I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska is a third person multi-POV Slavic-inspired polyamorous YA fantasy romance. Gisela is a rusalka, a water nymph that used to be human before she was drowned. In order to become human again, she needs to kiss a human but has had terrible luck so far. She requests the help of exorcist Kazik to get newcomer Aleksey to kiss her. But Aleksey is hiding his own secrets and Kazik slowly discovers his own feelings for both of them.

My favorite POV character was Gisela. We get to see a lot of hints of the water world and hear about the various conditions in which a rusalka comes into being, mainly through traumatic events dealing with water. There’s a melancholic tone to Gisela’s POV that also extends into her main motivation, for wanting to return permanently to the mortal realm, which is to take care of her younger brother Hugo. The other rusalki are mixed in whether or not they understand her desire to rejoin humanity, but they support her efforts to do so even if they personally enjoy being a spirit.

The complexities of how Bisexuality is viewed in larger society is put firmly on display with both Gisela and Kazik’s POVs. Many of the rusalki are Sapphic themselves and tease Gisela for pursuing men to kiss when she could just as easily choose a woman. Meanwhile, Kazik’s cousin is aware that he is attracted to men (he is in the closet to everyone else in the family) and he kisses young men who are visiting their spa town, but when it comes up that he’s also attracted to women, it seems perplexing to the people who know him. Through both POVs, we see that it doesn’t matter if a family is open or closed to Queerness, there’s still sometimes Bi-erasure.

I liked the casual enemies-to-lovers aspect between Kazik and Gisela. Kazik is aware of Gisela’s desires to be human and the two banter back and forth in a way that indicates they’ve been doing this for a while. Adding Aleksey into the mix creates even more playfulness but also more vulnerability and for Gisela and Kazik to deepen their understanding of each other while they also learn about Aleksey.

Content warning for mentions of suicide

I would recommend this to fans of polyamorous Bi fantasy romance, readers looking for Slavic-inspired fantasy romance and those looking for a fantasy romance that takes place in a spa town and deals with spirits in a sort of spin on Spirited Away

I read about half, then skimmed the rest this book because the writing just didn't grip me. The setting was pretty ambiguous - there are bath houses, so most people must not have running water, but it also used some language that makes the setting feel very 21st century. It was difficult to picture anything because I was never sure what kind of time period I should be imagining. Also, I found Kazik's character to be irritating, condescending and arrogant. I have no fondness for him and generally disliked any parts from his POV. Overall, I really wanted to like this book because I love LGBTQ representation in fantasy, but it just fell flat for me.

Arc provided by NetGalley for honest review

This was a fun quick read, it was a little predictable but overall a really fun story. The writing strengthens as the book goes on and feels more cohesive and overall complete.
I wanted more story. It was a cute ending and I enjoyed the book very much. I would recommend and would definitely read a sequel if there is ever more to it!

I really enjoyed the premise and the characters development through out.

I want to preface this review by saying this is one of the prettiest covers I’ve seen released this year and it was initially what drew me in. However, the cover was probably the best part for me.

This book wasn’t bad; it was quite interesting and whimsical but the pacing felt off and extremely slow and at times, I found myself skimming so I could finish faster.

That being said, I probably would read the sequel if one was released because I think the world-building and characters have a lot of potential and I would like to see how the storyline wraps up.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I picked up This Fatal Kiss with high hopes, excited by the Slavic folklore and the synopsis. While there were parts I enjoyed, my feelings about the book were pretty mixed.

One thing I discovered this year is that I’m not a big fan of polyamory in books, and unfortunately, this one had that. It’s just a personal preference, so I don’t hold it against the story, but it did make it harder for me to really get into the romance. I liked the relationship between Kazik and Gisela, but Aleksey felt like an extra character I didn’t need.

On the bright side, the folklore was really interesting. The world-building was well done, and I actually wish the book had focused more on that and less on the romance. The plot itself was cute and fun—I liked seeing Kazik and Gisela work together and how Gisela helped change Kazik’s ways. That said, the story was a bit predictable. I found myself guessing what was going to happen most of the time, and there weren’t many surprises.

Overall, This Fatal Kiss had some good elements, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. If you’re into folklore and don’t mind a bit of predictability, it’s still worth a read.

The concept of this book had me hooked before I even started reading. I knew I would love this book from the start. The cover is stunning, there was a pronunciation guide, and the chapters had titles. Though those are not a guarantee I will connect with a book, they are something I greatly appreciate. 

The world-building was amazing, and the characters charmed me. The story did have moments where it lagged; however, the characters held my attention. Alicia had such beautiful descriptions I often felt I was reading a storyline for a Ghibli film. 

Polyamory can be very hit or miss for me; however, in this case, I think the characters were very suited to each other. The tension between the three main characters was perfect. They had some amazing banter as well as sweet moments together. I enjoyed seeing the way that Gisela and Kazik’s journey was very different from Gisela and Aleksey’s love story, which was distinctive to Aleksey and Kazik. Though they all worked very well together. 

There were a few language choices in this book that felt out of place, although I was able to ignore them easily. Most of the book read as though it were a historical novel; then there would be phrases that felt very modern. 

I was under the impression this book was a standalone. However, the last few chapters anticipated more to come. This story could have concluded in one book. That being said, if there is a second, I will definitely read it. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am excited for others to read it. I will be checking out more of Alicia’s past work and watching for her name in the future.

The setting and folkloric inspirations of this book were my favorite parts. While not always integrated the most naturally through the writing, the magical creatures and rituals felt well included and created a great atmosphere. I did enjoy the characters and their relationships as they developed throughout the book and the overarching plot was quite fun. The dialogue was sometimes jarringly modern in style, using modern expressions and slang that clashed with the rest of the worldbuilding. I also felt some of the character motivations did not come through very naturally, especially Gisela's relationship with her brother where it felt like the book just repeated over and over how she felt responsible for him. My last gripe was the ending, as I was really hoping this would be a standalone and all wrap up. Honestly, I don't think this world is developed enough for a whole nother book so... we'll see I may read it anyway.

I think this book has a lot of potential, but the execution is very mediocre. I think the biggest flaw it has is that the book’s pacing is very odd sometimes which led to a somewhat boring experience. Although the characters were very love able and helped to counterattack the boringness of the plot. I think with a few more drafts of this book it could have very easily of been a 5 star read

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!