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Minoan Wings #2
Swallow's Dance
I wonder if the first day of Learning is always like this - do the girls on the hill always feel the ground tremble under their feet?
Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home - and her family - in pieces. And the goddess hasn't finished with the island yet.
With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira has only the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety.
Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home - and her family - in pieces. And the goddess hasn't finished with the island yet.
With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira has only the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety.
360 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Orr
63 books208 followersI’m an author, but I could never have started writing books if I hadn’t loved reading them first. Reading isn’t just one of my favourite things to do; it’s one of the most important things in my life. I can’t imagine a world in which I couldn’t read, every day. That’s why I always read to my children every day, just as my parents used to read to me. Stories can be exciting, sad, funny, scary or comforting, but the most amazing thing about them is that they take us into new worlds and teach us something more about ourselves, all at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 23, 2019
Each morning as the sun rises, the small island nation of the Swallow Clan sings the praises of their creator, The Goddess. Leira is preparing for her Learning ceremony, her transformation into womanhood after her first bleed where she will serve The Goddess guided by Our Lady, a woman and spiritual leader among the Swallow Clan community. As the chosen young women begin the pilgrimage upon Crocus Mountain to collect saffron for their ceremonial offering, the mountain begins to tremble. The Goddess has awoken.
The small, spiritual island is experiencing earth tremors as the volcanic activity increases. Residents return to their homes, their offerings and song to The Goddess remain unanswered as the sky clouds with ash, decimating the pastoral landscape. Awoken by the sound, the Swallow Clan community is in ruins. Homes have collapsed including Leira and her mother, her father and brother upon the waves as the island fractures, cursed. As Leira, her mother and elderly servant Nunu are rescued, the neighbouring families find solace within the vast landscape of farmland within the island nation, before sickness infects the community. The island is no longer a haven and reluctantly, families board vessels for the mainland.
Leira is a beautiful young woman, spiritual, whimsical with a quiet determination and wisdom. When her journey to become a woman is overshadowed by the trembling island, Leira believes The Goddess is awakening, the scent of sulphur from the active volcano lingers as a reminder of the sacrifices the community has blessed upon The Goddess. The island women are empowered as their daughters receive their first bleeding, signalling their journey to becoming women and serving The Goddess, a hereditary honour. The tremors become frequent, the crater sending ash across the landscape, smouldering until the island is suddenly decimated.
As her family finds refuge, it soon becomes apparent that her island is contending with starvation, illness and as her father departs for assistance abroad, Leira will be responsible for her mother and Nunu. Since Leira, Nunu and her mother escaped the devastation, her mother has recovered from her physical injuries but has regressed under the emotional anguish of seeking asylum. The narrative also centres upon Nunu and her capacity as a caregiver. Nunu is a servant and although now an elderly woman, was purchased as a child for the purpose of nursing children from the esteemed, privileged family. The displacement of families, vagrancy and slavery from the narrative of a young, privileged girl.
The island mythology is breathtaking and whimsical. Girls are considered women after their first bleeding and chosen for the Learning, serving the Goddess and creator as the community sings the sunrise, throughout ceremonies, illness and for the deceased. The narration cascades between prose and verse, reiterating the significance of Leira's internal monologue and how the young lady matures throughout her journey.
It was magnificent. I was so enamoured by Leira and her island community, the beautiful seaside landscape, the small and colourful dwellings and a community brimming with life and spirit. The research of the island civilisation is superb, recreating the stunning and atmospheric Mediterranean so wonderfully. A true storyteller. Swallow's Dance will be enjoyed for generations to come. Simply brilliant.
The small, spiritual island is experiencing earth tremors as the volcanic activity increases. Residents return to their homes, their offerings and song to The Goddess remain unanswered as the sky clouds with ash, decimating the pastoral landscape. Awoken by the sound, the Swallow Clan community is in ruins. Homes have collapsed including Leira and her mother, her father and brother upon the waves as the island fractures, cursed. As Leira, her mother and elderly servant Nunu are rescued, the neighbouring families find solace within the vast landscape of farmland within the island nation, before sickness infects the community. The island is no longer a haven and reluctantly, families board vessels for the mainland.
Leira is a beautiful young woman, spiritual, whimsical with a quiet determination and wisdom. When her journey to become a woman is overshadowed by the trembling island, Leira believes The Goddess is awakening, the scent of sulphur from the active volcano lingers as a reminder of the sacrifices the community has blessed upon The Goddess. The island women are empowered as their daughters receive their first bleeding, signalling their journey to becoming women and serving The Goddess, a hereditary honour. The tremors become frequent, the crater sending ash across the landscape, smouldering until the island is suddenly decimated.
