. But more really must be said. I delight in fine wordcraft. Just as there are composers with the gift of tuneful invention (I go for Schubert and Dvorak), so there are writers gifted with perfect pitch in wording. I found myself utterly enjoying the wordwork. Such zest and agility, so tasty and just right! A tale for young readers? This is a tale for all readers. 9 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Swan Maiden, August 27, 2007 By  Tina Nichols Coury "tinanicholscouryblog.com" (Oxnard, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This is a fabulous retelling of a fairy tale. A great read and a "can't put it down until you are finished" type of book. As a children's author I read many fantasies and this rates as one of the top ones. A must buy. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of My New All Time Favorites!, March 31, 2008 By  Chelsey "BOOK LOVER!" (Layton, UT USA) - See all my reviews The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson is one of the most beautiful and amazing books I have read in a long time. Seriously, everything about this book I loved. The Plot: While I found it to be a tad confusing in some places, it still flowed along so beautifully. It was exciting, filled with twists and turns I never expected. This plot also didn't drag on and on and on, as some writers have their books do. This plot was tight and to the point. The Characters: These are some of the most endearing and complex characters I have ever read about. Doucette was a great main character since she wasn't the pretty or magical sister. Jaume... oh my gosh! I think I developed a little crush on him. Azelais and Lady Sarpine were the perfect villians, challenging Doucette in many ways. The Writing: Obviously, Heather is a fantastic writer. It was so fluid and beautiful and very addicting as well. (It was nearly impossible for me to put this down!) And with this being her debut novel, I imagine it can only get better with her forthcoming books! So... I highly, highly recommend this book. This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I think you feel the same way too!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars The Compulsive Reader's Reviews Doucette has always wanted to shed her chastelaine duties set for her by her mother in favor of taking up a swan skin and joining her sisters in flight. Read more Published 16 months ago by The Compulsive Reader 4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not Great The book is good through out most of it, though it felt, at first, that the author was stretching it out in order to make it long and then rushing through the ending in order to... Read more Published 16 months ago 5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story This is an extremely engaging blend of magic and fairy tale. I recommend this highly for middle grade readers, and for readers of all ages who enjoy a good story. Read more Published 23 months ago by K. Bicknell Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)

New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.

This product's forum (0 discussions)   Discussion Replies Latest Post   No discussions yet Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   [Cancel] Guidelines Active discussions in related forums   Discussion Replies Latest Post romance Stories where heroine has terminal illness or is dying 5 17 minutes ago romance Hero ISN'T a Rake 19 38 minutes ago young adult Have You Written a Young Adult Book-Come Tell Us About It 123 3 hours ago childrens books Help with book title 3 3 hours ago young adult What to read after you've read every YA supernatural romance book imaginable? 27 3 hours ago fairy tale retellings What's your favorite fairy tale adaptation? 7 1 day ago young adult fantasy Clean Fantasy books that take place in other realms for +16 11 3 days ago

The Fairy Tale Retellings community Latest activity 11 hours ago 853 customers have contributed 555 products, 105 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Young Adult Fantasy community Latest activity 2 hours ago 1,160 customers have contributed 717 products, 131 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community The Fairy Tales community Latest activity 47 minutes ago 3,527 customers have contributed 2,005 products, 355 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums childrens books (886 discussions) fairy tale... (1 discussion) fairy tales (11 discussions) romance (1023 discussions) young adult (415 discussions) young adult... (6 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Listmania!

My Favorite FANTASY Books: A list by Chelsey "BOOK LOVER!"   Girls of Myth, Fairy Tale, and Folklore: A list by Ven Stone   Fairy Tale Influenced Fiction 2007: A list by Heidi Anne Heiner Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

read some magical fairytale retellings: A guide by The Compulsive Reader   escape into a world of fantasy: A guide by Penelope Williamson "Penelope"   read a fantasy book with a strong heroine: A guide by The Compulsive Reader Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Stories
• Books > Children's Books > Literature > Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror > Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
• Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Love & Romance
• Books > Teens > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy
• Books > Teens > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

---

Don't Eat the Biscuits With a biscuit joiner you can create joints in a fraction of the time it takes using more traditional woodworking techniques. ›Shop for biscuit joiners

Big Savings in Books Find great titles at fantastic prices in our Bargain Books Store.

Summer Reading for Kids & Teens Discover everything from beach reads and board books to teen romance and action-adventure series in Summer Reading for Kids & Teens. And, check off the kids' required reading lists in our Summer School Reading Store.

Bench Dog Innovative Tools Bench Dog offers a growing line of router tables, safety accessories, and tools for builders and do-it-yourselfers. ›Shop for Bench Dog tools now

Ad feedback

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Where's My Stuff? Track your recent orders. View or change your orders in Your Account. Shipping & Returns See our shipping rates & policies. See FREE shipping information. Return an item (here's our Returns Policy). Need Help? Forgot your password? Buy gift cards. Visit our Help department.

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)

You have no recently viewed items or searches. After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.	Continue shopping: Top Sellers Paranoia by Joseph Finder 4.1 out of 5 stars (193)$0.00 My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent 4.3 out of 5 stars (3)$0.00 Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck 3.8 out of 5 stars (258)$6.59 Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck 3.8 out of 5 stars (258)$6.59

Amazon.com Home  |   Directory of All Stores

International Sites:  Canada  |  United Kingdom  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  France  |  China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Build an eCommerce Site  |  Advertise With Us  |  Developer Services  |  Self-Publish with Us

Help  |  View Cart  |  Your Account  |  1-Click Settings

Investor Relations  |  Press Releases  |  Careers at Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (August 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805082751
• ISBN-13: 978-0805082753
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #653,931 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tale for all readers, September 4, 2007

By	Fletcher Lokey - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Here is my full disclosure. I taught Heather Tomlinson physics in high school. She was unforgettably sharp, so quick and delightful. When I learned that she had written a novel, a fairy tale for young readers, I naturally thought I should get it and see. I certainly did not think of reviewing it. But I certainly have to.

Let me start with a summary statement. The tale pulled me in and stepped right along - rich, surprising, greatly satisfying. It will not spoil the plot to say that I was as spellbound as Nicolau, the unfortunate character who was unable to let go of the door bolt.

Any work that means to create a world in some degree unlike our real world must have two things to succeed, beyond an obvious need for a plot that works. It must have imagination and invention to draw us in, and it must have depth, those touches large and small that surround and fill and give us room to watch the story from inside. This one has both, in full measure, and would earn a hearty recommendation without need for more. But more really must be said.

I delight in fine wordcraft. Just as there are composers with the gift of tuneful invention (I go for Schubert and Dvorak), so there are writers gifted with perfect pitch in wording. I found myself utterly enjoying the wordwork. Such zest and agility, so tasty and just right!

A tale for young readers? This is a tale for all readers.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Swan Maiden, August 27, 2007

By	Tina Nichols Coury "tinanicholscouryblog.com" (Oxnard, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fabulous retelling of a fairy tale. A great read and a "can't put it down until you are finished" type of book. As a children's author I read many fantasies and this rates as one of the top ones. A must buy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My New All Time Favorites!, March 31, 2008

By	Chelsey "BOOK LOVER!" (Layton, UT USA) - See all my reviews

The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson is one of the most beautiful and amazing books I have read in a long time. Seriously, everything about this book I loved.

The Plot: While I found it to be a tad confusing in some places, it still flowed along so beautifully. It was exciting, filled with twists and turns I never expected. This plot also didn't drag on and on and on, as some writers have their books do. This plot was tight and to the point.
The Characters: These are some of the most endearing and complex characters I have ever read about. Doucette was a great main character since she wasn't the pretty or magical sister. Jaume... oh my gosh! I think I developed a little crush on him. Azelais and Lady Sarpine were the perfect villians, challenging Doucette in many ways.
The Writing: Obviously, Heather is a fantastic writer. It was so fluid and beautiful and very addicting as well. (It was nearly impossible for me to put this down!) And with this being her debut novel, I imagine it can only get better with her forthcoming books!

So... I highly, highly recommend this book. This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I think you feel the same way too!