The jungle was lovely. The trees and vining flora had awoken. Their verdant new growth stretching upward to fill in the canopy. Luscious blooms in every shade imaginable seemed to unfurl before her very eyes. It was the season of rebirth, her favorite time of year on Braccio, and yet Cygne felt out of pace with all of nature. She didn’t begrudge nature for her beauty. Cygne just wished it had … cast a fraction of its bounty her way. But some things weren’t meant to be, no matter how much you wished for them.
Cygne knew life had more to offer, so she left her lush valley to find it, rather than burden her flock any longer. That’s when she found them, the five vibrant males who looked like her. All her life Cygne thought she was damaged, deformed, only to discover she wasn’t Braccio at all. For a brief moment she knew what it felt like to be normal, only to have it snatched away again, when she realized that even among her own kind she was drab and lifeless.
Yet the winged males insisted she was beautiful. Cygne didn’t know if it was a cruel joke, and she couldn’t figure out what the handsome broodmates wanted with her, as she became wrapped up in their foreign world. But it was so nice to be wanted, even if it was all a pretty dream.
Follow Cygne in this retelling of The Ugly Duckling, as her broodmates ruffle her feathers with heated kisses and tender touches, coaxing her into believing not just how beautiful she is, but that true beauty lies within.
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The reason I decided to read this book was because it was part of the Once Upon a Harem series. I started it, really liked the first few stories, and decided to carry on with them. I wasn’t sure what io expect from this book. I’d never read this author before. The Ugly Duckling concept seemed a bit loose to me, but I wanted to give it a go. I was not disappointed. Honestly, this was a brilliant book. If you’re looking for a girl gets saved kind of story, it’s a great standalone. The world building in this was awesome, and I really liked Cygne as a character. After everything she’s been through, she’s got a backbone of steel, and who doesn’t like a pull-up-your-bootstraps female protagonist? There wasn’t a whole lot I found wrong with this book, certainly not enough to take away any stars for it.
A Pen-tacular tale!
I loved this delightful story. Though Cygne has a rough beginning, treated with disgust and derision for her differences, she comes through it with strengths and skills few females have. It is a thrill to see her gain confidence in herself as five male Olor dance attendance on her. Foul play doesn’t deter her, even when her confidence falters. When the opposition cobbles together a nefarious plan to win unfairly, Cygne uses her intelligence and hard won skills to keep them from their goals. It’s wonderful to see a young woman come into her own and find the love she has longed for with her lusty lovers. I recommend it!
An interesting sci-fi reverse harem take on an ugly duckling story. The female character is featured as a center and the male characters are not as developed, but fair bit of action and a lot of steam will keep you entertained. Although the ending is predictable and a happy one fair bit of plot twists will keep you guessing on the outcome.
I love this retailing of the ugly duckling like reading about Cygne and her mates great chemistry between the main characters the story plot flowed well and kept my attention. No spoilers here check out this awesome book. I voluntarily review this book for my honest opinion.
This is book 9 in a series of 10 by ten different authors. The focus is on reverse harems ( if the sub title didn’t give it away ) warning:this book contains very adult themes.
Cygne has been told she is ugly, that she is deformed..with no hard mandible beak and pale white feathers. She has been told she has no prospects and no chance of any future. she has never fit in with her family or on her world. She is alone.
Resigned to the fact that she is ugly and is impacting negatively on her family she flees. After further rejection at a slave auction, she finds herself disguised and singing in a brothel. Her voice has pulled a impresses crowd…in which are five males.. who although brightly coloured like everyone else ….but unlike everyone else, they look just like her!!
This is a ‘re telling’ of the ugly duckling…But with added action, adventure and a big old dollop of chemistry and addition love interest.
I adored this book it was a fantastic fast paced read, with a brilliantly original concept that left me wanting more! I’ve read and adored this authors books for a long time and adore that her heroines all face hardship in their lives and despite this, rise above the adversity that plagued them and strive to better themselves and others. No matter the cost to themselves.
I enjoyed how the author ensured that none of the ‘broodmates’ were left out from Cygnes attention and ensured they each had their own personality…and I also enjoyed how Cygne developed and flourished with their affection and attention.
This book is so so much more than just a RH story, it’s a book about self acceptance and realising your own self worth. Which is a beautiful, worthwhile message to put out in to a world where the majority is focused on what on our outsides rather than inside. Bravo!!