She complains a lot and never lets Jaume explain himself before leaving in a huff. Not only is she timid and easily bullied but she is also petty and prone to the same unkindness her sisters exhibit. Doucette is barely likeable sometimes because she has a very immature personality. The story started to drag for me in part two of the story where Doucette and Jaume had to run from her family. Even though the romance was a bit fast and unbelieveable(tomlinson could have provided more examples of the two falling in love or hinted more at it) I still liked the plot. I agree with many of the reviews that the beginning of the book was the best part because it had a very traditional once upon a time feel to it and the main character was a bullied third child. So, something good from all things, I suppose. Ah, but then I wouldn't have had the chance to write this one-star review. I wish I had read something else instead. I don't know.īut it really was wasted time. Probably partly because I was supposed to be taking a break from my grading and wanted the book to distract me. Probably partly because I was hoping it would get better. Why did I finish reading it? Well, that is a good question. But then, to make sure everything is okay, the author commands the bride to actually be in love with the brother, so everything works out, thus making things so that Doucette isn't a jerk (!).Īt the end of one of the chapters, the mysterious question was asked, just how far would her mother go to get her way, and I seriously muttered aloud, under my breath, 'Who gives a d-.' I was fed up. well, she comes down out of the sky and says, 'Aren't you marrying the wrong girl?' And proceeds to throw herself at him and kiss him while his bride-to-be is standing right there. ) and spending her time building a castle with a moat and tormenting every visitor she has in spiteful ways, and then burning down her castle in a fit of rage because, guess what, her betrothed is getting married. After ditching her betrothed because a dog licked him (ah, ah, ah! I said, let NO ONE kiss you-and well, you know, that dog lick. The only interesting thing is seen coming a mile off, and is rather a disappointment when it does come.Īnd, **potential spoilers-that is, if you're going to waste time reading this book** the ending proves what a miserable excuse for a character Doucette (yes, that's really her name) is. When it requires them to be beastly, they're beastly. When the plot requires them to be nice, they're nice. They only do things to make the plot move. She only reacts to what goes on around her, and never consistently, only in ways that will forward the very tenuous plot.

The main character isn't a character at all.

The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson