From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a reimagining of the Wild Swans–the first book in a new series of fairy-tale retellings set in medieval England! Delia lives a quiet life as the daughter of an earl in late 14th-century England, but that peace is shattered when her seven brothers are betrayed by their father and falsely arrested. Meanwhile, with the Peasants’ Revolt … Peasants’ Revolt threatening the peace of the kingdom, the king is executing anyone who had anything to do with the uprising. Delia is terrified her brothers will be next, the youngest of whom is only ten years old.
Delia infiltrates the palace as a lady-in-waiting for the new queen so she can be near her brothers in the Tower of London and help them escape. When she runs into Sir Geoffrey, the guard captain who arrested her brothers, she hates him–until she discovers he has been secretly carrying food to her brothers in their prison cell.
Trapped into obeying the orders of his king, Sir Geoffrey is the oldest son of an earl whose estate has been seized by the king and his treacherous advisers. His first mission as captain was to arrest seven brothers for treason, but he had no idea that the brothers were so young or that their sister would be so feisty and beautiful.
In a court where everyone is eager to backstab anyone else to get what they want, Geoffrey must right this wrong for Delia and her brothers–and keep them all from losing their heads to this execution-prone king.
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I’ve been enjoying fairy tale retellings over the last year or two, and this was a delightful version of The Six Swans. Adult readers should note that the author wrote this for middle school, so the plot and characters are simpler than they may be expecting. That said, she chose an excellent time period to help the fairy tale and storyline flow, and she included a variety of characters that I wanted to read more about. This was a pleasant change of pace from some of the more complex novels available today and totally appropriate for a younger audience.
Award-winning author Melanie Dickerson kicks off her new series set in medieval England featuring the Raynsford family.
In Court of Swans, Lady Delia Raynsford, the Earl of Dericott’s only daughter, lives a quiet life after her widowed father marries a much younger woman. When the earl dies a few years later, Delia’s stepmother arranges for Delia’s seven brothers to be (wrongly) accused of treason against the Crown and imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Delia goes to work as a seamstress for the queen, so she can be near her brothers. She is recognized by Sir Geoffrey, the guard captain who originally arrested the brothers on orders from the king but he realizes the charges were false. Delia and Geoffrey work together to obtain their release before the king decides to execute them. Will they succeed?
Known for her medieval young adult retellings, Dickerson takes the Wild Swans fairy tale as her inspiration for this novel. Delia is willing to sacrifice everything to save her brothers who are honorable, ranging in age from adult to ten years old, yet they have been falsely accused and imprisoned.
While the story concept is a good one, the execution is not on par with Dickerson’s other books, perhaps because it was laying out the details for the series. It is still an entertaining read with a strong heroine, a sweet romance, and faith elements. The theme of choosing joy despite one’s trials is central to this story.
There was little description of the brothers individually, but no doubt they will be featured in future books. Her second book in this series is due in June 2021, Castle of Refuge, featuring Delia’s oldest brother as the main character.
Recommended especially for young adult collections in school and public libraries, for teens, young adults, and those who are young at heart.
Disclaimer: Book reviews are my honest opinion of books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors.
Right away I was pulled into Delia and her life. Her stepmother was so mean and cold, I wanted to understand why. Her brothers were her protectors and friends, I loved their comradery and loyalty to each other. The action and suspense seemed to happen right away and I wasn’t sure how things would end up. I admired Delia’s courage and willingness to adapt to new situations. This story definitely put in perspective the challenges of the time period of those with power and those without. If you like fairy tale retellings, Dickerson is definitely the go-to!
Even going into this story knowing the fairy tale it’s based on reads a little like a series of unfortunate events with one bad thing happening after another, I still cringed just a little bit with each additional set back.
Melanie Dickerson handled the whole story really well however, she always has a lot of intrigue in her books anyway, so this story fit right in.
She did a great job of building Delia and Sir Geoffrey’s background. Having them both be mistrustful of each other made the story more believable and their eventual trust in each other that much more beautiful.
She really developed all the characters well. Aunt Beatrice was the only one that left me scratching my head. She seemed to want to help, but not. I couldn’t ever get a good read on her character, but maybe that was the point.
Melanie has some absolutely beautiful moments in this book. Again another one I’m going to make sure to recommend to any young woman I know. Moments of hope, trust, morality and faith. There’s a particularly emotion driven moment where Delia says, “I hate being a woman.” This was such a powerful moment in so many ways. I know many many women, including myself, who have had moments they feel like yelling just that. The whole scene was handled so well, with incredible introspection and growth.
Despite the buckets of intrigue and unfortunate event after another, this is a happily ever after and hea’s that are hard won are the best kind.
