This was a fun, if simple retelling of a classic story.

The characters were a little thin for me in places but the vibes and the tension was immaculate. The actual storybuilding and the MC are written much better than the secondary characters and the love interest - I am left with no understanding really as to why attraction took place. I loved the ending - it was my favourite part. I didn't see it coming as often endings require neatness, and this did not.

There’s something quietly devastating about the way A. B. Poranek writes — like her books aren’t content to simply tell you a story; they insist on crawling under your skin and staying there. I came into this one expecting something beautifully written and sapphic, but I wasn’t prepared for how completely it would take hold of me.

This Swan Lake retelling doesn’t just nod at the original tale — it reimagines it in a way that feels haunting and intimate, with a dark fairytale atmosphere that settles around you like mist. From the opening pages, there's a sense of tension simmering beneath the beauty, and it never fully lets up. There's love, yes, but also grief, power, betrayal — every emotion is cracked open and laid bare.

Odile is the kind of character I absolutely love to follow: calculating, bold, deeply flawed, but utterly compelling. Her every move feels deliberate, yet there's a vulnerability just beneath the surface that makes her impossible to dismiss as just "the schemer." I admired her from the start and loved watching the subtle shifts in her character as the story unfolded.

And then there’s Marie — ethereal, tragic, and deeply human in the quietest of ways. Her emotional arc snuck up on me. I didn’t expect to feel so much for her, but I did — deeply. There’s something about the way she carries sorrow with such grace that completely broke me. There were scenes that left me in tears before I even realized they’d crept up on me.

The romance is a slow burn in the truest sense: not just in pacing, but in emotional depth. It simmers quietly, with glances, silences, and restrained touches, until it becomes something fierce and transformative. Watching Odile and Marie navigate their relationship in a world that’s so ready to undo them was painful and beautiful all at once.

Poranek also delivers some wild plot turns — the kind that genuinely shocked me, but still made perfect sense in hindsight. It’s rare to be caught off guard in a way that feels earned, and this book did that more than once. And the ending? Absolutely gutted me. Not in a manipulative way, but in that “I’ve lived alongside these characters, and now I have to let them go” kind of way. The emotional fallout hit me just as hard as Where the Dark Stands Still — maybe even more.

This novel is not just a retelling; it’s a reimagining filled with longing, heartbreak, and hard-won hope. If you're drawn to stories with gothic tones, morally complicated heroines, aching romance, and a sense of emotional grandeur, this one deserves a spot on your shelf. Just be warned: it will leave you feeling a little hollow by the end — in the best way possible.

A Treachery Of Swans

-A.B. Poranek

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Treachery of Swans is a sapphic retelling of Swan Lake, set in 17th Century France. Odile, the adoptive daughter of the theatre master Regnault, has spent years preparing for this mission. She will impersonate the future princess Marie d’Odette, infiltrating the royal palace. She will heist the Coronne de Roi, the crown that holds the key to the magic of the realm. As Odile gets closer to the Dauphin, the crown prince of Auréal, she also forges a connection to the real princess, Marie, whom Regnault has turned into a swan by day, maiden by night (as per the original fairytale).

This concept was incredible and the execution was just as perfect. The 17th Century French court setting suited the book entirely. This prose was so gloriously atmospheric and darkly. sumptuous. The relationship between Odile and Marie was beautifully written, as were the side characters, such as the Dauphin and Odile’s brother.

As for Odile… This is what I mean when I say I want complex female protagonists! She is the black swan, the antagonist from the original ballet, but in this reimagining, we see her as a young girl manipulated and exploited by a man for his own gains. She wasn’t always likeable, but she was always real.

I will definitely be picking up Where the Dark Stands Still after this fantastic read and I cannot wait to see what A.B. Poranek does next! I’m also meeting her at the House of YA Summer Tour in August and I’m so excited to hear her speak!

Thanks to @penguinrandomhouse for the digital ARC!

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This was a wonderful story - The pacing was fanastic, I loved the magic, and the romance was *chefs kiss* the tension was off the charts! I really enjoyed this.

A Treachery of Swans feels magical - like you’re jumping straight into a fairytale. I really enjoyed seeing how the characters all developed and the story kept me guessing and wanting to read more.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and both times I’ve been left wanting more. Not from anything missing, but because I wasn’t ready to leave the world she created. I didn’t want it to end!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC!

This book was all vibes and no plot, which is a shame, because the idea of 'sapphic swan lake' sounded so good!
Right from the start, I struggled to care about the story and the characters; our main character, Odile, seemed to have no real motivations to her actions beyond 'my dad told me to', which given that she's meant to be ~16, isn't enough. As a result, it felt the the plot was just just going through the motions, and I ended up DNF-ing at 40%, because I simply did not care.
The writing and the atmosphere was excellent, and I think this would be an excellent book to read in midwinter, if you want something all vibes and no plot (I ended up reading this is July, which is perhaps another reason I didn't get into it).

Overall, I'd recommend giving it a go if you're in the mood for something wintery, and want a fantasy with a simple plot, but temper your expectations on how 'sapphic' this book actually is.

A sapphic loose-retelling of Swan Lake got me very excited, however I can’t say I enjoyed this one unfortunately. I’ll be honest, disliking the protagonist in a story does not mean the book is unlikable, whether you can support or justify a characters actions will change from person to person. For me however following Odile made this reading experience quite frustrating.
Odile is a typical example of ‘hurt people hurt people’, she feels wronged by everybody so has prescribed herself as a villain, the thing is that no one has really wronged her but the one person she blindly follows. As the story progresses yes she realises that her loyalty may be misplaced, that the causes of all her problems in her life might not be the people she spend so much time growling at, however, for me, the lesson wasn’t enough without accountability. She treats the people who love her terribly, she disdains her brother for thinking badly of her and not trusting her however she gives no reason to think otherwise, she treats Marie even worse however she’s forgiven so quickly. The reasons she has for turning against both of these people are quite frankly ridiculous. For Marie, Odile’s biggest issue is caused by jealousy and ignorance. She assumes Marie has a grand, easy life, she judges and looks down on her, even after she knows she has hurt her and even after Marie is continuously (and bizarrely) kind. Marie is absolutely wholesome and brave and kind, she is the hero of this story.

For Odile there really is no character development, no actual struggle, merely blinkers go on and then off and she moves on with no struggle to get back what/who she has abused, she causes a trail of destruction and hurt, she thinks she knows it all, she uses and manipulates people, justifying it based on how she feels she’s been treated and how she feels, but the damage leaves no emotional mark on any of her victims or consequence to her.
Near every other character but Odile is infinitely more interesting, less cliché and easier to root for but you’re left with the most insufferable one to spend your time with
 
That then brings me to the sapphic element of the story, which didn’t really have as much romance as I thought and yet I was actually grateful because the dynamic was just too toxic. Looks aside, I have no idea what Odile saw in Marie it’s not really gone into, and likewise Marie is so good and pure hearted you have to wonder what she finds attractive in someone so immature and selfish who has consistently outwardly revelled in hurting and provoking people.

There are moments of good action scenes and I appreciated that it was a less depressing version of another Swan Lake retelling I read recently, but I inner screamed just too many times trying to endure Odile and i struggled with any romantic element as a result. If you can find more sympathy or can overlook your feelings towards characters, you would probably still enjoy this, I’m just too much of an empath and I was outraged on behalf of too many people.
 
Thank you NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, let me start by saying this book completely swept me away. If you’re into dark academia vibes, fairy tale twists, and morally complicated characters, A Treachery of Swans is perfect!

First off, the atmosphere? Immaculate. I am not surprised since I absolutely adored Poranek's debut, Where the Dark Stands Still. She nails that eerie, enchanting aesthetic where everything feels a little too beautiful and a little too dangerous. It’s the kind of setting that makes you want to wrap yourself in a velvet cloak and wander through misty woods reciting poetry. You can practically smell the damp earth and candle wax on every page.

The story follows Seren, who’s thrown into this web of secrets and strange, swan-related magic (yes, swan magic, and yes, it’s amazing). It’s a clever riff on classic fairy tales, but instead of feeling like a rehash, it has this sharp, fresh edge—equal parts gothic mystery and feminist myth-busting. The stakes feel personal and high without ever slipping into melodrama, which is honestly hard to pull off in a book that involves shapeshifters, old curses, and deadly intrigue.

The characters? Deliciously complicated. Nobody here is fully good or fully bad—they’re all shades of morally gray, which I love. Seren herself is smart, stubborn, and a little reckless in a way that feels very human. And then there’s the dynamic with other key players—full of tension, shifting alliances, and that simmering undercurrent of “do I trust you or should I stab you?” It’s basically the literary equivalent of a slow-burn relationship, but make it political and magical.

Also, the writing? Gorgeous without being overdone. Poranek balances lyrical descriptions with snappy dialogue so you never feel bogged down. Some lines are just…chef’s kiss!

