The biggest lie of all is the
story you think you already know.
The del Cisne girls have never just been sisters; they’re also rivals, Blanca as obedient and graceful as Roja is vicious and manipulative. They know that, because of a generations-old spell, their family is bound to a bevy of swans deep in the woods. They know that, one day, the swans will pull them into a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan.
But when two local boys become drawn into the game, the swans’ spell intertwines with the strange and unpredictable magic lacing the woods, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them. Blanca & Roja is the captivating story of sisters, friendship, love, hatred, and the price we pay to protect our hearts.
The del Cisne girls have never just been sisters; they’re also rivals, Blanca as obedient and graceful as Roja is vicious and manipulative. They know that, because of a generations-old spell, their family is bound to a bevy of swans deep in the woods. They know that, one day, the swans will pull them into a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan.
But when two local boys become drawn into the game, the swans’ spell intertwines with the strange and unpredictable magic lacing the woods, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them. Blanca & Roja is the captivating story of sisters, friendship, love, hatred, and the price we pay to protect our hearts.
A Junior Library Guild
Selection
Starred reviews from Kirkus,
Booklist, School Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness
One of TIME Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
A New York Times Book Review
Editors' Choice
A Kirkus, School Library Journal,
Boston Globe, and Tor.com Best Book of 2019
A YALSA 2019 Best Fiction for
Young Adults
"A story so complex and
original, you'll forget 'Blanca & Roja' is not a classic tale in its own
right."
―
The New York Times Book Review
"Blanca & Roja is
a fairytale that imprints in your heart, with writing so lush you feel like
you're in the middle of the del Cisne's magical woods. McLemore's novel weaves
an unforgettable story about the bond between sisters and the daring to rewrite
your destiny."
―
Zoraida Córdova, author of Labyrinth Lost
"Blanca &
Roja is
mesmerizing and absolutely beautiful. McLemore has created a fairy tale for the
modern age."
―
April Tucholke,
author of Wink
Poppy Midnight
"One of the most beautiful
books I've ever read, bright with hope and brimming with love. Powerful and
unforgettable, this mesmerizing fairy tale made my heart ache and my spirit
soar."
―
Claire Legrand, author of Furyborn
"Some authors write amazing
characters. Some authors are beautifully atmospheric. Anna-Marie McLemore is
the rare author that combines both skills, and it's never been more apparent
than in Blanca & Roja. This story swallowed me into itself until I
felt the aches of every character as deeply as my own."
―
Amanda Quain, One More Page
Books
"McLemore's poignant
retelling is a must-read for fans of fantasy and fairy tales"
―
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Vibrant, wondrously
strange, and filled to the brim with love of all kinds."
―
Booklist, starred review
"Magical realism extraordinaire
McLemore crafts a queer, Latinx mash-up of "Snow White," "Wild
Swans," and Swan Lake told from four perspectives...a magical and lovely
first purchase for all YA shelves."
―
School Library Journal, starred
review
"McLemore takes the fairy-tale
mold and reforms it."
―
Shelf Awareness, starred review