Thank you to Ania, NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read an advanced copy of ATOS. This review is 100% my own and unbiased.

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“I am made of echoes, of after-images, and they all belong to her.”

Wow.

This might be one of the most unique stories that I’ve read. Almost everyone knows the story of The Swan Lake but this is a reworking of gorgeous, sumptuous prose, ingenious reinvention and a side of character growth rarely seen in fiction. The world building is done quickly and efficiently, so we don’t languish for 200 pages waiting to get going. Ania has a way of writing that is so enjoyable - from word choices to just phrasing. It’s gorgeous.

Odile is the perfect vehicle for our main character. Often she is reduced to a two-dimensional manipulative femme fatale. But not this Odile. She is multifaceted; her layers are so delicious and her growth from page 1 to the very end is magnificent. She has depth and richness to her. (I love her, your honour!)

Ania has taken liberties to move our setting away from the Germanic/Russian inspired landscape, and instead settled fictional Auréal in a French inspired location. While it’s clear from the outset that this is a fictional/fairytale location, the smatterings of French had me checking google that I had interpreted it correctly or just plain looking things up (tarasque was a head-scratcher the first time I read it - sorry, I’m better at Spanish!). But that’s part of the fun of reading, learning things you didn’t necessarily know before.

Anyway, our Odile is an actor! We meet her at the theatre, where we also meet Odette. Regnault (Rothbart) sends our Odile on a mission and our adventure begins! Twice there was a twist that I figured out just as Odile did and once that I hadn’t guessed which made me gasp and kick my feet a bit.

Also, love, love, love that we get a sapphic story. And it’s “enemies”-to-lovers and slow burn. Honest chefs kiss. I’m always here for fantasy sapphic romps - so this was perfect for me.

If I talk about our other characters I’m going to get into spoiler content and I don’t want to do that. Let’s just say at the 10 pages to go mark my heart was in my throat and I was almost convinced this was going to be a duology.

This is a beautifully written retelling of Swan Lake, with a queer romance at its heart. The writing is gorgeously poetic, and I highlighted more than a few passages! I loved the haunting atmosphere, which definitely had hints of Phantom of the Opera in its setting, with a darkly mysterious theatre master. There were some good twists, and I enjoyed the cast of characters, few of whom played to stereotypes. I read this very quickly, enjoying the story and the setting. It was interesting being inside Odile’s head as she plotted, and seeing her pulled in different directions, rather than centring on Marie as is usually the case.

The mystery storyline was compelling, but what I really enjoyed was the magic system and the family saga at the heart of the story. It was unlike anything else I’ve read, and kept me intrigued. This is a perfect read for fans of historical fantasy or fairytale retellings.

This will be a strong contender for my top book of the year!

This feels like a blend of the Swan Princess, Swan lake with a twist of Hamlet for good show. It gothic and dark and eloquently written. The lines of hero and villain blur.
Odile and Marie are two beautifully drawn characters that capture each other in different ways.

This kingdom is not thriving, the lack of magic and general unease are white washed under the controlling king and the rich but all Odile seeks is the right to magic and she will do anything to get it.

I loved it, couldn’t put it down, book two sounds intriguing and I will be buying these books!

Thank you NetGalley for Giving me the opportunity to read.

This was amazing, i loved everything about it. The MC is one of my favorite ever you feel so much for her, the romance was so cute, the platonic relationships were just as beautiful, it was funny and well paced. If you loved Little Thieves you'll love this it has the same vibe

4.5 ⭐️I’m a simple girl, I see a sapphic fantasy and I read it. I had so much fun with this book! It’s a really theatrical read, it gives musical theatre vibes (in the best way!) with morally complex protagonists, cute banter, a mystery, some fun twists, and a classic villain.

