Everything I had read by Elizabeth Lim, I have loved immensely, and this book is no different!

I enjoyed returning to the world that she had built with Six Crimson Cranes / Her Radiant Curse. The characters in these stories held a special place in my heart, and to have Elang be the MMC in this one... I may have kicked my legs in happiness.
Ever since meeting him in A Dragon's Promise, I knew he needed a bigger part in this world.
He finds his match in Tru. I like that the story concentrated on their journey, growth, and world-building, and that the romance came second. (Although I would have liked this to have been a duology so we can explore more of their relationship)

Please, don't hesitate to get your hands on this book! It is worth the read!!

‘𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏’𝒔 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏—𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒑 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚.’

In all of her works Elizabeth Lim has the ability to chronicle folk tales with the atmosphere and magic we remember them bursting with as children, flowing with whimsy and a strong moral compass A Forgery of Fate ties in its reimagining of Beauty and the Beast through the most important ingredient: love. And with good doses of friendship, adventure and wit.

‘𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆, 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒚𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒔, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈.’

Set in the city of Gangsun, we follow master art forger Truyan as she hopes to save her family and bring them closer to finding her castaway father. Enter Gaari, the mysterious art dealer and fellow noodle lover who not only Truyan finds a friend in but also countless a harried scheme. One thing leads to another, Truyan falls into the infamous Demon Prince’s precious roses and is confronted with her wildest scheme yet; a marriage of convenience with an exiled Dragon Prince taking her on a deep sea adventure to the Dragon Realm of Ai’long where her talent for painting and her future telling Sight is pushed beyond her wildest dreams. She might even just fall for the Dragon Prince she vowed just to marry, not to love.

‘𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒖𝒑𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏, 𝒃𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅. 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒚-𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒅𝒐𝒎, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒔.’

The love in this story is a gentle slowburn that is sweet in its predictability. The reimagining of Beauty and the Beast in this setting gives it a whole new perspective, one where we see the necessity of the heroine saving Elang the Dragon Prince and instead of the textbook happily ever after Tru and Elang earn one that is completely their own in its simplicity.

‘𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉, 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏.’

My favourite aspect of this book was the element of painting and Tru’s Sight; the ability to see the future through her paintings. Painting is a means of survival for Tru in a very practical sense; despite her being a talented painter, she chooses to make works of forgery to earn the money to support her family and throughout the book she is constantly studying as she paints in order to defeat the Dragon King. Instead of being lead by her feelings, Tru has a special skill in observation, which she utilises in her painting in order to capture uncanny likeness. This is what ultimately makes her a master, her unwavering dedication to why she paints. The fact Tru has to practice painting instead of instantly making a masterpiece—in contrast with the descriptive and emotive passages when Tru is painting a vision—feels realistic and gives us a unique, different sort of training arc. A refreshing take on a practice that is very tied to emotions, and one that I personally found solace in.

Not only do we see Tru use her skill for observation in painting, but in the witty decisions she makes to outsmart the forces in this story that strive to hurt her, Elang and her family. Even in the relationships she has with certain characters that loyalties we question. This quality grounds her and makes her the perfect heroine for a story like this; we’re rooting for her til the end.

We revisit some characters and settings explored in Lim’s other works in this book although you won’t need to read those before this one, though it was nice to briefly see Seryu again. Like A Dragon’s Promise, Howl’s Moving Castle and Daughter of the Moon Goddess, A Forgery of Fate is perfect for people, young and adult, looking for a magical, adventurous, love story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

Elizabeth Kim has officially done it again. I’ve enjoyed her previous books, but A Curse of Dragons and Ink might just be my favorite so far. It’s an Eastern-inspired “Beauty and the Beast” retelling—except the beast is a cursed half-dragon prince, the beauty is a clairvoyant con artist who paints the future, and the entire story takes place in a vivid, magical underwater world. I mean… how could I not be hooked?

We follow Tru Saigas, a gifted forger and reluctant prophet who’s been holding her chaotic family together ever since her father disappeared at sea. Her mother claims to be a fortune teller (with less-than-stellar accuracy), and her younger sisters depend on her for everything. Tru’s secret? When her fingers tingle, what she paints always comes true. And one of those visions brought her to Gaari—her mentor and partner in crime.

