This was one of my most anticipated books and I really really loved it. Since I found this book without a cover or title on goodreads I was so hyped for it and it did not disappoint at all. I love Swan Lake ao much and this was an incredible retelling and make it sapphic??? We absolutely love

I was very excited to see A.B. Poranek’s second book since I loved her first one so much. I really loved this book.

It’s a beautiful tale loosely based off Swan Lake. I barely know Swan Lake so I did go into this book, slightly unsure and unprepared.

I loved the writing style of this book. It’s beautiful and so magical. I really enjoyed the story shows you can’t trust anyone. I enjoyed all the characters and their development throughout the story.

Odile and Marie were really sweet and cute. I would have liked more interaction between them at the beginning, to get a real feeling of them before Marie was turned into a swan. Odile’s acting as Marie I found was pretty poor. Come on Odile. I also would have liked more flashbacks of Damien and Odile when they were kids and homeless. I feel like I would have connected to the characters more.

i had high hopes for this book. a sapphic retelling of swan lake is a story that i would pick up in a heartbeat; however, this book didn’t hit the mark for me. i don’t think i was the target audience as it felt a little bit young for me, i would give this to my younger sister to read though!

i didn’t really connect with much of the characters and the story, unfortunately. i would read the book, put it down and then not remember what happened when i picked it back up again. this book is more character-based than plot-based, so if that’s something you wouldn’t like, then i don’t think this would be the book for you.

i do wish there was more world-building in regards to the magic and the kingdom in general. i think it was mentioned once but then never again (i can’t really remember if i am being honest), so if this was developed it would have made the plot a LOT more stronger.

that being said, i did like the political intrigue throughout the book - that was definitely the strongest point! i do think this book could have benefitted from being a bit longer so everything could’ve been explored rather than rushed.

this is definitely the lower end of the ya genre but i would still recommend it!

I absolutely loved Odile and how much of an absolute menace she was, constantly making bad decisions and always resorting to the choice that will lead her to more power. You’ve got to respect her drive and her willingness to fight for what she believes in.

However, on the contrary, I always liked how this book explored manipulation and grooming and how that can have a long term impact. We see with Odile how, as a vulnerable child, her father took advantage of that and moulded her to be what he wanted and how he used threats of abandonment (her fear) to keep her in line, as well as praising and then knocking her self esteem when it suits him.

I loved with Marie how we got to see a bit of a different side, as by all means Marie is privileged but in many ways she has lived her life just as trapped by a parent as Odile. Forced to obey and to shape herself in to what her parent wants, rather than be who she will be.

My favourite thing about this book was the relationship between Odile and Marie. They’ve got history. Both remember it differently. Marie remembers it as a time she had a friend, a time she was free. For Odile, it was a time where she ended up feeling belittled and tossed to the side. There’s tension, there’s angst, there’s anger, and always a little bit of desire…

I love that we get to see their true selves when they are together. Marie is funny and sassy, joking with Odile and annoying her, never quite taking her seriously (despite the fact that Odile did actually kidnap her and turn her into a swan) and I love that Odile also gets to let go a bit, and just act her age. I just love when Odile is acting all villainous and Marie can’t help but find her cute.

The plot was good. I honestly don’t know too much about the Black/White swan to compare, but this held up on its own. I liked that the magic was simple, yet interesting and easy to understand.

Overall, I had a really good time with this book.

This is a sapphic retelling of the famous Swan Lake, set in a French inspired fantasy world. The writing is in first person which was something i was not used to, but the storytelling did give off fairy tale vibes and it felt whimsical at times.
Personally for me was okay, I struggled with the writing to begin with, did not connect with the characters till the very end of the book, and the story was fairly predictable which lowered the enjoyment for me. I feel like if someone is not familiar at all with the swan lake story they might enjoy this a fair bit more. I did start to enjoy the book more towards the later half of the story and I quite liked the ending, which I did not predict.
I would say the book reads on the younger side of YA.
Overall, a quick enjoyable read.
Rating 3.5/5 stars.

A deliciously gothic sapphic retelling of Swan Lake that steeps you in atmosphere and moral complexity. Odile, raised to execute a daring heist to restore magic, ends up allying with the princess she intended to fool, but love and betrayal blur the lines in ways that will leave your heart both twisted and glowing. Poranek's lush, immersive prose drips with wistful longing and shadowy romance, perfect if you’re vibing with lush YA fantasy and morally grey feels.

I really enjoyed this story! It felt like I was in a movie or a theatre show. Very gothic and mysterious vibe!
Odile was such an interesting character. I loved that Odile cared about others even though she had no reason to. There were so many people involved in this story, but I felt like she was alone in it until almost the end she played her role. A truly wonderful actress.

I really enjoyed the magic in this book: the curse that turned Marie into a swan, and the fact that Odile could imitate other characters, pretend, and eavesdrop. Her relationship with Marie O'dette and Aime was truly unique. Even though they were tricked and betrayed they decided to trust Odile which I loved!

This book is especially good for fans of mysteries and bit of a saphic romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher Penguin for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review

I was really excited for this because I was a huge fan of the author's first book Where The Dark Stands Still and I'm an enormous fan of historical sapphic fiction. However, this one didn't really work for me DNF at 28%

Absolutely, Carrie — your thoughts are so evocative already, I can feel the shiver of gothic atmosphere and the thrill of near-heartbreak. Here’s a polished version of your review that keeps your voice and captures that enchantment:

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🌙 Review: A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek
Following the whimsical magic of Where the Dark Stands Still, Poranek’s sophomore novel dives into deeper, darker waters — and I was utterly captivated. A Treachery of Swans is a gothic reimagining of Swan Lake that doesn’t just borrow from ballet folklore; it spins something beautifully eerie and new from its threads.

As a long-time admirer of ballet and the original tale, I was enthralled by how Poranek wove the familiar story into a fresh narrative. The atmosphere is lush with melancholy and menace, and the characters felt so vividly drawn I could’ve easily followed them through an entire trilogy, although the epilogue provided closure without dimming the books haunting beauty.

Overall, this was a gothic delight—moody, lyrical, and elegantly layered. Poranek’s storytelling continues to surprise and enchant, and I can’t wait to see what she conjures up next.

Atmospheric. The slow burn of all slow burns, delicious yearning, sapphic romance of my dreams. Simply divine

A TREACHERY OF SWANS (yes, I hate the word treachery and can rarely spell it right first time) is a lush reimagining of Swan Lake from the perspective of villain Odile.

The fact that Odile and Regnault (Rothbart in most productions) are villains in the original ballet means you know that Regnault cannot be trusted. Combine this with narrative structures commonly found in YA, you also know that Odile is going to learn the hard way that her adoptive father is behind it all and thus be betrayed. But despite this, it was still a very compelling tale because you understand exactly why Odile is so snared by Regnault and why she can't see past the lies. The book does a very good job of situating you in her head so you are rooting for her break free while also understanding why she cannot.

I really like the 18th century French vibes of the book. The court is full of extravagance that you can almost touch. The book doesn't touch on the other side of this historical reference point (the effects on the poor) but it doesn't need to. This is a book about two different sorts of powers grabbling for supremacy, so the opulence helps highlight that this is about power for a few people changing hands, not a revolution.

I quite liked that the Odette character was Marie d'Odette here - having distinct names helped a lot with keeping them separate. Yes, there is a symbolism to similar names in characters who mirror the other (one a goodie, one a villain) that leads to this being present in a lot of classic stories, but it is certainly a bit harder to keep track of characters that way!

the ending very much feels like it's setting up the space to get a sequel (should this book do well enough commercially for the publishers to invest in a sequel.) I hope it does because I want to find out what happens next and spend some more time with these characters.

Firstly, thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Poranek is truly talented when it comes to using lyrical prose to build a richly atmospheric background to her stories. Similarly to the Where The Dark Still, A Treachery of Swans is wrapped in a fairytale like air, full of secrets, mist, and darkness that I absolutely love. Unfortunately for me, this was the only aspect of this book that made an impression on me. The story itself was familiar and somewhat predictable with plot twists that could be seen from miles away. When it comes to the characters, the whole cast felt quite archetype-y.

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.