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Dark Swan #1-4
Dark Swan Bundle: Storm Born, Thorn Queen, Iron Crowned & Shadow Heir
Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every horny creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants. . . Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy--one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.
Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she's also become queen of the Thorn Land. It's hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one--except Eugenie--seems willing to find out why.
"New York Times" bestselling author Richelle Mead takes readers back to the Otherworld, an embattled realm mystically entwined with our world--and ruled by one woman's dangerous choice. . .
Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear. . .
#1 "New York Times" bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own--and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage . . .
Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld. . .
Eugenie Markham is a shaman for hire, paid to bind and banish creatures from the Otherworld. But after her last battle, she's also become queen of the Thorn Land. It's hardly an envious life, not with her kingdom in tatters, her love life in chaos, and Eugenie eager to avoid the prophecy about her firstborn destroying mankind. And now young girls are disappearing from the Otherworld, and no one--except Eugenie--seems willing to find out why.
"New York Times" bestselling author Richelle Mead takes readers back to the Otherworld, an embattled realm mystically entwined with our world--and ruled by one woman's dangerous choice. . .
Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham is the best at banishing entities trespassing in the mortal realm. But as the Thorn Land's queen, she's fast running out of ways to end the brutal war devastating her kingdom. Her only hope: the Iron Crown, a legendary object even the most powerful gentry fear. . .
#1 "New York Times" bestselling author Richelle Mead returns to the Otherworld, a mystic land inextricably linked to our own--and balanced precariously on one woman's desperate courage . . .
Shaman-for-hire Eugenie Markham strives to keep the mortal realm safe from trespassing entities. But as the Thorn Land's prophecy-haunted queen, there's no refuge for her and her soon-to-be-born-children when a mysterious blight begins to devastate the Otherworld. . .
1247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2012
385 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
About the author
Richelle Mead
106 books69.4k followersScorpio Richelle Mead is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Originally from Michigan, Richelle now lives in Seattle, Washington where she works on her three series full-time: Georgina Kincaid, Dark Swan, and Vampire Academy.
A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.
A life-long reader, Richelle has always loved mythology and folklore. When she can actually tear herself away from books (either reading or writing them), she enjoys bad reality TV, traveling, trying interesting cocktails, and shopping for dresses. She's a self-professed coffee addict and has a passion for all things wacky and humorous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 14, 2012
This is the classic case where the whole is lesser than the sum of its parts. It is sad really because Richelle had a good story going but she had to butcher everything by writing a half baked final book that had one of the worst endings I came across in a long time. It is one thing to write a loose end quite another to write a mean end.
September 22, 2014
The series was ok...but did not like how she ended it!
September 15, 2018
I considered giving this book 3 stars instead of 4. I enjoyed reading this series. It had some clever plot twists, loveable/ relatable characters, and I couldn't stop reading because I had to know what would happen next. This series was action packed. This book does have detailed sex scenes, but I personally did not believe it was over kill like Fifty Shades. I debated giving 3 stars mostly because the ending was wrapped up a little rushed while other parts of the book went into specific details.
April 29, 2019
Got my fantasy fix!
I had read Storm Born several years ago, and I was happy to rereads and finish the quartet of stories. The author does such a good job of creating a fantasy world and blending it with the human world that it not only seems plausible, it seems real.
This quartet of books is filled with action, intrigue, danger, and romance. I love Eugenie and her transformation into a “bad-ass” Gentry queen. As her magical powers increase, she never loses her true sense of right and wrong or her compassion. The love triangle between her, Kiyo, and Dorian got intense at times, and I’m glad about who she ended up with.
The only reason I didn’t give this a 5 star rating were the many paged graphic sex scenes. (Enough already.). But the storyline was good with enough plot twists to keep me reading. :)
I had read Storm Born several years ago, and I was happy to rereads and finish the quartet of stories. The author does such a good job of creating a fantasy world and blending it with the human world that it not only seems plausible, it seems real.
This quartet of books is filled with action, intrigue, danger, and romance. I love Eugenie and her transformation into a “bad-ass” Gentry queen. As her magical powers increase, she never loses her true sense of right and wrong or her compassion. The love triangle between her, Kiyo, and Dorian got intense at times, and I’m glad about who she ended up with.
