Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms by Rey Terciero

Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms Reviews

• 
  katayoun Masoodi

  delightful, fun, with lovely drawings and a cast of likeable characters.
• 
  Artemis Crescent

  A fun, cute and cartoony retelling of the fairy tale and ballet, 'Swan Lake', that also makes references to Tchaikovsky's other works. It's such a romp.
  
  Set in a world actually called Tchaikovsky's Realm, 'Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms' contains adventure, a magical quest inspired by a childhood storybook, sword fighting girls, two divided kingdoms on the brink of war, deceptional reputations of kingdoms and peoples as well as other royal shenanigans, animals - including a swan (of course) and other birds, and a bear, and goblins (whose language might seem alien at first, but is actually just bad abbreviated text! Ha!). Oh, and dancing. And no doubt beautiful music to go with it, but since this is a comic book you may have to imagine it's the original ballet score playing.
  
  There's a lake serpent in there, too.
  
  'Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms' is very similar to another all-ages cartoony princess graphic novel, 'Princess Princess Ever After' by Kay O'Neill; right down to both starring an adventuring young trio consisting of two princesses and a prince. Dillie Rotbart, the sword fighting tomboy, even looks like a light-skinned Amira (and their hair is identical), and Odette Bloom is just like Sadie but with pink hair. Siegfried "Fred" Montrose is the third wheel cowardly prince, who is not really cowardly but a funny and sweet subversion of toxic masculinity (blatantly, amusingly said in dialogue, in this case); a lot like Princes Vladric from 'Princess Princess Ever After', only Fred is a POC, and an adorable cinnamon bun who has a vastly stronger and more dynamic presence in his longer story (and he has a friend who's a bear, Benno). It does seem as though Rey Terciero and Megan Kearney took great inspiration from that comic, not necessarily ripping it off. 'Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms' is its own fun and funny identity, anyway.
  
  Princess Odile "Dillie" of Rotbart is not a villain, a dark mirror, nor a rival of the swan princess like in the original tale. She's a bored, restless, fiery, impulsive young girl who yearns for adventure. She doesn't want to take responsibility and her mother's place on the throne some day (her kingdom is a matriarchy) (side note: her father is a queer and quirky scientist, mistakenly thought by the Bloom Kingdom to be an evil sorcerer; how's that for a subversion?). Dillie is adept with the sword (equalling her four older brothers), and is offhandedly a bookworm. Girl's got layers!
  
  On her quest to break Odette's swan curse and prove her reputedly dour and wicked kingdom's innocence, she learns that heroism means as much about patience, understanding, and using your words, as much as it means charging forwards into danger and using violence, if not more so. Dillie is stronger, kinder, braver, wiser, and more spirited and capable than she knows, as she'll find out. She also has a prosthetic leg, and she named her sword Cassandra.
  
  From a few details gathered above, am I the only one seeing elements of Pixar's 'Brave' to Dillie's character?
  
  Last note regarding Dillie: as well as Princess Amira, Dillie reminds me of Marceline from 'Adventure Time' in both looks and personality...and in her relationship status with a pink princess.
  
  Princess Odette of Bloom is a sweet girl who, since she was a newborn, has unfortunately been under a spell put on her by a mysterious wizard, so that every day she turns into a swan, and every night back into a girl. Her parents are overprotective of her, but she desperately wishes for freedom from her royal cage - to go out dancing, for she dreams of being a ballerina (she seems to be a better dancer as a swan at the moment, due to lack of training).
  
  She and Dillie meet by chance one night, and despite the sheltered kids' rocky start (neither of them have really had any friends before), and the tensions between their rivalling kingdoms, they become friends (how very 'Romeo and Juliet'. Hmm). Then they set out on a quest together to break Odette's curse and save both their kingdoms from declaring war.
  
  But is it really a curse? Is Odette being a swan half the time something to be ashamed of? What if she's not broken and fragile, and doesn't need to change? What if she could use a sword like Dillie? What if she could still be a dancer? What if she could still do anything?
  
  Prince Fred and Benno the bear tag along, providing further comic relief.
  
  The themes of war solving nothing; that not everything is as they appear; that reputations and propaganda are not always true; and that it is a progressive, safe and beautiful thing to get to know each other instead of dividing and isolating ourselves from other places - that's how dangerous rumours and falsehoods fester - that peace is possible - these are brilliant lessons that 'Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms' teaches. Why not dance instead of fight? Why not sing and create stories - create art that frees the soul - instead of lies?
  
  Children are much wiser than adults in solving stupid conflicts, aren't they? "Who knows why people do bad things?", Odette's mother says to her at one point, like she'll be one to talk later. No one should have to start wars. No one should have to die. Proving you are "better" than someone or somewhere else through violence, spawned out of hate, revenge, pettiness and misplaced issues, means nothing. It only proves that you are nothing, and empty and hurting inside.
  
