This latest book in the Elemental Masters series is based on Hans Christian Andersen tale “The Wild Swans”. Elena and her seven brothers have been overlooked by their father since their mother disappeared when they were very young. Only the second son, Ben, knows the truth, that their mother was a swan maiden, and their father had kept her skin, imprisoning her. Ben happened to know where it was, which allowed her to escape.
Years later, their father finally decides to take another wife, and the sibling are quickly aware that she has spelled their father to love her. His indifference would have turned to neglect had the servants not come to their rescue. But their step mother is biding her time, and is able to turn the boys in the swans. They fly away, leaving Elena alone. And then, her father dies, leaving her at the mercy of her stepmother. She’s finally able to escape, and able to find her brothers again, with the help of a local water master. Elena is the only one that can save her brothers, if she does a nearly impossible task.
This book actually follows the legend fairly well, except setting it in Regency times. We get a good flavor of country manor life, and a little of life in Bath. The ending is fairly pat, but you knew it was coming, and it was overall a satisfying read.