While I appreciate what this author was trying to do, I feel like it didn't hit the mark. At all. I don't want to rant too much about what I didn't like about this book because really it wasn't enjoyable for me. The characters were flat and the plot was boring and flip-flopped from rushed to dragging. The main heroine wasn't relatable at all and even came across as quite foolish and weak most of the time. Also there were so many unrealistic or highly convenient things that happened during the story that made it hard to believe. Even with this being a re-telling it only included a couple of motifs from the original tale and that's it so it's pretty unrecognizable as a re-telling at all. The religious themes and messages were included too much, even though I admire the author for wanting to get the gospel across and some more difficult Christian concepts like trust in the midst of injustice and the choice to have joy in trials, the story was bogged down with an overuse of religious messaging that didn't fit. Overall, for me, while I liked the concept of a girl who's brothers are wrongly accused and she has to find a way to save them, this book didn't do that idea justice. It meandered about for too long and never delivered on anything of substance or weight. Edwin, the eldest brother was the most interesting character yet by the end of the book he has the most somber ending so for me this book was a bit of a disappointment.

I loved this book and I am really excited for this new series. Delia is the only female in her family. She is surrounded by seven brothers. While each sibling is very different they are all noble, true , kind and fiercely loyal to each other. When their father remarries after their mother's death it is to an incredibly evil woman. She begins on day one to make their lives miserable.
Geoffrey has had betrayal and troubles of his own. He had his birthright taken away by his wicked Uncle. Geoffrey is now serving as a captain in the Kings guard. He has the unfortunate task of arresting Delia's seven brothers for murder and treason. He comes to realize that they are innocent.
Much bravery and daring takes place as Delia, with the help of Geoffrey and a few others try to find the evidence needed to exonerate her brothers and free them before they are put to death.
I found this book very engaging. I am thrilled that this is a series. I can hardly wait to read about each brother's story.

DNF at 6%.

I was initially intrigued by the blurb of this book, but unfortunately I couldn’t get through it.
The writing is stilted and info dump-y and I couldn’t do it.
Sorry!

This is a good story - set in a medieval period of castles and knights. The love piece takes a while to develop but once it does, you want to keep reading. A great love story with a Christian feel. You will like this story if you love historical fiction and the knight in shining armour!

I love Melanie Dickerson but this was not a favorite of mine. Definitely a good book for teens/YA. Clean and easy/quick read. As an adult reading it I felt it was much too cheesy and the language used was too "modern" for lack of a better word. I didn't enjoy this particular retelling as it was a bit boring. The characters weren't developed well and I felt no connection to any of them.

Interesting read. I loved the storyline. The characters were well written. I have been a fan of this authors work for some time! Her words just flow beautifully on paper!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

When Delia's father remarries, she instantly knows that something is wrong about her step-mother. Within a year of the step-mother having a son, the father dies in a mysterious accident. Shortly afterwards, Delia's seven brother's are arrested, accused of murder and treason. Delia immediately runs to London and secures a position as a seamstress in the royal household. There, she does everything she can to secure her brothers release.

This book was a bit predictable. The characters were pretty stereotypical and not very well developed. The brother's all blended together, and the romance was a bit obvious. Everything was a bit too easy for Delia, with everything just falling into place. Despite these criticisms, I did enjoy the book. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

I have read all of Melanie Dickerson's stories, and I was glad to finally see her branch out from her Haggenheim series. It has been long, and started to sound a little repetive. While I enjoy Dickerson's style of writing, I was glad to see something a little different. Dickerson does not disappoint. I really liked how she crafted the story. I couldn't imagine having seven brothers and have them all accused of treason against the King. There was one issue that did bother me, and it was the beginning of the novel. I didn't understand why we were at a wedding, then jumped three years, then jumped six months. I would have preferred to start the novel with the capturing of her brothers, and then allowing us to see the hatred of her step-mother as the story moved along. I wondered why the step-mother did not go after Delia as she traveled to where the brothers were being held captured. Even though the story did have its quirks, I still was enthralled with the writing and the story. I can't wait to see what story Dickerson will show readers next.

I received a complimentary copy of Court of Swans by Melanie Dickerson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Such courage, and such bravery. But also such danger and so much backstabbing and conniving.

This is an author that I have read a lot of. She does amazing work and I love that my teenage daughters can read her books without me feeling like there may be something in them that I don't want my girls to read about.

In this book we meet Delia who is the lone girl among her house of brothers. Her mother died and her father remarries. It's then that their troubles really start. The boys are all sent off even the young ones to apprentice to become knights. Her stepmother does not like her at all and she often feels that something is wrong.

When her stepmother has a baby and she hears her stepmother asking for that young boy to be the one to inherit she knows something bad is coming, she just doesn't know what.

And then it starts. Her father dies. It's said to be an accident but there are speculations. But then it becomes worse when her brothers are ALL (yes even the young ones) taken to the tower as threats to the crown.

Delia must save them but she's not sure how. She goes to her aunt who is an abbess for help and that's where her own adventure really starts. When her brothers are sentenced to death she knows she must help them escape.

Can Delia escape this ordeal unharmed? Can she save her brothers and get their land and names back?

This is a wonderful book. It read quickly and I enjoyed it. My daughters did as well and it has made us anxious to get more in this series.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Court of Swans is an interesting read with a catchy beginning. It's background seemed quite researched and the introductory chapters are gripping.

However, the story seemed a little too drawn out and at some point the element of surprise was gone and I felt no excitement to read more. I finished the book but it began to seem too predictable.

From time to time, I like to delve into young adult fiction of the fairy tale sort, and this was my latest venture. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Delia is the sister of a band of brothers who have been unfairly captured and imprisoned. She risks her life to help them, and in doing so, has to determine who is trustworthy and which actions will give success. She has to overcome her own thoughts and emotions that tend to discourage her and cause her faith to falter. Like many of us, she wonders why God allows difficult situations. With a bit of adventure, a hint of medieval violence, and a dash of romance, this book reminds all of us to be thankful in even the most dire circumstances and to keep our faith that God knows and cares.

"Court of Swans" is a romance set in 1381 in England and loosely based on the fairytale. I had thought that this was a young adult story, but the writing was more at a middle grade level. The characters were not complex or very well-developed. Delia was basically told what to do by wise adults, and at least she had the wisdom to (mostly) follow their good advice. It was the adults who investigated the mystery and proved that the brothers were innocent and who was guilty. She just had to go where she was told to go and do what she was told to do.

So the focus of the story was mainly which handsome and seemingly kind soldier should Delia trust: Sir Geoffrey, who treats her with respect and helps her with supplies for her brothers. Or Sir Elliot, who seems so taken by her beauty that he immediately offers to help her brothers escape...but who likes to grab at her and try to kiss her. Delia's main challenge was avoiding being raped by Sir Elliot. I did not find that a particularly interesting story. There was no sex or bad language.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If I have said this before, I have said this a thousand times--Melanie Dickerson is a master storyteller.

This historical romance had me turning pages from the very beginning. Nothing boring about it. Beautifully written, and enticing.

Delia's seven brothers have been tried for murder and are about to be executed for high treason. Delia won't let that happen. The only person she can trust is Sir. Geoffrey, the man who arrested her brothers. He believes that they are innocent and will help Delia plan their escape. Risking life and limb, the two of them will conduct a plan to free her brothers, prove them innocent, and perhaps, fall in love.

I recommend this book for ages 13+ for mild violence.

Melanie Dickerson has long been the queen of retelling classic fairytales and the Court of a Swans is no exception to her work. It is definitely more geared towards the young adult/teen audience, but can be enjoyed by adults as well.

Yet another good reimagined fairytale read. Court intrigue, back stabbing, false accusations. Can the truth be found out and inoccent lives be saved or is all lost. Very well written, the story had my interest from the beginning. Am looking forward to reading for in this series.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

A sweet story inspired by the fairy tale “The Wild Swans” with themes of hope, perseverance, and faith in dark times. When Delia’s brothers are arrested on false charges of treason, she is determined to find a way to free them and prove their innocence. Delia starts out naïve and very trusting but slowly grows, realizing the dangers lurking at every corner. She is resourceful and confronts the obstacles head on, grasping every opportunity to help free her brothers. A good read for a young-adult audience. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.5*  This was a clever fairytale retelling which sets up a plethora of possibilities for more stories to be told.  I enjoyed the allusions to The Six Swans and The Wild Swans by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson, and appreciated that Melanie Dickerson did not strictly follow those plots, but incorporated allusions and references to them.  The romance in the story was sweet, the characters' journey of faith and trust in God was inspiring, and the story was engaging - it kept me on my toes, wondering how things would turn out in the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Court Of Swans by Melanie Dickerson

It was very hard for me to get into this book but once I did I got very invested in it! I loved all the characters and they way their stories went together. I really hope there is more to all of these characters, stories of what happen next and what happen to all the brothers! I just want more stories and happy endings the characters was to good to let them end here!

4 stars

Melanie Dickerson is the well-known author of YA fiction, particularly medieval-based series. She is one of the best YA writers, who not only crafts creative and imaginary worlds, but also makes literature that is appropriate for young people. In "Court of Swans," Lady Delia has to show her courage by trying to save her brothers' lives after they are wrongfully accused of treason. Along the way, she has to decide whether or not to trust the men who are trying to help her. Who is friend and who is foe?

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A very young adult story that was convoluted and could have been much better with more time and attention to detail. It often felt as if the author couldn’t decide if it was a tale for 12 year old girls or 18 year old girls (often very immature while trying to cover mature topics). The beginning of the book was so rushed that I was never given a chance to connect to the characters let alone care what happened to them.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.