Odette never imagined her outing as a swan would be thrown off course by a shadowy arrow, shot by one of the four Grim Reapers of Mystica. When she crashes into the ruins of Tressa and comes face to face with Raymundo, he’ll have questions about her missing eye and the Blue Wizard stalking her every move across the land.
Reaper Raymundo never strays far from home very long, not with the weight of being the eldest of seventeen resting on his shoulders. Agreeing to bring the Swan Princess home to her parents is just another day in the life of a Reaper, until he discovers the dark secrets within the kingdom and the feelings only Odette can unearth.
As secrets of the past unravel, the evil hiding within Mystica can only grow. With one Reaper missing and the rest spread throughout the country, Ray will journey with Odette beneath Swan Lake and discover the secrets only the royal bloodline can access. Too many secrets overlap, and discovering what Lord Dima collected in his hidden house of horrors might just explain why the creatures of Mystica turn into monsters.
The clock is ticking, and the Queen is waiting…
Beneath Swan Lake is book 2 in the Deadly Endings series. All warnings can be found on my website, and within the beginning of the book. This is a high fantasy retelling world where the series needs to be read in order.
I love this authors work, this one is one of my favorites!! It was SO GOOD! I didn’t want it to end. I love Ray & Odette. Reaper & Swan Princess ahhhh.
The plot was so good! There’s lot of action, and revenge! If you like the “who hurt you” trope…you’ll LOVE Raymundo. This is a fairytale mashup there are references to many! I’m so excited for the next book too!!!
There’s spice! The shadow play was hoooot. I loved how their relationship was slower burn, their chemistry and banter!
"𝖂𝖆𝖓𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖕𝖑𝖆𝖞 𝖆 𝖌𝖆𝖒𝖊, 𝕭𝖎𝖗𝖉𝖎𝖊?"
If you like fairytale retellings, pick this one up!
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
🦢Swan Princess 💛Protective mmc 🍃Hidden past 🦢Touch her and d!3 💛He falls first 🍃Old lady who lived in a shoe 🦢Shadow play 💛Evil Derek 🍃Missing eye 🦢Shadow man 💛Who hurt you
I am very excited to see where the rest of the series takes us. I adore retellings and I love the world the author has created. So many great stories are woven together. This is a great series for anyone that enjoys fantasy, romantasy, reapers, fairytale retellings, magic, supportive men, and suspense complete with twists and turns.
There are some inconsistencies in the writing that take away from the story a bit but some of that may just be due to it being an ARC, hopefully editing smooths some of that out.
Beneath Swan Lake, book 2 in the Deadly Endings series is a continuation from book 1 Down from the Tower.
Both are fantasy retellings of stories we all know and love. This one is about Princess Odette from Swan Lake and Grim Reaper Raymundo. They come together when Ray shoots her out of the sky thinking she’s something sinister then when he realizes she’s not, he takes her to Rapunzel to be healed. He returns her home to Swan Lake only to leave again on a mission.
This is quite a long book that contains several smaller type stories within. It does have some unexpected twists that kept me reading and with the cliffhanger ending, I find myself wanting more. I’m hoping there will be another instalment!
Each and every time Author H.N. DeFore takes us back into this vivid and unique world I am always left reeling.
First and foremost I typically do not gravitate towards fantasy reads but I will ALWAYS make an exception for what ever this Author writes!
And when it comes to this incredible world that she has created... hands down gonna dive in as soon as it hits my kindle!
Once again I am just sitting here staring into space wondering how she manages to create these characters and these such intricate stories... then tie them all together... it seriously bows my mind.
I love how we not only meet new characters but we also follow along the previous book's characters.. making this world that much more engrossing.
And just because this is a fantasy book don't think for one second that this Author skimps on the spice.... cause sheewwww these Reapers and their Princesses like to get dirty and in the best ways!
There's so any riddles that will have your brain spinning.... there's suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat... and spice that will make you want to find your very own shadow daddy.
If you love fantasy romantasy... books with incredible world building , characters that are so unique and intriguing... Princesses that are as fierce as they come.. and who doesn't love a filthy mouthed shadow daddies... this book is a MUST READ!