  I have to mention that, yeah, I totally ship Dillie and Odette. There are tiny hints throughout that their friendship may become something more in the future, but maybe not right now. They are both twelve years old, after all. They hug, cuddle, and hold hands a lot - seriously, there is so much handholding between these two, they even do it on the cover! - and there is one image of their fingers lightly touching in front of a heart-shaped cave entrance. I mean, come on!
  
  'Swan Lake' is not explicitly queer like 'Princess Princess Ever After' - it's all in code, like Fred's entire character - but it works well for what it is, so it's not too irritating.
  
  The whole 'Swan Lake' ballet motif that the graphic novel has going for it, with its dancing girl/swan/pretty bird, sword fighting hero, and helpless prince, plus it referencing other fairy tales...there's something else it reminds me of: the anime 'Princess Tutu'. Another deliberate homage? Probably not, probably a coincidence, but I can dream.
  
  'Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms' is far from perfect, as there are a few abrupt plot, character and dialogue inconsistencies, especially at the beginning, that an editor might have helped fix. Speaking of inconsistencies, the very beginning of the book shows how Odette came to be cursed, when she was a baby, when her mother stopped the cloaked wizard halfway through the spell. But it had happened at night time, meaning Odette shouldn't have been a swan yet, so how could her parents have immediately known that there was something wrong - shocking and horrifying, even - with her? Was it a one time thing for the beginner spell? It doesn't make sense, and it should have been another fix from the editor. Was there an editor?
  
  But no worries. It's a fab story with fab art and characters. Woven throughout are important themes and messages. Recommended.
  
  Final Score: 4/5
• 
  Mary-Anne

  This was just so solid! Lots of action. The main characters have so much heart. The art is beautiful and so fun.
• 
  Leonie

  I liked the art style and parts of the book, but overall the story was too juvenile for me. I'm not in the target group though, so my opinion shouldn't stop anyone from reading this.
• 
  Justine Cucchi-Dietlin

  This book was rough story-wise. I felt like it was trying to do too much telling and not enough showing. I picked this up since it's this quarter's Graphic Novel Book Club pick at work.
• 
  Patti Sabik

  Wow! What a nonstop action packed reimagined version of Swan Lake. Rey Terciero pays homage to Tchaikovsky’s ballet and makes it exceptionally pop in a graphic novel format for middle schoolers. I loved the gender bending swash buckling sword play along with the family deception and plot twists throughout. Such fun.
• 
  Sarah

  I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Right away I knew I wanted to read this graphic novel based off the cover alone. I have always loved fairy tales since I was a little girl and this graphic novel amps that right up. When two princesses from waring kingdoms meet, they form a friendship and try to help their kingdoms reunite by going on an adventure they will never forget! With beautiful art and a fun storyline, this is a book you won't want to miss.
• 
  Boundingability

  Quick and fun jaunt of a quest to reunite three kingdoms, Swan Lake style. The art work is pretty cute … and the Bear was probably my favourite character.
• 
  Vanessa

  Cute and pretty fun. Adorable swan; I mean those freckles!
  But my fav part? Th gblns wh spk lk ths.
• 
  Rebecca

  Odette is cursed to be a swan during the day, and a girl at night. She just wants to escape her castle, where her parents, afraid for her, keep her cloistered. Dillie, from a neighboring kingdom, is not interested in learning how to be a ruler, like her mother. She wants adventure, and neither her mother nor her (Dillie's) prosthetic leg will get in her way! When she and Odette meet, after Odette flies out her window to escape, in swan form, they become friends (and maybe a hint of more to come?). But when Odette's parents tell her that Dillie's kingdom is responsible for her curse, Odette has trouble believing it--and Dillie is furious that she would believe it, but she's also not sure it's not true. So they decide they have to seek out a mythical mage in the dangerous wilderness beyond the kingdoms, who can grant wishes. Along the way, they pick up Max, who emphatically does not want to be the kind of ruler his stepfather is forcing him into--the testosterone-poisoned hunter and warrior. He and the bear he refused to kill--who is a friend of his, in fact--join the girls on their quest. Adventure awaits!
  
  This was great! Imaginative and adventurous, and easy to follow (sometimes with graphic novels things aren't so easy to figure out for old eyes!). I loved the different characters, who were all engaging and imperfect but trying. I loved the multicultural representation, and the disability representation, which is rare but getting a tiny bit more prevalent in kids' books. I loved the friendship and found-family feeling that develops between the adventurers, and love that they end the book with options--there's no one answer to their problems, which may not even be problems? It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but it does end with the start of a new quest.
• 
  Rachel

  I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
  
  The characters (you know, the talking girl/swan, the spunky princess with a prosthetic leg, the young prince who can talk to animals, and the prince's friend/bear) were such a fun group. I really loved the diversity and the dynamic this group had.
  
