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Daughter of Swan & Swords
A Scorching Romance between two unlikely characters...
Olwen was the only daughter of Ignar Cygnus, a world-famous maker of enchanted swords, and she lived a life of privilege and happiness until she was married off to a jealous and mediocre man with a gambling problem. Her life took a sudden turn for the worst when she was informed she had been bartered away to pay off his debts.
In a world where women were property, she had no rights when the dark stranger on her doorstep informed her she was leaving with him as HIS wife. But she had a secret, a secret that would give her leverage to secure her freedom. Olwen's new husband needed a swordmaker like her father, and she is the only one that could provide him with that.
Olwen is relying on her practicality and skill to find her way to a life of independence, so why does she feel so insecure and awkward around her confident new husband? Will she be able to leave him when she is finally released? Or will the whole new world he opens up to her entice her to stay? There is more than one secret he's keeping, and some of them just might destroy her.
Information:
Fantasy Romance
Very Spicy
Why Choose
Multi POV
Tropes:
Morally Grey Hero
Grumpy
Arranged marriage
Stuck together
Secrets
Royalty
Redemption
Sworn off relationships
Why Choose? MFM
Olwen was the only daughter of Ignar Cygnus, a world-famous maker of enchanted swords, and she lived a life of privilege and happiness until she was married off to a jealous and mediocre man with a gambling problem. Her life took a sudden turn for the worst when she was informed she had been bartered away to pay off his debts.
In a world where women were property, she had no rights when the dark stranger on her doorstep informed her she was leaving with him as HIS wife. But she had a secret, a secret that would give her leverage to secure her freedom. Olwen's new husband needed a swordmaker like her father, and she is the only one that could provide him with that.
Olwen is relying on her practicality and skill to find her way to a life of independence, so why does she feel so insecure and awkward around her confident new husband? Will she be able to leave him when she is finally released? Or will the whole new world he opens up to her entice her to stay? There is more than one secret he's keeping, and some of them just might destroy her.
Information:
Fantasy Romance
Very Spicy
Why Choose
Multi POV
Tropes:
Morally Grey Hero
Grumpy
Arranged marriage
Stuck together
Secrets
Royalty
Redemption
Sworn off relationships
Why Choose? MFM
240 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2023
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Fay Smith
5 books24 followersHi everyone! I am an author who hates talking about myself. While I have lived in a few different countries, and pursued very different career paths, writing has always been a passion of mine. I am happy to share my work with others! If you'd like to be kept up to date on what is being written or released, please sign up for my newsletter here https://faysmithauthor.eo.page/ps4wf
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 9, 2023
Firstly I should start off my review by doing a shout-out to @plungeintobookstours and the writer, @faysmithauthor for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it! In fact, I’ve already been messaging Fay in desperation for updates about the next book!!
I did not expect to be as hooked on this book as I was - but it ended up being a proper page-turner. I also had to turn off read-aloud on my laptop because I was sat in the garden when it came to some spicy bits and my neighbours were about! (FYI – it is very steamy in places!). I enjoyed the fact it is written from multiple protagonists’ points of view and it actually works really well. It’s great that one of these is a female, who develops and becomes stronger and more powerful as we follow her journey throughout the novel. There are quite a few plot twists and I don’t want to go into detail as you NEED to read this for yourselves. All I’m going to give away is ‘love triangle’ and leave it at that. The ending absolutely blew me away – talk about a cliffhanger. It was totally out of the blue and has left me desperate for book two.
The characters are really strong and we get a great build up around them but I wish we’d got a bit more background detail on the world around them so for that reason I felt I couldn’t quite give it the full 5 star ranking. Plus, I need the next book to go the way I want it to so when she does that and I do a re-read I may decide it gets its 5th shiny.
I did not expect to be as hooked on this book as I was - but it ended up being a proper page-turner. I also had to turn off read-aloud on my laptop because I was sat in the garden when it came to some spicy bits and my neighbours were about! (FYI – it is very steamy in places!). I enjoyed the fact it is written from multiple protagonists’ points of view and it actually works really well. It’s great that one of these is a female, who develops and becomes stronger and more powerful as we follow her journey throughout the novel. There are quite a few plot twists and I don’t want to go into detail as you NEED to read this for yourselves. All I’m going to give away is ‘love triangle’ and leave it at that. The ending absolutely blew me away – talk about a cliffhanger. It was totally out of the blue and has left me desperate for book two.
