Birdwing

Birdwing is the worst book I ever read. Im in 5 grade and this book was in my book club. My reading level is V with other various students. The book is inappropriate for kids my age. Even my teacher said that some of the content in it is a little disrupting. I wish that this book was never even written. And keep in mind that im 10. This book is rated on many websites 13 and up. And I am not talking about the little story in the beginning. I wish I didn't even read some of these pages.

Reader reviewed by Iron Pyrate

What if happily ever after isn't happy for everyone?
Meet Ardwin, the son of King Lugh. He and his brothers were enchanted--changed into swans--by their evil stepmother. Through their sisters determination they were all changed back into humans--all but the youngest, Ardwin. He alone bears the mark of his time as a swan; in place of his left arm he carries a white wing. "Prince Freak," people call him, staring and warding off evil as he passes. Ardwin is restless, wanting to return to the flock of swans he once flew with, where he would be accepted.
While Ardwin desperately wishes to be rid of his wing, it also reminds him of the wild freedom of the swans, and even gives him the ability to speak to animals. He is torn between wanting to fit in, and wanting to be himself.
But part of him has to choose when he learns of a plot to marry him off--under the condition of replacing his wing with a prosthetic arm. Horrified at the thought, Ardwin sets off for the world with his friends, Stephen and Skye. But soon he discovers the journey must be his alone.

Ardwin's original and captivating story is born from the Brothers Grimm tale "The Six Swans," but it's not just a fairytale retold, but a fairytale continued, and Rafe Martin pulls it off beautifully; there is nothing stale or drawn-out about this book. If you like stories of self-discovery and -acceptance, adventure, magic, and a little romance, Birdwing is for you.
I'm really not doing Martin's novel any justice in my description, because it was simply so, SO good.
Just READ IT and find out for yourself!

Reader reviewed by Mairi

A crucial part of Ardwin's childhood was denied him when, at a very young age, he was changed into a swan by a wicked sorceress. Along with his older brothers, he fled to the wilderness in his swan form while his older sister worked selflessly to lift the curse. She was only partially sucessful- only the older boys completely regained their human forms.

I picked this book up on the last day of a middle school book fair a while back, when it was selling for only twenty five cents. It wasn't one of those have- to- read books, but for twenty five cents I would have had to be insane to pass it up. It sets an interesting legend in an interesting time, and the Afterwords version contains a wealth of information about Greek Fire, Iron Maidens, and other such fascinating things.

Despite the fact that the surroundings are not very definate, this is very historically accurate for a retelling.