Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Ms. Lim for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Beauty and the Beast? plus The Magic Paintbrush? and throw in dragons? and written by Elizabeth Lim?

Honestly I don't know if there is any result of the combination of those elements that I would not have LOVED with my whole heart.

Happily I am here to share that I love, love, loved Truyan Saigas and her intrepid, fierce, creative, spicy-noodle-loving heart. If possible I loved it even more than the Six Crimson Cranes duology. Tru is the exact sort of FMC I like best: feisty but intelligent. She doesn't run her mouth just for the sake of bravado. She listens to others, she knows her own strengths, and she thinks things through. Not that I didn't love Elangui and Shani and Mailoh too, not to mention Tru's sisters, but Tru is just SUCH a good character. I also really loved the setting; Ai'long was so beautifully described and I loved imagining it. For some reason I kept picturing bleak, desolate Yonsar as the bottom of the ocean that you can see in pictures of the Titanic: empty, barren, grey, cold. No idea if that's what the author had in mind but it stuck with me.

I loved this, wholeheartedly. Even that ending. (I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!). I don't want to spoil even a second of the magic so I'm not going to describe any of the plot. Just read it!

🐉A Forgery of Fate🐉

I quite enjoyed Elizabeth Lim’s Six Crimson Cranes duology so I was thrilled to get an opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of her latest, A Forgery of Fate. This Beauty and the Beast inspired YA fantasy with an underwater/dragon-y twist definitely sounded up my alley! If you’re interested in the blurb, please swipe!

I absolutely loved the world building in A Forgery of Fate. An underwater palace with dragons, turtles and mermaids? Yes please! I really could clearly picture it as a read which really enhanced the story. I also found Tru’s power to paint the future absolutely enchanting! I’ve read a few books lately with artistic-y plots and I am here for it. The story was really well paced and I enjoyed the various twists and turns along the way.

Tru was such a great main character. Her strength and determination remains a constant though she's met with her fair share of challenges. Elang was also really interesting, of course I’m going to find a half-dragon fascinating! While he comes off as cruel and heartless, the reader cannot help but wonder what he is hiding behind that facade. While A Forgery of Fate is considered a romantic fantasy, I found it to be quite light on the romance. For me, it was the perfect amount so that it didn’t take away from the overall plot which is my preference.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Forgery of Fate and look forward to picking up more of Elizabeth Lim’s work!

A big thank you to @knopfyoungreaders & @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! A Forgery of Fate is available now!

⭐4/5 stars⭐

What a stunning story. The merging of such beloved fairy tales is perfection and fits together so perfectly that the readers are taken on such a beautiful journey. Tru character leaps off the pages and her journey to find her father and save her sisters is such a wild ride. Merge in dragons and magic and you have the perfect storm for an inspiring book. I can’t wait to get this into readers hands.
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read such a superb book.

From the moment I read Elizabeth Lim’s Letter to Readers and saw that A Forgery of Fate was inspired by Beauty and the Beast…with touches of The Little Mermaid and Rumpelstiltskin…I was sold! Those are my absolute favorite fairy tales, and Lim blended them beautifully with rich elements of Chinese folklore to create something truly magical.

The world-building is lush and vivid, filled with the kind of detail that pulls you in completely. The characters are layered and compelling, and the relationship between Tru and Elang was so sweet and rewarding to watch unfold. Their emotional journey added real heart to the story.

I loved this book so much! It was a stunning, lyrical tale that felt both fresh and timeless. And I have to say…the cover art is absolutely breathtaking.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, my first Elizabeth Lim book and I was blown away. A beauty and the beast retelling I didn’t know I needed. I’m truly in awe of the storytelling and the slow burn romance was chef’s kiss. I’m now a fan and can’t wait to dive into her other stories :)

I absolutely love elizabeth lim, and this book was no exception
she always writes the most amazing characters, creates such exceptional worlds and settings, and has beautiful writing.
i also love any book with asian influence

If Elizabeth Lim has no fans, the Dragon King has turned me to stone. It's no secret I am obsessed with the Six Crimson Cranes duology and prequel. I was beyond excited to get my hands on this ARC. Lim has a way of perfectly blending fairytale and folklore. Her stories, worlds, and characters are developed so fully. I felt every emotion and was gripped the entire time. It was fun to visit the SCC world but from an entirely different angle.

Must read for everyone please and thank you!

4.5 ⭐

ELIZABETH LIM THE AUTHOR THAT YOU ARE 💖

a forgery of fate was a masterclass on how to write a retelling, how to write slow burn, how to infuse a story with magic and whimsy along hardship and grief and love, so much love - familial, romantic, that born of loyalty. i actually did not know that this book was going to be part of the six crimson cranes universe so i didn't get to read it and its sequel before getting into it, but as elizabeth lim themselves writes in the author's note, it is absolutely not a requirement and the story can 100% function as a standalone, bar the details and callbacks that fore sure flew over my head (even though considering how much i loved this one i'm gonna FLY to read the rest of this universe).

the writing is MWUAH chef's kiss! it's so fairytale-esque, so steeped in mythology that every action, every twist of the plot is like listening to a grandmother telling you a story, with the addendum of snarky, badass and geuinely super funny tru. i loved her so much as a protagonist, especially in a beauty and the beast retelling where there is so much opportunity for her to banter with our mmc - elang. and oh boy did that man slash dragon make me want to strangle him and also fall in love with him all at the same time. the romance is a true slow burn, which is my fave when it comes to fantasy, and the touches??? the glances??? i was slowly going insane. also, as i've heard for other books by this author, the food descriptions are glorious and i have such a craving for noodles now!

the only downside for me was how slow the plot was, especially for the first 60% percent-ish of the book. it's the unfortunate other side of the coin for that fairytale feeling i was talking about before, as everything is so luscious, so beautiful and threatening, that the action is a little stilted, and maybe i could have done with a little less pages, making the story better paced. now is it absolutely worth reading?? YES. it comes out today so go read it!!!! (also that cover? GORGINA)

thank you to netgalley and random house publishing for the arc!

Elizabeth Lim's new Romantasy book puts a twist on Beauty and the Beast, where the Beast is a dragon.

The book started off on a slow pace, with Truyan's father setting sail on a voyage to take discovered treasure in the North to the capital. while saving the lives of his crew, his own was lost at sea. Tru's mother turned to gambling once her fortune telling business dried up, losing so much the Madame was going to take Falina, Tru's sister. Tru tried to keep her family afloat by forging paintings in similar styles of artists' existing work to save her family. Tru realizes she can paint the future. While trying to sell a dragon painting of her own design, Tru is chased by the Madame's men, leading her to the Deamon Prince, Elang's place, where he gives her the ring from her vision to pay off her mother's debts. in exchange for this he will name his price once they meet again.

The bargain: To help Elang break his exile so I may return to Ai’long. To do so, Elang must "fall in love with a human—and bring my bride with me to Ai’long.”

I really loved the dynamic of the sisters protecting each other despite their Mom's abuse and neglect. athe chemistry between Elang and Tru is the chef's kiss.

I am excited to continue to read this duology in book 2.

I received an ARC from Netgalley but all thoughts are my own.

If there's one thing to know about me, it's that I loved Six Crimson Cranes when it released and I didn't think a book centered on Chinese folklore and fantasy could top it and I stand corrected.

Elizabeth Lim has outdone herself with A Forgery of Fate. The world she describes is lush and beautiful, while also cruel and unforgiving. She also blends western and Chinese folktales with such ease. I loved the elements we see of Beauty and the Beast mixed with The Magic Paintbrush and other tales. This book is a masterpiece and a testament to how prolific Lim is as a writer.

The love story that is the heartstring of this novel was also so beautiful. It is full of twists and turns and misdirections (some heartbreak too) but the ending had me sobbing last night. To be honest, I'm tearing up right now as I think back on it.

Honestly, this is one of the best young adult fantasy novels I've read in ages and I implore you to read it. Which you can do today because A Forgery of Fate is out now!!

Thank you to Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim is the author's own retelling of Beauty and the Beast. This young adult romantic fantasy draws inspiration from Six of Crows, weaving a tale of love, deception, and high-stakes adventure in an East Asian-inspired world. Truyan Saigas is a young art forger with the extraordinary ability to paint visions of the future. After her father vanishes at sea, Tru is left to support her mother, a compulsive gambler, and her two younger sisters in the face of mounting debts and threats from ruthless gangsters.

Desperate to protect her family, Tru accepts a marriage contract with Elang'anmi, a mysterious half-human, half-dragon lord cursed by his grandfather, the tyrannical Dragon King. In exchange for a fresh start for her family and answers about her father’s disappearance, Tru must join Elang in his desolate undersea palace and create a painting so treasonous it could destabilize both mortal and immortal realms. The plot is layered with emotional stakes, particularly Tru’s devotion to her family and her struggle to reconcile her morally ambiguous actions with her desire for redemption.

The author's descriptions of the underwater palace and the fantastical realm of Lor’yan, a world she previously explored in Six Crimson Cranes, are vivid and evocative. The integration of Chinese folklore adds depth, with mythical creatures such as dragons, mermaids, talking turtles, dangerous sharks, demons, and divine hierarchies that feel both familiar and innovative. The intricate plot, involving divine politics and a treasonous scheme, is one of the novel’s strengths, but can occasionally feel overwhelming. The marriage-of-convenience trope, combined with enemies-to-lovers and “he falls first” dynamics, makes it particularly appealing to romantasy fans.

Tru is a standout protagonist—resourceful, clever, and deeply relatable. Her determination to protect her family, despite the personal cost, makes her a compelling heroine. Elang, the grumpy half-dragon lord, evolves from a brooding figure into a complex character whose silent devotion to Tru is both heart-wrenching and swoon-worthy. Tru’s ability to paint the future is a fresh and intriguing concept, seamlessly woven into the plot. This magical gift not only drives the narrative but also serves as a metaphor for Tru’s agency and creativity in shaping her destiny.

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

Elizabeth Lim never misses for me—and A Forgery of Fate is no exception. I really enjoyed this one, and while I might be a little biased because the main character is a painter, I do think this is one of her best works yet. It carries all the hallmarks of Lim’s writing: high-stakes adventure, vibrant mythology, near-death scrapes, and characters you can’t help but root for. What made this one stand out was that it managed to tell an expansive, layered story while still wrapping up satisfyingly in a standalone format. In fact, I think stretching this across multiple books might have diluted the strength of its core.

The world-building is lush and imaginative, with an underwater realm that felt otherworldly, though occasionally difficult to visualise in full. Still, the artistry of the setting complements Tru’s own magical abilities and creative perspective so well. I loved watching her navigate her growing powers and complex decisions while staying true to herself. The romance is thoughtful and touching, with moments that quietly shine rather than overwhelm the narrative.

That said, the ending felt just a bit too neat for me—I wouldn't have minded a touch more ambiguity or bittersweetness, especially considering the darker moments earlier in the story. But it still left me satisfied, which is rare for a standalone fantasy.

One small note: I was quite confused by the change in cover art style. The same artist has worked on Lim’s books before, but the shift in style here (reminiscent of those used on Wesley Chu’s books) felt a bit jarring, especially for readers familiar with the rest of this universe. It might be thematically linked to Tru’s artistic talent, but I do miss the visual continuity.

Overall, A Forgery of Fate was a beautifully crafted standalone with a lovely mix of romance, myth, and magic. I’ll always pick up whatever Elizabeth Lim writes—and this book only strengthened that loyalty.

This was such a fun read! I love Elizabeth Lim's use of different stories and tales to create this one. Retellings sometimes are a little too unoriginal and follow the same formula, but I'm glad to say it is not the case with this one. The main character Tru was fun to follow. I loved all the animal sidekicks a classic staple of an Elizabeth Lim novel. I also enjoyed the connections to her other books and refrences.

An art forger, an underwater world, mermaids, and DRAGONS? What more could you need? This Beauty and the Beast inspired tale combines with Chinese mythology to create a uniquely magical novel.

A Forgery of Fate follows Truyan who became a talented art forger to support her family after her father disappeared at sea. After gangsters come to collect her mother's gambling debts, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with the Demon(?) Lord.

My Thoughts:
Tru is a blue-haired, noodle lover aka an icon. Oh and she can paint the future. I loved getting to know Tru and watching her grow. I feel that both main characters had good character development. I did guess the reveal early on, but it didn't take away from the joy of finding clues. And the YEARNING! My gosh. Get you a man that can yearn.

Some of the animal side characters include turtles and stingrays. They are just as complex, if not more so, than the other humans! I love how Lim builds and describes her worlds! It adds an extra layer of magic to the book. If you enjoy the visuals of any Studio Ghibli movie, I think you would enjoy her worlds!

I was overjoyed to receive this ARC and it absolutely lived up to my expectations (and that beautiful artwork).

All her books have been delightful. Well written fairytale homage. The foods descriptions had me drooling…. The library in my city has her books marked as teen but they are absolutely good reads for an adult too who wants a gentle romance/fantasy. They don’t read like a teen book where the teen is very very teen.

“Who did this to you?”

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Release date:June 3rd
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:none
Age rating:13+

Thank you Netgalley and Elizabeth Lim for this arc! This book was a book in the best way possible. It felt like such a fairytale and definitely if perfect if you love Beauty and the Beast. The plot was so good and it kept my attention the whole time. The family aspect was really good, I love how Tru would do anything to keep her family safe. Tru was an amazing character, and I love her so so much. She felt so real, and she was so funny at times. Fun fact, this just so happens to be a marriage of convenience, which is one of the best tropes ever. I absolutely love Elang and he deserves the whole world. His character was so interesting to read about and I got so connected to him. Their relationship had me giggling and squeezing at 2am. The twists were good, and I just couldn’t put it down. The ending was perfect. I came so close to crying but I was in the car with my family so I had to force myself not to but let me tell you it was a struggle. I am so sad their story is over and wish there was five more books of just their everyday lives. I definitely recommend if you want a romantasy and if you loved Beauty and the Beast.

Where do i even begin to describe this book? Easily five stars, fulfilling everything I expected in more.
It very much gave beauty and the beast vibes, AND beat the stockholme allegations which is a HUGE win.
Be warned though, if you are a crier, you eill not be spared
I have always loved Lim’s flawless prose, something that has kept me a faithful reader, eagerly awaiting her next release.

But WOW
earlier in my reader comments i mentioned that i didn’t want this to become a duology like lots of her other books, simply because
I didn’t want to have to wait for a second book to come out.
But after finishing, i wish there was more.
More Tru, more Elang, more of Fal and Nomi, more of Casian and Mailoh and Shani. So much more.
If only a thousand other books like this existed, i would read them all.
My first truly 5 star ARC.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for proving me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

STUNNING! Just absolutely stunning. The twist and turns in this one are one of a kind and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for any romantasy lover wanting something unique!

I set aside A Forgery of Fate for later since I’d been having a hard time committing to reading lately, but I’m so glad I didn’t pass on it. I’ve never read Elizabeth Lim’s work before—even though a friend recommended Six Crimson Cranes—but it’s clear she has a real gift for elegantly weaving fairytales.

A Forgery of Fate follows Truyan Saigas, a gifted painter who has visions of the future; her art literally comes to life. She strikes a deal with a dragon lord, Elang, to help him on a deadly mission in exchange for help paying off her family’s debts—and possibly saving her father, if he’s still alive.

Tru is a strong, defiant protagonist (though her stubbornness sometimes feels a little misplaced). Elang feels darker, more serious, and calculating, but is never oppressive. Even though we mainly see him through Tru’s eyes, he never feels like a stock brooding male lead. He’s intelligent, composed, and deeply endearing, especially once we glimpse his memories. And honestly? He’s into flowers and tea. Anyone who is into flowers and tea has to have a gentle soul underneath.

The story is beautifully conceptualized, from Tru’s village to Elang’s vivid underwater world. The parallels to Beauty and the Beast—black roses, a beastly appearance, a curse broken by love—are clear but never feel derivative. It also gave me strong Howl’s Moving Castle vibes with the magical world-building, especially the turtle attendant and the army. Fans of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea will enjoy the fated connection between Tru and Elang.

My favorite characters were definitely from Elang’s world: the mystical turtle attendant, the snarky, rough-around-the-edges demon, and the merfolk queen. From Tru's side, the most endearing character was Nomi (I'd love to see a story with her), with her practical, yet curious side, and love for a good story and fireworks.

My only complaint was the somewhat jarring introduction, there was a lot to absorb early on between names (which are hard to swallow) and settings, which made the pacing feel a bit overwhelming. But once the focus shifts to the first meeting and the travel to the dragon kingdom, the story takes off, and the characters become easier to connect with. The romance is a well-done slow burn, full of tension and subtle development.

I especially loved how the mission was crafted—creative, emotional, and laced with riddles, curses, and meaningful details. Everything, from the flowers, spicy noodles, to the final revelations, ties together with care. This is where the story shone the most, in the small details.

A Forgery of Fate stands out for its whimsical charm, richly imagined world, and emotional storytelling. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves fairy tales, beautiful writing, immersive fantasy, and a romance with depth and spark.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Asian Literature, Romantasy, Dragons
Spice Level: Very low—no bedroom or bedroom adjacent scenes
Language: I actually don't remember one bit of profanity, so if I'm wrong, sorry about that.

A FORGERY OF FATE swept me into this new world where fate rules and one girl is trying to escape that fate.

I loved the nods to Beauty and the Beast—these are obvious enough to hang the story on but don't overwhelm the plot.

The new twists that I adored:

- Tru (the female protagonist) is an art forger! Yep, a low-scale criminal before she ever enters the "beast's" domain
- A dragon that is complex and too human for his own good
- A fae-like Asian world
- Tru's sisters and mothers are struggling and yet offer some comedic relief
- The disappearance of Tru's father
- Twists!
- This is a book I would actually give to a teen without worrying that it's too adult!!!

I highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.

Happy reading!