A hauntingly beautiful tale that weaves together themes of grief, love, and the complexities of identity. This is my first book by R. M. Romero and it didn't disappoint! I love the premise and really appreciate the beautifully crafted storytelling.

A short and quick read. This took me way too long to read, but it was worth it. Not really similar to 'Swan Lake' besides the fact that both stories are about Swan girls.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this one, but one I got to actually reading it, I could not focus on it at all. It was just really dry to me.

R. M. Romero’s writing in A Warning About Swans was absolutely beautiful. I loved following along with Hilde’s story as she leaves her home and sisters in the woods to live with a young baron nicknamed Richter. She believes that she is going to be free of all convinments there unlike in her home in the woods but soon realizes that she is more trapped with Richter.

This wonderful novel written in verse is a historical fantasy book based loosly on Swan Lake with aspects of The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. I loved the addition of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who is famously called the Fairy tale King because of the murals that he has painted in his castle, Neuschwanstein. In this book, he hires a painter named Franz to paint these famous murals. Hilde becomes drawn to Franz over her time with them. I enjoyed both Franz’s and Ludwig’s parts in this tale.

I highly recommend this stunning tale that feels like a fairy tale. Romero’s writing was beautiful and I could not get enough of Hilde’s tale. I will definitely be adding this novel to my collection.

I adored Romero's previous novel in verse, the gorgeous lyricism and fairytale atmosphere, and I'm delighted to confirm that A WARNING ABOUT SWANS is equally lovely. It's a haunting exploration of girlhood, desire, and art, and how we present ourselves to the world. There's a beautiful queer romance threaded subtly throughout, and I wanted to drink the luscious Bavarian setting right from the page. From the whimsical cover to the ageless, classic feel of the tale, R. M. Romero continues to be a powerhouse and I cannot wait for whatever she dreams up next.

R.M. Romero can lirterally do no wrong. Her prose gets better and better with each new book she publishes, and this is no exception.

I love how Romero is able to paint such a vivid picture and build such lush worlds with so few words. Her characters feel so human and real even when they aren't even human characters. I love how she is able to capture so much within her books - it feels like magic every time.

I also love the representation Romero always includes in her books. I loved the Jewish rep in this book and I also loved that we had a casually nonbinary main character. It feels so gratifying to see characters like these being represented in YA fiction.

This story was the fairytale I always wanted - a story that feels familiar but centers a female character's strength and resilience. I loved every second of it and never wanted it to end! I'm already counting the days until Romero's next book!

I loved it! R. M. Romero continues to thrill me. She is an autobuy author for me. Her prose is great, and I love how she captures magic in her poetry. Also, her Jewish rep is always great.

This dark fairytale inspired by the Grimm brothers mixes mythology with the tale of Swan Lake. Set in Bavaria, the daughters of Odin are granted the ability to become swans by the cloaks they were gifted. These also provide each with a unique gift. Hilde does not appreciate her gift and tries to escape to the human world, only to realize that she would not be free there. Her freedom was hers to take and discover, but she must learn that through her own efforts.

This was a gorgeous historical magical realism/fantasy book! I was taken aback by the fact that it was written in verse, and it took me a while to get into, but once I was in I was in. Very interested in the author's other books!

This is my second book I've read from this author, and gotta say, I love it! I loved the floe and the characters and the depth. A+

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- this was a beautiful story of residence, and Hilde's story stuck with me, alongside her relationship with Franz. the story focused on the flaws and revenge that Hilde went through against the Baron, and i enjoyed her development from the first page.

- a book full of rosy prose and jam packed emotions that will hit hard.

R.M. Romero's YA novels in verse are truly wholesome palate cleansers after a hard day at work. Her latest novel isn't as young in tone as The Ghosts of Rose Hill, and also much... weirder and more abstract. The historical premise and fairytale mood (Ludwig II is part of the dramatis personae, after all) pulled me in at the start, but didn't alleviate the flimsy plot. This is still a beautiful text to read, in my opinion, but I had hoped for something more solid.

I really enjoyed this one. It was very different from what I usually read. I really liked the free form verse in which the story is told. It is something I usually struggle with.

This was a really fun and beautifully written folklore fairytale novel in verse. It flowed nicely, I appreciated the themes of magic and learning how to belong to yourself. I can say that the characters were hard to connect to because in their development, we were only given enough to know them just so but it was still a really great read.

Thanks to netgalley for allowing me to read this early in exchange for my honest review.

A wholly original take on a not-as-well-known fairytale, this novel in verse swept me away from the very first page. It’s not often a story can combine the whimsical nature and specific beauty of a fairytale with characters that feel grounded in reality even as they speak about the most fantastical of things – this tale accomplishes that on every page. An examination of feminism and independence, of power and its responsibility, of love and the lack thereof, A Warning About Swans hits you right in the heart in oh so many ways. It’s heartbreaking, and enraging, but overall leaves you believing in the power of love and loyalty and the importance of being true to who you are in your core. Definitely one of the standout reads of the year. Bonus points for a quick read managing to hit it out of the park.

Content warning: abuse (emotional and physical), manipulation.

SUCH a beautifully fairytale retelling written in verse! I was captivated and Blown away by it's magical beauty!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me the arc.
This review will contain slight spoilers!

It seldom happens I’m at a loss for words, but “A Warning about Swans” blew me away. From the way this book is written, to the absolute beauty of the tale, I felt transported back into the fairytales of my childhood, when the world was still full of magic and wonder. Or as R.M. Romero shows us, the world still is filled with magic if we dare to take a look.

I went into this book not knowing what to expect, and was surprised to see the story was written more like a children’s book or poem than the more common practice of literature. Yet, with less words Romero captures a world and characters that is full of life. The woods almost feel tangible when reading.

“A Warning about Swans” tells the story about Hilde, a magical being created by Odin. Her magical gift helps her guide the souls to the Other World after death, and she soon finds herself wishing for a life beyond the death that always accompanies her. In her search for understanding and companionship she gets lost in the dreams of a boy she meets, Richter. But soon she might learn that another’s dreams might not be enough to fulfil her own.

The story brings important topics to the light about self autonomy, love and what it means to find yourself when you might feel lost. It is a story that I would recommend everyone that has a love for fairytales and myths. For a good laugh, or cry, and mirror some of us might need. But also a love-story that feels as magical as the old tales, but with a happy ending.

If you are looking for an escape back in the old wonders of the world, I highly recommend “A Warning about Swans” and to soar, even just for a moment, through the woods of tales long lost.

Absolutely gorgeous. This new fairy tale felt traditional and modern at the same time. The Jewish representation was seamlessly blended into a genre that usually doesn’t have much. I also loved how it was written in verse, which made it more lyrical. I will be buying a copy for my bookshelf.

It's well-written but the fairytale aspect crumbled after a few chapters and I can't tell if that's because the book is way too long for it wants to be or something in the narration.

One of the reasons why I wanted to read this one was because it was set in the Alps but I got nothing of that aspect and instead more Nordic mythology that I bargained for

Wow, this book was so unique and beautiful! It was written in lyrical prose, which gave the story an extra magical feel. I have never read The Last Unicorn, but I've always loved Swan Lake, a tale of which A Warning About Swans is undoubtedly reminiscent. Franz is one of the most unique, heartwarming characters I've ever encountered, and R.M. Romero deftly portrays the main character, Hilde's, journey through an abusive relationship and ultimate self-discovery. Hilde is fierce but kind, and I enjoyed embarking with her on a journey through the Bavarian Alps.

This was my first book by Romero, but I will definitely be reading more. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.