This story had everything I love: magic, mystery, slow burn!!

Tru, an art forger with the rare ability to paint the future, agrees to a dangerous marriage to save her family and uncover the truth about her father’s disappearance.

I’m always a sucker for a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this one felt fresh and original!

The world building was done so well, filled with dragons, secrets, and danger!

The slow burn was🔥and the writing had such a magical, whimsical feel.

I also appreciated that it was a standalone!

If you love slow burn romance, vivid fantasy settings, and fairy tale twists, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you Get Underlined and NetGalley for the ARC.

I will forever read whatever Elizabeth Lim writes. She has mastered the art of Asian inspired fairytale storytelling and my opinion on this matter cannot be swayed.

A Forgery of Fate is a Beauty and the Beast inspired story with a little bit of heist mixed in. I found myself totally enraptured by this book. I have been HOPING for a book about Elang (and Seryu *hint hint EL hint hint* ) ever since I read The Dragon's Promise and A Forgery of Fate did not disappoint. I think I am loving these stand alone stories about the side characters even more than the Six Crimson Cranes duology.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

This was such a fun YA fantasy book, and I had a great time reading it! The power Truyan possesses is so unique, and it added a ton of magical whimsy to the story.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Elizabeth Lim for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

This book is advertised as being inspired by Beauty and the Beast. And while you can certainly feel those inspirations, this is not a strict re-telling. I enjoyed that this isn’t a strict re-telling as there are components to Beauty and the Beast that I really dislike that weren’t present here. We have Tru, who loses her father and has to take care of her family. Due to a talent as an artist, she becomes an art forger. Tru realizes early on that she can also paint the future. Tru meets Elang, our beastly dragon lord in what seems like a twist of fate. She agrees to an arranged marriage in which she must travel to his world to help him overthrow the Dragon Lord. This is a very slow burn which I didn’t mind. I enjoyed that Tru doesn’t spend the entire time lusting after someone she doesn’t even know or like. It takes her some time to get used to his appearance and that doesn’t change until she actually comes to know him. Now I do feel like there could have been more development in their relationship. And unfortunately the ending left me with some unanswered questions that bothered me enough to lower the rating. I did enjoy the setting and the description of the dragon world. It is quite different from what we normally get with dragons. All in all, I feel like this was a fun book that many will enjoy.

DNF 58%
This book is for someone, but not me. I have read Elizabeth Lim Six Crimson Crane a few years ago and remembered enjoying it but not so much The Dragon’s Promise. I wasn’t planning to read this book however, the cover completely drawn me in as well as the synopsis. As I read I quickly realized that sometime the YA genre isn’t for me anymore and thats ok, because I’m not the target audience.

I would say this book reads almost like reading a disney movie. In the way all the characters are just a little over top dramatic in an animated way. The world makes absolutely no sense, but if you don’t think too much about it you would have a great time. I struggle with this tho, I wanted to know and see more of Tru painting process, how does it work. The underworld setting, again feels that like disney don’t question the physics, she eats the magical pill thing every morning that allows her to breathe underwater. are things floating? some how the food is just regular?

I think if you’re pretty committed to Tru and Elang and seeing how their fake marriage will blossom into love, you will probably be fine and really enjoy the book. However, if you aren’t feeling the characters too much, it’s gonna feel very draggy and you will notice all the bits of the world. I definitely would recommend this book to those that really love YA romantasy, especially Asian inspired one, or retellings of some sort.

I've now read 5 Elizabeth Lim books, and A Forgery of Fate is my favorite thus far.

