a bit slow at the beginning but loved all the swan lake parallels! also loved that it didn’t really feel to YA like some YA books can tend to feel. the romance was amazing as well.

Thank you to Simon & Shuster for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so good! If you love a good retelling, I'd absolutely recommend this one. Even if you don't, but you like a fantasy novel with heists, betrayal, and complicated relationships, I'd recommend it. And if you don't even like those things, I'd still recommend it.

Two hundred years ago, a slighted deity stole the magic from Auréal and vanished without a trace. But seventeen-year-old Odile has a plan. All her life, her father, a vengeful sorcerer, has raised her for one singular task: infiltrate the royal palace and steal the king’s crown, an artefact with enough power to restore magic. But to enter the palace, she must turn Marie d’Odette, Odile’s childhood-friend-turned-sworn-enemy, into a swan in order to assume her identity. But when the king is brutally murdered and her own brother is accused, her plans are thrown into chaos. Desperate to free her brother, Odile is forced to team up with none other than elegant, infuriating Marie, the girl she has cursed…and the girl she can’t seem to stop thinking about despite her best efforts.

I've loved the ballet Swan Lake when I watched it at a young age, but the media that I consumed the most related to this story was the animated movie The Swan Princess. And let me tell you, I watched that movie so many times. Reading this novel, it has the perfect amount of ties to the original story with just enough differences for it to feel believable that the story that has been told to you was misinterpreted. For me, I love that feeling.

This book was fast paced enough to remain engaging, and I flew through it (ha, get it, "flew"? Okay, I'll stop). Even though it is 368 pages according to the book's information, it felt like less than 300 while reading. The characters are confused and conflicted, and their dynamic personalities and struggles make them engaging characters to read. Additionally, I really enjoyed the plot as well. This book really didn't have a dull moment, and that is impressive. I don't have too much else to say, but this was a beautiful sapphic Swan Lake retelling!

A Treachery of Swans is hard for me to review, because it’s definitely on the younger side of YA and I don’t tend to enjoy that end of YA. It’s very predictable, and the romance progresses quickly (they’re in love after, like, 5 interactions), but it’s fun enough and I certainly don’t regret reading it. It’s a retelling of one of my favorite stories, and it’s sapphic, so we do get some bonus points for both of those factors.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions in this review are my own.

2 stars. DNF'd at 55%/C20

I think its safe to say that this author just isn't for me. While the synopsis of her books have everything I desire, the reflection in the pages does not. I mentioned in my review of her debut that while the inspirations of what is being pulled from is there, the spirit of it isn't and nothing new or entertaining is brought to the table so it is overall unsatisfying. This is sadly true for A Treachery of Swans.

Firstly, let me start with the romance which is one of my main drivers towards my DNF. The love interest is turned into a swan within the first two chapters of the novel after being tricked by the FMC, afterwards there is no interaction with Swan-LoveInterest until the 22% mark which was admittedly pretty funny, and then again at the 28% in which the FMC half breaks the curse on the LI but only at night. From there we get a brief interaction at 37% in which the FMC acts childish and runs away after LI helps her solve a puzzle because thats all the LI is good for in this novel apparently, solving puzzles and having a beautiful face that the FMC is currently wearing as a disguise. By the 44% mark we get another interaction between the FMCs that is the longest one screen page we have of the two of them together but half of it is previous backstory (an over reliance plot device shared in both novels) and none of it is that noteworthy. By the end of it, there isn't really a good reason as to why the LI is sticking around despite being free to travel away from the lake as both a swan during the day and as human at night, she could literally fly away and off into the sunset never to be seen again. Oh, and the FMC runs away from that latest encounter acting childish yet again. So by the time I DNF'd at 55%, we get a grand total of 5 interactions that probably only total up to 15% (maybe 20% if feeling generous) of the novel itself. This is far from sapphic yearning and relationship building. The FMC spends a majority of her time pretending to be the LI and interacting with the boy she is betrothed to instead of actually building a relationship with the LI. At least there is no love triangle, her betrothed is pinning after the FMC's brother so they are truly just platonic in a soon to be lavender marriage.

