The Swan's Daughter is a beautifully written fairytale, with love, friendships and powerful choices!

I really enjoyed the central competition for a prince’s hand in marriage. The trials were engaging, the veritas swans added a unique touch, and the world and characters were both vivid and intriguing.

The only small issue I had was with the world-building, I sometimes struggled to understand the different species and regions, and would have appreciated a brief summary or guide to help keep things clear. While this confusion didn’t take away from my enjoyment or stop me from reading the entire book in one sitting, it did occasionally pull me out of the story. That said, the writing was lyrical and immersive, the pacing was smooth, and the overall tone was wonderfully cosy.

I especially loved the message woven into the narrative: that love is not just a feeling but a choice. You choose to continue trusting and loving someone knowing they may hurt or fall out of love with you. This book doesn’t rely on high-stakes drama, shocking twists, or betrayals. For me, that was a strength. It made for a gentle, comforting fantasy that felt like the perfect escape.

Summary: Prince Arris must marry to survive - but only true love will save him. Enter Demelza, a truth-singing swan in hiding running away from her own tragic fate.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.

HUGE thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc! (Getting to read my favorite author's newest release almost 6 months earlier has been one of the best things that has happened to me)

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Reading this felt like indulging in a favorite dessert of mine. Calling all Studio Ghibli and Stephanie Garber fans, this gorgeously whimsical, witty, and laugh-out-loud hilarious fairytale that's a feast for the imaginable might just become your newest obsession!

Here's everything I loved about this:
● First of all, let's take a moment to appreciate the UK cover (the US one is pretty too, but the UK cover is on a whole another level) at which I spent more time than I'd like to admit gazing longingly.
● Roshani Chokshi's prose is the most gorgeous of all authors I've ever read. Call it unnecessarily purple, call it pretentious, I LIVE for her words. The prose perfectly compliments the decadent vibes her stories have.
● 'The Swan's Daughter' is the most dream-like of Chokshi's books so far.
The aesthetics were the highlight of this one. This was such an enchanting and immersive read. The descriptions were lush and stunning and I found myself revisting several lines just to appreciate their beauty.
● This is a relatively low stakes book. Definitely not too intense but also not so cozy as to lull the non-fans on cozy fantasy to sleep. This book offered me the familiar comfort of fairytales while being utterly unique in its creativity.
● 'The Swan's Daughter' is incredibly hilarious. I had forgotten how good Chokshi is at writing humor. The chapters have funny titles! (This has become quite rare in recent years)
● I adored both protagonists! Arris and Demelza's longings were well written. I always appreciate an imperfect female character and Demelza was no exception. I loved how she didn't let go of her quirky personality (she literally eats bugs) right until the end. Arris' desire to make a life for himself resonated with me. Their romance was just the right amount of sweet.
●The side characters were excellent! Arris' twin sister Yvelle, who gave off peak Wednesday vibes, was my favorite. I loved how the potential brides developed a sense of solidarity and became friends eventually.
● Few autors understand fairytales as well as Roshani Chokshi. From the cover to the story inside, this is a fairytale through and through. If Chokshi's adult debut (and my favorite book of all time) 'The Last Tale of the Flower Bride' is about how fairytales serve as cautionary tales, 'The Swan's Daughter' is a representation of how fairytales bring us joy with a dash of whimsy.
● Although a fully developed world is neither present nor a necessity for the narrative, the way the author sprinkled in attributes of various mythical beings from regions of the Isle of Malys made this a fun time. There are some abstract concepts like candied sunlight and Cloud poetry that might not be palatable for every reader but serve as the prefer embellishment for a whimsical tale like this.
● How the magic worked in this world was a delight to read about. I loved how all mortals spent the first of their two lives as humans and the second as a tree or a rock or something else while contemplating the meaning of life, among other things. There's a multitude of tiny quirks like this (including a creation myth) that added to the magic.
● I loved how Chokshi acknowledges that no matter how madly two people are in love with each other, they can grow out of it. In this story, that's literally a matter of life or death. How the MCs deal with it was well done.
● Roshani Chokshi often puts in tiny easter eggs from one of her books/series into another and I may have spotted one or two (I've read every single on of her works, after all😌).

Although not my favorite of Roshani Chokshi's works, 'The Swan's Daughter' deserves no less than a solid 5. I'll definitely be rereading this soon. If you're looking for a book that feels like a warm hug, you might love this one.

The book was as coded and engaging as a fairy tale. I loved the whimsical world and the symbolism of the story. The friendship and blossoming romance were so sweet and rewarding.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Hodderscape for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading The Swan's Daughter. For some reason, I thought this was going to be a gothic Swan Lake retelling, but it wasn’t. I would actually describe it as a mythical, whimsical version of The Selection with magical creatures. It was a very funny and cute read, and I had such a good time with it. The writing style is lovely and elegant, perfectly complementing the story without ever overpowering it.

I also really liked our main character, Delmeza and the MMC's sister!

The beginning of the story immediately draws you in, with its quirky family dynamics and the intriguing worldbuilding and mythology. The second half, however, becomes a bit repetitive, with Delmeza using her gift of revealing the truth to help the prince during his “selection,” trying to find out which of the lovely contenders is actually there to kill him. The ending is fairly predictable, but that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the plot.

I like that this is a standalone, but the epilogue does hint that there might be more to come in this world, and I can't wait!

