Such an evocative novel. I love Poranek’s other novels so I had really high hopes for this one and let me tell you - it didn’t not disappoint!! Highly recommend

4.5 stars rounded up.

A sapphic swan lake with absolutely immaculate vibes, I was immediately hooked on the first page.

I loved the writing style - nothing felt too simple or too flowery/over the top to me. At no point did I get bored or feel the need to skim through any descriptions or dialogue. I loved the atmosphere of this entire book.

I felt like we get a good amount of time with each of the characters and I was quite attached to most of them. The interactions between Odile and Marie were well done and their relationships felt believable to me. The only character that I wish we got more of was Damien. He felt a little more half-baked and I almost forgot he existed at a few points.

The one negative I could think of is that some people might struggle with the pacing. It has a mostly slow start with a few exciting moments here and there until around the 50% mark. I read the last half of this book in one sitting because it felt much faster paced and more exciting. Everything really starts coming together at that point while still managing to have a few twists to it.

Overall I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Shuster Children's Publishing for the e-arc
Overall I like this book! I love retellings of fairytales so I went in with high hopes. Also the movie the Swan Princess form the 90's is one of my favorite movies. I thought the book was slightly predictable. I was normally right with the twists but we found out in ways I wasn't expecting so that was odd but cool! I thought the romance was a little out of nowhere. I think it's a decent retelling and definitely worth a read to see how you feel about retellings!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for accepting my request for an ACR of this book!
4.25/5
“Let me tell you, there is nothing more terrifying then being attacked by the scorned equivalent of a glorified goose.”
This book was one of, if not my most anticipated book of the year and honestly, I have some mixed opinions on it. I enjoyed the book as a whole, with the characters, pacing, and plot. But the theatrical setting and “scenes” were definitely a surprise to me that had me worried about where the story was going to go in the beginning. But let me tell you, by the end of this Swan Lake retelling I was sobbing. The ending was so perfect.

A Treachery of Swans is about the black swan of Swan Lake, a young girl willing to do anything to be loved as she is and gain the power she rightfully deserves even if it means harming those she cares for the most. Even if it means trapping and impersonating her once closest friend, Marie d'Auvigny, and seeking the ruin of the Kingdom. The unfortunate part is that I do not believe her.

This story is one that is character-driven being completely focused on Odile. For that, the entire story suffers due to her being a frustrating character to follow.

Poranek wants the audience to believe that Odile is cunning, sly, viciously manipulative, but she isn't. Odile, when told she needs to act convincingly like Marie, she actively doesn't. She will tell the audience "I know what Marie would say in this situation, but that response is annoying, so I choose not to say it. She barges into rooms, speaks out of turn, acting completely unlike how Marie had been conducting herself in the years following the necklace incident (which from this point on I will refer to as necklace-gate), and sees no consequence. It seems the excuse for why Marie (who is Odile in disguise) is acting so out-of-character is that Anne, the prince's stepmother, doesn't like her. For that reason, Odile is not questioned. In cases where others should find this sudden "wild" behavior of Marie suspicious, no one does, because the author requires Odile to be a prolific actor, she doesn't write Odile to be one.

Further, Odile solves only one aspect of the story's mystery. The other aspects are explained to her, typically by Marie, at length. At one point Marie says she read a journal, explains a key aspect of the mystery, then in the following chapter when she discusses this with the big bad, she's called clever. She didn't solve anything. Why is she being praised for Marie reading one book? It's lackluster, as you're constantly being told that Odile is the one to watch, the villain in the wings, and she's not... particularly good at anything. She's broody in an inauthentic manner. You don't enjoy watching her in the slightest.

Further, we have to discuss necklace-gate. Long story short, Odile and Marie, when they were 13, had a falling out because Marie didn't stand up to her mother to "protect" Odile and Odile stole (and then eventually returned) the necklace she had come to the palace with the intent to steal. The consequences of Odile stealing and returning the necklace are bad for Marie, but Odile sees no consequence. She tells us that while she is threatened with punishment for wearing this necklace when she shouldn't have, no punishments actually come. So, you wonder where her burning feelings of "betrayal" come from, considering in this flashback she continues to speak incredibly poorly of Marie. They are supposedly friends, the best of friends, yet Odile refuses to see Marie's struggles and talks down on her. Few teeny moments where Odile has spurts of affection for Marie doesn't save their interaction. Odile doesn't convincingly like Marie. I cannot stress that by this poorly written flashback ruins the rest of the story.

This leaves us with Odile and Marie's romantic relationship, of which they do not have. There are hardly any scenes where the tension feels genuine. It's there because it has to be. Marie has this unwavering, unconditional love for Odile which is strange considering Odile treats her like garbage pretty much at any chance she can get. The one moment where Marie feels wronged by Odile, she forgives her a few chapters later in a single conversation. No tension. No concern. What's the purpose in this? I suppose it's attempting friends to enemies to lovers but it's completely one sided. The chemistry is nonexistent because there are hardly scenes for Marie and Odile to interact in. While the romantic relationship is a subplot, that doesn't mean their entire relationship to one another doesn't take narrative precedence. They're on the cover together!

All of this made me think of the anime Princess Tutu, a story that uses elements of Nutcracker, Cinderella, Ugly Duckling, and Swan Lake to tell its own fairytale. Rue, the black swan of the story is a villain as well, one who manipulates and hurts the person she claims to love and care for the most. She does these things because it is the kind of love she receives from her father and, therefore, believing it is the only kind of love that exists. When she realizes what she has down and how terrible she has been to this person, she takes ownership of her wrongs and while despairing, finds a way back to that person and apologizes. Odile, in A Treachery of Swans is hand waived all responsibility of her actions by Marie, who suffered the most because of Odile. And we can discuss the moral gray areas of abused individuals becoming abusers but point blank I think there should be an understanding that you are responsible for what you have done and should apologize. Odile... girl. It makes you wonder why this character was chosen as the main POV to begin with.

There's even more I could sit here and discuss, but this is already too many words. This last part I want to offer some recommendations. If you want a dark, brooding main character that feels as though they are responsible for a terrible occurrence who falls in love with a lighthearted "always hopes for the best" kind of person, read A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft. It's written similarly and hits most of the same plot beats as this book but does so in a better manner. The "Odile" of that book is a "villain" for pretty justifiable reasons and while you're hoping for her to make different choices, you root for her, nonetheless. The second would be Princess Tutu a 20 year old anime that handles the conversation of abuse and the cyclical nature of abuse very well in comparison to A Treachery of Swans.

2/5 Stars. The bones are pretty, but the substance significantly impairs what could have been.

I can’t find the words to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release. It was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I enjoyed it more than I could have imagined.

The atmosphere in this story is unparalleled. The reader is immediately thrust into a crumbling kingdom, where the court is filled with scheming and political intrigue. Throughout the narrative you’re never quite sure who you can trust and that constant uncertainty made for such an entertaining experience.

The characters are all incredibly well crafted, but I have to admit, I’m Marie’s biggest fan. My swan princess was written so beautifully, I felt so connected to her character. And Odile, oh! she was the perfect mischievous MC. Their dynamic was masterfully executed, with a slow burn tension that built beautifully throughout the book. The way their relationship evolved had me in tears by the end and I couldn’t stop crying for over an hour.

The author’s decision to include time and space as "subtitles" for each chapter was perfect. It kept me grounded and aware of the shifts in the narrative without causing confusion, allowing me to stay fully immersed in the story.

The writing itself was exquisite. The narration flowed effortlessly, and the descriptions were so vivid that I was constantly visualizing the scenes in my mind, which rarely happens to me.

In conclusion, this book is a masterpiece that I can’t recommend enough. It combines rich world-building, deeply emotional character arcs and an engaging plot that will leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. I’ll make sure my girlfriend reads this the moment it is out (and I will re-read it with her).

A big thank you to Simon Teen for the galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. It was a great swan lake retelling, the prose flowed easily. I loved the romance aspect and the atmosphere.

A Treachery of Swans is going on a list of my all time favorites books, it was just that good. I am obsessed with every aspect of this story– from the world building, the writing, and the characters themselves. I’m OBSESSED. The world is rich and atmospheric and it feels like you’re there with Odile as she navigates her mission/s. Odile is such a great character and honestly a really bad villain, but you love her for it anyways. Even as we navigate this story with Odile as our heroine, she honestly wasn’t even my favorite character. I absolutely adored Marie and Aime and I could and would willingly read 6,000 pages of them just solving puzzles and quipping back and forth. The relationship between Odile and Marie was just toooo good… Like you’re kidding me!? I highlighted so many of their interactions while reading it was a little crazy.

Overall this was a mega fantastic read and I can’t wait to reread this in the future.