When a ruthless debt collector threatens her family, Tru makes a desperate choice and accepts a bargain from Elang, a cold and calculating dragon lord. He’ll pay off her family’s debts—if she marries him and helps break the curse threatening his kingdom. Tru’s initial reluctance gives way to intrigue, especially when she learns that her long-lost father might be somewhere in Elang’s realm of A’landi.

The romance is slow-burn (my favorite), the magic is immersive, and the setting is absolutely enchanting. From jellyfish and phoenix demons to cursed palaces and ghostly secrets, this book is packed with stunning worldbuilding and emotional depth. Tru’s journey is especially powerful: she’s a heroine forced to rebuild herself, not just physically but emotionally, and the way she reclaims her strength had me fully invested.

And Elang? He’s the kind of brooding, broken-hearted hero you can’t help but root for. Their dynamic had the perfect balance of tension, vulnerability, and unexpected tenderness.

Final thoughts: This story was everything I hoped it would be—romantic, fantastical, bittersweet, and utterly absorbing. I laughed, I cried, I highlighted way too many lines. It’s safe to say A Curse of Dragons and Ink has earned a permanent spot on my “top fantasy of the year” shelf.

I checked and apart from two books I'm all caught up with this author's backlist. And now I wanna stay caught up of course! I therefore pre-ordered my copy of this book as soon as I could and when the book appeared on Netgalley I requested a digital copy right away! Thanks to Hodderscape I could start reading early.

I love how this book works perfectly as a standalone, while it also fits perfectly into the world we already know. Whether you're a new reader or read all the other books, you will be able to enjoy the story to the fullest! Especially because the world is magical, dangerous and everything a fantasy world should be. I like how each story sheds a new light on it, shows us new facets of it and adds new, layered and interesting characters.

This is also one of those books where it's really hard not to give spoilers away! There were a few elements of the story that didn't really sit right with me, but the author does an amazing job explaining everything and bringing everything together in the finale. Every little detail, ever small conversation, every little throw away line, it was all there for a reason. I was on the brink of crying and smiling at the exact same time.

The heroine of this story is also amazing. She didn't have an easy life and that made her creative, daring and capable of looking past facades and the obvious. It was therefore interesting to read her journey. It was interesting to see her grow, to see her understand everything that has happened to her, to see her finally get the meaning behind all those small moments her life could have gone entirely different. I already can't wait for the next book in this world!

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim is a beautifully imagined underwater fantasy that reworks Beauty and the Beast into something fresh, layered, and deeply heartfelt. Blending Chinese mythology with fairytale tropes, Lim has created a story that feels both familiar and entirely new, elegant in its structure, cinematic in scope, and emotionally resonant from start to finish.

At the center is Tru Saigas, a struggling con artist and secret clairvoyant who paints the future with uncanny accuracy. When her mother’s mounting debts threaten to destroy her family, Tru is forced into an unlikely bargain: marry the cold and enigmatic Elang, half-human, half-dragon, and entirely cursed, in exchange for his help saving her loved ones. But their marriage of convenience quickly turns into something far more complicated as Tru is drawn into the mystery surrounding Elang’s missing heart, her father’s disappearance at sea, and the political machinations of the magical underwater kingdom of A’landi.

What follows is an exquisitely told tale of love, loss, transformation, and the quiet strength found in vulnerability. Lim’s writing is vibrant and evocative, painting a world where seahorses pull clamshell carriages, sentient moss offers cryptic advice, and destiny is as fluid and unpredictable as the ocean itself. Fans of Studio Ghibli and rich, folklore-infused fantasy will find themselves right at home here.

Tru is a standout protagonist, resourceful, determined, and full of emotional depth. She’s not just a vessel for the plot but a deeply human character navigating impossible choices with wit and empathy. Her dynamic with Elang evolves slowly and organically, grounded in mutual respect and a shared sense of brokenness. Lim resists clichés, allowing the romance to unfold with genuine emotional stakes and surprising tenderness.

The novel’s themes, identity, otherness, sacrifice, and the nature of monstrosity are handled with subtlety, adding thoughtful layers beneath the sparkling magic. While the world is filled with phoenix demons, shark assassins, cursed royalty, and prophetic turtles, the real magic lies in the emotional honesty at the story’s core.

Returning readers will appreciate the subtle nods to Six Crimson Cranes, though this book easily stands on its own. The lore is rich, the pacing strong, and the ending emotionally satisfying without feeling neat or predictable.

