I received an advanced copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing via NetGalley.

This book is a journey into a world where fairy tales meet reality, blending the magical with the unexpected. The story follows Kaley, who accompanies her lifelong friend Jobi to his homeland, only to find that Bellis is far more than the remote island she once imagined. It is an enchanting realm complete with its own monarchy, mystical rules, and people who bring legendary stories to life.

Kaley soon learns that her visit is not just a casual trip—it is intertwined with a deeper purpose. She shares an enigmatic bond with Jobi and Bellis itself, holding powers that may tip the balance in a world on the brink of upheaval. Alongside the enigmatic Tanek of the Order of Swans and her loyal bodyguard Sojee, Kaley embarks on a quest to find a missing prince. But as she traverses this spellbinding land where the familiar mingles with the bizarre, Kaley discovers that fairy-tale simplicity has no place in Bellis. Heroes and villains blur into shades of gray, and Kaley’s newfound ability to alter the stories she grew up with leads her down an unpredictable path, shaping a destiny she could never foresee.

The premise promises intrigue and an alluring blend of classic tales and original storytelling. While the imaginative world-building captivates with its rich, fairy-tale aesthetics, the story struggles to keep its momentum. The characters, despite their potential, I thought often lacked the depth needed to forge a strong connection.

The Vibes:

—sci-fi meets fantasy

—long lost princess energy

—light academia

The Basics:

When folklore expert and phD student Kaley visits Bellis, another world with whom she shares a mysterious connection, she's plunged into an entirely different reality full of fairy tales and magic. However—taking on a quest to find a missing prince with her friends, she discovers that few things are what they actually seem.

The Review:

This was... unexpected.

To begin, I'm someone who really enjoys Jude Deveraux and considers her a master of her craft. She's just a fabulous writer, and manages to lace her stories with such deep emotion. She also isn't afraid of a weird story, or a daring one for that matter. I don't think there's much she wouldn't do if she felt compelled to write it.

Nonetheless, when you read the back copy of this book, I think you do expect a straightforward fantasy romance. This isn't that. It has fantasy aspects, yes, but there's also an entire sci-fi plot that I don't want to spoil. (Which makes discussing the book a little challenging.)

That could be a "it's not you, it's me" thing, because I'm just difficult to please when it comes to sci-fi. There have been sci-fi romances I've enjoyed, but they're relatively few and far between. And while this isn't what I would call hard sci-fi, it's still a big part of the story.

That being said, Kaley is a likable protagonist, charismatic without being "plucky". You root for her, and her interests in folklore make her like... a fun nerd. Her hero, Tanek, I found a bit less interesting. But that could also be because of those sci-fi elements making me feel a bit removed from the story. And the romance was very much a slow burn, which isn't my favorite.

This is a solid book with a bold premise, and I was engaged. I just don't think it hit me quite as hard as Jude's other books tend to.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kaley has always been different from everyone else. She is drawn to fairytales and has a strong, but unexplainable connection to animals. When a family friend offers to take her to his home island after her dissertation on Fairytales is bashed, she eagerly agrees in hopes she will find new stories for her thesis. Unbeknownst to her, she has been taken to a different planet, where magic and science live together out of balance, and with help from a surly Swanherder and a gentle giant, she travels what she believes are new islands to find a Prince hiding from an arranged marriage, all while letting her own hidden powers begin to grow.

While I was expecting fantasy, I wasn't expecting sci-fi to feature as heavily as it did based on the original description, but I love how it blended together! Once Kaley had landed in Bellis, I couldn't put it down! It does feel very much like a rough draft - which I signed up for as it's an ARC, as it was somewhat jumbled. Sometimes overly descriptive, other times not descriptive enough. The ending is VERY abrupt and it wasn't until I finished it that this was a first in a series. Having just checked goodreads just before posting, that is on me as it's listed as book 1! I enjoyed her world building as it is intentionally slower as we know she is on a different planet, but Kaley is unaware She is consistent with how some things don’t “translate” or make sense between Kaley and who she is talking to, as well as how some jokes don’t land correctly because of cultural difference.

The main area that I struggled with was Tanek’s family history and when things happened. It was described in an order that doesn’t make sense, especially with how Tanek seemed to know everything about the homestead, but had never been? It didn’t make sense that he knew so much but didn’t know how they left the original homestead until he was there.

