I loved this story - it was wonderful to step back into Elizabeth Lim's world of magic and dragons.

This is losely based on beauty and the beast but with a lovely unique asian twist. Tru is a great protagonist and her ability to see visions of the future through her paintings felt interesting and original.

The romance subplot felt a little predictable but still enjoyable - perfect for YA readers. No spice to be found here just kisses and longing glances - tbh im not even mad about that.

This was the first book by the author that I've had the pleasure of reading, but it definitely won't be the last!

It's a book where it feels like anything could be possible. Merfolk? Dragons? Yes! And so much more.

The story is so whimsical and woven so vividly that it's easy to picture the details that the author is trying to convey. It does have the Beauty and the Beast vibes for sure, but is also set largely underwater, so I'd agree with other reviewers saying it also is reminiscent of the little mermaid.

I loved the concept of Tru being an artist who paints visions of the future, forced into a marriage with the surly half dragon, Elang, who is mysterious and determined to keep Tru at arm's length.

This book just felt so magical and although I did guess the twist, I loved the journey so much. I couldn't put this down and was always wondering where it would go next.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was such a beautiful retelling! I have previously enjoyed Elizabeth Kim's book and this one also didn't disappoint!

I enjoyed the writing style and the characters were entertaining to say the least!

I was hooked in the story from the very fist minute and I loved it!

I am a sucker for a beauty and the beast retelling and this book did not disappoint. I loved the characters and world building within this novel. It was just so well written and I adored the ending… I cannot recommend this book enough! I will definitely be checking out Lim’s other novels.

Another great read by Elizabeth Lim! I was totally enchanted with Tru, Elang and the setting involving art, forgery and painting. Tru was badass, and Elang a total grumpy (until he wasn't) and I was totally absorbed by the world and their tale.

The only reason I'm not giving this a higher rating is because I was left with some questions at the end, and while I'm happy with the ending itself, I feel like it was a little rushed and pretty vague.

I bawled my eyes out! Actually, i don’t have high hopes for this one since i dislike The Dragon Promise, but oh boy! End up i gave 5 stars to it! I’m hooked by the blurb and very curious bout the book, and i don’t regret that i requested the ARC. I think the author’s writing is very romantic, i love Tru, i love Gaari, but i love Shani the most! Her witty characters make me smile! The world building is good, we have a bit romance, and action. The idea of Beauty and The Beast retelling mix with chinese mythology is very interesting indeed.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me this arc!

A Forgery of Fate follows three sisters, but at its heart is Truyan—the one who truly inherited her mother’s gift. With the Sight, she can paint visions that inevitably come true, a secret she’s carefully guarded. But when her mother’s reckless gambling costs her sister’s freedom, Truyan is forced to reveal her abilities and flee with her family.

Their escape leads them to the enigmatic Demon Prince, who offers a deal: in exchange for his help, she must paint something for him when the time comes. As a skilled forger, Truyan is no stranger to deception, forging masterpieces to survive—but this bargain may cost her more than she ever imagined. With the fate of her lost father tied to the Demon Prince’s promises, she agrees, unknowingly setting herself on a path filled with dragons, magic, and an adventure that will reshape everything she thought she knew about fate, power, and the price of her gift.

Honestly this book was such a refreshing read, from someone who has been in a book slump with fantasy this is perfect. It kind of gives you Disney vibes but the nostalgia from the old movies and the magic. It truly is a great book and I'd recommend it to everyone.

4★

Wow! This was so much better than I imagined, and I am so happy.

The world-building was great, though it could have done with a little bit more to help with visualising the world a bit more. I loved the blend of mythology with fantasy. It was full of action, love, and YEARNING. Goodness me, the yearning! I love when a character is down bad, but hides their feelings and just pines after their love interest.

The fmc in this story is a strong, badass woman. She is headstrong, but still has empathy and puts others needs above her own. She was very likeable.

The mmc was my favourite, to be honest. It was super cool to see Chinese mythology and fantasy interwoven with the story/themes of Beauty and the Beast (which is a classic, cmon). I was a little bit lost sometimes with the mentions of other gods though.

I didn’t really see the “six of crows” vibes, but then I was immersed in the rest of the story so it doesn’t even matter. I wish the villain/conflict had a little more reasoning other than family feud though.

Overall this was a fun and mesmerising read!

First and foremost, I would like to thanks Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an early copy.

