Soft dnf at 35%
Now, it is a soft dnf because I'm actually really enjoying the story line but it's just a little too YA for me at the moment with the talking servant turtles 🐢
I am a mood reader and want to give this story my full attention. So I've put it down for now.

A FORGERY OF FATE is a lush, romantic tale of a painter trying to end a curse and remove a tyrant.

I really liked the focus on painting as the weapon of choice here. It takes a while for the book to explain how this works but that only adds the magic of it. You know somehow ink and paper can topple a god but not how, and I kept reading wanting to find out how it was going to play out. The finale is an epic clash that is also quite heart breaking at times.

Of all Elizabeth Lim's books, this felt the most romantic. There are romantic threads in those books, but I wouldn't call them romantasies. This one, however, certainly is. Elang and Tru's relationship is as central to the plot as his plans to topple his grandfather. The fact that it's a standalone probably helps as everything - rebellion and romance - has to get wrapped up by the end, meaning the complete arc of the relationship is seen without needing to wait for the next book.

I really liked the dynamics between Tru and her sisters. They don't get on perfectly, but they also don't hate each other. They exist in that much more realistic middle ground of having plenty of frictions but also being willing to go to extreme lengths for one another. I just wish the plot had allowed a bit more time with them.

This is set in the same world as SIX CRIMSON CRANES, but can be read without knowledge of that book. It's been long enough that I've forgotten the exact details of that story and wouldn't have known it was linked without the author mentioning a brief cameo at the end. It was nice to not need to remember details, just enjoy a story of an underwater world, curses, and painting magic!

Elizabeth Lim has done it again—another breathtaking romantasy is here!
Romantasy lovers—if marriage-of-convenience, curses, and Beauty and the Beast retellings are your thing, you need this book in your life!

A Forgery of Fate is a fresh, enchanting spin on Beauty and the Beast, packed with twists, magic, and stunning world-building.
Lim’s signature lyrical writing weaves everything together beautifully, making it a joy to sink into.

Let’s talk characters—because Lim never misses when it comes to crafting ones that feel real and make you care.
Tru is a brilliant painter with a sharp mind and unwavering strength. Her bond with her sisters adds another layer to the story, making their connection just as captivating as the main plot.

And then there’s Elang, the enigmatic half-dragon prince.
He starts off cold, distant, and brooding, but as the layers peel back, you see the truth behind his icy demeanor. The depth of his character took me by surprise, and I couldn’t help but ache for him.

Now, the romance ? Slow-burn to the extreme, but oh, was it worth it!
Every moment built the tension until that long-awaited confession, making it all the more satisfying.
The chemistry between Tru and Elang is everything—intense, heartfelt, and completely immersive!

Set in the same universe as The Dragon’s Promise, this book gives us an even deeper dive into the underwater kingdom, with plenty of fun Easter eggs for returning readers.
One minor hiccup for me was that some scenes underwater were a bit tricky to visualize, leaving me struggling to fully picture the setting at times.

Overall, this was an emotional rollercoaster of an adventure!
I was hooked from the first page, flew through it in a weekend, and absolutely fell apart during those final chapters.
Elizabeth Lim knows exactly how to craft a story that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page!!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: death, blood, abandonment, body horror, bullying, brief mention of child abuse and death of a parent

This novel is set in the same world as her previous work (Six Crimson Cranes series) and also it's somewhat related to characters in The Dragon's Promise. But I don't think you would have to read all the other books to enjoy this one and to not be confused.
I never found myself bored with this book. The romance was not mega in your face all the time, it was a subtle plotline.
There's sea dragons, heartache, magic, the red thread theory! If you don't know the red thread theory it is East Asian folklore beliefs about 2 people who are destined to meet and be together. It's also known as the Red String of Fate.

You can most definitely read this as a standalone!
4 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodderscape for the ARC!

Tru, an art forger who has a unique ability to paint the future, joined hands with the cursed dragon lord, Elang, in order to save her family. She have to enter a contract marriage and join him on his dangerous mission of overthrowing and ending the tyrannical reign of the Dragon King, Nazayun.

Set in the same dragon realm that appeared in the Six Crimson Cranes duology, this underwater retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a perfect book for romantasy lovers and, of course, readers who want more of the world Elizabeth Lim built in the first duology.

I appreciate the fact that, although set in the same world/realm, Elizabeth Lim offered a different and fresh take on A Forgery of Fate. Her world-building is still immaculate and stunning on every page, and her characters, in how they overcome all the troubles and challenges they experienced, are just so relatable. I feel so bad for young Tru and Elang, and then the hatred I felt for Nazayun as I was reading. These concepts are what I liked about Elizabeth Lim’s writing. She will wow you with her world-building and then will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions to make you feel for what her characters feel.

Tru and Elang are remarkable characters on their own. And their growing dynamics throughout the story are so subtle as not to overshadow the main plot of the book, but Elang’s yearning, though?! Absolutely fantastic. It wasn’t an easy journey for the two of them, but the ending doesn’t feel like a convenient ending for me this time. I’d say it’s just done right.

P.S. Now I want a Seryu book 😆

Tru Saigas will do anything to keep her family safe. And that includes a marriage of convenienc, potentially dangerous, to a half half human half dragon.

Her unique ability to paint the future might the reason why Elang makes a contract to marry her, but is that the only reason? Once in the underwater world full of magic and mythical creatures, Tru comes face to face with danger but nothing will get in the way of reuniting her family.

In Tru, we have a a sassy, determined and confident heroine. in Elang we have a mysterious half-dragon Prince, who has been cursed by the dragon king

I enjoyed the way the story unfolded with lots of different elements and characters. The underwater world was full of magic and new things, although sometimes I found it a bit hard to visualize it. There were some nice twists along the way which kept the book engaging. It is a slow burn and I felt like I wanted more romantic interaction between Tru and Elang.
Overall, I think this a good read for those looking to read a slow-burn Eastern-inspired fantasy.

This book was pure magic. It takes the heart of Beauty and the Beast and gives it a totally fresh spin—with Chinese folklore, underwater kingdoms, and some seriously cool mythical creatures. It’s one of those stories that feels both classic and completely new all at once.

The writing is absolutely beautiful its lyrical, vivid, and full of life. The underwater world is stunning and packed with detail: phoenix demons, brave turtles, deadly sea creatures, and a Dragon King who’s as terrifying as he is unforgettable. Every part of the world feels alive and thoughtfully built, and I loved how the story kept expanding into new places and layers.

Truyan is a fantastic main character. She’s brave, protective, and deeply loyal to her family. I really loved how her connection to art played a role in the story. Her love interest (who I won’t spoil!) starts out mysterious and brooding, but the way his story unfolds is so worth the wait. Their relationship is full of tension, longing, and emotional depth it hit all the right Beauty and the Beast notes without ever feeling overdone.

The pacing was spot on, with just the right mix of action, romance, and plot twists. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. And that ending? Absolutely jaw-dropping in the best way.

If you're into fantasy with rich world-building, emotional storytelling, and a slow-burn romance that actually delivers, this one’s for you. It’s everything I love in a fantasy and more and I’m still thinking about it long after finishing.

3.5 stars

A Forgery of Fate is an immersive and atmospheric read. I flew through the story because it kept me wanting to know what happened next. Elizabeth Lim's gorgeous imagery and prose aligned with the setting perfectly, and it meant that I was able to clearly picture what was happening.

I felt that the romance didn't quite work for me. There seemed to be more of a reliance on telling rather than showing the main characters' feelings blossom. However, it was certainly a slow burn progression, which I love!

This was my first book by Elizabeth Lim, and I am very interested in reading more. Overall, I had a good time with this beautiful story.

ARC review

Before reading this book I binged the "Six Crimson Cranes" series and I was looking forward to going back to that magic world.

I received an advance reader copy of the book from Hodder & Stoughton (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

"A Forgery of Fate" is a romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast.
Tru is a girl that can paint the future and Elang is a cursed dragon lord that needs her help.

I think that the best way of describing this book is magical.
The writing is beautiful, the characters are well developed and it have the feel of a fairytale.

From the beginning I liked Tru, but Elang was such a mystery.
There is a slow burn romance that kept me wanting for more, but the small things he did for her were swoon worthy.
Part of the book takes place underwater and there are many magical creatures that made the story interesting.

With this book it was confirmed for me that Elizabeth Lim can write beautiful stories.
If you read any of her other books you will surely enjoy this one too.

I absolutely loved this young adult romantasy. I have come to expect nothing less than ethereal perfection in Elizabeth Lim's stories and this book does not fall short. Set in the same world as Six Crimson Cranes and yet no less exciting or beautiful, A Forgery of Fate is a tale of love that at first glance seems complex and mysterious, and by the end of the story it is so easy for the reader to be deeply invested in the main couple.

Another truly fantastic story from Elizabeth Lim and my favourite yet! I loved to see characters from Six Crimson Cranes in this story - including the infamous Elang, a dragon lord in need of a wife. I can't resist a marriage of convenience story and this one was really well crafted. The change in relationship between Tru and Elang over the duration of the story, where there are high stakes and plenty of secrets to be revealed, was wonderfully written. It wasn't a smooth journey, particularly with prickly Elang involved, but it was very romantic. The romance of it all was well incorporated into the overall plot, which moved along at a good pace and kept me hooked throughout. There are plenty of different elements to draw you into this story and some interesting characters, too, beyond Tru and Elang. I look forward to Elizabeth Lim's next story!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

⤷ 4✩

Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with this E-ARC via NetGalley

This was a very entertaining read. It builds forward on the same world as books like Six Crimson Cranes, making it feel familiar, while you definitely do not need to read these books to understand this world.

The characters are interesting, the romance cute, but the plotline is sometimes a bit confusing, because of the many types of magic. Overall a great experience!

I really enjoyed reading Six Crimson Cranes earlier this year, so I was looking forward to this one. Once again, the magic and the folklore are key elements in the story. I loved the strong character of Tru who resembles Shiori in many ways - she'll plunge straight into a perilous adventure to help her family. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, but I still think that Six Crimson Crane is my favourite out of the two.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC. This review is also available on Goodreads.

4.5 ⭐️
THE PLOT, THE CHARACTERS, THE ROMANCE??? AMAZING.
Seriously, I wasn't expecting to love this so much but omg it had kind of a slow start for me but then I really got into it.
This was a beauty and the beast retelling done so well!! I loved Tru and Elang's dynamic so much (and their cute banter and interactions) and the ending was PERFECT
Overall, I ate this up. Highly recommend to everyone.

*Thank you, Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!!

So this was my very first Elizabeth Lim book and I can definitely say it will not be the last!!

I absolutely loved this story! I loved all of the folklore within the story and the characters. I feel the FMC perspective was written really well and you could physically feel the connection in the writing.

Also can we talk about the ending. I felt so empty and I was almost at a OH NO moment right at the end but it end up being okay 🤣🤣 I was ready to throw my kindle!

Also I already want more 🤣 I want to read more, will definitely be looking into reading some more of Elizabeth’s books!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced reader copy for my honest review!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gentle is the first word that comes to mind when I think of this book. It's like a quiet hug, the story flowing like an undersea current. There are definite Studio Ghibli vibes, with a dreamy underwater kingdom and fantastical sea creatures. A loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the romance is slow to pick up but again, gentle in its sweetness. It feels familiar while at the same time bringing a new spin to the tale.

Recommended for anyone who loved Daughter of the Moon Goddess, The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea and The Girl With No Reflection.

This was NOT what I expected when I requested the book but it turned out to be even better. The thing that I loved the most was the simplicity of the plot. Especially the way the author chose to defeat the bad guy. I loved how It wasn't a typical bloody battle but a simple artistic ploy. Don't get me wrong, I love heavy info dumps, intrigues and battles but sometimes you want an light and easy read and this book was it. I also LOVED how art was a huge part of the whole book. How it wasn't only for fmc's character. And the marine theme of the book?? It was a balm for my soul because I'm a sucker for everything ocean and merfolk themed. I do wish that we explored more of the Dragon Realm tho. That we weren't restricted only to two or three places. The family aspect of the book was amazing. The length Tru went through for her family. And the portrayal of her relationship with her sisters was sooo sweet. They were family despite everything and I adore that. Also that ending almost sent me in cardiac arrest lmao. When I saw the word 'Epilogue' after THAT I needed to put the book down for a minute. Even tho it IS a happy ending, that was very diabolical of you, miss Lim. All in all, this book is amazing and I highly recommend it.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This really hits. A c-drama inspired beauty and the beast retelling with dragons and an underwater castle? It hit every single mark.

The relationship was fantastic; I really enjoyed the way it gradually grew from Tru’s POV, and how looking back you can see it was always there from the Prince’s POV. I could not put this down, Elizabeth Lim can’t go wrong, and if you liked her previous books, you will love this one

Once upon a time there was a girl named Tru, who lost her father to the sea. To feed her family, she became a master art forger. Until one day she met a cursed dragon prince, who needed her skills to defeat his all-powerful enemy…

Elizabeth Lim is pretty much an auto-buy for me, ever since I fell in love with Spin the Dawn years ago. Fairytales vibes, Chinese mythology elements, and beautiful romance with a side helping of angst and pining? Yes, please! So when I saw this ARC up on NetGalley I requested it immediately.

The sea gods must have been smiling on me that day, because I was approved. I tumbled head-first into a magical world, full of danger and adventure, where dragons rule the sea, turtles are warriors and handmaidens, mermaids are mighty queens and a human girl might just hold all of their destinies in the swipe of her brush.

Beware, for loyalties will be tested, and things aren’t always what they seems under the surface of the seas - nor above. What sacrifices will love, friendship and family demand?

What makes Lim’s writing so compelling is that she writes as one might draw. Her words conjure shapes and shadows, texture and mouvement, until I feel like I’m walking through a living painting. Perhaps even more so in this book, given the FMC’s particular gift! The bustling town where Tru’s family lives was so vividly depicted, I felt I’d been there. And the dreamlike quality of the underwater kingdoms made me wish I could be swept under the waves by my very own dragon.

A Forgery of Fate is out on the 5th of June and I urge you to add it to your TBR!

Another fantastic hit from Elizabeth Lim! A Forgery of Fate takes place in the same world as the Spin The Dawn + Six Crimson Crane series but is a standalone that can be read without knowing the others. Tru might be my favourite protagonist of the bunch, her family were also fantastic and well rounded. The love interest of Elang is a bit enigmatic to start with but throughout the story you'll uncover more of his story & personality and he really grows on you!

I really enjoyed the locations which were brilliantly described alongside the additional side characters from Elang's entourage who were super unique and some real favourites! Tru's magic was also pretty special with her ability of sight + painting and this was pretty refreshing to see this combination, her works in forgery was a standout.

The pacing is brilliant and you'll fly through this book so fast! Lim's writing style is always a hit for me and I always enjoy reading her works.

Thanks to Netgalley + Hodder & Stoughton for this arc.