If I had to be picky, I’d say the middle could feel a touch slow for anyone craving constant action, but honestly, I loved soaking in the world and letting it simmer. The build-up makes the pay-off worth it. I personally didn't mind the slowdown, it worked well for the story and atmosphere.

Overall, A Treachery of Swans feels like slipping into a dream that’s equal parts beautiful and unsettling—a book that lingers after you close it. If you love The Cruel Prince, Uprooted, or anything that combines folklore with gothic fantasy, this will be your jam.

I don't know why I am struggling so much to write this review. This was a really great standalone fantasy novel, something i am ALWAYS in the market for and which I think there are too few of out there.
It was atmospheric, making me feel like I was sitting on a lake dock surrounded by fog. It was character driven with all characters having depth and reason. It was based on a fairy tale I am not all that familiar with but which I am always a fan of. It was very reminiscent of Little Thieves which is one of my favorite series out there and I mean that as a compliment. I loved the complicated romances of both siblings.

I think my only downside for this was that I found everything fairly predictable, there were no surprise twists except one slightly minor reveal, but I do think that is a small issue here and it didnt impact the overall enjoyability of the story as a whole.

After absolutely loving Where the Dark Stands Still I was eager to read Poranek’s sophomore novel, especially considering my love of sapphic fantasy/ romantasy. I did enjoy the magic system and how biting Odile’s voice was, and grew more and more interested as the story went on. It did take longer for me to settle in than WTDSS, and the setting wasn’t my favourite, but I was certainly gripped by the end. Overall, it fits the beautiful, poetic prose, angsty romance and richly imagined setting that readers have come to love about AB Poranek’s work.

I really enjoyed this read. Swan lake vibes, imperial theatre setting, longing, adventure, intrigue and betrayal - what´s not to love? We follow Odile, wo is a hugely entertaining narrator and the villain in her story, on a dangerous mission as she navigates the complex landscape of the royal court, theatre, relationships that are not what they seem, and the beautiful mysterious lake that surrounds it all. I liked reading about the characters, and their stories.
My only concern is that at the end, it seems to set itself up for a sequel and mentally, we get ready for that, but then there´s a huge time jump in the epilogue and it´s all resolved off-page - felt a bit hollow.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for sending me this ARC!

I am unfamiliar with Swan Lake, but this did not affect my reading experience. The book is well written, but I felt the pacing was off in places, and the first half of the book dragged for me.

I immediately suspected Regnault/Papa - he was clearly only looking out for his own good and using Odile to carry out his dirty work. He did love Odile in his own way - that being when she listened and he could control her. I did not, however, suspect his true identity, and enjoyed the reveal.

The relationship between Marie and Odile felt shy and slow, and it was adorable watching them blush and hide their feelings for each other. I was worried we were heading towards a cliffhanger towards the end after Marie was cursed, mainly because I wanted to see their reunion quicker than a second book could be written!

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I wished the pacing was quicker and that Odile got to explore her magic more. 3.5 stars rounded up!

I’ve just finished this and I can’t decide how I feel about it. There was so much that I thought was beautiful about this - the writing, the concepts, the yearning (lord knows, I love a good yearning) and the retelling of a powerful fairytale.

Odile was a great, complex and manipulated main character. Her voice was strong and her choices debatable but understandable. I think the characters are the strongest part of this book, especially in showing the complexity of goodness, villainy and strength vs weakness. None of which form a clean binary.

However, I found it slow going and the last twenty percent odd. I think I struggled to emotionally engage with this and that’s why it didn’t capture me. I found the very ending really annoying - for a minute I thought we were being set up for a sequel but (thankfully) we weren’t but a huge event happens that requires a huge quest like endeavour to solve that honestly feels like it could be another book (hence my confusion about there being a sequel).

Absolutely loved this book!

As someone who really enjoyed A.B Poranek’s first book, I was really excited to have the opportunity to read this early and I was not disappointed! I loved the yearning and tenderness between the main characters and I’m almost sad it’s a standalone, but the ending wrapped everything up perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review

*3.25*

“I can long for her, and still hate her. after all, does a moth not hate a flame, when it learns that the very thing that attracts it is the thing that will see it burn?”

