About the Book:

Title: The Swan’s Daughter

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Pages: 400

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Retelling

 

Synopsis:

In this lush and romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.

To find love is a curse …

Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.

Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris’s parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, teatime on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.

Until he meets Demelza.

As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.

While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life but find the courage to chase a life worth living.

Review:

 

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley for review. Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books. All thoughts are my own*

When I saw this book go up on Netgalley, I knew I had to request it! I love Roshani Chokshi’s writing.

This book was so fun, and I found myself laughing throughout. It’s a retelling of the ugly duckling story and the atmosphere is simply magical! I love fairytale retellings, and this one did not disappoint.

I really enjoyed Demelza and Aris. Demelza was such a quirky character, and I loved that about her. I felt that she was really unique. Aris is trying to make his own way, and I enjoyed that. The side characters were all very enjoyable as well.

The story’s main focus is not on the romance, but love is still a really strong theme throughout the story.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings, humor and a friends to lovers romance, you will enjoy this one. I definitely recommend!

 

About the Author:

Roshani Chokshi is the award-winning author of the New York Times bestselling series The Star-Touched Queen, The Gilded Wolves and Aru Shah and The End of Time, which Time Magazine named one of the Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time. Her adult debut, The Last Tale of The Flower Bride, was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and often draw upon world mythology and folklore. Chokshi is a member of the National Leadership Board for the Michael C. Carlos Museum and lives in Georgia with her husband and their cat whose diabolical plans must regularly be thwarted.