thank you for alicia jasinska and netgalley for the arc for this book! this is a very cute ya romantasy read perfect for the pride month!

this story follows gisela, a water nymph who desperately wants to be a human again, but for that she needs a human who loves her to kiss her. she allies with an exorcist for him to be her wing-man so she can get the guy. But kazik the exorcist also has a thing for the guy. And the guy kinda likes them both and might have something to do with how gisela ended up as a water nymph?

Loved
- the mythology
- the lgbtq rep <3
- the story and the idea
- names were cute <3
- the main three characters

Didn't like
- the formatting
- the plot : i think this was too ya for me and many parts could have been edited shorter.
- the writing : this doesn't feel like a finished book, rather it feels like a first draft were all the ideas are awesome i have to give it that but where show don't tell was so forgotten the whole way. some one here said it very good that some parts it felt so much as over explaining things that i already had realised from context clues but then it was again written out. Also: fair warning, this is very ya, and the characters seem to be pretty black and white in their believes and how the story works at first.

I would have loved more polyamory vibe, now i feel we had so many promises what could have been and then it was the end :( i wanted to see them all have a hea.

3,5 stars, pretty enjoyable but would have benefitted from more editing.

Alicia Jasinska is writing some of the only YA I enjoy reading these days and I hope she never stops.

Her debut, The Dark Tide, was fun and fresh and held lots of promise. The Midnight Girls was (and is) my favorite by her-- so joyful and lovingly written. This Fatal Kiss has some of her strongest characters, the best world building, and most complex main relationship so far, and it's a blast to read.

The dynamic between Gisela and Kazik was believable and well-developed, and it had a really good arc from rivalry/annoyanceship to romance that was fun to watch. Gisela and Aleksey's relationship was more generic but still a solid sweet romance. I absolutely loved the way Aleksey thought about Kazik in his inner monologue-- a very accurate depiction of intense, involuntary infatuation.

My favorite elements were the family bonds between all the water nymphs and how Jasinska portrays Kazik's (catholic) guilt over falling for a demon that was a really good way to portray religious & social trauma's LGBTQ people face while building a world of magical realism where real-world homophobia is more or less absent.

If you're going to pick up a fantasy YA, let it be written by Jasinska! You won't regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and PeachTree Teen for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

4⭐️

**ARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

To be honest, this was way more interesting than I expected. The concept was unlike anything I've read before, and the writing was surprisingly poetic and immersive. It wasn't exceedingly descriptive. In fact, it was quite fast to read.

It started to turn a little grim and creepy about halfway through, but not too much.

Maybe it wasn't my cup of tea, but I have to admit that it was a good read. The characters were cute, and, like I said, the vibes were immaculate. It kind of reminded me of Spirited Away and The Little Mermaid. I had a wonderful time reading it. Although, the ending left me wondering... is this the start of a series?

I'm such a sucker for fairy tales and this hit all the right spots for me!

The romance was a little predictable but enjoyably so. I could tell who was paired off with each other but I enjoyed watching them slowly fall for each other. (p.s. there's an enemy to lovers trope that is <i>delectable!!</i>) As this is targeted for YA audiences, the romance doesn't get any more heated than a kiss, which feels appropriate story-wise too.

The writing was great and I have no complaints. The pacing felt a little slow at first, but my interest increased immensely as I got further in. Each of the characters were interesting to learn about and I really liked them by the end. The ending was so good, I hope this author writes a sequel! According to the beginning, it is based on Slavic folklore, which I knew nothing about until I started reading this. The trigger warnings and pronunciation guide were also handy and I appreciated them.

This book was so fun to read! I need to pick up a copy as soon as this comes out!

* Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I really enjoyed the characters in this book (including the minor ones), but I felt that the setting (though interesting) could have been established better, and that the pace of the plot was a little off. I was provided with an advanced copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read!

The shorter chapters and three POVs helped make the story quick to read, and it was easy to get sucked into the world. I loved the variety of spirits and supernatural creatures seen throughout, the way they interacted with each other (especially the sisterly bonds of all the water nymphs), and how they fit within the mortal world.

The characters were also really well crafted and interesting. Kazik struggles with his faith and desire for community while finding it impossible to fit in because of his magic and calling to protect humans from spirits. Gisela struggles with selfishly pursuing her own ends, but is motivated to do so by the desire to return to her life as the selfless sister who dedicated her whole life to caring for her little brother. And Aleksey... ooh, boy, the struggle with his darker side was so juicy. I appreciated how well everything was laid out with his situation - I called elements of it VERY early on, which is a testament to how effective the hints and foreshadowing were.

