Thanks so very much to Netgalley and the publisher for kindly providing me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I do reviews on my main social media platforms and will be providing my full review there as I get through my TBR blacklist. Adding star rating as placeholder. Thanks again!

This novel was a great read and I can see those who love the Swan Lake ballet to enjoy this novel! I love how the world building was unique and draws images of listening to the classical Swan Lake when reading the novel. if someone was wanting to read a novel that have these elements then I would recommend this novel.

Elizabeth Creith's *The Swan Harp* sets the stage for an enchanting fantasy trilogy with its blend of suspense, magic, and the timeless themes of identity and courage.

At the heart of the story is Kiar, next in line to the throne of Valenia, a kingdom on the brink of both political intrigue and supernatural peril. Unlike her sisters who can transform into swans like their mother, Kiar grapples with her inability to shape-shift, a source of deep-seated insecurity amidst her royal responsibilities. Creith skillfully weaves Kiar's internal struggle into a narrative rich with familial dynamics and looming external threats.

The arrival of three young swanfolk fosters in the royal family—particularly her friendships with Willow and her growing affection for Tuan—complicates Kiar's sense of identity further. These relationships deepen the novel's emotional core, highlighting themes of belonging and acceptance in a world where magical heritage defines societal roles.

As Valenia faces external pressures from neighboring Noermark and internal strife exacerbated by dark magic, Kiar emerges as a reluctant yet determined leader. Her journey from uncertainty to resilience is a testament to Creith's skill in character development, as Kiar navigates political machinations and supernatural threats with equal measures of bravery and compassion.

The world-building in *The Swan Harp* is immersive, transporting readers into a realm where swanfolk and humans coexist amidst lush landscapes and looming dangers. Creith's prose is evocative, painting scenes of both beauty and peril that enhance the novel's sense of urgency and intrigue.

Thematically, the novel explores the complexities of power, loyalty, and the sacrifices required to protect those we love. Kiar's evolution from a hesitant princess to a formidable leader resonates with authenticity, offering readers a compelling protagonist whose growth mirrors the challenges she faces.

In conclusion, *The Swan Harp* is a captivating introduction to the Wings of Valenia trilogy, blending traditional fantasy elements with poignant explorations of identity and resilience. Elizabeth Creith's narrative prowess shines through in this tale of love, loss, and the enduring bonds that unite us in the face of adversity.

*The Swan Harp* by Elizabeth Creith is a spellbinding journey into a world of magic and political intrigue, where a young princess must confront both external threats and internal doubts to safeguard her kingdom's future. For fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black, this novel promises an immersive and emotionally resonant fantasy adventure that sets the stage for even greater trials and triumphs to come in the trilogy.

The first thing that captured me about this book was how BEAUTIFUL this cover is!! It really draws you in, and growing up a huge fan of the Swan Princess movie, I had super high hopes for this one!
I have to admit, though, the story itself did not land with me and I struggled so hard to get through most of this book. It wasn't until I was in the last third of the story before things started happening. I will say that it is a unique kind of story, and it was nice to see a switch up from the usual that I'm used to reading, but sadly, it did not leave me wanting more.

This is an interesting coming of age story with a twist. I really liked how Elizabeth Creith, wrote the family dynamics and all of the associated sibling rivalry. I really enjoyed watching Kiar grow into her person hood. I liked how Kiar dealt with the neighboring kingdom's heirs while still a young girl. The King was strong but also human, did well to model parting skills while teaching Kiar how to govern. I really liked Willow an Taun they made good foils for Kiar and also showed how impulsive young people can be. The younger sister was well written and definitely spoiled. I would recommend this book for young adults. It shows how you can still make mistakes and grow. If there is a follow up book, I will be reading it.

This was pretty boring and predictable. It felt like someone just trying to cash in on the popularity of Sarah J. Maas, only with less refined prose. I will definitely not be recommending this one.

**Review of "The Swan Harp" by Elizabeth Creith**

Rating: 3.5/5

"The Swan Harp" by Elizabeth Creith marks the captivating beginning of the Wings of Valenia fantasy trilogy, blending suspense, magic, and royal intrigue in a world reminiscent of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black.

At the heart of the tale is Kiar, next in line to the throne of Valenia, a kingdom threatened by both political machinations and supernatural forces. Unlike her sisters, Kiar cannot transform into a swan, a symbol of her mother's lineage. This difference sets her apart and fuels her internal turmoil as she grapples with her responsibilities and desires.

Creith weaves a rich narrative that explores themes of identity, duty, and the bonds of friendship. Kiar's relationships with her sisters, particularly the spirited Willow, and her growing connection with Tuan, a swanfolk with whom she shares a budding romance, add layers of emotional depth to the story. The dynamics among the characters are well-developed, portraying their struggles and strengths against a backdrop of looming threats.