I loved everything about this book. It was paced so well, and I love the appearance of places and characters from Lim's other books. Books about dragons are everything to me, and this did not disappoint at all, especially combined with the loose Beauty and the Beast elements. This was an incredible story from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Wow, this book was GOOD. It was the perfect blend of Disney princess movie and studio ghibli movie, creating this wondrous, magical book. It reminded me why I love ya fantasy. The themes were meaningful, yet not too heavy, meaning I could speed through it and feel every type of emotion, while being filled with a sense of joy that comes from an enchanting book. I loved Tru and her sisters, they kind of reminded me of Sophie and her sisters from Howls Moving Castle. And Elang was half dragon, how could I not love him. The underwater dragon kingdom was so cool and the fact that the guards for Yonsar were turtles was so studio ghibli-esque. I'm not joking, I went through every single emotion when reading the epilogue, that's how you know it was a good book. Also, for being a standalone (I'm assuming since no cliffhanger) the pacing was really good. I obviously want more of the characters, but the book ended with the ribbon tied in a beautiful bow, meaning there wasn't anything lacking or minor plot holes left unaddressed. If you're looking for a heartwarming, magical fantasy with dragons and mermaids, this is definitely the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Random House Children’s Books, Knopf Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the ebook ARC!

A Forgery of Fate is a standalone romantic fantasy about a girl who can paint the future and a cursed dragon lord. It has shapeshifting, a marriage contract, courtly intrigue, magical creatures, and sisterly love. Truyan is clever, kind, and determined to do whatever it takes to protect her family. Elang is mysterious and aloof, but he cares for those close to him and wants to save them from a tyrannical king. Their chemistry reminds me of Belle and the Beast, but they’re very much their own characters. Their romance is a slow burn, and one of my favorite elements of the story. The plot is interesting and always kept me guessing with what would happen next. Even the ending went in a direction I didn’t expect, but I really like how it played out. This is my fourth and favorite book by Elizabeth Lim!

(Also, the cover art is absolutely gorgeous and fits perfectly with the story!)

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Forgery of Fate
Author: Elizabeth Lim

Okay I’m delusional and running on little sleep from traveling but I had to write this review right away. I just finished this book and I friggin loved it SO much. First buddy read of May with @herkindetravels. A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim is a fantasy about a gifted art forger who can paint the future and a cursed dragon lord. Truyan Saigas, our FMC, enters a marriage contract with Elang, the dragon lord, to save her family from financial ruin. Together, they plot to overthrow the evil Dragon King. We get enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, a marriage of convenience, all set in a beautiful underwater world. I was NOT prepared for the multiple twists we get thrown in this book. Jaw was on the floor and heart was gutted. The family dynamics were also beautiful. I thought the magic system was also extremely unique and Truyan was such a captivating main character. Also I had to add I didn’t even realize it’s supposed to be a beauty and the beast retelling? Idk how Elizabeth does this. But please do me a favor and add to your TBR. This book releases 6/3/25.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers for the ARC!

First of all, the cover is amazing! Its super detailed and so in theme with the book. The story pacing is just right and has so many whimsical things in it that make it so charming to me! The slow burn romance was chefs kiss, and Truyan is just such a fun and strong Mc, always making sure to put her family before herself. The dynamic between her and Elang just have such a great chemistry that made me indulge in the book with so much gusto. Both are such amazing characters, it just really makes you just want to see the two interact more. I also loved Tru and her dynamic with her family. You could tell she loved her sisters and her family.

This book is being marketed as inspired by Beauty and the Beast, but it is so much more than that. Yes, it's a book about a girl caring for her family, a contractual relationship, a dragon lord (beast), a worn-down palace, and a curse. However, A Forgery of Fate is its own unique story, and it deserves to be seen as such. This book is for people who want a story inspired by Chinese mythology, a whimsical world of talking sea creatures, a slow-burn romance, a marriage of convenience, a head-strong heroine with a good heart, and dragons.

At the center of this story is Truyan. It's her pov that we follow, and it's her perspective through which we filter everything else in this world. She is fiercely determined, willing to sacrifice for those she loves, clever, and genuinely kind. These characteristics are aspirational and should be admired. However, because of this, Truyan doesn't stand out as a character from all other YA characters. She doesn't have much of a character arc or growth in this book. She has moments of doubt in her talents, and perhaps this could have been explored more just to make her more relatable. However, despite this critique, it was easy to root for her, empathize with her, and celebrate with her.