3.5 stars
I have enjoyed all of Melanie Dickerson Hagenheim family series and I was so excited to see that she had a new series coming out. Court of Swans is the first book in her new series, A Dericott Tale, and it was a great start! Court of Swans is a retelling of The Six Swans which is one of my favorite fairytales. Dalia is the daughter of an earl and she lives a quiet life with her father, her stepmother, and her brothers. However, her whole life changes when her father dies and her brothers are convicted of treason, even the youngest one of whom is only 10 years old.
Dalia was a strong heroine, but she also had her own faults. I liked her and thought that she was so brave as she went to go after her brothers. However, I thought at times she was a bit naive. Overall, she was a good heroine for the book and I really enjoyed reading about her as she grew. She learned who she could trust and she learned to forgive. Life was not easy, but God was still in control.
Sir Geoffrey was a great hero! I really liked him, even from the beginning. He was kind and he was honorable. Although he captured Dalia’s brothers, he didn’t agree with the charges and he wanted to right the wrong. It was sweet to see him try to help Dalia. He had to figure out what it would mean for him to help Dalia because he wanted to honor the king but he also wanted to do what was right.
Court of Swans was a really good book. I liked how Ms. Dickerson was able to weave a new look at this fairy tale, however, I think that re-creating this fairy without magic is very hard. I mean in The Six Swans, the boys turn into swans which you can’t do without magic. I did, however, enjoy the characters and the pace of the book. I think that she did a great job at making it different, yet still keeping true to the fairytale. I was so worried as Dalia and Geoffrey worked to free Dalia’s brothers from the accusations against them. I was intrigued to see how it would end, and I really liked the ending. I did not see so many twists that were coming, and I loved the suspense as Dalia tried to save her brothers.
I would definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
3.5 Stars
Melanie Dickerson is well known for her fairy tale retellings, and Court of Swans takes a stab at The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen as well as the first book in a new series.
Delia is a character I both appreciated (especially her determination to save her brother) and disliked (she’s a worrier and doesn’t always make the best choices), but her love for her brothers is obvious throughout the story.
Sir Geoffrey fares better. He’s struggling with his own injustices but does everything he can to help Delia and her family.
I didn’t connect with the characters in this story as much as I have in others, and the climax of the story was a bit of a letdown, but overall, Court of Swans was an entertaining read and a good introduction to the rest of the Dericott family (at least some of whom will get their own stories told).
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Court of Swans ( The Dericott #1 )
By: Melanie Dickerson
Court of Swans is book one in the series The Dericott. Dickerson weaves another fairytale that will hav you turning the pages to see what is going to happen next. Delia is the only girl among her seven brothers. Their mother dies and their father remarries. Things start to go down hill. Wealth and power in this family , but can they keep it?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers but was not told that I had to give appositive review. All opinions are my own.
Melanie Dickerson, author of the beloved Hagenheim fairy tale tellings, has started a new medieval series for her young adult readers.
Lady Delia Dericott enjoys her life with her father and seven brothers. But after her father remarries, things quickly go downhill. Before long, all seven of her brothers are arrested on suspicion of murdering a coroner in a nearby town. Delia is outraged and scared, because her youngest brother is only ten years old. There’s no way he could have plotted to murder anyone, nor is murder anything her brothers would have done in the first place.
Traveling to London, Delia poses as a seamstress in order to stay close to her brothers and try to help them. Will the trial clear their name? Who has anything to gain by getting rid of all seven of her brothers?
I felt like this story started strong, but it lagged some in the second half. The way things unfolded required more suspension of disbelief than I prefer, and the characters were not relatable to me. I did enjoy the book, and Dickerson sets up several storylines which I can’t wait to see unfold throughout the series. I would recommend this book for fans of YA medieval romance.
I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.
This story immerses us in 1381 England, where intrigue and plots abound. Delia and her seven brothers are caught up in the nefarious conspiracy of those who want to destroy them. This even involves accusations regarding the king and his court. Will they be able to uncover the truth and resolve all the issues involved? As usual, the author does a great job of bringing the time period to life and peopling it with true-to-life characters who engage the reader well. Although marketed for teens, adults will enjoy the story too. It could make a fine family read-aloud with older children and discussion of events portrayed or in a book club. I enjoy historical fiction and reading about other places and look forward to the sequel. I received a book from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Court of Swans
by Melanie Dickerson
Book 1 in the Dericott Tales series
Rating: 4/5
I believe I have read every book by Melanie Dickerson and she did not disappoint. Court of Swans is the first book in a brand new series and I was excited to visit the world of 1381 and meet the Dericott family. This particular story is a retelling of The Wild Swans and the author definitely had her own take on the story.