It was one of the books I anticipated a lot this year and damn, I was not disappointed. Before beginning this review properly, I have to say that I only read the "The Blood of Stars" Duology so I Don't know anything about the other books that is apparently set it the same world as the book I am reviewing today. But not reading these books didn't dampen my enjoyment, I didn't have any difficulty understanding the world we were in. On the contrary, I now want to read "Six Crimson Cranes," a lot to return to this universe.

I started this book, knowing that it was a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast with some Chinese mythology in the mix, which made it even more interesting for me! I was a bit scared of the retelling, fearing that maybe it will be too overbearing, too much linear to the Disney movie, but Elizabeth Lim created her own sauce for this book. What I mean is that she incorporated the retelling yes, but subtly, in a way you can still recognize it without it being a copy paste of it. And the Chinese Mythology made it even more fascinating that we willingly and unknowingly start to sink in this universe, in Ai'Long.
The world Building was interesting, so much that I wanted to explore Ai'Long myself, the only thing that I regret is that I would have loved to have a bit more world building, see more gods, know more about this world. I could read a whole book just with facts from Ai'long, the gods or the past of the characters we were introduced! Either way, this world was enchanting and I felt myself entirely immersed in it.


The characters of course helped in this immersion, our FMC, Truyan Saigas is a con-artist, she forged, or well, recreate paintings and sell them for a living, so she can provide for her family. Directly her character, her story and struggle got me and she won my heart. What I really loved as the love she had for her parents, for her sisters, and the length she could go for them. Truyan is a character that cares and love so deeply and it's simply natural for her. And seeing her paint through the pages, use her gift with less fear and more confidence and wonder was marvelous and made me so proud of her growth.
Elang, our MMc was interesting. At first I didn't think much of him, he looked arrogant, too full of himself. Ah, poor me, it was the beginning of my end. Because I became attached to him, and I started to care for him and his duty, his goal. And I liked seeing him and Truyan interact, I would even wish for more scenes between them but it's just greed that is talking because we already got plenty of meaningful scenes, that at some point, you can rethink of them in a new glance.

All that just to say that it was a fantastic retelling with incorporation of Chinese mythology. In this book we get: an amazing gift, a nice plot and incredible characters, be it main or side characters. And to back it all, an enchanting world that you would love to know more of and explore by yourself. Let's not forget that this book is also about Love, the Love that you have toward your family and a romantic love, sweet and bittersweet.

A Forgery of Fate gives you joy, sadness, hope… It is a beautiful Journey packed in a beautiful book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was delighted when I was selected to ARC read "A Forgery Of Fate," having already been a huge fan of "Six Crimson Cranes" and "The Dragon's Promise."

A Forgery Of Fate begins with Tru, fighting to survive, and protect her family's future when her father goes missing at sea, presumed dead. She begins a life as a Master Forger, gifted with Sight to keep her family alive, and keep them out of the hands of the hideous Madam Yargui, due to her mother's poor choices.

A series of unfortunate events brings her to the home of the mysterious Elang, a half-dragon, half-human Prince who has been banished from his home until he finds his Heavenly Match. Tru quickly finds herself in over her head when she finds herself part of an elaborate plan to overthrow His Eternal Majesty, King Nazayun, who may hold the secret to finding Tru's father.

A Forgery Of Fate was a delightful book, bringing Six Crimson Cranes and A Dragon's Promise full circle, and will delight and captivate precious readers, and fans of Chinese mythology.

I am incredibly grateful to both NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review A Forgery of Fate. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to the teams at NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.

Elizabeth Lim... WHAT A MASTERPIECE.

I actually am speechless after reading A Forgery of Fate. That was nothing short of phenomenal. I devoured it over a weekend because I just couldn't put it down.

It consumed and continues to consume my every waking thought.

There were so many complexities in this story but the way Elizabeth Lim put words to paper, she made it so easy to understand and follow along.

It's truly been such a long time since I've felt this connected to the majority of the characters in a book. I am obsessed with Tru especially. There was just so much character development across the board.

Sometimes endings can be bittersweet but I just love how this one turned out. I couldn't ask for more if I'm being honest.

Elizabeth Lim just has such skill, each and every time I read something she has written I am simply captivated and A Forgery of Fate was no exception.

I am truly so honoured to have been able to read this ahead of the release date. This is absolutely a book that everyone should read. I have no notes, it is perfect.

Hailed as a tale inspired by Beauty and the Beast, while also slightly reminiscent of the world of The Little Mermaid, this certainly was something that would have fit within the Disney universe.
Elizabeth Lim certainly knows how to weave together a beautiful story, one that certainly draws you in with its atmospheric charm.

