Huge thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Holly Michelle for the ARC of this book!

​If you need a quick, cozy palate cleanser between massive book series, this is a fantastic choice. The setting feels like Beetlejuice meets the Time Variance Authority from Loki wrapped up in a modern Disney movie. I absolutely loved the creative corporate afterlife setting before moving on to "the beyond."

​The secondary characters were a massive highlight for me. I completely fell in love with Cole and desperately wish he had gotten more screen time. Jason was also a great character, which makes it so sad that he ultimately felt entirely devoid of personality outside of what Dell forced him to do.

Unfortunately, Dell was a really tough FMC to root for. Her main-character energy leaned into steamrolling both the plot and everyone around her, which actually made me feel legit anxious. I don't think I could be around someone like that irl. While the narrative constantly tells us she's a great person, her behavior mostly just read as a privileged rich white girl.

As you learn more about her fiance, Tommy, and their relationship... it kept feeling largely unnecessary. The story would have shone so much brighter if it had backed off that subplot and focused more on Dell's broader interpersonal growth with the rest of the cast.

​Even with those issues, this was still a genuinely fun, quick read. A solid 3.5 stars from me!

Hannah Kaner’s A Snake Among Swans is a brilliant, demanding breath of fresh air for the high fantasy genre. The novel plunges you straight into a high-stakes game of political chess where a once-ruthless king, an ambitious church, and six entitled heirs are all desperately fighting for power. While the complex world-building and vast cast of characters require a slower pace in the opening chapters, the payoff is immense. The history and cultures unfold naturally through a beautifully atmospheric landscape, anchored by a sentient magical forest that weaves a constant, palpable sense of dread throughout the narrative.

What truly elevates this story, however, is its incredible character development and the fierce undercurrent of feminine rage driving the plot. Writing in distinct dual perspectives, Kaner explores the heavy weight of survival and trauma through two fascinating women. Tilde’s transformation from an angry, reactive exile into a calculating, strategic, and genuinely dangerous player within the court is exceptionally satisfying. Alongside her is the king's daughter, Elise, whose journey from a dutiful soul into a ruthless political survivor allows her to finally accept herself and find freedom. The romantic bond that develops between Tilde and Elise is slow and methodical, beautifully mirroring their personal growth. However, the intense, consuming obsession they develop for one another felt a bit abrupt, appearing almost out of nowhere despite the otherwise careful pacing of their connection.

Even with that minor stumble in the romance's progression, this is a dense, emotionally unrelenting fantasy that favors deep psychological decay over cheap spectacle. I was utterly enthralled by the grit and nuance of these characters and highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion!