I love a good fantasy retelling! I love Beauty and Beast so much and this retelling did a solid job.

It had a combination of all my favorite tropes, including slow-burn, sisterhood, and dragons. It was set in an underwater fantasy kingdom and the adventures were very entertaining.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Thank you so much NetGalley and publisher for this eARC!
4.5⭐️
Studio Ghibli fans unite! A Forgery of Fate was such a whimsical and fun time ! There is fun banter, a SLOOOWWW burn, a stressful mission, questionable loyalties , the list goes on! Our FMC agrees to an arrangement with an exiled dragon prince to help him overthrow his corrupt grandpa in exchange for security for her family. Along the way we find out things are not quite as they seem, there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than initially anticipated , and relationships bloom and are tested.

I will say my biggest complaint and why I knocked a half star off was the whole underwater realm and characters were aalliitttlleee hard to envision in a way that wasn’t horribly corny or comedic (in my opinion). As well as the liberal use of the word turd..? lol kinda took me out of the story alittle. Besides some of those small things I REALLY did enjoy the overall story.

ALSO the last like 3 chapter and epilogue ?! WHY DO THAT TO ME🥹

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This one was cute and overall enjoyed it, but some of my issues with it pulled me out of the story pretty regularly.

What I loved:
-The slow burn romance
-Dragons
-Curse/quest to break
-The sisterhood bond

What didn't work for me:
-The MC's mother was infuriating and every interaction between her and MC made me roll my eyes
-The themes of this book touched on a lot of YA transitioning to adult topics, but some of the writing felt very juvenile (the word turd was used 10 times, and it was 10 times too many)
-Not enough page time with the MC's sisters.

I cant fully explain but Six Crimson Cranes felt so different to read than this one. I'm still glad I read it, I just had higher hopes.

3.25⭐️ Thank you NetGalley & Knopf for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely Asian inspired Beauty & the Beast retelling with story elements that also reminded me of Howl’s Moving Castle. Our fmc Truyan is resourceful and determined to provide for her family. Her relationships with her mother & sisters was also explored throughout the book, which I enjoyed reading. The mmc, the mysterious Dragon Lord, was cold & hard to read. I struggled to believe their attraction to one another early on, but did find the end result to be a little more convincing. Without revealing anything, some plot twists did seem to be a little too convenient for the progression of the story. And at almost 500 pages, the story meandered a bit and didn’t quite earn its pages for me. However, the magic of the world and the different setting (Asian inspired & the underwater kingdoms) was unique and beautifully written. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy unique retelling of stories and slow burn romance. It was also a perfect read to end my aapi focused May reading month and I will most likely be purchasing a copy for that cover art alone lol.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2025. I was OBSESSED throughout the entirety. The characters, influences and plot were all flawless and I couldn't tear my eyes away. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release.

I love a retelling when its not super obvious it is a retelling and A Forgery of Fate did such a great job with this.
A Forgery of Fate takes Beauty and the Beast and presents it with an Asian folklore spin that is just perfect.
The chemistry between the MMC and FMC was believable with the right amount of tension for a YA novel.
The world was whimsical and alluring.
Overall this book is peak YA Fantasy in my opinion.

Elizabeth Lim does what she does best, blending Chinese mythology with fairytale feels, high-stakes magic, and a heroine just trying to survive the impossible.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 You can always count on Elizabeth Lim for stories that center around family. It’s a signature in all her books, and it shines here too.
🧜‍♀️ While it’s notably known as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I couldn’t help but get Little Mermaid vibes, especially with most of the story unfolding in the undersea kingdom of Ai’long.
🎨 Elizabeth’s prose is poetic, enchanting, and immersive. It feels like it’s painted with the same brush as Tru’s gift, full of color, movement, and emotion. That said, I struggled to follow the plot at times, especially during the action-heavy scenes. It was partly due to the descriptions, partly the pacing. But the plot twists? So clever, and I genuinely didn’t see them coming.
💖 The romance isn’t the most overt Elizabeth’s written, but the quiet affection between them crept up on me as the truth slowly unraveled. It’s subtle, slow, and intentional. And listen, get you a man who makes you a dress with pockets.
🥹 And the ending? I’m a sucker for a good HEA, and this one melted me.