As her family finds refuge, it soon becomes apparent that her island is contending with starvation, illness and as her father departs for assistance abroad, Leira will be responsible for her mother and Nunu. Since Leira, Nunu and her mother escaped the devastation, her mother has recovered from her physical injuries but has regressed under the emotional anguish of seeking asylum. The narrative also centres upon Nunu and her capacity as a caregiver. Nunu is a servant and although now an elderly woman, was purchased as a child for the purpose of nursing children from the esteemed, privileged family. The displacement of families, vagrancy and slavery from the narrative of a young, privileged girl.
The island mythology is breathtaking and whimsical. Girls are considered women after their first bleeding and chosen for the Learning, serving the Goddess and creator as the community sings the sunrise, throughout ceremonies, illness and for the deceased. The narration cascades between prose and verse, reiterating the significance of Leira's internal monologue and how the young lady matures throughout her journey.
It was magnificent. I was so enamoured by Leira and her island community, the beautiful seaside landscape, the small and colourful dwellings and a community brimming with life and spirit. The research of the island civilisation is superb, recreating the stunning and atmospheric Mediterranean so wonderfully. A true storyteller. Swallow's Dance will be enjoyed for generations to come. Simply brilliant.
June 26, 2018
Before I start talking about the book, I need to say that as an Australian, I wasn't aware of Wendy Orr who moved to Australia at the age of 21. When I received this parcel from Allen & Unwin and this book was inside, I was stoked. I have always been a massive supporter of Aussie authors and I cannot get enough of them, whether they are self published or not.
Overall, I found that this book wasn't for me. There were a lot of elements that I liked about the book but unfortunately it wasn't enough to keep me enticed. Which is disappointing as I was looking at other works written by Wendy Orr but now I am not in a rush to go out and purchase her other books. Though one day I will, I hope to find her other books more enthralling.
I loved that young girls and women are empowered in this book. Usually in historical works, woman are usually just the barer of children. They have no say, they have no power and usually kept in the background and quiet. In Swallow's Dance, woman have a powerful place on earth and it truly is inspiring to see.
What I also loved is the effort Orr went through with the research/ idea of this book. At the start of the book you find a little author's note where Orr goes into details about a archaeological dig on the island of Santorini or as it was formally known as Thera, where a small village was discovered with their valuables still inside. When the volcano erupted those that were not injured had the chance to escape, the rest were buried for centuries. Basing a novel on what was found under the earth is truly fascinating and I found Orr's imagination with this story is fascinating. The plot of the story itself was ingenious and had so much promise to it.
However, I believe that this story would have been better told from third person rather then first. I am not a massive fan of first person, for me it generally leaves the reader spending to much time in the characters mind rather than following the character through out the story. What was a massive disappointment in this book was our main character Leira spent most of time questioning herself, even in hectic situations where you would think instinct would take over. I mean who really stands still when a volcano is exploding and really start question their next moves. Me? I wouldn't think twice about grabbing my family and running like hell.
Unfortunately another fact about this book that let me down was the fact I couldn't relate to any of the characters. There would have been no remorse or tears if the characters died or suffered. They didn't draw me in, even when their survival was at risk.
Overall the plot and the history behind this book were amazing however, the characters and the writing style just didn't work for me. Though I will still keep an eye out for her other works.
Overall, I found that this book wasn't for me. There were a lot of elements that I liked about the book but unfortunately it wasn't enough to keep me enticed. Which is disappointing as I was looking at other works written by Wendy Orr but now I am not in a rush to go out and purchase her other books. Though one day I will, I hope to find her other books more enthralling.
I loved that young girls and women are empowered in this book. Usually in historical works, woman are usually just the barer of children. They have no say, they have no power and usually kept in the background and quiet. In Swallow's Dance, woman have a powerful place on earth and it truly is inspiring to see.
What I also loved is the effort Orr went through with the research/ idea of this book. At the start of the book you find a little author's note where Orr goes into details about a archaeological dig on the island of Santorini or as it was formally known as Thera, where a small village was discovered with their valuables still inside. When the volcano erupted those that were not injured had the chance to escape, the rest were buried for centuries. Basing a novel on what was found under the earth is truly fascinating and I found Orr's imagination with this story is fascinating. The plot of the story itself was ingenious and had so much promise to it.
However, I believe that this story would have been better told from third person rather then first. I am not a massive fan of first person, for me it generally leaves the reader spending to much time in the characters mind rather than following the character through out the story. What was a massive disappointment in this book was our main character Leira spent most of time questioning herself, even in hectic situations where you would think instinct would take over. I mean who really stands still when a volcano is exploding and really start question their next moves. Me? I wouldn't think twice about grabbing my family and running like hell.
Unfortunately another fact about this book that let me down was the fact I couldn't relate to any of the characters. There would have been no remorse or tears if the characters died or suffered. They didn't draw me in, even when their survival was at risk.
Overall the plot and the history behind this book were amazing however, the characters and the writing style just didn't work for me. Though I will still keep an eye out for her other works.