The only reason I didn’t give this a 5 star rating were the many paged graphic sex scenes. (Enough already.). But the storyline was good with enough plot twists to keep me reading. :)
April 29, 2022
What an awful ending.
May 15, 2018
SPOILER ALERT.
I am giving this series a three for many reasons. Though the series started out real daaamn good, it has disappointed me in one too many ways. Let's talk character development. There were only two characters that showed any kind of development: Dorian and Jasmine. I expected a lot more out of the main character, but nope - Eugenie stayed immature throughout the whole series. She didn't really have any character development; if anything, her character just kept getting worse. I was also starting to get sick of the love triangle between Eugenie, Dorian, and Kiyo. If not for the fact that Eugenie threw herself at both guys and liked to spread her legs so much, the love triangle wouldn't even bother me as much. She lacked loyalty and was unfaithful, she often slept with others just out of spite. Where is her self-respect? All this did was make us, readers, hate Eugenie even more. While she ended up with Dorian at the end, that changed nothing. All in all, she used him as a rebound and would only run to him when she is need of help.
In terms of events, the fourth book was absolutely BORING. As if Eugenie running off to live in the human world alone wasn't already enough, Richelle decided to throw in a random blight arc that completely deviated from the main point. I honestly wouldn't have completed Shadow Heirs if I had not skipped and skimmed through so many paragraphs and pages!! With the way book three ended, you would think that book four is full of action, but that was not the case. And what kind of ending was that?!! She basically abandoned her kids and left them with some people she barely even knows!! She also withheld the truth about the kids from Dorian. I am very disappointed in book four, the ending, and the character development. I am most disappointed that Richelle crafted such a poor heroine with no self-respect. I am sure we can all agree that Eugenie is unfaithful and sleeps around to get back at her significant other. She made poor choices in the book that can't be made up for. I feel like Richelle tried to redeem her in book four, but it was a fail. The damage was already done.
Nonetheless, I would still recommend the series. You just have to get pass Eugenie's poor choices, unfaithfulness, and lack of self-respect.
I am giving this series a three for many reasons. Though the series started out real daaamn good, it has disappointed me in one too many ways. Let's talk character development. There were only two characters that showed any kind of development: Dorian and Jasmine. I expected a lot more out of the main character, but nope - Eugenie stayed immature throughout the whole series. She didn't really have any character development; if anything, her character just kept getting worse. I was also starting to get sick of the love triangle between Eugenie, Dorian, and Kiyo. If not for the fact that Eugenie threw herself at both guys and liked to spread her legs so much, the love triangle wouldn't even bother me as much. She lacked loyalty and was unfaithful, she often slept with others just out of spite. Where is her self-respect? All this did was make us, readers, hate Eugenie even more. While she ended up with Dorian at the end, that changed nothing. All in all, she used him as a rebound and would only run to him when she is need of help.
In terms of events, the fourth book was absolutely BORING. As if Eugenie running off to live in the human world alone wasn't already enough, Richelle decided to throw in a random blight arc that completely deviated from the main point. I honestly wouldn't have completed Shadow Heirs if I had not skipped and skimmed through so many paragraphs and pages!! With the way book three ended, you would think that book four is full of action, but that was not the case. And what kind of ending was that?!! She basically abandoned her kids and left them with some people she barely even knows!! She also withheld the truth about the kids from Dorian. I am very disappointed in book four, the ending, and the character development. I am most disappointed that Richelle crafted such a poor heroine with no self-respect. I am sure we can all agree that Eugenie is unfaithful and sleeps around to get back at her significant other. She made poor choices in the book that can't be made up for. I feel like Richelle tried to redeem her in book four, but it was a fail. The damage was already done.
Nonetheless, I would still recommend the series. You just have to get pass Eugenie's poor choices, unfaithfulness, and lack of self-respect.
June 15, 2013
This series was promising, but probably at the end of book two, her editor told her that sex sells, so the next two book was more focus on sex than the storyline. After every event, she has sex and more sex.
The ending, after a great read, was a cop-out. You'd think by the fourth book, the main character would mature and learn from her and others mistake, but the only growing she did was her powers. She keeps making the same mistakes up to the very end.
If not for that, the story is very funny and easy read.
The ending, after a great read, was a cop-out. You'd think by the fourth book, the main character would mature and learn from her and others mistake, but the only growing she did was her powers. She keeps making the same mistakes up to the very end.
