A Warning About Swans

"Dreamy, melancholy, and pensive. . . ."—NPR

★ "The blend of elements from ‘Swan Lake,’ Germanic folklore, and Norse mythology is richly harmonious, presenting a beautifully wrought surface beneath which (as in all good fairy tales) layers of meaning reward those willing to dive."—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books, Starred Review

"A queer, feminist spin on familiar fairy-tale elements. Highly recommended."—School Library Journal

"With its lush language and modern themes, [A Warning About Swans] is a relevant, whimsical fairy tale in verse. . . . R.M. Romero (The Ghosts of Rose Hill) incorporates contemporary themes of self-acceptance, patriarchal culture, and gender into an original fairy tale that is immersive and picturesquely written."—Shelf Awareness

"The story smoothly melds contemporary understandings of gender equality, exploration, and representation with fairy tale–like ambiance and language, making for a gratifying read"—Publishers Weekly

"Filled with romance and betrayal, enchantment and the natural world, this will appeal to fairy-tale lovers everywhere."—Booklist
 
"Fairy tales and myths form a seamless whole in R. M. Romero’s fantasy novel A Warning about Swans. . . . Echoes of Swan Lake and folktales about animal bride transformations infuse the story with folklore. Written in prose poetry, it leaps across the page in italics and indentations, mimicking the flights of Hilde and her sisters. . . . Grounded in history and myths, A Warning about Swans is a dreamy, eloquent fairy tale with timeless reflections on love, duty, and betrayal."—Foreword Reviews

"R.M. Romero has woven a powerful, moving fairytale about finding belonging in the in-between and holding onto magic in a cruel world. A Warning About Swans carried me from hope to despair and back again on the wings of dreamy, wrenching verse. Entirely spellbinding." —Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic
 
"An absolutely gorgeous book with words that dance across the page in shining verse. I wanted to linger with Hilde and Franz in their world even after the story came to an end. Utterly magical!" —Kip Wilson, award-winning author of The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin

"Enchantment, love, danger, passion, and power, A Warning About Swans is an unforgettable story, perfectly woven and hugely accomplished, both fresh and timeless, like a forgotten Grimm tale given a dazzling new life. This has confirmed Romero as one of my all-time favorite writers." —Sophie Anderson, award winning author of The House with Chicken Legs

Praise for The Ghosts of Rose Hill

“A story of deep hurts delivered with a very gentle, kindly touch.”—NPR

★ “A must-read for lost souls everywhere.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “An intoxicating blend of the contemporary and otherworldly.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ A modern folktale, a love letter to the diaspora, and a unique novel-in-verse.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “[A] wistful and deeply symbolic tale of feeling seen and finding powerful connections to the past.”—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review