This one wasn't my favorite out of the two. I really enjoyed the first one but this one confused me more than anything. Alot of back and forth. One of my favorite movies growing up was the sawn princess. So that part of the book I loved, then you have it a little dark and twisted! Yes!!! But if the author would have stuck with that and not added all the other retelling in, this would have been a fantastic book. But everything else in between confused me.
Then also the shadow daddy was the same as the first book but now he was more with Odette than Rapunzel. It was more like a why choose but no choosing if you know what I mean.
It does start off with Rapunzel and Zarve finding the swan princess. It gets dark with a prince coming and trying to get odette's Hand on marriage. He really isn't that nicest guy but Odette surrenders to him. So Zarve gets upset and is set to save her from him. Maybe falling for her at first sight. Then Rapunzel is really just gone from the book and only in it a handful of times.
I will be reading book #3 when it comes out to see what happens. But maybe this one just wasn't my cup of tea which I was disappointed cause I would have loved a more dark romance retelling with the swan princess.
THIS SERIES! I am absolutely loving this unique fairy tale retelling. This mysterious, adventurous story pulled me in and I am so invested in these characters and what is going to happen next.
THOUGHTS 💭 🏹 This book picks up where book 1 left off; we still get a few chapters from Zarev and Repunzel’s perspectives, but our focus switches to Raymundo (another reaper) and Odette (the one-eyed shifter princess from Swan Lake). 🦢 I love that this book includes the retellings of a combination of fairytales: The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, etc. The stories are familiar, yet not, so it keeps you on your toes. 🏹 Though secondary to the fantasy lore/story/world building, romance underpinned the whole story, which is a must for me. Ray is a protective, touch her and ☠️, shadow daddy MMC and I was here for it. 🥵 🦢 This was a great second book in the series; normally the “middle” book in a series loses some steam/excitement, but Under Swan Lake introduced us to new characters, provided new perspectives on this world, uncovered new lores, and was just an overall exciting continuation of this story.
Thanks so much to H.N. DeFore for the ARC of this book.
I truly enjoyed seeing Raymundo’s side of the Reaper world in Beneath Swan Lake. His absolute devotion to Odette and the love he has for his large, chaotic family added a lot of depth to his character. His steady presence made him feel like a solid anchor in an increasingly twisted, mysterious world.
While I would’ve loved more scenes between Ray and Odette—especially in the vein of Rapunzel and Zarev’s dynamic—I get that their situations were completely different. Odette’s past, secrets, and trauma created a more delicate balance, and it was handled with care.
The worldbuilding continues to be one of my favorite aspects of this series. Everything is tangling together more and more—secrets, monsters, magic, and mystery—and I am absolutely here for it. The pacing builds tension beautifully, and the ending left me with just enough questions to be desperate for book three.
What’s going to happen next? I can’t wait to see more of Ban, learn more about the elusive fourth Reaper, and hopefully get some snippets from the others too. This world is intricate, eerie, and unlike anything else—and I love every second of it.
With the ending of the first book, we find Rapunzel and Zarev still traveling through Wonderland. They meet with another Reaper, Raymundo aka Ray. It is not too long when they come upon Odette, the Swan Princess.
Besides having to contend with the evil Tressa, there is Dima, who turned Odette and wants to claim her.
The new addition of Odette and Ray is nice. They build up with a slow romance. I liked Ray right away. Odette is good and her ability to transform from swan to human is nice. Although, I still think Rapunzel is the stronger of the two women. This is not to take away from Odette.
I really like how author H.N. has been able to seamlessly incorporate the various fairy tales into this series. You would think they shouldn't work together but they do. This book is spilt into four different parts. With each part the pacing picks up speed with the storyline. I am looking forward to book three.
Beneath Swan Lake is book 2 in the Deadly Endings series. this book takes place right after the events in book 1 Down from the Tower. A dark retelling of the Swan Princess. We meet Odette the Swan Princess with a dark secret and learn more about Raymundo, one of the Four Reapers.
But before we get into Odette and Raymundo we get a glimpse into Rapunzel's life and secrets from her past. Hoping to find answers about her long lost sister who the Mad Queen supposedly tossed away with the help of Zarev, another one of the Four Reapers. Now the two of them are off to Camelot in search of answers.