And the romance between the three of them? So fun, and tense, and confusing for everyone involved.

I also loved how queer this book is. Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey are all attracted to multiple genders, one of the water nymphs is trans, and several are lesbians. While the world isn't queer normative, there's minimal presentation of queerphobia in the text.

I have only two tiny complaints. Some queer rep was a little too ambiguous. I recognize that the characters maybe wouldn't have the language available that we do today, but it's quite unclear what Gisela and Yulia's gender identities actually are. Both express a sense of not being female, and I believe Gisela specifically commented about not feeling male, either, but use she/her pronouns and use feminine-coded language. And while I say that might be a symptom of the time period, I really can't be sure because I don't know what era this is? Buses and landlines phones exist, but there's no clear indication of what decade this book is set in.

Overall, however, this was an excellent read! Looking forward to seeing more of these characters in the future, if that ending is any indication.

Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for the ARC!

In the small spa town of Lesna Woda, it's Green Week once again. It's the time of year when the living leaves offerings to the spirits in the hope of keeping themselves safe. Gisela, a water nymph, is trying to claim a kiss so she can return to the living. In her way is the town exorcist, Kazik. When he finally has the chance to exorcise her his powers fail, thus giving her a chance to strike a deal. Help her get a kiss. As it turns out Kazik also has a crush on the guy she has sights on!

The interactions between Gisela and Kazik are fun and snappy, they’re such joys to read! Gisela also has a bit of a mystery to her. She doesn’t remember how she died, and that hook kept me going. Kazik getting flustered all the time is very funny to me. Boy, you are 18! You should be in the club! The last part of the triangle is Aleksey… well he’s alright. I can’t really say much. He does have some very good moments! Overall, I think they’re a very cute triangle!

I enjoyed my time reading this book, and from how it ended looks like we might get more!

Thank you Peachtree Teen and Netgalley for providing this ARC!

This Fatal Kiss was an interesting and moody read. Gisela and Kazik are compelling characters who you want to read more about and understand. Gisela's banter in the book is very funny, while Kazik remarks on a lot of feelings and experiences many people can relate to. The plot is focused on Gisela trying to become human again with the romance playing into that happening. I think the plot started off quickly with the confrontation between these characters, but it did lose some steam in the middle with the ending happening very quickly. Overall, it was a good book, but it was just missing something for me to feel really invested. I wish the stakes felt higher within the love triangle, and that the world building was a bit more clear.

3.5/5

Excuse me while I'm busy having feelings. This queer book with an ACTUAL poly love triangle is so good. It was everything my queer soul needs. I laughed I cried I screamed and trembled.

OMG??! I love this book so much. The writing captured my attention, it's easy to read and very interesting. I feel like I'm in a Studio Ghibli world, the characters have a special place in my heart. Kazik and Gisela's banters are so funny. Even Gisela and Wojciech's interaction. I would never forget the line, "my sweet, deranged summer child" (pls my humor is broken). I read a similar folklore before and it helped that I'm a little familiar with the terms. Though I still love the explanation for each spirits.

The way they just accept everyone's gender is what I love the most. The misconception of being bisexual was also handled properly. Can we all just be this understanding and open in real life?

If you like found family, mystical creatures, and polyamorous love story, this book is for you. And please tell me there's book 2 because you can't just end this like that.

rating this 4.5 stars

All my thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
As soon as I finished this book, I immediately gave it 5 stars, put it on my 'all-time-favorite' shelf, and started writing this review.
- I find the characters to be fascinating, and I adored all of them.
- The polyamorous relationship was done with care and love and the chemistry felt genuine and not forced. And I can say the same thing about the queer representation. One of my biggest pet peeves in books is when something read like a bunch of intended messages or presentations was listed out and scattered all over, and luckily, this book did not fall victim to this occurrence. What Alicia subtly wanted to convey about how the destruction that humans impose on nature was also valuable.
- This is by far the funniest book I've read this year and probably ever. The comedy was delivered smoothly and naturally and did not feel corny at all, especially the banters! While reading, I didn’t get the feeling that the author threw in those lines for them to be some hilarious moments. No matter how tense the situation was, something comedic would always pop up.
- Lastly, I would like to praise Alicia for her writing. Her prose was lyrical, gripping, and hilarious simultaneously. I guess after reading a book, which I gave up on, with careless writing, I became more conscious about the quality of her writing and was able to appreciate it more. Furthermore, I love an author with attention to detail, and Alicia did not disappoint. If Alicia keeps up with this style, she will definitely become my new favorite author!
Overall, I love this book and had an enjoyable time. If Alicia decides to write the sequel, I would definitely read it!