Thank you for the arc, NetGallery and Penguin Random House!

Elizabeth Lim's stories always feel like diving into the most immersive fairytale and A Forgery of Fate was no different. Truyan was an easy protagonist to root for and her loyalty to her family keeps her grounded when her world turns upside down. Her bargain with Elang brings her on an underwater adventure that at first seems magical but a deeper look reveals the tyrannical hold the Dragon King wields. As they work together to pull off the impossible task, their relationship begins to blossom and I just love how Elizabeth Lim writes her romances because they're so gentle that you don't even realize you're falling in love with the characters. This had me on the edge of seat and I cannot wait to read more from the author!

I absolutely loved this book! I've always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast, and this was a perfect retelling. I loved the twist of trying to protect two younger sisters and a mother that had stumbled along the way. 5 out of 5 stars.

Received an E-ARC of this from NetGalley.

I thought this was an interesting take on Beauty & the Beast with the artistic take. I enjoyed the dragons, plot twist, & atmosphere.

Reading A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim is an immersive, emotional, and richly imaginative experience.
Emotionally, the journey is powerful. Tru’s longing for her father, her fierce love for her sisters, and her inner conflict between right and wrong are written with real tenderness. You feel her hesitation, her fear, and her quiet hope that maybe—just maybe—she can change her fate. It’s not just a fantasy adventure; it’s a story about grief, responsibility, trust, and self-discovery.
The magic system—painting the future—is incredibly visual and poetic. You feel like you're watching the paintings come to life, and that sensory detail makes the story feel cinematic at times. It’s a book that makes you want to pause, reread a line, and just sit in the atmosphere.Ultimately, the experience of reading A Forgery of Fate is like stepping into a dream where beauty hides danger, art holds power, and fate is something you can rewrite—but only if you’re brave enough to face the truth. It’s absorbing, emotional, and quietly epic.

Oh the depth of love I have for this book ❤️‍🔥 The FMC is clever and sassy and loveable with a big heart for saving everyone. The MMC is broody dragon Lord on a mission. The two of them working together, in a marriage of convenience, brings such great tension. Rules were set for neither of them to fall for the act… but we know how forced proximity works 😁 I love seeing the cultures of this world, the whimsical peoples of this world. The magic is spun straight from a fairytale and the political intrigue is epic. I am so in love with this unique Beauty and the Beast retelling. The story has familiar elements, but I don’t know if I have read a retelling with such depth of story and a really nice spin on the original.

🥀Reluctant Allies to Lovers
🥀Beauty and the Beast Retelling
🥀Tension
🥀Marriage of Convenience
🥀Whimsical Magic

🫑🫑 Steamy tension, no spice

This was wonderful, and I finally understand all of the hype around Lim and her novels. I've not read any of her previous work, so I can't say anything about any possible easter eggs she's snuck in there, but the world she's created (returned to?) was rich and well-developed. Her characters are also vibrant and fully formed, and they were all so delightful I scarcely know which one was my favorite of the bunch. This is billed as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and while it is, there are also elements of several other tales woven in (both western and not), so if you think you know where it's going and all the beats its going to follow I promise you you don't. Lim also has gorgeous prose, and her world-building is so lush I might as well have been able to step into the pages into the story itself, which is what every author strives for but few are truly able to achieve. I will happily be adding this to my collection of physical books, and I've already written a shelf-talker for it and talked it up to my coworkers. This is a tale that both teen and adult readers alike are sure to devour, and I'll certainly be on the lookout for upcoming titles from Lim, as well as checking out her backstock.

🤍ARC REVIEW💙

I was very blessed to receive an ARC of A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim. I absolutely loved her Six Crimson Cranes books so I knew this one would not disappoint.

Inspired by Beauty and the Beast (which is my favorite Disney tale), A Forgery of Fate takes us on an adventure with Tru Saigas as she tries to provide for her family after her father is lost at sea.

After a mishap involving her art forgery business, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a dragon lord. In exchange for her family’s safety, she follows him to his undersea palace to assist him in overthrowing the Dragon King.

This book was everything I have come to hope and expect from Elizabeth Lim. 5 stars from me.

If you haven’t picked up an Elizabeth Lim book, I highly recommend it. A Forgery of Fate is a standalone and a good place to start.