We're introduced to Tru Saigas, an art forger who lives alongside her two sisters as they try to support their eccentric mother, who years prior had been widowed when her husband (Tru's father) had disappeared while on an excursion at sea.

Tru has an interesting power - whenever her fingers start tingling she is able to paint a certain moment in the future that eventually comes true. When her mother gets into a sticky situation and is forced to find a large amount of money to pay back some mounting debt from gambling, Tru tries to use her gift in order to solve the situation, but is forced to flee when they suffer a violent attack through the hands of Madam Yargui's men. In her panicked escape she ends up crossing paths with the Dragon Prince Elang, who happens to give her a safe refuge in exchange for an interesting request....

I'll be honest, the deep sea kind of freaks me out, so this was captivating and unnerving at the same time. Like Tru, I wasn't altogether drawn to our grumpy half dragon in the first instance. He blew cold a little too often and I wasn't really sold on the chemistry for quite some time, but eventually when things start to gradually build I could begin to see why everyone was raving about this couple.
As slow burn as their connection is, they certainly have a charm and at some point I found myself surprisingly rooting for them.

However, Shani was probably one of my favourite characters, 'warts n all!' Though I could see how certain events were likely to play out, I still felt she was an interesting character and grew to really care for their friendship.
If there's certainly something Elizabeth Lim excels at it's her ability to craft a beautiful and enchanting world with intriguing characters.

I'll admit though that I saw the 'twist' coming so I wasn't as blown away by the events of the story as much as I would have hoped, but I still found it captivating and very much enjoyed Elizabeth Lam's flowery prose and beautifully depicted story which gently leans into East-Asian inspired mythology

I've read a few of Elizabeth Lim's previous books and this is probably one of my favorites that she's written so far. There's a lot packed in here, a heartfelt and gripping story with the right dosage of action and romance, which is also perfect for fantasy lovers.

I absolutely recommend this and I certainly won't hesitate to read more of Elizabeth Lim's novels in the future, as well as tackle the backlog of books she's written that I've yet to dive into.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would describe A Forgery of Fate as whimsical, which is not usually something that appeals to me. However, I thought the under water setting, with the talking turtles and sassy water demon, was fun.

I loved the family dynamics in this, Tru's love for her sisters and her parents was heart-warming. Even better was the fact that she didn't forget about them after the love interest was introduced. She was focused on doing what she had to in order for them to have a better life, and that didn't waver throughout. Although she was sometimes reckless, doing things without thinking of the consequences, I wasn't mad about it as she was a lovable main character with an empathetic nature.

The romance between Tru and Elang was Beauty and the Beast-esque, which is a dynamic I like. While I found the plot twist regarding Elang obvious it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Nor did the fact that it was plain from the start that he liked Tru.

A Forgery of Fate is one of the better fantasy books I've read of recently, a strong standalone.

4.5⭐

A Forgery of Fate was such a fun and enchanting read, I have loved all of Elizabeth Lim's books and this was another to add to just how beautiful and captivating the writing and storytelling is when you loose yourself into this authors books.

Every description from the smallest of details are so clear and easy to understand and so vivid that it completely captures your attention from the very first page and keeps you engaged throughout, I really loved Tru as a fmc and how to protect her family she finds herself entering into a fake marriage with the dragon prince to help him secure his kingdom but what entails is filled with so much heartache, destruction and despair that slowly unfolds into a really beautiful love story.

The story is so beautiful and enchanting and even though there is a romance it is also about love of family, sisterhood and friendship. I sobbed and I giggled and loved every moment I read it in 2 days I couldn't put it down, the ending completely gutted me and then healed me again. It was such a beautiful ending and one that will stay with me for a long time to come. Highly recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Elizabeth Lim’s A Forgery of Fate is a breath-taking romantic fantasy that weaves together magic, deception, and the timeless allure of Beauty and the Beast. With her signature blend of lush world-building and heartfelt storytelling, Lim delivers a tale that is as enchanting as it is thrilling.

The story centres on Truyan Saigas, a gifted art forger with the rare ability to paint the future. After her father’s disappearance at sea leaves her family in dire straits, Tru is forced into a life of con artistry to support her mother and sisters. But even her magical talents aren’t enough to save them from the gangsters demanding payment for her mother’s gambling debts. Desperate, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord, who offers her family a fresh start and the promise of answers about her father’s fate.

In exchange, Tru must leave her old life behind and join the dragon lord in his desolate undersea palace. There, she becomes entangled in a dangerous plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King’s inner circle. As Tru uses her gift to paint a future that could upend both mortal and immortal realms, she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic dragon lord, uncovering secrets that bind them together in ways she never imagined.

Lim’s world-building is exquisite, blending the opulence of an undersea palace with the tension of a high-stakes conspiracy. The novel’s exploration of love, sacrifice, and the power of art is both poignant and thought-provoking. Tru is a compelling protagonist, her resilience and determination making her a character readers will root for from the very first page. The slow-burn romance between Tru and the dragon lord is beautifully crafted, filled with moments of tenderness and tension that will leave readers swooning.

A perfect read for fans of romantic fantasy, retellings, and stories with lush world-building, A Forgery of Fate is a story of love and deception, of forging one’s own path in the face of impossible odds. Lim’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the beauty and danger of Tru’s world with equal skill. This is a novel that will captivate fans of romantic fantasy and leave them eagerly awaiting Lim’s next masterpiece.

I loved that this was an East-Asian twist on the classic Beauty and Beast fairytale, and the story was suitably beautiful in it's prose. The descriptions were magical, and the romance slow to develop with delicious notes of tension, and yearning. Truyan was an interesting character to follow, with her magical ability of painting visions, a unique aspect to the story that I've not seen done elsewhere before! Her love interest ("Beast") Elang, was in character for the fairytale, and it was interesting having the Beast portrayed as a dragon. Elizabeth Lim is certainly unique with this fairytale retelling!

However, I unfortunately was unable to finish the book, and stopped at 50%, finding it just a bit too slow for me continue. I did read the ending chapter out of curiousity (so the plot must have got my attention!), and the ending was suitably sweet, but I'm just sorry that I was unable to reach it naturally myself. However, I wouldn't let this dissuade you from reading it - it's just in a style that doesn't suit me as a reader, but if you like your fantasy world's slowly developed in detail, and your characters grow slowly as they go through various strife, then this will be a great read for you! Elizabeth Lim is clearly a good storyteller with a creative mind, and I think this book will be a big hit with fans of fairytale retellings.

Tru and Elang are cute together and I liked Shani.

I liked all the twists and turns during the story and the writing was brilliant, it draws you into the world and doesn't let you go.

This was a fun and fast read that has a sweet ending 😊

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved A Forgery Of Fate as the characters were really well described, it made me feel like I inside the book with the characters throughout. I really felt the emotions that the main characters were going through and the storyline was incredible. I loved it so much, I wanted more and was sad that the story had ended. I would definitely read more by Elizabeth Lim. I highly recommend her!

A Forgery of Fate is a breathtaking, East Asian-inspired romantic fantasy that blends mythology, artistry, and fate into a mesmerizing tale of love, sacrifice, and destiny. With lush world-building and evocative prose, Elizabeth Lim crafts a spellbinding story that will captivate fans of Beauty and the Beast.

Truyan Saigas is an unforgettable protagonist—an artist with the rare ability to paint the future, burdened by her family's struggles and the weight of her own impossible choices. Her fierce devotion to her sisters makes her instantly relatable, and her journey into the depths of the Dragon King’s realm is as thrilling as it is poignant. The underwater world Lim creates is stunningly immersive, filled with rich lore, dazzling descriptions, and an eerie sense of wonder. From grand palaces to perilous court intrigues, every setting feels alive and brimming with magic.

At the heart of the story is Tru’s slow-burning romance with the enigmatic Elang. Their dynamic is beautifully layered with longing, mystery, and heartbreak. As secrets unravel—including a shocking revelation about Elang’s true identity—their relationship takes on even greater emotional depth. The tension, the yearning, the impossible stakes—it all builds to a stunning climax that left me breathless. And the ending? Utterly devastating and yet achingly beautiful.

Beyond the romance, A Forgery of Fate is also a tale of resilience, fate, and the unbreakable ties of family. The sibling bond between Tru and her sisters is one of the novel’s strongest elements, grounding the story in deep emotional stakes. The themes of destiny and sacrifice are woven seamlessly throughout, making this a novel that lingers in your mind long after you turn the final page.

Elizabeth Lim once again proves why she’s a master of fantasy storytelling. A Forgery of Fate is a luminous, heart-wrenching tale that enchants, devastates, and ultimately leaves you longing for more. A must-read for fantasy lovers.

I'm not sure what happened, but I seemed to get 1% of this book, and so unfortunately I am unable to review.