I loved that the chapters were named as scenes and the character breakdown like a play, the whole thing really honoured the original Swan Lake while making it fresh. The writing was very pretty too, I just loved pretty much everything about it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!

thank you NetGalley for an Arc in exchange for an honest review
✨swan lake reimagining
✨gothic
✨SAPPHIC
i haven’t read A.B. Poranek’s work before but after reading this, it’s gonna be straight on my tbr:)
i loved the unique magic system and the world building . loved the dark gothic atmosphere.
the characters were loveable and the plot was plotting, i really liked it:)
the twists and turns got me, but i’m not that familiar with swan lake. but i loved all of it, kept me on the edge of the seat wondering what the twist was gonna be.
3.5⭐️ rounding up

This is a beautifully written YA fantasy inspired by Swan Lake. I was drawn to the book by the intriguing title and stunning cover ❤️ I love Matthew Bourne's ballet of Swan Lake, and so decided to give this story a try.

The narrative voice is great - superbly confident, and with a touch of humour. The opening chapter is beguiling. As a reader, I felt in safe hands. I liked the echo of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes in the opening salvo: "They will tell the story, later, of the white swan and the black, but they will tell it wrong" ("I bet you think you know this story, you don't...").

This is a substantial book and unfortunately I didn't feel emotionally invested enough for it to sustain interest for 400 pages - even though it was very good quality writing, I found myself skimming. The ballet performances that I've seen of Swan Lake are sometimes confusing in terms of plot, but there is an exquisite emotional atmosphere which keeps me hooked. 'A Treachery of Swans' has its own story to tell, and is beautifully written, but somehow - despite all the components being there - I wasn't enchanted. This might just be me though - the reviews show that many readers have really loved it.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

3*
I enjoyed this book enough but ultimately decided not to finish at 42% because I just didn't feel like the intended audience. It didn't have the depth I prefer. I think this would be a great read for the teen/YA market and I'm sure it will do well.

Thank you to the publishers for the arc. 3.5*

While ATOS was an enjoyable read it didn't pull me in as much as her first book.

I loved the chapter titles and how they were written as if the book was a play but I found the writing to be a very typical YA fantasy.

I liked Odile and Marie's interactions but I didn't quite buy their chemistry. They felt more like best friends than budding lovers. I thought there was more chemistry between Damian and Aimé.

Regnault was the obvious villain, being that his counterpart is Rothbart. His backstory and reasons for cursing Marie and having Odile infiltrate the palace were brilliant.

Did someone say dark fantasy, sapphic swan lake retelling?

This was an absolute MASTERPIECE. The plot? The tension? The characters? The yearning? All absolutely impeccable.

After reading "Where The Dark Stands Still", I knew A.B. Poranek would be a firm favourite author of mine and let me tell you, this only strengthened that.

A.B. Poranek did a fantastic job of keeping a gothic, tense and dark atmosphere. I was really sucked into the world in such a way that i could almost feel the environment around by the way it is described and framed.

The premise was amazing and it was executed so brilliantly. I really didn't want to put this down but when i did, I found myself unable to stop thinking about this book and I had the insatiable urge to be back in the story(especially when I was meant to be sleeping.).

I found the pacing to be unusual but in a way that actually added a layer to the story. Overall, i felt the pacing reflected a crescendo, beginning slower, there was less "action" and more build up before it reaches a peak where tension is high and a chain of events are set of rapidly. It added excitement and adrenaline into my reading experience With the book being Swan Lake themed, this really felt like it added depth due to it's musical connotations. I'm unsure if this was intentionsl on the authors part but it worked so incredibly well and I adored it.

The characters were completely fleshed out with so much depth and backstory. I found them loveable (or hateable, in the best way), frustrating, flawed and real. Many times within my reading experience, i found myself on edge and unsure of who i could trust and it really added to the experience. I also loved how the story was told via one POV, it added to the story a lot and I think this is a book that benefits hugely from not using many points of view.

I felt connected to the world and the characters in ways I can't quite explain. Almost as though i had known them for years and was seeing them for the first time in a long time. It felt like coming home, in a sense. The underlying romantic elements were also a big plus in my books, it was filled with complexity, history, yearning, denial and soft love - even if the characters didn't know what to do with those feelings.

This book ripped me to shreds and built me back up multiple times. I absolutely cannot recommend this enough and I am so excited for release so I can get my hands on a physical copy of this masterpiece.

