A Forgery of Fate was one of the best books I've read this month. It is so beautifully written. I absolutely adored Tru and Elang. Tru is such a fun character with depth and very high family values. I absolutely adored her relationship with her family.

Elang is such a lost boy and has sacrificed a lot. I'm glad Tru and him found each other and they get their HEA in the end. I wish this could've been a series so we could see more of them but it works immensely well as a stand alone too.
I absolutely adored the side characters as well. Mailoh and Shane were my personal favourites.

This is my first Elizabeth Lim novel and its safe to say I shall be reading more of her books now that I've fallen in love with her writing.

A Forgery of Fate is a fantastic read. I truly enjoyed this complex tail about a young forget drawn into a mystical world of dragons all to help find her long missing father who was lost at sea. The is an indignation but exuberant art forger who’s talent was fostered to help her grow into a great talent. When a mysterious Demon lord asks Tru to fake a marriage to overthrow his grandfather in return he will help her find her father who is promoted to have been in the dragon realm. The story is well paced and well written with a uniquely powerful story and world building. I found myself rooting for them at every turn. Definitely a great read.

Favorite quote(s):

"I wouldn't go that far. There's the three chests of jewels too. But you're not what I thought, Lord Elang. You may have no heart, but you aren't without feeling."

- the YEARNING! the SLOW BURN! A+++++
- family forward story
- badass FMC with quiet strength
- lyrical prose and whimsy for days!
- Adventure and high stakes
- He makes her POCKETS for her dress!

Review:

This book was so beautiful! The writing was detailed and descriptive. I could visualize the characters, the world, and how they all came together. I loved Tru so much. She was very family-oriented and just wanted to take care of them. Her sisters were each different, and I got so many laughs from them throughout the book. I loved that her mother told fortunes; it was entertaining. There were various characters I adored, like Mailoh, and I even grew to love Shani. Elang was a complicated character. His story was so sad. He had a kind soul, though. He was generous and sweet, even when he tried to hide it. I loved the first meeting between Tru and Elang and how their story grew from that moment. They were so great together! I loved the mythology and folklore mixed with this story. Elang, being half dragon, was fascinating, and I loved it so much. I hated the dragon king, Elang’s grandfather, so much. He was cruel, and I thought what happened to him was fitting. This book took me on an incredible adventure full of love, family, trust, heartache, and even danger. I also can't forget all the banter and a fake marriage to top it all off. I wanted to know more about Elang’s past, but I enjoyed what the author showed. This was an incredible story, and I loved every moment and cannot wait for what Elizabeth writes next!

this book made my heart grow three sizes. A FORGERY OF FATE tells the story of Truyan, a talented art forger, and the deal she makes with a dragon lord to find father, who has been lost for five years. inspired by Beauty & the Beast and other tales, this story is exactly what a fairytale should be—mystical, magical, and brimming with love that overcomes all obstacles. I absolutely adored this new fantasy by Elizabeth Lim. it was a wonderful tapestry of folklore weaved together with unique characters and twists on old tales. I loved both Tru and Elang. the characters in the novel are so unique and intriguing, while also being so incredibly lovely (most of the time). one of the must-read fantasy novels of the year.

Tru Saigas is an art forger trying to make ends meet and support her family. Unfortunately for Tru, her mother got in over her head with gambling debts and they must scramble to get enough money or Tru's sisters will be taken. What does one do when one is in this situation and a master art forger? Paint! This starts Tru's journey with a marriage of convenience with Elang, a half dragon/half human man that wants to break the curse of the Dragon King.

Tru is taken undersea to A’landi, hopeful that she will break the curse as well as find her missing father. Elang starts off by being standoffish, but he starts to thaw as the story progresses, and my heart was warmed by their relationship blooming. Will they be able to defeat the Dragon King in time? This is a race against the clock, and I loved every second of it.

A Forgery of Fate is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. ELim is a master at weaving a story you are enchanted with. I loved everything about this book, the plot is fantastic, the characters are complex and just well done. If you are a fan of Young Adult Fantasy, you need to give this book a try.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers, and Elizabeth Lim for the opportunity to read A Forgery of Fate in exchange for an honest review.

All of Elizabeth Lim's books are amazing, and A Forgery of Fate goes beyond expectations! I love how all of Lim's books have some crossover, as they are within the same universe of Legends of Lor'yan. It's always fun to see characters from her other novels making appearances, and of course finding other little universe Easter eggs here and there.