This was OK! I loved the cover but the story is slow and feels that the writing was really rushed. The book could use a lot more excitement.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for the eARC.

This was one of my most anticipated reads! And the cover is gorgeous. However, I am disappointed.

The good:
The character development was steady, the plot was maintained, and the ending was satisfying enough, though it would have been interesting to know more.

The bad:
The cover was so misleading. It was giving beautifully gothic swan lake, but no. What I got was cliched and juvenile writing. This read like it should have been for middle schoolers by the way the characters easily told their past and motives which were cliched. Another part of my issue with the writing was that the characters would state something is important and they need it but not explain why until chapters later. Everything was very predictable, where I was hoping the author would make things more mysterious. It just took the fun out of the story as there wasn’t anything keeping me from continuing and I wanted to DNF it a few times.
I also felt that the romance was underdeveloped and it was all based off past attraction.
And the magic system and world building could have been developed more.

I was expecting more since the author’s first book is over 4 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

I didn’t think I was going to cry, yet here I am wiping tears away at the end. Poranek has once again graced us with a lovely and haunting tale.

This is an incredibly atmospheric and tense story. A sense of dread permeates every chapter. It’s not just the terrifying dark figure of Rothbarte in the background either. It’s the knife’s edge of deceit and betrayal that Odile dances upon. It’s the mysterious and brutal monster ready to kill. And it’s the crumbling kingdom barely still held together.

Marie is almost too perfect, but she’s so sweet, and it’s so easy to see how Odile is both drawn to her and resentful of her. But Marie and Aimé are both so nice despite everything. Odile has been so abused her whole life, and her naivety and how easily Rothbarte manipulates her are painful to watch.

The ending was really beautiful. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a darker fairytale or a villainous main character.

To be 100% honest, I thought Where the Dark Stands Still was the better book (and I swear there’s a blink and you’ll miss it cameo by the Leszy in this book!). But I still enjoyed this and will be eager to see what Poranek writes next!

I had the honor of reading this YA sapphic Swan Lake retelling. This is the second book written by A. B. Poranek, the author of Where the Dark Stands Still. WTDSS is one of my absolute favorites, so I knew this was going to be a treat.

First, look at that beautiful cover! It perfectly captures the mood of this book. I was so impressed with this art, I did some quick digging and found the artist has illustrated a handful of other books as well.

True to the author’s writing style, this book was lyrical, poetic, but never overdone. Moody, atmospheric, with a touch of humor, the story had hooked me from the first page. It takes place in 17th century France and the chapters nod to Swan Lake, titled like scenes of a play or ballet. The relationships are nicely fleshed out, the plot is steady and quick, and the characters are complex and easy to love. The FMC’s character arc is one of the most satisfying arcs I’ve read to date.

I thought it was so brilliant how the FMC is actually the morally gray villain, and we learn why she is the way she is from her perspective. All while the sweet, seemingly docile second FMC is showing us why first FMC is not so villainous after all. It’s such a cool flip in perspective from what we see in most fantasy romances. It’s a sapphic story, so do not expect M and F romance.

Added bonus: I found a tiny clever reference to Where the Dark Stands Still! I actually squealed, I loved that so much.

Overall, this book is an exceptional read, and further proof that this author is truly a talent! Bravo!

How do I begin to review A Treachery of Swans when I loved every single second of it? Well I guess we’ll start there. This book is great.

The atmosphere is to die for. A.B. Poranek has such a gorgeous way of writing the settings and describing every last detail without it being boring. I truly loved getting immersed in the world and could almost imagine myself there alongside the characters.

Speaking of characters: I loved every single last one. Odile was such a great protagonist (antagonist?). She fumbles and lies and makes decisions that she later regrets, but that’s what makes her so great! She felt so realistic, especially paired with her unfortunate upbringing.

Odile and Marie’s relationship is also so fun and I love the slow burn. They make a great pairing, and loved the teasing between them. Marie is truly a knight in shining armor (white wings) and I love her for that.

But wait: there’s more! Odile’s relationships don’t just end with Marie. She has amazing platonic ones with The Dauphin (Aime) and her brother (Damien). Her and Aime are hilarious together, and her relationship slowly mending at the end with Damien made me tear up a bit. I loved seeing all four of them grow as characters throughout the book, and would easily devour a whole other books worth about them all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very cool take on swan lake!!!! Whimsical and dark. Romantic and vengeful. Beautifully done.

3⭐️
the premise was so promising and the start was strong, but it went downhill from there...

the author was trying to do so much in this that everything felt stretched too thin and flat
-the characters inner monologue felt like it was going in circles, and their motivations were rudimentary
-the world was described as this vast place with rivaling countries but readers were kept to only two locations
this could have benefited from either better planning, or being turned into a duology

on a better note- LOVE the sapphic representation and hinted at romance between our two male characters

thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review

3.5 ⭐️ 𝘈 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘴 is a dark, gothic, and sapphic retelling of Swan Lake, and it’s a book filled with rich imagery, unique magic, and beautiful prose. I fell in love with Poranek’s writing in 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭, and she does not fail to deliver all of the lush and atmospheric writing I was hoping for.

This story, at its core, is about love, grief, and about self discovery in a world where you’re seen as the villain, and sometimes you actually 𝘢𝘳𝘦 the villain. It’s about accepting the parts of yourself that you were convinced were dead and gone, when in reality, you only needed a spark to remember. Our two main characters, Odile and Odette, are opposites who are consistently drawn to each other. This book follows their love story, all while weaving in elements of the original swan lake tale. At times it was subtle, but still present.

While the writing was undeniably beautiful, I did find myself with lingering questions surrounding the mechanics of the magic system. This is the primary reason that I gave it a 3.5 rather than a 4 star.

If you’re looking for a gothic and atmospheric novel, this book is for you. While it may be YA, the writing is sophisticated enough that I know it will appeal to adult readers as well, just like 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the eArc in exchange for my honest review!

I didn't know I was waiting for a Swan Lake retelling until it happened. This was magical and romantic and thrilling and I could not be more obsessed with Odile and Marie's relationship. The worldbuilding was 10/10 and I've never rooted so hard for an enemies to lovers to come to fruition. Filled with secrets, betrayal, and all of the magic, this is a must for fans of the ballet or queer romances.

A Treachery of Swans is a beautifully written, sapphic spin on Swan Lake that mixes magic, court intrigue, and a touch of romance in just the right way. Odile, raised by a sorcerer and determined to restore outlawed magic to the kingdom, is a sharp and determined lead. Her plan to steal the king’s enchanted crown kicks off a high-stakes story that takes a big turn when the king is murdered and she’s forced to team up with the real princess, Marie d’Odette. Their uneasy alliance slowly grows into something more, and watching them go from wary partners to something deeper is one of the book’s biggest strengths.

The romance is quiet but emotionally charged, and it blends nicely with the political tension and magical mystery unraveling around them. While the middle does slow down a bit, the strong writing and emotional core carry it through, and the ending delivers a satisfying mix of twists and heart. This isn’t a flashy, action-packed fantasy—it’s more about character, connection, and the cost of big choices. If you like your fantasy with a little romance, a little rebellion, and a lot of heart, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

This book starts off with a lot of world-building, which I will admit had me a bit skeptical until the plot hit. Once it did? Hooked. Instantly. Magical, dark, twisted, with a bit of slow-burn romance as a treat. A few of the more suspenseful moments had me gasping aloud. I will agree with a few previous reviewers that the ending felt a bit rushed, and left some things to be desired. That being said, I feel that it did not affect my enjoyment of the book at all! I would love to perhaps see a second book about what happens between the final chapter and the epilogue that would fill in a lot of the gaps.

Thank you so much to A.B. Poranek, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC!

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek was exactly the kind of yearning, sapphic, gothic chaos I crave. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a Swan Lake retelling, but it completely won me over. You don’t need to be super familiar with the original—just a general idea is enough to appreciate both the parallels and the ways it diverges.

Magic has been outlawed in Auréal, but Odile has always known it’s her destiny to bring it back. Raised by a sorcerer, she’s been prepping for the heist of a lifetime: impersonate a princess, sneak into the palace, steal the enchanted crown, and restore magic. Easy, right? Until the king turns up murdered. Suddenly, Odile finds herself reluctantly teaming up with the real princess, Marie d’Odette, and the two begin to uncover a web of secrets that could change everything. But as feelings start to bloom, Odile must choose: the mission, or the girl she’s falling for?

There’s so much pining, gorgeous gothic vibes, and truly poetic prose—I was highlighting lines just to come back to them later. Odile is chaotic in the best way, and Marie Odette makes the perfect grounded foil and love interest. The pacing felt uneven in spots, and I wish we got a deeper dive into the magic system, but overall, I was enchanted. I’d happily read a spinoff about Odile wrangling the mothers next!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!