Thanks, SimonTeen, for arc!

A TREACHERY OF SWANS, oh do I have a love and hate relationship with this book. Let's do this in list form:

Loves:
-The magical cover: I would have bought this book without even looking at any details because it's GORGEOUS.
-The prose: A.B. Poranek writes lyrical prose that really makes you feel like you are reading a mordern day fairytale.
-Marie: I can't go into why I like her so much without spoilers. She was my favorite character.

Hates: (I know this is a strong word, but I'm very opninated about this one)
-This was promoted as a sapphic retelling of SWAN LAKE. I feel like you could take the sapphic parts of the book and fill a couple pages. It seemed like an added after thought to bring in an element to the book. I was hoping for a lot more sapphic moments and not necessary sexual ones, just showing the relationship growing.
-This book was heavy on the mystery (not a bad thing), but what I didn't like was that it seemed like parts were missing. We are jumping to all these locations and it felt like moments and conversations were lost. Plus, the juxataposition from the mystery at the start of the book to the end seemed like two different books.
-The prose: Yes, I know I said I loved Poranek's prose and I do. But I feel like sometimes you need to pull back. This book has a poem as the beginning and end to start and finish the story. I was enjoying the book even though the last chapter threw me for a surprise loop. But to have a poem be the epilogue and finish the story was frustrating and took me out of what I was feeling. I would have much rather it end with the last chapter and leave us open and wondering what happened or waiting for a sequel.

I'm not an editor, so these are just my feelings. Mostly I'm just sad I didn't love it because I'm so in love with the cover. I can see this being a book that other will enjoy as it is a good retelling.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. this book is a sapphic retelling of swan lake and it definitely delivered. one of the more unique romantasy novels i have read in a long time. the characters were very compelling and the magic system was super interesting. my only critique is that the ending did feel a little bit rushed in my opinion and this book honestly could have been like 50 pages longer which is something i rarely say. overall i enjoyed this a lot and i would highly recommend.

I feel like I have been in a book slump for so long and this story helped me get out of it. A Treachery of Swans was truly a fairytale that we needed in these times. It tells the beautiful stories of Marie and Odile as they fight what society thinks they should be and what they truly want to be. The mystery was pretty easy for me to solve but I like the family dynamic that went into this. It showed that both chosen families and blood families can be toxic and lead to heart ache.

one of the most beautiful sapphic novels i've ever read. retellings are hit and miss for me, and this one took me out, swooning. the environment, character development, the anticipation i felt as each page passed, and it was extremely satisfying to see one of my hunches turn out to be correct in the most interesting way. easy 5/5 stars!

*thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.*

4/5 Stars | Swan Song of Vibes with a Side of Ennui 🦢✨🕯️

What I liked: This had mystery, mood, and top-tier atmosphere in spades. Seriously, the vibes? Ethereal. Gothic. Moody. It’s giving overcast skies and secrets. I really liked the slow-burn mystery aspect, and Odile’s magiclessness actually ended up being thematically resonant. ALSO, can we have a moment of reverence for the cover designer? I would frame this book. I might frame this book. 10/10 shelf appeal. Whoever did that design, please know you deserve a standing ovation and maybe a small parade.

What I didn’t like: It took me a long time to settle into this—like half the book—and while the setting was deeply immersive, the plot didn’t fully take flight. I was hoping for a bit more magic and a bit more depth to the characters, especially after Poranek’s debut, which had me feral in the best way. This felt more like a misty daydream than a full-blown storm of emotions. Still good, just… softer than expected.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an advance copy of this book!

Book: A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek
Genre: Fantasy retelling
Rating: 4 stars!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Margaret K. McElderry Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I saw someone describe this book as “lesbian Swan Lake” and immediately knew I wanted to read it. This is my first A.B. Poranek book and it did not disappoint. Odile tricks Marie, causing her to be turned into a swan, and Odile takes her place, at the behest of Odile’s father, to roll out a plan that has been long in the making, launching us into this beautiful, gothic Swan Lake retelling.

There is not a lot of romance in this book, which I didn’t mind, but anyone entering this story expecting a romance-heavy plotline will be disappointed. This book is more focused on political intrigue, manipulation, and a side of mystery. I did enjoy the snippets of the past where we learned more about Odile and Marie when they were younger, as it helped flesh out some of their story in the present.

