This book was cute & inspired but Slavic folklore. I didn't realize it wasn't a standalone 😵‍💫🤣. Some of the language was a little to modern for my liking in a fantasy book but the world building was really fun. I appreciated the short chapters & multiple povs.

I DNF'd at probably 85%- this was just okay! A sweet, contained story about a boy pulled in two directions- the boy he's crushed on for years, and the rusalka that he wants to get rid of. I liked the setting, the characters were okay, and I was bored. The plot was a little predictable- and it had some of that typical romance miscommunication. I ran out of time reading this- I would have finished but my copy expired and I asn't compelled to find a different one.

4.5 stars

i enjoyed this so much more than i thought i would. the Slavic folklore, characters, creatures, poly romance and world building as a whole was very refreshing and unique. i loved all 3 of the main characters: Gisela, Kazik and Aleksey. Gisela is a rambunctious water nymph, who was bursting with bubbly personality and sass in equal measure. Kazik is an exorcist of sorts, who’s 100% the type to be grumpy over the fact that he’s secretly a cinnamon roll. Aleksey is a bit of a mystery, but he’s got an aura to him that seems to draw people in. the plot with Gisela wanting to get a kiss from Aleksey in the hopes that she’d be able to become human again was honestly kinda sad.. the whole backstory of most of the water nymphs are. i quickly found myself backing her and wanting her to be successful, especially when it made her drag a reluctant Kazik along for the ride. the ending made me so upset that there’s no news yet on book 2, there’s no way I’m expected to be just move on from those implications !!

This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska is a whimsical yet dark fantasy that blends Slavic folklore, magic, and romance into an enchanting tale. The story follows Gisela, a water nymph cursed to haunt the river where she drowned, longing to return to the living world. All she needs is a kiss from a mortal—but her plan is complicated by Kazik, a brooding exorcist determined to rid the world of spirits like her.

Their uneasy alliance turns into a tangled web of emotions and secrets, especially when Kazik and Gisela both fall for the same mysterious young man. The novel subverts classic love triangles, weaving intrigue, humor, and eerie atmosphere into a beautifully crafted world.

With lush world-building, morally complex characters, and a touch of polyamorous romance, This Fatal Kiss is a captivating read for fans of queer romantasy and folklore-inspired storytelling.

- Slavic folklore
- M/M F/F F/M romance
- Sprites
- Religion
- Magic
- Death

This book did take me a while to get into it as straight away I wasn't invested in the characters at all, but after a while of getting to know them I was then hooked.

This book was such a fun and if not for some of the more dangerous aspects I'd almost say cosy.

I really enjoyed her journey on the theory that if she can a water nymph can get a kiss by a human she can be human again. Watching her try and achieve this was a so much fun.

I forgot this wasn't a standalone and I am now excited for the sequel to this as I can't wait to read more about these characters and this world.

Thank you Peachtree publishers and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I forgot to review this:( But i still remember the story! It was soo good, that cliffhanger thoooo, give me answers!! 5/5

I adored how This Fatal Kiss reminded me of the ghibli films I grew up with. Its whimsical atmosphere combined with the banter between Gisela, Kazik, and Aleskey never failed to make me laugh. I didnt expect this to be poly, but it was welcome and the slow burn tension was perfect.

With a rich setting and cast, I'd recommend this to anyone who loves watching characters yearn for eachother!

This book was so beautiful and incredible. The story took me right into the setting of the book and I felt so inspired. Beautiful writing, connected heavily to the characters. 5/5

I LOVE this book. So much. Despite being a fantasy, everything felt so real and natural. The inclusion of Slavic folklore was so accurate and very unique---as someone who has extensively studied this folklore in a college setting, I was very impressed by Jasinska's writing. The folklore was my favorite part of the book, but the romance was a very close second. A priest and the creature he's trying to exorcise AND a demon who wants to kill him? Amazing. A polyamorous romance is unfortunately not common, especially in a YA novel, and I'm so happy to see this representation, and see it done well. I'm so excited for the next book in the series.

My whole store did a staff book club with this book and we all ADORED it. We have it as one of our permanent stand outs on display in our LGBTQ+ highlights, as well as in our staff picks section! Lovestruck loves This Fatal Kiss!

