I loved this book. It felt like if Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, and Mulan had a baby—but it is uniquely its own story. There’s a tantalizing slow-burn romance that had me swooning, gorgeous food descriptions, writing that shimmers, and a lush, imaginative world. The story compulsively pulled me along and I can’t wait to have this on my bookshelf—recommended for absolutely everyone.

[RATE: 4.5/5] It was almost perfect! There were only missing bits for me, maybe a bit more action, a bit more chemistry, to be a favorite. But it was still honestly very good and a great and beautiful story!

I really liked Truyang's situation, her power, its specificities. There are things going her way and going against her, making a subtility in her power that make it more interesting than everything working fine. Elang was also a very good character, I really liked how he was described with is physical traits as a dragon, making him different than the others we met in this book. I enjoyed the romance between Tru and Elang, however I felt like it wasn't emotional enough, not developped enough : we feel the purpose of the romance, we know and see what happens between them, but there's not enough chemistry, not enough emotions between them both.

The story itself was really good and I was really into it, even if it was a sometimes pretty slow. However as soon as there were action, it was excellent. I really enjoyed the ending battle, but I mostly loved the overall ending of this book : it's different, it changes from regular ending of the romantic fantasy genre, and it's refreshing! I honesly really loved this ending, it was awesome.

Elizabeth Lim’s novels are always laced with such wonder and magic! Her stories weave together pieces of myths and fairytales with brilliant flair and enchant readers with the most endearing and heart-wrenching romances. Every word adds to the intricate tapestry that are her tales and her prose is always rich with such evocative descriptions and deep emotions. Her writing inspires all the senses and crafts elaborate stories of the devotion her protagonists have towards their families, their homes, and their loves.

A Forgery of Fate is a masterpiece of everything that makes her previous books just as enjoyable. The creativity of this book made every page a marvel, and the romantic tension and plotting suspense will leave you enraptured and wanting more until the very last page. I loved everything about this book!

A Forgery of Fate was my first Elizabeth Lim's book and it was amazing. This story is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and follows a fierce FMC trying to survive after her father's death. We follow her story while her family is unraveling specially by her mother's deep gambling debts and her choice of work so she can get by and helps her family.

The story picks up immediately and as the plot unfolds we see the choices our FMC does along the way. At the beginning she keeps her magic hidden as a secret, but as we go deep into the story, her abilities becomes a key to face the dangers she's facing. I found the prose stunning and her inner thoughts while painting relatable. The food descriptions made me salivate at some points.

There were a few twists that made impossible to figure out how the story was going to unfold which made me hooked from start to finish. This retelling is unique thanks to it's undersea and East Asian setting. There were so amazing scenes, and I had a few favorite quotes, like "Fortune finds those who leap.” However, I'm a bit sad with the ending since it felt a bit rushed, but overall I enjoyed this cozy fantasy story immensely.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.

Great book. Keeps you engaged with a beautiful described world, loveable characters and a great adventure. The characters give you a mix of everything and the story is mysterious and thrilling. Lovely story that makes you feel part of story.

A Magical Ride Worth Crying Over

This was my first Elizabeth Lim book—and wow, it delivered. I’m seriously considering buying a physical copy when it’s released, and I hate physical books. That’s how much I enjoyed it.

The story centers on a fierce and resilient FMC trying to survive after her father's tragic death in a shipwreck. Her family is unraveling, made worse by her mother's deep gambling debts and failed fortune-telling schemes. The first few chapters immerse us in her life of poverty and paranoia. She resorts to forging art just to get by, which draws her into a corrupt judicial system—where she’s scorned and mistreated for being "half-barbarian."

But her secret magic—kept hidden for her safety—slowly becomes her greatest weapon. As the plot unfolds, her abilities become key to facing dangers both on land and beneath the sea. The beginning 20% leans heavily on somber dialogue, which is necessary for world-building but made the pacing feel a bit sluggish. That said, the arrival of a sharp-tongued, smart-ass devil injected much-needed energy, and the supporting cast added even more flavor.

The prose is stunning—especially during her painting trances. Artists will find her inner thoughts relatable, while food lovers will practically smell the dishes described. #TeamRice

One critique: the underwater world didn’t feel as richly developed as I hoped. Maybe it's because I haven’t read much fantasy lately—or skimmed a few parts—but I struggled to visualize the setting at times. Halfway through, I had to adjust my expectations: think Beauty and the Beast meets Ninja Turtles serving Ariel's dad in The Little Mermaid. Odd combo, but still enjoyable.

And the twists—oh, the twists. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Lim dropped another bombshell. It kept me completely hooked. I suspected one particular family member might be hiding something sinister, but nope—just deeply, tragically flawed. And the ending? I bawled. No joke, I couldn’t breathe at times. Was I being dramatic? Absolutely. Do I care? Not one bit. I even showed up to work with red eyes and a puffy face.

Favorite Quotes:

“Fortune finds those who leap.”

“Joy on the feet rises to the heart. Happiness is expensive.” (Shoutout to my fellow shoe addicts.)

“It’s rude reading people’s thoughts.”
“Then you shouldn’t make them so interesting,” she replied, licking her lips. “I taste gossip, and it’s sweet.”

“They say that when a dragon dies, he gets to choose his next life. Maybe we can get noodles together soon enough.”

The beautiful cover drew me into this book - I didn’t actually realise it was YA until I was partway through it. I don’t normally read a lot of YA, but I enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, which felt unique thanks to its undersea and East Asian inspired setting. I was glad to find that while the story drew inspiration from this classic fairytale, it still had plenty of unique elements to interest the reader.

Tru, the art forger with the power of foresight, was an intriguing main character, and who doesn’t like a grumpy MMC who’s secretly softhearted? The feelings between Tru and Elang did seem to develop quite quickly, so it would have been nice to see this grow a little more organically, but I appreciate that’s hard in a shorter book! Though they started the story disliking each other, the story managed to stay away from any kind of toxic relationship dynamics and Tru never veered into the snarky heroine trope which we see too much of these days. She was kind, loyal and smart, and tried to do the right thing, even if it didn’t always work out.

The ending felt a little rushed, but overall I enjoyed this cosy little fantasy.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

i WANTED to love this. i was READY to love this. i saw that gorgeous cover and said “yup, she’s mother.” i saw “cursed dragon lord” and “marriage contract” and “paint the future” and was already halfway in love. but then i actually read it. and baby… we fell off. hard.

this book had EVERYTHING it needed to slay:
• fake marriage? yes.
• grumpy mysterious man calling the mc my wife? yes.
• art girl with powers? yes.
• undersea palace ruled by a dragon king?? yes yes yes.

so why did it read like someone dragged a beautifully decorated cake across the floor and handed it to me like “enjoy”?

⸻

what worked (barely):
• the vibes were vibing… sometimes. elang? he’s got that stoic, brooding, “i’ll burn the world for you” energy. also he’s literally a cursed dragon. we love that.
• i love the concept of someone painting the future. it’s fresh. weird. kind of creepy. very much main character behavior.
• and ofc, the arranged marriage. i’m a whore for the “we’re married but don’t act like it (yet)” trope. the “my wife” moments?? few and far between, but i devoured every crumb.

⸻

but now… the downfall:
• SLOW. girl this book was DRAGGING her feet. i felt like i was reading molasses. the first 100 pages were just setup. like okay we get it. she paints. her mom’s in debt. get her to the damn dragon already.
• no chemistry. the book TOLD me elang and tru were falling in love. but my brain was like “where?? when?? who??” it felt like watching two coworkers awkwardly flirt at a christmas party. forced and dry.
• flat characters. no one really stood out. tru was okay. elang had potential. but everyone else? cardboard cutouts with names. i couldn’t care less if they lived or died tbh.
• the pacing was off. this book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter. like if you’re gonna give me 400+ pages of fantasy romance, it better break my heart or blow my mind. this did neither.

⸻

final thoughts:
this book was like an art piece that looks stunning from far away, but up close you’re like “oh… it’s just paint splatters and vibes.”

i don’t think it’s a bad book. it just wasn’t the book. the idea? ten outta ten. the execution? two at best.

if you love slow burn fantasy with gorgeous prose and don’t mind waiting 300 pages for a lil tension, go off. but if you came here for spicy dragon romance and high-stakes drama?? pack it up.

2/5 stars. beautiful gown, bad performance.

*thank you netgalley, the author, and the publishing team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful. Utterly beautiful. I mean come on….a fantasy inspired version of Beauty and the Beast?! How can it NOT be amazing.

First of all, many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Stepping back into this wonderful world that Elizabeth Lim created always feels a bit like coming home to me. I’ve been hooked since six crimson cranes and I don’t think i’ll be leaving any time soon.

Was definitely a big fan of the beauty and beast spin this one had, while still being it’s own story. Would definitely recommend this one if you were a fan of the dragons in Lim’s last few books, and want to know a bit more about them!!

Absolutely loved the dynamic between Tru and Elang. I will always be a sucker for a ‘’grump’’ that’s actually a softie at heart. Only thing that bugged me a bit is that their feelings went from pretend, to real a little bit too soon in my opinion. Would’ve loved to see them be friends for a bit, while balancing having to pretend to be happily in love and their growing feelings for each other.

I guess that’s why the ending felt a little rushed to me aswell, so 4 stars it is (don’t get me wrong, I still highly enjoyed myself). Is it a bit too early to start begging Elizabeth if we can finally be blessed with a seryu book??? 😁😁

A Forgery of Fate is a beautifully atmospheric fairytale fantasy that blends Beauty and the Beast with The Little Mermaid, all wrapped in Elizabeth Lim’s signature lyrical style. What really set this story apart for me was the underwater setting—it had such a rich, otherworldly vibe that gave me serious Studio Ghibli feelings. Dreamy, immersive, and just the right touch of eerie.

Tru, the main character, quickly became a favorite. She’s quietly strong—not loud or flashy, but resilient, thoughtful, and fiercely loyal to her sisters. It was refreshing to follow a protagonist who doesn’t need to shout to make an impact. Her magical ability to paint glimpses of the future added a unique twist, especially as it ties into the story’s deeper themes of fate and choice.

The romance was a lovely slow burn, with tension and emotional payoff that felt earned. And the cursed dragon lord? Broody, mysterious, but layered. Their dynamic built steadily, never rushed, which made it all the more satisfying.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings that feel fresh, with stunning settings, high stakes, and a heroine you can quietly cheer for, this one’s a gem. It’s got heart, magic, and just enough darkness to keep you hooked.

Elizabeth Lim has done it again! A Forgery of Fate is an absolute gem of a book, blending fantasy, romance, and Chinese mythology into a story that left me utterly spellbound. As someone who adored Six Crimson Cranes and The Dragon’s Promise, I went into this with sky-high expectations, and somehow, Lim still managed to blow me away.

The story follows Truyan Saigas, a gifted art forger with a dangerous secret: she can paint the future. But when her father disappears at sea and her mother’s gambling debts threaten to destroy her family, Tru strikes a desperate deal with Elang, a mysterious half-dragon lord. In exchange for saving her family, she must enter a marriage contract and help him overthrow the tyrannical Dragon King. What follows is a breathtaking underwater adventure filled with political intrigue, magical creatures, and a slow-burn romance that had me screaming into my pillow.

First off, Tru is an incredible protagonist— witty, fiercely loyal, and unapologetically bold. She’s not just fighting for herself but for her sisters, and her determination makes her impossible not to root for. And then there’s Elang. Oh, Elang. Brooding, secretive, and hiding a heart of gold beneath all that dragon pride, he’s the perfect grumpy-to-soft love interest. Their dynamic is chef’s kiss

The world-building is, as always with Lim, exquisite. From the shimmering undersea palace to the treacherous court politics, every detail feels vivid and immersive.

What really got me, though, was the emotional depth. This isn’t just a fantasy adventure, it’s a story about family, sacrifice, and the lengths we go to for love. The last few chapters wrecked me, with twists I didn’t see coming and an ending so perfect I cried happy tears.

Overall, Elizabeth Lim has crafted another masterpiece, and I’m already desperate for a reread.

It was an enjoyable read. It had a rather cosy vibe that can be appealing to a large audience, and it definitely was easy to read. I liked the mystery of the plot more than any other aspects of it. The characters did not stand out for me, and the romance did not either — for some reasons that are spoilers and also completely personal and not because of an inherent issue with the book. I would absolutely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This YA fantasy is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a whimsical underwater setting, inspired by Chinese mythology. It’s packed with magical elements, including a water demon, treacherous quests, and some truly adorable turtles. The bond between characters, especially Tru and Elang, stands out—Elang is the classic grumpy guy with a soft heart, while Tru is a compelling lead who uses her artistic gift both as a prophetic tool and a means of defense.

I found the story engaging and loved the chemistry between her and Elang. The lyrical prose, reminiscent of Elizabeth Lim’s style, adds a rich texture to the story. The only downside? At times, the pacing felt rushed. Still, A Forgery of Fate delivered a memorable and magical journey.

Thank you to Elizabeth Lim, Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

An East-Asian YA fantasy inspired by the tale of Beauty and the Beast, A Forgery of Fate follows Truyan, an artist, and her deal with a dragon prince.

The premise was interesting and the setting was good. However, the writing style read far more like middle grade - “demon turds”, for example. The characterisation fell flat and the actions and words of certain characters didn’t fit them at all. It felt like the book was trying to hard to be funny and it wasn’t landing at all. I’m sure younger readers would enjoy it more.

4.5 ⭐️

I went into this book blind and wasn’t expecting the underwater setting, but it gave me such Little Mermaid vibes - I was totally here for it. Loosely based on beauty and the beast, but with a Dragon (of half dragon in this case).

Told from the point of view of Tru, a young woman who’s father has gone missing when a storm hits his ship. To feed her family, artist Tru is forced to mimic other artists, forging their work, honing her skills to sell at auction.

Tru was really likeable, she’s tough, feisty, has plenty of snark yet she’s fiercely loyal and will do anything for her sisters and mother. I love art, so I really enjoyed the depth of the art element to the tale - which was really interesting.

The MC - Elang, is a growly, dark and brooding character - whilst I wasn’t initially drawn to him, he’s redeemed himself and grew on me ( and Tru! ) as the story progressed.

I loved the whimsical world the author created, it was my first book of hers, but won’t be my last. The writing was immersive without being too descriptive and I feel so easily into - it felt effortless.

A really unique concept and a fast paced story which I thoroughly enjoyed, and was nearly blindsided by the ending!

If you enjoy YA fantasy, with a great concept, interesting world and magic systems then pick this up!

I absolutely loved 'Six Crimson Cranes' and the 'Spin the Dawn' duology so I was looking forward to another one of Elizabeth Lim's Far Eastern-inspired fairytale retellings.

'A Forgery of Fate' is based on Beauty and the Beast but it has a lot of other elements inspired by various stories and mythologies (eg. The Magic Paintbrush). After Truyan's father dies in a shipwreck, her family is thrown into poverty, which is exacerbated by her mother's gambling problem. Truyan is a gifted artist and makes money by forging paintings to sell but she also has a secret that she's never told anyone - she has visions and can paint the future.

When a desperate financial situation forces Truyan to seek the help of the mysterious masked 'Demon Prince', he offers her a deal. He will pay off her debts and protect her family in exchange for her posing as his true love, joining him in the dragon realm and helping him to overthrown the cruel and tyrannical Dragon King. The Demon Prince is in fact a Dragon Prince called Elang - a half dragon, cursed by the Dragon King. But once she joins him in the dragon realm, she discovers there's more to Elang, and more to the story than she's been told.

This is a charming, lyrical and romantic story, filled with strange creatures, vibrant landscapes and captivating characters. Unlike, her recent duologies, this is a standalone story so everything is wrapped up nicely by the end of the book (although there are some tears along the way). Highly recommended!

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 -4.25 stars.

This book really made me smile, the magic and creativity of the plot and world building was fun throughout. The mix of myth with magic and our witty selfless FMC at the heart of it was great. The story is told from Tru’s POV and she’s in a dire situation with her family and this leaves her in a position of making an alliance with a mysterious lord.

The plot takes us on a journey with dragons, multiple realms, arranged marriage and so much more, I really recommend reading this.

*Actual rating is 4.25 stars*

One thing I have come to love over the last few years are standalone books, or short series, set in an interconnected world. In case you have read Six Crimson Cranes duology or Her Radiant Curse from the author then you will be familiar with Ai’long and some of the characters therefrom.

In A Forgery of Fate the half-dragon half-human prince Elang is set to lift his curse and end his grandfather’s, the Dragon King, reign with the help of the main character of the story, the painter and con artist Tru Saigas. Because she has the ability to paint the future, and is desperate enough to accept the loveless marriage deal.

It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, so it features strong family bonds, slow burn romance, and a grumpy guy with a soft heart - as you would expect. But it also features a water demon, the sweetest turtles and treacherous adventures in a whimsical and magical underwater world. Tru was a great lead, and I loved her ability to use art as both a way to predict the future and as a weapon. Also her relationship with Elang was really cute. While I didn’t always enjoy her actions, I still had a good time reading.

A Forgery of Fate is a YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology that features Elizabeth Lim’s lyrical prose and very high stakes. The biggest problem was that the story sometimes felt a bit rushed and at times lacked explanations.

Quality Rating: Three Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Three Stars

Lim's novels are always enjoyable and grand enough to feel different from the crowd. Unfortunately, A Forgery of Fate falls into too many cliches to be truly satisfying. You could have a full set of cards for YA romance bingo by the end, and it's a well-executed demonstration of each.

Usually, I don't get on with underwater settings in books; it tends to overcomplicate even basic scenes and become a distraction. But this book simplified it enough while also playing with the setting that it worked. I enjoy how Lim uses fairy tales very loosely and then lets herself build whatever elements she likes into something new; the water and dragon elements took the classic Beauty and the Beast narrative and made it far more epic and fresh.

There are some vaguely uncomfortable elements of the romance, but more generally, I just found the book a bit uninspiring. I'm a fan of Lim's writing and I'm sure will continue to enjoy it - this one just wasn't my favourite of hers.