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.

4,5☆

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was really good. I love a good light low stakes fantasy and that together with the romance was so good. I liked how the author wrote and I could really feel all of the characters emotions and I was fully sucked into the story.

The characters were the best part of this. I loved all of them (well except for one, but you'll probably agree about that after reading this)! They were so witty and fun to follow. The banter was also so good and I was even laughing at points. The characters were also very multifaceted and I loved how in depth we got to know them.

As someone who grew up around Slavic culture from my mom's side of the family I loved seeing all of the Slavic culture, names and fairytale elements. The whole magic system felt nostalgic to me and reminded me of the fairytales my mom read to me as a kid. The cover really reflects all of this as well and it's one of the most beautiful covers I've seen!

Lastly, I really liked the rep in this. The bi main characters as well as the polyamorous relationship were great to see. Especially, because this is the first poly book I've ever read.

So, if you are looking for a diverse romantasy infused with Slavic culture and fairytales, this is the book for you! I would also recommend this to anyone just starting with fantasy as it is a lighter read with a less complicated magic system!

The folklore setting of This Fatal Kiss immediately drew me in. I always love books that have a strong base in folklore or fairy tales, and I think that it was really done well in this book. I loved the characters, and the interactions between Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey. Even the side characters felt well-developed, and they all had their own distinct personalities and motives behind their actions. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for YA fantasy novels with elements of folklore.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book!
Rating: 4.5/5, rounded to 4 on Goodreads

I really wanted to like this, but it never grabbed me.

The tagline "polyamorous relationships with a water nymph" is a great hook to read this book. I recommend that you do read this book; it simply wasn't for me. The dissonance in time period and available technology kept tripping me up.

Maybe I'll try again with the audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC, all opinions are my own.

This was so much fun! Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

My first time reading a Slavic tale and it was a treat. Literally, the food and ambiance was so delicious. The community of nymphs Gisela is a part of was a great story of friendship and community, despite the fact that we don't get to see them interact casually. The author does a wonderful job of weaving creatures of tale and myth in a really fun, engaging way.

A few plot points had me scratching my head, and the overall progression of the story did lag at times, but every time I sat down to read I was enjoying myself. It's just that I didn't feel like I really knew more about the characters by the end of the book compared to, let's say, about 1/4 of the way through. Gisela's human life had some shallow descriptions as well. She comes from a witches' island and yet seems so naïve when it comes to magic, with Kazik taking on the role of expert. Also, I couldn't really feel the pull of why she would even want to go back to her family beyond obligation. She says she loves her brother, but all the talk of her resenting him makes more impact than just claiming she needs to get back. I also really thought at least one person would be more suspicious of Alexi earlier on, I love a good buildup.

Despite these thoughts, I am all set to read more about these lovely characters! Thanks again!

Gisela is a drowned girl who wants to be alive. Kazik is an exorcist who wants to get rid of her once and for all. And they both have a crush on the same guy.

I was drawn in by the cover and the polyamory, but I stayed also for the Slavic mythology and the gender feels. While Gisela doesn't identify as such, she definitely has some nonbinary vibes going on, and there is a similar side character as well. And of course, all three of the main characters are bisexual.

I can't say much about the third character in the ship without getting spoiler-y, but let's just say I love him and his struggles with identity and who he's supposed to be.

I enjoyed the plot, the characters and the twists. I think Gisela kind of gets on everyone's nerves, but for me she managed to be loveable about it instead of really annoying. I admit I was disappointed (and thus why I'm rating it 4 stars) because I assumed this was a standalone story and there would be a resolution in this book, but that isn't so. The ending is definitely set up for a sequel, and there isn't a proper resolution - which makes sense if this is first in a series, but it's not what I was prepared for.

The polyamory isn't quite established in this book, but there's admitted attraction from all sides, and I liked how they danced around each other, thinking the other two liked each other instead. (Turns out I do like love triangles when they end in polyamory.)

A flirty water nymph and a brooding exorcist team up to get a hot guy to turn said flirty water nymph human, but they all fall in love?

I like the idea of “This Fatal Kiss”, but not the execution. My issue lies in the storytelling; it felt like a book based on a movie. It got boring, and the predictable plot didn’t help.

That being said, I am not the target audience for this novel — I might have enjoyed it if I were 13. There were some cool creatures and fun relationship dynamics, and what more could a queer tween nerd wish for, really?


Thank you to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for the ARC!

Alicia Jasinska does it again: another fantastic Polish-inspired read. The author has become one of the authors I will instantly be interested, and I look forward to where she will go with other projects. THIS FATAL KISS was lush, wonderfully written, and tightly plotted, but with an ending that suggests there may be more to come (though I'm not certain if this is a standalone or not.) At times, the description and the storytelling method gave Ghibli vibes, and almost quite cozy fantasy. My biggest issue with this was the romance, which, while not bad, I felt lacked urgency and emotion. I would wonder if this is maybe because this fits more into the cozy fantasy label, but for a lot of it, I didn't fall in love with the romance like I wanted. However, the rest of the novel made up for the (in my opinion) somewhat lackluster romance.

All in all, this was a rich, culturally-derived fantasy I very much enjoyed, and I am looking forward to when teens can get their hands on it.

this book made me feel like that wolf ripping outta his shirt. there is something about peachtree teen, and their ability to pick books with "taboo" topics *nothing regarding mental illness, or sexuality, or gender should be deemed as this* and have made such a safe place in their books, it is such a privilege i have had two earc read 2 books from this publisher but too the actual review of this arc..

this book is inspided by salvic folklore and it is a PERFECT read for this fall/winter. deliciously devious book, with just enough tension, and angst. this book is definitely a winner in my eyes. i would write more about the plot and characters but this is a book i think it is important to acknowledge the folklore and the content but that is truly it. blind is the way to go! 5/5 stars

The cover pulled me in wanting to see what was inside. I'm sure the formatting will be better when the book is published but I had a hard time with the format. This was a unique story of Slavic folklore. It felt like it was trying to be whimsical and gothic but couldn't always keep me engaged. There sentiments that were repeated that didn't need to be.

Rating 4.5

I loved this book so much. The characters and character development were great, it was well written and the plot kept me entertained. The only thing that I'm not sure how I felt about is the epilogue.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐤 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐋𝐞ś𝐧𝐚 𝐖𝐨𝐝𝐚’𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦?



-—--


First things first. I really liked the cover. It really gives off this fairy tale type of visual. I'd also like to include the Slavic myth premise, which was really intriguing and interesting. I've been wanting to read novels that feature Slavic Myth for a while now.

In the story, I would say it has so much potential, especially the slavic myth of a concept. It was something I really liked and was greatly anticipating. However, I felt that it wasn't captivating enough for me. I wasn't really that hooked on its storytelling. I also thought that it was way too dragging for my taste.

The characters may be fun, but I really didn't feel the connection between them in a romantic way? It was more of like budding friendship. No romantic chemistry. I did prefer the going on warming to each other in a friendship way?

The ending felt like there could have been more, so I'm thinking the author might give a sequel.

Overall, this was a pretty intriguing read, still. I think this could have been better.

Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity via Netgalley.
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Date Released: September 10, 2024
Date Read: September 4- September 12, 2024
Ratings: 3⭐️

3.5 ⭐

A Fatal Kiss was a solid YA novel. The story was engaging, and it dealt with topics like polyamorous love that I think is great for that age group to be exposed to. It didn't shy away from validating complicated feelings.

I really enjoy Polish folklore after reading Where the Dark Stands Still, so I thoroughly enjoyed reading another take. The story reminded me a lot of Ponyo!

My biggest complaints were the vagueness of the setting and time period. I wasn't really able to get a clear picture of the world it was set it. It at once felt like the old-world, but there were also mentions of things like phone booths, buses, and trains. And some of the language felt very modern at times. I'm find either way, but the ambiguity was really throwing me off.

I would recommend for YA audiences, but older readers may not be as engaged. I also had no idea it was not a standalone, so the fact there was unfinished business at the end caught me off guard, good to know if starting and incomplete series is a deal breaker for you.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.