I’ll do this in two parts (plot & characters)

characters:
I really liked the exploration of parental guilt and control and how this can impact children. the pressure to always do what will please them, losing your own autonomy, becoming a shell of who you are and the blurred lines between what you want vs what you’re “supposed” to be like. It created some very layered and emotionally complex young characters that I could appreciate. I do wish there was more depth to them, as they felt less like people and more like emotional conveyance if that makes sense?

plot:
I really enjoyed the last 50-75 pages, but the pacing felt off. I spent the first 50% of the book wondering where the sapphic romance was (they’d literally interacted three times and there was a heavy reliance on off page interactions from the past) and up until this point I wasn’t really invested in the story or the world. after this, it did get quite interesting and I did enjoy the world building and development, I just wish it was more evenly spaced out rather than shoved in the last 100 pages.

This is a gothic and atmospheric retelling of Swan Lake with a sapphic love story.
I loved the eery and mysterious storytelling, it kept me guessing. It is set in a world where magic is outlawed, the daughter of a sorcerer Odile carries out a plan to take over Marie d’O’dette’s life to steal the kings enchanted crown and bring magic back to the land.

I loved Where the Dark stands Still, but something about this story wasn’t gripping me, I didn’t warm to the characters as much and found it hard to root for them. I think a lot of readers will love this though and will keep reading whatever the author writes!

This was everything I wanted in a dark fairytale retelling — lush, eerie, and absolutely dripping with atmosphere. Poranek weaves a story full of magic, longing, and quiet menace that pulled me in from the very first page.

I adored Odile as a protagonist. Her scheming, her fragility mixed with sharp edges, her desperation to carve out a place for herself even if it meant dancing along the knife’s edge of betrayal… it all made her such a compelling, complex character. And Marie, with her sweetness and steadfast heart, was the perfect counterbalance. Watching their relationship bloom — slowly, tenderly, achingly — against the backdrop of a crumbling kingdom and monstrous threats was just so satisfying.

The story is equal parts tense and tender. There’s a creeping sense of dread that lurks in every chapter, and by the time everything unravels, it left me both gutted and strangely hopeful. I also loved how Poranek didn’t shy away from the darker undercurrents of the tale — murder, manipulation, sorrow — while still delivering moments of softness and yearning that made my heart ache.

If you love gothic fantasies, morally grey heroines, or sapphic slow burns tangled up in fairytale darkness, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’ll be eagerly watching for whatever Poranek writes next.

For one, the writing style of this book is lovely. I found it so easy to picture everything and feel as though I was in the world. I would happily read more by this author.

The characters were interesting and had good growth throughout. I enjoyed reading the romance aspects, they weren't too much and didn't overshadow the story itself.

What I also found intriguing was the magic system, I think it was unique and a good addition to this retelling.

Personally I found the ending to be kind of lacking? I was expecting a bit more? I don't know, it just seemed as though there was going to be a bit more
to it. But it didn't ruin the overall feel/enjoyment of the book.

Highly recommend.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

A Treachery of Swans is an atmospheric, romantic retelling of Swan Lake that brims with magic and heartache. Told from Odile’s perspective—the so-called 'evil swan'—it offers an emotional story of love, grief, and identity. Odile and Marie’s (the 'white swan') relationship is tender and real, though I wish we could have spent more time reading about its development. A.B. Poranek paints a world that is anything but black and white, with complex characters and haunting beauty. A truly magical read—I can’t wait to see what A.B. Poranek writes next!

4 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for reading or reviewing this book—everything expressed here is entirely my own opinion.

The writing in A Treachery of Swans is richly atmospheric, with vivid, sometimes unsettling imagery—particularly the references to teeth and body parts—that effectively sets the tone for Odile’s internal world. These details immerse us in her perspective and highlight how she interprets her environment through a lens of intensity and unease. Odile is a compelling character who doesn’t shy away from her darker instincts; instead, she uses them as a kind of armor to shield the tenderness she’d rather deny. As the story unfolds and she begins to shed her identity as a self-fashioned villain, the novel explores themes of love, abuse, and emotional manipulation in a nuanced way. One moment that stood out to me was a reflection on the kind of love an abuser might feel—rooted more in control and self-adoration than genuine care.

I also really enjoyed the romance between Odile and Marie. There’s a kind of fierce, almost antagonistic affection on Odile’s part that blends hate and love in a way I personally find engaging. That dynamic, mixed with the miscommunication trope, definitely leans into the YA feel—but considering this is a YA novel, it worked for me.

My main reason for not rating this higher is simply the unavoidable comparison to the author’s stellar debut, Where the Dark Stands Still. That book set a high bar, and while A Treachery of Swans is by no means a disappointment, the shadow of its predecessor is hard to ignore. Still, if you loved the debut, I absolutely recommend picking this one up—if only for the atmospheric prose and striking themes. Plus, let’s be honest, who could resist that gorgeous cover?