Rating: 
Summary: Swan Lake retold
Review: I liked the book very much. I particularly liked the fact that the book was sympathetic toward Odile, who was as much a victim of the Baron as the swan ladies were. Even when she longed for her father's approval, she still did her best to help and protect the swan ladies who were her father's victims. As she grew up and learned more, she was able to help them with intelligence and resourcefulness. The prince was raised to be a self-centered spoiled brat by his mother (the regent), who wanted to keep the throne he was to inherit after he became of age. However, the tragic results of some of his actions made him think more about consequences and gain emotional maturity, in spite of his mother's efforts. I have loved the ballet for years. I loved the book as well. Kathy Martin
Rating: 
Summary: Great book!
Review: This book was a wonderful rendition of "Swan Lake". I had read the story and seen the ballet, but had never before been able to simplify with Odile. In this story, she seems a very sympathetic character, simply eager to please and in great need of a friend and someone to love. Odette was calm and full of poise, but showed great emotion and affection for her swans and Prince Siegfried. The reader will feel the despair of the Prince, his love Odette, and Odile at the end of the story.
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Summary: Ballet and Fantasy lovers will enjoy this!
Review: I am a ballet lover and a fantasy lover, so when I saw this book, I had to read it. I found it very different from the traditional telling of the story, with its numerous endings, both semi-happy and tragic. I enjoyed the way this book is told by Odile, the supposed wicked daughter of Rothbart. The way the plot unfolds makes the most familiar story seem completlely new. I was also pleased with the ending, which was most decidedly happy, where everyone gets what they deserve. It makes the story come full circle, which I can appreciate.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read
Review: Well, I must sadly admit that this book did not meet my expectations. I had hoped for a enthralling retelling in the style of The Fire Bird, but this fell short. While still an iteresting tale of magic and betrayal, it lacked the character development to make it truly worthy. Odette's character was hardly developed, and the prince's change of heart too sudden and too complete to be believable. Even Odeil, who was the most defined character in the book was lacking in depth. The Baron and the Queen were mere shadows as far as development goes. This book lacked the attention to detail that I admire in Lackey's work. I hope her other books do not follow this trend.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting read ...
Review: This book followed 'Swan Lake' and without even knowing that, I read on even though it was obvious but I was so intrigued that I happened to forget about that ... Odile keeps watch over the flock ... that is she watches over the pretty maidens that are magically turned into swans during the day. During the night they are their human forms but they're trapped, unfree. Odette is the princess swan and she protects her flock as much as she is able to. She is determined to rid herself and her flock of the horrid spell that makes her and the others trapped, not knowing how or when- only knowing she will ... she has to. The Baron, the magician is the one who cast the spell on these maidens. He has decided to turn all unfaithful women into swans so they could not be unfaithful to any man anymore. But when Odette cries out for release a plan forms in his mind ... When the Baron tells Odette and the flock of the chance for the swan maidens to have their freedom they are dumbfounded but willing to play this game of his ... As the story moves on so does the plot. More is involved with this chance of freedom. The Baron has more in store for the swan maidens than they will ever suspect until his intentions become clear. Odette has to have a young man fall in love with her, accept the fate placed on her currently, being faithful to her and loving her all the same. But ... everyone is scheming and plotting. Will the lovely swan maidens gain their freedom or will they be resigned to be swans forever more??? Odile thinks she is safe and soon begins to be more compassionate towards the swans but is she really safe? What does her father, the Baron have in plan for her?
Rating:
Summary: Mostly Dissapointed
Review: When I first saw this book on the shelves I went right ahead and bought it without even looking at the back, since almost every other book by the author has been fantastic. Unfortunetly for me, it went way under what I expected. The characters all seem shallow and are frankly, uninteresting. Evildoer Baron Von Rothbert isn't really that evil, just petty and childishly jealous of his powers, and the other two main characters, Odette and Odile don't draw sympathy from the reader, even though their plight is unfortunate enough that it ought to. The ending happens much too quickly, almost as though Ms. Lackey got tired of the book and wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible, and the reconstruction of each of the little swan's lives leaves something to be desired. This is one of those books that ought to be read only if you need something easy to handle. A good car or vacation book perhaps. It would be better, if you haven't bought it yet, just to wait until you find a copy at a used bookstore.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Very Exciting
Review: This is the first book I have read by Mercedes Lackey. It was a very easy read, but not very action-packed. It was more of a weakly created love story. The characters seemed to have no depth or history. You didn't really get to know them. The magic was very elaborate, but some of it could have been done away with in order to enhance the characters. There is a part when Prince Siegfried meets a gypsy woman by the lake and has his way with her against her will. What did that have to do with anything? I didn't know if I was suppose to not like the Prince or if he was to become a "changed man". If I knew more about him, Odile, Odette and the Baron, the story may have been more enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Love Lackey, hate Black Swan
Review: Usually, when all else fails, I can count on a Mercedes Lackey book to lift me out of the mundane and into someplace extraordinary. Unfortunately that is not the case with The Black Swan. I didn't think she was capable of writing such a tedious book. LOOK ELSEWHERE if you want a good read!
Rating:
Summary: The Black Swan
Review: I'm a great Mercedes Lackey fan. I'm always waiting for the next book. But The Black Swan was a bit disapointing. I must agree with Nimue MacCunail! They were right on in their review.
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Summary: Disappointing new book by a usually decent writer
Review: Revising fairy tales is common fantasy practice, but one wishes that Lackey had written with a bit more wit and punch in this Swan Lake reprise. In her earlier works Lackey wrote some complicated and interesting female characters. THE BLACK SWAN, however, presents us with an evil queen, an enchanted princess, and a young sorceress, none of whom transcend stereotype. The latter two are redeemed by their love for aristocrats, while the former receives her punishment at the hands of (you guessed it!) an evil warlock. The warlock is such a totally nasty guy that it's hard to believe that even his daughter the sorceress could initially believe him to be a decent human being, but that's the premise of the book--she gradually comes to awareness that her father is Not Nice. I waded my way through, but I kept wishing I was reading something else.
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