Court of Swans Series: The Dericott Tales #1 Published by Thomas Nelson on January 5, 2021
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations, Young Adult Fiction / Historical / Medieval, Young Adult Fiction / Religious / Christian / Historical, Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome
Pages: 336
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Reading Challenges: 2026 Audiobook Challenge, All booksWhere there is wealth and power, there’s always someone willing to do anything to take it. When Delia's father dies, her stepmother accuses her seven brothers of treasonous crimes. Seeking to free them from Richard II's grasp, Delia's only ally is Sir Geoffrey, the man who arrested them. Can she trust him?
England, 1381: Delia’s idyllic life as daughter of an earl is shattered when her father dies and his wife accuses Delia’s seven brothers of treason and murder. The youngest is only ten years old, but this doesn’t stop the guards from hauling them off to the Tower of London. There they await a grim fate, as child-king Richard II is executing anyone who poses a threat to his throne. Delia is their only hope for pardon and freedom.
Sir Geoffrey did not expect his first assignment as captain of the guard to be the arrest of boys so young. He dutifully imprisons the brothers, but he can’t ignore the feeling, rooted in personal experience, that injustice and treachery are at work.
Determined to rescue her brothers, Delia secures a position as a seamstress for the queen. Her quest is all but impossible as the executions continue. Sir Geoffrey offers to be her ally, but should she trust him in a court where everyone has an agenda?
From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a tender retelling of “The Wild Swans,” where the virtues of loyalty and love face a harrowing showdown with power and fear.
- The first installment in a brand-new series set in England: The Dericott Tales
- Book 1: Court of Swans
- Book 2: Castle of Refuge
- Book 3: Veil of Winter
- Full-length clean fairy-tale reimagining
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Sometimes you need a fairy tale that isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it just wants to tell a genuinely good story. Court of Swans was exactly that.
This Wild Swans retelling pulled me in with its medieval setting, political intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to give up on the people she loves. Delia isn’t the loudest or fiercest main character, but her determination to save her brothers made it impossible not to root for her. She keeps moving forward even when the odds are stacked against her, and I loved that quiet kind of strength.
The romance is sweet, slow, and built on trust instead of instant attraction. It gave the relationship time to grow naturally, which fit the story perfectly. If you’re expecting lots of spice or dramatic twists every chapter, this probably won’t be your book. But if you’re in the mood for castles, knights, court politics, and a romance that makes you smile, it absolutely delivers.
The pacing slowed down a little in the middle, but the historical atmosphere and fairy-tale charm kept me invested. It felt like curling up with a classic story that’s been given a fresh new life.
Reader Verdict: A charming, heartfelt fairy tale retelling filled with loyalty, courage, and a romance worth cheering for. If you love clean historical fantasy with happily-ever-afters, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.
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