If not for that, the story is very funny and easy read.
May 17, 2021
Storm Born, 4 stars - very good/really enjoyed
I only read Storm Born from this collection. The other three Dark Swan books are owned by my library in paperback format, so I plan to check those editions out and read them later.
If you would like to read my review of Storm Born, you can find it here. I gave it four stars.
I only read Storm Born from this collection. The other three Dark Swan books are owned by my library in paperback format, so I plan to check those editions out and read them later.
If you would like to read my review of Storm Born, you can find it here. I gave it four stars.
March 18, 2018
Disappointed again.
Just reread this series and realized why I forgot about it. This series just goes downhill and I don't understand how Richelle was able to write her other books and this one. They seem like they were written by 2 different authors and I can't keep up with it. Disappointing ending, disappointing series.
Just reread this series and realized why I forgot about it. This series just goes downhill and I don't understand how Richelle was able to write her other books and this one. They seem like they were written by 2 different authors and I can't keep up with it. Disappointing ending, disappointing series.
Read
September 26, 2017Great series. Adored mosty of it. Though it ended horribly.
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January 31, 2023
Storm Born: 3 stars
Thorn Queen: 3 stars
Iron Crowned: 2 star
Shadow Heir: 1 stars
This starts fun and there are things I really enjoyed about the world building that stuck with me for years. Enough so that I just listened to the audio books several years after reading the series. I remembered getting more and more pissed about the character's idiocy and absolutely horrible final choices in the last couple books and now I remember why I'm still pissed off about the ending years after reading the series. I also find the author really spoon feeds the reader. Like yes, I get the point, please stop reiterating it in multiple ways and get on with the damn story!
There are some quirky fun characters and aspects of banter and some saucy scenes and I have no issue with her bouncing back and forth in a love triangle.... but the whole of her character's arc makes no sense. She does not grow as a person beyond the second book, where she starts to see the gentry as actual people and not just evil demons to be killed without remorse.
As a person and in her relationships with people and the choices she makes she stays totally dumb and immature. She is so pissed about her man not giving her the whole story that she shatters their relationship without even talking to him about it, and yet, in the end she decides to keep the most basic of truths from her love. For her character, with her obsession with truth and honesty and trust, it makes no sense and is just the most horrible ending of a story. Here the fae lovers ride off into the future, with the greatest deception ever held behind her hypocritical lips.
Thorn Queen: 3 stars
Iron Crowned: 2 star
Shadow Heir: 1 stars
This starts fun and there are things I really enjoyed about the world building that stuck with me for years. Enough so that I just listened to the audio books several years after reading the series. I remembered getting more and more pissed about the character's idiocy and absolutely horrible final choices in the last couple books and now I remember why I'm still pissed off about the ending years after reading the series. I also find the author really spoon feeds the reader. Like yes, I get the point, please stop reiterating it in multiple ways and get on with the damn story!
There are some quirky fun characters and aspects of banter and some saucy scenes and I have no issue with her bouncing back and forth in a love triangle.... but the whole of her character's arc makes no sense. She does not grow as a person beyond the second book, where she starts to see the gentry as actual people and not just evil demons to be killed without remorse.
As a person and in her relationships with people and the choices she makes she stays totally dumb and immature. She is so pissed about her man not giving her the whole story that she shatters their relationship without even talking to him about it, and yet, in the end she decides to keep the most basic of truths from her love. For her character, with her obsession with truth and honesty and trust, it makes no sense and is just the most horrible ending of a story. Here the fae lovers ride off into the future, with the greatest deception ever held behind her hypocritical lips.
October 23, 2016
I have to be honest, I have a hard time writing this review. On one hand I enjoyed the world and the story, on the other the last few pages of the last book made me hate the whole book and everything I had wasted days reading. I was not thrilled with the main character until around the end of the first book, then I started to see her take a decent shape. At this point I was really looking forward to reading the rest of the series. She was trying her best to do the right things and to be honest about it all the way, honesty played a huge part in the story arc for me, yet in the end SHE plans and starts a lie that is not only the biggest lie that a woman can keep from a man but she does it with apparent glee...wtf? I have read books where I hated the ending for one reason or another, but this book's "ending" made me hate the series as a whole. I am glad I got them from the library before purchasing or I would be demanding my money back. This is the second series from this author that has left me wanting at the end, so I will probably not pick up others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2021
Storm Born: 2.5 stars
Thorn Queen: 1.5 stars
Iron Crowned: 1 star
Shadow Heir: 1.5 stars
SO much sexual assault, jfc. The plotting was fine (except for the ridiculous amount of threatened sexual assault), but the writing was not very good, and I hate to use the word "unlikable" but the MC was inconstant, melodramatic, and liked to pick stupid fights with the people around her. She saw the world in an immature and overly simplified way, but the worst part was that her view appeared to be correct at all times.
