A Forgery of Fate is hands down one of, if not the, best YA books I have read this year. The world-building was phenomenal, the character development rich, and the journeys exciting. I cannot wait to add this book to my classroom library.

A Forgery of Fate revolves around our protagonist, Truyan, who is forced into art forgery to help her family survive when her father mysteriously disappears on an ill-fated boat voyage. Her forgery leads her to meeting a mysterious (and beastly) dragon lord, and unbeknownst to her, gets roped into a bigger plot that goes beyond just feeding her starving family. Slowly but surely, there’s something strange (. . . and almost kind . . . ) about this dragon lord that makes her think twice about the whole situation. Could there be something more than there was before?

I really enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast elements of this story. It’s not even my favorite fairytale but I certainly found myself smiling whenever I realized that an element of the fairytale was present. I almost started imagining “Be Our Guest” playing, and I certainly felt the elements of what Belle had to deal with in the original story. That said, there was so much more. Truyan is a character on her own, and not just some “outcast” in her town. She does anything and everything for her family (like Belle), but has much more agency in this story. She was a great main character and I enjoyed following her. She does make some rash decisions here and there, but they were understandable and none of them made me eye roll.

The “Beast” was also so well portrayed. This story really dove into the intricacies of being an outcast for being hideous and scary, and how that came to affect the Beast. Of course, the original story was about a prince cursed for his vanity, but the dragon lord was a very deep character, full of his own flaws and ambitions, and I think it was very easy to relate to both Truyan and the dragon lord, and the struggles they faced in their own stories and journeys.

There were also some important side characters, namely Shani, whom you will meet. I don’t really know if this was meant to be a reference to the original fairytale, but I certainly found Shani to be an interesting plot device at the very least. Side characters were well developed and meaningfully a part of the story, and it really had the whole fairytale feel.

The pacing was great. The story was very upbeat, and the story never stalled. Fairytales often are short and sweet, and this was no exception. I wouldn’t say this story was short, but there was certainly something happening every chapter, and the rhythm driving forward was strong. In that sense it read like a thriller page-turner, where you are just waiting to see what happens, even though you maybe-kind-of know where things are headed. Still it was nice to see the character (and relationship) development through the story, which was reminiscent of the original fairytale, including a few key moments I’ll leave for you to read and discover.

The ending was where I had to dock 0.5 points. It wasn’t bad at all, but there was a slight twist at the very end, which ultimately (I guess) does slightly mirror the original fairytale. However, I felt like it wasn’t necessary and it could’ve been tied off a bit differently. That being said this is a really really small fraction of the book, and it was just my personal taste that would’ve preferred a slightly different ending (I am truly talking the last 20-30 pages, so it really is just a tiny bit). The way it did end was still emotionally well done, and I really did feel for the characters after having traveled the whole journey with them.

Overall the world building was pretty good as well. This is not some high fantasy, and often fairytales don’t have ultra developed characters or settings. However, I felt that this story had an appropriate amount of character development and world-building to feel truly drawn in, and I was able to suspend my disbelief in general so that nothing distracted me from the story the author was trying to deliver. Again, really glad I picked this one up and I hope you all will too!

This is a stand-alone but having finished it I feel compelled to go back and read the rest of the related series. This was a bit of a slow burn but in the best way, the characters interactions and banter was strong enough to carry momentum. I found the premise interesting and fairly unique. No big notes from me! Enjoyed and I would recommend!

A Forgery of Fate follows Truyan Saigas, a con artist trying to make enough money to support her mother and younger sisters after her father was lost at sea five years ago. While Tru possesses a special magic to paint the future, it’s not enough to save her family. When she’s offered a marriage contract with a dragon lord, she accepts and follows him to his undersea palace where they work together to end the tyrannical Dragon King.

This was a really unique take on Beauty and the Beast. I absolutely loved the magic system. The whole concept of Tru painting aspects of her future was so cool!! If there’s one surefire thing about Elizabeth Lim, it’s her impeccable and gorgeously described worlds. The setting in this one was so immersive, both on land and under the sea. The plot’s a little slow but gets very intense and shocking at the end. I really enjoyed the ending, I thought it was really sweet and wholesome. I loved the dragons too! It was so cool and made for such a gripping twist on this fairytale.

Tru is a great main character. Her arc and characterization are very well done. I loved the backstory we start the novel with and really enjoyed her relationship with her family. Elang is the perfect mysterious, dark love interest that you can’t help but fall for. The progression of their relationship was such a good slowburn. And the ending was just what I wanted.

Overall, if you love Beauty and the Beast retellings, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out!

Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!

I really enjoyed how good Elizabeth Lim's writing was and how it was used in this type of book. I could see the inspiration of Beauty and the Beast in this and how it was used the make a new storyline. The characters worked so well in this universe and had that complexity that I was hoping for and thought was so well done in this world. It was a strong storyline and was glad I was able to read this. Elizabeth Lim always does a fantastic job in writing this and can't wait for more.

3.75/5 stars

A Forgery of Fate is a whimsical Beauty and the Beast retelling, in which Tru finds herself engaged to a Dragon Prince in order to break a curse.

I was very into the story at the beginning, loving the tension, the action, and the stakes laid out as we discovered our plot. I did, however, lose interest as soon as we entered the Dragon Realm. If you love whimsical fantasies, you will absolutely eat this up. The setting is beautiful, but the thing that I struggled with was visualizing talking sea creatures??

With that, and some of the language used (i.e. calling people 'turds' as an insult), the story often felt much younger (bordering middle grade language) than the upper YA we were presented with at the start. The whole middle felt slow and struggled to keep my attention.

Thankfully by the end, the action picked up, making it a page-turner once again. The story wrapped up in such a beautiful and eloquent way that is sure to pull on your heartstrings!

A Forgery of Fate is a standalone novel in the Legends of Lor'yan series. While it can be read as a standalone, seeing familiar characters from previous books was enjoyable. Elizabeth Lim's worldbuilding is, as always, phenomenal. The banter between Tru and Elang starts off as a slow burn but ultimately pays off very well. The story grabs the reader from the very first page and won’t let you put the book down. I really enjoyed the crossover elements, and I hope Elizabeth Lim continues to write more stories set in this universe. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mystical fantasy series. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'll post my review closer to the publication date.

A Forgery of Fate stands out as a beautifully crafted tale that combines romance, adventure, and mythological intrigue. Elizabeth Lim's ability to weave complex characters into a richly detailed world makes this novel a must-read for fans of fantasy and fairy tale retellings. Whether you're drawn to the enchanting prose, the emotional journey of the characters, or the imaginative setting, this book promises a captivating reading experience.

This is absolutely a masterpiece.. I loved this book from start to finish.. I was immerse in this world with wild creatures and ethereal beings … dragons fishes pearls demons humans .. this was absolutely fun to read and 😉 both main characters ( M/F ) outstanding.. I do prefer The MMC though. Slight bit more … what made it was the ending .. it hard me heart struck and I thought it to have a different ending however I’m pleased and content with this ending


Once again this book is amazing and thus far my 2nd 5* book read this year

Highly recommend

*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

I rather enjoyed this book I must say. We meet Truyan a truly remarkable young woman who has quite the upbringing. Things start well enough for her and her sisters until her Baba goes missing leaving them in dire straights. To help them survive she picks up painting skills, enhanced by unknown powers of her own, that allow her to make fakes. This leads to quite the chain of events that will change her life forever as she tries to save both herself and her family. Full of fantasy and mystery at every turn that keeps you turning the page wondering what will happen next that leads to an interesting yet satisfying ending. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.

Where do I even begin. I loved every minute inside of this world. Tru and Elang have my whole heart. Their story had me captivated from the start. From the very beginning with her magical paintbrush, to the very end with her waterbells. I felt an almost nostalgic sensation reading this with how magical the world seemed to be. I will be thinking about this book for days to come no doubt.
thank you so much netgalley & random house for the eARC 🫶🏻✨

very well written romantasy with some strong themes, awesome worldbuilding, and great characters! the draconic feel was awesome and the art magic is cool. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Beautiful prose and character work. I loved how this story was inspired by beauty and the beast but also inspired by Asian culture!

A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

I loved Truyan, the blue-haired heroine who’s fiercely loyal and gifted with a rare ability: painting the future. When her father vanishes at sea and her mother’s gambling debts threaten her family, she agrees to a marriage of convenience with Elang—a half-human, half-dragon prince as mysterious as he is broody.

Elang, the ultimate grumpy dragon lord, has lost his dragon pearl—the source of his heart, magic, and emotions—and now lives in an isolated undersea palace. With talking warrior turtles, shark armies, and the regal merfolk, the aquatic world is rich and unique.

The story is so whimsical and woven so vividly that it's easy to picture the details that the author is trying to convey. It does have the Beauty and the Beast vibes for sure, but is also set largely underwater, so I'd agree with other reviewers saying it also is reminiscent of the little mermaid!

Elizabeth Lim’s “A Forgery of Fate” is a captivating standalone fantasy that makes an excellent addition to any summer reading list. I was immediately intrigued by its comparison to Beauty and the Beast, and as someone who enjoys stories rooted in Asian mythology, the blend of these elements was especially compelling. The world-building is richly imagined, and Lim’s lyrical prose reminded me of Sue Lynn Tan, one of my favorite authors. The pacing, also reminiscent of Tan’s work, moves swiftly—something I appreciated, as it kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. This was my first experience with Elizabeth Lim’s writing, and I’m now eager to explore more of her novels.
Thank you to NetGallery and Random House Children's for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Elizabeth Lim does it again. This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is mixed perfectly with Chinese folklore to create a unique story that will stay with you for a long time. Tru's dedication to her family and her determination to see through the deal that she made to benefit them create such a rare FMC that will have you wanting to turn every page to see what she'll do next. I highly recommend this book for those who love folklore and retellings.

A Beauty and the Beast retelling, but make it mythological and even more magical <3

There are honestly so many things about this book that stand out, but here are just a few:
- Slow burn romance
- Yearning for days
- Strong FMC
- Family forward story
- Magical World building
- Betrayal, Drama, and just an excellent plot
- pockets (iykyk)

Every single book that has been written by Elizabeth Lim is a five-star read for me, and truly, she has certified herself as an autobuy author in my opinion. This book was masterfully created in a world that we already know, but focused on a brand new part with well crafted characters.

The romance was a strong slow burn with hints of yearning from both characters, and its one of those books where the tiny things has your heart exploding. This was overall such a magical and enthralling story that had a perfect mixture of plot and romance.

This book was so much fun! Expertly weaves folktales with my favorite trope, fake marriage. Another winner from Lim.

Loved it!! Read it in one day!
Another wonderful book by Elizabeth Lim!
This story about a young girl whose father goes missing at sea and the difficulties her family faces just trying to survive. She ends up meeting a dragon lord and is offered a marriage contract that includes her going to the undersea home he has been exiled from. There is a lot of adventure and mystery and an interesting undersea world. I truly enjoyed the main characters and the relationship that developed between them. If you have enjoyed Elizabeth Lim’s other books, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one too!

This was such a fun read. I enjoyed the characters and worldbuilding. The main characters were well written and relatable.