Cover Image: The Midnight Swan

The Midnight Swan

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Member Reviews

Absolutely loved the final chapter to this trilogy. I first read this author throgh net galley and each book has not disappointed. Fabulous introduction to gothic genre too.

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I love Catherine Fisher from her short stories to this masterful trilogy. A collection of ideas bound in their gothic strangeness mixed with folk tales, this series was enjoyable and dark and stuck the landing exceptionally well.

A little underrated triumph of a set of books.

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My daughter loved The Clockwork Crow and The Velvet Fox and couldn't wait for this book to be published. This third book in the trilogy is a satisfying conclusion, although she is very sad that there isn't a book four!

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A beautifully written conclusion to an incredible series. Seren fights to return the Crow to his human form, defeat the Tylwyth Teg and decipher what the Jones family has in mind for her future. The series is ideal to read aloud, suspenseful and mysterious, you genuinely care about the fates of Seren and the Crow. Highly recommended for age 8 upwards

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Good ending to a really entertaining middle grade series, I liked learning more about the crows origins and I still adore Seren as a main character and more time with Tomas was fab.

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I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

In this final installment we finally get the clockwork crows origin story and it made me so happy! That was a lovely touch. And while the swan part of the story was not my favourite, I did love that Seren was doing it for the crow.

We also see Seren start to worry about being sent back to the orphanage, and the interactions with her adoptive family end up being super cute. Especially her interactions with Tomas, who we get more time with finally.

It really felt like a perfect finale to this cute middle grade series. 4 stars.

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The Midnight Swan is the 3rd, and I very much fear, the last in The Clockwork Crow trilogy. Like #1 and 2, this was a pacey, tense read and although all the strands of the stories from the first two books are neatly tied up in this one, I was very worried about the ending. I won't say how, for fear of spoiling the experience for other readers! I have absolutely loved this series. It's different and can't accurately be compared to any other kids' fiction that I've read. It's beautifully unique and the character of the Crow is genius.

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I haven't read the previous two books in this trilogy, but despite this, the magical world, the quest element, and the vibrant characters drew me into the story. The main character is courageous and intelligent. The friendship with the crow is believable and the source of humour and poignancy. The story reached a satisfying conclusion for both the characters and the reader.

I received a copy of this book from Firefly Press via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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A fabulous end to the trilogy. I read this in 1 sitting and absolutely adored it. We are reintroduced to Seren, Tomos and the Fair Family as The Clockwork Crow finally reveals how he really became a crow. After more than one tall tale, it was great to hear the true story as Seren and Tomos, and his brother Enoch try to help him regain his human form. There is much less of an involvement of the Fair Family in this final instalment, but the fear of them is still clear. Full of suspense and magic, this is a fast paced story drawing together the mysteries of the previous tales. I will admit, I shed a tear of happiness at the end!
As an adult reader, there were some aspects to the story I guessed along the way however I think they would probably come as a surprise to the target audience.

I fully intend to keep a look out for any further books by Catherine Fisher to add them to our school library...once I've enjoyed them first!

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I received an early copy of this book through NetGalley (thank you!) however I had not read the previous two books in the series but, this did not affect my enjoyment of the book.

This will be ideal series for all readers who have not yet found 'the' book to grab their attention. This book is very creatively written and there is a character to love for everyone - mine was the Clockwork Crow who was grumpy and bossy with a short temper but that did not stop Seren and the others wanting to help (a lesson to us all at the moment!)

Catherine Fisher has created a wonderful series and I recommend to all - an absolute delight!

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I managed to read this whole series through Netgalley. Thank you! I loved it.

This was a great way to finish of the series. The book itself I enjoyed just slightly less than the second (which absolutely nailed the creepy Faeries). This one focused on the crow, which is what we have been waiting for this whole series and was very satisfying. It did make this book lack a bit in atmosphere for me though.

Seren was amazing in this story (she always is but really shone in this one), and Tomos got plenty of page time as well, showing us their wonderful friendship. We see new parts of the world, are introduced to the Midnight Swan in her garden of singing roses and the Court of Birds.

The ending is just so sweet and lovely, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and I actually teared up a bit. Just the perfect ending to a great series.

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Anything by Catherine Fisher is a guarantee of beautifully written, imaginative fantasy and the third volume in the Clockwork Crow series does not disappoint. Seren and Tomas once again have to face the charming but sinister Twylyth Teg who desire a human child to keep.

After winter and autumn, the third story is set at the height of summer with a Midsummer Ball at Plas-y-Fran. At a summer fair, Seren was led to buy a mysterious box with a black swan and a riddle promising your heart’s desire on the lid.

The Clockwork Crow’s desire is to be human again, so can the box help or is it leading Seren into a trap? Can she be brave enough to break the spell? Will the Crow finally tell the truth about why he is in this form?There is also an enchanted fountain pen, a parliament of birds and a very special plate of cheese!

Beautiful description and imagery, expertly weaving traditional legends and folklore into the story, this is a delight. Seren is an excellent character but as usual the story is stolen by the cantankerous, sarcastic and boastful, but kind at heart, Crow.

A perfect ending to this magical mid-grade series.

