The Swan Maiden

I had previously read a children's version of this myth, and so I had a good idea of the bare bones of the story. I thought the author did a great job filling in the characters--particularly Naiose. I thought the author did a great job of placing what makes Deirdre special/unique in the context of a larger ?theological? context, and showing how this context drove characters' actions. Even more importantly the author really did a great job building an engrossing ambience/feel throughout. It really sucks you in. Not perfect, but on the whole, really well done and a memorable book.

I first bought this book because I found the cover so enchanting. I admit, it's not the best reason to buy a book, but in this case, I was entirely right. The inside matches the outside beautifully. This is the story of Deidre, whose is prophesied at birth to bring about the ruin of a kingdom. Like other babes of mythology, she is not killed, but sent away. She is raised in the forest, and is a child full of spirit. The book deals with her fate, and the fate of those who interact with her. The author has a clear and refreshing style, and I will be looking forward to the next book in this series.

The Swan Maiden is a novel based on the Irish legend of "Deirdre of the Sorrows", written by J.M. Synge. When Deirdre was a babe, the druid Cathbad prophesied that she would grow into a great beauty and bring about the downfall of their land. Ignoring requests that the babe be killed, the King of the Ulaids, Conor decides to hide the child with plans to marry her when she becomes of age. Conor enlists the help of Levercham, who teaches Dierdre the ways of the Druids. Attempts to dissuade Conor from his mission of marrying Deirdre fail time and again, much to Levercham's dismay. When Dierdre hears of this, she can no longer wait around, being fattened up like a pig for the day when Conor comes to collect her. She runs away and crosses paths with three brothers, Red Branch soldiers famous for their fighting skills, and they decide to help her. When Conor hears that Deirdre has fled and who she is with, he is beyond furious and pulls no stops to get her back. Naisi and Deirdre eventually fall in love and despite the brothers' aching for home and their fellow Red Branch soldiers, they find a place of their own and settle in (for a while at least). They are found and persuaded home with the promises of forgiveness, only to be betrayed by their King, again. The rest you should read for yourself, I don't want to give it all away! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!! See, I even put three exclamation points after that sentence, just to make sure you grasp the emotion! Ha! What I really enjoyed about The Swan Maiden was the way Jules writes about the connection with nature and animals that Deirdre feels. She describes scenes and it's like you're there (or at least you really, really want to be). I could even stomach the hunting scenes which I usually skim over. So many descriptive words come to mind when I think about this book - mythical, surreal, spiritual, magical, echanting. And the love between Deirdre and Naisi...aaahhh pure magic....the connection they have with each other is so powerful and Jules writes it so well!! Readers you are in for a treat with this one, you will not want to put it down! Thanks to Jules Watson for sharing such a wonderful story with me, one that I'll remember for a long time!

At her birth, it was prophesied that Deirdre would be both beautiful beyond all imagining and the ruin of the kingdom of Ulster. Out of lust and greed, King Conor kept her to himself, living alone and raised her to be his future bride. But Deirdre rebels against the path set for her, fleeing into the woods with three brothers she meets by chance. Conor's rage at her defiance sends the four of them into hiding; they flee to the safety of obscurity in an enemy's country. But the brothers cannot dampen their desire to return to the brotherhood they left behind, and the enemy king lusts after Deirdre's beauty. Hope beckons when kinsmen bring them word of Conor's pardon, but will they really be welcomed back safely into their home? Filled with rich language and enticing descriptions of the beautiful land of Erin, //The Swan Maiden// is a splendid retelling of an ancient Irish tale, likened by many to the story of Helen of Troy. The details are vivid and as the story picks up speed and urgency, it's impossible to put it down. Don't miss this stunning fantasy novel. Reviewed by Holly Scudero

I had expected this book to be like the Avalon series, although it was quite different. It was written well, but had an odd ending.