Delia Dericott is the only daughter of the Earl and has lived a fairly sheltered life surrounded by her seven brothers. After her father remarries a horrible woman, she keeps her distance and hopes for the best, especially when she gains a new half-brother. However, her new stepmother has plans of her own. When her father dies suddenly, all her brothers return to the family home (most were off training to be a knight) while they mourn together. Her eldest brother, Edwin, barely has a chance to get used to his new position and title before the king of England’s soldiers arrive to arrest all of her brothers for murder and treason. When Sir Geoffrey realizes that the youngest one is but 10 years old, he is unsure why all these brothers are being sent to the Tower of London. Delia is distraught and must find a way to save her brothers. She suspects her stepmother did something but has no evidence. Afraid of what her stepmother might do to her, Delia escapes to her aunt for guidance. Her aunt arranges for Delia to become a seamstress in the king’s castle in order to find a way to convince the future queen and young King Richard of her brothers’ innocence. Delia finds herself once again confronted with Sir Geoffrey and must find a way to work with him to free her brothers before it’s too late. Can Delia trust the man who arrested her brothers? Can she find a way to rescue her brothers and exonerate them?
There’s definitely never a lack of drama in Melanie Dickerson’s books. lol. I really enjoyed this story of political intrigue set in the late 1300s which is not a time period that I read a lot about. It was interesting to read about the different historical figures and try to get into their head. I finished the book in a few hours and could not put it down. I know I will enjoy getting to know this new family and cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian historical fiction with romance and political intrigue.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
What I appreciate most about Melanie Dickerson’s books is that they immediately draw me into whatever world she is writing about. Melanie also doesn’t wait long before the action begins. Court of Swans begins with a wedding, the wedding of Delia’s father to a young woman around Delia’s age. At least her seven brothers got to come home to attend the wedding. If only their new stepmother wasn’t convinced they were all plotting against her. Fast forward several years to the death of Delia’s father and the arrest of all seven of her brothers for treason against the king of England. It’s up to Delia to find a way to save them.
Delia was a fascinating person. Although all she knew was a life of privilege, she did have seven brothers and could fight for herself. Instead of every male in the book having to rescue her (although several commented that they wished they could have), she repeatedly rescued herself. And although she was passionate about finding justice for her brothers, she deferred to the advice and strategies of others when she saw their wisdom. She also had a good sense of humor which she didn’t lose in the midst of danger. She was a little too trusting at first, but she learned and she never gave up. I enjoyed her character and the overall story.
But more than any fairy tale, Court of Swans had the feeling of the book of Esther, in which a powerless girl finds strength from God and family and faces the king. Bravo, Melanie.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and have reviewed it willingly.
When Delia’s life began to fall apart, she didn’t sit back hoping for things to get better – she sought to do everything in her power, even if it meant breaking her brothers out of the Tower of London!
Delia had a strong faith – the kind that helps weather storms. However, she did question why bad things happen to good people and it appears that evil men are allowed to prosper. And who doesn’t wonder that at least occasionally? The faith message was strong. Another reviewer mentioned having trouble with the timeline – how Delia could have had access to the scriptures and in English. I spent a LOT of time trying to figure that out as well (was very distracted by the story by it). And as the reviewer pointed out, it was possible but not likely.
I liked Delia and Gregory and loved her brothers, especially Edwin and Roland. Their characters were well rounded, with doubts and fears along with their strengths.
While I have loved other books by this author, Court of Swans was more in the “like” category. It was good, just not great.
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I have enjoyed many of Melanie Dickerson’s fairytale retellings and was excited for this first book in a new series. Court of Swans is loosely fashioned after The Wild Swan and takes place in medieval England. While I did enjoy the book overall, it was not my favorite of Dickerson’s novels. I enjoyed the setting and the intrigue/mystery as well as the historical aspects of the monarchy at the time. I was intrigued by the main characters but felt like we didn’t really get to know them well – the book is definitely plot driven. And while I always enjoy the faith aspects of Dickerson’s books, at times this book seemed a little on the preachy side.
I am excited to read the stories of Delia’s brothers as Dickerson continues to be my go-to author for fairytale retellings!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but a positive review was not required.
Set between earls, ladies, kings and knights, this is a fairy tale retelling which snuggles in to a more realistic, historical world while plunging into a world of royal intrigue.
