The town of Leśna Woda has everything: bath houses, festivals, demons, water goblins, delicious food, an exorcist, dress shops, churches that the exorcist is not allowed to go into because he's too witchy woo-woo for the clergy, hot boys, small-town charm, and rusałki (girls who died in the river and are now water nymphs). It's a vacation destination for the wealthy, as the springs within the bath houses are imbued with magic that can heal you, increase your power, or make you more beautiful. This is a world where monsters are real, but it's not a big deal.

This Fatal Kiss follows Gisela, a rusałka determined to regain her humanity by getting a human to kiss her - a cure that hasn't even been proven to work yet. After Kazik - the local exorcist - fails to use his powers to get rid of Gisela, they strike up a deal: Gisela won't tell anyone that it seems the saints have abandoned him as long as Kazik agrees to help her get her kiss. There's just one problem: he's also crushing hard on the boy she's set her sights on - Aleksey. Kazik does his best to make Gisela appear as human as possible in order to convince Aleksey to like her - but Aleksey has secrets of his own he's keeping from both them. Secrets that could change everything.

I really enjoyed the found family aspect of Gisela, the other rusałki, and Wojciech - the powerful water goblin who watches over them all. She's not used to the adults in her life caring about her - and it takes time for her to realize that although she doesn't like where she is, she's found something she's always needed. She's found people who care about her and allow her to just be a girl instead of the caretaker she was for her brother. Then there's Kazik, who starts out with deep prejudices against demons and spirits. He believes that they're one-dimensional beings filled with hatred for humanity, and that they should be exorcised before they can hurt anyone. But the more time he spends with Gisela, the more he realizes how maligned these creatures have been by humanity. He begins to see them as individuals instead of collective terrors.

The world Jasinka has created can be a little confusing at times - not in the plot but in the setting. I spent a good chunk of the beginning thinking this was taking place in Ye Olde Days, only for phone booths and buses to be mentioned. There are certain turns of phrase that, while funny, seem very out of place - "Sky Daddy" and something being "a whole mood". I think this kind of language was sprinkled in as a way to relate to the teens of today and how they speak, but it feels a bit like it's dumbing things down just to be trendy. My main issue with this book is that it ends so abruptly at a place that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. It felt like there was around five or so chapters left in the story, but it instead stops at a place that feels almost mid-sentence. It doesn't feel like there's necessarily enough left in this story for it to be a series, but surely that must be the plan (even though I found no evidence that a second book is in the works). I really wish this had been a self-contained story, or that the next book had been better set up - because right now I don't know what the next book would even be about.

Overall, this was a fun read. I think a high schooler would especially enjoy it - there's enough romance and traces of spiciness without it being explicit. The polyamorous relationships are depicted extremely well and evenly - this is a group of people who all love each other equally, even though they are fiercely denying it to themselves for most of the story. It's chock-full of queer representation (homosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, gender expression) which is portrayed in a very real, normal way. The Slavic folklore elements really help push the Studio Ghibli vibes - and the pronunciation guide at the start of the book definitely comes in clutch. If you're a fan of YA fantasy and have been wanting to see other kinds of love depicted in the books you read, I would definitely pick this one up!

This was an amazing read. I love the world that Alicia Jasinska put together with a mix of real life monsters and societal expectations. It did take me out of the book a little when the characters would speak in more modern lingo but the conversations about expectations, what makes a monster, and sexuality were so insightful and could help someone understand exactly what they are feeling. I am so excited for the sequel.

I need more of this in my life... seriously... can I get a sequel?? This book is exactly as its described. Little mermaid meets spirited away with bisexual chaos. I love the banter and the "are we fighting or flirting?" I also love the setting and all the little magical creatures. I will die happy if studio ghibli picks this up for a mini series. The vibes are just right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun story and super unique with the slavic folklore influence! I also loooove the cover so much.

"This Fatal Kiss" is my fist book by this author and even if the previous ones aren't exactly my cup of tea I'm looking forward to the next stories by Alicia Jasinska.

I sometimes have problems with Fantasy Romance because often enough there are power dynamics at play that are toxic and nothing I want to read from. But Alicia Jasinska got the right balance of fantasy and romance for me. Especially because it was so deliciously queer.

I really love the dynamic of our three main characters and how they all had a past and a current life that is multi layered and interesting. How their banter and talks got them thinking differently and developing feelings that felt very genuine.

Connected with a lot of russian lore it is a great story to read and I recommend this book also for its polyamorous representation.

The only thing I did not like was the ending chapter of Aleksey because it felt disconnected to the rest and had to much of an "there will be a second book and it is possible that it will be completely different from this one"-feeling.

Nethertheless I will be happy to buy a copy for my shelfs also as this cover is fantastic!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While the absolutely stunning cover of this book was the first to catch my attention, I knew I had to pick this up after reading the summary. Polyamorous romance between a water nymph, a nerdy exorcist and his crush, PLUS some of the cosiest found family vibes? That's exactly my vibe.