Opposite Truyan is Elang, our mmc. He is mysterious, brooding, and aloof. As a half-dragon, he is the Beast to Truyan's Belle. Their relationship has all the conventional marriage of convenience elements, and I enjoyed seeing them fall for each other bit by bit. I think if you like yearning and slow-burn, you'll appreciate the romance in this book. I do think their romance is so much more than just tropes though. The romance, I believe, is one of the strongest elements of this story. I do wish we got to see more of it throughout the book.

As the book is about art, the author painted the world with her words. I could see and sense the desolation of the underwater palace, the glimmering scales of the dragons, the pearls of light, etc. While the language was accessible and appropriate for YA, the writing was also pretty, whimsical, and emotional. However, I do have one critique, there were a few scenes in the the last act that weren't well described, and I had difficulty picturing what was happening. While I wouldn't typically bring this up in a review, these scenes were significant to the plot so that's why I'm mentioning it here.

I love the concept of being able to paint the future or someone's fate, and I was fascinated by how this clever concept weaved the plot, themes, the world, and the characters together. The world is inspired by Chinese fantasy, and there are references to that heritage sprinkled throughout. I appreciate that the dragons in this book were different from Western dragons and that they were dragons from Chinese mythology. I do wish that the author spent some more time developing more of the Chinese-inspired elements of this story, in particular the lore about the Eight, immortals, and demons.

The plot of the story relies on Truyan's ability to paint the fate of the villain, and I enjoyed reading the twists and turns involved with the plot. Additionally, the author did an excellent job of utilizing the theme of sacrificing for those we love, and because of this theme, there are moments of profound sorrow and joy. The pacing of the novel was also done well, and there was action happening from page to page. There were moments of high action and also scenes of calm. No words or chapters were wasted. This book was carefully and tightly edited.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I recommend it. This was my first Elizabeth Lim book, and needless to say, I am looking forward to reading more of her backlist.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for providing me with an eARC to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

DNFing at 63%

I’m so sad by how disappointed I was by this. While the writing was fine, this didn’t feel like the previous Elizabeth Lim books I read. Tru felt really childish for someone who had to grow up quickly and take care of her family and she really bugged me.

I also felt like for a book that’s been advertised as a romance, Tru and Elang’s interactions are so few and far between and feel really repetitive. It doesn’t feel like either of them are growing and the fact at 63% (over half way through) and I feel like their romance hasn’t really picked up at all, is not great.

I am all here for a slow burn, but this just feels ice cold.

I’m very sad that I didn’t love this. Perhaps it’s just not the right time for me to read it and I might try again in the future. But I have struggled to want to pick this up. And I’m at the point where I feel very little connection. A bummer! But I suppose not every book can be perfect. Still love Elizabeth’s writing! And I will always give her books a try. I think others will like this read but it really wasn’t for me.

Rating: 4 stars for Asian Romantasy

My Thoughts:
I read so many Asian romantasy YA books that I actually thought this was the second book in Wesley Chu's War Arts books -- The Art of Prophecy being book 1 of the duology. Seriously, look at the art work and it is not so farfetched that I thought I was reading The Art of Destiny which is his book 2. I know I have it on my Kindle TBR list which is miles long, so I was ready to get back to the multiple characters in Chuʻs Game of Thrones type of story.

It quickly became apparent that this was not the same story. Tru, the blue haired artist captured my imagination so quickly that I did not care that I chose the wrong book. I was already hooked. Truyan is feisty. She uses her art skills to forge artwork and take care of her sisters and mother, but she has a gift in her hands and her paint brush to paint the future. However, with Baba lost at sea and believed dead, Truyan is the main caretaker of her family until she falls into the garden of the masked demon Elang. Elang is a half dragon/half beautiful boy who is cursed to live on land until he can destroy his grandfather, the dragon king under the sea who has stolen Elang's pearl.

This is a Chinese Beauty and the Beast but the beauty, Truyan is much more powerful and pivotal to this story than just the love interest. This book has enough fighting, twists and betrayals to make this more C-drama, less Disney.