This world was very interesting, and ultimately, I subtracted one star because we didn’t get a chance to explore it enough. We didn’t learn a ton about the magic system, the politics, or the world around us, and I craved that. We are limited to Odile’s knowledge, however, since she is our narrator. Odile’s limited magic of knowledge is understandable, but we were still often kept from the world and politics more than I would’ve liked.

I loved that the chapters are split into “scenes”, which really pulls us into the plotline. Odile is, of course, our tricky actress, working this role to perfection! A.B. Poranek creates such beautiful prose and I immediately checked out Where the Dark Stands Still from my local library!

I love Swan Lake, and this retelling is lovely. Fans of Malice will definitely enjoy the dark vibes and magic of Odile and Marie. The slow burn romance was filled with incredible yearning. Although the plot itself was pretty predictable, I still enjoyed Odile's internal conflict about loyalty and doing what was ultimately good, despite being self cast as the villain.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

“But they’re wrong. 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.

And my teeth are just as sharp as theirs.”

Something that I always watch for when reading fairytale retellings and reimaginings is whether the author is able to capture the themes of the original work while also highlighting aspects that were overlooked and making changes that could add literary layers to the storytelling, and A. B. Poranek’s sophomore novel did not disappoint in either regard. The original ballet has a history in Russia of symbolizing political protest and upheaval, and this history can be seen in the class disparity within the kingdom (that is more akin to France than Russia, but the French have also seen their fair share of revolution), and is also even viewed from the other side with many of the plays at the theater house in the novel being said to perpetuate nobility propaganda. And within the ballet itself there are overarching themes of lost female agency, broken promises and lost loyalty, and manipulative familial relationships. These hallmarks of the original tale blend well with the novel’s new perspective from Odile, whose quest for magic and to feel worthy is at war with her desire to never be vulnerable again for fear of being hurt as she has in the past, along with a more nuanced backstory for Marie d’Odette, whose defiance of gender norms and societal chains is treated with dignity while also acknowledging the privileges of her social standing. The story was rife with political intrigue and court politics that was engaging for the most part, if a bit elongated toward the 3/4 mark, causing some of the climactic revelations to seem a bit rushed together, but once all those puzzle pieces were finally put together, they made for a quite satisfying and romantic end, and dare I say it: a happily ever after.

Now this is how you do justice to a Swan Lake retelling! This was dark, creepy with the gothic eerie atmosphere and a bit depressing at times which was fitting for the tone of the story. This sapphic romance is to die for. It was everything I could’ve hoped for and more.
And to top it off, that cover was just immaculate!! Chef’s kiss!!! I love how gorgeous they look! Absolutely immaculate. I would frame it if I could!

I loved A.B. Poranek’s novel Where the Dark Stands Still last year, it was one of my favourite reads. This just cements her place as an auto buy author for me now. The writing and story absolutely delivered.

The story follows Odile, who as a young girl befriends noblewoman Marie d’Odette, while her brother, Damian meets the Dauphin of the kingdom. Their paths diverge and reconnect years later. There’s love, betrayal, magic, court politics, and so many twists I didn’t see coming. Found family themes are also strong here (which always has my heart).

But let’s talk about the sapphic romance between Odile and Marie because OH MY GOD. The slow burn!!! The tension!!! The YEARNING!!! Every scene they shared had me holding my breath. Their dialogue was practically poetry! The way they danced around each other’s feelings had me screaming internally. God the dialogues they shared together just oozed yearning. They way they were practically confessing their love for one another but without actually saying the actual words!

I loved how both Odile and Marie are such complicated characters who deeply regret their past actions, which made their long and complicated history all the more real. Odile makes some terrible choices, but I completely understand her reasoning and even root for her at times because her intentions were clear and I empathized with her more than I expected.

My one critique? I just wished the prince and Damian had more scenes cause they were such interesting side characters that deserved more!

I highly recommend this sapphic swan lake inspired retelling if you’re into a gothic atmospheric read with an old theatre house full of costumes and hiding spots that gives Phantom of the Opera vibes!

Thank you @SimonTeen for the ARC!

I loved this book. My only complaint was that I could not devour it and due to life’s circumstances, I had to take smaller bites.

The author started us off on shaky ground because we weren’t sure if our FMC Odile was a villain or a protagonist. Every character you meet along the way has a need or want for power for many different reasons. It was fun seeing those motivations play out as we got deeper into those governing in Aureal and those without power in Verroux.