September 24, 2018
Swallow's Dance is the fictionalized story inspired by the real events of a hurricane that occurred in 1625 BCE on the island of Thera (now known as Santorini) that resulted in a huge tsunami on Crete and the speculation of whether the people of Thera were able to flee to Crete before the city was buried. Like Dragonfly Song, Swallow's Dance is told through a combination of prose and free verse. It's a wonderful mix of survival and a coming of age story.
Leira is a resilient young girl who endures so many hardships once she arrives in Crete. One of her early concerns is that she will never be able to complete her learning to become a woman. An idea that resurfaces throughout the story. She's a maiden trying to trade among the sharks. At the same time, she is trying desperately to care for a mother who has sustained a horrible head injury that has resulted in Aphasia. At one point, she's even forced to give up her identity and turn her back on her people. Despite everything that she endures, she is still strong, fierce and strives to improve her living situation, to one day be free. You can't help rooting for Leira as she vows to honor her people and claim who she is.
One of my favorite lines from the story is when Leira takes her mother to a wise woman for healing. It's a sad moment because Leira has just started to realize the gravity of her mother's injuries and that she doesn't know who Leira is. The wise woman believes that an evil ghost has taken her mother's spirit away and in order to return her to who she was, they must surround her with their own memories through song to lead her spirit back to her body so she tells Leira to " Sing her life. Sing of the life and love that only you know, the secrets that tell her spirit that she is its home."
**An ARC paperback was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Leira is a resilient young girl who endures so many hardships once she arrives in Crete. One of her early concerns is that she will never be able to complete her learning to become a woman. An idea that resurfaces throughout the story. She's a maiden trying to trade among the sharks. At the same time, she is trying desperately to care for a mother who has sustained a horrible head injury that has resulted in Aphasia. At one point, she's even forced to give up her identity and turn her back on her people. Despite everything that she endures, she is still strong, fierce and strives to improve her living situation, to one day be free. You can't help rooting for Leira as she vows to honor her people and claim who she is.
One of my favorite lines from the story is when Leira takes her mother to a wise woman for healing. It's a sad moment because Leira has just started to realize the gravity of her mother's injuries and that she doesn't know who Leira is. The wise woman believes that an evil ghost has taken her mother's spirit away and in order to return her to who she was, they must surround her with their own memories through song to lead her spirit back to her body so she tells Leira to " Sing her life. Sing of the life and love that only you know, the secrets that tell her spirit that she is its home."
**An ARC paperback was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
July 14, 2019
It took me a long time to really get into this book but the ending made the effort worthwhile. Subtle and thoughtful and powerful all the the same time with much to teach about Bronze Age history and universal humanity. A solid middle school book for G5 to 8.
June 26, 2023
Beautifully written, lovely tale with lots of historical detail. Apocalyptic, hero's-journey literature but not too heavy for many young folks.
August 13, 2019
1625 BCE (Before Common Era), the thriving Minoan civilisation of Crete extended out to the volcanic island of Thera. Though earthquakes were common, those at this time were followed by one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in history. Wendy Orr tells an absorbing story of disaster and struggle for survival after a way of life disappears under rubble and ash.
'My heart sings of its love
for my land of steep cliffs
grey, brown and red;
rocky hills where wild goats leap
and swallows fly home to nest.' Ch. 7
In the foreword, writer Wendy Orr describes her fascination with a fresco unearthed from the ruins on the island by archaeologists. The fresco portrayed girls in ceremonial dress who picked crocus on the mountain. Who were they? And here is Wendy's Orr's lyrical story of who they might have been and what happened to them.
'The house shakes like a dog wet from the sea'. Ch. 2
In an hour of heaving earth it is not only buildings that crumble. The privileges of Leira's noble birth turn to dust. Though she has not yet finished the ritual Learning that will take her from girlhood to womanhood, the truth is that Leira now by necessity grows up fast. Only she can rescue her old nurse and injured mother from the collasped house and from many more hardships to come. She is the one who obtains food for her family. She even hauls water, slave's work, because someone must.
'This pain is true, we all feel it, we all see it, the gods have betrayed us and everything terrible is true.' Ch. 6
The author sets down much of this story in poetry. Perhaps readers unaccustomed to a novel presented this way might feel nonplussed. I loved it. Hearing the lines in my head as I read was rather like hearing a minstrel sing a tale that had been passed down orally in memory and song. We are sung into Leira's thoughts, her fears, and hopes.
I have always loved fine historical fiction that draws me into another era. Ancient times were simpler and brutal, yet in the right hands they can also seem to a reader to be exotic and timeless. I devoured the books of Rosemary Sutclife and Mary Renault. Now Wendy Orr brings us a vivid tale of Bronze Age life through the life of a young woman driven to the extreme of her endurance, yet who in the midst of despair still lifts her voice in a song for the swallows.
'My heart sings of its love
for my land of steep cliffs
grey, brown and red;
rocky hills where wild goats leap
and swallows fly home to nest.' Ch. 7
In the foreword, writer Wendy Orr describes her fascination with a fresco unearthed from the ruins on the island by archaeologists. The fresco portrayed girls in ceremonial dress who picked crocus on the mountain. Who were they? And here is Wendy's Orr's lyrical story of who they might have been and what happened to them.
