The Swan Maiden
by Heather Tomlinson
List Price:
Our Price: $2.83
You Save: $15.12 (84%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Heather TomlinsonEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-08-07
ISBN: 0805082751
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Book Reviews of The Swan Maiden
Book Review: A tale for all readers
Summary: 5 Stars
Here is my full disclosure. I taught Heather Tomlinson physics in high school. She was unforgettably sharp, so quick and delightful. When I learned that she had written a novel, a fairy tale for young readers, I naturally thought I should get it and see. I certainly did not think of reviewing it. But I certainly have to.
Let me start with a summary statement. The tale pulled me in and stepped right along - rich, surprising, greatly satisfying. It will not spoil the plot to say that I was as spellbound as Nicolau, the unfortunate character who was unable to let go of the door bolt.
Any work that means to create a world in some degree unlike our real world must have two things to succeed, beyond an obvious need for a plot that works. It must have imagination and invention to draw us in, and it must have depth, those touches large and small that surround and fill and give us room to watch the story from inside. This one has both, in full measure, and would earn a hearty recommendation without need for more. But more really must be said.
I delight in fine wordcraft. Just as there are composers with the gift of tuneful invention (I go for Schubert and Dvorak), so there are writers gifted with perfect pitch in wording. I found myself utterly enjoying the wordwork. Such zest and agility, so tasty and just right!
A tale for young readers? This is a tale for all readers.
Fantasy Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Fantasy Books
Lirael (Abhorsen Trilogy)by Garth Nix
HarperTeen; Published: 2008-04-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.98
Price in other shops:
The Coffin Club (Vampire Kisses, Book 5)by Ellen Schreiber
Katherine Tegen Books; Published: 2008-06-24; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
Prom Nights from Hellby Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Meg Cabot, Lauren Myracle, Michele Jaffe
HarperTeen; Published: 2007-04-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.16
Price in other shops:
As You Wishby Jackson Pearce
HarperTeen; Published: 2009-08-25; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.54
Price in other shops:
Wintersmith (Discworld)by Terry Pratchett
HarperCollins; Published: 2007-10-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.41
Price in other shops:
Wintersmith (Discworld)by Terry Pratchett
HarperTeen; Published: 2006-10-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.28
Price in other shops:
Missing You (1-800-Where-R-You, Book 5)by Meg Cabot
HarperTeen; Published: 2006-12-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.08
Price in other shops:
Abaratby Clive Barker
HarperCollins; Published: 2002-10-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $25.00
Abhorsen (adult) (The Abhorsen Trilogy)by Garth Nix
HarperCollins; Published: 2004-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.37
Price in other shops:
Two Princesses of Bamarre, Theby Gail Carson Levine
Eos; Published: 2004-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.47
Price in other shops:
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Aurelie: A Faerie Taleby Heather Tomlinson
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); Published: 2008-09-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.62
Price in other shops: