Thank you for the e-arc! This was beyond what I expected in the very best way. The way in which the author writes is so beautiful, whimsical and imaginative. This was a fun, witty fairytale that had me laughing. The characters were well developed, especially the side characters! I often feel in competition based novels as this, there are villainous competitors who are one toned. The writing shockingly made me love almost every character. If you are wanting something light-hearted, whimsical and quirky, give this a try! All the while it’ll make you ponder the fears we have of giving our hearts to another.

This book is absolutely Once Upon A Broken Heart coded. It’s so whimsical and lyrical and cozier but not too cozy. It’s a modern fairytale that leaves you smiling and hoping for more of this world.

I’ve never read anything by this author before. I felt so swept away by the writing style, and I found myself so completely immersed in the world. It was so incredibly easy to visualize everything, even the things that I’ve never seen before or don’t really exist in our world.

Okay so the story itself is crazy. We have wizards, we have swans who have children with wizards, we have princes, evil characters, we have crazy castles and libraries. Put together, you have a crazy story that I’ve definitely never seen anything like before. That being said, the whole time, I was thinking to myself what the heck is happening right now. I don’t regret reading it, but I do wish I waited until I read some reviews so I knew what I was really getting into.

Thank you very much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Roshani Chokshi has woven something genuinely enchanting in The Swan’s Daughter, a novel that captures the ethereal beauty of classical fairy tales while delivering surprisingly modern insights about the nature of genuine partnership. This story operates like a prism, refracting familiar narrative elements into something that feels both timelessly magical and urgently contemporary, creating an emotional experience that resonates far beyond its fantastical framework.

The emotional core of this narrative lies in its nuanced exploration of what it truly means to choose someone—not just in moments of passion or crisis, but in the quiet, vulnerable spaces where real intimacy develops. Chokshi understands that the most profound romantic tension doesn’t come from external obstacles but from the internal work required to bridge the gap between loving someone and truly knowing them. This insight transforms what could have been a simple courtship tale into something far more psychologically complex and emotionally satisfying.

Demelza emerges as a protagonist who defies easy categorization, existing in that liminal space between extraordinary heritage and deeply human insecurity. Her struggles with belonging and self-worth feel authentically rendered despite the magical context, creating a character who embodies the universal experience of feeling simultaneously special and ordinary. Chokshi’s decision to let Demelza remain genuinely flawed and uncertain throughout most of the narrative demonstrates remarkable restraint—rather than engineering convenient character growth or hidden talents, she allows her heroine to find strength through accepting her authentic self.

Prince Arris provides a refreshing departure from brooding romantic leads, bringing genuine warmth and emotional availability to their dynamic. His combination of royal duty and personal vulnerability creates compelling internal conflict that drives character development rather than simply advancing plot. The curse that binds him serves as both literal threat and metaphor for how fear of intimacy can become self-fulfilling prophecy, adding layers of meaning that elevate the romantic elements beyond simple wish fulfillment.

The tournament structure provides excellent pacing and external framework while serving deeper thematic purposes. Rather than functioning as mere competition between rivals, it becomes a crucible where both protagonists must confront their assumptions about love, worth, and survival. Chokshi uses these traditional elements to examine how societal expectations can distort authentic connection, creating commentary that feels relevant without becoming heavy-handed.

The supporting cast brings richness and depth that prevents the central romance from becoming insular. Each secondary character feels purposeful and fully realized, contributing unique perspectives on the central themes while maintaining their own compelling arcs. The family dynamics particularly shine, showing how past traumas and unspoken expectations can ripple through generations, affecting individual choices in ways characters don’t always recognize.

Chokshi’s prose maintains the lyrical quality her readers expect while serving the story’s emotional needs. The writing creates atmosphere without overwhelming the narrative momentum, striking that delicate balance between beautiful language and clear storytelling. The mythological elements feel seamlessly integrated rather than artificially imposed, suggesting deep familiarity with the source material that goes beyond surface-level borrowing.

The world-building demonstrates impressive restraint, providing exactly the detail needed to support the story without overwhelming it with unnecessary complexity. This fairy-tale approach allows readers to focus on character and theme while still feeling transported to a fully realized magical realm. The various magical systems and cultural elements feel cohesive and purposeful rather than randomly assembled for spectacle.

