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.

A sapphic Swan Lake retelling with delicious slow burn and a trickster, witty villainess (who just wants to be loved, someone hug her).

<b>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.
</b>
Odile aims to bring magic back by gaining the
trust of Marie d’Odette, taking her place, seducing the Dauphin of Auréal, and fool him long enough to steal the Crown.
Odile has a past with Marie and it is easy to trick her and magic the beatific swan into an actual white swan. It is easy to become Marie and win her way into the Prince’s trust.

It is not so easy when Odile starts to realise maybe she starts to trust them too.

<b>If the Théâtre is a gluttonous creature, the Château is a violent one, bleak and lifeless against the pit of night. Its towers are sharp as wolf’s teeth, the few lit windows slit like a snake’s pupils. There’s something vigilant about it, something prowling–as though it is grinning, lips pulled back, a predator anticipating a kill.</b>

This reminded me of The Little Thieves waaay too much. Both a positive and negative thing. To be compared to one of my favourite YA fantasy series, but also I couldn’t look past the similarities at times.
Take the main character energy.
The camaraderie Odile views as ridiculous (but she finds herself enjoying too much).
The whole swapping places and coming to see things aren’t always brighter on the other side.

Everyone in this story longs for freedom. The character work and emotions were spectacular.
There is yearning throughout - for more, for love, for difference.

<b>She laughs, and it sounds like spring rain, pure and sweet. I want to gather it up in my palms, feel it trickle between my fingers. I want to forget I ever heard it.
</b>
If you want absolutely no SPOILERS whatsoever, don’t read on. They are not explicit, just general feelings about the ending.

What I didn’t like:
This had an emotionally wrung ending, then suddenly changed pace to make it seem like it wasn’t going to be a standalone, and then…
Well, I’ll let you find out.

I just didn’t like it, and in the author’s note, it seems this was a decision made coming off responses from her previous standalone; Where The Dark Stands Still.

Gorgeous arc gifted by Penguin Random House UK Children’s.

Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me an e-ARC via NetGalley! That in no way influenced this review, and all opinions are my own.

When I tell you I SCREAMED when I saw that I got accepted for this book. I’d heard so many incredible things about this book, and I have been waiting for a sapphic fantasy book and my god did this deliver.

The slow burn was incredible; the timing of everything was absolutely perfect. The pacing was great throughout and I really did not want to put this book down to go to sleep. I felt every single emotion so strongly throughout the book. I found myself relating to Odile and everything she was feeling - wanting to be accepted, always seeking approval, not wanting to disappoint others, muting yourself for the benefit of others. I would absolutely go to war for this woman, and there is not a single thing she has done wrong.
As for Marie, she was just impeccable. Initially we think she’s a spoiled brainless heiress swimming in wealth and luxury, but the truth we get about her upbringing throughout the book just shattered my heart. My beautiful swan queen, I would die for her a thousand times over. Marie was such a loving character, and she was so empathetic and kind and I just love her so much.
They both deserve the absolute best in life.

This book had so many important messages within it; don’t judge someone by the mask they wear, the only approval you need is your own, the truth will set you free, and ultimately accepting yourself for who you are and knowing your own limits.

I cried, laughed, and gasped during this book so many different times, and for a book to evoke that from me tells me it’s a great book. The queer representation is so important to me. Having a WLW retelling of Swan Lake/various other ‘drama pieces’ has really helped to heal my little queer heart.

5/5 stars does not feel like enough of a rating for this book. I’d love to give it 100 stars, along with a 10,000 essay on how incredible it is and why I would recommend it to so many people.

Rating: 5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

For my failings I’m not familiar with the original tale of swan lake, so cannot speak to the original inspiration. However, what I can speak to is the wonder of this book. What a true delight it was - the portrayal of conflict, control, and final freedom was beautiful. The elements of control were so well (and horrifyingly) portrayed - those subtle ways that people are isolated so they are solely reliant on their controller were excellently incorporated. It was a true tale of love and making decisions to free yourself physically and emotionally. Loved it!

Thank you to Penguin Random House UK and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a DNF at 33% and I’m so mad about that because I wanted to love this book. I was really looking forward to this one! I loved the idea of a sapphic swan lake retelling. I loved the idea of this being set in 17th century France. I was so excited to read this one.

However, this book unfortunately fell short of my expectations. This book just did not hook me in. The main character had no personality traits that stood out. By 33% of a book I should be hooked, I should want to know more about our characters and the plot, but I just feel it was rather flat? I didn’t feel invested in the characters at all, and by 33% I SHOULD be.

Odile just felt so flat to me as a character. There was no substance to her in the 33% I read so far. It was very much tell, not show.

I also couldn’t get a firm grasp on the ages of these characters. The discussion of marriage made me think they were at least 16-18+, but the way Odile was written made me think she was 14.

I know this is a YA book, but I felt the writing was extremely juvenile even for YA.

I did enjoy some of the descriptions of the court and the outfits. I liked those parts, and I found them interesting.

Overall, this one was a miss for me. I can see the potential here and I’m still mad I didn’t like this.

A. B. Poranek queen of making me shit tears at the endings

this book was marvellous, so atmospheric and fairytale like and also momentarily scary, I was feeling every emotion possible

Odile, I love her and her scheming, she can do no wrong and Marie, my swan princess made me cry on two separate occasions and that sloooow burn was perfect

this sapphic Swan lake retelling was everything I was hoping it'll be and much more, there were twists I did not seen coming, that left my jaw on the floor and it was so dreamy, it pulled me right into the story and didn't let go until I finished it

and what was that ending??? left me in shambles just like Where the dark stands still did

Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

A Treachery of Swans is a beautiful gothic sapphic reimagining of Swan Lake - with a little mystery thrown into the pot for good measure 🦢✨

This book also contains the most heart-wrenching and soul shattering dedication I fear.

This was atmospheric and vivid and AH it was beautiful. I adored Odile and Marie’s relationship and I wish we would’ve seen more of them together in the first half of the book (but only because I’m greedy and they’re precious and I absolutely love them).

Thank you endlessly to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

A Treachery of Swans is a hauntingly beautiful reimagining of Swan Lake, woven with threads of magic, longing, and rebellion. A.B. Poranek delivers a story that is as sharp and precise as it is dreamlike—where every deception feels like a dance, and every moment of connection carries the weight of a kingdom.

At the center of the story is Odile, a girl raised in the shadows of a magicless world, trained by a sorcerer to pull off a high-stakes heist that could reshape her country’s fate. Her mission? Steal a crown, restore magic, and do it all from within the heart of the enemy: the royal court. But nothing goes to plan. A sudden murder shatters her careful strategy, and Odile is forced into an uneasy alliance with Marie—the very princess she was meant to deceive. What follows is a slow-burning unraveling of secrets, shifting loyalties, and a romance that defies everything Odile thought she stood for.

Poranek’s writing is captivating from the very first page. The world of Auréal—steeped in French-inspired opulence and cloaked in fear of forbidden magic—feels both richly textured and deeply atmospheric. It’s rare to find a standalone fantasy that builds such a layered setting without ever losing momentum, but this one manages it with elegance and precision.

What truly elevates A Treachery of Swans, though, is the emotional core. Odile is fierce and flawed, guided as much by grief and guilt as by purpose. Her relationship with Marie unfolds slowly and organically, never rushed, and brimming with quiet intensity. Their dynamic is tender, complicated, and beautifully written—the kind of queer romance that feels both revolutionary and deeply personal. As the plot deepens and their bond grows, readers are asked to consider the cost of change, the nature of trust, and the meaning of sacrifice.

While there are political intrigues and plot twists (including a murder mystery that adds urgency and stakes), the heart of this novel lies in its characters. Even the side figures, like Odile’s enigmatic brother or the charming but troubled prince, are rendered with nuance, hinting at fuller lives beyond the page. And though the central conflict builds to a satisfying climax, the emotional resolution lingers even longer.

A Treachery of Swans is a masterful blend of romance, rebellion, and gothic fantasy—a story about finding yourself in the very place you were told you didn’t belong. It's perfect for fans of lush prose, high-stakes heists, and love stories that bloom against all odds.

A retelling of Swan Lake with sapphic rep and dark gothic writing.

I’m a sucker for anything gothic so even though I don’t know much about Swan Lake (except my favourite film as a kid the Swan princess) I was immediately intrigued.

At the beginning I was quite confused as to what was was going on, but once I got past that, I found this to be an intriguing read and even though it wasn’t exactly what I expected, or what I would usually reach for, I did overall enjoy the book and can see this being very popular for YA readers

Where The Dark Stands Still was one of my favorite reads of 2025 and I often find a second book never quite matches it first but thankfully that wasn't the case with A Treachery of Swans! Atmospheric, gothic and brutally tender, A Treachery of Swans is the novel my teenage self longed for and I'm happy to have finally got it as an adult.

This was a very enjoyable read, a twist on the Swan Lake story. Our MFC could be annoying at times - she was so convinced she was the villain of her story, so eager to fall into bad habits and lash out at others before they could do the same to her. It didn't matter if it was her love interest, her brother, she was so scared of letting them in, that she pushed them away. Which, after it happened for what felt like the 50th time, did start to grate, but it was worth it to carry on reading.

Yes, some of it was predictable, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story, following along the twists and turns. Almost every side character was well fleshed out and a delight to behold - aside from perhaps the King and the Regent. I really liked the Step-Queen and the subversion she offered the story.

One little touch I particularly liked was the naming of the chapters. They were all 'scenes' and settings. It added to the theatrical, otherworldly nature of the tale.

I'm in two minds about the ending. On one hand I really appreciate this is a stand alone and that it actually *has* an ending - so many books in a series feel as though they've just been split for length rather than a book in their own right. And yet. And yet, the last few chapters set up a world of adventure, of a story that rivalled everything that came before, and we just skipped over it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc
This has been a book that I’ve been excited for all year.
I loved how this was a retelling of the classic Swan Lake but the mystery aspect of this was also enjoyable.
The family dynamic, the past relationships were all written amazingly and I can’t wait to find out if this story continues

A Treachery of Swans is a retelling of the classic Swan Lake fairytale. It has a setting inspired by 17th century France, which I loved, and it worked so well with the magic and betrayals. It was beautifully written and I fell into the world and into the characters. For a moment there, at the end, I thought there might have been a sequel coming, and I didn't hate that idea at all!

Going into this book, I absolutely loved the blurb but was a bit worried about the fact it was in the YA category, only because I've been burned recently by a lot of YA that only had surface level characters and predictable plot, which I think is doing a disservice to YA readers. So I was very relieved that A Treachery of Swans didn't suffer from that at all. The FMC, Odile, and her love interest, Marie, may be young, but it's not a shallow book. The characters and the plot both have depth and complexity. There isn't open door romance (just one scene that alludes to what happened between Odile and Marie in a non-graphic way), which makes it appropriate for YA, but it also didn't "feel too young" to me as a 37 year old reader who just wanted to enjoy a slow-burn sapphic, gothic fantasy romance.

In this case, this book was even better than the blurb suggested. I laughed out loud, I smiled, I teared up and I crossed my fingers for a HEA for Odile and Marie.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.