The Swan & the Jackal

A book hasn't touched me this deeply in so long that I don't think I will have the right words to describe just how amazing this book was, in every sense of the word. It was extraordinary.

At first I was reluctant to read this once I found out that it wasn't about Sarai and Victor anymore because their story mesmerized me to my core and I was sad to have to switch to Fredrik's story. But I am so glad that I gave this book a chance because I think I loved his story more than I loved Victor's and Sarai's.

First of, Redmerski will forever be one of my favorite writers because it seems that each book of hers I read is better than the one before it. It's astonishing how she manages to weave a very complex story flawlessly infused with heart and feeling and everything else. This book took me on a very emotional roller coaster ride and I had a lot of what the fuck just happened moments as well. I don't think I have ever been as blindsided by any book like I was by this one. I just didn't see any of that coming, any of it. Totally took me by surprise.

And the writing I can describe in one word: flawless. It flawed perfectly and wasn't overly simplistic and this made for a fast paced read that I couldn't put down for the life of me.

And the characters? I think Fredrik is now my favorite “book boyfriend”. He's just so mysterious and dark and tortured, such a complex character as he jumped out at me from the pages of my Nook and made my heart literally ache for him with everything that he went through in his story. And Cassia as well, a character with so many layers and complexities and it was just perfect, so perfect. I'm so sad that Fredrik didn't get the happy ending he deserved but that made the book that much more real and meaningful because in real life we often don't always get the happy ending we want. I loved that sadness and truthfulness of the book.

And the smut was also phenomenal. It didn't even feel like I was reading smut, it was so masterfully woven into the whole story and felt like it belonged there. Vocabulary was perfect and not too forward without being too vague either. Perfection, as with everyone else about this book.

I doubt any book I read after this will move me as much as this book has and for that reason I am entirely very sad that it ended but I will carry Fredrik's story with me forever. It was that meaningful and deep to me. I think if anyone hasn't read this book before they are missing out because it's the kind of book that has the potential to change our perception and to stay with us long after we finished reading it.

And how astonishing was the plot? Very, I'd say. It had a lot of ups and downs and ups and downs, just the way I love it. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I needed to keep reading to find out what would happen next. And the climax, there are no words. All I can say is that everyone should read this astonishing book and that I will probably read all of Redmerski's books soon because she is a phenomenal writer and knows exactly what I love in the books I read. I just loved every single part of this book and I'm even happier to know that the next installment in the series is also about Fredrik and Seraphina. Such a beautiful yet heartbreaking story, it surpassed my expectations by far.

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants a touching and heartfelt read. So much meaning and depth and emotion can be derived from this book that I think it should be a must-read for anyone who loves suspense and romance in their books.