This book was a lot more fun than I was expecting. I thought the tonne would be overall quite serious and I was worried that getting into the story might be a struggle but I couldn't have been more wrong.

Written for a YA audience, the story has a great flow and is very much character-focused, with fun dialogue and great development. You can immediate sense of who the main characters are, both through the way they see the world and how the other characters see them. The multi-POVs, for this reason, works brilliantly - although some chapters give a bit too much away (no spoilers).

I adored the Slavic folklore elements and how well each type of spirit was described, giving them personality rather than them simply being evil as they are often depicted in other fantasy stories I've read. This created a really rich world that I want to know more about.

There is a real ambiguity when it comes to when the story takes place but I really liked this. There were some modern elements but it still had an old world feel, creating a sense of the modern encroaching on tradition that was incredibly bitter sweet.

I really enjoyed the LGBTQ+ and polyamory representation, but sometimes I felt the explanations of gender and sexuality were a little bit heavy-handed, almost giving them a preachy element that wasn't needed. This also got a little bit repetitive.

I also feel like the book was slightly too long and there were a couple of points where the pacing really suffered. I wanted things to move a little bit faster.

I thought this was a standalone and while we got an ending, there are still questions left unanswered that suggest another book could be coming. I would love this to be the case but wanted to know to expect that going in.

I had incredibly high expectations for this book and it definitely hit the mark for me! There are so many elements that I absolutely adored and cannot stop gushing about. For one, Gisela was such a compelling character. It was so easy to empathize with her situation and root for her wholeheartedly. Her banter with every character, especially Kazik, was so entertaining to read! I was gushing way more than I would like to admit. That being said, I loved that most of the characters were openly queer and discussed important topics about gender and sexuality - including the reality of biphobia. Everything about the polyamorous couple truly stole my heart! The growth between Gisela and Kazik, and the addition of Aleksey into the mix was so much fun. In my opinion, the 'twist' (a term used loosely), was so interesting since numerous hints were dropped throughout the first half and I was eagerly waiting for the reveal. I think it was a great way to set up further characterization for such complicated individual.

Not only does 'This Fatal Kiss' include a queer, slow-burn romance, but it features such a lovely exploration of found family through the relationship between Gisela, her fellow water nymphs, and Wojciech. Through the commonality of their demise via bodies of water, they develop a kinship towards one another and the scenes that showcase their willingness to protect each other were so special.

I was under the impression that this would be a standalone, therefore, I was highly hoping for a complete resolution in the end. I felt that the story wrapped up enough to keep me satisfied, but still had a number of loose ends to eagerly await for the sequel.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

This Fatal Kiss follows Gisela, a water nymph haunting the river that runs through her town and seeking to regain her humanity by receiving a kiss from a mortal; Kazik, the local exorcist continually plagued by Gisela’s shenanigans; and Aleksey, the (seemingly) mortal boy on whom Gisela sets her sights. She ropes Kazik into playing matchmaker for her and Aleksey, arguing that returning her humanity to her is just as good as exorcising her. He agrees, begrudgingly, because she’s a pest and he has his own feelings for Aleksey to contend with. The trio fall in together, jaunting around town rescuing houses from their hauntings and trying to put together the circumstances of Gisela’s drowning the year prior, all while becoming more than a little infatuated with each other. Secrets of Aleksey’s past come to light, and Gisela’s plan goes awry, and Kazik realigns some of his ideas of good and evil.

This Fatal Kiss utilizes Slavik folklore and does not preoccupy itself with expansive worldbuilding: it’s a romantasy at its core. The POV characters are engaging and distinct, though Aleksey’s chapters read more fraught and conflicted than the others, due to the mystery surrounding him. The dynamics among the main trio are so fun, explored both as a whole and in the individual pairings, and their banter is delightful. I enjoyed the explorations of sexuality and gender and presentation: a few of the water nymphs are queer, one of those is butch (<3), and Gisela and Kazik both have their messy bisexual moments (emphasis on messy!). I didn’t love the mean and biphobic butch lesbian trope, but it was mentioned only a couple times and in passing. All that said, this was a fun and frolicking YA polyamorous romantasy with intrigue and secret identity and an open enough end to invite a sequel. I’d recommend This Fatal Kiss to teens looking for queer romance, fairy tales, and folklore.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Going to start with saying i am so thankful for the pronunciation guide at the start of the book that was very helpful with some of the character names. Second the LGBTQ+ relationships in this book were so cute I like how you see the relationship develop between all three parties and it didn’t come out of nowhere or felt force. The demons/spirits in the book were also really interesting and has me interested in learning more about Slavic? Folklore specifically the water nymphs. I did think the ending was slightly predictable but I don’t mind that because it makes sense and didn’t come out of left field

I initially requested this book because of its stunning cover and intriguing synopsis, and I’m so glad I did! The banter between Gisela and Kazik was hilarious, and their dynamic was amazing to read. While I found Kazik to be the more layered character, I loved the bond he, Gisela, and Aleksey shared. I really liked the magic system in this book, and the whimsical writing brought the beautiful setting to life.

However, the pacing felt slow at times, with too many descriptions that made me skim certain parts. The ending didn’t quite deliver what the book promised, leaving things unresolved. I hope this becomes a series because it feels incomplete and would work well as a duology.

This was my first book by Alicia Jasinska and I enjoyed it! I also enjoyed learning more about slavic folklore.

Once again Alicia Jasinska does her magic of weaving a tale steeped in folklore, adolescence, full of whimsy and trauma and found families. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that it is very reminiscent of Miyazaki's Spirited Away in atmosphere and vibes, but very much a queer YA narrative with a bi/pan polyamorous POV triad. And I'm delighted that those two elements are fleshed out so organically and refreshingly that none of it feels forced. While I'm intrigued by what I suspect is a larger world-building in the works with references to Caldera from the author's debut novel, I'm a little miffed at the unnecessary sequel bait ending. Pretty sure this could've been a solid standalone with a tiny bit more work on the third POV's story which is actually fascinating. Still, will probably rush to read whatever the author puts out next because so far I'm 3/3 for all her works.

For a book that deals with some heavy and dark topics, it was unbelievably charming and whimsical. I really enjoyed the story we were taken on through Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksy. It was so unique… and thought provoking.

What I loved:
- One of the best trigger warnings I’ve ever read. It provided relevance and cultural explanation.
- DOMEK. I’m obsessed with grandfather and would like a little house grandfather of my own.
- The story and characters drew me in quickly. I almost immediately had a good sense of setting, vibe, and tone.
- I loved the writing overall, it was really strong.
- The diversity. I think overall it was really well done and felt natural. There were a few instances where the explanation of liking more than one person or gender was a bit heavy-handed, but on the whole it was good!

What I felt like could use some improvement:
- Certain words felt a bit out of place. Like “awesome” and “it’s hard to human today” (in the vein of the phrase “adulting is hard”). Too modern. Kind of threw me, but it’s minor!
- We didn’t get an ending for Aleksy?! I don’t think this is the start of a series… so what happened to him? And how did that go with Gisela and Kazik?!

Thank you Net Galley for an e-ARC. I had a great time with this read and highly recommend!

I overall enjoyed this book. If I had to make one complaint, it would be that I felt the story began to drag towards the end. I don't think it needed to be as long as it was to get the author’s purpose across, and I was unaware that this book was going to be part of a series. I am unsure if a second book has been confirmed yet, but I find it unlikely there won’t eventually be a sequel considering how This Fatal Kiss concluded. All-in-all, I enjoyed this story. I liked the characters and how they each grew and changed. I always appreciate a well-done, slow-burn romance and although this one (two?) wasn’t as developed as I would have liked, I still overall enjoyed it. I look forward to what happens next in this world, and with these characters!

