arc review | this fatal kiss
3.5 ⭐️
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“𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯.”
— Alicia Jasinska, This Fatal Kiss
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Cursed to haunt the river running through the magical town where she drowned, Gisela is a water nymph who dreams of returning to the living world and the family she left behind. All it takes to regain her humanity is a kiss from a mortal...but everyone sees her as a monster. Especially Kazik, the brooding, interfering, spirit-hunting grandson of a local witch.
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Thank you so much to NetGalley and PeachTree Teen for giving me access to this ARC! It was so much fun! I absolutely ADORED the characters. Gisela is a playful, cheeky and flirtatious rusałka who perfectly juxtaposes Kazik’s serious and strict personality. They both perfectly encapsulate the sunshine x grumpy/enemies-to-lovers trope. And then there is Aleksey (my personal fav). He’s kind, amusing, and VERY mysterious. I’m not usually compelled by polyamorous romances in books, but I do think this one was written well. The three characters all had chemistry and I was surprised by how much I adored them all together.
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The Slavic folklore was so unique and refreshing. I absolutely loved it. This magical, whimsical and enthralling tale had a child-like wonder that almost morphed into the gothic. And as much as I was compelled by this, I do think at times the writing style and dialogue didn’t quite fit the story and setting. It almost felt too ordinary. Word choices here and there pulled me out of the magical realm of nymphs and spirits and back into reality. Awkward dialogue that went on for longer than necessary also contributed to this. But with that being said, I had so much fun with the characters and the plot that I was able to stay intrigued and invested.
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Kazik calling his grandmother ‘babcia’ was so special to me because this was the first time I had ever read a book with that name for grandmother. My grandmother is a babcia so it was honestly so special to me to have that inclusion. But that’s just on a personal note.
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Overall, I can confidently say that this queer, magical, slavic folklore adventure is perfect for those wanting a fun, light-hearted read with mythical creatures, flirtatious romance, and tension. Stay tuned for release date: September 24 2024 !!!

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alicia Jasinska's “This Fatal Kiss” is a dark fantasy that, on the surface, seems to have a promising plot set in a small village. The author does a fantastic job of creating an immersive world with an intricately written ambiance while providing elaborate descriptions of the environments that assist in setting up an interesting background for the story.

One of the most remarkable aspects about this book is its inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters, especially where some key characters are bisexual. It is significant because it makes visible those who are often absent from this genre. However, having numerous characters with the same sexual orientation feels unnatural and may give an idea that it’s too much focused on this attribute at the expense of other qualities.

Though strong, the story’s pacing is uneven—rising and falling between sections of high tension and slower ones that fail to produce suspense instead diluting any urgency in the plot which made me find it hard to be involved in this tale deeply enough.

Additionally, the plot itself is not always consistent. Some elements and subplots are introduced but are not sufficiently developed or resolved, leaving loose ends that were frustrating for me and lead me to think there might be a second book.

I don't think I'd have requested an ARC had I known this book ended on a cliffhanger, and I think this surprise made me more critical of the book as a whole.

I had two issues with my digital copy that I hope will be resolved before the official release:
- There should be a trigger warning for <spoiler>self-harm</spoiler>, as it is mentioned briefly during the narration and then not addressed further.
- The PDF was beautiful in Acrobat but I had a few formatting issues when reading in the Kindle app, with break pages being inserted mid-sentences and the PDF header breaking the epilogue's text, for example. Italic was also missing on "flashback" quotes, which was confusing at first glance.

Despite my critiques, This Fatal Kiss is ultimately a beautifully crafted story, set against a charming backdrop. I think its purpose was serving <i>forest witch in a small village</i> vibes, and it delivered. The writing was lovely and immersive. However, the book's length is a point of dissatisfaction to me. At almost 420 pages, it feels like some trimming could have enhanced the pacing; I feel like entire characters could have been removed and their loss would not have been felt whatsoever. For what is ultimately a reimagining of The Little Mermaid, this length felt excessive, especially considering it lacks a proper conclusion.

The characters being sixteen didn't seem necessary. They don't attend school, nor are they under parental supervision at any point during the events taking place. While Gisela has a parental figure who is integral to the plot, this doesn't actually affect her agency/power of decision. Usually, using teenage protagonists is a perfect excuse for authors to make their characters do or say idiotic things; but here, I'm happy to say that our main cast is well-adjusted and reasonable throughout. I was surprised by the decision of making them teenagers.

Now, the main reason I asked for this ARC was the polyamorous relationship. The first quarter of the book focuses on two main characters and while it effectively builds tension between them, I was disappointed that their third would enter the stage so much later, at about 25%. I think his character suffered as a result, it made him feel less developed compared to the other two. He tended to fade into the background, in my opinion. This is also reflected in the stunning cover of the book: there's only a couple there, no hint at any polyamory.

I can't say this book doesn't set-up a polyamorous relationship though, it does a lot of the work! It gets very close to, but does not reach a satisfying ending for the throuple in time for the ending. I do understand it's a job left to the eventual sequel, but I'm still sore about it.

The pacing in the last 30% of the book was somewhat uneven. While the individual pieces were engaging, the climactic moments were often interrupted by extended dialogues that felt like they slowed the momentum built by action scenes. Additionally, the magical system became confusing, as water nymphs handled threats with ease; the powers they were able to wield were not foreshadowed through Gisela's character, which made the final battle too easy of a win.

Despite my few issues with the book, I was seduced by the lovely background imagery and the banter between the characters. The premise felt fresh and was well-executed. The main characters felt like actual persons with complex thoughts-processes, going beyond of the typical YA "style" of single-minded air-heads.
Although my complaint about the book's lengthiness remains, I still appreciated the fact it didn't dwell excessively on melodramatic moments and was propelled forward by the plot in a satisfying way, avoiding lengthy romantic meandering.

A Solid 5 out of 5 Stars!!🌟

Wow, I am absolutely blown away by this book! I can't wait for the sequel—I'm already counting down the days! Huge thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for this incredible ARC!

I haven't been this captivated by a story in ages. The plot, the characters, the twists and turns—it all had me completely hooked! Even during my busiest days, I couldn't resist the pull of this book. The writing is so engaging and immersive, it felt like I was living inside the story.

Gisela is an absolute gem of a character. Her humor and banter had me grinning from ear to ear, whether she was interacting with main or supporting characters. She’s not just entertaining; she’s deeply layered, and the author does a fantastic job of making you want to dive into her world. She’s the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for and fall in love with.

And it’s not just Gisela—Kazik and the rest of the characters are equally well-developed. Each character has their own unique traits, making them memorable and distinctive despite the multi-POV narrative. The dynamics between them are spot-on, bringing depth and authenticity to the story.

From start to finish, the plot had me enthralled. It’s like a magical blend of fairytale and folklore, with a perfect pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every twist and reveal had me gasping in surprise and excitement! The characters’ thoughts and actions felt so true to the YA queer romance genre, making the story resonate even more.

I’m so grateful to have discovered Alicia Jasinska through this ARC. The magical world she’s crafted is breathtaking, and the vivid setting perfectly captures the shift from summer to fall. This was my first polyamory romance, and it was handled really well, seamlessly woven into the plot! Would highly recommend this!

There’s a special, powerful kind of magic in the connections we make with other people.

rating: 4.25★

that ending?!?! tell me there's a sequel on the way!!!

slavic folklore meets spirited away with a queer polyamorous romance and all the delectable food descriptions you could ever want.

fantastical, whimsical, and richly atmospheric with it's cozy and mysterious mystical beings and a bit of a mystery.

the poly romance was done quite well for me; there's an exciting tension between gisela and kazik. the way she shamelessly taunts and teases him makes for a fun sassy x grumpy dynamic. she also challenges him though on a more serious note: how to take his faith in stride, but also keep his own humanity when dealing with spirits. do spirits not have their own humanity? are they always only bad?

“Do you want to die?” He panted.
“I’m already dead!” Gisela said in a singsong.
“Then die properly this time.”

“This is my dear sweet friend Gisela. She’s so nice. So pretty. She’s—”
“A cold-blooded demon.”
“Someone might find that appealing, actually. It’s like when the other spirits say things about you. Oh, that wicked exorcist. So dangerous. So sexy.”

i also felt like the relationships between the two of them and aleksey were both compelling and done equally well. the trio dynamic had me giggling and kicking my feet for them. i'm more ambivalent typically when it comes to poly, but this had me rooting hard for them.

AND THE FOOD DESCRIPTIONS OMG. with all the cozy witch vibes and summer festivals happening in here, there is no shortage of food so you better have something yummy on hand! i'm about to go make myself a blueberry pierogi just to know how it tastes myself 😭

this does touch on religious trauma and bi/homophobia, and the folklore has some dark elements, but overall this was a very enjoyable YA fantasy!