An incredible read, just not gothic, which some reviews seem to have expected.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Roshani Chokshi has done it again!
I am absolutely in love with the way Chokshi writes. This book is dark, whimsical, lush and romantic.
The writing is so captivating i was obsessed from page one.
Chokshi is most definitely an auto-buy author for me.

I just finished The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi and… wow, I absolutely loved it.I didn't want it to end.
The writing is gorgeous (as always with Roshani), but this one felt extra whimsical, like a fairytale told at dusk with candlelight flickering. The world is full of weird and wonderful things — talking castles, secret spells, even a swan that sings the truth (which I weirdly adored). Every detail was rich without being overwhelming.

Demelza was such a refreshing main character — sharp, honest, and unapologetically herself. I loved how she wasn’t your typical fantasy heroine. And Arris? Sweet, gentle, slightly clueless in a charming way. Their chemistry built slowly but beautifully.

It’s definitely a “cozy up with tea and disappear for a while” kind of book. If you like fairytales with heart, a bit of bite, and lush storytelling, this is such a treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

The way Roshani Chokshi manages to mesmerize me from page 1 is unbelievable.
This book has everything and more.

There's the prose that glues me to every word, and every sentence opens up a whole new world of imagination.

There's the worldbuilding that is both incredibly lush and complex, while all the way presented to us as if it was a child's play to do so.

There's the fairytale of it all that draws from many myths and mythologies and still manages to create a conclusive and rich new world.

And if you think that in such an intricate book you won't find interesting and relatable characters, you're dead wrong.

Let me start by praising the side characters that are all fleshed out and intriguing. I'd want a whole book for each and every one of them.
Best of all in my opinion is the badass queer MMC's sister that could just as well be an MC. I love her and the second romance that develops.

And then there's Demelza the titular heroine, the odd swan out that has to find her very own way to live, love and trust.
And Arris the socially clumsy, utterly adorable prince who is so full of thirst for life.

And so many more, I can't wait for you to meet all of them. I'd even take a whole chapter about the sentient guardian plant.

My words fail to describe this book. So just go read, please.

6/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

#TheSwansDaughter #Netgalley #Bookstagram

The Swans Daughter by Roshani Chokshi is the best book I’ve read this month. The whimsical writing in this book is so easy to read and imagine.It has a fairy tale world with beautiful and vivid descriptions.

There is a lot of depth in the relationships between characters, both platonic and romantic, and even the usual ‘mean girl’ character was given a complex story with a lot of nuance which I loved. The romances were all special, unique and compelling, each one adding a different relationship dynamic. Including a sapphic ‘enemies to lovers’ vibe which was so fun to read.

If I had one tiny wish, it’d be to see more of the sisters, they’re mentioned so much throughout but we don’t see much real interaction with them. However, it’s impossible to find any real flaws with this story. This book was incredible from start to finish and it was a struggle to put it down. I 100000% recommend it. 5/5

5 stars!!
This was everything. Whimsical and magical with a solid plot and such lovable characters. I adored this book! Easily bingeable and the premise reminded me of The Selection-esque but that’s far from the truth and far more exciting than that. I have nothing bad to say about this book and every page I read was so worth my time! Loved it so much honestly and not too much of a heavy read in my opinion while not being shallow in world-building or magic systems. Maybe more stories in this world could come later, like short stories of how the sisters were destroying kingdoms as such.

Gosh this was spectacular! So beautiful and whimsical and magical. The perfect fairytale-style fantasy with such lush writing that reels you in from page one. It was the perfect standalone, keeping you on your toes and tugging on your emotions without things feeling rushed. I didn’t expect to fall in love with this story like I did— a really fantastic surprise.

I’m not quite sure how to describe this book, just go read it!!

This was a whimsical and captivating story that felt like a modern fairy tale. The writing style adds to this, and the way the novel unfolds with magic, intrigue and an undercurrent of danger throughout. Demelza was a great protagonist, finding her wings and desires in this YA story.

I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a new take on a fairy tale, and my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

i find it hard to properly review books ive loved but this one deserves it so much. everything from the writing to the plot to the characters was done so beautifully well it really felt like being transported into a fairytale.

the characters were the highlight of the book, each having a distinct voice and personality, each one having their own sets of motives and ambitions. from protective mothers who would do anything to protect the heart of her daughter to a girl figuring out her self worth and purpose to a father whose love is poisonous and toxic, and a prince (major loser boy girl obsessed) who wishes for nothing but to live, this book had it all.

the premise slightly reminded me of the selection series but way more magical and whimsical, this book felt like it was written in a pink pastel pen, in the most beautiful calligraphy. the writing was enchanting and witty, which is unsurprising coming from roshani chokshi who's writing is always top tier, it was flowery without overdoing it, it fit right in with the atmosphere of the book and served very well as an immersive tool that elevated the experience of the book.

personally, the most important part of the book are characters that i enjoy reading about, and with a cast like this one what is there not to love. demelza was the perfect outsider main character who was isolated from the world entirely from birth, not knowing how to walk properly, how to eat neatly, or maintain proper hygiene, all deliberately done by her mother to protect her and make her to be invisible in the eyes of her father, which lead her to be a sympathetic character, not to be confused with a weak one. on the contrary, she was incredibly strong, using her repertoire of read books and knowledge to get her through the trials.

arris was a dumbass from the beginning, for someone fated to be killed by the hands of his future bride, he is entirely girl crazy, prone to fall with any woman he comes across with, he has no sense of self preservation. he isn't portrayed to be an airball though, he has many hidden depths and worries that he doesn't show to the surface.

another thing i loved about the book was the humor, it wasn't overdone or trying to be funny, it was well placed and had me genuinely laugh.

the only qualm i guess was how we didn't get to really explore demelza's relationship with her parents. the first 20% set up such a good conflict where she was seen as less than her other sisters who were beautiful swans, where her mother kept seemingly rejecting her and forbidding her from dressing the way she wanted to, with a father who only seemed to find use for her when it benefited HIS end goal, which we never got to see it fully resolved properly which is such a shame.

im so glad i requested it this book, big BIG thank you to netgalley for accepting my requesting, it was such a treat to read this book.

