I always love Elizabeth Lim books and I was especially excited for A Forgery of Fate because it’s a really unique Beauty and a Beast retelling. And what can I say it was absolutely amazing.
 
This story is about Truyan who does everything to keep her family afloat after her father goes missing at sea. She is an artist and very good at forgery and that was amazing to see, and her paintings are also slightly magical which was really cool. She takes on quite a few powerful and dangerous clients and that leads her to Elang. I loved how fierce and brave Truyan was and she fights for her loved ones. Her journey is just magnificent, and I loved following along.
 
Elang is a dragon lord who is very elusive and feared by all. I loved learning about his story and the dragons, and it was done in such a unique way. The more I saw of him, the more I loved him. Also, this book has a fated mates’ aspect and it was bittersweet but also really romantic. In addition, the marriage of convenience and fake dating aspect was just incredible, and I loved their banter and chemistry.
 
The whole story was very character driven and I loved it. At the same time, I was so invested in the plot and was so curious where this story was going and omg, I totally didn’t expect a lot of things that happened. And that in combination with the author’s beautiful writing style took it to the next level. The title of the book is also very fitting and the whole underwater world was just fascinating and stunning.
 
A Forgery of Fate is unlike any retelling I’ve ever read and it’s such a beautiful story and I’m just obsessed with it. 5 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

I'm not sure about you, but I can usually tell when a book I'm reading is going to be five stars. It begins with the opening chapter, which I typically read and then set the book aside for a few hours. If I finish the chapter and want to read more, it's a good sign. If I keep thinking about that chapter in between reading sessions, it's another good sign. More than that, though, a five-star book gives you a little frisson of something. I don't know if it is joy, excitement, or anticipation, but it is a feeling that stays with you after finishing a reading session. It makes it difficult to fall asleep and distracts you from other tasks if you read during the day. It's not tangible, but it is there all the same.

A FORGERY OF FATE by Elizabeth Lim met all of these criteria and had me doing what I haven't done in a long time, which is read well past my normal bedtime. It wasn't a conscious decision. I literally lost track of time while reading it. I love it when that happens!

Ms. Lim talks about her inspiration for A FORGERY OF FATE being the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, and yes, there are the generic similarities to call it a retelling. However, I never felt like I was reading a retelling of that classic tale. The mystical world of Ai'long and even the crowded city of Gangsun are as different from medieval France as you can get. Truyan Saigas is no victim, and she certainly holds her own in any situation. She is no damsel in distress and finds herself in the role of protector. As for Alung, he is less beast than some heroes and more focused on protecting his people than wooing the girl.

A FORGERY OF FATE is a magical story. I don't say that because it contains magic, which it does. I say that because it is the type of novel that makes you feel young again. It reminds you of what it feels like to fall in love the first time, especially if you don't expect it. You feel all the hope and possibility of youth. If you are young and reading it, I imagine it gives you the motivation you need to keep hoping and believing in all the possibilities ahead of you. When the real world feels like it is burning down around you, A FORGERY OF FATE is a welcome respite, one that gives you a little extra zest for life to allow you to face that real world again as well as the strength to keep on trying to make it a better place.

I loved this book! I sped through Elizabeth Lim's other books that take place in this world, but it is not necessary to read them first, though I would recommend it if you have the time.

Fake dating/marriage is such a fun trope, and I really liked it in this book. Elang is probably one of my favorite love interests now. I almost cried at two different parts, and I am not normally a crier. I highly recommend this book!

I really love the idea of behind this story and was so excited to read it. The magic and the world was so interesting! Unfortunately I had to DNF at the 40% mark because the writing wasn't enjoyable to me. The characters also felt a bit 2D and a bit cheesy even.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this early!

There’s something about fated ones that reunite after years apart and a slight case of amnesia that just gets to me for some reason. Matched with a Beauty and the Beast like tale and it’s bound to be a new favorite of mine; this book hit all of those points and more and I couldn’t be happier with how it ended. 🥰

The story follows Truyan, a young woman who has resorted to art forgery in order to keep her family off the streets. I liked how spunky she was and loyal she was to her family even though they drove her up the wall at times. I especially liked the sisterly bond she had with her middle sister, Falina, who might not see eye to eye all the time, but still remained loving towards each other no matter what. 🫂

Tru’s interactions with Elang, the Dragon Prince and main love interest were something of a giggle fest for me here and there because the reader can tell that Elang is clearly struggling. While yes it was a little frustrating that they were back and forth in terms of friendship/warmness to each other, I still liked how riled up Tru would get around Elang. 😂

My only “issue” with this would have to be that we didn’t have more time in the world. I would’ve liked more time in Gangsun and Yonsar and how Tru’s family would interact with these differing worlds. I guess that’s the downside of most standalones even when they are done very well. 🥲

HUGE thank you goes out to Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review; and to the author, Lim, for writing such a wonderful sea set Beauty and the Beast tale full of Chinese folklore tales. ❤️

Publication date: June 3, so go take a look at it now!!

Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️

This was my first Elizabeth Lim book and actually my first Chinese mythology inspired fantasy, and I really liked it! A Forgery of Fate is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a marriage of convenience and a slow burn romance with dragons and a variety of other magical undersea creatures. I really liked Tru as a main character - she was quirky and strong and brave and had so much love for her family (and Elang). And I felt like the author was good with her descriptions - I could see the settings vividly in my mind.

There were a couple things I didn’t care for. 1) There are talking turtles and that was hard for me to imagine without them seeming very cartoon-y. 2) The slow burn was SO slow, and while I understand why Elang pushed Tru away from him for so long, I wished he wasn’t so mean and rude to her🫠 3) There is a “water demon” character, and there was discussion about demons being misunderstood and not as evil as everyone thinks they are. As a Christian who believes that demons are indeed real and are, in fact, evil, I didn’t love that thread.

So while there were a few things I didn’t like, I did enjoy the story overall and am interested in checking out what else Elizabeth Lin has written!🐉

Content Notes: No spice (beyond kissing). Little to no language. One prominent side character is described as a demon. The main character engages in an activity that allows her to see the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for sending me an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.

A very unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed the underwater setting. There were so many twists in this book with a forced marriage and a dangerous world to navigate. This book will definitely appeal to a variety of readers. It will definitely be part of my library. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Artistic premonitions, dragons, marriage contract and mystery? Yes, please!

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim is a standalone that takes place in the same world as her previous novel, Six Crimson Cranes and is gripping from the start.

This story really keeps you on your toes. There’s so much happening and it’s at such a great pace, there’s random pockets to breath before diving back in. Loved it! It had great dialogue and was an emotional roller coaster.

The emotions that emanated from these pages were fantastic. The way pain and grief were written so beautifully took me to another level. I don’t cry much from books, but this one got some tears out of me. Amazon writing!

I also enjoyed the family dynamics within as well as the blend of cultures/practices. This was set up so clearly and allowed for conflicts to possibly be foreshadowed. The fact that Mama and Baba were so opposite in perspectives on how their daughters should be, it influenced each of them to go on their own journeys. Things like having a patriarchy but abiding it yet defying it to be their own person was interesting. I’m always for a go against the grain and be your own person type of story. There were also sibling rivalries, which is always fun!

Additionally, I liked the various magical aspects as they opened the story to more. Lastly, I enjoyed the way societal norms were portrayed in the story. Again, great writing and I can’t wait for the next.

I’d highly recommend this to readers 15 and up. If you love fantasy, magical creatures, dealing with family, society, and growing into yourself then this is for you.

Check out the Six Crimson Cranes series and The Blood of Stars series by Elizabeth Lim.

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of A Forgery of Fate from Elizabeth Lim via NetGalley

Truyan Saigas had to support her mother and two younger sisters after her father was lost at sea. Tru can paint the future and is a gifted art forger, but she still has trouble paying off gangsters demanding payment for her mother’s gambling debts. She agrees to marry a mysterious dragon lord in exchange for a fresh start for her mother and sisters and answers about her father's disappearance. Now she must join him in his desolate undersea palace and assist in his plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle. She must do this by painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms.

Tru had turned to forgery to make ends meet, especially when her mother's fortune-telling took a turn for the worse. The dragon lord is cursed, a half-human and half-dragon without his pearl to fly. His grandfather, the Dragon King, had banished him so that he could not return without his fated bride, and Elang hopes to use her ability to trap the Dragon King. His palace fell into disrepair without him, his people were without a proper home, and the Dragon King grew ever more tyrannical. As Tru tries to learn how to paint the Dragon King's form properly, she finds herself growing closer to Elang, learning some of his secrets, and understanding more of the magic around her as well as her ability to paint the future.

I had trouble putting the book down. It's loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, with a healthy dose of Asian dragon lore. I adored the mix of legendary creatures in the story, and the message that hope and love can still make a difference even when it all seems lost. Elizabeth Lim is a gifted storyteller, and Tran Nguyen's art for the cover is perfect.

This was seriously so good.
When I heard this was a Chinese mythology version of Beauty and the Beast, but make it under the sea I was sold. I was not disappointed in the route Lim took with this either. The whole plot was very intricately woven and you could tell there was something bigger going on, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out what it was which was frustrating and amazing at the same time. I love that although we got to see and hear about other characters from previous books, this story didn't at all rely on those and stands on its own with no issue.