The secondary driver towards my DNF was that fact that this novel tries to do too much and doesn't succeed in doing any one thing well. It tries being a murder mystery, it tries being a political drama, it tries being a sapphic romance, it tries being written almost like a play in book form but can't narrow down a genre, vibe, or aesthetic concretely as it changes chapter to chapter so it just reads as chaotic. It also tries to present itself as upper YA but barely moves out of the middle grade category with how tween it feels in character motivations and actions. It also doesn't quite narrow down the scale of the world, everything is so hilariously close that characters are there within minutes if not seconds on page, which doesn't make sense, and other than having French sounding names to everything and everyone, nothing is uniquely French let alone 17th century French like its inspiration.

I will give it towards the author, it is an easy read and the beginnings do suck you in with its introductory atmosphere and worldbuilding/magic system but it tries to coast above water too hard on those vibes and feelings alone that it begins to sink as it continues. It never manages to fly on its own wings long enough to truly soar.

🦢 See my fanart based on the book here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKLX2R_Al-k/?igsh=NXE1aHZrZjlwNGlx

As someone who is into Swan Lake and watched the Swan Princess animated film too many times as a child, I greatly enjoyed this.

The magic system was super interesting with magic being lost and the only vestiges being attached to certain jewelry/objects.

All the characters were lovable and the build up of the romance between Odile and Marie was a wonderful slow burn. It also wasn’t the center of the plot, which I 100% didn’t mind as I was really invested in the whole murder mystery of who killed the king and what happened to magic.

I liked the ending BUT for a second I thought this was going to be a duology, as Odile is given a ‘quest’ to save Marie by finding the lost sisters of the goddess. But this is quickly wrapped up with a time jump in the epilogue. I felt like since it was just a quick wrap up, we could’ve lost that plot point and have Marie not almost-die at the end. I kind of wish it was a duology because Odile’s quest seemed really interesting and I would love to see her master her magic!!

All in all, this is worth a read!

Thank you to the author AB Poranek and the publisher Simon and Schuster for an eARC copy of this wonderful novel.

Gothic! Queer! Magic! Unique world build! Queernorm world! I was ecstatic to read this lovely little gem of a book. Love a creative retelling- do NOT feed me the same story, do not make it so alike to the original that I’ll forget which details go where. This book d e l i v e r e d!! Phantom of the Opera meets Swan Lake meets a story all its own. Anxiety rep, queer rep, found family, blood family betrayal, all wrapped up in a creepy, foggy kingdom full of sparkling nobles, secret monsters, and dripping with thick magic. I’d rate it 3.6-3.7 stars, and I rounded up to 4. Lets dive in:

World build/magic system: Top tier! Magic as a physical substance held in the hands of its wielders is a rarity in the books I’ve read- I loved the portrayal of the sticky, golden substance!! So so creative, clearly coming from a mind that loves magic. The royal lineage is pretty straight forward, societal castes make sense, and I was psyched for a queernorm world. So nice to JUST have to fight monsters and power hungry villains, and not also have to grapple with homophobia. Magic as a whole is split between 3 powerful female deities, the “Three Mothers” (transformation, death, and life), which is super cool and unique. We love a female “god” figure. We also love absence of religion bc who needs that gumming things up, honestly.

Characters: Odile (our main FMC) is a single minded, driven, creative, lovable, morally gray girl with big plans. She’s pretty confident she’s found her true family in her adoptive father Regnault, a magical theater director (bc obviously) who raises her in his image. She’s also confident in Regnault’s plan to bring magic back; stealing the only powerful, magical item left in the world, the king’s crown. Marie (our other FMC, and love interest) is great. She’s written as a complex, more-than-meets-the-eye, princess-next-door with a steely demeanor masking an extremely clever brain. She’s overly forgiving, smart, caring, and way stronger than she looks. Damien is Odile’s brother; wishy-washy, wise, and a big lover boy. Aime is the prince of this kingdom; anxious, kind, and honest. We also, of course, have viciously gossiping nobles, and sneaky royal family members.