A Forgery of Fate is Lim at her best, imaginative, poignant, and utterly enchanting. It’s a story that lingers like a dream and deserves a spot on every fantasy lover’s shelf. Whether you come for the dragons, the romance, or the spellbinding worldbuilding, you’ll leave with a full heart.

A Forgery of Fate is a new standalone novel from Elizabeth Lim, the author of Six Crimson Crows, Spin the Dawn and more! In this story, we follow Tru, an art forger who may be able to predict the future with her work, as she works to save her family. After her father goes missing at sea, her and her sisters are thrown into debt and poverty. Desperate for a new start, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a dragon lord from the under the sea. That’s right, she is taken to a magical underwater dragon kingdom and tasked with finding Elang’s missing pearl-heart. There is crime, action, drama and romance along with detailed world-building.

First of all, can we appreciate how gorgeous the cover of this book is? Any time I pick up a book by Elizabeth Lim I am blown away by how beautiful the cover art is. Each of her book covers looks like a poster for a studio Ghibli movie or a fantasy C-Drama. The atmosphere of the book itself also lives up to the beauty of the cover. Tru is plunged into a mesmerising and dangerous world of legend. There are creatures, curses and fortune telling, just to name a few magical features.

Surprisingly what I loved most about this book, aside from the hints of slow-burn romance, were the food descriptions. Lim writes about food with such care and detail that it makes you desperate to grab a bowl of spicy noodles. Despite the fact that this is a fantasy book with high stakes, she takes the time to draw attention to the mundane parts of life. Once again, it reminded me of a studio Ghibli movie which has snapshots of real life and real people’s concerns.

I would recommend this book to fans of books like Daughter of the Moon Goddess, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and A Magic Steeped in Poison. It would also appeal to fairytale fans but whilst it is compared to Beauty and the Beast (which initially put me off because there are just too many retellings) it is more like a dream or a mythological tale than a Disney movie. In my opinion, that just makes it all the better

I wanted to try reading something written by Elizabeth Lim since I’m absolutely in love with asian inspired fantasy and asian retellings. When I saw this was a standalone but still part of the same world as the rest of her books, it was the opportunity I was waiting for! And oh I’m glad I requested the arc, and super grateful I could read it before the release date.

As soon as I heard from the author that this was fake marriage with a cursed dragon lord I RAN to start reading it. Also, this being inspired by Beauty and the Beast and my favourite disney princess ever being Belle (girl I wish I had your library and your man). I expected to like A Forgery of Fate but it was even more whimsical than expected, and what I liked the most: super fairytale-esque. My favourite type of books are the ones that feel like fairytales but for adults and this one definitely scratched that part of my brain.

I loved the bond Tru had with her sisters. Something that's absolutely important for me in a book is that the characters, even the side-characters, are not just one-dimensional. Not just her sisters, but everyone felt real, they had depth, they were important for the MC and for me, the reader. I cared, and that’s why it was so special.

I can’t wait to receive the final copy and have it as a trophy on my shelves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Lim’s books have been on my radar for quite some time, so when I saw this slow-burn, enemies to lovers story inspired by Beauty and the Beast, with dragons, I knew it was the story for me. And I was right!!!

Right from the beginning, I was completely captured by this story and by Tru, our protagonist. The characters were the highlight for me, it was so easy to fall in love with all of them, and I wished I could stay with them forever. They are the reason why I’m sad that this is a standalone.

Tru and Elang made a great pair. Every single scene they had together was pure perfection. Watching them fall in love was delightful, I love a good slow burn, and this one delivered almost everything I wanted. While this romance was amazing to follow, I still craved more scenes of them together to further solidify them as a couple.

The writing style tied everything together. It was easy, engaging, and very immersive, doing a great job of connecting me to this world. I loved how everything was described, it was so beautifully done, that I felt like I was right there with the characters. My only issue was that, at times, Tru’s inner monologue felt a little underdeveloped. Also, the use of exclamation points bothered me (it just felt weird).

The world presented in this story is incredibly well crafted, making every single detail feel realistic. It was easy to lose myself within the pages. Every time I picked this book up, I didn’t want to stop reading. I was never bored throughout the book, even it being over 400 pages.

This book left me with a huge smile on my face and a deep love for a world and characters that will never go away. I can’t wait to embark on the next journey Elizabeth Lim creates.

Rating: 4 stars
~
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I always loved books, but it was the fairy tales and fantasy that fully made me fall in love with reading. Starting with the one that cannot be mentioned and graduating to Tolkien, it was Julliet Marillier that ultimately sealed my love for books. There is just something magical in her stories and her characters that always warmed my heart, and some of them are so dear to me that I reread them almost yearly.

Elizabeth Lim’s writing and storytelling abilities remind me a lot of Julliet, and I could hardly give a greater compliment than this.

A Forgery of Fate is a beautifully crafted underwater retelling of Beauty and the Beast, full of mystery, intrigue, friendship, high stakes and naturally, a bit of romance too. The worldbuilding is rich and <i>spicy</i>, and Elizabeth flawlessly guides us between land and underwater. I could picture every little detail in my head, from the moment I started reading until the moment I finished the book.

I adored all the characters, both main and secondary! Each one has a purpose and contributes meaningfully to the story and character development. Tru is just my type of female lead, independent yet caring, strong yet adaptable and compromising, compassionate, fierce and with a loving nature. Her power doesn’t rely on physical strength, but in emotional strength, cleverness, empathy and her other talents.

Elang fits perfectly the beast role. I loved him from the start and couldn’t have enough of his presence on the page, his character development and the chemistry between him and Tru. There are some things he does that altered my brain chemistry and will remain imprinted on my memories.
And a special mention for the title — A Forgery of Fate — absolutely brilliant and perfectly chosen.

If you haven’t read anything from Elizabeth Lim, this is your sign to do it immediately. If you already did, be sure that this is another brilliant book on Legends of Lor’Yan world.

<i><b>I would like to thank to Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. </b>

a forgery of fate is a romantic fantasy standalone inspired by beauty and the beast in an east asian-inspired world.
it follows Truyan Saigas, a gifted art forger who has the unique ability to paint the future. one day, her father is lost at sea and there is no magic that can heal her family or save her two younger sisters from the dangerous consequences of her mother's gambling debts.
she meets Elang, a mysterious dragon lord, who offers her a deal: in exchange for a fresh start for her mother and sisters, Tru must enter a marriage contract and join him in his desolate undersea palace.
once there, Tru will have to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle and paint a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms…

WHAT A READ OHMYGOD!!! i was instantly hooked into this with the beautiful writing, it’s so enchanting and it truly transports you into a magical and whimsical world. the world building was done so well and the lyrical style of writing just enhanced it!!
Tru is easily one of my all time favourite fmcs now. i loved her determination and her selflessness throughout and all i want to do is give her the biggest hug🥹🤏🏻
Elang is everything i love in a book bf🙂‍↕️ he’s broody, he’s “cold”, and he is absolutely perfect!! i loved getting to know him slowly as the romance itself developed too. the slow burn had me on the FLOOR!! and the angst and tension was just everything😩

this is my new favourite book and if you want a stunning standalone fantasy with amazing plot twists and the perfect conclusion, then please read this asap!!

thank you so much to hodder and netgalley for the arc!!

4,5 ⭐️

What a gorgeous story! I think I'd even prefer a forgery of fate to the six crimson cranes duology!

I really loved the characters:
I was so happy to come back to Ai'long, and have a story on Elang, that mysterious cousin of Seryu. He is a real grumpy MMC, very mysterious, sweet but not to sweet, full of secrets.
I also loves our FMC, Truyan "Tru", she is strong, dedicated to her family, the real mature adult girl in a broken family she wants to save.

When I saw that there was a "beauty and the beast" vibe, I signed automatically. And, this book delivers! If you like that vibe too, with a marriage of convenience and a great slow burn, then you'll love that standalone too!

I made me cry, giggle, smile, laugh. Emotionally enchanting, a real page turner.

First of all, thank you NEtgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Reading A Forgery of Fate was a pleasure that sweetened my long commute to work. Although I'm not an avid reader of YA stories, this one stole my heart and I kept thinking about it during my day. The plot is a balanced blend of action and quiet moments when we get to know characters a little better. Tru and Elang's story was well written for a standalone, mixing some bittersweet and fun moments. I really liked the asian inspired worldbuilding and the picture created by Lim's prose. Overall, I believe this book deserves a lot of recognition!

4.5/5 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I absolutely loved this book! This story gripped me right away and had incredible world building. I loved the main characters and the magic system within this fantasy and I really enjoyed reading their story.

This was the first book I have read by Elizabeth Lim and it definitely won’t be my last.

This book... I always loved Elizabeth Lim books SO much specially The Blood of Stars duology which became one of my favorite duologies ever. And with this book Elizabeth Lim cimented herself even more as one of my favorite authors. This was INCREDIBLE!!!
I just finished it so I'm still really in my feel with it but I'll try to do my best in this review.
First of all, the world building was incredible. Elizabeth Lim always kills in that department. She creates a world with so many incredible nuances and so different from what we usually read. The underwater world was specially wonderful.
A dragon love interest and the dragon being underwater just as his world? What? Never heard of anything as unique before. Dragons usually fly, don't swim. Elizabeth's mind is definitely unique!
I loved their relationship, how it progressed, from the arranged marriage only for their benefits to the banter and the slow burn.
Oh this book pulled to my heart strings. I'm so happy I read it a little bit early and totally gonna buy the physical copy 🥰

Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscape for the eARC. This is a definite 5 stars read as usual from Elizabeth Lim, I loved the world building, the characters, the twists you wouldn't see coming, the tension and slow burn. It feels like in every book Elizabeth writes, she wants to prove one thing, that love with a bit of determination will prevail above everything. We also get to see a certain green dragon that we love and I have missed him so much, I honestly hope we get a seperate book for him one day. I also promise you one thing, after this book, you will want to eat noodles. 😂
Anyways, this was an amazing read and I need the physical copy in my hands ASAP.

elizabeth lim knows how to get my attention and give me the best fantasy ride at all times !!! i have read and loved all of her previous releases and this is no different i loved it through and through. will most probably get the physical copy and reread.

4.5 stars
Content warning: grief, loss of a parent, poverty and hunger, gambling, blood and injury detail, kidnapping, battle, death, loss of a loved one

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

I knew from the beginning of A Forgery of Fate that Elizabeth Lim had once again created another story worth sinking into. Set in the same world as her other releases, yet told by a completely different narrator, I thoroughly enjoyed embarking on a new journey with an eldest daughter not only steeped in rare magic, but prepared to do whatever it took to keep herself and her family alive. Tru's fated entanglement with the exiled half-dragon Elang opened up a bigger journey than she expected as someone stealing and forging art to merely survive. I loved how Lim weaved in the Beauty and the Beast retelling into this East-Asian setting, giving it a familiar yet refreshing take on a classic. The story continues to bolster this author's balance of dreamy world-building and gentle storytelling, where familial ties are a core focus as well as softer self-discovery along the way. Tru's time spent in the underwater kingdom as Elang's fake bride allows her space away from existing as the responsible one always looking out for her family and gives her a new sense of freedom and growth despite initially feeling the shackled weight of her bargain with her beastly husband. I appreciated the development of Tru's character throughout this journey, much as I have with Lim's other female protagonists. By the end of the novel, she is empowered by who she is and no longer has to force her way through a world that barely has time to let her move through it, rather, she is taking that beast by its horns and ensuring she shines bright enough for everyone to see. I was invested in Tru's relatable story, perhaps as an eldest daughter myself, and felt rewarded watching her bloom into something special.

The romance between Elang and Tru is slowly built, and whilst I loved the way it flowed and the revelations surrounding it, I am a touch disappointed by how little time it had to build into something sumptuous. You could sense it brewing throughout all the interactions between the pair, and I yearned for more by the end. Elang made a great impression on me during A Dragon's Promise, and I was so pleased that Lim chose to give him the role of the main male protagonist in this tale. This story could have easily been a duology, much like Six Crimson Cranes was, not only so it could give the romantic storyline more chance to breathe and flourish, but also to take away some of the rushed nature of the ending. I found this to be a similar issue with Lim's previous release where there was definitely more story that could be told and due to pacing or word count restraints, the ending came together with a rushed nature, especially after the intentionally slower building of Tru's time underwater. But this is my only real critique to take away from an otherwise enchanting story, and unlike some readers who are ready for Lim to tell something new, I continue to enjoy the stories she shares from different parts of the world set within all her books so far and hope the author returns to tell more stories from characters (keyword here: Seryu) in the future.

An eastern slant on Beauty and the Beast but Beauty is a clairvoyant artist and the Beast is half dragon, half human and cursed to find his absent heart !
Tru has spent the last five years since her father was lost at sea doing whatever it takes to look after her family . She has transformed herself into well if honest a con artist selling counterfeit paintings but things get worse when her mother’s gambling debts get out of control and her young sister is the payment demanded ! Tru is desperate and finds herself making a bargain with a Dragon Lord who wants her to help him using her prophetic gift to end his cruel grandfather . There’s just one teeny problem and that’s the fact that to fulfill her side of the deal Tru will have to go deep into the depths of the sea to a land of beauty, strangeness and danger !
Wow this was a captivating story with twists and its own unique whimsy . The creatures we meet are in turns both a delight and yet scary . Jellyfish and sharks are perhaps the least unusual but giant turtles and mermaids plus a water demon just took this to another level . The romance was slow and built up so beautifully but best of all the sheer heart of this book revolved around Tru and her persistence . Favourite moments include family and their growth but also ahem pockets and trust me it will make sense when you read the book . If I had a niggle it would just be that at times I struggled to visualise living underwater and just how fabrics would behave but that’s minor . I very much enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author

A Forgery of Fate is a beautifully written romantic fantasy that gives Beauty and the Beast a completely fresh twist, mixing Chinese folklore, underwater kingdoms, and just the right amount of danger and magic.

This story follows Tru, an art forger doing everything she can to support her family after her father disappears at sea. She’s also hiding a powerful secret; she can paint the future. But when one of her jobs goes wrong, she ends up making a bargain with Elang, a half-dragon, half-human prince who’s been exiled from his home. What follows is an unforgettable journey through an underwater world filled with dangerous alliances, mythical sea creatures and layered politics, all the while with a slow-burn romance simmering quietly beneath it all.

Tru was such a strong protagonist. She’s clever, loyal, and knows how to stand her ground. I loved how her relationship with her sisters added warmth and heart to the story, grounding all the magic and chaos in something real. And Elang? He’s distant at first, full of secrets and quiet strength, but every little moment of care and vulnerability made me love him more. Their romance builds slowly and intentionally, with so much trust, angst, and emotional payoff. I really liked how the book handled emotional trauma and healing. Both Tru and Elang carry a lot from their pasts, but it’s not brushed aside but built in as part of their growth, their fears, and how they come to trust each other. It made their connection feel so much more layered and genuine.

The world-building really pulled me in. The underwater setting was stunning, so vivid and full of life, with phoenix demons, talking turtles and magical artifacts. Everything felt intentionally built, and the world kept expanding in ways that kept me curious and invested. The pacing worked perfectly for me, never rushed or dragging. It balanced action and quieter moments really well, and the plot had just enough twists to keep me on my toes without losing focus on the characters.
If you're into character-driven fantasy with lush, immersive settings, emotional storytelling, and a romance that makes you feel things, this one is 100% worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Elizabeth Lim never misses for me—and A Forgery of Fate is no exception. I really enjoyed this one, and while I might be a little biased because the main character is a painter, I do think this is one of her best works yet. It carries all the hallmarks of Lim’s writing: high-stakes adventure, vibrant mythology, near-death scrapes, and characters you can’t help but root for. What made this one stand out was that it managed to tell an expansive, layered story while still wrapping up satisfyingly in a standalone format. In fact, I think stretching this across multiple books might have diluted the strength of its core.

The world-building is lush and imaginative, with an underwater realm that felt otherworldly, though occasionally difficult to visualise in full. Still, the artistry of the setting complements Tru’s own magical abilities and creative perspective so well. I loved watching her navigate her growing powers and complex decisions while staying true to herself. The romance is thoughtful and touching, with moments that quietly shine rather than overwhelm the narrative.

That said, the ending felt just a bit too neat for me—I wouldn't have minded a touch more ambiguity or bittersweetness, especially considering the darker moments earlier in the story. But it still left me satisfied, which is rare for a standalone fantasy.

One small note: I was quite confused by the change in cover art style. The same artist has worked on Lim’s books before, but the shift in style here (reminiscent of those used on Wesley Chu’s books) felt a bit jarring, especially for readers familiar with the rest of this universe. It might be thematically linked to Tru’s artistic talent, but I do miss the visual continuity.

Overall, A Forgery of Fate was a beautifully crafted standalone with a lovely mix of romance, myth, and magic. I’ll always pick up whatever Elizabeth Lim writes—and this book only strengthened that loyalty.