Delia is the only daughter in a household with seven brothers, all who are in various levels of training to be knights. Her step-mother is a difficult person but not impossible to deal with until their father dies. Not long after his grave has been covered, the king’s knights arrive and arrest all seven brothers for treason, although the youngest is only ten years old. Knowing they are innocent of all charges and determined to save them from being executed, Delia sneaks away from her home and hides as a maid in the king’s court. But helping her brothers is even more difficult than she ever imagined as she slowly uncovers more secrets and discovers that more than one person is weaving their own plans to gain money and power.
This is a very interesting tale, which weaves in wonderful ways, promising tension, emotions and a quick-pacing all the way through. I suspected that this one might slightly turn in a fantasy direction as a fairy tale retelling…but it remains solid in the historical fiction genre. And that’s a good thing. The world is rich, the characters layered, and there’s even a touch of true moments from history. On that end, it’s a real treat.
There is a lot going on in these pages, and Delia has quite the adventure waiting for her. While I did read this one all the way through, however, I found myself skipping through paragraphs every now and then. I wanted to know what happened to Delia and her brothers (and her romantic interest), so for me, the tale is worth a read. But it also kept the characters and events an arm’s length away thanks to the fact that most of the story came across as a telling and didn’t allow the reader to really experience or see everything happen. The dialogue and a few scenes play out, but many others are treated as quick information with a glimpse into Delia’s thoughts of what happens. There was so much that could have (and I think, should have) been built out, which would have made this a book impossible to lay down. Of course, that also would have meant two or three novels, but there is so much going on, that it would have been worth the exploration.
This is a religious read, and I enjoyed how the author wove this naturally into the tale. Delia prays and declares her trust to God without ever coming across as forcing it. It flows right in with her character and also fits the time period nicely. Even her brothers, when they are facing horrible prospects, mention their faith and prayer, but never dwell on it excessively or make it stick out. It’s simply a part of who they are and, as said, actually slides right in with how people of that time might have thought.
Fans of historical fiction, royal intrigue, tension, and building romance, who also appreciate the Christian lean will enjoy this one.
I received an ARC through Netgalley.
In Court of Swans, Melanie Dickerson delivers an exciting story of romance and intrigue in medieval England. Taking place in 1381, the story follows Lady Delia as she fights to prove the innocence of her seven brothers, who have been accused of murder and treason against the crown. Even though some are just children, all seven brothers have been arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London for crimes they did not commit– crimes for which the punishment is certain death. Delia is sure that her stepmother is behind the arrest, and suspects there is someone helping her as part of a larger conspiracy. During her efforts to save her brothers, Lady Delia meets Sir Geoffrey, a guard at the Tower of London and the son of a fallen duke who has been stripped of his title. Sir Geoffrey seems to be kind and good, and willing to help Delia in her search for justice for her brothers. As their efforts to obtain justice become more dangerous, Lady Delia and Sir Geoffrey discover there is a growing attraction between them. Can they uncover the evil at work and obtain justice for Delia’s brothers while finding their own happily ever after?
Melanie Dickerson delivers a wonderful medieval romance in her classic fairy tale style we know and love! Having recently finished her popular young adult fairy tale romance series, she is using realistic medieval England as the setting for a new set of books that still capture the romance and adventure she writes so well. The writing style for this book definitely fits the teen and young adult market, but an adult reader will certainly find it an enjoyable easy read with a sweet romance and an interesting plot. I really enjoyed the storyline of this one and found the descriptions of medieval England historically accurate, yet magically enchanting at the same time. My favorite part of this book was the spiritual truth that is clear throughout the whole story: God is good, and he is faithful even in hard times. What a relevant and encouraging truth to remember! I highly recommend Court of Swans to anyone who is looking to escape into a story of romance and adventure, but who is also looking to close the book with a stronger understanding of God’s faithfulness.
I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
“The only thing that stops us from being joyful is ourselves…. Our thoughts and beliefs cause us to experience either joy or bitterness, sour or sweet. It is our own choice.”
I have enjoyed quite a few of Melanie Dickerson’s YA medieval fairy tale retellings and this newest offering from the author is loosely based on the Wild Swan and also kicks off her new series The Dericott Tales. Set in 1381 England, the setting is memorable and the author does an incredible job of transporting the reader to the era of King Richard II’s early ruling years. The story doesn’t actually have much in common with the fairy tale except that there are multiple brothers to the heroine and she ends up making sweaters for each of them. As much as I loved the setting and have loved the author’s previous books and series, this book fell a bit short for me. Sir Geoffrey and Lady Delia seemed one-dimensional and events and characters that were supposed to be plot twists felt somewhat forced and predictable. Faith thread in the story was strong and I did enjoy the Biblical wisdom discussed throughout the book. Delia’s seven brothers were interesting and I am invested in learning more about their stories in the series even if I didn’t absolutely love the first book. Fans of Melanie Dickerson’s YA medieval stories and those who love medieval fairy tale retelling will likely enjoy the book.