Writing: beautiful. Really gorgeous. Descriptive and flowing, without being distracting or overly flowery. I think the author nailed Odile’s voice- she had a clear idea of what Odile’s motives are, and how she thinks about the world. I can also see everything and all the characters super clearly while reading. Poranek also nails the gothic vibe, which I fortunately got to enjoy with some rainy weather (HIGHLY recommend).

Romance: I prefer a little more adventure to romance; I’d say this book falls probably around 70% plot, 30% romance (of some sort), and is low-to-no spice. The romance felt slightly rushed- giving us a little more history at the beginning before unfolding present day would’ve been helpful. I didn’t cry the unions in the book, but I might’ve with a little more yearning or passion. It felt like the couples were too destined to be together- I was told they fell in love, more than I always felt like they were falling along the way.

I think this could’ve really benefitted from a dual-POV telling with Marie, or Regnault (or Morgane, which would’ve been a cool twist). Or, even just bonus chapters somewhere where we hear from Marie/Regnault/Amie/Damien, even the step queen or something. It would’ve added that extra oomph that would push it over the edge (for me). I needed a teensy bit more from at least 1 or 2 side characters, to really open up the world.

Overall, a wonderful book I’m happy to have read. Definitely leans direct and magical, more than whimsical. Excited to read Where the Dark Stands Still next (I’m doing things backwards). Thanks again to the author/publisher!

I was so obsessed with Swan Lake as a child, so hearing that a sapphic retelling was coming was some of the most exciting news I’ve had all year. This book did not disappoint!! I love Poranek’s lush, atmospheric storytelling and the way she makes mythology and folklore come to life. Humanizing the characters we know from simplistic classic tales and turning them into something fresh and exciting is such an amazing talent. I can’t wait to get this book in and start selling it to readers!

Thank you to NetGalley, Margaret K. McElderry Books, and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for this advanced copy! You can pick up A Treachery of Swans on June 24, 2025.

A.B. Poranek continues to excel at immersing readers in a lush atmosphere (this time with a French gothic twist). From the get-go, A Treachery of Swans throws the reader onto a stage set for deceit, betrayal, and eventual murder. Our protagonist, Odile, is determined to steal the royal crown that will return magic to the land. But to infiltrate the court, she'll have to steal the identity of an old friend turned enemy from the past....

The relationship between Odile and Marie was absolute perfection. From childhood friends to enemies to reluctant allies to lovers, these two slowly process the events that led them to where they are today and the things they wish they could reverse. Their dynamic was delicious and exactly what I wanted—a will-they-won't-they with tension, yearning, and chemistry they couldn't overcome.

Once again, Poranek doesn't shy away from gruesome magic and its consequences. I loved the world and magic system established here and felt it really helped inform Odile's character. She goes from living on the streets to being taken in by a fellow sorcier and theater director, Rothbarte. Their relationship was devastating and frustrating all at once, especially toward the end.

And, of course, I grew to love our side characters Aime and Damien and their adorable romance. The entire found family developed between the four of them was everything and more.

All in all, if you're looking for a sapphic Swan Lake retelling with Galinda/Elphaba vibes between the main characters, this is your book!

*4.5

This is definitely a good retelling but also a good wlw romance in a dark atmosphere. I loved it a lot. It’s was very well executed and intriguing and I cannot stop reading for my life!
This is the first book I read by Poranek but it will be not my last! I love the romance, the banter, the mystery, the atmosphere, the worldbuiling, the magic system… it was so good!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley, A. B. Poranek, and for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

I adored Where the Dark Stands Still. I knew I had to request to read A Treachery of Swans on NetGalley. I’m beyond thankful to have been selected. I love the concept of this book. The magic system was interesting. I only wished there was an introduction to the world at the beginning of the book so that I could understand why the sorcerers were upset. I think it would have brought more emotional depth for me. I was expecting a more gothic atmosphere. However, the mood of the book was darker. I loved Odile and Marie’s reluctant friendship to being more. This was a more romantic story than Where the Dark Stands Still. I loved that it felt like reading a play. I highly recommend it!

