Review: The Ice Swan

 The Ice Swan

by J’nell Ciesielski

About the Book

Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian monarchy, a princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.

1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding in Paris’s underbelly, with little to their names but the jewels they sewed into their corsets before their terrifying escape.

Born the second son of a Scottish duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. After treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter. Intrigued by this mysterious, cold, and beautiful woman, Wynn follows Svetlana to an underground Russian club where drink, dance, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.

Out of money and options, Svetlana agrees to a marriage of convenience with the handsome and brilliant Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her family’s debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn cannot help but hope the marriage will turn into one of true affection. When Wynn’s life takes an unexpected turn, so does Svetlana’s–and soon Paris becomes as dangerous as Petrograd. And as the Bolsheviks chase them to Scotland and beyond, Wynn and Svetlana begin to wonder if they will ever be able to outrun the love they are beginning to feel for one another.

My Thoughts

There are two things that you can expect when you pick up a book by J’nell Ciesielski; heart-pumping adventure and knee-buckling romance. The Ice Swan has these both in spades. Add in impeccable research and a plot that spans three countries, and you have a winning novel.

As with Ciesielski’s other novels, the characters in The Ice Swan leap off the page, and our heroine is a complex mix. At times Svetlana can be a hard heroine to love and relate to. She has an icy shell and at turns is curt, even to the point of being hateful, yet as the story unfolds, we come to understand why she is so guarded. There are moments when you really get to know her; moments spent dancing or with Mrs. Varjensky, in which her more tender side shows and it makes her seem much less severe. And after all; she is a princess AND a ballerina. How can you not love that?!

Truly beguiling, Wynn has to be my favorite of Ciesielski’s heroes. With a true passion for working with his hands, he is unlike many dukes of his time. He’s brave and strong and has a good heart. He cares about the people around him and fiercely defends those he loves. He is the definition of a hero.

Ciesielski paints an enchanting picture of Imperial Russia as we read of Svetlana’s longings for simpler times before the revolution. It was fascinating to read about that glittering world filled with ballet and jewels and luxury. Yet we are also treated to a loving portrait of Scotland, the author’s passion for this country obvious within the pages. It was rewarding to read about Svetlana and Wynn taking action in their community, trying to make a true difference.

Fans that like their historical fiction with adventure and romance in equal measure will love The Ice Swan.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.