The author kept me on my toes. Every time you think you’re safe a new secret rips the rug right out from under you. Everything was rolled out in a very intentional way. As the mysteries within the Chateaux are revealed, Odile’s feelings for Marie are more fleshed out. The way she yearns for her throughout the story allow for the author to illustrate the abusive nature of Odile’s father figure. It makes for an intense inner struggle with where Odile's alliance's lie.

10/10 would recommend.

A dark (er) retelling of Swan Lake but make it queer and subversive. And THAT dreamy cover. How could I NOT grab at it on Netgalley! And man, what an incredible ride! The publishing push seems to be towards comparison to V.E. Schwab, but having just finished the latest Schwab, I would say that's a bit of a misdirect. I would say this is more a long the lines of Sarah Rees Brennan's style of dark, cheeky, villain-centric subversive fantasy intrigue. Especially if you've read and loved "Long Live Evil". If you're even vaguely familiar with Swan Lake, you'll be familiar with Odette and Odile, the eponymous Swan Princess and Black Swan, which is where the references more or less begin and end. If possible this is fresh worldbuilding around two women, trapped in abusive dynamics with parent/parent figures, their friends in unlikely places and how they find ways to liberate each other and an original patriarchal sin of the land whose politics is ingrained with magic and the violence that has shaped all their lives. Despite the dark setting, the story has a lot of humor and heart. Despite the single POV, every character is unmistakably vivid and personable. And the dialogue is crackling, with Odile being the perfect anti-hero protagonist, full of hurt and humor and hope. The narrative pacing is full of unexpected and visually intriguing pivots (only some of them predictable), and it's absolutely no trouble to root for the deeply flawed central characters just learning to survive their inherited traumas. The romance bit was kind of slow burn, until it suddenly resolves, mostly off page, so I could've used a bit more communication of feelings. But I'm not that bothered by it. I'll be keeping an eye out for this author's future works.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn’t love this one quite as much as her first book, (if you know me and my reading taste that should be no surprise that book is the definition of a me book😂), but it was still an atmospheric and cinematic story that stayed with me.

The setting is so vivid and haunting, and the writing has this quiet, eerie-ness that makes it easy to picture every scene like a movie. While the plot didn’t pull me in as strongly this time around, I still found myself appreciating the Poranek’s ability to create such a strong sense of place and mood. It’s a beautifully written, evocative book, even if it didn’t quite reach the same level of emotional connection for me as her debut.

I can't wait to see what she does next! Thanks netgalley for the e-arc!

5 stars ☆
⤿ spoiler-free review
thank you to net galley for this GORGEOUS arc!!

ೃ⁀➷“They will tell the story, later, of the white swan and the black, but they will tell it wrong.”

characters: Odile!! My favorite complex character. I love how she always feels so torn between two different things, two different versions of herself. And her learning how to embrace and show affection is the sweetest thing. Then a girl after my own heart - Marie. She feels so much yet says so little. She is the soft yet strong feminine character we all want more. Aime and Damien, we dont see as much of but I love them both nonetheless, and how they make their decisions. Overall this cast is so fleshed out and feels so raw and real.

plot: Raised by a sorcerer, Odile has spent years preparing for the heist of a lifetime. It’s perfectly simple. Impersonate a princess, infiltrate the palace, steal the king's enchanted crown and restore magic to the kingdom. But when the King is unexpectedly murdered, she’s forced to recruit the help of Marie d'Odette, the real princess, and the two begin to unravel a web of lies and deceit that leaves Odile uncertain of who to trust. Soon though Odile must decide – her mission or the girl she’s falling for?

pacing: This book was so SO fast. I ate up every second of it - and NEVER felt bored. There was never a shallow or insignificant moment. I read this book in two days, despite being in the worst reading slump i have ever been in.

✧.* This is so fairytale coded, but also gothic and eerie. The descriptions were all so so perfect.

Some tales should never be retold. This isn't one of them! Swan Lake has never been done so well since its original version.

What makes this version by A.B. Poranek stand out, is that from start to finish every word reads as if one long poem. It is captivating, it's unique, and their utilization of the English language and vocabulary is remarkable. It doesn't ask for the reader's attention, it demands it!

While some might prefer this version of the cover art, see here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Treachery-of-Swans/A-B-Poranek/9781668136409 I found it more like a knock off version of some fan-made www.deviantart.com generic vision. It's too....kitschy? Personally, I feel as if its alternative cover art see here: https://www.amazon.com/Treachery-Swans-B-Poranek-ebook/dp/B0D2KRCKWJis better, and would increase sales versus the original cover art might hinder reader's from purchasing it in the first place . However, that being said, I would strongly encourage future readers to NOT judge this book by its cover because they will be missing out on a well crafted story.

I do want to thank NetGalley for my e-ARC/DRC. .

I look forward to purchasing the alternative cover option so that I can enjoy this unique adaptation of Swan Lake with its compelling characters, a consistent storyline, and beatifully crafted world-building to add to my personal library at home.

It is SO refreshing to finally get a fresh take on Swan Lake. Not only a fresh take on Swan Lake, but a sapphic one with a villainous FMC, an OG magic system, and a brand new perspective. Because what if the black swan and the white swan… actually fell in love?

A.B. Poraneck really delivered on this one. It had my interest piqued, and I am so happy I was able to read this. I have always loved Swan Lake, and the characters are strong, well thought out and even the side ones add to the story. Not only are readers thrust into the world of pre-revolution France, but the magic system and folklore that is introduced is original, interesting and certainly creative. Poraneck does so much world building in one book but doesn’t bog down the story, rather, moving us through as if this was still a ballet. The dance is delicate, the tension is fantastic, and well, the plot is plotting. If you love Swan Lake, I highly recommend reading this.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this advanced copy to review!

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of Tenderly, I Am Devoured from the author, and Simon and Schuester! 🫶

A Treachery of Swans is a beautiful sapphic retelling of Swan Lake and it truly was such a dark and fun read! 🥹💕The story had a bit of a slow start but once getting through the first 30% of the story it really started to take off. It helps to have some knowledge of the original Swan Lake story while reading this but it isn't necessary. I just felt it gave some additional clues for some of the things that happened in this story! 🫶

I loved this authors first book but this was just OK for me. I wasn’t as enchanted by the story, magic, or characters as I had hoped. I also felt like it was a little too spoon fed for me, so despite the stakes or romance it was kind of just too predictable for me.

dnf'd about a third of the way through. The main character is unlikeable and a villain, which is fine, but I wasn't in a mental space for that.

the writing was beautiful, the magic world was enchanting, the characters unforgettable, and the twists had me at the edge of my seat. it was beautiful and it was gay. i don’t know swan lake all to well, but i love this. a beautiful sapphic blood soaked fairy tale.

oh god, how i loved the characters. odile, marie, aimé, and damian have all been through so much. odile, the beautiful villain who just wanted to be loved, accepted, and validated. i loved following her along and i hated seeing her get manipulated time and time again. marie, the white swan, who just wanted to be free, free from society and her family. odile and marie were meant to find each other and free each other. the yearning between them, i loved it. the small moments we got of aimé and damian, i adored. i wanted more of it all, of marie and odile and aimé and damian!!! aimé had his little funny moments and he may have produced a chuckle or two out of me.

i wish we would have seen odile’s journey of finding the two mothers. i wish there was a sequel to this.

thank you simon and schuster and netgalley for the arc!

I LOVED Where the Dark Stands Still when I read it last year, so I was so excited to read this title early, and while I enjoyed it well enough it just didn't quite have the same magic for me. I'm not sure exactly what it was, because this was a really enchanting book, and I love a good morally grey-ish character. I think it might have boiled down to a slight frustration at times with the main character, and a slightly underwhelming romantic plot-line. I understand that Odile had an abusive relationship with her "father", but despite several people pointing it out I was frustrated at her decision to forgive him over and over again. As for the romantic plot I felt it was slightly lacking. She like Marie because she was pretty in the first place, but I feel like they both fell in love rather quickly. I think the whole book took place over like...2 weeks or so? And before that they had known each other for maybe a month when they were 12-ish? Not to mention that for the 2 weeks when they were older Marie was a swan for most of it, and they interacted as humans once or twice at night for a few hours. To me there just wasn't enough time for the romance to develop in a believable way, especially compared to her previous book where they fell in love over months and based on things big and small. Those things being said the world that was created was an interesting one, and the magic was fascinating. Like always Poranek's writing was spot on though. Her descriptions were beautiful, and she manages to weave a web that catches you and pulls you in while immersing you in the world. While I'm a little disappointed this one didn't blow me away like her first book, it was still enjoyable enough, and I certainly won't hesitate to recommend it to those looking for a good gothic-feeling fantasy. I will also be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next, because Poranek is one to watch.