This novel is an incredible stand-alone following Truyan Saigas, whose father is a foreign adventurer, and she inherits his blue hair as it presents in her teen years, causing some discrimination against her and her family. After Tru's father is lost at sea, she takes it upon herself to care for her mother and two sisters. Tru has visions through painting, the brush seemingly having a mind of its own. Through forging paintings for the last five years, Tru is able to work with con man Gaari to sell forged paintings for a nice profit. When her mother gets too far in debt with gambling, no painting will cover the cost, so Tru must take a different approach. Aiming to sell to a governor, Tru ends up in the yard of the Demon Prince, where she is miraculously able to cover the debts of her family...for the price of a contract with Prince Elang.

Tru is wrapped into a fake marriage with the half-dragon half-human exiled Prince Elang. Together, True works with Elang to use her painting skills to overthrow the Dragon King, save her father, and break the dragon's curse. She just has to pretend to be Elang's Heavenly Match so they have access to the Dragon realm of Ai'long. Elang is a bit of a jerk, so faking might be harder than expected...

Like her other novels, this book is extremely well-crafted, and Lim has a unique talent with her storytelling craft. While some aspects are predictable, they are nonetheless exciting, and even at times, heart-wrenching. The novel takes Asian folklore and blends it with a twist on "The Magic Paintbrush" fairy tale. The characters are well-written, goal-oriented, and make for a dynamic exploration of the story.

Whether you have read a book by Elizabeth Lim before or not, this is an excellent novel for fantasy and mythology fans. Returning readers will love everything about this book, especially the references to her other stories. New Readers to the Legends or Lor'yan  universe will find themselves in an immersive world excited for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc.

Ok. Hold the presses. This was everything I wanted in a fantasy. It had a strong and cunning FMC and a rich world and a dashing MMC with SPECTACLES. There were noodles and paintings and MERFOLK and TURTLES. I ate this up, wiped my lips very daintily and am asking for MORE. Because that ending?! How dare!

In all honesty, I’m a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings and this gave me all the romance without the semi-ick factor of the captor/captive aspect. I was kicking my feet and feeling the feels.

Truyan is an art forger and she is tasked with creating an art piece to help Elang break his curse. Any more than that would be spoilery.

I could easily handle a sequel to this one. More in this land. More merfolk. More of Nomi and Falina.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc! What an absolutely phenomenal book. The descriptions allure you into the world and the characters are so endearing. The descriptions are so funnily accurate to real life as well. The mother can be annoying, but you can't help but endear yourself to her and love her. The sisters can be nuisances and a pest at times, but you love them with all your heart as well and want to help flourish their passions. Tru is such an endearing and strong female protagonist. She is strong-willed, intelligent, artistic, and witty. Such an incredible person to center the book's pov around. Similarly, Elang is such a tragic yet perfect love interest. He is also witty, endearing, and mysterious. The setting is also very well done, as the chinese inspiration makes the story elegant and whimsical.

A slow start but once the main story hits, it hits.

Loosely based on Beauty & the Beast but with more dragons, A Forgery of Fate follows Tru as she fights to save her family and find her father. Entering into a marriage of convenience with the Demon Prince, she soon finds herself wrapped up in a plot to take down the Dragon King. Her prophetic ability and artistic talents make her an equal in the battle and not just a princess to be saved.

I devoured the last third of the book because I needed to know what happened next. While many twists are expected if you know the base story, you still have the same yearning to see it revealed and to know how characters will react.

Such a beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The twists and turns of the story unfolding in a world we were introduced to in Six Crimson Cranes was wonderful. It’s not a sequel or even part of the same series just set in the same universe. I love when authors do this! It makes it fun to return to a world but not worry about which order you read the books in.

The intrigue of the task at hand was exciting enough when needed but the simmering love story was what kept me going.

I loved reading the beautiful prose that Elizabeth Lim is known for. She has such a was with descriptions and words and they captive me.

A Forgery of Fate takes familiar elements from Beauty and the Beast and reimagines them in a magical world with dragons!
This book really pulled me in from the beginning, thanks to Tru’s compelling narration and a story that kept a steady, engaging pace. The slow-burn dynamic between Tru and Elang was a highlight for me, and their evolving connection felt genuine and heartfelt. The supporting characters were all memorable too, each adding something special to the journey. While I would’ve loved a bit more depth to the world-building and a fuller picture of Elang’s background, the story still delivered an emotional and enchanting YA fantasy experience I couldn’t stop reading.

This book was so enchanting and whimsical that I didn't want it to end! I loved the dynamic of the FMC with her sister's and mother. I think this book is good for fans of ACOTAR and the drama "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God". I have to say, I was not expecting to cry as hard as I did when I got to chapter 45. All I can say is, you have been warned.