The characters are really strong and we get a great build up around them but I wish we’d got a bit more background detail on the world around them so for that reason I felt I couldn’t quite give it the full 5 star ranking. Plus, I need the next book to go the way I want it to so when she does that and I do a re-read I may decide it gets its 5th shiny.
June 5, 2023
Oh my goodness, I did not expect this book to be such a page turner. This is a spicy Romantasy book with faeries, my fave! First thing I noticed was the dual POV's between Olwen and Hrafn and I loved it. The way the author had one POV then would switch during the moment to the other POV to continue the story made it so easy to read. I also devour any book where the main female character is badass and this book beautifully shows Olwen's journey to realizing how powerful she is without a man. Plus she a sword maker and a damn good one at that. I love when a book takes a traditionally male profession and has a woman do it better than the men.
However, speaking of men - we are introduced to Hrafn when he is searching for a sword maker for his kingdom and strikes a deal with Olwen's husband to marry her instead. Fans of enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes NEED to read this book! The tension built between the FMC and MMC had me internally squealing. And the spicy scenes in this book were *chefs kiss* and not overdone.
I did not expect Jager to be introduced but loved his introduction into this book. He was such a needed tenderness to balance the rigidity of Hrafn. The ending of the book was very unexpected to me and had me shocked when I put my Kindle down. I assumed it would be a happy ending but instead I'm left grasping to a cliff anxiously awaiting the next book "Kingdom of Swan and Sword."
Thank you to @plungeintobookstours and @faysmithauthor for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
However, speaking of men - we are introduced to Hrafn when he is searching for a sword maker for his kingdom and strikes a deal with Olwen's husband to marry her instead. Fans of enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes NEED to read this book! The tension built between the FMC and MMC had me internally squealing. And the spicy scenes in this book were *chefs kiss* and not overdone.
I did not expect Jager to be introduced but loved his introduction into this book. He was such a needed tenderness to balance the rigidity of Hrafn. The ending of the book was very unexpected to me and had me shocked when I put my Kindle down. I assumed it would be a happy ending but instead I'm left grasping to a cliff anxiously awaiting the next book "Kingdom of Swan and Sword."
Thank you to @plungeintobookstours and @faysmithauthor for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
September 16, 2023
This is the story of a woman who forgets her worth and the journey she goes on to remember that she is strong, especially when she loves herself.
She is kind, caring, open, and understanding which are all reasons why her two love interests come to have feelings for her.
Set in a world of Fae and Humans, with a king who will do almost anything to stay in power, Olwen, Hrafn, and Jeger will need to rely on each other to stay alive and safe.
A quick and easy read, but full of genuine characters, their struggles, and an overall great story.
Looking forward to the next instalment in Kingdom of Swan and Swords!
She is kind, caring, open, and understanding which are all reasons why her two love interests come to have feelings for her.
Set in a world of Fae and Humans, with a king who will do almost anything to stay in power, Olwen, Hrafn, and Jeger will need to rely on each other to stay alive and safe.
A quick and easy read, but full of genuine characters, their struggles, and an overall great story.
Looking forward to the next instalment in Kingdom of Swan and Swords!
June 8, 2023
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
General Thoughts: The first third of this novel was absolutely incredible. I was so sucked into the story and the characters. I also stayed up way too late reading it. The author did a great job creating intrigue and interesting characters.
The second two-thirds were really great, and if the first third hadn't been so phenomenal, I would have had no complaints whatsoever. But since the first third was so good, I found the second two-thirds do not quite compare. HOWEVER, the whole novel was a really enjoyable read. I hope that the author draws out more of the world-building and character-building in subsequent novels. This novel focused heavily on the characters and building out the characters.
Fay has created a world filled with characters that I can't wait to read more about in the second. I didn't realize this was a series until the end, and it definitely ends on a cliffhanger. I have very definite opinions on how the author better handle things in the second novel, or I'll be ticked. I'm curious to see where she goes with this to say the least.
Steam Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 Pretty steamy. Not the most steamy, but definitely steamy.
