Court of swans / Melanie Dickerson.

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Title:

Author:

Dickerson, Melanie, 1970-

ISBN:

9780785234012

Physical Description:

328 pages

Series:

Dericott tale ; 1

Abstract:

In medieval England, after her seven brothers are falsely accused of murder and treason, eighteen-year-old Delia flees their cruel stepmother and becomes a seamstress at Westminster Palace, hoping to gain their release, with Sir Geoffrey's assistance.

Reading Level:

Grades 10-12. Thomas Nelson.

Subject Term:

Brothers and sisters -- Juvenile fiction.

Nobility -- Juvenile fiction.

Knights and knighthood -- Juvenile fiction.

False imprisonment -- Juvenile fiction.

Stepmothers -- Juvenile fiction.

Christian life -- Juvenile fiction.

Middle Ages -- Juvenile fiction.

Historical fiction -- Juvenile fiction.

Geographic Term:

Great Britain -- History -- Medieval period, 1066-1485 -- Juvenile fiction.

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library	Teen Fiction Book Hardback	120791002854315	T DIC	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Where 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

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 7--10--It is the summer of 1378 in Medieval England and dark-haired, blue-eyed Delia, the only sister among seven brothers, is adjusting to the marriage of her father to Parnella, who is not much older than Delia herself. Three years into the marriage, a new half-brother, Cedric, is born and Delia's father is dead. The king of England's guards arrest all seven of Delia's brothers for treason and murder. Delia instantly takes a disliking to the handsome but dedicated captain of the guard, Sir Geoffrey Grenefeld, but her beauty catches his eye and he soon finds that he can't seem to forget her. With a sense of unease, Delia flees her home in search of her distant Aunt Beatrice, the abbess of Rosings Abbey, as her only hope of freeing her brothers and proving their innocence. Aunt Beatrice secures Delia a seamstress position in the king's castle so she can care for her brothers and attempt to free them. Sir Geoffrey recognizes Delia and soon realizes the arrest of the brothers was part of a calculated plot to steal their power and wealth, just as his uncle the king had stolen his own power and wealth. Will Sir Geoffrey risk what little he has left to help Delia and her brothers? Will they be able to prove the brothers' innocence in time? Character background on the antagonists is lacking, and a relatively quick lead into romantic attraction, as well as a predictable plot, will be quickly forgiven by Dickerson's fans. The inclusion of a character with an anxiety disorder adds a touch of realism to the situation; characters' skin tones aren't mentioned. VERDICT Recommended for Christian fiction fans.--Susan Harris, Ridgeway High School, TN

Booklist Review

In the late fourteenth century, Lady Delia tries to befriend her father's new bride, even as she treats Delia and her seven brothers with nothing but disdain. All too soon, her father passes away, and her brothers are accused of treason, hauled away to prison, and threatened with a deadly fate. Desperate to save them, Delia visits an abbey, installs herself as close to the king as she can, and befriends his guards and knights. As she plots her brothers' escape, she must discover if the new knights in her life have honorable intentions, and whether she wants to see them after this ordeal is over. Court of Swans is a well-crafted escape thriller with plenty of longing glances to break up scenes of sword fighting. Delia is a compelling protagonist because she is able to see the good in people--rarely do you see an obviously wicked stepmother so often given the benefit of the doubt. A perfect pick for fans of period dramas who want a little action mixed into their romance.