The most magical story I've read in awhile. It completely swept me away—with its heartfelt yearning, lush atmosphere, and tender focus on family. It builds beautifully on the magic of the Beauty and the Beast tale, bringing a warm wave of nostalgia while carving out a fresh and enchanting identity for itself. Though I have a few gripes with some of the choices, the love story pulled on every thread of my heart. I would absolutely recommend it. Such a whimsical story with a wonderful sense of adventure.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for sending this eARC!! 4.5 / 5.0 ⭐️

I honestly missed entirely that this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I went into this book completely blind, only knowing that I had previously read Six Crimson Cranes. I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable. The world building was some of the hardest to grasp. It always felt like I almost could envision it, but then it slipped away. It's possible that is because of the underwater setting. At times the characters had chemistry, but then others it felt forced. While I liked it, I probably won't reread it.

This book is an enchanting read that I truly enjoyed. Initially, I was concerned that the story might fall into common tropes found in romantic fantasy, but to my surprise, it offered much more “depth.” Elizabeth Lim crafts a stunning world with her writing.

Tru is a painter gifted with a unique ability to depict the future. She utilizes her talent to create paintings that help support her family, especially when her mother faces gambling debts. Her journey leads her to a mysterious Dragon Lord who presents her with an irresistible offer: marriage…. and a chance to overthrow the Dragon King who may know where her missing father is.

The pacing was excellent; although it had a slow burn, it was definitely worth the wait. Each character was wonderfully developed and quite likable—except for the mother, who drove me a bit crazy! Tru is a strong female protagonist, and her romance with Elang is filled with just the right amount of longing and pining, leaving me eager for more.

Overall, this was a delightful YA fantasy that I couldn't put down.

Thank you to Random House Children’s | Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review

“Do you know why butterflies fly in pairs, Tru?” “Because they are in love”

Summary:
Tru, a daughter of a con artist fortune teller, forges her fate in paintings. Except her ability is no con, but a vision of her future, a gift that would lure dragons across vast seas. As destiny would have it, she stumbles upon a cursed dragon lord. He lays before her a tempting offer: riches, sanctuary for her family, and a clean slate, all in exchange for a marriage pact and a painting capable of unraveling the Dragon King. What did she have to lose?

Themes to expect:
-Beauty and the Beast Romance
-Broody grumpy MMC with hot and cold tendencies
-MMC fell first
-FMC strong moral code, innocent, reckless, doesn’t listen
-Dragons!!!!!!!!!!
-cute insta-love; true fated love
-family as character motivation
-undertones of racism

Overall thoughts:
I liked it. If, like me, you wished for more of the dragon realm in The Dragon’s Promise, this book delivers and I would highly recommend you read this for that reason. While the MMC isn’t Seryu, he shares many similar qualities.
Though romance-heavy, this story ties in just enough of the underwater dragon realm, Asian folklore, and lots of high stakes that kept me engaged. The plot is simple and straightforward, the foreshadowing somewhat predicable, but overall, a very bingeable read. The author, much like with Six Crimson Cranes, excels at crafting charming insta-love without the cringe eye-roll factor. The central couple share a lot of cute moments and I love their first interaction. The dynamic with her irresponsible, gambling parent, Tru’s artistic talent, the descriptions of her sisters, along with the Beauty and the Beast romance, gave me slight A Court of Thorns and Roses vibes.

Likes:
Honestly, this story was utterly sweet and endearing, a testament to the incredible strength that true love provides when fighting for those you hold dear. It's a genuinely wholesome and uplifting read, the perfect book to curl up with if you love the heartwarming charm of a Hallmark film.

Dislikes:
My main reservation with this book was its straightforward and predictable plot. While it offered a fun escape perfect for a single read when I'm seeking something purely happy and lighthearted, it lacks the depth for a reread. Additionally, the use of the specific romance tropes and character archetypes (as mentioned previously under themes) doesn't typically appeal to my preferences.
The FMC's portrayal as someone consistently dependent on others, disregarding warnings and impulsively walking into danger that necessitates her own rescue, was a significant drawback for me. Furthermore, the depiction of the mother, who in the beginning repeatedly prioritizes her own needs over her daughters' well-being, forcing the FMC into a parental role with no apparent consequences, echoed my feelings about the stepmother in Six Crimson Cranes.
The world-building also felt underdeveloped in certain areas. The FMC's Balardan heritage, despite the "barbarian" label and intriguing tidbits (blue hair, artistic inclinations, numbered years), lacked substantial exploration. More context and background on this culture would have been appreciated. Finally, the resolution of the ending left me somewhat confused regarding its plausibility.

Thank you so much Net Galley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the eARC and the opportunity to share what I think. All opinions are my own. Expected publication day is June 3, 2025.

4.5 stars

This book was a magical little stunner. A Forgery of Fate paints a story (literally) that feels like a fairy tale dipped in fate, inked with longing, and bound in secrets. Elizabeth Lim’s writing is lush without ever dragging, and the magic system? Chef’s kiss. Think Beauty and the Beast meets The Picture of Dorian Gray, but with more agency, more grit, and a heroine who’s not afraid to risk it all.

Was it perfect? Nah—some threads could’ve been pulled tighter, and I wanted just a smidge more depth from the love interest. But did it keep me hooked, swooning, and scheming about what I’d paint if I had that power? Hell yes.

Highly recommend for my fellow romantasy lovers who want a fast-paced, gorgeously written escape with heart, stakes, and a little danger on the side.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 - 4.5/5


A Forgery of Fate is a beautifully whimsical reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. It is a fairytale full of charm and lyrical prose. Truyan (Belle) 🥀 is a talented painter, while Elang (The Beast)👹 is a brooding and mysterious half-dragon prince. 🎨 🐉 The story swept me away into its underwater world 🌊 with mermaids, jellyfish, turtles, immortals, and other whimsical sea creatures. 🪼🐢

The plot was compelling and interesting. We have a high-stakes mission to challenge the Dragon King, a romance bound by curses and conditions, and Truyan’s journey to find her father that kept me entertained throughout. 🐲🧜🏼‍♂️

The writing is very immersive, with great world building and some scenes having a dream-like quality to them. I enjoyed the animal characters such as the mischievous demon sidekick 👿 and the jolly turtle companion. I also enjoyed how other fairytales, such as The Little Mermaid, were woven into the story. 🧜‍♀️


If you love a lyrical fantasy with a rich world full of whimsy, then you will enjoy A Forgery Of Fate.🌹

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I love love love love everything by Elizabeth Lim, but I really think she shines with her standalones. A Forgery of Fate was so scintillating, special, and whimsical.

I think I might be obsessed with Elizabeth Lim's worlds now •ᴗ•♡

⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 & 𝔀𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 ⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅

This was my first book by Elizabeth Lim and I immediately dove into Six Crimson Cranes, also set in the same world once I finished A Forgery of Fate. Lim has a way of weaving magical, whimsical, and lively worlds that truly feel lived in by its characters. I could practically smell the old fish canals behind Tru's home and feel the cold, desolate waters of Yonsar seep into my bones with each page I turned.

There were several instances in which small things/moments would be described without a preceding description, leading to brief confusion. Those took me out of the otherwise immersive world and rich story.

⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 & 𝓇𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅𝓈 ⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅

Elizabeth Lim is a master of writing strong female leads who are feminine and soft. In Truyan, I see a vastly better version of who I should strive to be. Despite the unfair hardships that life threw at her, Truyan held no resentment towards the powers that be and continued to be selfless, putting her loved ones’ safety and well-being above her own needs. I loved her strength of character. I especially loved reading about her tender relationships with her younger sisters - thoroughly dedicated to each other no matter how much they bickered and squabbled.

Elang felt bland to me. I found his behavior to simply be cold and distant, rather than “beastly” as I was expecting. I also strongly disliked the Gaari reveal. It made a wholesome friendship super weird for me. I would have preferred if Elang had chosen to disguise himself as a boy similar in age to Tru, instead of an old man whom she considered a mentor. It felt as if Elang's purpose was to move Tru's story along, rather than being "her other half."

The author advertised this as a “too bad they can’t stand each other” trope and that this is her most romantic story to date, but the writing struggled to convey that. The majority of the relationship between Truyan and Elang was essentially mild apathy and irritation for each other before a very sudden jump to a dramatic self-sacrificing love towards the end. However, Elang’s memories were written so beautifully and tragically that I could not help but root for their happy ending. I do wish we got more memories of Elang visiting Tru over the years and slowly falling in love with her while wearing various faces, as their first encounter is one of my favorite scenes in the entire book. Reading that part after Elang had died just destroyed me.

Overall, I absolutely adored this book and am even more excited for my Fairyloot pre-order to arrive! 𓆉

Thank you to Random House Children's | Knopf Books for Young Readers for the eARC via NetGalley! ⋅˚₊‧ ଳ ‧₊˚ ⋅