'The house shakes like a dog wet from the sea'. Ch. 2
In an hour of heaving earth it is not only buildings that crumble. The privileges of Leira's noble birth turn to dust. Though she has not yet finished the ritual Learning that will take her from girlhood to womanhood, the truth is that Leira now by necessity grows up fast. Only she can rescue her old nurse and injured mother from the collasped house and from many more hardships to come. She is the one who obtains food for her family. She even hauls water, slave's work, because someone must.
'This pain is true, we all feel it, we all see it, the gods have betrayed us and everything terrible is true.' Ch. 6
The author sets down much of this story in poetry. Perhaps readers unaccustomed to a novel presented this way might feel nonplussed. I loved it. Hearing the lines in my head as I read was rather like hearing a minstrel sing a tale that had been passed down orally in memory and song. We are sung into Leira's thoughts, her fears, and hopes.
I have always loved fine historical fiction that draws me into another era. Ancient times were simpler and brutal, yet in the right hands they can also seem to a reader to be exotic and timeless. I devoured the books of Rosemary Sutclife and Mary Renault. Now Wendy Orr brings us a vivid tale of Bronze Age life through the life of a young woman driven to the extreme of her endurance, yet who in the midst of despair still lifts her voice in a song for the swallows.
September 22, 2018
The author of Nim’s Island brings readers another island adventure tale about a young girl on an island in the Mediterranean who shares her tale with readers of growing, love, loss, and grief as only the very young can say it. The narrative deftly shifts from prose to poetry and back in a long story-dirge that reminds the world of an island lost to ash and fire long ago.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful middle grade/young adult novels I have ever read, Swallow’s Dance is a book I will require my students to read while they study Ancient Greece and the civilizations around the Mediterranean. This book will supplement any history curriculum and will make a fine leisure read as well. Young readers will not walk away from this book with only a story-the triumph of Leira will linger on their hearts well into adulthood, as many of the great books we adult readers read as children stick with us even in our older age.
Wendy Orr also expands the literary style of the typical middle grade novel to encompass more than just prose writing. Lyrical writing and poetic narrative are becoming more popular, as some recently published novels, such as Inside Out and Back Again are written entirely in verse and tell a story, akin to the epic poetry of old. Though the writing style of narrative verse is not for everyone, it could be if it were introduced in the middle grade reading years, as much of the literature of history is written in verse ( The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, etc.). This is a read children should definitely not miss.
Perhaps one of the most beautiful middle grade/young adult novels I have ever read, Swallow’s Dance is a book I will require my students to read while they study Ancient Greece and the civilizations around the Mediterranean. This book will supplement any history curriculum and will make a fine leisure read as well. Young readers will not walk away from this book with only a story-the triumph of Leira will linger on their hearts well into adulthood, as many of the great books we adult readers read as children stick with us even in our older age.
Wendy Orr also expands the literary style of the typical middle grade novel to encompass more than just prose writing. Lyrical writing and poetic narrative are becoming more popular, as some recently published novels, such as Inside Out and Back Again are written entirely in verse and tell a story, akin to the epic poetry of old. Though the writing style of narrative verse is not for everyone, it could be if it were introduced in the middle grade reading years, as much of the literature of history is written in verse ( The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, etc.). This is a read children should definitely not miss.
August 15, 2018
I loved this book! It stayed with me for a long time. There are many significant themes that shine throughout the story. Thank you to Wendy Orr and Pajama Press for the opportunity to read this captivating novel!
April 4, 2019
This was a good book, but definitely not my favorite. The theme of the story is to push through even when everything seems hopeless, and eventually it will pay off. This is proven by Leira eventually becoming a potter after having to endure being a slave.
September 29, 2023
A companion to Minoan Wings V01 Dragonfly Song we follow a young woman on the eve of her first "bleeding" (mensuration) and what that means to her within her community. Several natural disasters mean that our narrators carefully ordered, and privileged life, is shattered. Eventually leaving her and her mother homeless and alone in a strange new land. Realizing how her once higher status is now her greatest enemy, she must learn to put her pride aside, while still keeping it, to survive. The tone is modern, while we are in the middle of an ancient world that mixes religious faith, superstitions, and prejudices that reflects today and shows us what the times might have been like.
July 2, 2019
Swallow’s Dance by Wendy Orr
Grade: DNF
Release Date: October 1, 2018
An eGalley was provided by Pajama Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home - and her family - in pieces. And the earth goddess hasn't finished with the island yet. With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born are reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira must find the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety.
My Thoughts: I went into this book wanting to like it, as the description was intriguing to me—Bronze Age setting, priestess-in-training protagonist, coming of age. I must not have done enough research on the book, however, because I was unaware that the book would switch around from prose to free verse. I personally have difficulty getting into books told in verse, but I pushed through it because I hoped that the prose would be interesting enough to keep me engaged. I ended up giving up at 50% of the way through—the main character and her family had interesting enough stories, but I never felt like I could connect with them enough to keep myself interested. I wanted to care, and I found that I couldn’t.
Verdict: This book wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean that no one else will like it! Still give it a shot, especially if you enjoyed other books by this author and also like books in verse.
Grade: DNF
Release Date: October 1, 2018
An eGalley was provided by Pajama Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Summary: Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home - and her family - in pieces. And the earth goddess hasn't finished with the island yet. With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born are reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira must find the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety.
My Thoughts: I went into this book wanting to like it, as the description was intriguing to me—Bronze Age setting, priestess-in-training protagonist, coming of age. I must not have done enough research on the book, however, because I was unaware that the book would switch around from prose to free verse. I personally have difficulty getting into books told in verse, but I pushed through it because I hoped that the prose would be interesting enough to keep me engaged. I ended up giving up at 50% of the way through—the main character and her family had interesting enough stories, but I never felt like I could connect with them enough to keep myself interested. I wanted to care, and I found that I couldn’t.
Verdict: This book wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean that no one else will like it! Still give it a shot, especially if you enjoyed other books by this author and also like books in verse.
December 1, 2018
This is a great tale about Ancient Greece.
Leira loses almost everything when an earthquake hits her home. Her home is destroyed and her mother bangs her head, losing consciousness. She eventually wakes up but she can no longer speak. Leira and her nurse Nunu, along with her mother, are sent to Crete, where more tragedy strikes. Though Leira suffers devastating losses, she stays strong to help her nurse and her mother.
This is a very powerful story. It was quite emotional at times. I had tears in my eyes by the end, but I was pleased with the ending. This story has a traditional Greek form because it is written partly in verse. The sections in verse are particularly descriptive and lyrical. This reinforces the Greek atmosphere of the story.
This is a beautiful and powerful story. I loved it!
I received a copy of this book from Pajama Press in exchange for an honest review.
Leira loses almost everything when an earthquake hits her home. Her home is destroyed and her mother bangs her head, losing consciousness. She eventually wakes up but she can no longer speak. Leira and her nurse Nunu, along with her mother, are sent to Crete, where more tragedy strikes. Though Leira suffers devastating losses, she stays strong to help her nurse and her mother.
This is a very powerful story. It was quite emotional at times. I had tears in my eyes by the end, but I was pleased with the ending. This story has a traditional Greek form because it is written partly in verse. The sections in verse are particularly descriptive and lyrical. This reinforces the Greek atmosphere of the story.
This is a beautiful and powerful story. I loved it!
I received a copy of this book from Pajama Press in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2019
I swam happily through this read over the summer holiday, knowing before I began that I'd enjoy it because I loved Dragonfly Song. More poetry. More history. More intimate thoughts and feelings alongside intense action. Although it was mere chance that I read it over the summer, it was a happy chance as a good slab of the story takes place under a barrage of sun alongside an untamed sea. It's so cosy taking yourself away into a fictional world when the the real world weather is coinciding.
September 28, 2018
I really, really loved Dragonfly Song so I had high expectations of this, and at first I was a bit unsure. The beginning doesn't pack the same emotional wallop as Dragonfly. But boy, the ending sure does. The sights, sounds, smells and feelings of the story are so vividly built - Orr is an excellent writer. I loved it.
March 17, 2019
Another brilliant book from Wendy Orr. I loved Dragonfly Song and this book is every bit as good. Loved the drama, the family life, the ways of the old and especially the life changing moments that take a lovely spoiled young girl and turn her into an amazing young woman. There is great depth here for every age of reader.
December 31, 2018
Part in prose and part in verse. A maiden preparing to be a priestess must run from her home.
Read
July 27, 2019I love the way Wendy shapes ancient history into compelling stories.
November 4, 2022
How was your life when you were younger? Because Leira had to face the demands of sheer survival, Leira gradually realizes that the privileges afforded to her, thanks to her social status, she starts taking on whatever unpleasant job she must to protect herself and her family.
There are no miracles and no clear answers for Leira, but she learns to love what she has and that she can do anything with it.
Her biggest concern is becoming a woman so she can start her priestess. Her people believe the earth goddess will protect them if the proper rituals and sacrifices are done, but an earthquake happens. Leira’s mother is crushed inside their home and suffers severe brain damage, and eventually her family chooses to take their chances by boarding a boat to Crete. As tragedy upon tragedy Leira still doesn’t want to give up hope, she keeps on trying to get past it all.
I think that this book was great, I had a great time reading it and it got me interested because I was so curious about how Leira was going to protect her family. All of the character development that this book had on the characters really stood out to me aswell, they way that they all had to travel around and also become a woman so that she can be a priestess.
The courage that she had the entire book and the way she developed made it more interesting.