I don’t know much about Swan Lake, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and whimsey of this story. I enjoyed the contrast between Marie and Odile, as Marie was kind and gentle while Odile was kind of snarky. Odile did annoy me at times, but learning what she had been through in the past helped me understand why she is the way she is a bit better. I thought that Aimé and Damien were great side characters. The use of magic and sorcery was engaging, and I enjoyed learning about the lore of the setting.

There are a few things that fell short for me. I wish that there were more interactions between Odile and Marie in the first third of the book, as well as more insight into their relationship years prior. I felt that I needed more information on their past to fully understand their connection. Additionally, I wish that there were ten to twenty more pages at the end to fully wrap everything up. I thought the epilogue was lovely, I was just wishing for a little more regarding the other characters. This is a minor comment, but sometimes I would get confused when the characters Regnault and the Regent were on the same page since the names are so similar (maybe this is just a me problem haha).

Overall, this book was lovely, and I would recommend it to someone looking for a story reminiscent of a fairy tale.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
Do you wish Barbie and the Three Musketeers was gay and also gothic? Treachery is a difficult book to review, for while I enjoyed myself every moment I was in it, in the end I wanted more. I wish it was longer. I wish we spent more time with each of the characters. I loved every creeping moment in the chateau, every description of dead gardens and golden blood. In the end, this is a damn good YA book, even if I can see the gaps where it could have been great.

This is a retelling of Swan Lake and while I admit that I haven't any experience with the original story, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The story and the characters, I found to be both incredibly captivating. This story felt whimsical and I really loved the writing. I only realized after finishing this book that this is the same author that wrote Where the Dark Stands Still. Which makes everything make much more sense as I also thoroughly enjoyed that book. So far, both of A.B. Poranek's books have received 4/5 star ratings from me. I'm a huge fan of the cover artwork as well. I preordered A Treachery of Swans a while back and am so glad that I did because the ARC did not disappoint me.

While this is a sapphic, gothic romance, this is also an exceedingly slow-burn romance. Most of the romance happens off of the page, so if you're looking for a more open-door sapphic romance, you won't find it here. I didn't mind any of this, but just a heads-up for fellow readers!

The only thing I really struggled with was that I felt the ending was a bit rushed. Without spoiling anything, I wish that the epilogue had dove more into Odile's adventures at resolution. I also wish that we had received more about what life turned into afterwards with the kingdom. These are small complaints and completely based on personal preference, but it's what kept me from rating it 5/5 stars.

I would definitely recommend this book and it piqued my interest in the original story as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

TW: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Gaslighting, Classism, Abandonment

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! All thoughts are my own.

"I’m not the delicate, white-feathered bird they believe me to be. I’m the darkness of cold gutters and merciless nights, the bruised shadows beneath a thief’s desperate eyes. I’m nothing but a lie, a twisted reflection, a black swan."

After the masterpiece that was When The Dark Stands Still, I had the highest of hopes for this book. I was ecstatic when I received the ARC and had to jump into it immediately. However, it did not live up to her first novel.

The writing was beautiful and the story was incredibly atmospheric. I just had so many problems with the main character Odile. She aggravated me to no end. Yes she went through wonderful character development, but it was hard to read up until that point. And then the ending of this book has me feeling off. Like I'm strung out, it's hard to explain.

I do think this is a good sapphic retelling of Swan Lake, though it's not my favorite book I've read. I do recommend it if you're looking for a fairytale-like story though.

Odile thinks she is clever, smart, cunning and ruthless. Instead she’s insecure, snarky, and … not that intelligent. Her father has her pretending to be Marie — a young woman of noble birth — but Odile has no idea who Marie is, what her past is, how she thinks, talks or acts. Oh, she was Marie’s maid for a brief span of time when they were children, but that’s it. She has no idea why Marie has been gone from court, what happened to Marie’s father, what Marie’s relationship with the Dauphin is, but that’s okay. Odile’s wearing plot armor so thick nothing will stop her.