Back to the cover mix up - the beautiful cover is done by Vietnamese artist Tran Nguyen who is the artist behind what seems like ALL of the Elizabeth Lim YA books, the Wesley Chu War Arts books and my favorite cover this year Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier. Go to the artist blog linked here. The murals are just as stunning and an appropriately large canvas for her work.

As far as Asian romantasy, this one is fabulous. It has all the highs and lows of an Asian romantasy without the super goopy cheeseball ending. Yes, it has a positive ending, but not without the heartbreak and worry of a Chinese drama. That is what makes Asian romantasy so much better!

From the Publisher:
Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

Publication Information:
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (June 3, 2025)

This novel is an expert blend of Chinese folklore and romance, offering a sumptuous and emotionally beautiful journey. By incorporating familiar tropes with fresh creativity, the author crafts a narrative that feels both timeless and unique.
The world-building and writing style are particularly impressive, featuring lyrical prose, imaginative descriptions, and a lush backdrop that thoroughly engages the reader. The detailed and well-developed description and writing style explore various facets of the world, augmented by the rich lore and intricate workings of the world.
Truyan is a remarkable character and a strong sense of family protection, making her highly relatable. Her Prince is a mysterious character, initially enveloped in secrecy, but as the story unfolds, his layers are skillfully peeled away, rendering the emotional angst and tension worthwhile. Their dynamic is tense and yet engaging, with beautiful aspects of the classic romance of Beauty and the Beast.

A Forgery of Fate is an enthralling tale that weaves love in one’s heart, nourishes hope for one’s soul, and that livens one’s spirit for the high stakes adventure that awaits.

Inspired by Beauty and the Beast, we follow Tru, a young artist who has been tasked for her skills in forgery to assist a reclusive half dragon lord in overthrowing his tyrannical grandfather, king of the undersea. To facilitate the plan there is just one hitch, this plan requires a marriage contract. And so Tru follows her newly wedded husband to the undersea kingdom to enact his plan. She hopes to find a better life once it’s all over, but what she finds along the way may be far more precious than all the promised riches. What lies under the sea is hope; hope to save lives and perhaps hope for one’s heart to beat once more.

Tru is a marvelously multifaceted protagonist. She is sharp and hardened in order to survive and find a way to keep her family from destitution. She is also soft and vulnerable, keeping tightly wound in her heart all her deepest wishes for her future. It’s a future you are desperate to see Tru live to see. The stakes are high, her situation dire, and yet her courage remains unfailing. Even in times of fear, she remains steadfast in her beliefs and promises. She’s a wonderfully written protagonist who is allowed to be more than one thing; who can be soft and sharp, who can be courageous and afraid. She is a protagonist who blooms so magnificently throughout the course of this tale.

Then there’s Tru’s partner in hope...and marriage. Elang. I really loved the connection between Tru and our half-dragon, half-human lord Elang. Elang is a very enigmatic character, you want to immediately peel back all those mysterious layers to better understand the core of the person within, but it’s gratifying to watch Tru come to know her husband bit by bit. I only wish there was more page time to explore more deeply their love story, specifically the falling in love, for it felt some happened off page rather than on. Nevertheless, theirs is a love story you pray to see flourish. With every hurdle faced, every daunting hill overcome, every fight battled, you want to see them win. To beat the odds, to triumph over all obstacles standing in their way. To see love conquer all.

The world Elizabeth Lim creates in this tale is nothing short of a work of art. The undersea world is definitely my favorite setting, quite a bit of the narrative takes place here and Lim seamlessly ensures this world makes sense for our human protagonist to live within. The sea becomes a place of desolation, of terror, but also of life, of vibrancy, a place that can be a home. There is beauty in its contradiction, and it brilliantly elevates the story. The story is filled with high stakes that will you leave you at the edge of your seat, feeling trepidation at the unknown ahead, but also feeling invigorated to turn every page to find out.

To read a tale by Elizabeth Lim is to become immersed in an adventure like no other. Whether soaring the skies, swimming the seas, or simply growing a field of flowers, magic will find you in A Forgery of Fate.