I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, this world, and this love story. This beautiful, descriptive, underwater retelling of sorts of Beauty and the Beast, with dragons, and sprinkled with just the right amount of spice. Elizabeth Lim's writing style was perfect for bringing this world to life; it was vivid, with a fantastic cast of characters and a magic system that I loved. I could appreciate the time Ms. Lim took in unfolding the story of Elang and Tru. The attention paid to explaining why each character was the way they were and understanding what shifted that caused the attraction. The attention to detail and the little Easter eggs placed throughout the story were perfect.

The world-building is impressive, the enemies-to-lovers storyline is well written, and the magic system is beautiful. Let's not forget the stunning cover art and appropriate title. This book was a good time!

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers, and Elizabeth Lim for the ARC of this imaginative book.

This hit hard, like all your favorite Disney princess tales combined, but better! It's definitely it's own original tale but gives you nostalgia for that same sort of magic.

World building was enchanting, even the side characters shined. I was so invested in the twists and preparing for heartbreak. It's one of those books that are "wish you could read again for the first time," but also will be fun to reread knowing the reveals. 🤐🤫

I could go on and on but really there's nothing of substance for me to add that won't be a spoiler so just read it. It's amazing!

Thank you netgalley and Random House for the arc! I'm so excited to check out her other works. This is going on my favorites for sure!

Thank you NetGalley, Elizabeth Lim, and Knopf Books for Young Readers for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun and unique read! This is perfect for people that love Studio Ghibli films. I read Elizabeth Lim’s Six Crimson Cranes awhile back and was excited to see something else pop up by her! I feel like she is an atmospheric writer (which I know generally refers to a “gothic” atmosphere- but her books just give that same feeling to me even if it’s not a “gothic” atmosphere). The writing is vivid and so fun to picture in my head. I only knocked of a star because I feel like the book was just a bit longer than needed. The book could have cut 50-100 pages and not lost any plot or character development.

Thank you for the arc

Elizabeth Lim delivers another magical tale filled with art and dragons all based off of Beauty and the Beast. I am a sucker for a good retelling and Lim has delivered in the past with Six Crimson Cranes and as such I was excited to pick this up.

It was wonderful to sink back into this familiar and new magical world. I very much so enjoyed the magic system and the use of folklore. The main plot was whimsical and steeped in political tension that I enjoyed. I did wish for a bit more in regards to the main villain take down especially since there were apparently other players involved in it that we didn't get to see

Overall, it was an enjoyable read that I will be excited to recommend to patrons.

This book was sooooo good!!! I absolutely loved every piece of this fantastic story! I’d recommend this is anyone really wanting to read a romance that’s a bit YA but every bit of mature!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a first read of this book.

This book is a moving retelling of retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The characters are all amazing and the story is extremely emotional.

Tru and Elang work beautifully together. You will fall in love with them both.

It is a must read.

Five stars.

After her father’s trade ship is lost at sea, Truyan's happy life is turned upside down. Five years later Tru, her two younger sisters, and mother are barely making ends meet. Tru has turned to art forgery to balance her mother’s gambling debt and to support her sisters. But her mom’s most recent relapse has detrimental consequences. Tru has no choice but to explore the possible magic underscoring her painting talent and strike a deal with the demon prince. This leads her to the undersea and into a realm completely foreign and deadly. Will she be able to save her family and make them whole again?

This was a great read. Tru is an interesting character who is likeable and has a unique talent with her painting that drives the story thread. There is a light fantastical and magical quality to the story as it’s really driven more by the relationship between Tru and the demon prince. Light romance, bright characters and the strength of family drive this novel. Easy to pick up and read. 5 stars.

Based on a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by Random House Children’s, Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!

I thought this was a super cute story. I got drawn into the world and when demons came up I thought it would be a turn off for me but these read like any other creature in the world, not monsters, which was interesting. The ending was looking like it would disappoint me but.....I did get my HEA 🤭

This is my first book by Elizabeth Lim, and I really enjoyed it! I felt like there were some tropes that weren't my favorite, but overall things flowed well, and made more sense due to characterization and the story than in others where the tropes feel more forced in and kind of brushed over. Overall it was a fun read, and I'll definitely be recommending it to patrons!

I am a massive fan of Elizabeth Lim's work, and this addition to her world did not disappoint. Fans of The Apothecary Diaries anime/manga & Beauty and the Beast will absolutely adore this story: wonderful world-building and callbacks to the original fairytale.