4.5⭐

Thank you to Roshani Chokshi, Hodderscape and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was my first ever book from Roshani Chokshi and I am glad I started my journey with this installment. This book was a fever-dream — a magically charming and whimsical fairytale, with a perfect blend of romance and magic. The world-building was so beautiful and lush and it felt like I entered a fairytale.

Demelza is a realistic character, who just wants to be seen. She's flawed like everyone else and is such a lovely and complex character. Arris is an incredibly sweet character who always tries to see and live in the positives of the world he sees.

I felt disconnected at times which made me reduce my star rating. As much as I loved Demelza and Arris, I would have loved to see some more interaction between them. The side characters and some of the main cast felt flat which bored me at times because I would have loved the additional depth to the story.

Overall, if you're craving for a fairytale, with lush world-building and a whimsical setting, with a romantic subplot, this is the perfect read!

This was beautiful?!!!
Demelza is basically the ugly duckling, but also both the daughter of the sorcerer in Swan’s Lake and the heroine?

A truth-telling veritas swan, the seventh daughter of an evil wizard, and the only one who does not have wings.
A prince who must figure out which of his potential brides wants to kill him for power.
A deal during a tournament of brides within a magical, living Castle.

Chokshi's imagination created magic oozing from the pages. I didn’t want this book to end. I loved the world, the characters (especially the snarky necromancer royal twin sister), the descriptions AND the ending.

<b>“At least she spared us one of those villainous monologues.”
“I actually like those,” said Arris. “Knowing someone’s motivations allows me to forgive them and find peace.”
Yvlle sighed. “This is part of the reason why women keep trying to kill you, Brother.”
</b>
It balances atmosphere and tension with humour and whimsy. It is dark and fairytale-like, an amalgamation of our childhood tales, Barbie movies, and darker adult realities.

Demelza and Aris are like mirrors, but neither see it. Both have purposes that outweigh their personhood (having their heart cut out, or turning into a tree).

This is Young Adult, but straddles that line where it has no adult content, but feels appealing to all.

<b>“I’m discovering that I enjoy feel ing . . . ‘useful’ isn’t quite the right word . . . vital, perhaps? Instrumental without being a literal instrument?”</b>

Despite this being a standalone, I am confident there was a huge ‘wink’ moment towards the end which has me hoping for more in this world.

Arc gifted by Hodderscape.

Gorgeous cover, gorgeous story, gorgeous prose. It's been a while since I've last picked up a book by Roshani Chokshi and now I feel the need to consume all of her works, because this was absolutely fantastic. It reads like an odd fairytale set in its own whimsical world and I absorbed all the lush descriptions of strange magic.

The story opens with a swan being married to a monstrous wizard and them living in a magical manor sitting upon clouds. It was such a strong beginning and it swept me up and pulled me right into the tale. After a while the pair has seven swan daughters and the evil wizard has great plans for them. While he loves them fiercely, he also uses them to gain more power and so he sends each one to a different land where they spy and seduce and conquer. All except the youngest, Demelza. She is the ugly duckling among her pretty swan sisters, has no wings and no beautiful song, and tries to make herself useful to her father by gathering all the knowledge that she can. But she still wishes to leave the nest and opportunity arrives when every young woman is invited to the castle to compete to marry the prince. Usually I wouldn't be drawn to a YA novel with this premise, but everything was different here. You see, at least half of the marriage candidates want to kill the heir and claim his throne for themselves and prince Arris has to be really careful who to pick. Assassination of the heir is very common in his family and it's more or less expected of the bride to kill her new husband, but why not try for real love in the meantime? All the characters are strange and magical and a joy to read about. There are women who are wolves or bears, women made of ice, women who are definitely cannibals and here to eat the prince. There's a lot of silly magic, but the world still feels coherent and overall like a fairytale setting where everything is possible. And well, books that successfully pull that off always get the five-star treatment from me. It's just REALLY my thing.

Not that I ever expected Roshani Chokshi to write a generic YA romantasy, but this book of course strayed from the typical formula and was its own thing entirely. Demelza joins the competition and she is by far not the frontrunner. While every other candidate always looks and acts their best, Demelza is constantly covered in mud (for protection, you know), wearing a weird dress out of plants and is currently having a bit of an identity crisis. But she manages to strike a deal with Arris to unveil the true intentions of the other women and their connection slowly grows from that point onward. There is actually very little focus on their romance and I'm sure that this will be disappointing for other readers, but I liked it a lot. Because love is still very much the most prominent theme in this book, just not in the way it's usually talked about. It's discussed how even true love can be a prison and how it's the thing that makes one vulnerable to heartbreak and sorrow in the first place, but also how people still freely choose love with the full knowledge that it might not end well. The message was very powerful and it was great that such a different view was presented here.

The story does feel refreshing in multiple ways, but it still didn't have the most extraordinary plot and I wish that the characters were explored a bit more. I think we learn more about Arris than about Demelza and I would have loved to read more chapters about her upbringing and her family. Still, the world had me completely and the gorgeous writing made this a fantastic read for me. I would definitely pick up more books set in these strange fairytale lands, even one book for every swan daughter, or one about Arris’ half-goth-half-mad-scientist sister Yvelle (preferably with Talvi, because I ship it).

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton / Hodderscape for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful story, from the poetic writing style to the blossoming romance.

Demelza is the ugly duckling, the odd one out, and one day to escape her father who wants to cut out her heart, decides to enter a competition to be Prince Aris’s new bride.

It was like reading a fairytale. There were gorgeous descriptions of the world and surroundings, with beautiful descriptions of even the smaller details. It was also clever in that although we had this beautiful world and relationships between the characters, we were always reminded of the darker side of reality for Aris and Demelza. The trials were fun, I also enjoyed the schemes of those contestants who were trying to murder the prince. The ugly duckling side also added in a fun element, and helped to bring Demelza’s personality out and make her more likeable. The romance was sweet, the slow realisation of them falling in love despite it being unintentional and I found myself giggling and rooting for them to have the happy ending I wanted them to have.

I also loved that this was a standalone as it makes a refreshing change from all the series we get now, but also I didn’t feel anything was lacking due to it being just one book.

I would recommend this for anyone who wants a magical, whimsical fairytale, with beautiful descriptions and a happy ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Swan’s Daughter is the newest novel by a favorite author of mine: Roshani Chokshi. And it was glorious. I seriously have no idea how to describe this book except maybe a happy dark fairytale? It feels cosy and funny, all the while horrific things happen. It has a special kind of magic as you cannot put this book down, I’m not really sure what happens as it’s kind of hazy but SOMEHOW you end up with the book in your hand again, so weird?

Anyway, it’s really hard to compare this book as it’s quite unique, but I do get a bit of T. Kingfisher vibes. It’s addictive, the characters are weird but extremely lovable even if they are a little stabby, there is not a dull moment, the dramatics are sky high and the ending is perfection. I really like prince Arris and how he deals with the fact that his life will end soon by experiencing it ALL. I don’t think anyone has ever lived as much as he has. His twin sister is a bit like Wednesday so she’s the absolute best. The wizard is lovely evil yet complicated, all in all very very cool. The characters are all unique and interesting and over the top fairy tale like and I’m here for it. The sort of Bachelor style looking for a wife competition was very fun and dramatic and I loved how the bachelor in question just happened to like all the girls, even the ones trying to murder him 🤣. And the ending! Loved ir!

All in all, this weird little tale has snuck into my heart with its beautiful prose, humor and interesting characters. It feels cosy yet unhinged and yes I’m a huge fan. I keep thinking I need to have some kind of negative because a book can’t be perfection? But I’ll have to dissapoint because I thought really really hard and can’t come up with anything.

I received a free ebook through netgalley in exchange for my review, but this hasn’t influenced my opinion.

I’ve had the Gilded Wolves series on my TBR forever a bit now, but this is the first book I’ve actually read by the author. I will be remedying that immediately.

This was beautifully written. I loved the FMC, the world building, all of it. It drew me in from the beginning and I could not put it down.

Sometimes I request books on NetGalley on a whim, or because someone has told me it looks good. The Swan's Daughter was one those books, and I have no regrets. It was absolutely beautifully written with the perfect whimsical tone to match the fantastical world Choksi created. I also appreciated that it accurately reflected its YA categorization as there was nothing more than brief kissing mentioned. This is a no spice book (other than kissing).

This is not to say that it does not tackle dark or deep topics. Demelza, our main character, is the seventh child of a magical being and a wizard, and their relationship is, to put it lightly, strained. The reason for Demelza's departure from home is quite morbid, but for every attempted murder, marriage manipulation, or example of childhood trauma, there are silly, goofy and cute moments that made me go "aww" and giggle a bit. There are strong themes of found family, braving love despite its vulnerabilities and healing through truth and honesty.

While I do think that, at times, the plot slowed down a bit, and I do believe you should be prepared for almost prose like descriptions at times with Choksi's slightly flowery writing style, I think this is an exquisite example of YA fantasy literature and perfect for starting the new year in 2026!

loved the author’s previous book and the Swans Daughter was everything I wanted and even more ! Once a Veritas Swans falls in Iove the key of her heart goes to her beloved and he’ll have the power to turn her in a swan or a human at his command. Demelza it’s not like her sisters : she is still a Veritas Swan but she is not perfect like them and her song can still make everyone tell the truth bur it’s not a beautiful song like the one of her sisters , it’s an ugly cry and she can’t turn in a swan . So ,while her sisters were sent away to conquering kingdoms from their father, she spent the days wishing to be to any use of her father . But when she find out that her father wants to use her heart for the spell of the eternal life, she runs away to the neighbouring kingdom and enter in a bridal competition to win the crown prince’ hand.

Destined to die by the hand of his beloved , prince Arris always knew that he would have a short life so he spent his days to feel every second of it by walking barefoot, experimenting in the kitchens and living at he’s fullest. He is also a bit naive and an hopeless romantic whose hope is to find his true love and defying he’s cursed destiny with it .