The book didn’t have anything wrong that I noticed and I liked everything that I was reading because it always kept me interested.
Leira loses almost everything when an earthquake hits her home. Her home is destroyed and her mother bangs her head, losing consciousness. She eventually wakes up but she can no longer speak. Leira and her nurse Nunu, along with her mother, are sent to Crete, where more tragedy strikes. Though Leira suffers devastating losses, she stays strong to help her nurse and her mother. This is a very powerful story. It was quite emotional at times, and it made me enjoy the ending even more.
You can also see Leira’s growth around when she moves to the island. On the first day of her learning, the earthshakes bring tsunami devastation, and Leira is forced to help her Nunu survive. Her father and brother return from the sea long enough to move them off the volcanic island to a new place with a new goddess and a new social status as a refugee. Leira must leave behind her old habits and priest-folk mindset to survive and care for her family. Overall, this book was really good and I recommend reading it because it really gets you interested in what will happen next, and also how she will survive all the other things she has to deal with in her life growing up.
There are no miracles and no clear answers for Leira, but she learns to love what she has and that she can do anything with it.
Her biggest concern is becoming a woman so she can start her priestess. Her people believe the earth goddess will protect them if the proper rituals and sacrifices are done, but an earthquake happens. Leira’s mother is crushed inside their home and suffers severe brain damage, and eventually her family chooses to take their chances by boarding a boat to Crete. As tragedy upon tragedy Leira still doesn’t want to give up hope, she keeps on trying to get past it all.
I think that this book was great, I had a great time reading it and it got me interested because I was so curious about how Leira was going to protect her family. All of the character development that this book had on the characters really stood out to me aswell, they way that they all had to travel around and also become a woman so that she can be a priestess.
The courage that she had the entire book and the way she developed made it more interesting.
The book didn’t have anything wrong that I noticed and I liked everything that I was reading because it always kept me interested.
Leira loses almost everything when an earthquake hits her home. Her home is destroyed and her mother bangs her head, losing consciousness. She eventually wakes up but she can no longer speak. Leira and her nurse Nunu, along with her mother, are sent to Crete, where more tragedy strikes. Though Leira suffers devastating losses, she stays strong to help her nurse and her mother. This is a very powerful story. It was quite emotional at times, and it made me enjoy the ending even more.
You can also see Leira’s growth around when she moves to the island. On the first day of her learning, the earthshakes bring tsunami devastation, and Leira is forced to help her Nunu survive. Her father and brother return from the sea long enough to move them off the volcanic island to a new place with a new goddess and a new social status as a refugee. Leira must leave behind her old habits and priest-folk mindset to survive and care for her family. Overall, this book was really good and I recommend reading it because it really gets you interested in what will happen next, and also how she will survive all the other things she has to deal with in her life growing up.
July 4, 2024
I just loved this book. It’s very unique historical fiction - set in the Bronze Age and partially written in verse.
It’s about a girl learning to be a priestess when disaster strikes and changes everything.
As with Dragonfly Song (first in this series of companion novels), I felt a strong connection to the protagonist and the author’s writing style. It really immersed me in a time period and culture I know very little about.
I’m surprised that it doesn’t seem that popular on goodreads, considering I’m a little obsessed🤩
(Maybe because people don’t go looking for novels partially written in verse and set in the Bronze Age? 😅 I certainly don’t, but it was absolutely perfect for me❤️)
This series is going to be another one that I continually recommend to students and I think a lot of them will love it, too.
This and Dragonfly Song are both excellent and you could read them in any order, but you should definitely try at least one of them (and maybe you’ll be hooked, too)
I saw in interviews that there’s a connection between this and Cuckoo’s Flight (the next companion novel), but I’m trying to figure out if there’s a direct connection between this and Dragonfly Song (aside from time period and general location). There were maybe some hints (a necklace?) but I want to know more! I may just need to do a little more digging/reading, but if you have any theories, please let me know😊
It’s about a girl learning to be a priestess when disaster strikes and changes everything.
As with Dragonfly Song (first in this series of companion novels), I felt a strong connection to the protagonist and the author’s writing style. It really immersed me in a time period and culture I know very little about.
I’m surprised that it doesn’t seem that popular on goodreads, considering I’m a little obsessed🤩
(Maybe because people don’t go looking for novels partially written in verse and set in the Bronze Age? 😅 I certainly don’t, but it was absolutely perfect for me❤️)
This series is going to be another one that I continually recommend to students and I think a lot of them will love it, too.
