THE SWAN MAIDEN - Jules Watson
A Perfect 10
Bantam
ISBN: 978-0-553-38464-2
March 2009
Fantasy

Ulster During The Reign of King Conor

When Deirdre was born, King Conor's druid spoke of her future, of her incredible beauty, and also of how she would be the downfall of the king and of Ulster. Any other ruler would have banished the infant, but, intrigued, Conor sends her with a poor, childless couple to be reared in obscurity. With the help of druid teacher, Levarsham, Deirdre grows up within the forest, learning about magic and the world around her. Still, she is unprepared when Conor comes calling, determined to make her his wife. Levarsham stalls him for years, but the king grows impatient. It isn't until Deirdre meets three young warriors that she comes to realize that her fate doesn't have to lie with Conor.

The sons of Usnech, Naisi, Ainnle, and Ardan, are hunting in Conor's forest -- a forbidden place. They have little love for the king, and he makes it clear that he feels the same, so they stay as far away from him as possible. After they kill a stag, they are startled when a lovely young woman spies on them. They are even more stunned to learn that she is Deirdre, Conor's future queen. When she discovers that Conor's last wife fled back to her homeland, Deirdre begs the brothers to take her away from Conor's clutches. Their lives will never be the same.

The Celtic legend of Deirdre of the Sorrows is given a very human, yet enchanted retelling in THE SWAN MAIDEN. Deirdre is an intuitive, inquisitive young woman who knows only one thing -- she doesn't want to marry Conor. Her lonely, yet loving childhood has only made her yearn for freedom, and her chance meeting with the brothers gives her the opportunity to see another part of the world. During their travels, Deirdre and Naisi fall in love, but will their love be enough to survive their travails?

Deirdre's story is both glorious and heartbreaking, and Jules Watson uses her beautiful prose and Celtic knowledge to weave a stunning novel that is both uplifting and magical. For a wonderful love story, and some unforgettable characters, I highly recommend THE SWAN MAIDEN.

Jani Brooks