The romance between Arris and Demelza unravel slowly with small gestures and in tandem with the characters’s growth: Demelza never knew what she wanted or what she was aside be useful to her father but her she finds her wings and trust another person. And Arris learn that trust it’s a good thing but that could be a double edged sword.

✨ With it’s sentients Castle , wyverns turned in bunnies and a lyrical prose the Swans Daughter it’s a ( perhaps a little dark) fairytale about choice and how love could be a prison and how it’s the thing that could lead us to heartbreak and that makes us vulnerable, but also we always have the choice to choose it freely .

roshani chokshi made a fan for life with her adult debut the last tale of the flower bride. the swan's daughter is similarly great, clever and confident and about love in its many different forms. reminds me a little bit in a way of the film ever after.

The Swan's Daughter has to be one of the most beautiful books I've read in a while and it is one of those books that reminds me why I love reading so much, it really is a truly magical story.

Everything about it from the opening chapter to the world building with it's imaginative and captivating details, to the engaging plot felt like I was reading a fairytale, a little dark at times but also has this beautiful and endearing whimsical feel about it that makes it so much fun. The writing is so so beautiful and has this flow about it that makes you forget that you are reading. There were times where the plot could have turned really dark and sinister but it continued to have that cosy, romantic story until the very end.

The characters are so wholesome and I just loved how Demelza and Arris slowly grew both as individuals and finally as a couple. Both of them are scared and lonely because of the circumstances they find themselves in but the slow burn romance is one of those that makes you smile without realising you are doing it, the dynamic between them starting as a deal and then slowly developing into something so much more was utter perfection and just so sweet. This is the type of enchanting story that makes you believe in love and magic and I honestly loved it so so much.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review before publication. All opinions are my own.

This was the first book I’ve read from Roshani Chokshi and I absolutely loved it! I’ve been immediately drawn to the story due to the whimsical writing style and the humour in it, The swan’s daughter reads as both a fairytale and a kind of anticlimactic parody with awkward characters, the right pauses and contrasts that never fail to inspire amusement.
While reading, I wished it wouldn’t end!
The main character is Demelza, the seventh child of a veritas swan and an evil, immortal sorcerer, she’s the only one between her sisters who was born without wings, thus she cannot trasform to her swan form, however her singing voice (which is tremendous, as opposed to the angelic voice of others verias swans) can still compel anyone to say the truth. She ends up partecipating in a marriage competition to marry prince Arris and become queen, however the two quickly form a beneficial agreement.

Prince Arris was absolutely adorable, he’s always known that he was going to have a short life so he’s always trying to find ways to enjoy life to its fullest. He’s totally clueless, tender hearted and cheesy as opposed to his “evil” twin, princess Yville.
There’s an amazing cast of characters in this book, some are dramatic, others are spiteful , dreamers or intellectuals but they all bring something new to the story!

I also enjoyed the final thoughts about love often not being enough in a relationship as the circumstances and the fact of actually having a choice in the matter are also important💖

This has definitely become one of my favourite reads of 2025, can’t wait to own a physical copy!


Thank you so much to Hodder Books and Netgalley for a free earc, all opinions are my own!

The Swan’s Daughter is pure enchantment. Roshani Chokshi’s writing is lush, poetic, and completely immersive — every page feels like stepping into a living fairytale. The romance is tender and magical, the worldbuilding is stunning, and the emotional depth hits so beautifully. I was hooked from the first chapter and honestly didn’t want it to end. A gorgeous, unforgettable 5-star read.

A whimsical fairytale reletting of The Ugly Duckling -- the ultimate quest for true love in a murderous contest to find a royal bride while navigating the cruel ambitions of others. Perfect for fans of Once Upon A Broken Heart!

Demelza was born the seventh daughter of Araminta, a legendary Veritas swan, and Prava, a cruel magician seeking immortality. Whereas her six sisters were born with wings and a heart lock around their necks, Demelza was born with neither. While her sisters sing their famed Veritas voices, forcing any listeners always to speak the truth, Demelza’s croaking can barely be called singing. While her sisters are trained to be married off to princes and warlords across the land of Wrate, Demelza is desperately looking for her purpose at home, serving her father faithfully in his search for the immortality spell. When that very search forces Demelza to leave her nest and hide from her father’s eyes in Rathe Castle, where the Royal family of the offspring of Enzo the Fool reigns, she is forced to participate in a contest to find the next bride for the heir apparent, Arris. Demelza strikes a deal with the prince, offering her truth-singing services, to help him find a truthful bride, while she perhaps looks for true love herself..

“A Late bloomer!” said Prava, excited. “Six necklaces were already more than I had hoped, but seven is a very good number indeed.”
When her daughters had begun to hatch, their chirps were the sweetest music to grace the Silent Lakes district in hundreds of years. Birds paused mid-flight. The sun halted its course.
The sound coming from this egg was Araminta’s first clue that something was deeply wrong. To call it a song would be an insult to music.

This book may not resonate with every reader, because the beginning is quite slow. This book thrives on exposition and character development rather than a fast-paced plot, which is exactly what I like in fairytale retellings like these. Roshani Choksi’s beautiful prose creates the feeling of immediately being submerged in this beautiful and magical world. I have read some of Roshani Chokshi’s books before, so I was already familiar with the writing style, and I think it fits perfectly for this type of book. The world-building was subtly interwoven with the narrative and didn’t feel too heavy-handed. Growing up, the ugly duckling was always one of my favourite fairytales, so it was wonderful to read such a whimsical and funny retelling!