Romantic Tropes
-romantasy
-high fantasy
-forced proximity
-forced marriage
-polyamorous/why choose
-cliff ending
You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
General Thoughts: The first third of this novel was absolutely incredible. I was so sucked into the story and the characters. I also stayed up way too late reading it. The author did a great job creating intrigue and interesting characters.
The second two-thirds were really great, and if the first third hadn't been so phenomenal, I would have had no complaints whatsoever. But since the first third was so good, I found the second two-thirds do not quite compare. HOWEVER, the whole novel was a really enjoyable read. I hope that the author draws out more of the world-building and character-building in subsequent novels. This novel focused heavily on the characters and building out the characters.
Fay has created a world filled with characters that I can't wait to read more about in the second. I didn't realize this was a series until the end, and it definitely ends on a cliffhanger. I have very definite opinions on how the author better handle things in the second novel, or I'll be ticked. I'm curious to see where she goes with this to say the least.
Steam Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 Pretty steamy. Not the most steamy, but definitely steamy.
Romantic Tropes
-romantasy
-high fantasy
-forced proximity
-forced marriage
-polyamorous/why choose
-cliff ending
You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
July 9, 2024
Was this mostly fucking yes
But the plot was good too
Love Olwens self discovery journey as well she was relatable without being too girl next door.
Loved the poly dynamic
But the plot was good too
Love Olwens self discovery journey as well she was relatable without being too girl next door.
Loved the poly dynamic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2023
Book Review
My Ratings - 4.8/5
"Daughter of Swan & Swords" by Fay Smith is a scorching romance that masterfully intertwines passion, intrigue, and a world where destiny unexpectedly unites two unlikely characters. Olwen, the daughter of the renowned swordmaker Ignar Cygnus, finds herself in a life of privilege until she's married off to a mediocre man burdened by gambling debts. This shift catapults her into a world where women are regarded as property, and her existence is governed by the whims of men.
The dark stranger who claims her as his wife brings with him a complex, captivating secret. Olwen possesses a skill that her new husband desperately needs, and she's determined to use it as a bargaining chip for her independence. However, the story takes an enthralling turn as Olwen grapples with her practicality and newfound feelings of insecurity and attraction towards her confident spouse.
Fay Smith's storytelling talent keeps readers engaged, evoking a world filled with suspense, desire, and hidden truths. As Olwen uncovers her husband's secrets, the novel delves into themes of empowerment, self-discovery, and the allure of the unknown.
"Daughter of Swan & Swords" is a tale of passion and strength, where a strong-willed heroine navigates the complexities of love and power in a world that seeks to control her. This book's unique blend of historical context and fantasy elements adds depth and intrigue, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy captivating romances with a touch of mystery. Smith's narrative style ensures that you'll be captivated from the first page to the last, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
My Ratings - 4.8/5
"Daughter of Swan & Swords" by Fay Smith is a scorching romance that masterfully intertwines passion, intrigue, and a world where destiny unexpectedly unites two unlikely characters. Olwen, the daughter of the renowned swordmaker Ignar Cygnus, finds herself in a life of privilege until she's married off to a mediocre man burdened by gambling debts. This shift catapults her into a world where women are regarded as property, and her existence is governed by the whims of men.
The dark stranger who claims her as his wife brings with him a complex, captivating secret. Olwen possesses a skill that her new husband desperately needs, and she's determined to use it as a bargaining chip for her independence. However, the story takes an enthralling turn as Olwen grapples with her practicality and newfound feelings of insecurity and attraction towards her confident spouse.
Fay Smith's storytelling talent keeps readers engaged, evoking a world filled with suspense, desire, and hidden truths. As Olwen uncovers her husband's secrets, the novel delves into themes of empowerment, self-discovery, and the allure of the unknown.
"Daughter of Swan & Swords" is a tale of passion and strength, where a strong-willed heroine navigates the complexities of love and power in a world that seeks to control her. This book's unique blend of historical context and fantasy elements adds depth and intrigue, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy captivating romances with a touch of mystery. Smith's narrative style ensures that you'll be captivated from the first page to the last, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
August 30, 2023
I finally found a good romantasy book. I love how poly and open relationships were completely normalized in this book's world. There are three main characters, two men and one women, in a relationship together. I loved how they balanced out one another in the relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The ending was so unexpected. I can't wait for the sequel to be published.
October 14, 2024
Not what I expected, in a good way.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews