A truly captivating read that held my attention from.page 1 and didn't let it go until the final page. Brilliant craftsmanship and enchanting world building are two stand out features.

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

Sapphic swan lake??? Yes please

I absolutely loved being in Odile's POV but I think having Marie's POV would have bumped my rating and made the yearning better.

I didn't guess ANY of the plot twists.

I would have loved this to have been a duology because I was really intrigued by Odile journey at the end. I also would have loved to seen more of Damien and Aime.

Overall, I think this is a great palate cleanser book for in-between reads, that being said I don't think this will be that memorable but it was a fun time.

3.75 ⭐️ rounded to 4!

A sapphic retelling of Swan Lake. A Treachery of Swans follows Odile impersonating a princess to steal the crown in order to restore magic back to the kingdom. Suddenly, the king is brutally murdered, leading Odile to seek the help of the real princess Marie - who is cursed to be a swan.

Overall, this was a good book. I enjoyed the writing and gothic atmosphere. There were some lines that were well written and so lovely to read that created beautiful imagery. I enjoyed learning about the world through Odile's perspective and trying to piece together what was happening. I feel that the self-discoveries of Odile and Marie were lovely to read.

On the other hand, the plot initially had a steady speed which seemed to rush more towards the end. In addition, I found that the romance felt like it advanced rapidly at the end - perhaps this was a me problem though. A lot seemed to happen in the final act compared to the other acts. However, have very little knowledge of the orginal narrative (literally, my knowledge is Barbie Swan Lake 😅), so this could just be how the story goes. Even though the final act felt a little rushed, I did really like the ending and found myself crying on the train.

A Treachery of Swans - A. B. Poranek

Thank you @netgalley for the advance eArc copy.

In this sapphic retelling of Swan Lake, Odile, with her adoptive father Regnault, has been preparing for the heist of a lifetime: impersonate Marie d'Odette d'Auvigny, get the Dauphin to fall in love with her, steal the crown and restore magic to Auréal, where it has long been outlawed. It should be easy. But Odile isn’t expecting the murder of the king, or the feelings she has for the girl she’s pretending to be, and she soon finds herself with a choice to make.

Having absolutely adored A.B. Poranek's previous book, was very excited to give this a go. The story intrigued me from the start and it was clear early on that things weren’t going to be as simple as Odile anticipated. While we get the story from Odile’s perspective, her plans sit within a larger web of political plotting and intrigue.

I will say I didn't really warm to Odile at the start. The characters did read slightly young for me. This probably means that they are pretty much spot on for a YA book – you could really see their naivety and, while this was a bit frustrating for me, I could see them being very relatable for teen readers. However the king's murder was a catalyst for Odile's character development and she definitely grew on me through her investigation.

Two major highlights for me reading this:
• The author’s writing style. It’s really atmospheric and engaging, working well for the plot and keeping me invested.
• The ending. It would have been so easy for this to become a duology with the events that were happening as we built to the climax. Instead, the author did a masterful job of providing a satisfying conclusion, yet one which was still very open to interpretation and which I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to read more from this author for their endings alone.

With thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ahead of publication.

The way this book pulled me in is indescribable
.
So many plot twists that I didn't know what was going to happen. What drew me in most was a more complex, villainous main character - Odile. Because even though she has claimed herself a villain, she still cannot bare to hurt the people she cares about. Through struggles, and hard truths she starts to see who she can trust and rely on.

I loved the elements and as I've never read a Swan princess retelling it was a refreshing change. Plus, sapphic romance (SLAY).

A. B. Poranek is an amazing writer, which I already knew after reading When the Dark Stands Still, and I can't wait to read her next work.