Spirits are hard to win over, but if you earn their loyalty, you have it forever.

an honest arc review ♡

This Fatal Kiss was a fun read! I didn't know much about rusalka and Slavic folklore going in, but I found the introduction of various spirits to be seamlessly done- it never felt like a lecture. I immediately loved all the characters: Gisela's tenacity, Kazik's dedication, Aleksey's mystery, and the tension building among them. It has a nice, almost cozy feel but with stakes that are anything but low. I sometimes found it difficult to pinpoint a time and place for the setting, which took me out a bit, but this uncertainty did little to distract from the folkloric vibes that mark it as timeless. I would love to read a sequel.

This is a fun little more folk and faerie take on the little mermaid with water nymphs and witches. I really love Kazik, Gisela and Aleksey. I need Aleksey to get his own book. I really loved the folklore and mythology behind this story it was a lot of fun and actually help up to its potential. The growth of the relationship between the three was super cute as was Gisela’s relationship with her supernatural dad and her fellow nymphs. I also love how everything tied together. The ending is has made me desperate for a sequel, I need to see more of Aleksey and the world of the Forest Spirits.

4.5⭐️

There truly is nothing better than a gothic, atmospheric book & This Fatal Kiss gave me those vibes right away. What a wonderful experience I got from this book.

The story is very enriched in mythology & has an under tone of creepy to it that makes this book perfect for fall time.

I love two out of the three POVs we were given. Gisela & Kazik just found away into my heart. They are the perfect grumpy/sunshine trope. I love the representation of bisexuality & what that means when you are around people who don’t agree. When also those people are ones you love & how it affects you.

While I said I only liked two out the three POVs, I didn’t had the last one. Aleksey was still fun to read, I just never got attached. I also wasn’t a big fan of how the poly relationship was between the three of them. I always never felt the pull between Aleksey with either Gisela or Kazik. It felt a little forced. But I hope if there is another book, that I will grow to like him more.

Found family is a very important aspect of this book. The water nymphs were all fantastic & I loved how the writer wrote each one. Honestly this book had a lot of cute, fun side characters that I cared about.

And now the main thing that made me choose to give this book a 5 star. What happens when you give all your heart & soul & life to blood or friends to be left with nothing? Who are you if you are not that person to those people? How do you actually start to live, instead of living for others? This is what the book is about to me. Yes, the romance is nicely done but this is what got me. Especially because I’m going through something similar right now. Right book, right time is truly a thing.

Thank you NetGalley & Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for another ARC,


This Fatal Kiss, by Alicia Jasinska (the author The Dark Tide and The Midnights Girls) is a whimsical, fantastic, folkloric queer romance that hooked me from the beginning. I had some problems with it, and I had many things that I loved, so here goes a pros and cons list:

CONS:
I found the main female character very annoying at times (but that’s because she’s the type of character whose personality that I usually dislike).
The time in which the story took place was very unclear; they had bicycles, and buses, and there was a War. The main female character wore a babydoll dress (what?) at one point, but no mentions of the telephone, or cars or tvs. I had to ask the author for clarification because I couldn’t picture the characters' clothes or overall aesthetic of the story, and she told me that A Fatal Kiss is set in an alternative world that resembles (technology wise) our 1920’s.
I get that the story is set in an alternative world, but the language, and expressions, used were far too modern for my liking. Gisela, our MFC, used the expression “Sky Daddy” in reference to God, like, wtf?
The chapters had names and the name of the character whose pov was, and to me is either one or the other (but that’s just a personal preference).
The relationship between Gisela and Aleksey felt a little forced to me, a little too manufactured by Gisela’s desperation, but then again that’s just my opinion.

Now the PROS:

I loved Kazik with all my heart. He’s never done anything wrong, ever, in his life.
Slavic folklore is always a hit with me.
I loved how unapologetically themselves the characters were. We had Gisela, who is bisexual and possibly genderfluid, Kazik who is bisexual and many more. A Fatal Kiss has a little bit of representation for everyone.
I loved the relationship between Kazik and Aleksey, and Kazik and Gisela
I loved the relationship between the water nymphs, and their relationship with the main river spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for this ARC.

This Fatal Kiss is a lovely queer polyamorous YA romantasy, set in a small village in Poland. It is rich in wonderful Slavic folklore, given a more modern twist, making it feel current and new despite being based on such a traditional history. I really liked that the book gives a pronunciation guide for certain terms (such as the names of characters and the creatures that appear here), which really aids the reading experience and will also make talking about this book a lot easier for those unfamiliar with the language (as I am).

I went into this expecting to like it, of course, but I truly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. Reading this felt fun and fresh, but it also balanced this wonderfully with serious moments and important discussions of topics such as trauma, abuse, loss and grief.