What makes this novel particularly powerful is its willingness to acknowledge that love—even genuine, mutual love—requires ongoing choice and conscious effort to flourish. This mature perspective on romance feels both honest and hopeful, suggesting that real partnership emerges not from perfect compatibility but from the willingness to continue choosing each other through uncertainty and growth. It’s a message that resonates across age groups and relationship experience levels.

The emotional journey moves from surface attraction through genuine understanding toward the kind of deep partnership that can withstand external pressures and internal doubts. Chokshi chronicles this progression with remarkable authenticity, showing how trust must be earned through consistent actions rather than grand gestures, and how vulnerability becomes a strength when shared with the right person.

For readers who like:
-Fairy tale retellings
-Lyrical prose
-Character-driven fantasy

Final Verdict
The Swan’s Daughter succeeds as both enchanting fairy tale and sophisticated examination of authentic partnership, delivering emotional satisfaction alongside genuine wisdom about love and self-acceptance. Chokshi has created something that feels simultaneously nostalgic and fresh, honoring traditional storytelling while offering insights that feel urgently contemporary. This novel will appeal to readers seeking romance that challenges as well as comforts, providing both escapist pleasure and meaningful reflection on what it means to truly choose another person.

Grateful to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Roshani Chokshi for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Super fun and fresh plot! I loved the humor woven throughout. Don't hesitate to pick it up!

Quirky, sometimes endearingly disturbing, The Swan’s Daughter is a gothic, fantastical tale that reminded me of a dark yet cheery take on The Selection series. Romance, strong female friendships, and complicated family ties feature strongly in the novel. I loved the vivid imagery and contradicting vibes- is happy gloom a thing? The banter and romance are well done; I had an overall enjoyable stay in this peculiar yet comforting world.

Big thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, & Wednesday Books for the ARC!

This was my first read from Roshani Chokshi and straight away you can tell she has such a special voice of her own. Her writing style stands out as a kind of whimsical but in a way that lands naturally; so it really helps you connect with the world. Her descriptions of everything made it all seem vivid and real… It’s one of those books where you tend to forget you’re reading.
From the first page I was truly intrigued, it felt like I was just pulled into a fresh, unique, fantasy adventure. The story is fascinating and so magical. Full of suspense, emotion, and even humor that had me laughing the whole way through. Not to mention the immaculately crafted relationship that was the slow burn between Demelza and Arris.
Really the characters are a highlight for me. They feel so alive and it was easy to relate Demelza. (Well for the most part lol.) But I just mean I could really put myself in her shoes.
Arris was sweet, and their relationship was just so endearing, it went perfectly with the rest of the story elements.
There are some lines in this book that just strike me as quietly thought provoking. Multiple times I had to stop and read something again, because there was such an interesting line that I needed to take a second to think about it. I’m really not the most poetic reviewer, so there’s not much else I’ve got to say. But is this book is such a gem. It’s a standout from the fantasy I’ve read recently, and I urge you to pick it up!

This book got me into trouble. It’s terribly romantic and horribly dreamy and a tale that is dreadfully well-written.

I was, and remain, OBSESSED.

From the moment I started The Swan’s Daughter, it sucked me in like the quicksand I thought I would encounter far more than I have to date in my adulthood. The settings themselves were described like poetry, all pearlescent and windswept and glossy. The varied characters reflected their homelands so well, from the icy Aatos mountains, across the Wyldes, through the Vale, and to the depths of the Famishings. What a glorious story.

And the romance! Slow burn, well rounded characters, and that moment of realization–exquisite.

I did not realize how much I needed a break from dark fantasy, but my eyes devoured this book from the first page and enjoyed every last delicious crumb.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Thank you net galley for this ARC. I cannot believe that I am lucky enough to read Roshani Chokshi's book early. This is crazy.

“Either way he turned, he found find neither sweetness nor safety. There would always be an unknown. Always the ground would feel as if it was shifting…And perhaps…Perhaps that’s simply how it was with life and love.”

“What if we fail? What if we hurt one another” “What if we do…and what if it’s still not the end?”


And I never quote the acknowledgements but:
“I’m tired of dead parents and dark tales, can I write something that’s joyous? But still macabre? And makes me laugh to myself at 3 a.m.”


Roshani Chokshi, you genius, I completely despise you. How on earth do I begin to describe this physical rendition of happy memories and pure joy?