Past all of that, there are parts of the story that I think are well done. Odile’s relationship with her father is toxic; he’s controlling, manipulative, emotionally abusive but for all that, he’s still the man Odile thinks of as her father and even at the end of the book, when all plot twists are revealed, she still thinks of him that way, which shapes how she acts, how she reacts. Her strained relationship with her brother feels genuine, as does her crush on Marie and her slow realization that she is falling for the girl she has trapped as a swan.

The magic system is well done, with the three goddess of magic having vanished, all that’s left are faint traces of them in charmed items. Magic and the weaving of it is more of an art borne of intention than calculated craft, and there are some nice red herrings tossed around that work within the story and play fair with the plot. While the plot itself is straightforward, I think it holds up well. The author never tried to put surprises over story, which I am always a fan of.

The writing has its moments of being … a bit stilted, a bit much, but it’s told from the viewpoint of a young woman theatrically trained to be an actress specializing in villain roles, so I forgive it for some of the grand phrasing and overly poetic moments. I also liked the epilogue, neatly tying up the last thread of the story without drawing it out too long. All in all, I think this was a fun book that I’d recommend for people looking for a good YA fairy tale retelling.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

I really enjoyed Poranek's writing style in Where the Dark Stands Still, and one of my favorite childhood movies was The Swan Princess, so when I saw Swan Lake retelling from an author I've enjoyed previously, I was sold! The book definitely didn't disappoint - thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.

Something I really appreciate about Poranek's writing, that's become especially apparent now that I've read two books by her, is that she is great at building up the atmosphere around the characters in the book. The town in this book <i>felt</i> French, the French phrases woven throughout felt natural and not forced, and the supporting characters all felt fitting for the time period. It felt like a quintessential fairytale village and was very easy to get sucked in.

The relationships in this are also lovely - not just Odile and Marie, but also Odile and Aimé and Marie and Aimé were bright spots for me. I would've loved to see more than just hints at the friendship/relationship between Damien and Aimé also, truly the cast of characters here was so fun to read! Even some other supporting characters, both good and bad, had so much more depth than at first glance (the Step-Mother is a standout for me) and despite knowing Swan Lake and the general storyline, the characters felt fresh and could stand on their own from my view. Odile being the protagonist was a great choice that I think really added complexity to the story - her internal monologue about how she views herself and the world around her was really well done and powerful, and you can't help but love her despite being a self-proclaimed "villain." If anything, I wish I could read <b>more</b> about the characters - more scenes from Odile and Marie's childhood, from Marie and Aimé's childhood, from Damien and Aimé's burgeoning relationship. I loved the characters Poranek wrote, I wanted more!

The one major critique/pain point I have, is that the ending felt quite rushed. I actually started to think around the 95% mark that she was setting up for a sequel because of how the storyline progressed, which surprised me since I'd gone into this expecting a standalone. Except... it is a standalone, and that storyline that seemed like it was about to span an entire second book got wrapped up in a few pages. It was very jarring, because otherwise I felt the rest of the book was really well paced and easy to follow. I don't feel the book was especially long, and could've been even 10-20 pages longer to give the ending a bit more space to breathe.

That said - I enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it. I think it was slightly more enjoyable for me than Where the Dark Stands Still, and has solidified A.B. Poranek as a must buy author for me moving forward.

This book had so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat! Such a beautifully written story where I could see so many elements from Swan Lake woven into the story!

Hmm I'm a little disappointed. This story had a lot of potential and it was a highly anticipated read for me. Unfortunately, it felt pretty surface level, and I didn't care all that much about the characters. I would've liked to get a deeper understanding of them, and I think that would have improved the story for me. Sad, because it had a lot of promise!