The two most central characters of Gisela, a water nymph trying to regain her humanity and Kazik, the village’s exorcist who had been trying to banish her, have a lovely back-and-forth relationship, throughout which we get to see the both of them grow and change, being made better by each other’s influence. Of course this relationship is made and based around trying to find a way for Gisela to kiss a human boy, with both of them falling for the one she sets her sights on.

I loved all the descriptions of the village and its many traditions and sights, and if you told me this was an attempt by the author to create tourism I would immediately believe you and also applaud this successful attempt, because I’ve never wanted to do anything as badly as I wanted to jump into the setting of this book and experience this glorious atmosphere for myself, see all the wondrous creatures that call it their home, experience a day strolling through the market and taking a bath in the springs.

I truly hope that there will be another book in this setting, as the possibility is hinted at with the ending of this book (or at least that is how I interpreted it), because I truly cannot wait to sink back into this wonderful whimsical world.

Although people say not to judge a book by its cover, I was entirely drawn to this one by its gorgeous design. Beyond that, I was excited to read a book based on Polish folklore, which felt new and fresh compared to what's currently on the market. I enjoyed the characters, and I feel the author does a good job of keeping the plot a little unpredictable.

However, I felt the story went on for too long and could have been significantly shortened to deliver a more impactful narrative. I usually read pretty fast and can finish a typically sized novel in about 1-2 days, but this book took me a little more than a week of continuous, round-the-clock reading to finish because of its length. At certain points, I found myself getting bored and had to force myself to power through to reach the actual plot points.

That said, the author still manages to keep the story enticing, despite its length. I missed that this book included polyamorous themes, so I was quite surprised by the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley, Peachtree Teen, and the author for providing me with this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and PeachTree Teen for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, this one was really fun. Slavic folklore isn’t really one I’m all too versed in, but I very much enjoyed the magic system and the dynamics and politics of the spirits. Gisela is such a fun protagonist and I adored reading her chapters, and Kazik was a loveable stick in the mud too. One thing is I wasn’t super into the third POV character, but I would be very open to exploring him more in a future sequel if that were to happen. Absolutely loved the vibes, and the ending didn’t feel rushed or anything. Great pacing but with an epilogue that keeps the door open for more in the future, perfect. Also, big big plus for me as a reader, the chapters had titles, and there’s a pronunciation guide at the front!!! Absolutely will be preordering :

4.5 stars

This Fatal Kiss follows a rusalka(water nymph) named Gisela. Although once human, she’s now cursed to haunt the river that runs through town. She comes up with a plan to become human again, as she longs to return to her family. All it takes is a kiss from a human. She makes a deal with Kazik, the local exorcist(witch) into helping her put her plan into motion. After all, if she becomes human once again, she’ll no longer be a thorn in his side. He agrees to play matchmaker for her so she can kiss Aleksey, the attractive boy with mismatched eyes. However, Aleksey has secrets and he might not be just the sweet, handsome boy that Kazik knew in school.

This book was fantastic. It’s a YA fantasy that has tons of Slavic folklore. One of the great things about the story was it never makes it clear what time period it’s set in. The world felt very old, while the dialogue felt more modern. The writing was also really beautiful and descriptive. It was incredibly immersive and it felt like I lived in this magically quaint spa town. The polyamorous aspect of this book was also really interesting. It was great to see the relationship between the 3 pov’s grow and change. The way this book ends lets me know there’s going to be a second book. I can’t wait to read it. I need to know what happens next!

Thank you Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, this kept me glued to the pages in a way I didn't expect!
If you're looking for a romance-driven novel - like I initially thought this was - you may be disappointed, but this book offers so much more than just, well, kisses, that your disappointment won't last long.

The chemistry between certain characters is so strong that I wouldn't even consider this an "enemies to lovers" - I mean, Kazik was so obviously a fan even from the first chapter that it's hard to miss - and the development to the polyamorous side of the love interest felt really natural and "right".
The worldbuilding is so unique and so magically described that it kept feeding my curiosity, all the while still wanting for more, and it never failed to evoke a special atmosphere through all the 416 pages.
Even the side-characters felt like they really belonged in the story, their appearances added diversity, depth and gave overall a more interesting take on the mythical aspect of the spirits realm.
And it's so good to see some slavic folklore representation!

I think this story has so much more to tell and the potential for a sequel is definitely there, so I really hope the author will gift us with more of Gisela, Kazik and Aleksey.

This Fatal Kiss
By: Alicia Jasinska
Star rating: ⭐ ⭐
Publication date: September 24, 2024

This book deals with heavy topics, so please check triggers! Examples include dark/suicidal thoughts and death itself.

First off. Let me start by saying I really appreciated that the author gave a voice to an underrated “species”, the water nymphs, as I don't see them portrayed that often in books so that was a pleasant change from usual fantasy novels. If you enjoyed The Cruel Prince, I believe this book would be a book for you as the main character HEAVILY reminded me of Jude. This book is also a Romantasy of Enemies to Lovers/Friends to Lovers. Now. I'M NOT A ROMANCE GIRL, for the most part. We all have our guilty pleasures. I took a chance on this one. But one thing I cannot STAND is people near grown (in this case 17-18) acting like children. Especially. ESPECIALLY in a romantic or steamy setting. If you're going to have one or more of the characters behave like children, leave the romance OUT. It has no place. Double for this book in particular because of the Polyamory. Unfortunately, I felt that this book overall just wasn't for me. Don't get me wrong, it definitely has the potential to be a fan favorite but I alas do not seem to be the target audience.

This fatal kiss is a book I devoured whole. I kept thinking about it constantly. I enjoyed the charachters and their arcs. The writing style was delicious. The ending did make me wonder if they’ll be a second book since it does end open, but I didn’t mind that!

First, thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for the advanced copy of this book. I was first absolutely caught by the gorgeous cover of this book as well as the similar vibes that the synopsis gave to Spirited Away. I was not disappointed with this story!

This book was immediately magical and whisked me to an enchanting bath house town. I really loved seeing Gisela and Kazik's story unfold and the absolute top tier banter between them. I had my qualms about the love triangle to be honest and believe we could have gone much deeper with the relationships, interactions, and chemistry building. I also felt that Jasinska really pushed for the LGBTQ+ agenda to be a central part of this story which is great, but I felt it was done with little finesse and in an almost repetitive, clunky manner. That really could have been trimmed down and cleaned up just for true impact.

Overall though, I enjoyed the story, the magic, and some of the characters. I definitely want more and look forward to what will conspire in the upcoming sequel!

This was a fun YA fantasy with a lot of interesting Slavic folklore. I had a hard time with the romance but I expected that going in since I often have a hard time enjoying love triangles; I'm sure plenty of readers who like this trope will absolutely love it.

My primary issue was that a lot of the word choices and dialogue felt very modern and didn't seem to fit the setting or fantasy vibes of the story, which took a bit away from my reading experience. Gisela was a spunky FMC, but felt a bit too juvenile at times due to the modern "gen z" feeling language.

But the magic and the Slavic folklore was interesting and well done, and isn't folklore you see often so I appreciated that aspect of the book.

I have to say...I'm in loveeee with this book and this world!! Immediately after finishing this book I preordered it and signed up to the author's form to get a bookplate,fanart and sticker!! Although I finished this book at the beginning of the month, I wanted to give it some time, so I can be sure that this is a 5 star read. But honestly... This is an infinity read.
This book is a whimsical ,cozy, folklore read, perfect for the fall vibes. Most cozy books lack a general plot but this book wasn't like that. This is a why choose, grumpy x sunshine, slowburn and exorcist x demon. The romance was just... incredible . The tension lasted through the entirety of the book.
The summary of the book is great and it didn't give everything away. There were so many turns that I didn't expect and that kept me interested in the book. I mean I did read it in one day.... The world the author has created is so whimsical and fun and I loved seeing all the different creatures that exist in it. I need the second book immediately, like right this second. And I know that when the book arrives I will re-read it and annotate all over again.
I would recommend this to everyone that is looking for a fun, whimsical, cozy fantasy book for the fall.

⭐ 4 stars

So charming! This Fatal Kiss is full of magic, whimsy, and some really lovable characters. I truly enjoy grumbly wizard-y love interests and this delivered and then some, with all the snark that entails. I was particularly fond of Kazik throughout the story but his two love interests were also darling, creating some genuinely funny banter at times. The way the enchanted town and forest of the story's setting was explained had me itching just to walk up and down the streets, enjoying all the same food as the characters. Beasts and monsters and spirits are everywhere and it's lovely.

That being said, my main gripe is the dialog at times being a bit too casual/modern. There were moments that the world felt genuinely old, with the kind of serious tone one might expect, but this is definitely a modern world with jarring momentary online jokes. There is a scene that a character jokingly calls God "Sky Daddy" and that just felt out of place. I'm not religious, I don't find the joke irreverent, it just took me out of the story.

But it isn't constant! This isn't one of those books where modern slang is distractingly often. In fact, I really only mention it because it was so rare! Maybe that's why it was so distracting.

Overall, I really enjoyed This Fatal Kiss! And the cover? Gorgeous. Stunning.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC