Birdwing (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10–This fantasy continues the Grimms' tale of The Six Swans, in which six brothers are turned into swans. Through the great sacrifice of their sister, the spell is broken, but the youngest is left with a swan's wing. Ardwin is torn between his life as a prince and his yearning to take to the skies and rejoin his avian companions. Believing his father will force him to replace his wing with a mechanical arm and marry a rival king's daughter, he flees. His friends Stephen and Skye (on whom he has a secret crush) accompany him. Feeling betrayed after finding them together as a couple, Ardwin goes his own way, hoping that by switching horses with Stephen, he'll elude his father's pursuers. His adventures have only begun as he seeks out the swans he once knew, is attacked by a lion, and rescued by the same wizard who designed the mechanical arm. He also meets the wizard's automatons, his enchantress stepmother, an unusual horse, and a goose girl who is not who she thinks she is. In true fairy-tale fashion, all's well in the end and Ardwin wisely realizes that his wing is a blessing, not a curse. Like all fairy tales, there are lots of plot twists and turns and perhaps that contributes to the sometimes meandering narrative. Overall, this is a well-realized, but unexceptional story.–Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. This coming-of-age novel begins with a retelling of the Grimms'fairy tale "The Six Swans," in which six princes are transformed into swans by their stepmother, and even after they are saved, the youngest brother retains a wing instead of one arm. Now 14, Prince Ardwin must deal with everything his wing brings: the taunts of cruel boys, his longing to rejoin the swans, his secret power of understanding animal speech, and a neighboring king's "gift" of a golden arm and a princess to wed if the prince is severed from the wing. Ardwin begins a journey that takes him into peril and leaves him with greater self-acceptance, fuller knowledge of his past, and, eventually, the girl he loves. Martin deftly weaves fairy tale into fiction, giving the novel a rich context and Ardwin a familiar past. Though the happy-ever-after ending lasts a whole chapter, readers won't begrudge their beleaguered, sympathetic hero his measure of happiness. The many original characters and unusual adventure scenes ensure that readers will remember this well-paced fantasy. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439211670
• ISBN-13: 978-0439211673
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,050,727 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and magical - a special book (but not meant for everyone), July 11, 2007

By	CookieBooky (www.CookieBooky.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birdwing (Paperback)

Birdwing is an interesting story. It is based on the Brothers Grimm story The Six Swans. Six brothers are turned into swans. Their sister remains silent for six years to save them. When she does, the youngest brother's left arm remains a wing. That's where the Grimm story ends and Birdwing begins.

This is a story of adventure, self-realization and kindness. It moves at a steady pace with just the right amount of description. I enjoyed the fantastical elements such as the mechanical golden arm and the presence of talking animals. It really sent home the idea that this was a story about the human spirit, about imagination and freedom to be unique.

The character of Ardwin is completely endearing. We've all felt out of place once in awhile. Imagine always being the odd one out, the boy with a wing. He more than makes up for his differences with strength, courage and kindness. Many other characters endear themselves as well - the old wizard Belarius, Prince Alene and Horse to name a few.

The settings are beautifully described. In each place that we find Ardwin, the author makes us feel as if we are there. When Ardwin and his horse face rough snowy climes, we are there with them. When the sun rises on a spring day, you could almost feel the warmth. With an economy of words, Rafe Martin has created a real modern classic.

Ardwin leaves home when he feels that there is a threat to his wing. He endures many trials which nearly kill him. He meets up with the 'witch' who 'cursed' him in the beginning. Along the way and in the end, he learns much about himself and human nature.

At Amazon.com, this book is recommended for grades 6-10. I think this is an appropriate age group but probably not for anyone younger. For those who like books that include adventure, some elements of fantasy, romance and a story about the triumph of the human spirit - this book is for you. If you are hoping for complete fantasy, dragons, wizards, elves and what-not, mythological characters, etc - you may want to pass on this.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read, November 7, 2005

By	D. Dickson (Rochester, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is beautifully written. The story, part action adventure and part fable, is captivating and filled with meaningful messages for all ages. Martin is a master storyteller bringing life to an interesting bunch of characters; including animals! I highly recommend this novel (destined to become a classic) for you and your children.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Play of Dark and Light, April 10, 2006

By	Susan Mc Duffie (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Rafe Martin has written an absorbing story, filled with dark and light. Ardwin Birdwing struggles to come to terms with his life and his destiny in a way most young, and older, readers will fully relate to. His journey along the way is filled with memorable characters and places, humor, heroism and the underlying deep magic which fills young Ardwin's world. After reading Birdwing, one sees more magic in our world as well. This is a wonderful book!