🌒✨ 4/5 STARS — An Enchanting Swan-Dive into Betrayal, Magic & Forbidden Love! ✨🌘
🖤🦢 A Treachery of Swans by A. B. Poranek is a gothic, slow-burn, sapphic fairytale that flutters between beauty and brutality like the wings of its cursed heroines. It’s Swan Lake meets Six of Crows meets Carmilla, and it’s here to steal your heart — and maybe stab it a little too. 💔🔮🗡️

👑 THE SETUP:
Odile is a foundling raised in isolation by a mysterious sorcerer who trained her to be a thief, spy, and weapon of revenge. Her mission? Infiltrate the golden court of Auréal, deceive its rulers, and steal a magical crown said to control the flow of magic itself. 🏰🧙‍♂️💎

But things go sideways fast when the king is murdered on her first night inside the palace (um, awkward?? 😳) and Odile finds herself forced into an uneasy alliance with Marie — the sharp, radiant, very-much-alive real princess who was supposed to be out of the picture. 💃👑

💘 THE ROMANCE:
This is enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-something-much-more. 🫣 The chemistry between Odile and Marie simmers. They're cautious, calculating, and constantly circling each other, testing loyalties and boundaries. It’s filled with glances that linger too long, whispered warnings in empty hallways, and one GORGEOUS moment involving a hairpin that had me screaming. 🩶

There’s no insta-love here. Their bond builds slowly through trust, betrayal, sacrifice, and shared trauma. And when it blooms, it feels earned — soft, fierce, and stunning. 🌹🕊️

🪞 CHARACTERS THAT SHINE:

Odile is one of the most layered protagonists I’ve read in a while — she’s been taught to be a tool, not a person, and watching her slowly discover agency and tenderness is beautiful. She’s clever, emotionally guarded, but deeply yearning. 💔

Marie is ALL regal steel and hidden softness. She has her own goals, her own secrets, and she’s not a passive princess — she challenges Odile at every turn, both intellectually and emotionally. 👊👑

🎭 WHY IT WORKS:

The whole book is framed like a play, broken into scenes instead of chapters — it feels theatrical and stylized, like you’re watching a cursed fairytale unfold on stage. 🎬🕯️

The world is rich and dark — golden palaces that hide rusted secrets, forests that breathe with ancient curses, and magic that’s beautiful but costly. 🌲🩸

The writing? GORGEOUS. Poranek’s prose is lush without being overbearing — lyrical in a way that makes you want to highlight every other paragraph. 🖋️✨

🐌 WHY IT’S NOT A FULL 5:

The pacing sags slightly in the middle — there’s a lot of court politics and strategic maneuvering that, while interesting, slows the momentum. 🕰️

The climax is thrilling, but the resolution feels just a bit too fast. I wanted more time to sit with the emotional consequences, more epilogue, more after. 😭🕊️

📚 READ IF YOU LOVE:
✔️ Sapphic slow burns that ache
✔️ Fairy tales dipped in poison and velvet
✔️ Scheming princesses, morally complex thieves, and magically cursed crowns
✔️ A dark, elegant, and emotionally intelligent fantasy with teeth 🩸✨

🦢 FINAL VERDICT:
A Treachery of Swans is everything I crave in a fantasy: haunting atmosphere, queer romance, fierce women, and morally complex magic. It’s a book about identity, survival, and the power of rewriting the roles we’re given — even if we were cast as the villain. 🎭💔

A stunning debut that proves fairy tales don’t end at midnight. Sometimes, they begin with blood on the ballroom floor. 💃🗡️👑

A lush, sapphic retelling of Swan Lake set in a richly imagined 18th-century France-inspired fantasy world, Treachery of Swans is the kind of book that sweeps you away from page one. Following Odile (“the black swan”) and her mission to restore magic to the kingdom, this standalone fantasy blends court intrigue, betrayal, and a slow-burn romance that’s heartfelt and compelling.

While pitched as YA, this reads more like crossover fantasy—mature characters, elegant prose, and no explicit content. The relationship between Odile and Marie (“the swan princess”) is delicately crafted, emotionally layered, and full of tension. The dynamic between side characters is also strong, making the world feel rich and lived-in.

Fans of A Study in Drowning will love the beautiful writing style and atmospheric magic, though this is less dark thematically. Whether you know Swan Lake or not, this novel offers a fresh and standalone experience with plenty of unique twists.

Perfect for readers who love romantic subplots, pretty prose, and fairy tale retellings with bite. Highly recommended!