Odette

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #Odette

This not being my typical genre, it took a moment to gain perspective on the story. This novel is proposed as a modern day Swan Lake, however, the author truly offers something a bit unique. While Swan Lake itself is the center of what the plot weaves around, it is not at all what the fairytale being offered or rewritten. Duchen creates an entirely new narrative evolving around love, friendship, and trust with new characters and an altogether new ending. For what it is, this book is a enjoyable read, 4 stars.

The writing is fantastic, elegantly descriptive without being lurid, and the characters are nuanced. A lot of important social themes come up naturally, from pursuing your passions to xenophobia to philanthropy to moral dilemmas; a lot of it is well-trodden ground, but the topics are still extremely relevant and the tone isn't preachy. There's also much more emphasis on friendships than on romance, even while keeping the male-centered conditions of Odette's curse at the forefront of the plot.

Possibly my favorite thing about this story is the way it's been adapted: beyond simply retelling the fairy tale with a contemporary backdrop, Duchen has actually incorporated modern concerns and attitudes (leasing terms, bureaucratic paperwork/police concerns, the nature of interpersonal relationships, etc.), making the narrative unique and memorable. The ending was a little bit abrupt, but I think it works well with the tone and setup.

And the characters are terrific too. Mitzi is a complex protagonist, balancing Good Samaritan impulses with her own financial struggles, pursuing her career while trying to keep sight of her personal interests, worrying about her actor-hopeful little brother; she's easy to relate to and sympathize with. On the other hand, Odette displays the typical sheltered-princess-discovers-reality culture shock: she's innocent and wide-eyed and optimistic in a way that charms everyone around her, but this card is played sparingly enough that it's not grating — just enough to demonstrate how it influences her understanding of the world and her interactions with others. (There's potential "othering"/exoticism issues with her poor English, but in addition to being Russian she's a hundred-plus-year-old princess, so I wasn't bothered by it, but others may feel differently.) You can't help but want to protect her, just as Mitzi does, and to feel her longing for freedom warring with her love of flying.

A magical modern day retelling of Swan Lake , Odette by Jessica Duchen is an enchanting and entertaining read. Journalist Mitzi is shocked when a swan flies through the window of her rented apartment, but that is nothing compared to her stupefaction when night falls and she finds a strange young Russian woman and no trace of the swan. Despite her initial disbelief, she eventually comes to believe Odette's tale about a magical curse and an evil magician, and decides to help her, not just to navigate a strange world so different from anything she has known, but to try to find a way to break the curse. 
The book is well written and I loved the way the story was updated , I thought the culture clash between Odette's life in Russia and her experiences in modern England was really well done, and added to my enjoyment of the book. I liked the pacing too, though I did feel that the ending felt a little rushed in comparison to the slower build up, which was especially evident in the first half of the book. 
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this book. Kept me thoroughly engrossed and can't wait to read more by the same author

"'I believe in magic too, Mitzi, but a different kind. An everyday magic, when people are their best selves and all things become possible.'"

This is one of those reads that makes me so glad to be a Netgalley member and being able to discover these treasures.

Mitzi Fairweather, who is a journalist, is surprised by the ferocity of storm Odile, which apparently is a weather anomaly. What surprised her next is witnessing a huge, beautiful white swan battling the storm and crashing head first through her window, getting itself cut by millions of shards of glass in the process. After a trip to the vets and an attempt to nurse the swan by herself, regardless of her lack of avian knowledge, she lets the swan rest in her home.
Next, she hears the sound of footsteps in the next room after coming to from a dreary slumber. Mitzi lets her ambitious, curious nature get the best of her and she goes to investigate. She is met by Odette, who has beautiful, pale skin, a grace deserving of royalty, an innocuous wonder in her eyes, and raven silky hair, that looks as soft as feathers.
Odette, in a broken, Russian accent, tries to tell Mitzi her origin, she is the swan that crashed through Mitzi's window and she is under a spell by the manipulative Baron, who traps her as a swan by day, and allows her to be human at night. Odette feels that Mitzi is kind, and seeks her help.

Odette is a modern adaptation of Swan Lake. In 1852, Odette was held captive by a spell that turns her into a swan by daylight, and human by dark, 166 years later, Odette finds herself carried to Cygnford by the storm, much to her fear and dismay. Soon, the swan princess has to meet the real world. A world of cynical doubt, prejudice, and self interest. 

Over the course of the story, my heart literally ached for Odette. I felt that Jessica Duchen enforced the purity and naivety in her voice which in turn groomed my emotional investment in her. I desperately wanted her to have her happy ending.

I found myself happily rooting for each of the characters in turn, such was their authenticity. Mitzi with her good heart, Odette with her mystical, tragic past. Harry with his good nature and love for Shakespeare. They were each worthy of a readers admiration.

My favourite aspect of this novel is the writing. There is a genuine clarity and beauty to it that's really rare to see and completely necessary when retelling a fairy tale. There was a hauntingly ethereal quality to the prose that was as graceful as the curve of a swan's neck, and as fast paced as it's flight.
"The full moon would rise alongside the setting sun, but she would see it only from her lakeside haunt. She waited on the shore, wings folded, shivering, watching the fiery malingerer sink, the sky around it turning from aquamarine to gold to lilac, moment by slow moment."

I found myself flying through this book (get it? Flying? Swan reference? Clever, I know) it was completely enriching. I couldn't get enough. I absolutely adored this modern take on one of the most highly regarded fairy tales in the world.
"'We grow up with fairy stories and they stay with us throughout our lives. I don't believe, though, that they're just escapism. I believe that fairy tales, folklore and the traditional mythology of any and every world religion enrich us, help us learn life lessons and allow us to see the magic in our world, all around us, every day. Some people would even say that everything in this world is based on legends and myths - essentially, magical stories.'"

The smart use of magical realism was as enchanting as it was captivating. Obviously, swans mate for life so reading about Odette trying to find her footing a century after she had even interacted with anyone other than her captor the Baron, was utterly intriguing. Her high standards of love are inspiring and infectious. Odette is heartbroken at the casual, empty declarations of love that plague people in these times - her grief made me relate.

The ending was incredible. I was engrossed. Unashamedly reading this book during down times in work whilst slyly fielding one call after another so I could reach the peak. The Baron may as well have put me under a spell for a hundred years - that is how absorbed I was reading this book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Unbound for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

‘’Now I talk but you don’t believe me.’’

My mother and I have a Christmas tradition that we try to follow religiously every year.  Both being avid lovers of ballet, we have associated Christmas with this beautiful form of Art. Usually, it’s The Nutcracker or The Swan Lake, both haunting fairy tales that have accompanied generations. Therefore, I was a little scared to start reading Odette, a modern retelling of The Swan Lake. I am always apprehensive (even dismissive) with retellings because the standards are high and the fear that everything will end in a glorious mess is always present. I am happy to say that with Odette I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.

A terrible storm named Odile hits East Anglia, causing a beautiful swan to lose its way and land on a windowsill in an imaginary town, gorgeously named Cygnford. It is Christmas and Mitzi has to care for the unfortunate bird, only to discover that the beautiful creature is actually Odette, a Russian princess that has fallen victim to the evil Baron’s spell. I am sure you know the rest. The two young women have to fight their way through a society that struggles to find its steps amidst the Brexit chaos and the growing feeling supported by a minority that strangers must remain strangers.

If you are familiar with this classic tale (which I am sure is the case), you will be able to recognize all the little details inserted throughout the course of the story. If you happen to know very little about The Swan Lake, fear not because this novel will definitely prompt you to read more on this fascinating, traditional tale. Jessica Duchen pays homage to the original source through references to Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece when you least expect it and I found this to be a brilliant choice. She weaves Siberia and the Lake Baikal in the narration, bringing the magnificent Russian landscape to life in all its glory, mystery and decadence. The magic of the classical music with extensive references to Franz Liszt, one of my favourite composers. 

In my opinion, the element that makes this retelling successful, relatable and memorable is the way the writer chose to bring contemporary themes into focus by emphasizing the importance of fairy tales. She refers to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream whose common themes include the isolation of the Stranger, the Other based on preconceived, unfounded notions and prejudice, and the fluidity of gender. She comments on racism connected to immigration in a rather divided society with heavily polarized opinions. A subtle yet powerful attention turns to Brexit and the insecurity that hunts a country’s steps when people are fascinated by a bunch of populists (something we can all relate to regardless of our country of origin…) allowing them to convince us through lies and evil fairy tales. In this aspect, fairy tales are essential ti every culture, to the development of the young ones and the current fascination with them is a combination of escapism and searching for meaning and hope in a rather bleak, disheartening environment.