That being said, I was surprised at how well the last book was wrapped up. I thought for sure that the prophecy hanging over the whole series would be left open ended, but it wasn't. Yay, I guess.
Thorn Queen: 1.5 stars
Iron Crowned: 1 star
Shadow Heir: 1.5 stars
SO much sexual assault, jfc. The plotting was fine (except for the ridiculous amount of threatened sexual assault), but the writing was not very good, and I hate to use the word "unlikable" but the MC was inconstant, melodramatic, and liked to pick stupid fights with the people around her. She saw the world in an immature and overly simplified way, but the worst part was that her view appeared to be correct at all times.
That being said, I was surprised at how well the last book was wrapped up. I thought for sure that the prophecy hanging over the whole series would be left open ended, but it wasn't. Yay, I guess.
July 12, 2021
TW : rape and rape culture
I read the Dark Swan series for the first time a few years ago and remembers enjoying the action packed books as well as the torn between two worlds heroine.
I had conveniently forget how much the first books rely on rape, although there is an explanation and it actually is an interesting point of view.
The fact that the heroine ends up working with one of her would be rapist as if it were nothing.. hmmm. It doesn’t work anymore.
That being said, the first three books were quite good. The last one, even if it brings a conclusion, seems a bit thrown about.
I still enjoyed it, but maybe for the sake of memories !
I read the Dark Swan series for the first time a few years ago and remembers enjoying the action packed books as well as the torn between two worlds heroine.
I had conveniently forget how much the first books rely on rape, although there is an explanation and it actually is an interesting point of view.
The fact that the heroine ends up working with one of her would be rapist as if it were nothing.. hmmm. It doesn’t work anymore.
That being said, the first three books were quite good. The last one, even if it brings a conclusion, seems a bit thrown about.
I still enjoyed it, but maybe for the sake of memories !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2023
Okay
I really enjoyed the first book. Eugenie was strong and confident. As time went on she became less and less smart and more annoying.
Mild spoilers ahead
She never figured things out, became even worse at her shamanic job and made what I felt were terrible decisions regarding the twins. First of all to just leave them for months (long after the crisis was resolved) really bothered me. And to keep them from Dorian is terrible!!!!
I hated Kiyo from the beginning and he was in these books wayyyyyy too much.
Continuity issue—how and why did Luisa’s name become Marta?!?!??
I really enjoyed the first book. Eugenie was strong and confident. As time went on she became less and less smart and more annoying.
Mild spoilers ahead
She never figured things out, became even worse at her shamanic job and made what I felt were terrible decisions regarding the twins. First of all to just leave them for months (long after the crisis was resolved) really bothered me. And to keep them from Dorian is terrible!!!!
I hated Kiyo from the beginning and he was in these books wayyyyyy too much.
Continuity issue—how and why did Luisa’s name become Marta?!?!??
November 25, 2023
A comfort book series for me. I listened to the all four audiobooks right in a row.
I like the MC and I like the love interests. I love the worlds and the family dynamics.
Every once in a while, Mead will drop a cultural comment or something that suggests a certain political alignment that I don't love, but it's subtle enough perhaps or politically correct for the time it came out that I can accept that it is a product of its time and still enjoy it.
I like the MC and I like the love interests. I love the worlds and the family dynamics.
Every once in a while, Mead will drop a cultural comment or something that suggests a certain political alignment that I don't love, but it's subtle enough perhaps or politically correct for the time it came out that I can accept that it is a product of its time and still enjoy it.
December 9, 2018
This series has so many twist it not even funny once i got it figure out something changes everything. Each book has me rooting for a different love interest that it not even funny. and that ending i want to know more and soon come on a want more on ivy and isaac like now. Full review on all four books in one will be on my blog next week.
