The Swan Maiden [Paperback]

Susan King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2001

The second book in Susan King's acclaimed Maiden Trilogy, inspired by the history of Scottish legend-and the passion of the human heart...

• This is the second book in a trilogy following The Stone Maiden, and preceding The Sword Maiden

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: Scotland and England, 1306

Sensuality: 7

Scottish rebel Juliana Lindsey and Gawain Avenel, a knight sworn to the English King, share a dangerous past. Twice their paths have crossed and each time, one saved the other's life. When Juliana is captured and paraded before the English court dressed as the legendary Swan Maiden, Gawain feels compelled to save her once again. But the King demands that Gawain marry and tame the beautiful rebel, and faced with no alternative, Gawain complies.

Trapped in a relationship neither wants, these two wary souls agree to keep the marriage platonic and work together to find an answer to their dilemma. But the longer they're together, the more deeply in love they fall. Neither can imagine a happy solution, however, for each hides dangerous secrets and if the English king learns the truth about either of them, their lives may be forfeit.

Deeply romantic, Susan King's The Swan Maiden blends a mix of creative legend, political intrigue, and high adventure with heart-stopping feats of daring bravery. King has established a sterling reputation for historical accuracy and detail, and she expertly applies both to this tale with beautiful imagery and vivid settings that make the world of 1300s Scotland come alive. For all readers who love fine historical romance, The Swan Maiden is not to be missed.--Lois Faye Dyer

From Publishers Weekly

In the second book of her "Maiden" trilogy (The Stone Maiden, etc.) King revisits medieval Scotland in the days of Robert the Bruce's rebellion against England. Scottish-born Gawain Avenel, who fled to England with his mother after his father's murder, still yearns for his homeland despite being raised by his beloved English stepfather, Sir Henry Avenel, and taking vows to be a king's knight. In contrast, the spirited Juliana Lindsay has no such divided loyalties. A beloved heroine among the rebels for her guise as the mysterious swan maiden who leads English troops astray, Juliana crosses paths with Gawain when she is captured and displayed before the king's court. While attempting to rescue the young maiden from her humiliation, Gawain finds himself commanded to marry her. On King Edward's order, the reluctant couple travels to Scotland in the company of the watchful and malicious Sir Walter de Soulis. As the rebel movement intensifies and Gawain begins to identify more closely with his Highland heritage, the bond between him and Juliana grows stronger. With its well-conceived plot, fast pacing and strong visual elements (such as wild swans, an archery contest and a castle set ablaze), this feisty historical romance will enchant even those who are wary of the well-trodden, medieval Scottish setting. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Signet (January 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451202139
• ISBN-13: 978-0451202130
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,475,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful tale, poignant and enduring, January 9, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Swan Maiden (Paperback)

In 1286 Gabhan MacDuff was 100-proof Scottish until his father died and his mother remarried an English noble. Traveling with his mother and stepfather to England, Gabhan becomes Gawain once they cross the border. For the next several years, he is raised under the English chivalry system and ultimately pledges loyalty to the King of England.

In 1300, Gawain returns to his homeland for the first time since his mother remarried. Though he travels as a member of King Edward's dragon banner, Gawain secretly remembers his grandfather stories and wants to help his fellow Scots. At a nearby loch, he persuades the English that a woman apparently drowned and flew out of the water as a swan. When Gawain finds the woman, Juliana Lindsay, he keeps her safe and calls her THE SWAN MAIDEN. Not long afterward, Juliana becomes a rallying cry for the Scottish rebels who are supporting THE SWAN MAIDEN. Gawain and Juliana fall in love, but they support different sides of the fight, testing loyalty, honor, and love.

The key to THE SWAN MAIDEN is Susan King's ability to interweave the typical medieval romantic story line within a Scottish legend, leading to an invigorating tale. The story line never slows down, and Gawain and Juliana are a delightful star-crossed duo struggling to overcome the usual problems of dysfunctional fealties and treachery. However, the myth takes on a persona of its own as it turns the novel into an enchanting historical romance and Ms. King comes closer to legendary status as one of the genre's leading rulers.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and Mesmerizing, January 29, 2001

By 

Emma "emmapants" (Franklin, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Swan Maiden (Paperback)

I don't normally read romances, but I'm so glad I picked this one up! Susan King is an excellent writer with a good grasp of both history and ancient Celtic folklore. Her heroine is strong and independent, and her hero is honorable and admirable. She writes with feeling and the reader easily sympathizes with her characters' plights. Walter De Soulis is a believably wicked villain, and the corrupt nature of King Edward I's court is depicted extremely well. Susan King has definitely earned herself a new fan. I'm interested to read her novel "Laird of the Wind" now to get the "backstory" behind Sir Gawain.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Beautiful Story, March 23, 2001

By 

suzatm (PA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Swan Maiden (Paperback)

If you want to spend some time being swept away to another time and world, experience deep love and devotion between a strong/handsome/gentle/sexy male and a strong willed, sensible female and meet lively supporting characters, if you want to laugh and cry, if you want to be pulled in deeply between the covers of the book and emerge at the end with a smile on your face read Swan Maiden or any of Susan King's books. I am an avid reader and I have never found an author better than Susan King at creating worlds and people you cherish long after the book is closed. She is a very gifted author. Don't cheat yourself and pass her by. You won't regret the time spent.