MMC who are obsessed with their girl, touch her and you won’t be breathing, or ending someone for them is my jam, if it is also yours let’s be friends and obsessed about Raymundo. From the first time seeing Odette it seemed there was something he wasn’t saying about his feelings for her. Helping her to get back home to her kingdom-her parents.
Odette didn’t want his help getting back home, she didn’t want to rely on him or have him find out about her secret. She was part swan; she could make it back to her parents without his help. Too bad he wasn’t going to be leaving her side.
Throughout the journey we learn more about Odette, the secret she has been carrying for years, what is actually beneath swan lake, and of course more and more secrets and questions I need answers to.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s been so long since I’ve read or even watched anything about the Swan Princess, it was one of my favorite movies growing up and this dark retelling was perfect! I say dark, but it really isn’t that dark. I’ve definitely read darker books, but please check the trigger warnings! What’s not dark for me might be dark for you and that is totally okay!
Tropes 🦢Swan Princess 🖤Grim Reaper 💛Protective MMC 🖤Touch Her and D!e 💛He falls first 🦢Shadow Play 🖤Who hurt you 🦢Found Family
H.N. DeFore delivers another dark and immersive fairy tale retelling with Beneath Swan Lake, the second book in the Deadly Endings series. This story is filled with magic, mystery, and unexpected twists.
What I Loved: 🖤 A beautifully dark and intricate world 🦢 Odette’s compelling journey as she navigates her curse and destiny ⚔️ Action, romance, and morally complex characters 🔮 The eerie, haunting atmosphere that keeps you turning the pages
The way DeFore weaves classic fairy tale elements into a fresh, unpredictable narrative is masterful. If you love dark fantasy with rich storytelling and deep character development, Beneath Swan Lake is a must-read!
Content Warnings: The book contains dark themes, so be sure to check for any potential triggers.
We have Swan Princess, Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe, and Jack and the Beanstalk mixed together.
I liked how this one moved along faster since we did have a good foundation from book 1 of the world.
I have some thoughts on what some of the things that happened could mean but I don't want to speculate and possibly get into spoilers. I enjoyed what teh author did with the story and definitly did not know what avenues the story would take and I appreciate that when I read fairytale retellings/reimaginings fairly often.
Spiciness does happen earlier in this book but fewer times. After the first initial, it isn't until almost the end of the book that there is another interaction. There is talk and reference to it mainly from Zarev and Rapunzel but we don't get anymore close relations with them as this is Odette and Ray's story.
I am looking forward to what fairytales will be combined for the next one.
Beneath Swan Lake by H.N. DeFore is a captivating continuation of the Deadly Endings series, blending dark fantasy, mystery, and character growth into an immersive read. While some twists were predictable, the intriguing subplot and eerie atmosphere kept the story engaging. Odette’s evolution from a princess burdened by secrets to someone who fully embraces her reality and faces it with strength was particularly satisfying. Her dynamic with Raymundo, though not as intense as the previous book’s pairing, still carried emotional weight as they unraveled the chilling mysteries beneath Swan Lake. With its rich world-building and haunting secrets, this book adds depth to the series and leaves me eager to see where the story goes next.
This book starts strong immediate action right out of the gate, which I loved. There’s no slow warm up; you’re thrown straight into the chaos, and it works. The story balances suspense and humor so well that I found myself both on edge and smiling throughout.
Odette’s journey with the Reaper is such a wild ride. Their adventure truly takes you down a rabbit hole of unexpected places, twists, and moments that kept me fully engaged. The world feels immersive and slightly unhinged in the best way, and the pacing never dragged.
Overall, this was a gripping, entertaining read that left me wanting more. I’m counting down the days until February 20th because I need the next book in my hands immediately.
"Beneath Swan Lake" by H.N. Defore is a thrilling second installment in the Deadly Endings series, blending elements of "Swan Lake", "Jack and the Beanstalk", and "The Woman Who Lived in a Shoe" into a captivating fairytale mashup. The retelling is packed with action, intrigue, and suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The characters are well-developed, with strong chemistry that makes their interactions compelling. The villain is deliciously wicked, adding depth to the story as readers revel in hating him. Overall, it's a highly enjoyable read for fans of inventive fairytale twists and fast-paced adventure.
Okay so this is book 2 in the Deadly Endings series and I love how it picks up right where book 1 (Down From The Tower) left off!
