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.