This and Dragonfly Song are both excellent and you could read them in any order, but you should definitely try at least one of them (and maybe you’ll be hooked, too)
I saw in interviews that there’s a connection between this and Cuckoo’s Flight (the next companion novel), but I’m trying to figure out if there’s a direct connection between this and Dragonfly Song (aside from time period and general location). There were maybe some hints (a necklace?) but I want to know more! I may just need to do a little more digging/reading, but if you have any theories, please let me know😊
February 16, 2021
An island in the Mediterranean Sea during the Bronze Age is the setting for this captivating, lyrical story. Leira is in the priesthood caste of her community, and she's about to enter her Learning, a year-long apprenticeship in the practice of worshipping the Goddess, who is manifested as the volcanic mountain in the middle of their island. But just as her education begins, the Goddess reveals her wrath: their town suffers an earthquake, leaving many dead and many more, including Leira's mother, badly injured. After her father, a merchant captain, hears a disturbing oracle, he takes Leira, her mother (who has suffered serious brain damage), and their elderly servant Nunu to the Great Isle south of their home. Leira is distressed to be taken away from her friends and her calling, but her father's fears prove to be founded: their home is completely wiped out by a volcanic eruption. In a moment, Leira's future goes from bright & promising to hopeless, as the family has no allies in their refugee status. As Leira contemplates assuming the role of a slave to provide for her disabled mother and grandmotherly servant, her faith in the Goddess is repeatedly tested: how much sacrifice is required of this young would-be priestess?
Really lovely poetic storytelling in a unique setting. Middle grade readers who are interested in ancient civilizations may find much to enjoy here.
Really lovely poetic storytelling in a unique setting. Middle grade readers who are interested in ancient civilizations may find much to enjoy here.
February 25, 2019
Swallow’s Dance by Wendy Orr, 274 pages. Pajama Press, 2018. $20
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
On the day that Leira takes the first steps in her culture’s womanhood rites, a devastating series of earthquakes ruins everything, Now instead of being an honored member of her island’s hierarchy, she and her mother are refugees - dependant upon the kindness of others. They travel to another nearby island, but they are not welcomed in open arms; her mother’s injuries are seen as a judgement from the goddess. They are reduced to the lowest living of all.
I thought this was going to be an extension of the first book of Orr’s I read - Dragonfly Song. Leira is not as sympathetic or interesting character, unfortunately. She spends way too much of the book whining about what is owed to her. Though she does find a spine and a new path at the end, it doesn’t come early enough to earn empathy.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
On the day that Leira takes the first steps in her culture’s womanhood rites, a devastating series of earthquakes ruins everything, Now instead of being an honored member of her island’s hierarchy, she and her mother are refugees - dependant upon the kindness of others. They travel to another nearby island, but they are not welcomed in open arms; her mother’s injuries are seen as a judgement from the goddess. They are reduced to the lowest living of all.
I thought this was going to be an extension of the first book of Orr’s I read - Dragonfly Song. Leira is not as sympathetic or interesting character, unfortunately. She spends way too much of the book whining about what is owed to her. Though she does find a spine and a new path at the end, it doesn’t come early enough to earn empathy.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 9, 2020
This was a beautiful book about overcoming adversity, dealing with hardships and figuring who you are after everything you know is taken away. When the 'goddess' of Leira's home destroys her town she must flee with her mother and nurse to survive. Set during the volcanic eruption of thera in the Bronze Age Aegean, this novel incorporates both an ancient past and familiar burdens and issues of identity and being displaced from your home. Leira was beginning her Learnings to become a woman, and suddenly everything she knows has changed, how will she ever become a woman?
This book, a mixture of verse and prose, is a wonderful testament to the strength of women, and the ability to survive even under the harshest of landscapes. Leira grapples with her issues of identity throughout the whole novel, and by the end, you are uplifted with hope of a new life. Wendy Orr has done a brilliant job weaving what we do know about the people on Akrotiri and was has been inferred from the frescoes and artefacts preserved into a vivid and believable tale- rooted in history.
This book, a mixture of verse and prose, is a wonderful testament to the strength of women, and the ability to survive even under the harshest of landscapes. Leira grapples with her issues of identity throughout the whole novel, and by the end, you are uplifted with hope of a new life. Wendy Orr has done a brilliant job weaving what we do know about the people on Akrotiri and was has been inferred from the frescoes and artefacts preserved into a vivid and believable tale- rooted in history.
November 7, 2023
79%
I haven't encountered a ton of historical fiction stories set in the Bronze era, so I was really excited to read this book. It was decent, but it just didn't hit quite right; maybe it was the weird mix of regular writing and prose, or maybe it was because the characters just felt very one-dimensional, but either way, I was mildly disappointed.
That being said, it was marvelously researched. The author includes some notes on what inspired the book, and I wish there was a picture of the fresco included. I'm fairly certain this is the one she was talking about, but I'm not 100% sure. The included maps were fantastic, though it would've been even cooler if the imagined historical ones were side-by-side with modern excavation maps.
I haven't encountered a ton of historical fiction stories set in the Bronze era, so I was really excited to read this book. It was decent, but it just didn't hit quite right; maybe it was the weird mix of regular writing and prose, or maybe it was because the characters just felt very one-dimensional, but either way, I was mildly disappointed.