This book has everything from shadow daddies to the swan princess to the old lady who lived in a shoe. We have the Mad Queen, Rapunzel, and so many other classic stories woven together.
This book seemed darker to me than the first. The mystery and secrets really kept me on the edge of my seat and I already can't wait for book 3 to come out!
If you like shadow play, found family, fairytale retellings, and spicy vibes, this is the book for you. Be sure to grab Down From The Tower first though so you know what is going on.
Beneath swan Lake is the 2nd book of this series. I am definitely not someone who runs to fantasy books. However, I will read anything this author writes. I absolutely loved this book and can not wait for the next one. I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was for me to read this series. The story of Ray and Odette is full of spice and suspense . I love how the characters from the 1st book play a part in this storyline as well. If you are looking for a shadow daddy, a shifter and a princess, you will definitely love this fairytale retelling! #fairytales #shadowdaddy #magic #rapunzel #swanprincess
I can not even fully express how in love with this series I am. This knocks so many retellings out of the water for me. Many fairytales we grew up with all twisted together in a very twisty, turny, dark spicy way. If you love dark romance, retellings, shadows... this is for you. When I get to delve I to this world, it's so nicely written that I still wish it was one i could explore... other than how beautifully it plays out in my head. Leaves you wanting more.
The faces I made while reading this book 👀 Even princesses like to get down and dirty. IYKYK 👸
Can someone point me into the direction of obtaining my own shadow daddy because Odette’s didn’t disappoint 👀🙈🥵.
If you haven’t downloaded this to your kindle WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? I mean come on it’s a fantasy romance with amazing world building, mind boggling riddles and shadow daddies what more could you as for?
I really enjoy the retelling of the fairy tales. While the main one was Swan Princess there were so many hidden gems in the book. You should read the first book in the series before reading Beneath Swan. I really enjoyed Odette and Raymundo story in this book. The world building is so great and rich with all the different fairy tales in them.
I can't wait to read more in the series.
Thank you to H.N. DeFore for a gifted copy of the book.
Thank you to the author for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good follow up to the first book. You got to see characters from the first book, while meeting new characters who were only mentioned before. I'll be intrigued to see where the series will go from here and the stories the author will tell!
Ahhhhh! I need the next one in the series, like stat! Another great tale in this series. I really like that the author followed different characters but still had characters from the 1st book POVs. It was nice to still know what's going on when the 2 reapers split paths. I am a sucker for some dark fairytales. You definitely need to read this one right away!
This sequel was a good follow-up to book 1. It picks up where book 1 ends, so definitely read book 1 first. It is a dark re-telling combining aspects from several classic fairy tales. It introduces new characters and the story flowed nicely. There is plenty of action and plot twists to keep readers interested.
I need more, I need to know what happens next. It starts off right after the first book. This time we meet Dima, who’s as big of a jerk as he sounds like. There is a lot more riddles that need to be solved. Some get answers but we’re left with lots of questions still. I really hope things work out with Ray and Odette, they both deserve to be happy.
A was really happy to have more from the couple in the first book than I was exspecting. This one got spicy faster. I really enjoyed the twists and spins on fairytales that was taken. I felt like overall the books are getting better and look forward to the next one.
H.N. Defore did it again with a continuation from Down From The Tower. The 2nd book continues from the first with a different princess retelling. I cannot wait for her next book to come out and to finish these awesome stories.
i need more!! the lore of the world that haley is building has caught me hook, line, and sinker. i’m a sucker for a retelling and these stories have all the elements i love - danger, romance (HOT HOT HOT), intrigue, and some fairytale elements (including magic - yay!). anyway. 5/5 enjoy. 💕
What a book 2. You have more of everything. More of the characters from book 1. New characters, more fairytale retelling, more dark and twisty mysteries. I am loving this series. Can't wait for more.
As a kid I remember wearing out my Swan Princess VCR tape because I watched it as much as I could, so when this book was teased at the end of the author's Rapunzel retelling I was so excited to read it. And she did not disappoint. I adore the changes she made, like Derek, I will leave that as a secret for you to discover. I liked that Odette was sassy and determined given her situation. Making her a swan shifter was an amazing twist on the tale. I absolutely loved this story and the adventure of Swan Lake and can not wait to dive into the Frostlands with the next book