The Swan Maiden

An Australian Faery Tale

By: Serene Conneeley

Narrated by: Angela Peters

Once upon a time, a young girl cried all her sadness into the lake of her local city park, and a lonely black swan drank a tear and was transformed....

For Signet, being human is much harder than she imagined. There are machines that are trying to kill her, people who want to replace her, and dizzying new emotions she’d rather not feel. When she finds herself torn between two wildly different worlds, she must discover how much she’s willing to sacrifice, where she really belongs, and who she truly is. Enter a world where birds shapeshift into wizards, women emerge from sealskins, swans transform into maidens, and love is the most powerful enchantment of all.

©2020 Serene Conneeley (P)2021 Serene Conneeley

A beautiful tale of transformation

This book is an absolute gem.
I will try not to give away any spoilers.
The Swan Maiden is a modern faerie tale made for any audience. The protagonist is a swan (Signet) who morphs into human form and the little girl (Gracie) who she is friends with. Far-fetched fantasies are not generally my thing, but I am smitten with this one. There is danger, intrigue, deception, and magic. And belly laughs! Wait till you hear what swans keep in their cupboards.
The transformation parable is also a tale of self acceptance and growth. While cleverly written to appeal to children, it still bears the hallmarks of literary excellence. There is no harsh language and adult themes are presented delicately, yet balanced with cheeky fun.
The book is presented as an Australian faerie tale, honoring the author's heritage, and describing many wonderful animals found only in Australia. Actor Angela Peter's narration brings the story to life. Her native accent lends itself perfectly to the story. She eases into the prose as the perfect upbeat guide, delivering each character with a distinct voice. You don't have to guess who is talking and her smooth transitions make it easy to listen to and follow along.
It is short, just under fours hours, and would be perfect for a long road trip with little ones in the back seat for the whole family to enjoy.
Do yourself a favor and listen.