August 17, 2023
YardieBookFanatic
I've read these books AGAIN, and I was disappointed. All these books had fillers ×here it was a repeat of the same stuff. I loved the story excerpt for the end. How dare Eugenie not tell!ING Dorian the twins Re his. SMH. Whu did Eugenie not kill Kiyo??
Idk, reading it again it was a disappointment.
LOVETOREAD
I've read these books AGAIN, and I was disappointed. All these books had fillers ×here it was a repeat of the same stuff. I loved the story excerpt for the end. How dare Eugenie not tell!ING Dorian the twins Re his. SMH. Whu did Eugenie not kill Kiyo??
Idk, reading it again it was a disappointment.
LOVETOREAD
August 19, 2020
The description makes it sound like a bland erotic horror book, but it definitely isn't. It's unexpectedly engaging, with creative world mechanics and extensive ongoing character development across the series.
October 9, 2021
Not a fan. Richelle's writing is great, but the characters are awful and I barely got through the series. I'm giving it a 3 only because it was entertaining enough to finish. I am normally a rereader and this book will not be something that I ever reread.
January 15, 2023
Really great and entertaining, up until probably the third book, where the main character begins making really dubious and childish decisions. The ending of the entire series was a huge disappointment. HUGE.
February 10, 2018
Really enjoyed all of them. Read back to back.
July 5, 2018
I've yet to read a book by Richelle Mead that I didn't like!
December 12, 2018
Great
I loved reading this series, as I have with Rochelle Meads other works. Great writing and imagery. 5+ stars, 11/10!
I loved reading this series, as I have with Rochelle Meads other works. Great writing and imagery. 5+ stars, 11/10!
November 4, 2019
Loved it!!
I need more!! There is definitely openings left to continue with the series. I really hope that Richelle writes more Storm Queen!!
I need more!! There is definitely openings left to continue with the series. I really hope that Richelle writes more Storm Queen!!
November 6, 2019
LOVE LOVE these books!!
January 12, 2021
one of my favorite series, i have re read this about 15x and I am still waiting for the author to update us on the children's future. If you love paranormal fae, shapeshifters this is for you
March 1, 2017
Who'your daddy?
Interesting story about a half human, half fey shaman who becomes a queen in the fey world. If you are looking for graphic sex scenes, you will love these books. Apart from that, facts presented in one book changed in another as though the author could not be bothered with remembering them or the fact checkers were not very good at their job. Even though the story was drawn out over 4 books, the reader is left hanging in the end.
Interesting story about a half human, half fey shaman who becomes a queen in the fey world. If you are looking for graphic sex scenes, you will love these books. Apart from that, facts presented in one book changed in another as though the author could not be bothered with remembering them or the fact checkers were not very good at their job. Even though the story was drawn out over 4 books, the reader is left hanging in the end.
January 26, 2016
I loved this series....all up until the very last book (hence only 3 stars). Granted the scenario of the heroine balking at the love and power of a Fae King just because she's that much of a Paladin stereotype got a little old. I would so very much like to find another heroine similar to Cat when Bones turned her (finally!). I would love to a strong heroine that embraces the power within or without and relishes it. Sigh. Anyway....back to Odile Dark Swan.
SPOILERS! (like how the entire series ends type spoilers!) but I have to rant a bit.........
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What the hell?! Not only was I profoundly disappointed that the strong heroine I'd grown to love in the series was pregnant, but that she, then, refused to tell the real father! The one that would have cherished them and handed them Fairy kingdoms and magic and protected and loved them. Noooo! She caved to keeping them a secret from the one man who'd loved her through the whole thing, that never stopped, never betrayed her, was always there for her. All because she was such a Superman-level goody-goody! I was almost angry when I finished this series. Hrmph.
SPOILERS! (like how the entire series ends type spoilers!) but I have to rant a bit.........
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What the hell?! Not only was I profoundly disappointed that the strong heroine I'd grown to love in the series was pregnant, but that she, then, refused to tell the real father! The one that would have cherished them and handed them Fairy kingdoms and magic and protected and loved them. Noooo! She caved to keeping them a secret from the one man who'd loved her through the whole thing, that never stopped, never betrayed her, was always there for her. All because she was such a Superman-level goody-goody! I was almost angry when I finished this series. Hrmph.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews