Nemesis and the Swan
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release Date: October 27th 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, France
Synopsis:
From her prison cell in revolutionary Paris, nineteen-year-old aristocrat Hélène d'Aubign recalls the events that led her to choose between following in her parents' unforgivable footsteps or abandoning the man she loves.
Despite her world of privilege, Hélène is inspired early on by the radical ideas of her progressive governess. Though her family tries to intervene, the seeds of revolution have already been planted in Hélène's heart, as are the seeds of love from an unlikely friendship with a young jeweler's apprentice. Hélène's determination to find true love is as revolutionary as her attempt to unravel the truth behind a chilling set of eye-shaped brooches and the concealed murder that tore her family apart.
As violence erupts in Paris, Hélène is forced into hiding with her estranged family, where the tangled secrets of their past become entwined with her own. When she finally returns to the blood-stained streets of Paris, she finds everything-and everyone-very much changed. In a city where alliances shift overnight, no one knows who to trust.
Faced with looming war, the mystery of her family's past, and the man she loves near death, Hélène will soon will find out if doing one wrong thing will make everything right, or if it will simply push her closer to the guillotine.
Can you briefly describe NEMESIS AND THE SWAN and its characters?
From her prison cell in revolutionary Paris, nineteen-year-old aristocrat Hélène d’Aubign recalls the events that led her to choose between following in her parents’ unforgivable footsteps or abandoning the man she loves. As violence escalates, the family secret behind an eerie set of brooches will either send her to the guillotine or save her life.
Hélène is the artistic daughter of a marquis who has always felt like an outsider. Growing up, the only people who really paid attention to her were her progressive governess and a jeweller’s apprentice named Theo. As revolution breaks out in Paris, she has hope that it might mean a better future for France—and for her and Theo.
Theo has an artist’s eye for jewellery design, and even though it’s impossible for them to be together, he’s had a crush on Hélène for years. He encourages her in her drawing, listens when she talks, and makes her laugh even when her parents are driving her crazy.
Alexander Evereaux is the rich pretty-boy Hélène’s parents want her to marry. He’s practically perfect in every way—except personality.
Lucille Chevallier is the jeweller’s daughter who has her sights set on marrying the apprentice.
Jaques Bennette is an adorable dark-eyed painter with dangerous friends.
Simonne is a spicy Revolutionary runaway obsessed with chocolate and freedom.
And you’ll have to read the book to meet the rest!
Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?
This is like asking me to pick my favourite child or cat! I guess if you’re twisting my arm, I’ll choose Théo, because he is a lot like my favourite person in real life—my husband, Clay.
And, okay, I know I’m cheating here, but I have to add in Adele, because I adore the way she and Hélène help each other to heal from trauma and form such a special bond. Never underestimate the power of a little girl!
How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?
Like Hélène, I spent most of my life trying to unravel the mystery of my own estranged family. Even after finally meeting my great-grandmother shortly before her death, I still didn’t know what happened to split my family apart. Nobody would tell me, and it was maddening! As I learned more about my family’s past, I started thinking a lot about identity in the context of the truths and lies our families tell us. Where do nature, nurture, and choice intersect? And what happens when you throw in political turmoil, riots in the streets, forbidden love, and a guillotine?
Then, while researching period fashion, I came across gorgeously creepy Lover’s Eye jewellery. I discovered that these painted eyes were designed for real-life secret lovers and had mysterious origins in 18th century Paris before becoming a 19th century trend….
Viola! Nemesis and the Swan.
If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?
These Streets by Bastille
If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?
Hélène—Lily Collins
Théo—Ryan McCartan
Jacques Bennette—Harry Styles
Lucille— Grace Van Dien
Alexander Evereaux—Riker Lynch
Simonne—Selena Gomez
What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?
I’ll take a Café au lait to-go and walk along the Seine.
Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish NEMESIS AND THE SWAN?
My favourite recent read was Etiquette for Runaways by Liza Nash Taylor. It pulled me in, broke my heart, and patched it up again. Lost girls, loyal boys, moonshine trials, and jazz-era Paris? Yes please!
Lovely War by Julie Berry held me in its spell, and the audiobook is exceptional.
I’m also a huge fan of Marcus Sedgwick’s historical fiction, including The Foreshadowing, Revolver, and Midwinterblood. Suspense, tight writing, and a perfect dose of supernatural mystery make these fast-paced reads that keep you thinking long after you close the book.
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?
Braving the unknowns. Even good ideas don’t come with the promise of becoming great stories. Over and over again, writers walk into the dark with our stories, trusting that the next step will materialize if we put in the work. Pushing through the darkness without really knowing how long it will take, how many times we will need to re-think or re-write (or if anyone will like it when it’s done) is the hardest part!
What’s next for you?
My next book, INEVITABLE FATE, has a very different setting from Nemesis and the Swan, but there is still plenty of mystery, artsy atmosphere, and romance. It begins in 1913 at King’s Park Asylum on Long Island, where the tattooed “freak” accused of setting the amusement park fire that killed his true love writes a letter to his future self, convinced he is destined to love—and lose—her again if they can’t outsmart Fate. Over a hundred years later, Evan Kiernan reads this letter, but the events leading to his girlfriend’s death have already been set into motion. As he races against time to intervene, he finds that the past, present, and future hinge on the number three.
Lindsay Bandy writes historical and contemporary young adult fiction as well as poetry. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with her husband, two daughters, and two cats, and currently serves as the co–regional advisor of the Eastern Pennsylvania region of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
