A TREACHERY OF SWANS

Swan Lake reimagined as a queer romance between a cunning actor and an elegant noblewoman.

Odile Regnault, who has “citrine-yellow” eyes and dark hair, is an actor by trade but a spy by legacy. Her scheming father, Regnault, the renowned director of the Théâtre du Roi and a secret sorcier, sends her on missions to scam and steal from the noblesse of Verroux. Regnault’s latest plot is the most ambitious yet: steal the powerfully magical Couronne du Roi, which is hidden in the royal Château. Regnault claims he’ll use it to restore magic to their world. Restoring “the time of sorcery” would be life-changing for Odile, who was born a sorciere but is unable to access her full powers. Determined to succeed, she helps her father magically transform the refined Duchesse Marie d’Odette d’Auvigny into a swan while she assumes the duchess’ identity. Once in disguise, Odile sets her sights on seducing the Dauphin, Aimé-Victor Augier—or at least fooling him long enough to complete her mission at the Château. But just as her plans begin to take off, the King is found murdered and the court descends into chaos. Odile must navigate complex intrigues while also grappling with her helpless attraction to the real Marie, who assumes her human form at night. There’s enough page-turning drama to propel readers to the story’s conclusion, but Poranek’s opulent prose also allows them to savor the dreamy fantasy-French setting.

A lavish fantasy heist steeped in romance.