"When her sisters Adana and Orla both gain the ability to transform into swans like their mother, Kiar feels left out. As Princess of Valenia, she will inherit the kingdom from her father King Tir—but becoming queen is nothing compared to the ability to fly. This feeling intensifies when her family fosters three cygnets and it turns out that Orla is a black swan, a once-in-a-century phenomenon with powerful magic. As each of her sisters transitions into their new roles, one as the future leader of the swan folk and the other to train with a wisewoman, Kiar throws herself into learning swordplay, politics, and the finer points of ruling. An uneasy peace with the neighboring kingdom of Noermark hangs in the balance as its King begins to make attempts to take over, by marriage if not by force. Every decision the young queen in waiting makes must balance the needs of all her subjects, human and swanfolk alike.
Fantasy skirting fairytale, Elizabeth Creith's young adult novel THE SWAN HARP (Wings of Valenia Book One) uses an unusual premise and some original and tender world-building to draw readers in."
"A spellbinding fantasy romance..."
The human and swanfolk cultures united in harmony through the marriage of King Tir and Queen Tianis created an intriguing foundation for worldbuilding within the story's introduction. I loved diving into the swanfolk's culture and seeing how the transformative magic intertwined with Kiar's story, creating tension and suspense... Princess Kiar bears the weight of the kingdom on her young shoulders. With many lessons to learn, Kiar has to prove that she has the strength to rule and make difficult decisions, especially when the most ominous threat comes from the least expected place.
I recommend The Swan Harp to readers who enjoy slow burn fantasy romance, shapeshifting magic, medieval fantasy settings, and subtle political intrigue."