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Member Reviews

Loved her previous two books, and will soon start "Kingdom of Without"

This particular book didn't wow me as much as I expected, based on the Knives Out comparison anyway.

While I liked Tabatha, and the premise, the first half of the book was a bit of a drag for me. I enjoyed the sleuthing but lots of it seemed repetitive.

If this was published already, I would be tempted to give it a 2 "it was ok" but am going with a 3 assuming there might have been tweaks that would make the first half move a bit more quickly.

And perhaps make the ending a bit more satisfying as well.

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While I enjoyed the plot and the magic, I didn't so much enjoy the characters. The ending was kinda of ho-hum and anti-climactic. So it gets a 3 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you to Andrea Tang, NetGalley, and Penguin Group for an eARC of These Deadly Prophecies!

I really enjoyed this book! It felt like a fantastical version of Truly Devious and The Inheritance Games.

Things I loved:

The overall plot - A sorcerer dies mysteriously and his apprentice and child have to figure out who killed him before either of them gets charged with his murder. High stakes, but fast-paced and fun!

The diversity - I liked reading about a hero who wasn't a young white girl. The author subtly mentions her Asian culture and I liked hearing a different perspective about how parent's from another culture would handle a situation like this.

The silly banter - Callum and Tabath are adorable. Tabatha is a smart girl, determined not to be swayed by the easy-going jock. But we all know what happens when these two are forced to stick together! Their witty conversations, flirting, and general awkwardness had me laughing.

I like reading Young Adult novels because they are faster paced, easier reads and generally great palette cleansers that can clear your head and ready you for another heavier book. This book definitely succeeded in this task. 4/5 stars.

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This was a really unique YA fantasy novel, with great characters, and a well written plot!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

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Thank you for the eARC! Took a second chance and had to try really hard to get into it. You know those drinking games you play where you drink whenever a character says something? I would be super drunk if I were drinking to every time Tabitha would mention she’s the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. I love the idea and vision this book had but it didn’t meet what I expected to read.

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I wanted to like this so much but unfortunately it really did not work for me :( I very strongly did not like the writing style and that made the entire thing unenjoyable to me. I hesitate to say that it felt "young" because there are plenty of MG books with beautiful writing. Rather, it felt "unpolished" or "cheesy". The dialogue felt unnatural and inconsistent throughout. I wish this could have worked better for me!

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Perfect for fans of Knives Out and the Inheritance Games, apprentice fortune teller Tabitha must work to solve her mentor's murder, but between the powerful magic at play and her mentor's rich family nothing is as it seems in this fantastical murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this novel! I have been reading so many epic world building fantasies, it was nice to read a standalone urban fantasy. This book introduces the reader to the world quickly and explains everything very well. I was never confused about the world building aspect or how magic worked in this one.

I loved the mystery element in this novel and I genuinely could not figure out the murderer in this until it was revealed! I really enjoyed the main character, Tabitha as well as her relationship with her mentor and her mentor's family, especially the brothers.

This spellbinding tale is perfect for fans of Knives Out who love fantasy books with magic, murder and mayhem.

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Absolutely captivating! This book exceeded all my expectations. The characters were incredibly well-developed, the plot was gripping from start to finish, and the writing style was simply superb. A definite must-read for anyone looking for a riveting story that stays with you long after you turn the last page. 5 stars without a doubt!

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I enjoyed the premise of this story, but found the wording to be a bit too much. In that it made a short book seem to be too long.
I think the author tied the storyline together well, and many people would enjoy this book purely for the sorcery/fantasy aspect.
I'm giving it a 3 star, because it had promise, but didn't deliver in a way that I enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

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I did t know what to expect with this book but I was pleasantly surprised. Murder mystery, magic, fortune all mixed to make a great who dun it.

Tabatha loves the occult and has had the privilege of being the apprentice to Sorcerer Solomon the top sorcerers around with a skill for fortune telling. The problem is he has predicted his own death. “By the hand of his most beloved.” When Tabatha comes to the house and finds him murdred and she’s one of the main suspects, she must clear her name and find out what the truth really is.

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This magic driven murder mystery was very good and entertaining. I was hooked on this fast based mystery. It was very good and I enjoyed it
I just reviewed These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang. #TheseDeadlyProphecies #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for a review. I was really interested in the plot of this book and thought it was interesting. A murder mystery with some magic thrown in there. This fell a little flat for me. I needed some more twists and suspense. I still enjoyed it , but just found it dragging at some points.

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First I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read this E-arc. In return for an honest review.

I was quite thrilled when I was approved for this book, as I had been eyeing the advertising Andrea Tang kept putting out for it, as well her other books have quite interested me before too. I was happy to have received this arc, and really quite excited it did not disappoint in the least.

It really is like a sorcerer family Knives Out, I love the bickering between all the family members as they try to prove themselves worthy of Solomon Inheritance, while at the same time many of them debating what killed the Mr. Solomon. Tabatha Zeng is swept up into the family disputes, and tied to Callum by her master's wishes to watch out for them. Seeing their budding friendship start, is one of my favourite parts as we first meet them bickering and suspecting each other of who killed the dad.
I loved the book, and I really hope there might be more put into this, so we can so a full world expand of it. That just shows how much I enjoyed this book, especially the twists and doubts you tell yourself as you read each clue.

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The teen/YA book didn’t deter me from this book.

I’ve read some really great books for that age group, so I was excited to get into the book.

Really good and entertaining read.

It definitely deserves a shot.

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If you’re looking for a mystery intermingled with fantasy, These Deadly Prophecies is for you. A very strong YA fantasy, it has some tragedies that makes you truly understand the motivation of these characters. This book grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let me go.

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A thrillingly fun read from start to finish. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but These Deadly Prophecies grabbed me right away, with its snarky, clever protagonist, sharp style, and urban fantasy world. The mystery is a solid one with a satisfying solution, and with the combination of family-centered whodunit and magic in the real world, it gave Knives Out x The Fascinators in the best way. I absolutely flew through this delightful YA magical mystery.

Thanks to the publisher for the advance review copy!

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Tabatha feels like her life is going pretty well. While she may not be the most popular person at school, she was able to land a prestigious apprenticeship with none other than Sorcerer Solomon, and she's learning the craft she has always dreamed about. But when her mentor starts predicting his own murder, she never expected it would be so soon - or that it would include her becoming closely involved with Solomon's son Callum. As the two work together to solve the murder, they also find themselves fighting for their own lives.

The MCs in this are well developed, and the side characters are also easy to keep straight. There are not a lot of extraneous characters to keep track of - just the perfect amount for a solve-the-murder type novel. I especially enjoyed the tone of the writing and the way that Tabatha addresses the reader throughout the story, which gives the book a great crime-noir atmosphere to the mystery. Tabatha and Callum make great gumshoe detectives, all while they navigate the realities of family expectations and keeping ahead of the murderer. I also found the world building to be enjoyable. The magic system was well explained without feeling like a lecture, and each piece built upon the last to create a more complex picture of their world.

Overall, 4 stars. Recommended for fans of William Ritter's Jackaby series.

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Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"These Deadly Prophecies" by Andrea Tang is a thrilling and enchanting YA fantasy murder mystery that has elements of supernatural intrigue as well as family drama and a touch of romance. Set in a world where magic and prophecy intertwine with the mundane, this book offers a captivating and fast-paced narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is so much fun, and I definitely agree with the comparison to “Knives Out.” The story is a bit unhinged at times and over the top, but that’s what made me love it even more, just like with the first “Knives Out” movie. If you’re in the mood for a fun murder mystery, especially an fantasy one, you will definitely love this book.

Tabatha Zeng, a 17-year-old Chinese student, finds herself entangled in a web of mystery and suspicion when her mentor, the renowned sorcerer Julian Solomon, is brutally murdered. As Tabatha becomes a prime suspect in the case, she must team up with Julian's son, Callum, to uncover the truth behind his death.

Tang's writing is very is witty and engaging, with Tabatha serving as a sharp-witted and relatable protagonist. The dialogue was so much fun and was incredibly engaging, making the characters feel realistic. I also really enjoyed the humor throughout the book; it was definitely my type of humor, especially in relation to old-money politics and family drama. This is definitely a book you can finish in just 1-2 sittings with its quick pace; I found it difficult to put down because I was so invested in the mystery as well as the different characters.

The fantasy elements add depth and intrigue to the plot, allowing this book to stand out from other standard mystery books. Also, the exploration of themes such as identity, ambition, and belonging gives the story emotional resonance. The mystery aspect of the story did start off a bit slow, but the resolution is satisfying and well-executed. The characters are well-developed and engaging, with Tabatha's internal dialogue being the highlight for me as her inner dialogue brought moments of humor and insight.

Overall, "These Deadly Prophecies" is a delightful and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of YA fantasy and murder mysteries alike. Tang's imaginative storytelling and engaging characters make this novel a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating and immersive escape into a world of magic and intrigue.

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A fun, spooky read!
Tabatha apprentices for the famous and magical Solomon. He states, through several prophecies, that he will die. It’s a shock to everyone when he actually dies and it’s a brutal death. Tabatha is told by Solomon, before his death, to only trust his son Callum and no one else. Callum and Tabatha try to solve the murder mystery but get swept up in the unknown along the way.

Likes/dislikes: This book is such a fun read! I loved the spooky atmosphere and the mystery. Tabatha is a strong, persistent, interesting character.
Mature content: PG for kissing.
Language: R for 50 swears, no f-words.
Violence: PG for deaths.
Ethnicity: The Solomon family members are white and Tabatha is Chinese American.

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Thank you netgalley for the arc.

I've never read a fantasy murder mystery before and I have to say, it's way more fun than one set in the real world.

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