“You are a monster.”
“I am a monster, yes, but I will be your monster and yours alone.”

At first, I found the relationship of Araminta and Prava a bit strange. It’s a bit hard to find the sense of right and wrong in this magical world where the meaning of love and hate is redefined in its own terms. The book itself conveys a hopeful message about love – it may be hard to find your true love, but if you keep looking and define love in your own terms, rather than on the terms of others, you may find true happiness.

I loooooove a fairytale setting and this one DELIVERS!! The beginning especially, as the main characters' backgrounds are explained in a very fairytale-like way (which gets lost as we go on, sadly). All the details, the food, the environment, the scents, the plants, the clothes, is so rich and magical, and we have SENTIENT BUILDINGS ? Sooooo good.

The characters were great. Seeing Demelza's journey, as she leaves her home and gets to experience a new world and forms friendships (and a romance) for the first time, how her and Arris, despite their different circumstances, both long for freedom and the ability to want beyond the constraints imposed on them. Also, a side sapphic relationship that makes me long to see them in a novel (gimme the Yvlle and Talvi book NOW)

There is one thing that is a slight disappointment. I thought there would be more obstacles and danger in the competition than there actually was. Between Demelza's monstrous father (another great character) and murderous bridal candidates, you would think that there would be more life-threatening up and downs. Still a very, very enjoyable read and an early contender for one of my favorite reads of 2026.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an ARC.

Choski is one of my favourite contemporary writers because everything she creates is just. so. weird. and this book continued that trend brilliantly. The world was bizarre but brilliantly built and the romance was so soft and so gentle.

This was so beautiful, I loved the writing, the atmosphere and the romance of this! I can't wait to get this physically in the my hand! Wow would definitely recommend!

The Swan's Daughter is a charming tale of love, friendships and magic. This was just as whimsical as I was hoping and had all the beautiful fairytale-esque moments. It's like the whimsy of Once Upon a Broken Heart X and the royalty and competition of The Selection. It was entertaining, it was heartwarming and left me with smile on my face,

Roshani always shines with her writing and this one was no different! can't wait to see what she puts out next.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Hodderscape for an arc for review.

Darting: 4.5/5

Oh, I do love happy endings! I read this book in an afternoon/evening and let me tell you, the old fairytale vibes are making a comeback! Everything about this book is so whimsical, from its poetic writing, to the enchanting way the plot moves along. It was not hard to fall for The Swan’s Daughter!

I must confess I went into this book a little bit blind as I am not very familiar with the Swan Maiden but I also understood that the inspiration is quite loose and it’s more about how love could be both freedom and chains - as we will delve into throughout the story! Demelza is such an interesting FMC and I truly love how fierce she is and how she’s not waiting around for a Prince Charming - in fact, love is a curse and she shall never fall in love! Arris is also a very different MMC: it’s so refreshing to see a MMC that is a bit softer and eager for love before his family curse hits and his wife carves his heart out and he turns into a tree - he wants to experience life and all he can before that fateful day.

Another thing I particularly enjoyed about this story is how the royal family has a little bit of Addams Family vibes - I thought it gave it some endearing comical moments!

The Swan’s Daughter was an absolute delight, and I loved every minute of it. Roshani Chokshi once again proves why her books are such a joy to sink into—this story was funny, heartfelt, and completely immersive from the start.

The main characters were incredibly endearing. They were flawed in very human ways, fully aware of those flaws, and unapologetic about who they were—which made them all the more lovable. Their growth felt natural rather than forced, and I found myself genuinely invested in their journeys.

One of the standout strengths for me was the cast of side characters. Each one had a distinct personality that felt well established, not just window dressing for the plot. They added so much humor, charm, and depth to the story, and I looked forward to every interaction.

The worldbuilding was playful and vibrant, with a story that felt fun without ever losing emotional weight. I never struggled with motivation to pick this book up—in fact, I had the opposite problem of wanting to read “just one more chapter.”

As always, Chokshi’s writing is beautiful and vivid, rich with atmosphere and voice. At this point, she’s quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me, and The Swan’s Daughter only solidified that status. A magical, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable read that I would happily recommend.

5 ⭐️ What a stunningly woven story! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this, and I initially wondered whether it might not be my vibe. However, this turned out to be exactly the kind of writing I needed to kickstart my reading year.

Roshani Chokshi is truly a master storyteller. She takes inspiration from the Swan’s Daughter fairytale and transforms it into something even more magical, rich, and immersive through the folkloric world she creates. It is layered with myth, tradition, and wonder, making it easy to lose yourself in its pages.

The cast of characters we meet only adds to the strength of the story. Each character feels purposeful and distinct, and the narrative centers around a series of trials that kept me fully engaged. With each participant representing a different kingdom, we are given insight into the wider world, which adds impressive depth to the story.

Beyond the magic and trials, the story is thoughtfully woven with meaningful themes. There are powerful lessons about self love, identity, and the importance of choice, especially when facing uncertainty and the unknown.

All in all, I absolutely loved this book and found it both enchanting and thoughtful. I will definitely be seeking out more stories by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder, and the author for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review

✨ The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi ✨
⭐ 4.5 stars
This book was pure whimsy wrapped in romance fairytale magic. Think The Swan Princess meets Ponyo, with that unmistakable Roshani Chokshi lush, lyrical touch 🦢🌊 with a dash of Studio Ghibli whimsy and Don Bluth fairytale nostalgia.
⚠️ YA romantasy – no spice. The romance is sweet, soft, and more adorable than emotional, which suits the fairytale tone perfectly.
Demelza was such a beautifully written heroine—flawed, self-aware, and wonderfully real. Arris starts off as a bit of a ladies’ man, but watching him realise that love isn’t just about looks was incredibly endearing. Their relationship development felt natural, charming, and quietly satisfying.
The world-building was enchanting, filled with oddities, magic, and that cozy-but-strange fairytale feeling. The side characters completely stole my heart, especially Yvll and Talvi 🩵
The ending had me slightly panicked that I wasn’t getting my HEA… but I’ll let you discover that for yourself 👀✨
Overall, the story flowed beautifully and I genuinely couldn’t put it down.
🦢 Whimsical Peculiar. Adorable fairytale vibes.

This is my very first read from Roshani Chokshi but I suspect it will not be my last. This is written so beautifully, and the cover is gorgeous. This is like a more whimsical, fantastical version of The Selection.

The amazing intense fairytale atmosphere was amazing in The Swan's Daughter. The background to what lead to the relationship was great.

If I strip The Swan's Daughter down to its bare bones, it feels like Diana Wynne Jones writing The Selection by way of Swan Lake, or maybe The Swan Princess. At its heart, this is a fairy tale about a "cursed" girl, a kingdom bound by fragile political bargains with their own legends, and a future decided through tradition rather than choice. Our heroine is raised knowing her fate is not entirely her own, shaped by magic, lineage, and expectations twisted in love & fear.

Rather than driving toward a single dramatic goal (despite appearances), the plot moves like a story being told aloud, looping through encounters, histories, and adjacent details.
At several points I half expected an interruption in the margins, something very The Princess Bride, a reminder that this is a story delighting in its own telling. It pulls from many fairy tales at once, not to remix them into something sharp or modern, but to let them sit together naturally, as though they have always belonged side by side. The result is an intentional softness to the pacing, where the pleasure comes from the journey rather than the destination.

I adored this book. It is simple in the most magical way, like a cup of tea and a slightly lopsided homemade cake. It is YA, but it never feels confined by that label with the focus less on twists or high-stakes escalation and more on mood, character connections, and the gentle strangeness of a fairy tale world, displayed as if a miniature carousel on your mantle.

There are several relationships threaded through the narrative, each one carrying its own story. The swan and the monstrous magician. The king who marries the person trying to kill him, turning fate into something unexpectedly tender. The emotionally reluctant figure paired with the dreamer. These relationships feel like miniature fairy tales nested inside the larger one, enriching the plot without overwhelming it. But yes, it is corny at times. Yes, it moves quickly and occasionally feels shorter than it is. But I know I will reread this, if only to catch all the small moments and allusions that slip past when you are too busy enjoying yourself. Future reader, your expectations will matter for this going in, so imagine you've picked up a fairy tale book with an overarching thread or a book secretly shorter on the inside. Maybe you saw it on the shelf next to The Great Good Thing, if you know.

The ending does feel a little clumsy, but in the same way many fairy tales do as bedtime approaches, when things begin to wrap themselves up simply because the story has reached its stopping point. This is not a book you read for surprises or clever reversals. It is something to sink into, to be carried by, and to delight in. It’s absolutely what I was hoping it would be.

Thank you to Hodderscape for sharing this with me :)

Thank you Netgalley, publishing house Hodderscape along with the author for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I believe I have never read a story so fable-like and at the same time so exquisitely macabre in some points? This was such a fun and interesting read for someone in need of a book that will blow your mind away with in writing and plot.

The Swan's Daughter presents itself as a dough full of wonder with pinches of thoughtful moments, icing filled of emotional growth all accompanied by a delightful prose and fairy-like cherries filled with both sweet and bitter moments to make it all finally real.

Demelza's character as she evolved around the group of the other contestants as she tried to find a way to save herself from having her father cut out her heart? Astonishingly well done. How she slowly learned to trust Arris in all of that while still remaining true to her mother's heritage as much as she could? Lovely. The way this book was so well-written that I in a long time thought that I was truly inside a land where all fairytales could live and find their happily ever after even if the odds were at times against you? MAGICAL. Simply magical.

But even if I praise Demelza's character so much it is not her that became my favorite.
Prince Arris. Taking out the fact that you really at times need to learn how to read the room because it can't be that your cluelessness could have nearly (probably) doomed you. But taking that small little thing on which I'm sure you can now work (as you now have all the time in the world-ish) I must say that again, It's been a while since I've liked a male lead from a young adult as much as I've liked you. You, with your brilliant laughter and your liking to fine clothing even if we shall find you walking around the palace grounds barefoot, and with maybe with a new recipe for your dear veritas swan to gulp down in tree bites.

And mark my words, if the twin and doll face don't get a book with a happy ending I'm going to gather a crowd, arm them and march straight under the authors house to demand justice. They were just so cute this whole book was just that, even down-right to the secondary side characters which even there I've grown fond off.

This was my first time reading a Roshani Chokshi book but it won't for sure be my last. Get ready everyone because a multi-colour jewel is coming out next year.

5⭐️ 0.2🌶️ (a couple of kisses, nothing more)

“And so, far away from the eyes and ears of the mortals and in the loamy argot of roots and brambles, the Isle whispered to the foundation of Rathe Castle. It whispered of all the things it held in its soil... of heartache and sly glances, prayers murmured into flowers, the tiny splash of a child's feet in the tidal pools by the shore. The Isle spoke of magic mislaid and misused, of the way things had been ... and the way things could be.”