Thank you NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for the ARC.

I love mythology books, especially when it is outside the norm of Greek/Roman that is prevalent in the book world. I don’t know enough Slavic mythology to speak to the accuracy but the way it was presented was lovely and makes me want to look for more books in this area.

If I could give half stars this would be a 4.5 star read for me. Even not being 5 star I can safely say this is a you should read this book if YA mythology books with LGBTQIA+ representation is your thing.

The author did an amazing job building the world for the most part, I do with there was slightly more explanation of the beliefs / culture though as there were times I was a bit confused about things due to it. Her character development was well thought out, and I really grew to care about, or in some cases want to throw things at, them as I watched them flesh out more and more as the story went.

I really hope there will be a second book, because while it does sort of wrap up at the end there is so much more that needs to be explored.

I went into this book liking the cover and thought the premise sounded interesting, it then proceeded to absolutely blow me away! Yes, it’s very classic YA fantasy romance but it has enough different elements to make it a really fun and unique read. I loved the Slavic folklore, which made the town, characters and storyline beautifully whimsical. Whilst wonderfully cosy and charming at heart, this book also has an undercurrent of tragedy through the darker sides of these traditional fairytales, which adds higher stakes which hooked me in from start to finish.

4 ⭐️ After being stuck in a reading slump for the last month or so, This Fatal Kiss pulled me out of it. (Thank you Alicia Jasinska!!) This book is a YA romantasy that centers around a polyamorous relationship. The characters felt unique and fleshed out, there was a perfect amount of humor and banter, and I enjoyed getting to see the trio’s relationship grow over the course of the story. The Slavic folklore, which I was previously unfamiliar with, immediately drew me in. The imagery and world-building were also well done. Despite the abrupt ending I thoroughly enjoyed This Fatal Kiss, and I’ll be keeping my eye out for the sequel. If you’re looking for a good cozy, queer story this fall, I recommend you check this out!

- Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! -

i absolutely loved this book. i loved all the characters. it was terrific! the worldbuilding was fantastic as well. i usually hate when the time period isn’t defined but Jasinska did a great job of not making me hate it. the fact that the book ends on a cliffhanger too…GIRL! give me the next one right now! my only gripe is with the poylamorous romance. it felt like the author had a favorite pairing within the throuple. justice for my man Aleksey.

" 'You are such a nightmare.' Gisela's lips ghosted over the shell of his ear. 'You like it though.' Heaven help me, I think I do."

----------------------—

Story rating: 5.0⭐️ | Romance lvl: 4.0⭐️

----------------------—

Tropes:
👻 Paranormal romance
🌙 Magical ambiance, mythology & dark mysteries
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshines
🫶🏽 Polyamory
💗 Queer rep
😂 Amazing banter
🏡 Found Family

----------------------—

~ STORY & PLOT 📝 ~

What to say except that I was in love with this book from page 1?

The MCs? Incredible.
The evolution of their character and relationships? Flawless.
The plots? Absolutely plotting.
The wold-building? Chef kiss

I didn't think a YA paranormal polyamory would be in the cards for me in 2024 but here it is and it was everything I could've hoped and more!

I seriously loved all the MCs, their backstory, their personalities, and how wonderful it was to see their relationships blossom.

While the romance is an important part of the book, there's also a lot at stake! I could never tell when things would go south and how they would unfold! I was soooo engrossed in their story. I can already feel the unavoidable reading slump creeping in 😂.