Kaley is fun and funny! I like her, she is really smart, clever, and even as she is angry, she is still able to find humor in situations and make the best of it! When she finally realizes that she's not on Earth, it was so relatable when she said she should have picked up the signs and realizes, but didn't. She was so wrapped up in the stories around her, of trying to understand the secrets of her traveling companions, and saving the day against cannibal witches and crazy girls hoping to win a prince, and frankly - I would be too!

Tanek started as king of moody broody. I was annoyed she apologized to him after meeting him!! Yes, she ogled him but MEN NEVER APOLOGIZE WHEN THEY OOGLE WOMEN WHY DID SHE HAVE TO APOLOGIZE TO HIM?? Other than that, it didn’t take long for him to grow on me because she was very defiant to him and smacked him off his pedestal and it was clear he realized how wrong he was about her and he worked to be better.

The first encounter with Kaley and Sojee was weird, she seemed to trust him too quickly but I did really like him! Especially how he really gave her big brother/surrogate dad vibes with how protective he was. It wasn’t a love triangle which made me happy frankly! There is something more to their relationship though, perhaps he is her uncle or grandfather? It seems that it's possible he is related to Kaley, but we just don't know.

The romance is slow burn, and enjoyable. With a meeting that made me want to smack him I was glad she didn't cave into his charms when he started flirting. Yes she flirted back, but he still had to earn it! I've read only 1 Jude Deveraux book before and I know she can write spice - HELLO WISHES, so I'm excited for book 2 to dive more. As far as book 1 goes though, I very much enjoyed the slow burn!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me a chance to read the ARC for an honest review!

I really liked the way Order of Swans started out, though I quickly lost trust in Jobi because he felt sneaky from the beginning. Once Kaley gets on the ship and goes to sleep, to me, the rest of the story felt like she was dreaming.
I liked Kaley’s interactions with the animals but her interactions with the two men felt off and a bit forced.
I wasn’t a fan of the fairytales being mixed into the story, especially since Kaley believed she’s visiting an island on earth.
I found myself repeatedly pulled from the story by words being improperly spaced.

Absolutely loved the Order of the Swan, and can’t wait for the second book!

I will admit, it was NOT what I expected after the first few pages - but boy am I glad I kept going.

Love the interwoven fairytales.

Highly recommend for any fantasy and fairytale fan!

Thanks NetGalley for the E-Arc!

Overall enjoyed this book and am interested in the next book to follow. Loved the sci-fi elements, but at times felt the writing was a bit wordy or the sentences weren’t quite hashed out and took me out of the story a bit. I enjoyed the characters but would love to see further depth into them in the next book as well.

This book starts off with an amazing scifi element and mashes up fantasy and storytelling. Ultimately it wasn't for me, but I can see how long time fans will adore this book, and the storytelling theme will appeal to many readers.

I really enjoyed Order of Swans. This was a fun book that was mainly fantasy with a little bit of sci-fi in there too. I liked the way that the fairy tales were integrated into the main story. Kaley and Tanek were a bit one dimensional when we met them but they grew on me as I got to know their histories and personalities and I love them both now. Sojee was probably one dimensional at first too but I adored him the minute we met him (This probably means he’s going to break my heart at some point) They all have secrets some bigger than others. If I had 100 questions while reading this book, I’ve still got 95! The trio goes on a “quest” of sorts and end up in a multitude of dangerous situations coming across many fantastical creatures. I seriously cannot get enough of Kaley’s interactions with animals! I want to hug a dragon!!! When I finished this book my jaw literally dropped at the last line. The ending wasn’t the most shocking I’ve ever read but how and where the author let the book end had me certain I’d missed a page. I liked that!
This is the first book in a duology and I’ll definitely be reading the second!
I did have some issues while reading. There were a few scenes where it seemed that a sentence or maybe more was missing. This meant that I was pulled briefly out of the story to figure out what was going on. There were a few tired stereotypes, such as in a community comprised only of men the only thing they cook and eat is meat and the steak is the best the FMC has ever had (no that’s not a euphemism). And, when the trio are sharing some of their special skills the FMC chooses to perform yoga. While yoga is ABSOLUTELY a skill and requires athleticism to perform at a high level the scene still felt a bit sexist. It didn’t make sense that the FMC took so long to start questioning what was going on. And finally, Kaley has a special connection with animals. I have a difficult time accepting that she would not be a vegetarian, given her abilities. I am not a vegetarian but I still cringed every time she consumed meat. I can imagine some of these issues playing into the bigger story at which point the choices will make more sense. But even with a few things that pulled me out of the story I LOVED this book overall and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Kaley is a PhD candidate in a folklore department when her career (and her life) falls apart around her. On impulse, she accepts a friend's invitation to travel to a mysterious, hidden island in search of new folktales to resurrect her academic career. Only that island? It isn't exactly on the planet Earth...