  This story is ultimately about love (and dance!) and I was so here for it! It's about loving yourself and others, flaws and all. Odette and Dilly are admirable for many reasons but I loved them most for being so open minded and eager to make amends between their families and kingdoms. Odette's innocence and good heart combined with Dilly's tenacity and "act first, think later" mentality was wonderful. Fred's comments about his various fears, his conversations with Benno the bear, and his empty stomach woes were equal parts funny and endearing.
  
  The plot moves along quickly and is full of action. I loved reading this as an adult and I'm certain I would have loved it when I was in elementary/middle school. The artwork is simple but so expressive. It is easy to follow the story while also getting immersed in the world. Kearney's artwork was perfect for this fun adventure story.
  
  I would absolutely recommend this to readers of all ages and would love to read more from these two!
• 
  Carmen

  I received a copy of Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms by Rey Terciero and Megan Kearney from HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
  
  What a fun adventurous story that takes place in Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms, which is actually inspired by the ballet Swan Lake. In this story, we find that three kingdoms are separated by their disdain for one another; always at the brink of war with one another. In one kingdom, Princess Odette is cursed to turned into a swan during the day. In another, Princess Dillie wants to go on adventures rather than sitting around listening to the people complain. In the third, Prince Fred doesn't want to prove his worthiness by killing beasts, and he saves a new friend, Banno the Bear. The three unlikely friends team up to journey across the lands to find a way to break the curse on Odette, prove their kingdom's innocence, and to complete a quest to prove worthiness to the throne. This adventure is sure to delight and thrill readers, cheering on for these young royals determined to move forward as individuals and for the good of their respective kingdoms. I can't wait to see what is next for Odette, Dillie, Fred, and Banno.
• 
  TheNextGenLibrarian

  Frozen meets Shrek meets The Wizard of Oz in this adorable, laugh-out-loud middle grade graphic novel.
  🦢
  Odette and Dillie have been raised to hate each other’s kingdoms. I’m truly epic fashion, both kingdoms have been feuding for decades. But instead of hating each other when they finally meet, the two become fast friends and go on a journey together to help Odette with her curse and Dillie have the adventure she’s always dreamed of. Traveling through enchanted lands, meeting new allies and fighting new foes each discovers what they’re really made of.
  🦢
  Well this was adorable and silly and funny! Perfect for MG readers with several appropriate jokes in there for adults as well. With a main character that has a prosthetic leg and another that turns into a swan—this group was full of diversity and maybe (when they get a bit older) a romance between the two girls might occur. I loved the graphics in this one and felt like so many kids will recognize some of the storylines and characters in this GN. Great fun!
• 
  Jennifer

  After Odette is cursed to be a swan during the day and a human at night, her parents lock her way to keep her safe from the neighboring kingdom, Rotbart, who they blame for the curse. In a fit of rebellion, she flies out the window and finds herself lost. Soon she is found by the Dillie, the princess of Rotbart, and learns that the stories she's been told may not be true. To break the curse and to clear Rotbart's tarnished image, the two princesses set out on a quest to unite the kingdoms while making a few new friends along the way. Full of goblins, curses, creepy spider goats, this is a must read for all!
  
  Drawing inspiration from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Quest for the Kingdoms sends us on an incredible journey! It gives us a familiar story with unique twists. This was a fun read with beautiful and engaging illustrations that have you rooting for the characters as they begin their quest and past evil deeds come to light. I really enjoyed the inclusion of different characters (gender roles, prosthetics) and drawing attention to outdated practices (toxic masculinity).
  
  In case, it wasn't clear - this was definitely a 5 stars for me <3
• 
  Heather Turner

  Such an interesting take on the Swan Princess and Ballet by Tchaikovsky. There are two princesses who could not be more different. The Princess Odette is under a curse from a mysterious sorcerer to turn into a swan every day. Her parents are extremely over protective and all Odette wants to do is dance. Princess Dilly wants nothing more than to swordfight and go on adventures. Upon meeting each other they are instant friends even though they should be sworn enemies. Dilly decides it is her job to break the curse and set Odette free. So off the two friends go on a journey. This had lgbqta+ characters with Dilly's father being gay and women empowerful with matriarchal societies. Very different from the original ballet but an excellent graphic novel read. Fans of Pixar and Adventure Time will love this graphic novel.
• 
  Emerald

  This was super cute! (Note to self: middle school, not elementary.)
  
  I’ve always loved the movie The Swan Princess so when I scrolled past this book on Libby and saw that there was no wait time for it, I decided to give it a chance!
  
  I really enjoyed it! It was cute, humorous, adventurous, and contained a lot of great lessons for kids! The only thing I didn’t particularly care for was how obviously the lessons were stated. It was as if the author created a list of lessons they wanted the readers to learn through the story and rather than just demonstrating them decided to also write them out directly through character dialogue. Made it a little less adorable. However it might not bother kids who read it!
  
  Overall, super cute!
• 
  Elley Shin

  Thank you NetGalley and HarperAlley for providing the E-ARC of this book.
  
  WOW, I did not know that this book was written by Rex Ogle, and I'm in love. I thought this was such a cute and daring re-telling of Swan Lake. The characters and artwork gave me huge "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix remake 2018)" vibes, which happens to be my all-time favorite cartoon series. I loved the simple quest paired with strong female-characters, showing different spectrums of personalities. I love the themes of friendship and the little bits of romance between the main characters.
  
  I definitely will continue to read more of his books. Recommend 10/10
• 
  Raven Black

  Way too many references to modern ideas, not to mention Swan Lake and Tchaikovsky. And that is part of its charm for adults. For the 1o and up crowd, it is a funny, interesting story that mixes in friendship and assumptions and sword fights together. Combining all the fantasy and science fiction elements (I can make a case for Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, Labyrinth, and many others plus, of course, Tchaikovsky related works). Fast paced and very kid oriented, this is a fun book that allows for a potential sequel with more adventures (a secret is revealed) and a possible queer romance. Written under his pen name, other titles by this author can be found as Rex Ogle.
• 
  Bethany

  This loose adaptation of Swan Lake features two princesses from contentious kingdoms (one the cursed swans and one a tomboy with a prosthetic leg). To try to solve the tensions between their countries they set out on a quest. There is adventure, magic, new friendships, and fantastical items to be acquired.
  
  This tween graphic novel will be enjoyed by those who can’t get enough fantasy and adventurous quest stories. The illustrations are bright but realistic, and the characters are as diverse as 21st century America. I will be purchasing this for my small-library juvenile collection.
• 
  Jordyn Nichols

  Thank you to Rey Terciero and Harper Collins for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of this book.
  I loved every minute of it! The witty banter between the characters kept me fully engaged and rooting for the characters the whole way. I loved the cast of misfits that are accumulated throughout the story and I would love to see this series continue with more adventures in the future. I think that this would be a great addition to any elementary school library. It was a pleasure to read.
• 
  Kristen Harvey

  Wonderful adventure story about two princesses that have a problem and don’t let their differences come between them but let it bring them together on a journey to a dangerous quest to solve both their problems. They meet up with another pair on the journey, a prince and a bear and together they are trying to find different objects and see if they can undo Odette’s curse and prove Dillie’s dad’s innocence in casting the curse.
  
  I loved the graphics in this story, the added ballet aspect and the tone of friendship throughout. A fun graphic novel that will appeal to a wide audience.
• 
  Sesana

  A middle grade graphic novel that turns Swan Lake into a quest. It's an original take, but it also feels like a lot of other middle grade graphic novel adventures. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it's well written and the characters are very likable. There's a twist towards the end that's subtly telegraphed, so I don't think it will be too obvious to middle grade readers. The overall lesson of self acceptance gets a little heavy towards the end, but not to the level of being a real minus for the book. Also, the art is very cute.
• 
  pineapple tofu

  It's a "once upon a time" story of bandits, a talking swan, and scary reavers. Princess Odette wants to be a ballerina, but being part human girl and swan has some troubles alongside it. Princess Dillie wants to have an adventure and fight with her trusty sword, Cassandra. Both kingdoms are on the verge of war, and it takes friendship, courage, and trust to start a quest to fulfill their wish from the WishMage.
  
  I adored their friendship and trials, along with the king in training, Siegfried, and his friend Benno, the bear. The fighting scenes were perfectly drawn out, and the color palette of the two kingdoms was precise. With a backstabbing parent, secrets of their livelihood, and one sizeable Xalli serpent, Swan Kingdom: Quest for the Kingdoms is a fun graphic novel read!
• 
  lydea

  this was a really great read that hinted at some young love, but didn’t force it. i really liked that because i think a lot of stories i’ve read end with happily ever after being about romance, and honestly it gets really repetitive. this story is beautifully illustrated and extremely action-packed. it is not gory at all, which was a bit disappointing to me, but is great for kiddos and anyone looking for an action filled story without too much violence and some greta life lessons.
• 
  Felicia Harris

  This was a very cute story about friendship and a great retelling of Swan Lake. I loved that one of the mcs had a disability. As someone with a disability it's always amazing to see that sort of representation in a book for kids. Over all this was a really cute and sweet book I would definitely recommend.