Also, there are so many forms of love portrayed in this book, you're really in for ALL the feelings reading it. family love, friendship, romantic love, but also grief, anger, sadness, etc... A complete ride 😂

Long story short: 100000% recommend, God, I can't wait for the next book. 💖



---------------------—

This is an arc review. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖

---------------------—

This Fatal Kiss is a delightful treat for the senses. Not only were the food descriptions delectable, but Gisela’s personality was adorable. Her banter with Kazik kept me devouring page after page. ‘Taboo’ topics such as gender, queerness, and polyamory were put on the page simply, discussed as any other topic would be, without being considered taboo in this world, and that’s not only important, but beautiful.
I only had a few five star reads this year, and this is one of them!
Studio Ghibli vibes made this read easy and whimsical, and the name pronunciation guide helped a lot. It was fun learning more about Slavic folklore, monsters, and myths.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review ☆

______

This was a fun and dreamy read! As a Polish person I was especially interested in the portrayal of Slavic folklore and I must say I was satisfied. The town of Leśna Woda was described in such a way it made me want to try one of the springs!

My favourite character ended up being Gisela, you couldn't find this lady not charming even if you didn't want to. I was also pleasantly surprised about Aleksey's true reveal, it had made the dynamic much more interesting - I can easily imagine all three characters translated into different settings and it working out still, which proves Jasinska's skill at writing romance.

This was a 3.5/5 read for me - while I did enjoy the book, I was also quite detached from the story.

Maybe it wasn't the right time for me to read it, or maybe the coziness of the story in 'This Fatal Kiss' was coming off a little bit strong? Even the more serious scenes portrayed seemed to be put through a filter. Nonetheless, as this is a YA I feel like a younger reader will react to this book more positively. I will certainly read any future works of the author, should they publish anything more.

3.5 stars

I was first drawn in by the cover of this title, and then skimmed a few quotes that highlighted the endearing banter between Kazik and Gisela, which sold me on requesting this DRC. This was a fun enough read, and I enjoyed the intermingling of modern relatability with touches of timeless folklore & whimsy.

The strengths of this title come in the form of its aesthetics, the simplicity of the writing, the touches of humor woven through the majority of the characters' personalities, and (of course) its exploration of found family. I especially liked all the variations on found family that we got to see within each of our 3 MCs' character arcs; it's so rare to see a multidimensional approach to this trope within one narrative, and Jasinska did it beautifully.

Where this read fell short for me was in the ambiguity of its plot, and the lack of cohesiveness of its subplots. Everything was way too open-ended and a tad more juvenile than expected for me personally, and that ending didn't do much to dispel the fog of the matter. Which meant that, as much as I came to appreciate the characters, I could never get well and truly invested in their journeys.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC copy of this book.

This book seemed to know exactly how to keep me reading even when I was beating a cold.

The story involves Gisela, a water nymph who wants to regain her humanity; Kazik, the towns exorcist who drives spirits away from humans; And Aleksey, a boy who happens to stumble into their paths.

The story is told in three (3) points of view: Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey's. I've never read a story with more than two points of view but I didn't mind it because it made things easier to understand and if we didn't have all their thoughts to know the story would have had a lot of plot holes. For the first time, I couldn't choose to like only one of the main characters, they are all equally interesting and important to the story. I couldn't hate them even if I tried!

The romance in this story is slow but worth the read. I'm not a huge romance reader so I think it was just want the story needed. If we're putting labels or tropes, I think grumpy/sunshine is the best fit.

The ending suggests a continuation to the story, which makes me excited to read more of it. I'll be patiently waiting for the next book.

3.5! This follows a water nymph Gisela who is trying to get a human to kiss her so she can hopefully return to being human. Kazik has taken over as the town exorcist after his grandmother died and reluctantly agrees to help Gisela.

They had such cute banter and were both interested in the same guy. I liked how gender and sexuality was discussed in this book and each characters own journey with it.

Felt like a studio ghibli movie mixing with the fairytale aspect and the spirit world. Really good world building that would be great for a second book to further explore.

The cover is beautiful! I love the folklore! The story is original and also at the same time the author has made it modern as well. I love mermaids and I feel this book falls within that category. This will be one that I will probably get a physical copy of. Thank you for allowing me to review this ARC!