THE SONG OF THE SWAN

No granted wish comes without strings attached.

Left alone when her mother died, wild-maned moppet Olga, who knows nothing about her father, now runs with the nefarious Mr. Bulgakov and bighearted older-brother figure Pavel. For years, the three have kept moving, swindling villagers for food and profit, often using a form of magic possessed by Olga to create illusions. Olga does not feel good about this lifestyle, but years of being taught to look out for herself have inured her to it. That is, until an escape from law enforcement lands them in the Kamen Mountains, where legend tells of the Scarlet Heart, a jewel that could change their lives. Escaping from Mr. Bulgakov to search for it, Olga and Pavel find themselves in the lavish Sokolov Palace, complete with a swan-filled aviary and extravagant balls hosted by the enigmatic Baron Sokolov. Of course, it’s all too good to be true, and Olga soon must try to unlock a “distorted, infected” magic, unaware that her own fate is inextricably linked to it. Segments of the story are cleverly previewed by an omniscient spider storyteller who addresses readers and asks them thoughtful questions. The characters are interesting, and the story, lovingly inspired by the ballets Giselle and Swan Lake, is well developed and moves briskly. Engaging illustrations, reminiscent of woodcut prints, add interest and context as the tale unfolds. In this Eastern European–influenced world, characters read white.

An enchanting fairy tale.