Thank you Random House Children's and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily. 4.5

This book was amazing. I love how close Tru’s family is, and how loyal she is to her family. She will do anything for them. I love the Beauty and the Beast reimagining and the different worlds are beautiful and magical. There is an everyday world and an underwater world.

This story follows Tru who can paint the future. She starts off painting forgeries to help her family earn money so they can survive after her father goes missing on a sailing trip.

Elang is the cursed dragon prince. Half dragon and half human. Once their paths cross he offers Tru a deal to come paint for him and get married to him temporarily in exchange for money and jewels which would mean her family would be well taken care of.

This was a fast paced and well written story that has many twists, turns, and revelations. The story is layered and you find out many things as the story goes which will pull on those heart strings.

I was not sure I was going to like the ending depending on where it went but I loved it!

This if for those who love
✨ YA fantasy
✨ Lush and vivid underwater world
✨ Dragons
✨ Beauty and the Beast reimaginings
✨ Found family
✨ Cute critters
✨ Fake marriage
✨ Enemies to friends to lovers
✨Slow burn and yearning

Only thing I didn’t like was the use of “turds” as a curse word throughout the story lol.

Thank you to Random House Children’s Books and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.

I'm sitting here with quite the book hangover--sad that it's over but so happy to have had the opportunity to read this book! I'm sure it will be a hit!

This is the YA Beauty and the Beast retelling I didn't know I needed. It's the story of Truyan Saigas, a brave outcast and oldest daughter who would do anything for her family, up to and including forging art, engaging in shady deals, marrying a demon prince, and taking on a dragon god.

Of course, the demon prince Elang (half dragon, half human) is super scary / kinda hot and totally not into her, but you know how Beauty and the Beast goes...

Lim writes charming characters and paints the magical setting as skillfully as her main character, Truyan, would. This story has everything a reader could want: an epic love story with twists and turns, gods, demons, magical creatures, cunning tricks, and delicious food. A light, quick read, but one that made my jaded, old heart feel young again. I slurped it up in a day! If you're a fan of fantasy C-dramas, this is a must-read.

Many thanks to Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Many thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Lim has done it again--another gorgeous book that left me in tears and happy. There are 2 things that are always guaranteed when you read an Elizabeth Lim book. One, you will be blown away by the beautiful imagery and breathtaking worldbuilding. Two, you will be hungry the entire time you read. Her scenery descriptions are so immersive, I just want to lose myself in the images her words paint.

This is a twist on Beauty and the Beast, but make it underwater and with dragons. We briefly met Elang back in The Dragon's Promise, and he's our hero for this book. He seems cold and unfeeling, but he's also been incredibly hurt in the past. Tru is a fantastic heroine. She's plucky, talented, and she cares so deeply about her family. Their slooooooooooow burn is excruciating at times, but the payoff is great.

The stakes are high as the focus isn't so much on breaking Elang's curse as it is overthrowing his tyrannical grandfather. If you though Nazayun was awful when Shiori met him, he's even worse now. There were several red herrings and twists along the way to the epic conclusion. And the EMOTIONS in the last 20%! I think I cried my way through the entire ending. The epilogue made everything worth it.

Highly recommend, especially if you loved Lim's previous books, or if you're a fan of Axie Oh and Sue Lynn Tan's books.

This might be one of my favorite retelling of all time! The world that Lim created is unique and immersive - the paintings come to life with her words. The bonds created between Tru and her family are so touching, and the relationship between her and Elang was well flushed out. It can be hard to write a relationship as real as the one between Tru and Elang, but Lim did it wonderfully!

✨ Lush, magical, and emotionally layered — A Forgery of Fate is a beautifully written story about destiny, sacrifice, and rewriting your future. Elizabeth Lim delivers another enchanting tale full of lyrical prose, vivid world-building, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. While the pacing is a bit slow at first, the second half makes up for it with twists, emotional stakes, and a satisfying arc. Perfect for fans of romantic fantasy and East Asian-inspired folklore. Recommended for readers who loved Six Crimson Cranes, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, and Shadow and Bone.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Knopf for the ARC!