Firstly, thank you Netgalley for the arc. Now onto my thoughts~

This book greatly surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the story as much as I did. I have taken to referring to this book as ‘The little mermaid’ meets ‘The Corpse Bride’
The story itself felt like one of those comforting movies that you watch over and over again.

My favorite part of the book was easily the characters. Gisela in particular was an endearing Female Lead. She was funny and confident while not being arrogant. Her character arc toward setting herself free was well done and one of the best parts of the book. I also loved Kazik, mainly for how self aware he is and his change of perspective as the story goes on.

Another aspect I loved was the family dynamics. Gisela has her group of Rusalka that act as a new family. These side characters, while not too relevant, really added to the story in the end. They help where help is needed, and were the best choice for the major scene near the end. Gisela often thinks of her family from her mortal life, and it was nice to see her slowly realize she didn’t want to be entirely responsible for her younger brother's upbringing.

What the story has in character it lacks in plot. The mystery to be specific. I figured out the plot twists almost immediately, and was able to accurately figure out how the story would go for the last 3rd. The ending was also fairly lackluster. Aleksey doesn’t have a clear resolution which is disappointing. I feel like the ending could have used a scene where all three main characters are present. The ending itself felt rushed like it was trying to end the story as soon after Gisela’s character arc is completed, as possible.

Aside from the predictability, this book was fun and relaxing. It's nice to read a lighthearted Folklore book for a change. Thank you for bringing back chapter titles <3. Solid 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink for a digital arc in exchange for my honest review!

This is a multiple POV story, centered around Gisela- a girl who had met an untimely demise.. who now exists as a water nymph. Legend has it if she can get a kiss from a mortal, she will be able to become a human once more.

Kazik is an exorcist navigating his gift and solitude after the loss of his grandmother who raised him. He is the grumpy to Gisela’s sunshine, and is constantly interfering with her plans at returning to the human realm.

When his plans to get rid of her once and for all fail, they come up with a deal. Kazik will help Gisela, if nothing more than to be rid of her once and for all.

Aleksey is the handsome, mysterious, charming and curious target for Gisela’s kiss.

Let the love triangle (thats actually more of a circle) and games begin.

I found that I really did like the characters of this story. There was Slavic folklore throughout, cute creatures, deceptive demons, and some darker themes about life, loss, and responsibility. I enjoyed the lgbtq representation throughout a variety of characters.

The world building was slightly confusing, as it seemed like it was rather in the past with the culture, but they also had some modern dialogue and the use of cameras.

I think the main thing with this book is that it suffers from the fact that the entire plot could have been solved very quickly. There were other developments along the way, and it is set up for a second book.

If I put myself in a place of reading this as the target audience for poly YA romantasy,
I give it about 3 stars, but overall more 2.5.

This Fatal Kiss was a captivating tale surrounded in folklore and romance and I absolutely loved it. The rusalki and the idea of the undead girls after they had drowned and the Water Goblin and his kingdom was such a fascinating concept. The imagery was enchanting as was the world and the world building. I loved the building romance between Gisela, Kazik and Aleksey. There were so many mysteries woven into this story as well and I found the whole story to be absolutely magical and captivating. When the author is able to set such a vivid and magical scene for the reader it just helps even more to make the story enjoyable and enchanting. This was a solid 5 star read for me!

While reading this book I loved the Cottage/Faerie vibes that I was feeling. Going through the story and hearing how the town was described as well as the characters was what I wanted when reading this book. The romance is something I enjoyed! Reading about Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey as the three main protagonist was amazing. The 3 of them made it where I really enjoyed what was going on and the development as well. I would recommend this book!

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

After an untimely and violent death, Gisela is cursed to haunt the local river of a spa town. And while things aren't all bad-- she is welcomed into her new spirit family with open arms, given riches beyond her wildest imagination, and has the chance to be almost sixteen forever-- Gisela is unable to forget the responsibilities of her human life and is willing to do anything to return to her little brother.

Kazik, acting as the village exorcist ever since the death of his deeply beloved grandmother, struggles to shoulder his newfound role and isolates himself from the people he knows. Despite his innate ability to remove the spirits that linger between the human world and the next realm, Kazik's power is starting to falter and the consequences could be disastrous for the people under his care.

The two teenagers, one mortal and one spirit, strike a deal-- Kazik will act as matchmaker and help Gisela seduce a local boy, Aleksey, to help her regain her humanity. If successful, Gisela could return home and there would be one less thorn in Kazi's side. However, love rarely follows a straight path-- and the three become entangled in a plot more convoluted than any of them could dream up.

I'm always on the hunt for books that have the Studio Ghibli feel (think: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Half a Soul, or A Fragile Enchantment), and this book delivered in spades. THIS FATAL KISS was dreamy, romantic and the perfect combination of fantasy and realism. It was unclear when this story took place (my guess would be the early 1900s, but I believe the author was specifically vague), but it had a timeless feel. The robust mythology, whimsical setting, and themes of environmentalism all created something truly magical (pun intended).

But not only does it deliver on the Ghibli side of things, this book delivered LGBTQ+ (primarily bisexual and polyamorous) representation and romance in spades. I also particularly enjoyed Gisela's relationship with the other river spirits-- Gisela was forced to grow up too early in order to help raise her brother, and it was so comforting to see her embraced by a new family so whole heartedly. The consistent love, encouragement, and affection was surprising, but it was a refreshing and realistic take on the importance of found families in people's lives. <spoiler>And the scene between Gisela and Wojciech where he gives her permission (and encouragement) to enjoy living her own life and allow her family to take on the responsibility for their own care healed my inner oldest-daughter complex just a little bit.</spoiler>

While I love a good YA book as an adult, if THIS FATAL KISS had been published when I was actually a teenager, I think I would have been obsessed. As the first part of a duology/series (still unconfirmed), I'm very excited to see where the trio's journey goes next!

Such an interesting book! I absolutely enjoyed having the chance to read something like this. A unique concept and a very interesting romance dynamic. The author managed to include humor in a world that can seem quite frightening. The characters were well fleshed-out and I'd love to learn more about them. Very refreshing to have a book dig into myths and creatures that can be both good and evil. Highly recommend for those who want poly representation, fun banter, and super cool creatures!

“This Fatal Kiss” is a ya fantasy novel written by Alicia Jasinska.

A quaint spa town, crowded tourist destination, perched on the banks of a treacherous river and on the edge of a dark forest. Spa centers, cobblestone streets, majestic fountains, pastel colored houses, traditional festivals and a seemingly cozy atmosphere. Magical creatures, sometimes benign and sometimes malevolent, that roam among humans more or less unaware. A determined, sarcastic and chatty water nymph, once a young girl drowned in the river, eager to return to the world of the living and the family she left behind. A kiss, willingly given by a mortal, as a means to achieve her goal. A grumpy, brooding and distrustful exorcist, who wishes to rid the world of unworthy creatures and has problems with his magic. An exorcism gone awry. An unexpected agreement between the two, with the water nymph promising the exorcist silence about his status with other spirits in exchange for his help in getting a kiss. A young man, tremendously handsome, as the target. A friendship that blossoms unexpectedly and deeply between the three. A bond destined to intensify, putting the plan at risk. A captivating, evocative and enchanting prose. A fast, brisk pace accompanied by short chapters. A tale deeply immersed in Slavic folklore. A funny and light story,, able to deal with important themes such as the death of young girls or the confrontation of different beliefs. Three protagonists, with their respective povs in the third person, portrayed beautifully. An incredible polyamorous romance with fantastic interactions, between hilarious squabbles, sad moments and very sweet scenes. Interesting and convincing secondary characters. An excellent LGBTQ+ representation.

These are just a few of the elements that make up “This Fatal Kiss,” a novel that captivated me from the moment it was announced, thanks to its intriguing premise and stunning cover. A book towards which I had very high expectations and which in the end, to my delight, completely won me over!

I loved the quaint setting, the strong presence of Slavic folklore, the sometimes cozy atmosphere of the small town mixed with a more sinister and ominous undertone. But my heart goes entirely to the characters! Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey are three wonderful protagonists with interactions that made me laugh, smile, move, and swoon repeatedly.

I haven't figured out whether or not there will be a sequel, but I definitely hope so, because I need to know and have more about these characters and this world!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had to quit this one at about a quarter in. I couldn't do it anymore. For a relatively short book, 26% felt like a slog.

This is touted as a Slavic folktale fantasy romance, and it's set in a non-specified, non-modern time yet characters say things like "meet-cute" and "sky daddy" (Yes, sky daddy.). The story and characters are shallow and bland. It feels like a bad anime committed to paper or some bizarre fanfiction where they put modern characters into an old Polish village.

I was worried before I started this that it would be too similar to Where the Dark Stands Still, which is also YA and also based on Polish folklore. How wrong I was! There is a world of difference between these two books.

I was intrigued by the premise, but this is not for me.

It has been a very interesting read, exploring the magical forest with the protagonist. Also the discussions between Kazim and Gisela! Aaaah! I loved it.
Additionally, I love that the book comes with a guide on how you pronounce words and names. It makes reading this book much easier!