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.

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.

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!

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.

This gothic, sapphic retelling of Swan Lake, laced with Phantom of the Opera vibes, completely enchanted me. The writing is gorgeously atmospheric, weaving a haunting, elegant tone that perfectly suits the story’s darker edges.

The worldbuilding and magic system felt seamlessly tied to the narrative and aesthetic, creating a setting that was both eerie and enchanting. The mystery kept me turning pages, with twists I definitely didn’t see coming.

The characters were compelling, and I really enjoyed their interactions - especially Odile, who had such layered complexity. Her shared history with Marie gave their present relationship such depth and tension; I was fully invested in every moment between them.

Also... I would absolutely devour a spin-off about the Dauphin and Odile’s brother. Just putting that wish out into the universe.

A TREACHERY OF SWANS - AB PORANEK

It must be said: I'm having the best reading month, and that's largely due to the amazing ARCs I've read. A Treachery of Swans is the latest, and this book is another solid five-star read for me.

This book is a combination of all my favourite things: it's a retelling, it reads like a gothic fairytale, there's forbidden magic and a cast of entirely relatable characters. I loved it.

On the retelling side, it's a twist on Swan Lake, as well as heavily theatrical touches from The Phantom of the Opera (my favourite musical). Odile has been raised by a sorcerer and tasked with a mission to steal an important artefact that will help restore magic for good. As the title suggests, deception comes into play and Odile must decide who she ultimately trusts.

I loved Odile as much as I loved Marie, who is the white swan in this retelling. I actually found all the characters completely believable, making it easy to become swept up and away with this action-filled tale. Sprinkle in some truly monstrous beasts, redemption, plot twists and a perfect ending - as you can tell, I was completely sold.

Thank you to AB Poranek, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Release date: 26 June 2025

Review score: 5/5

TWs: d*ath, injury detail, toxic relationships

This was a fun retelling of Swan Lake with sapphic rep and lots of atmospheric writing and elaborate details.

The mystery was intriguing and had me guessing for a bit. I don't know Swan Lake very much at all myself, but I think this was probably a creative twist on it with its own lore and magic.

A gorgeously gothic, romantic and enchanting retelling of Swan Lake. It was so immersive and the mystery had me hooked right away. Five stars.

This is a dark, sapphic Swan Lake retelling with gothic vibes, scheming sorcerers, and just enough murder to keep things spicy. A wickedly fun ride with beautiful prose and the kind of vibes you want to drown in.