An atmospheric and bewitching second book from A.B. Poranek, one that will draw you into its dark and magical plot from the first page. The characters within are complex, flawed and utterly human and maybe morally grey in places, making for a fascinating cast in this retelling of The Black Swan. I thoroughly enjoyed falling into this world, watching the mysteries unravel and the characters develop. There are twists and turns dotted throughout which kept me on my toes and I enjoyed seeing the way in which different relationships in this story changed in different ways, as Odile learned to lower her guard and as she sees what she has been blind to for so long.

A truly wonderful story and an excellent interpretation of the original story, with a beautifully crafted ending.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

A sapphic retelling of Swan Lake.

When I first saw this book on Netgalley I thought “Yes! This absolutely for me!” And I was not wrong. I sped through this book, absolutely loving the story of Odile, the ‘villian’, and Marie and thinking it was absolutely a 5 star read.
The whole time I was reading I was thinking how I could not wait to recommend this to people and I still stand by that, I will still be recommending this book to people however with one caveat: the ending let’s this book down. I found the last few chapters to be so rushed and disjointed fromt the rest of the story that I had enjoyed so much. At one point I thought they were setting us up for a book two but then after the epilogue I don’t think so.

If you enjoy books full of sapphic yearning and a beautifully written retelling of a classic story then this is entirely the book for you. Overall this was a really good book that I definitely think is worth reading and I would absolutely give it 4 stars.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the writing style, I liked the concept and the gothic elements.
It was an okay read if you love a sapphic retelling specifically.

I found I wasn’t really attached to any of the characters. I actively disliked Odile and Aimé so I just didn’t care what happened to them.

I felt like the entire book was rushed also? I don’t know why I think that, I can’t put my finger on exactly why.

Overall, it’s an okay read. I had an okay time reading it but I didn’t enjoy any element of it enough to give it more than 3 stars.

I was very eagerly anticipating this and unfortunately it didn't hit with me. I really enjoyed the beautiful atmospheric writing in Where the Dark Stands Still, which I felt was missing for the majority here. I enjoyed the prologue and the epilogue (although it felt rushed and kind of like you'd spent ages on a gourmet picnic only to shove it in the blanket and tie a quick knot).
It read a lot more YA than I was expecting, I didn't bond with the fmc, a couple of side characters had more promise for me but they didn't feature enough or deeply to impact. The magic felt flat. I was a bit bored and felt the mystery was a bit overshadowed by the fmc's determination to hold grudges and force herself to be as mean as possible. Even though I'm disappointed this didn't work for me, I think so many other readers will adore it and sapphic swans is just so needed in this world.
Thanks to Penguin Random House UK and Netgalley for the arc, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

This book was quite hard to rate, as while I really enjoy Poranek's writing style and prose, several areas of this book just fell a little flat to me.

In general, the plot was very bare. I wasn't particularly surprised by any of the twists, and I don't think this would have changed if I'd had less knowledge of the ballet the book is largely based on. While I did enjoy some elements of the plot (importantly, the concept of the stolen identity), most of these elements were already part of the original ballet and weren't really expanded upon to any fulfilling capacity within the novel. I found the ending bizarrely cut off and the pacing a little off, and I wonder if this book could have been stretched and further developed into a duology.

Most disappointingly, I found the relationship between Odile and Marie underwhelming. I think that much of the interest generated by their relationship is hampered by how we as readers are introduced to their dynamic post-percieved betrayal. Some of how they behave towards one another feels unjustified given what we, as readers, are permitted to witness through Odile, and it leaves their dynamic a little unremarkable.

Still, I really liked the prose and atmosphere this book set. I honestly wish we spent a little more time in Odile's original environment of the stage, as it's one of the more interesting settings within the novel. Poranek is an accomplished writer and the visuals in this novel are beautifully lush and really set the stage for the plot very well.

A Treachery of Swans was such a beautiful reimagining of Swan Lake with a Gothic feel to proceedings.

At the heart of the story, we follow Odile on her quest to return magic to the kingdom, effectively reversing the balance of power. She is wily and scheming but also kindhearted and deeply devoted to those she loves. When her scheme has an unexpected hitch, she’ll have to ally with the very princess whose place she has stolen. This leads to a twisty and tenderhearted tale of love, strength and claiming your place in the story. Odile’s character arc is brilliant and will resonate with so many readers.

I loved the way Poranek woven in these elements of Swan Lake but kept the story fresh and exciting. This is somewhat of a fantasy murder mystery with ever-shifting stakes and a story that delights in tripping you up. The pacing is exacting, drawing you further and further into its web.

Poranek’s writing is gorgeously evocative and lushly imagined but with a knife-edge to it. It is dark and delectable, drawing you into these worlds. This is a place of hidden magic that shimmers beneath the surface. It is a story that captures the allure of power and the lengths to which people will go to ensnare it. For me, it felt like the original fairytales that transport you to fantastical worlds but keep that tinge of fear. Between this and Where the Dark Stands Still, Poranek has such skill for conjuring up these atmospheric stories that keep you in their clutches. It is stunning and has a Gothic flair that feels timeless. Auréal is a place of secrets and lies with a wonderful contrast of the gilded cage of palace life and the crushing reality of those living outside the bubble.

A Treachery of Swans is a wonderfully written tale laced with darkness but is ultimately a story of empowerment and love against the odds.

A Treachery of Swans is a lush, gothic reimagining of Swan Lake that blends court intrigue, forbidden magic, and a slow-burn sapphic romance into a spellbinding tale. Set in a kingdom where enchantment has been outlawed, the story follows Odile, a master of disguise raised by a vengeful sorcerer, as she infiltrates the palace to steal the king’s enchanted crown. But when the king is murdered and her mission collides with the life of the real princess, Marie d’Odette, Odile is forced to question everything she’s been taught.

With themes of identity, forgiveness, and the cost of survival, the mystery at the story’s core keeps the tension simmering. The dynamic between Odile and Marie was certainly interesting to watch, evolving from wary alliance to something far more tender. The supporting characters, the Dauphin and Odile’s brother, should have added depth and complexity, but perhaps weren't fleshed out enough.

A Treachery of Swans is undeniably well-written, steeped in richly gothic atmosphere, lyrical prose and an undeniably interesting concept, but for me, it didn’t quite land. Coming off Where the Dark Stands Still, which I absolutely loved, this book felt very different which isn't a bad thing but it wasn't for me. Perhaps this specific blend of storytelling and ambience just doesn’t resonate with me as deeply as I’d hoped - but I can still admire what the author set out to create and I can see how this book might appeal to others.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

3.5⭐️

I was sold on the concept of a sapphic retelling of Swan Lake with a darker and more magical twist.

The story begins with as Odile turns Marie into a swan. She is tasked by her father to then impersonate the princess, steal the crown and to help him restore magic that has long been outlawed back to the kingdom of Auréal. Sounds simple but little does Odile know that other forces are at play..

First off the good.. As this is a retelling of Swan Lake I kept being reminded of one of my favourite animated films; “The Swan Princess” when I read this. It was great as some of the characters and setting already felt familiar from the get go. The magic system was unique but I do wish this was built out a bit more.

Now the not so good.. I really enjoyed this book up to the 75-80% mark. However, where it falls down for me is the conclusion. I felt that ending was incredibly rushed and a lot of loose ends were tied up hastily through brief explanations from other characters or in the epilogue. At about 90% I thought the book may have ended on a cliffhanger but then remembered that this was a standalone book. The pacing of the story would have been improved if this was a duology. While I also really liked both the FMCs, I often wondered if the book might have been improved with more than one POV. i.e some chapters on Marie’s perspective would have been fantastic and taken away the speculative nature of some of Odile’s chapters.

Overall this was a really good read, I just wished the ending was a bit more fleshed out.

Beautiful, gothic and full of magic ✨

A Treachery of Swans is alluringly written, making you truly feel like you are watching acts at the ballet while reading this Swan Lake retelling. There are only a handful of characters and an even smaller number of locations described in the book. These facts make it easy to imagine you are at the theatre instead of sitting in a chair at home.

I would say that although the writing is beautiful and you certainly feel the magic of the story as you are reading, it struggled to hold my attention. A book of this length would typically be read in a day or two but I found myself only reading a couple chapters at a time before moving on to do something else. So for that reason only, I have rated this 3.5/5 ⭐️

Unfortunately I struggled with 'A treachery of Swans'. Ultimately I did not finish this book, stopping around the 12% mark. While I did like the idea of a swan lake theme and was drawn to the title of the book, I struggled to connect to the characters. and it just did not engage me enough to continue. I made two attempts but unfortunately concluded it is just not the book for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to have a read.

Unfortunately I just couldn't get in to this one and dnf'd at 45 pages, I didn't want to go back to it and felt bored personally. It's just not for me and that's okay, I hope others enjoy it.

A gothic fantasy retelling of Swan Lake that weaves together mystery, magic, and romance in the most deliciously dark way.

The romance between Odile and Marie is beautifully done — tender, passionate, and slow-burning, with real emotional depth.

For fans of dark fairy tale retellings, queer love stories, and stories where nothing is quite as it seems.

A Treachery Of Swans

This was stunning, just as beautiful as the original telling of swan lake but with a sapphic twist. I loved swan lake as a child and Odette was always such a beautiful and tragic character to me. She is just as beautiful in this retelling. I remember having a jewellery box, my late gran gave me, that had a wind up music box underneath a mirror, with these two little magnetic swans dancing around in a circle to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. I honestly had this song in my head reading this book at the last chapter more so.
This was a very nostalgic book for me due to a familiar shared love with my gran of Swan Lake. And I utterly devoured it in 3 days. Beautifully written and the characters captivate you from the beginning until the gripping end. I can’t wait to read more by this author. 🦢

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review

A story like a piece of magic imbued goddess-gold. Enchanting and captivating from the first page. Intriguingly flawed characters with beautiful growth. An original twist of the known and treasured Swanlake narrative from the POV of the anti-heroine taking over the story - and the readers. Looking forward to more of her adventures! How she became the grand sorciere with the powers of the goddesses of creation and death.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of A Treachery of Swans.

A Treachery of Swans is a beautiful YA homage to Swan Lake and, to a lesser extent, Phantom of the Opera. It's full of atmosphere, with delectable prose and fairy-tale spookiness. And it is so very queer. Not only do you get the sapphic main pairing, but there's also m/m rep, heartwarming queer friendships, and hints of a lavender marriage in the making.

But this book is so much more than a queer fairy tale. It's about being badly hurt but growing to trust others, to be vulnerable, to break away from harmful relationships and choose healthier ones — and more than anything, to believe that you are worthy of love. Our POV character may be a villain, but I wanted to give her a hug so many times. (And especially when I realised that she was so starved of affection that she didn't even recognise what a hug was!)

As much as my heart went out to our black swan protagonist, at times I felt frustrated by her tendency to make the wrong choices. I also felt that she was forgiven far too easily on multiple occasions. She is messy and at times unlikeable. But within the context of the story, I also believed she was real. I understood why she made those bad decisions.

I will say that this isn't the book to read if you want a fully fleshed-out world with lots of realism. This is an homage to the ballet, and the court and the wider world often feels like painted scenery. Princes are left unaccompanied when they want to be; royal weddings are organised by theatre directors. I didn't mind this because it's the same suspension of disbelief that I do when I go to see Swan Lake or other ballet performances. However, I can see some readers feeling frustrated by this.

Also, I went into A Treachery of Swans thinking it was a standalone, but it absolutely shouldn't be. It feels like it was written as the first book of a duology or trilogy, and then later on, they decided to release it as a standalone and an epilogue was hastily added to assure us that there was a HEA at some point. I am desperately hoping that book two gets released.