This was a really fun YA fantasy with a lot of Slavic folklore elements. As someone who loves YA, fantasy and grew up with Slavic folklore, this book felt like quite the magic cozy fantasy. Our main girl Gisela is smart and funny and so spunky, and Kazik is brooding but you want to tuck him into a blanket cocoon cause he's so adorable and I LOVED Aleksey and how he was slightly mischievous! Jasinska not only showcases her knowledge of Slavic folklore (expected so not surprising) but expertly wields it into her absolutely magical world.
Another thing that was done incredibly well was the queer rep - it was so refreshing to read and it just...existed. There was a bit of biphobia/homophobia, but I think the resolutions were well done and I enjoyed the polyamorous rep as well, there aren't many books, especially in YA that have that. I also really enjoyed the slowly growing battle between the old religion/Slavic paganism vs the growing religion of what we would now know as Christianity. I especially enjoyed Kazik's point of view of it and I really love when a book tackles it especially when it comes to Slavic folklore being on the other side!
Overall, an incredibly enjoyable YA book with a few fun twists and turns, fantastic characters and a fantastic romance as well! Can't wait to see what the author gets up to in the future!
Final rating: 4.75 stars
Thank you to NetGalley/the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Okay (1) NOBODY TOLD ME THIS WAS A SERIES, I'm screaming crying at the cliffhanger (it was a nice ending but also I NEED the remaining threads to be solved, and I NEED to read more about the core 3 😭😭)

(2) The cozy fantasy really cozy fantasy-ed in this one, reading this was like drinking a warm cup of coffee 😭

(3) Also theworld building and all the mythical spirits? The secondary characters and the found family? 10/10

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

"This Fatal Kiss" is a whimsical, folkloric fantasy romance and a solid 4⭐!

There was so much I enjoyed about this book. I loved the rusalka/water nymph, Gisela and her fun personality, and the way her little-mermaid-esque plot intertwined with the exorcist, Kazik, and his hunt for spirits melded so perfectly. The addition of Aleksey and the blossoming polyamorous romance between the three of them was delightful and I loved how balanced their dynamic felt. No character in the love triangle was left out and the plot did a very good job of having the three of them interact with one another. It felt natural.

I really liked the writing and the Slavic folklore made the setting and worldbuilding feel complete. I assumed this was a standalone, and I think it could still be read as one, but by the end of the book, I was wondering if we were going to get more of this story and, after finishing, I was glad to find out there will be more!

Overall, I really loved this book and I'm really excited to where the next book will take us!

The cover pulled me in so hard I got whiplash, However I fear I am not a polyamory girlie, AND that's okay.

This book was not really up my alley, but I can totally see how other people would eat this up!! The setting is so magical and whimsical, the whole story feels like it was written with a pink glitter pen ✨

The one thing that was not for me was the characters, especially the way the main character spoke. There was just a little too much gen z vibe to the dialogue — I found that it didn’t really fit the setting.

A whimsical queer fantasy filled with magic and folklore!

Thank you Netgalley, publisher, and author for providing an ARC in exchange for a review! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm a sucker for anything related with mythology and folklore, and I was pleasantly surprised to see how well planned out these elements were on the book. In this story in particular, we are introduced to water nymphs, witches, exorcists, spirits and other demons. However, what first attracted me to this book was not this unique plot, but the absolutely stunning art cover! I literally can't stop thinking about it - and how brilliantly it captures the essence of the novel!

The story is told from different points of view, which makes it easier to get into the story and get to know our characters: Gisela, a devious rusałka; Kazik, a brooding exorcist; and Aleksei, a mysterious boy who would become very dear to both of them. Without giving too much of it away.... this is an actual love triangle! Bi panic, constant flirting and confusing emotions.

I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend it not only to fans of folklore, but also to any romance readers!

I liked this story, it had a great ballance of cozy and deep. I enjoyed it from the beginning. I love folklore of it and the idea of two different people coming to love.

I picked this up wanting something quick and easy and it was even better than I expected. I loved the incorporation of Slavic folklore and aspects of the culture too, I appreciated that the love triangle was ACTUALLY a triangle and not a love 90 degree angle. The ending though...I thought this was supposed to be a standalone?? Now I'm left on a cliffhanger. It was still amazing though!

Cozy read, amazing scenery description!
Immaculate vibes all throughtout the book, cute folktale storyline.
3.5 stars!

Such a nice cozy read and was very impressed that this was the debut for this author. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for their next works :)

Reminded me of "The Bear and the Nightingale", "Little Thieves" and "Spirited Away" and these are all some of my favorite things. So of course I enjoyed this one as well. Now I'm hoping for a sequel ...