A beautiful lyrical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Nightingale about what some will do for power...and what others will do for love. Oriane is the skylark, and the sun only rises if she wills it. Every morning, she transforms from woman to bird, calling the dawn with her song. Seclusion has kept her safe her whole life – but it has also left her lonely, and craving freedom. When Oriane finally succumbs to the lure of the wild unknown, she is discovered in the gardens of the royal palace, where she is taken in by the king and treated like a goddess – and a prisoner. Embroiled in a battle of faith and politics, Oriane yearns to return to her safe, simple life. A growing danger surrounds the palace, and the skylark and her gift are at its centre. But within the whispers, Oriane learns something she never expected: she may not be as alone as she thought. There may be another like her. The nightingale.
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Skysong by C.A. Wright is a wonderful twist on Hans Christian Andersen's The Nightingale. Oriane, who can change into a bird and sings to make the sunrise, feels trapped in her quiet, ignorant life. When she runs away and is found in the royal gardens, she is taken to live in the palace, where people admire her like a goddess, but she is a prisoner. As Oriane deals with the tricky politics around her, she forms a special relationship with her maid, Andala, who may also be something more than she seems.
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel. Narrator Olivia Darnley brings the story to life, with a gentle voice and cadence that fits the dreamy vibe of this tale. The beautiful story makes it easy to get lost in this charming fantasy world. With lovable characters, magical moments, and lovely language, Skysong is a fantastic first audiobook that will delight fans of fairytales.