If you’ve ever wanted Swan Lake retold with high-stakes palace intrigue, forbidden magic, and a sapphic slow-burn romance you can really root for then A Treachery of Swans will be your next favorite escape.

From the very first page, A.B. Poranek drops you into a world where magic has been silenced and survival means playing a dangerous game. You’re following Odile, a sharp, clever girl raised by a sorcerer and trained to impersonate royalty and pull off an impossible heist. The plan? Steal a crown, bring back magic, change the world.

Sounds straightforward, right? It absolutely isn’t.

When the King is suddenly murdered, everything goes off the rails. The tension spikes. Odile ends up teaming up with Princess Marie d'Odette - who was supposed to be her mark, not her ally and the story pivots from a solo mission into a tangled web of secrets, shifting loyalties, and very real feelings. Watching Odile navigate love and purpose in equal measure is honestly one of the best parts of this book.

What I personally loved is how layered the characters are. Odile isn’t just some brooding anti-heroine on a redemption arc. She’s vulnerable, messy, determined. Marie isn’t just a soft, naive royal either, there’s depth to her resilience and her kindness. Together, they carry a dynamic that’s as emotionally gripping as it is romantic.

Whether you’re here for the magic, the romance, or just a really good character-driven fantasy, A Treachery of Swans delivers.

💭 #QOTD If you could change into an animal, what would it be?

Title: A treachery of swans
Author: A.B. Poranek
Pages: 400
Rating: 3/5
Spice/Romance level: 🩷🩷 sensual FTB moments

#Arc eCopy ( #gifted ) - review left voluntarily
UK publish date - 26th June 2025

Odile is on a mission from Papa to bring back magic. The task involves undercover espionage, heartless decisions, cruel tactics and betrayal.

This was so beautifully, sensually written and had me guessing all the way through.. I've not much knowledge of Swan lake, so I'm unsure how close to the retelling this is.

I adored the tender interactions between all the characters. This had so much going on but it was easy to follow and understand. It was one hell of a gothic, enchanting fairytale ride.

If you liked a dark and drowning tide you'll love this!!


You'll love this book if you like
- gothic fairytale
- sapphic love story
- Swan lake
- young adult fantasy
- found family
- retelling fairytale
- standalone fantasy

Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy.

This is a sapphic swanlake retelling where sorcerer Odile tricks the swan princess Marie and takes her place to marry the Dauphin to fulfill her adoptive fathers plans to bring back magic. The book is filled with twists, betrayals, magic and is a standalone set in France.

So I've just finished this book and am trying to sort my thoughts. I really enjoyed the beginning and the last 5-10 pages they were everything I wanted the story to be. I struggled with the middle/end. I did debate stopping reading at one point but I love AB Poranek and powered through- which I am glad of.

I loved the couples in this book. Marie and Odile were so cute together and obviously I shipped them from the beginning. The other couple (who I won't name for spoiler reasons) I also loved. They had such bashful chemistry it was hard not to root for them. The story was interesting and I really enjoyed the premise and the lore created for the book. The twists were fun if a little predictable at times and the story definitely read like the YA it is.

Overall this is a comfortable 4 stars for me and I'm excited to read even more by AB Poranek in the future.

Oh my goodness I ATE THIS UP!

I absolutely loved Where the Dark Stands Still (still not over that ending) so I have been hyped for the authors next release and then finding out it’s a Swan Lake retelling?! A match made in heaven.

This book is EVERYTHING. The gothic vibes are absolutely immaculate. The mystery had me hooked and the romance had me on my knees I tell you.

I cannot tell you how much I’m obsessed with these two twisted love swans!! Just gonna reread immediately so I can highlight and annotate because this is a new favourite for sure!

I love Swan Lake and the moment a sapphic retelling of this story was announced I could not hold back my excitement. And honestly this story was beautiful and everything I could have wanted. It had a unique magical system and world building while still being deeply rooted in the story of the swan princess.

The main character of this book is Odile, an actress, a thief and a wannabe sorceress who is set to impersonate Marie d'Odette to get the access to the royal crown and through it restore magic to the world.

I loved Odile as a character, she loves so strongly and she so badly wants to have people in her life for whom she matters that it makes her push away everyone who tries to show her true kindness. Honestly, all the characters in this book are well developed and so easy to love (in case of our main four) or hate. With Marie we get a brilliant take on Swan Princess and how her transformation into a swan changes her and makes her realise what's truly important to her. And Aime and Damien complete this delightful quarter by being a set of charming side characters with their own depth.

The story comes with plenty of twists and turns that I think aren't particularly shocking if you know the story of Swan Lake, but nevertheless they are still extremely enjoyable if you let the story take you on this adventure.

The ending had me conflicted I'll admit, because while the epilogue beautifully wraps this story up I SO badly want the sequel to this book that will fill in the gaps between the last chapter and the epilogue. I'm not ready to say goodbye to this beautiful and charming world.

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Treachery of Swans is a creative retelling of Swan Lake where Odile, a sorciere orphan is taken in by her adoptive father, Regnault, who exploits Odile into a life of disguise, thievery, and exploitation.

When Odile is faced with her biggest challenge yet, impersonating Marie d'Odette d'Auvigny and stealing the Couronne du Roi while manipulating the Dmzauphin, Amié, she must choose between her heart, her loyalty and her conscience, and find a way of working together to prevent her father from reawakening and imprisoning the Good Mothers.

I enjoyed the retelling of Swan Lake, and the strong bonds of loyalty and wanting to belong that ran through this book. However, I felt the ending was a little rushed, and thought that there could have easily been a sequel to change the ending, rather than rushing the epilogue when the book ended on a cliffhanger.

A Treachery of Swans is a captivating sapphic YA fantasy full of magic and mystery. It is a retelling of Swan Lake, but I know almost nothing of the original tale and it was still very easy to fall into this story. Despite there being frequent high stakes, there was an almost cosy vibe that I loved.

We follow the protagonist Odile who impersonates noblesse Marie to get close to the heir to the throne and attempt to return magic to the land. Of course it doesn't all go quite to plan and secrets start to be unravelled. Odile is a brilliant, complex protagonist, and I liked all the relationships that are explored in this book; romantic, familial and platonic.

Recommended to all YA Fantasy fans, including adults! There's a lot to love about this story for all.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Goodreads.

A poetic sapphic retelling of Swan Lake. A delicious slow burn

This book had me at "sapphic retelling of Swan Lake", quite frankly.

I loved the way it took elements from the original story and made them something new and fresh but still with the same magic and longing. The world building and magic system worked perfectly with the element taken from Swan Lake, letting me see elements of a story I love in a story that stands on its own.

I also thoroughly enjoyed that the story was told from the perspective of "the villain" rather than Marie d'Odette. Odille is a great character, the black swan to Marie's white. And while the ending was largely what I expected (with a few twists), seeing the development of Odille's character was great.

A. B. Poranek is now secured as one of my favourite authors. A Treachery of Swans and Where The Dark Stands Still are both stunning books that perfectly encapsulate everything I love about folklore, fairy tales and magic.

A Treachery of Swans is a stunningly poetic retelling, with prose so lyrical it feels almost like reading a beautifully woven ballad. The language is rich and evocative, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that adds to the novel’s charm. The setting is beautifully crafted, and the dynamics between the characters are compelling, offering moments of intrigue and emotion.

However, while the writing itself is captivating, the plot doesn’t quite live up to the same standard. It felt somewhat underdeveloped and overly predictable—I had hoped for twists and turns that would keep me on edge, but instead, the narrative unfolded in a way that lacked genuine surprises. The sense of mystery and suspense I was anticipating never truly materialised, leaving the story feeling flatter than it should have.

I also struggled to connect with the protagonist. Despite wanting to root for her, I found there was little to hold onto—her personality lacked depth, making it difficult to feel invested in her journey. Without that emotional pull, it was hard to truly care about her fate, which ultimately left me feeling detached from the overall experience.

A beautifully written book with an enchanting atmosphere, but one that fell short in delivering a compelling plot or an unforgettable lead.