I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Court of Swans transports the reader back in time to knights, kings, honor, and loyalty. With attention to detail and characters that pull you into the story, each part of the story draws you deeper in. Lady Delia has never known a father’s love, but 7 brothers more than make up for that. She has a childhood full of fond memories and love from her brothers. But then her father, Earl of Dericott, remarries and strife enters Delia’s home. Her step-mother creates even more division between her father and her siblings and herself. With all seven brothers knights or knights in training, it becomes a lonely time for Delia. Than the unexpected happens and Delia’s father dies in a riding accident. While her brothers come home for the funeral, unscrupulous and greedy people work behind the scenes to steal the title Delia’s father has left behind. What follows is a perilous journey through the tower of London, false witnesses, looming executions, heart stopping cloak and dagger hiding, evading capture, and a desperate hunt for the truth and a dependable witness. Through all of the trials, Delia must learn how to hold onto joy, truth, and hope. A constant through it all is also Sir Geoffrey. He arrives to arrest her brothers, following orders as he has always been taught and trained. But from the very first he has grave doubts and misgivings about everything that is happening. Those doubts only grow as he learns more about the family and who is involved behind the scenes. He has also lost his father and the title of Duke that was to be handed down. As more time passes, Geoffrey is convinced the brothers are as innocent as he and his father were. It doesn’t hurt that Lady Delia is exactly the lady he has hoped to find. Together they fight to free her brothers and find the evidence needed to clear their names. But in the end they will need an audience with the king in order to accomplish all their goals.
Melanie Dickerson has written another adventure that takes the reader on an adventure through the English countryside and into London itself. Victorian England comes to life, transporting the reader to the green countryside and lives of knights, titled aristocracy, and the servants who make that life possible. With exquisite detail, each character shares their joys, hopes, fears, and struggles making the story vibrant and alive. This book was a struggle to put down, and even then the story stays with you. There was no way to leave Delia, Geoffrey and the others behind. I can not wait for the next book by this gifted author. A must read for sure! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in the review are completely my own.
I have read all of Melanie Dickerson’s stories, and I was glad to finally see her branch out from her Haggenheim series. It has been long, and started to sound a little repetive. While I enjoy Dickerson’s style of writing, I was glad to see something a little different. Dickerson does not disappoint. I really liked how she crafted the story. I couldn’t imagine having seven brothers and have them all accused of treason against the King. There was one issue that did bother me, and it was the beginning of the novel. I didn’t understand why we were at a wedding, then jumped three years, then jumped six months. I would have preferred to start the novel with the capturing of her brothers, and then allowing us to see the hatred of her step-mother as the story moved along. I wondered why the step-mother did not go after Delia as she traveled to where the brothers were being held captured. Even though the story did have its quirks, I still was enthralled with the writing and the story. I can’t wait to see what story Dickerson will show readers next.
I received a complimentary copy of Court of Swans by Melanie Dickerson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Court of Swans is a perfect example of Melanie Dickerson’s ability to retell fairytales in a way that moves and captures your heart. I am not familiar with The Wild Swans, but that in no way diminished my ability to fully appreciate the beauty of this moving tale. Delia is young and naive but loves her brothers fiercely and will do whatever it takes to see them rescued from their unjustified imprisonment. Along the way, her ability to know who to trust is challenged and she must cling to her faith and what she knows to be true. Friends and allies can come from the most unexpected places and this tale does a great job of taking the reader through this lesson.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
I have always been a fan of Ms. Dickerson’s classic fairytale retellings. While I have liked some more than others, I have always felt that the author does an excellent job of blending the fairytales into a historical setting and researching the historical background and then making it as accurate as possible. In other words, she takes the story from folklore into the realm of real life (even if it may have been in the past).
That being said, this retelling of the classic Wild Swans was a little slow-paced for me. I had to remind myself that it was a different time and that the ladies during the medieval times were not as worldly as they are now, so I had to be patient when I felt like Delia was being naive. She is a young girl alone without any protection in a world where this would usually never happen. She is looking for someone to trust. Two knights say they want to help her and her imprisoned brothers, but only one of them has pure intensions at heart. She must decide who to trust and how much trust to give.
At a time when a boy king sits upon the throne, intrigue and politics corrupt the English court as cruel men pull the strings from the shadows and lives are ruined forever. It’s up to one girl to try to change fate if she wants to save the lives of all those she loves from the death that awaits them.
** I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thanks to the author for the opportunity **