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The premise, the cover, the author? It sold me immediately. However, I really really wanted to love this, but while I liked it, I didn't love it. For me, while it was well written, it was a tad too slow. I had a hard time believing in Tru and Elang relationship and I would've liked to have seen them spend more time together falling in love. While I understood his feelings (because he had all this history built up with her) we didn't see the same for her. In the end, while the world was beautiful and the story had it's moments, because I had such a hard time falling in love with the characters, this was a bit of a let down for me. That said, I will still read anything Elizabeth Lim writes because I really enjoy her storytelling overall.

First, I am extremely grateful to have received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Second, I will undoubtedly be purchasing a finished copy to read over and over.

This book is beautiful perfection! This was my first experience with a fantasy book rooted in Chinese lore or mythology, but it will most definitely not be my last. Lim did a marvelous job of weaving a fantastical and mystical world full of sea dragons, talking sea turtles, mermaids, water demons, and so much more. The whimsy and humor melded perfectly with the vivid settings (both on land and underwater), and the story flowed seamlessly. So seamlessly, I managed to read 90% of it in 2 days (which is rare for me) despite being in a bit of a reading slump.

A lot of books claim to be a Beauty and the Beast retelling when in reality they are just stories that involve a pretty girl falling for a beastly man, and maybe there's a deal or kidnapping involved. THIS, however, is a true retelling. There are many similar elements, but the East Asian twist and underwater element gives it new life that I loved.

I loved Tru from the first page! She is spunky, clever, and resilient. And unlike more romantic fantasy standalones (YA or otherwise), the romance in this felt well-developed and believable. There is absolutely no spice, but I never missed it.

This is a must-read! Add it to your priority TBR today. Right now. Go.

I really loved the beginning of the story as it was fast paced and engaging. I also enjoyed Truyan's relationship with her sisters and her willingness to forge art in order to support her family. Once Truyan agreed to marry Elang and temporarily live in his realm, the story slowed and so did my attention. Overall, this was still a good read and I plan to read Lim's other works. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

A Forgery in Fate is an enchanting story with magic, dragons, beautiful world-building, a captivating storyline, and a sweet, slow burn romance. It only took a few chapters for me to fall head first into this world and become engrossed in Tru and Elang's story. In my opinion, the writing was exceptional — the main characters were well-developed, the plot was imaginative and engaging, the world was immersive, and the story tugged on my emotions in all the right ways.

While this can absolutely be read as a standalone, the story does take place within the same world as Elizabeth Lim's Six Crimson Cranes duology and Her Radiant Curse.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a sweet, fairytale-esque story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I feel so lucky to have received an ARC from one of my favorite authors to date! It was so wonderful to be back in Lim's fantastical worldbuilding. Tru had my heart captured from the beginning, and there's nothing I love more than a character willing to do anything for her loved ones. She has spine, wit and character I won't soon forget! Elang also had me gripped in his dark talons; the twists and turns he takes us on emotionally alone are half of my gasps in this book! I found myself close to tears in the end, and just really think everyone should grab a copy of A Forgery of Fate, out today!

Fans of the Six Crimson Cranes books will be elated to return to Lim's fantastical world in Forgery of Fate!

Truyan Saigas is a painter with the Sight- when her brush touches paper, enigmatic visions of the future unfold. But dire straits pushed her to a life of selling forgeries to make ends meet for her mother and sisters, after her father went missing at sea years ago. When she becomes entangled in a deal with the half-dragon Lord of the Westerly Seas that involves a marriage contract and a plot against the terrifying Dragon King, Tru finds herself overwhelmed by the task ahead. But with the possibility of a new future for her family and answers about her father's disappearance at stake, she has no other choice but to fulfill her end of the bargain.

Pitched as a Beauty and the Beast inspired romance fantasy feels more accurate than a retelling. The themes are there, but instead of Gaston and grand library scenes, there's water demons and extra spicy noodles. Elang definitely embodies the 'Beast' character well, what with his actual heart (aka dragon pearl) being missing, but Truyan is not your typical Belle. This gives them a dynamic that's much more acidic in the banter, but making the emotional moments all the sweeter.

I don't want to say too much more, because I think this story is best experienced without knowing too much going in. It's an entertaining and fast read, great for YA audiences and fans of Lim's other work!