In literary terms, the writing is extremely engaging, confident and poetic. The dialogue is satisfying, with Odette’s parts being skillfully complex, but where Duchen really excels is in descriptions. Both Odette’s memories of her beautiful, mystical homeland and the haunting images of nightly Cygnford during a particularly harsh winter create a perfectly crafted atmosphere. Mitzi is a very sympathetic, bookish, level-headed and interesting character. It is easy to care for her fight to do what is right and overcome a serious disappointment. Odette is less complex, being a fairytale character after all, but you will love her innocence and will to see the good in everyone, even though it makes her look naive and vulnerable. The male characters are nothing to write home about but they are crucial to the story and as such they do their work well. 

Were certain parts of the story predictable? Well, yes, obviously. We’re talking about a classic tale and a ballet that is (supposedly) familiar to most of us. It is natural to expect and predict but it shouldn’t matter when the writing has the power to make you care and eagerly anticipate what’s coming next. At least, this is what I felt while I was reading Odette. So, there you have it. In my opinion, this is one of the finest retelling I’ve recently read and a very promising start for the new reading year.

P.S. Princes and romance are old-fashioned and overrated.
P.P.S Friendship rules the world.

Many thanks to Unbound, the PigeonholeHQ and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was lucky to receive a copy of this modern retelling of Swan Lake. This book is a fast, fun read. Mitzi, a freelance journalist, has her life change when a swan flies into her apartment. She later finds out that this swan turns into a young woman who has been cursed. Read the book to find out what happens!

This modern take on Swan Lake was unique and I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to.  I found the ease of which current social themes evolved in the plot to be brilliant.

Such a unique, creative, and magical story! It took about 40 pages to get to the meat of the story, but once I was in it, I was committed and read it all the way through in one Afternoon. Positively delightful! .

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting book and was very different to anything I have read before. I may be wrong, but I believe that the main aim of the story was to be a sort of spin on the Swan Lake story. It’s incredibly atmospheric, beautifully written and has levels of romanticism which I haven’t really seen before.

Apparently this story is also 26 years in the making (which, funnily enough is also my age, so this narrative is the same age as me!) and is Jessica Duchen’s sixth book.

The novel is set in December and is the perfect companion to your Christmas reads. Although this story isn’t particularly Christmassy as such, it is very atmospheric and in my mind would feel strange reading in the middle of summer. Having said that, if it’s your first time reading in the summer, I don’t see why you wouldn’t enjoy it – I just happened to read it late November/December, so that in my mind made a difference.

I was caught off guard several times when reading this. I really enjoy this personally and I highly recommend that if you do like novels that make you think about not only what is happening in the novel but also how sometimes our own bubbles can cause you to miss out on important, beautiful things. I love how this made me question some of my actions in the past and would love to see more from Jessica Duchen.

a retelling of the swan lake?? Yes please!! :)

Very, very entertaining! Loved the plot from beginning to the end!!

Loved the characters and what the author has done with the original story!

This book is amazing! If you are a fan of the swan lake or retellings you should definitely check this book out ;)

When I was a child I was OBSESSED with the story of the Swan Princess and The Swan Lake. Every kind of version, storybook, movie, ballet, you name it - I was in love with it - and whilst i've grown older that love has not faded. 

As soon as I saw the title 'Odette' I immediately knew what it was going to be about, I was instantly enthralled and upon reading the description I knew I HAD to read it. 

Jessica Duchen has such a unique and magical way of weaving this classic tale, that we all know and love, into something new, exciting and engaging. 

I couldn't put it down and just fell completely in love with the magical story telling from Jessica. 

I cannot recommend enough, especially to those who adore the story of the Swan Princess/Swan Lake!

PHENOMENAL!!! As someone who loved the swan princess growing up (and still does) this book is a must. I was hooked from the first page to the end. If you want a new take on this story, Odette is a must.