Demelza is both the daughter of a veritas swan and a monstrous wizard. When all of her sisters are married off and have useful roles throughout the kingdom to feed their father’s ambitions, Demelza is left behind and longs to find a purpose for her life. Prince Arris is fated to die. He is the Kingdom’s heir and all it takes for a bride to rule the Isle of Malys is a marriage and Prince Arris’ heart…preferably carved out. Obviously the Prince has been trying to avoid his life being cut short but when his parents announce a tournament of brides, time begins to run out. Until he meets Demelza. With her song Demelza can compel others to tell the truth and so Prince Arris strikes a deal. Can Demelza help him find true and long lasting love?

The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi is an enchanting fairytale featuring doomed characters in a world that is both strange and delightful.

The first aspect of this novel that I found truly striking was how the worldbuilding is bursting with magic and whimsy. It’s not only inventive and fun but it really embodies the true essence of a fairytale setting. On the Isle of Malys, there are two castles situated on opposite sides of a lake, both are heavily magical, grand and full of beauty. Up in the clouds is Hush Manor, a place run by the wizard Prava, Demelza’s father. Every room is full of wonder and magical artefacts, there is even an elaborate library cared for by a bunny-like wyvern librarian. Rathe castle is where the royal family reside. It has rooms that change to suit the desires of the occupant, there’s enchanted weather, a fantastical menagerie, and The Grove of Ancestors where Prince Arris’s descendants are living their second life as trees. We learn that both castles were built by Prava, and therefore there were many echoes but throughout the novel we get a deeper exploration of Rathe castle as the tournament takes place. There are almost no bounds to the magic in this book, almost every desire can be magically created, yes often with undesirable consequences, but I just loved that there were so many random and surprising sprinkles of magical use throughout. From a spying eyeball, to a daydream tree, sentient vines, a cave of mirrors to show who you’ll become and floating cloud bears! The contestants within the tournament of brides all came from different parts of the kingdom and therefore each had their own abilities and talents, which served to showcase different types of magic. For instance, Edmea could change and create highly elaborate clothes at whim, Ursula, being a Wyldefolke who had one human form and one animal form, could turn into a bear. I admire when an author really celebrates magic and Roshani makes every page vibrant and truly immerses a reader into this fantastical world. I feel like a lot of modern fantasy books have lost this, opting for more realism, but sometimes you just want an enchanting world to escape to and this certainly ticks that box.

Although there are no evil stepmothers in this novel, there are two very different but fantastically portrayed mothers. Demelza’s mother, Araminta, is very protective of her, but this protectiveness is misinterpreted by Demelza who believes her mother to be uncaring and deliberately stopping her from growing up and leaving the nest. I feel this is an age-old conflict between mothers and daughters and here Roshani shows us both sides and how miscommunication causes them to become adrift. On the other hand Arris’s mother, Queen Yzara, tries to nurture her son to become ready for marriage, she’s strong and powerful, but is not cruel, she loves her children dearly, even though she is technically sending her son to his death! It’s that kind of book where there’s a lot of tongue in cheek! As for the fathers, well Arris’s father is much more wholesome and homely but Prava is a little more complex, it’s probably best to experience him for yourself because he’s quite the character! The portrayal of siblings was something I quite enjoyed too as there is no sibling rivalry between Demelza and her sisters and Yville is quite hilariously and dangerously protective of Arris.

“He could not remove someone's pity or perspective. He could
not take away someone's bias or belittling. But he could slip off his shoes, and if there was anything he could meet in true honesty, it was the earth beneath his feet.”

As you can see Roshani both pays homage to fairytale tropes and also looks at them through a critical eye. Within The Swan’s Daughter there are of course curses, talking animals (and trees!), royalty, magical items, witches, marriage, kisses and true love. My favourite of course was the exploration of true love. This was both a hilarious aspect to the book, but also very poignant at times too. What does it mean to love when that love is ultimately doomed? How can you truly trust someone when you give your life to them? When you make yourself vulnerable? For some of the brides their plans on killing Prince Arris made me laugh, especially when they were found out and the castle would quite literally throws them out! Then we have the ones who seemed more genuine and yet still felt superficial in their desire for marriage. It is only really Demelza who truly gets to know Prince Arris because by being a veritas Swan herself, she too knows the danger of giving your heart to someone. Their growing relationship, this shared understanding was so beautifully played out. Roshani illustrates a yearning for these two lonely people to find not just love but companionship. Both characters transform by the end, but what Roshani ultimately shows us is that their transformation is on their terms, it is not for the kingdom but for themselves and that is what brings about true love.

“In an instant, one could be disarmed by the hint of a smile. Every piece of armor knowingly and unknowingly constructed around the heart could be rendered flimsy and useless by a single glance. It was the equivalent of showing up to a sword fight with a spoon. There was nothing to be done for it. Nothing to protect oneself against it. All you could do was hope to survive this feeling with your heart mostly intact.”

The Swan’s Daughter effortlessly brings back the essence of a classic fairytale with a fresh take on true love. This is a spellbinding read that celebrates magic and whimsy.

ARC provided by Kate at Hodderscape in exchange for an honest review—thank you for the copy! All quotes used are taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

The Swan’s Daughter is out 8th January 2026. You can preorder