Deirdre is cursed before she even leaves the womb. Her beauty is foretold to bring ruin to Ulster and it's king, Conor. Ignoring the pleas to banish her, he allows her to live, saving her for his eyes only. Raised by a childless couple and a Druid, she soon realizes that she is meant to be one of Conor's possessions. Hearing that his first wife, Maeve left him, Deirdre decides to do the same after crossing paths with three warrior brothers. Sworn to protect the kingdom, the Red Branch Warriors reluctantly take Deirdre in. Naisi, the eldest brother who is despised by Conor for his prowess, decides that the four must leave Erin and seek refuge elsewhere. They travel across the waters to an enemy kingdom, hoping to life a quiet, peaceful life. Soon the brothers are warriors again, fighting for the enemy king. News of Deirdre's beauty and wildness spreads to the ears of the king, who covets her for his own. Deirdre and Naisi have fallen in love, though neither understands the other. When Conor finds Deirdre and the brothers, he allows them to come home under the banner of forgiveness. But Conor is unable to let go of such beauty and demands that Naisi give Deirdre back.This retelling of ancient Celtic myth is gorgeous. Deirdre, a druid trained woman, is a wonderful heroine. She leaves her safe and happy home for a free and simple life. But simple isn't always possible, especially when you're in love with an ambitious warrior who always wins. Though the two are a perfect match, their love isn't always perfect.This book features gorgeous writing that seems to flow like Erin's streams. Watson makes you feel the connection with nature and the steel of Red Branch blades.This is a book that I highly recommend!! I inhaled this book for about 1 month. Okay, sounding dramatic here, but every time I picked this book up I had the rain of Scotland pelting my bare skin. I slept in caves, I stared into Naisi's eyes and watched him kill a man for me. I woke up every morning wanting to read parts over. I read it through, turned to page 1 and read it over... I've NEVER done that before. I wore the book out in 1 month and had to buy a new copy, and I wish I'd written my review back then instead of now, because what I really took away from the whole experience was an awakening in historical fantasy and fiction. I had no idea how much information is actually available from these times, much more than I ever thought possible. I really really appreciate that Jules Watson graduated in archeology and how many new ideas run in my head as a result of looking into her sources and wondering about the spiritual ideas of the ancient culture she writes about. History shows me who I am, connects me to every woman ever living. I read The White Mare and the Dawn Stag. I looked into other authors who write historical fantasy and historical fiction. It's been a ride that started with this book and I hope I never get to the end. Some extra notes: There is a lot of "intelligent sex" as Jules would say, in this book. In her White Mare series the sex is even more tied to spiritual ideas, which I find fascinating. In a technical sense I can't recommend this book to anyone I know because of the sex in this book...because technically I'm not supposed to have read it. I loved it. Sorry--- doh! NOT sorry.Second, how Naisi's warrior culture was tied to his sense of spirituality and sense of right and wrong, was just amazing. I can't wait for The Raven Queen.Third, the title of this book is just ridiculous. It should never have been called "Swan Maiden".In a book entitled "Deirdre" by ... oh, who was it?... she sites Connachbar mac Nessa as a kind man and a good king. Interesting. She was one of the authors I started reading as part of my historical fiction journey. I'll have to read the original sources to find out, I think. Cuchulainn and the Ulster Cycle and what-not.
What do You think about The Swan Maiden (2009)?
Uma história bonita mas se tivesse menos 200 páginas não se perdia nada.
—jin
Severely tragic but beautiful romance fantasy. Fantastic book.
—mylea
A wonderful retelling of the ancient Irish tale of Deidre
—landon98