The author excels in creating a vivid world filled with political tensions and magical realms. The conflict with Noermark, driven by the ambitions of its ruler and complicated by a proposed marriage alliance, heightens the stakes for Kiar and her kingdom. As dark magic encroaches and tragedy strikes, Kiar must harness her inner strength alongside her swanfolk allies to protect Valenia from peril.

While "The Swan Harp" sets a compelling stage with its intricate plot and well-crafted characters, some readers may find the pacing uneven at times, particularly in the transitions between political intrigue and magical confrontations. Additionally, certain plot developments may leave readers wanting more resolution or deeper exploration.

Overall, Elizabeth Creith delivers an enchanting debut that sets the stage for an epic fantasy series. "The Swan Harp" offers a blend of adventure, romance, and supernatural elements that will appeal to fans of fantasy fiction seeking a tale of courage, loyalty, and the enduring power of familial bonds in the face of adversity.

This was a quick and very easy read. It's very simplistic in its writing style and feels like it's much more for middle grade readers or very early YA. The pacing can be a bit slow at times, with quite short chapters, the characters are interesting, but there's nothing really that grabs a reader about any of them. I think it's decent, but it's definitely for a younger reader. Not for me, but maybe for you.

The swan song starts out real slow but glad I gave it a chance. Shape shifting into a swan is an interesting concept. Liked the magic system and world building in this one. I liked that it takes the place in a time similar to the Middle Ages. Was a fun read.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

I like the premise if this book although it was a but slow at times. It would like an easy read this is for you.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the chance to read THR SWAN HARP in exchange for an unbiased review.
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THE SWAN HARP is about Kiar, the eldest princess and heir to Valenia. She is the eldest of three sisters, and this is her story. Told in her voice, it goes through several years of her life as she learns what it is to come from a unique heritage, and how she is meant to go forward as the future queen.
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I wanted to like this book more. I really did. I found the premise to be really exciting— swanfolk as humans, magic, mystery, honour and strife— all things that should contribute to an amazing story… but I found that 3/4 of this book to be slow and meandering… that’s why it took me a month and a half to read it. The last quarter of the book was super exciting, which is what saves this book from being a two star read, but the excitement was at too quick a pace.

Fantasy with a dose of romance,

You get the magical element as the Swan Folk can shift their form between a swan and a person. The romance comes as the three princesses in the kingdom both learn to embrace their Swan Folk heritage and find mates.

I can't say this is an exceptional fantasy story, but I made it through the book without it dragging or having me want to quit.

I enjoyed it enough, that I would give the second book a chance when it comes out.

The Swan Harp has a slow build and yet I loved its unrushed pace. The author gives you time to see and understand the characters before the culminating action. I love that the parents are present and are loving, attentive people. This is not an ordinary story of an orphan or abused child overcoming odds. You watch the twisting of the villain and understand why but it is still heartbreaking. This is a masterfully told story if you can be patient through the slower sections.

This was such an enjoyable young adult fantasy. I really liked the world the author created in Valenia and I loved the swan shifter aspects of the story.

It is an interesting concept to take the Swan princess and expand the story beyond what happened and put a spin on it.

Here is the story of the three daughters of the Swan Princess/queen now. One shall be queen of the Swan folk, Kaiden, our hero, shall be queen of the humans, and one shall be the most powerful source in history.

From their story, unfolds, and various straight and obvious paths. I didn’t find any real twists or turns in the story and if there were, they were made so obvious that they weren’t surprising at all.

DNF at 56%.

I tried really hard and although I have been enjoying the characters and plot, the book is just moving at too slow a pace for me to be invested at where it's going to lead. It doesn't feel like there is any direction or goal that we are working towards. I am at the point where I don't want to pick it up anymore.

I just couldn't get into this at all and had to slog through it. The cover however is beautiful and it had an interesting premise.

i went into this book with my hopes up a little too high i think. i read the intriguing description, saw the small blurb about it being geared toward fans of holly black, and saw the beautiful cover.

I really wanted to like this book as it was my first ARC but I have to admit it wasn't for me at all... I felt it was too slow. The idea of the Swan people was interesting, and something i hadn't seen before why I requested it. But I felt that we didn't learn enough there. I had hoped to see more of them, and more politicking among them and the royals. But that didn't happen in the part I read. I think it is a good cute book if you look for some light fantasy in some middle age like setting with rather small world build. And that just wasn't what I had hoped for. Best luck to the author though.

This was a quick and very easy read. It's very simplistic in its writing style and feels like it's much more for middle grade readers or very early YA.

The pacing can be a bit slow at times, with quite short chapters, and the plot is quite predictable.

The characters are somewhat interesting, but there's nothing really that standout about any of them.

Overall, it's an average read.