Firstly, this book feels like childhood memories of me being restless at night, and my mom iterating the same five bedtime stories until I fell asleep. This book transported me to those more innocent and, while maybe not easier, but more unknown times where the pursuit of financial stability, being forgotten, and other tragic thoughts hadn’t yet consumed me. It is a celebration of love, and yes I fangirled over Arris and Demelza, but it is truly a story about accepting that love does not guarantee safety nor consistent happiness. Everything in life is unknown, and the acceptance is that is how one gets true freedom, and I thought it was remarkable.

Anyways, putting all my emotional rambling and countless tears shed aside, this book was fantastically written, with vivid description of nature, of ice, and yes EVEN PERFUMES. I’M LIVING FOR REAL. And it was so funny, I would shock myself into how much a simple dialogue would crack me up. The friendship, the slow burn, the familial relations and the attention to generational trauma due to toxic parent dynamics? Incredible. This has solidified itself as one of my favorite reads of the year, and ever.

I never want to be a mother, but my mother is my most beloved person. So for all the new mothers out there, who might just need some light and laughter in those moments when you haven’t slept for days, I hope this book finds you. Because this one is most ardently for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

This book can be summarized into one word: peculiar. But not in a bad way! Roshani Chokshi’s writing is very lyrical, whimsical, and magical, very different than her Gilded Wolves series. It’s a perfect blend of humor with some serious themes running through it. I don’t even know what else to write because it’s such a unique book. I’d recommend people to read it!

A fun fantasy for those who love contests such as the bachelor. The stakes are high, and who will the prince choose knowing his bride may be the literal death of him.

If you’re craving a fairytale that feels both whimsical and dangerous—where every kiss could be salvation or betrayal—The Swan’s Daughter will sweep you away.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that makes you forget the world outside its pages. The Swan’s Daughter did that for me. From the very first chapter, I felt like I’d stepped into a fairytale spun from moonlight and shadows—full of glittering ballrooms carved into emerald caves, glass boats drifting across dreamlike waters, and a love story that feels both impossibly fragile and earth-shatteringly powerful.

At its heart, this is the story of Prince Arris and Demelza, two characters so vividly drawn that they linger long after you close the book. Arris, cursed to know that marriage means murder, carries his fate with a sort of reckless charm—savoring every laugh, every stolen glance, every moment of beauty as though it might be his last. Demelza, with her truth-singing voice and a life spent fighting to be heard, is raw, fierce, and deeply human. Their connection begins as a bargain, but every page peels away another layer until what’s left between them is something much more dangerous: love, hope, and the unbearable risk of losing it all.

What struck me most was how Roshani Chokshi writes with such lush beauty while never losing sight of the darkness beneath the glitter. There’s whimsy here—talking swans, jeweled menageries, kisses that spark like flint—but there’s also betrayal, fear, and the question of whether love is strong enough to rewrite destiny. That contrast made the story feel richer, like stepping into a fairytale told by candlelight, where you’re just as likely to swoon as to shiver.

I found myself holding my breath through the bride tournament, turning pages as though the book itself had enchanted me. The suspense was sharp, the betrayals cutting, and yet what I carried with me most was the tenderness between Arris and Demelza. The small moments—an unexpected laugh, a truth spoken at the worst possible time, the silent courage in a shared glance—felt more powerful than any spell.

As someone who has devoured every one of Roshani Chokshi’s novels, I can say this might be her most enchanting work yet. It reminded me of why I fell in love with her storytelling in the first place: the prose that feels like music, the worlds that feel achingly alive, and the characters who bleed and hope and love in ways that make your chest ache. This isn’t just a book you read—it’s a book you live inside for a while.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A gorgeously crafted, heart-tugging romantasy that blends beauty with danger, whimsy with truth, and leaves you believing—against all odds—that love might just be worth the risk.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for sharing this remarkable romantasy’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts that I highly appreciated. I am, and will always be, a devoted fan of Roshani Chokshi’s magical worlds.

Roshani Chokshi mentioned wanting this book to feel like magical nostalgia, capturing the essence of comfort and dreams. She has more than succeeded! Immediately upon finishing, I want to read this all over again.

If you loved six crimson swans by Elizabeth Lim, then this is another inspired retelling that turns the tale on its head! Prepare for shock, betrayal and the kind of love that binds an
If you loved Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, prepare for a retelling that turns the tale on its head! Where the theme of the swans turns into sisters and freedom is rife for the runt of the litter..

The Swan's Daughter is a mesmerizing tale of magic, awe and surprising oneself, when faced with a morose destiny.
At its heart is Demelza, an ugly duckling whose swansong calls for truth, and Arris, the prince whose heart is the key to power in the kingdom. They strike a bargain for mutual gain, for Demelza's father is desirous of her heart in a bid for immortality and the only safe haven is Arris' castle. Arris lives life vicariously savoring everything, as he knows his time is limited. With the Veritas swan maiden channeling Rapunzel, Arris is beloved for his joie de vivre, you can't help but root for these two to find their truth in trust, friendship and love, while battling the fact that they may end up breaking each other's heart.
I absolutely adored this book and devoured it in a day. A spell binding revelation from Roshani Chokshi. Many thank yous to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the arc!!

I absolutely adored this. It was funny, it was thoughtful, it was bittersweet, and so romantic. A true fairy tale in every sense of the word (with a few laugh out loud moments). I loved the main characters, especially because their complexity goes beyond archetypes often present in fairy tale retellings. This book is different than Roshani's last book, which I also really enjoyed, but whereas that book was dark and brooding, this is light and full of whimsy.

The Swan's Daughter is stunningly wonderful and beautifully written. The world is rich and envelopes all your senses, truly a magical reading experience!

An absolutely captivating and wonderful story, the writing was perfectly paced and descriptive.
It's my first book by Roshani and not my last!

Born of beauty ... and beast...

Enchanting, beautiful, fantastical, and mythical... utterly captivating...

In a lush world floating in the clouds, seven daughters are born to a seemingly all-powerful magician.... Veritas swans, where Love is the ultimate weapon ...the ultimate entrapment... with the realization of her purpose, and in a desperate move by her mother and herself, the only sibling to not be handed courtly duties to benefit their father, Demelza flees to the only place that her father cannot reach...Rathe Castle, it is here where she meets our other main character, Prince Arris, whose bloodline is cursed by an ancient witch .... doomed to be murdered by whoever he falls in love with...

Soon, Demelza finds herself in a tournament, competing with many other lovely potential brides for Prince Arris's hand in marriage...

The Swan's Daughter is an enchanting fairytale, full of playfulness, and a charm that will keep you flipping page after page, while also being able to explore vulnerabilities... all wrapped together into a dazzling story by the talented mind of Mrs. Roshani Chokshi.... doing what many fantasy novels seem to lose sight of ... delivering a plot, an unforgettable message ... in a singular novel. In this case, Love is oftentimes more than just the warmth that it brings us, but is also a form of trust... of trust that one can only share with one soul in one life...

A fantastic work by Mrs. Roshani Chokshi that weaves exploration of deep topics and self-exploration into a memorable story that will leave you coming back for more.

Good book, I have loved every book written by Roshani Chokshi that I have read. Arris and Demelza were so cute! I love a good fairytale themed book and this one did not disappoint!

Moy gosh, was this a stunning read! Everything about this book screamed "fairytale" and it was both whimsical and macabre, and it read like the most beautifully-illustrated dream. Both in prose and content, this was just beautiful, and it thrived in the feeling of excess. The world was creative beyond belief, the feelings large, and the prose was so delightfully written that it felt almost melodic at times.

Amidst the gorgeous aesthetics was a very touching story, and depictions of love, friendship, and identity, are woven throughout, along with a perfectly-executed sense of humor that was equal parts dark and silly (in all the right ways). The story also felt quite grounded, too, despite the fantastical nature. The trials had a real purpose and the characters were utterly unique and driven by different motivations. I found myself so attached to the various players (The prince's sister just might have been my favorite with her dark and witty humor!), and each added a new and nuanced layer.

This book truly made me feel like a kid again, but not in a way that simplifies the wonderful work Roshani Chokshi did. It felt like watching Barbie Rapunzel for the first time (and if you know, you know...).

This is a great read for all ages-- whether you read fantasy and want a new, unique spin, or if you are wanting to have that childlike feel once again (in a very well-written way). Highly recommend!

Rating this was hard, I feel like five stars is never enough for Chokshi's writing. The fantasy elements in this book are perfect! Demelza being a veritas swan and therefore able to have songs that can force the truth out.