I

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This is such an enchanting book!
Seren a young orphan girl finds herself and her friend Tomos involved with an usual character a talking mechanical wind-up crow who has been a prisoner in this bird like form for over 100 years after encountering the midnight Swan.
Their quest leads them in to fantasy worlds with untrustworthy creatures. Will their efforts be in vain or will they help their friend the crow back in to his true form?
•Magical land
•Beautifully written
•Natural creatures
•Lovely characters
•Fantasy
I enjoyed the use of the welsh language throughout the story too!
My daughter would love this book, I feel its suitable for children aged 7years and older.
I would highly recommend this book.

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This is a wonderful finale to the Clockwork Crow trilogy, weaving its spooky folkloric magic into a new adventure. Seren is the same brave and clever protagonist and I enjoyed reading this instalment where her reoccurring fears of further abandonment are addressed. It was also great to have Tomas awake for this book and bale to join her on her latest adventure! These two have such a lovely friend/sibling bond and it definitely needed the extra page time. The Clockwork Crow himself is a character I didn't particularly like in the first book but had warmed to by the time I reached this last book - his journey and characterisation are both funny and sad, but I loved how Fisher shows his true feelings under all the ego and grumpiness. Again, this was a short and formulaic adventure with a new threat from The Family (some might find this repetitive) but I think it's perfect for reluctant readers and those wanting something shorter to read. It's a beautiful end to the trilogy and I hope Fisher writes more books with Welsh folklore at the heart of them, as they are some of her best.

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The third part of a trilogy that started with The Clockwork Crow, and continued with The Velvet Fox, The Midnight Swan ties everything up beautifully and in a very satisfying way.

One of the things I really love about this trilogy is the feeling of dark, creepy fae magic. The Folk may be charming but their also definitely scary, and this enchanting darkness comes across so well. The tension between the attraction and the fear is increased for the final part of the trilogy, creating some incredible haunting and powerful scenes.

There's a lot of humour too, which helps lighten the mood and keeps the book very readable. Most of it is at the expense of the poor clockwork crow, the children's tutor, trapped in the raggedy form of a crow.

The story introduces a new mystery, a box that Seren finds in a delightfully mysterious market, and new creatures of power who can help her. The idea of a quest to seek a favour is such a fairy story classic, and it works so well here. Catherine Fisher is clearly very familiar with the older source material, and how to twist it into her own stories to create beautiful new patterns and pictures.

There's additional tension as the narrative deals headlong with the fact that Seren is an orphan, and a ward of the family, and what this might mean for her future. Watching her fret and worry about this, as she snoops around the house, really helped raise the already high emotional stakes and the novel delivers a suitably powerful emotional ending.

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Midsummer, and a visit to the local fair is a much anticipated treat for Tomos and Seren. When she is drawn to a stall down a hidden alley where everything is one penny, Seren buys a little box with an inscription on the lid that could be the answer to restoring her friend the Clockwork Crow to his human form. Hearing the faded markings represent a swan with a diamond collar, the Crow finally reveals how he came to be enchanted.
Meanwhile, plans are in full flow to hold a summer ball at Plas y Fran, which Denzil fears will attract the Fair Folk and place Tomos in danger for a third time, and Seren has concerns of her own about her future.
Mystery and magic are at the core of this engrossing novel, as Seren, Tomos and the Clockwork Crow attempt to resolve the Crow’s dilemma and guard against the devious machinations of the self-absorbed Fair Folk. Seren needs all her willpower and strength of character to navigate her way through the perilous magical land to save her friends, and indeed, herself.
This is the final episode of an enchanting trilogy that blends folklore with a celebration of friendship and family in a historical setting. All three are highly recommended.

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What a great and delightful story! I loved every moment and enjoyed the this well written and highly entertaining novel.
Great characters and world building, excellent storytelling.
I can't wait to read other stories by this author, this one is excellent.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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I love Catherine Fishers books and this one did not disappoint.

It was magic and I loved it. It was just what you wanted to read on a cold Sunday, wrapped up.

Dark, mysterious with an element of magic.

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The Midnight Swan continues the Clockwork Crow series in emphatic fashion.

Full of twists and turns and gripping from start to finish.

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Thank you so much to NetGalley and firefly press for the earc to read and review.

What an incredible way to finish off this incredible series. I loved both the two prior books in the series but I think I actually loved this one the most.

As always the story is so well thought out and so creatively written, with this story comes closure, one final adventure to the dark fae world and our truthful answers for the clockwork crow.

Seren was utterly brave in this one, each book she is brave and has things to overcome but this one she is even more fiercely brave and determined, this time to help break the crows curse once and for all but with it may come a huge sacrifice and a test of her hearts dearest desire.

This story took us to the midnight swan an evil black swan darkened in her heart for something They did to her many centuries before. Tomos, Seren and The Crow have to pass her tests if they want to reach her and it won’t be so easy as They are always lurking.

I’m so glad to have completed the story and this series and I totally cried in that last chapter not going to lie. This is a new favourite series that I will gladly read over and over. So creatively thought out, incredible adventures, mystery, intrigue and fear whilst reading and characters that you cannot help but connect with.

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