This is a fun romp of an adventure, filled with random fairy tales playing out around the island that Kaley must shepherd to a happily ever after. Along the way, she falls in love but a cliffhanger conclusion leaves us to wonder how it'll all turn out in the end.

Four out of five stars for fun characters and worldbuilding, but I would have loved there to have been a bit more logic or explanation for why the fairy tales all suddenly start playing out now that Kaley is there. Maybe it'll come in the next books or maybe not - fairy tales have their own logic, of course!

Loved reading the mesmerizing and spellbinding paranormal story. When Kaley's dissertation is turned down, her long family friend, Jobi, says she can go with him to visit his hometown, Bellis, but she may be on another planet and fairy tales are happening in strange ways. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series by the phenomenal author, Jude Deveraux!

*Order of Swans* by Jude Deveraux is a captivating fantasy romance that sweeps readers into a richly imaginative world where fairy tales come to life. Kaley Arens, a folklore PhD student, finds herself pulled into the enchanting and mysterious world of Bellis, where she quickly learns that her expertise in fairy tales has more real-world consequences than she ever imagined. The magical setting is beautifully crafted, and Deveraux’s world-building brings an ethereal charm that makes you want to get lost in the kingdom’s secrets.

The characters are equally intriguing, especially Kaley’s journey from a curious academic to someone with the power to alter the fate of this world. The chemistry between Kaley and Tanek, a member of the mysterious Order of Swans, adds just the right amount of romantic tension without overshadowing the main plot. The twists and turns in their quest to find the lost prince keep the story engaging, though at times, the pacing slows in the middle. Nonetheless, the blend of adventure, magic, and romance makes *Order of Swans* a must-read for fans of fantasy romance and fairy tale retellings.

Deveraux is known for big fat historical mystery and romance novels. Good writers like to branch out now and then, though, so here's her version of the fantasy novel in which elements from classic fairy tales (and some new ones--Oz and Brigadoon are mentioned) are mashed up into a whole new fantasy. A young woman who's always felt somewhat different from other humans, primarily because all animals adore her, discovers that this is because she's not really human. Back in the fairy tale world from whence her parents came, she flirts and shares adventures with a few attractive men, but her story is an adventure not a romance until she accepts that she's in her natural home and chooses a husband there.

This well told, entertaining story should keep readers smiling through a few commutes. Recommended to all who enjoy remixed fairy tales.

This was a very unusual book. Kaley thought she was visiting an island but it turns out she was taken to another planet. I thought it took her an awfully long time to realize it. The things that happened were like our fairy tales. The abrupt ending leads me to believe there will be a sequel. I am looking forward to see what happens with Kaley. Does she return to earth or stay on Bellis.

Kaley accompanies her lifelong friend, Jobi, to his home island of Bellis. Kaley discovers that Bellis is not merely a remote island but a parallel world where fairy tales come to life. The world is unique, a fantastical realm with its own rules and unforgettable characters. The distinction between heroes and villains is unclear; each character has their own motivations and secrets, adding layers and complexity to the storyline. Kaley's evolution from a scholar of folklore to living a fairytale adventure has her struggling to navigate her newfound powers, and the responsibilities accompanying the magic are emotionally and intellectually engaging.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA.

I'm not sure what I expected going into this, but after some brief confusion with the prologue (I was super confused that it seemed like a sci-fi vs. fantasy story when I never, ever request sci-fi books lol), I fell in love with the story.

Order of Swans was unpredictable, captivating, and enthralling. I loved the characters, especially Kaley, and I liked the world building that took place. I also really enjoyed the light-academia vibes throughout the story; I'm a sucker for all things academia related in fantasy, so this ended up being perfect for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a strange book. Kaley doesn’t know that she is. It 100% human. After growing up and being the odd kid, she gets a chance to travel to her family friend’s home not realizing it is another planet. ARC from NetGalley.

Kaley is a captivating storyteller who had me reading without pause. The world building was spellbinding and I loved the fantasy elements and rich characters. Amazing read!

This was a good book that reminded me of somewhat light academia. Need maybe a little less more in length but overall enjoyable