This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska gave me a story with a lovely set of characters set in an atmospheric and cosy spa town, where Slavic folklore helps shape the story and gives the story a unique setting. I was a little sceptical of the YA label, which also made me hesitate a little with my expectations, but the book quickly drew me in and won me over completely. While the main character Gisela is a vibrant character in herself, the rest of her water nymph family also have a ton of interesting and well-built backstories and a good amount of representation, which also made the found family element feel stronger to me, even though it wasn't the main theme of the book.

The romance element also worked really well for me. Kazik was an interesting character and the banter between him and Gisela worked really well on page and for the chemistry that slowly evolved as the story progressed. Adding Aleksey to the mix made for the perfect balance, and for a very good exploration of different kinds of love and stages of love. The polyamorous element was explored in a really interesting way, even though I wished it had been worked with more.

While I enjoyed reading the book and all the lovely elements it offered, I also thought the book lacked something. When I finished reading I realized it¨s because there might come a sequel, while I was of the impression this was a standalone. Knowing this, I can see the built-up and the foundation for continued world-building and exploration of this amazing world.

While this is a romantasy, I do think it's a unique one that's a good pick for a cosy autumn night in.

This was a very fun book! I really enjoyed the characters and their development, and I loved the world it was in. It was definitely super enjoyable. However, I thought it was misleading to be marketed as a poly romance in this book - it operated as a love triangle. I think the poly part will come in in sequels, but without them being announced I am rather leery. I also thought it ended on a cliff hanger! I really enjoyed it though, I loved the world and the characters and I have already ordered it for my store to handsell.

First of all, I’d like to thank the publisher and netgalley for this opportunity!
This Fatal Kiss is a folkloric tale about Gisela, a nymph water, whose goal is to be turned into a human once again. I’d recommend this book to someone who is slowly getting into folklore fantasy and doesn’t know where to start: it has a good description of the creatures, the worldbuilding is kept simple and easy to remember and the characters are likeable and very well described. However, I admit that sometimes the story got a bit boring for me, especially in the middle of it, while I devoured the last 30% of the book.

3.5 stars

This Fatal Kiss was a fun and entertaining read. I really loved the discussions surrounding life, mental health and love, and the way the characters came to terms with what was going on around them. The characters were my favourite part of the book, they were all so fun and I loved exploring their stories and thoughts. I honestly love anything using folklore and this was my first Polish folklore read so that was a fun experience.

This really had good bones and a lot of potential however, I feel it failed to meet that and was ultimately lacking in world-building and plot to a degree. I loved what we saw of the town, but felt it needed to be better fleshed out and expanded. The ending also felt somewhat underwhelming and I wished we'd gotten more.

Overall this was super fun and would be perfect for a younger audience. I really hope we get a sequel as I truly loved the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc<3

I really enjoyed this!
The setting was absolutely beautiful, and I felt like I was actually there throughout. We got the looming forest vibes, a town fueled by tourism to the multiple extravagant spas, market stalls with fresh baked goods, tea and handmade crafts, and a sweeping river that holds a palace under its currents, all taking place during Spring with festivals that focus on gifting to the array of folkloric creatures that reside in the environment.
The folklore was very fun to read about, with many mentions and explanations of different spirits and demons, etc.
I loved that it was a very quick read- I was able to fly through 100 pages with ease. It's YA with teen characters, but it didn't read too young at all, and none of the MC's annoyed me. All of our MC's were actually very endearing and were fleshed out really well. I had a wonderful time seeing them all grow close to each other and form a kind of found family by the end. It was very cute!
There is also LGBTQIA+ representation and polyamorous representation done in a way that I think would be beneficial for teens and young adults reading.
This whole book just felt like a hug from my younger self and was very cozy.
The ending alluded to a second book, and if that is the case, I will definitely be reading!

All poor Gisela needs to be human is a kiss... but at what stakes?

I was absolutely enthralled by this book! I loved the magic that flowed through the pages that made it feel like you were inside the story. I loved the character growth that all of the characters experience.I also loved how it was stranger to be straight than it was to be gay/bi I loved it. I loved everything about this and I hope there is more to come!

The big show stopper with this book is the absolutely gorgeous world building. The attention to detail and lush writing definitely make this an atmospheric read. The character I thought were well done and I really liked all the different creatures. This is my second dive into Slavic folklore this year and I am loving every bit of it. The pacing of the plot was a little of every so often and the plot itself seemed to get lost here and there. Over all though this book is a complete vibe!

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

The best way I can describe This Fatal Kiss is Polish Holly Black in a world reminiscent of A Far Wilder Magic or A Study In Drowning with the humor and banter of Six of Crows. I requested it on a whim and I am so glad I did; I (a library-only kind of girl) pre-ordered the book before I was even finished with it, and really had to restrain myself from buying the special edition.

I know some reviewers have said the writing feels a little juvenile, and I think it’s important to stress that this is a Young Adult novel truly written for teenagers. Gisela and Kazik are wonderfully, ridiculously teen-aged, and their dynamic and internal narration reflects this. Personally, I thought it was endearing and a breath of fresh air compared to YA that seems more interested in its adult readership than the teens it’s nominally meant for, but if you don’t love teenage shenanigans, I understand why that might be frustrating.

I adored Gisela and Kazik and every bit of their silly, angsty, oblivious longing. This was an incredibly sweet and well-executed mild enemies-to-lovers that made me want to shake them and say “they love you, you idiot!” in the best way possible. (I don't think I've said "squee" out loud since 2016, but this book managed to bring me back to my fangirl roots. I sounded like a damn tea-kettle.) No book has made me so deeply invested in a relationship in a long time, and I think this is partly because of how painfully real they feel. Despite the magic, they’re just teenagers trying to navigate their life and afterlife.

The world of This Fatal Kiss is a delight, with magic bathhouses, grandfatherly water spirits who trap souls in teacups, and girls who can turn into frogs to slip out of sticky situations. Every little detail brough the village of Lesna Voda to life, and I just wanted to slip through the pages and experience it myself.

Truly, this is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and it immediately shot to the top of my all time faves list. The poly romance is so sweet and so much fun to watch, and I cannot wait to see where things go in book two.

If you’re a fan of Holly Black’s fae, Polish folklore, high fantasy in a more-modern-than-medieval world, or the character dynamics and banter of Six of Crows, I think this book will steal your heart. Please, please, please read it – I need people to talk to about it, because it will be living rent free in my head forever.

A DNF. I struggled to immerse myself in the story and the romance just wasn’t for me. However, the world building was well done and I enjoyed that aspect of the story.

I honestly was SO excited to read this book but there is one thing that I ABSOLUTELY dislike that I did not know was a main thing about the book which is absolutely my fault so if you wanna read any book do more research about it before you request the arc like I did 💀💔

This is a contemplative and engaging story tailored for enthusiasts of Slavic folklore. Its narrative flows smoothly, making it a pleasant read. However, if you're in search of action-packed sequences, this book might not meet your expectations. The story delves deeply into themes of friendship, bisexuality, and polyamory, offering a thoughtful exploration of these topics.

Some passages are emotionally charged, providing a poignant and touching experience that enhances the depth of the characters. While the pacing may feel slow to some readers, this could be a minor concern for those who appreciate a slower, more introspective romance.

Overall, if you have an interest in bisexual romance set against a backdrop of folklore and magic, this story is likely to be a charming and satisfying choice. Its enchanting setting and reflective nature create a compelling narrative that invites readers to immerse themselves in its magical world.

You know the book is good when immediately after finishing it, you ask the author "will there be a second one?"

I have to admit that I was skeptical about this book at first. It uses Slavic folklore and Polish language (for names of spirits, people and places), so as a Pole I was afraid that there would be some inaccuracies, but I didn't find any.

What I did find was a great cast of characters and a really fun book.

I try to avoid reading YA because often the characters are too annoying and childish, but I didn't have this issue here. I grew to really like the main characters, especially Kazik. All of them have great character development, and the way their relationships change throughout the book was really realistic. I love how each of them realize they have feelings for two people.

The plot of the book mostly focuses on Gisela quest to become human/get a human to kiss her, but there are some other stories woven into it. I would love to get more stories about Leśna Woda residents (yes, I know that there's another book from this universe that focuses on Gisela's homeland. I will read it), and hopefully we will get another book in this series continuing the story of our exorcist and his two loves.

A rather contemplative story for lovers of Slavic folklore. It's very enjoyable to read, very fluid. However, if you're looking for action... this might not be for you. I appreciated some of the reflections on friendship, and I think it's a good approach to bisexuality and polyamory. Some passages are quite emotionally charged, and I found the characters touching. It was a bit slow for me, but I think it's not going to be a problem for most romance readers. If you like bisexual romance and folklore, go for it, it's a charming story in a magical setting.

This was a very cozy and whimsical YA fantasy. The beautiful cover initially drew me in, but it was the folkloric elements that truly caught my attention. I loved each individual character and getting to learn about their backstories. The dynamics and banter between the characters were also very fun to read. The side characters further enhanced the narrative, adding depth and complexity to the overall story.

I really enjoyed the exploration of polyamory in this book. However, I did feel that the romantic aspect of the story was somewhat lacking. The author would mention that the two characters had a past connection, but I felt that this was not sufficiently developed enough to create a strong emotional connection between the characters.

I thought this was a standalone novel, so I was caught off guard by the open-ended ending. It was still a satisfying ending for me, but I enjoyed this story enough that I want to know what happens next.

Thank you, NetGalley and Peachtree Teen, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This enchanting novel offers a unique twist on the classic fairy tale with its magical spa town setting and the captivating story of Gisela, a water nymph cursed to haunt the river. Her quest to regain humanity by securing a mortal kiss is beautifully intertwined with Kazik, the brooding spirit hunter, leading to an irresistible enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The narrative’s haunting atmosphere, combined with humorous banter and a charming slow-burn romance, creates an immersive reading experience. The multiple perspectives bring depth to the story, especially as Kazik and Gisela’s growing connection complicates her mission. Fans of fairy tales, queer romance, and found family will be spellbound by this delightfully atmospheric read.