That being said, it was marvelously researched. The author includes some notes on what inspired the book, and I wish there was a picture of the fresco included. I'm fairly certain this is the one she was talking about, but I'm not 100% sure. The included maps were fantastic, though it would've been even cooler if the imagined historical ones were side-by-side with modern excavation maps.
July 6, 2019
Errrmmmm, really cool concept and I get that she's is very skilled in her writer's craft... But like why does this randomly break into poetry then back into prose? Sometimes it's a song describing what happened and other times it's literally pushing forward the narrative.
The story is about a young girl who overcomes obstacles, but also, like no real happy ending. Which usually doesn't bother me, but it just seemed like it was for no reason.
Also, I'm confused. How much of this book was researched and how much of it was created out of being inspired by a piece of historical art?
If this book is really careful historical fiction and there's a reason there's random poetry in it, I'll shut up about it and grant that this book is good for educational purposes.
But like... For fun? Eh.
The story is about a young girl who overcomes obstacles, but also, like no real happy ending. Which usually doesn't bother me, but it just seemed like it was for no reason.
Also, I'm confused. How much of this book was researched and how much of it was created out of being inspired by a piece of historical art?
If this book is really careful historical fiction and there's a reason there's random poetry in it, I'll shut up about it and grant that this book is good for educational purposes.
But like... For fun? Eh.
November 9, 2019
Beautifully written coming of age story set in bronze age greece. Follows a young woman's journey to womanhood as she navigates the journey from a life of privilege to that of a refugee following a natural disaster that destroys her home.
Written in first person, the voice of the protagonist Leira is perfectly captured - from the beginning of the novel it doesn't waver and is written realistically for her age.
The story is written as a mix of prose and poem (verse?) which I actually quite enjoyed though it was a little jarring at first and then I found myself loving it.
Whole thing felt incredibly well researched.
Sobbed at the end but then I'm a frequent end of novel crier.
Written in first person, the voice of the protagonist Leira is perfectly captured - from the beginning of the novel it doesn't waver and is written realistically for her age.
The story is written as a mix of prose and poem (verse?) which I actually quite enjoyed though it was a little jarring at first and then I found myself loving it.
Whole thing felt incredibly well researched.
Sobbed at the end but then I'm a frequent end of novel crier.
July 14, 2018
Reading was not a waste of time but I didn't feel hooked from the beginning. It was more like something I had to finish because I started it. Even halfway through the book I was trying to identify the point of the story. The main character didn't seem to grow. She was strong and did what was needed to survive but I didn't see how that changed her internally.
The writing style was good although the mix of novel writing with poetry formatting was slightly strange. The writing didn't seem to warrant the change in formatting. It was too random and left me expecting more.
The writing style was good although the mix of novel writing with poetry formatting was slightly strange. The writing didn't seem to warrant the change in formatting. It was too random and left me expecting more.
August 9, 2020
“Swallow’s Dance” was a fascinating and heartbreaking book that offered a glimpse into life in the Bronze Age.
Leira is about to complete her initiation as Priestess when an Earthquake destroys the life she knows, and the future she expects. She’s forced to start over in Crete. But more tragedies ensue.
This was a powerful, heavy book. The pacing was slow, and I found it difficult to get through this book. I’m glad I persevered. This book shattered me.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Leira is about to complete her initiation as Priestess when an Earthquake destroys the life she knows, and the future she expects. She’s forced to start over in Crete. But more tragedies ensue.
This was a powerful, heavy book. The pacing was slow, and I found it difficult to get through this book. I’m glad I persevered. This book shattered me.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2018
Quite a dark book set during and after a volcanic eruption in the Bronze Age and the scenes describing the aftermath was very well imagined. The main character Leira, certainly has her work cut out, with the loss of her home, village, then older brother- dad and other brother then leave her in a strange town with her mother, who hasn’t been the same since the eruption, and elderly slave, who is Leiras de facto grandma. Certainly a story of survival.
January 8, 2019
This story is about a girl in Island that get nature disaster. Her name is Leila and she is the priests for god in her Island. Her mother lost her spirit when disaster came, and Leila start to travel to the place where disaster didn't do anything. In the city she arrived, she couldn't join the priest people because she come form the Island that did get destroyed. So she started to do the slave work. In the dark days, she got an oracle from her dead friend, Pellie. And her life changes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2020
4 stars
Pros
- I really enjoyed the challenges the main character, Leira, had to face. It was the exact opposite of what she was used to dealing with, which I thought made the story more interesting
- Some of the text was very interesting. Especially about the Learning girl's bleeding.
Cons
- The story is broken into a "poem-like" style. It was okay for the first few chapters, but then it got annoying later on throughout the story.
Pros
- I really enjoyed the challenges the main character, Leira, had to face. It was the exact opposite of what she was used to dealing with, which I thought made the story more interesting
- Some of the text was very interesting. Especially about the Learning girl's bleeding.
Cons
- The story is broken into a "poem-like" style. It was okay for the first few chapters, but then it got annoying later on throughout the story.
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