
Member Reviews

A FMC who can travel to the Afterlife and back.... yes please.
I adored this authors first book The Girl With No Reflection, so when I heard they had a second book out I knew I had to snap it up. This book did not fail to deliver, the FMC is a badass and is extremely likeable I was routing for her from the get go. We also have some romance with Lin - her childhood friend and Prince Essien who is her enemy as he punishes those with powers. I could not put this book down, the romance was interesting but we still have a main plot which I wont say much about as its better to experience it. I will say I was routing for Essien but Lin is the Morally Grey character we cannot help but be drawn too. The world building was fantastic, Chow really knows how to set a scene and make the story come alive. I sometimes have a hard time visualising fantasy worlds, but this felt easy to get into and I didn't want to escape. You might think you will know what will happen next, but Chow keeps you guessing and I love that. If you love Fantasy with dark elements and a bit of romance, this is for you.

This book is trying so very hard to make the enemies to lovers trope work, and I can’t help but sigh and pick up my eyes from where they rolled. Our main character is accustomed to running through the woods snaring small animals and collecting herbs, only to be captured and dragged before the prince. Apparently they do this every now and again, because no one in his court is surprised that she’s here, bleeding on the floor. It’s just a normal day in the castle.
She’s dying, bleeding everywhere, and he picks her up himself and carries her to a guest room to be treated. She escapes, he follows her, and now she’s feeling tingly in her lower bits because he’s touching her … this prince who has people tortured and held captive in his dungeons — and who are they? Probably her own people, seeing as how their two kingdoms are at odds. But no matter, they’re just set dressing. Leaving people in the dungeons, fine. Leaving the prince in the woods, nope. He has to be saved so she can keep getting squishy feelings in her knickers.
Jia feels more sympathy for an enemy soldier than for the people in the prince’s dungeons.
And then there are random questions … if the horse ghost didn’t come with its saddle and bridle, are ghosts naked? How do clothes come through? Are people wearing their burial clothes? Lin, her childhood sweetheart and best friend betrays her — or so she thinks — again and again. (I really hate the misunderstandings and lack of communication as plot devices) comes out of nowhere to save her again and again, like batman; also playing batman is her older sister who shows up out of nowhere to be evil for reasons, who then turns around to be a good guy because surprise!
There’s no foreshadowing, no set up, nothing. It’s just one twist after the other for no reason other than to be twisty. And it’s all so heavy handed I think I have a concussion from this book. At the end of course they’re in love, having had maybe one conversation in their entire lives. But he’s hot and a prince so that’s okay.
Honestly, there are people who will read this and enjoy it, and I’m glad for them But the writing, the pacing, the world building … all of it failed to keep me interested. I didn’t like the characters, I didn’t like the barrage of deus ex machinas that made me feel like the book didn’t respect me as a reader, and I’m just glad it’s over.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of For No Mortal Creature. Keshe Chow is a master at creating a hauntingly beautiful world that, despite mostly taking place in the afterlife, simply jumps off the page.
Unlike most people in her family, Jia Yi was born without magic. At least, that is what she thought. When she is out hunting one day, she is killed by a man patrolling for the Lancaster family (basically royalty in the next country over). Jia discovers that she can resurrect from the dead. This both seems like a gift and a curse when she is tasked by Essien Lancaster, a kindhearted prince, to find a sword in the deepest layer of the afterlife so that he may win favor with his family. It just so happens, this is the same sword her dead grandmother and dead ex-lover, Lin are also hunting.
For No Mortal Creature had me holding my breath for the later half of the novel. Chow's idea of layers of death is both comforting and terrifying. Jia traverses through layers of the after life and dies (again and again and again) in order to find this weapon. The last few chapters had me sobbing. Jia is a wonderfully flawed protagonist, but is fiercely loyal to those she loves. Theme of life, death, and sacrifice play heavily into this book. I just finished and cannot say enough good things about this novel. I loved the idea of "what can die can die again" and "what is dead can live again."
The ending messed me up a bit and I love how it is open for debate how it ends. Overall, this is going to be a delightfully atmospheric read when it comes out in October!

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was an explosive exploration of love, life, grief and death.
Overall I enjoyed it, the pacing was great, and the prose was very engaging.
I’ll have a more in depth review closer to the release date!

This was very well written and fast paced. It is, in my opinion, very difficult to do both. The world building was very unique and I could tell where this book had gotten some inspiration from Inceptioin. The idea of the novel, being able to ressucitate yourself, was something I had never seen before in a novel (if the main character can die and then bring themselves back) and I was most intrigued.

OBSSESED.
(4.5/5 stars)
For no Mortal Creatures was a gripping gothic take of some tried and true tropes. Love Triangle, Criminal Magic, and my first love is now a ghost.
I loved that this story hit the ground running with a gripping first chapter and doesn't slow down until the last page. This story jumps in with the main character Jia Yi and you discover and learn about her as she learns about herself.
I am also a sucker for slow burns (and princes and ghosty ex-loves) and this was top notch for the romance.
I also loved how the authors heritage went deep into the story line, with the culture showing through the characters. It was refreshing to not read an "americanized" romantic fantasy.

had the bestest of times reading this, the writing is SO GOOD AHHHHHHH
The story and the world building are exquisite, I never wanted to come out of the magical world 😭 I'm so hoping there's a book 2 coming out, not just for a soft cliffhanger but also coz I am not ready to leave this world yet!
Also the romaaaance! Technically a love triangle, but I know I'm rooting for the literal hurt/comfort couple 😭
Also also, this book features an MC with resurrection magic! Aka lots of death and life and traversing the afterlife, it's a wild and adventurous ride!
-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.
I enjoyed this one. It is fun and I liked the characters. I love the cover. The writing style was what got me at times. The story would sometimes feel a bit slow at times, but when it had a hold of me it really had me hooked. I think this is a pretty good book that many readers will love.

For No Mortal Creature - @keshewrites
I could not wait to read this after reading The Girl With No Reflection which was pure CRACK but life got so busy I didn't get round to starting this ARC until a week or so ago properly. Once I started though I could not put it down!
The book is so so well written (obviously, Keshe wrote it duh!) but not only was it well written but it had so much depth and you could tell that the author had researched and spent a LONG TIME (since 2021 to be exact) making it a perfect story. What gripped me the most was not only Jais character which I connected with from the get go, or Lin and his mysterious aura or Essiens charm, but what captivated me the most was the intricacy of the afterlife, the multiple layers and how different each layer was to the next. Each layer was like another world where anything could happen. The afterlife and death equally fascinates and terrifies me so reading about different variations of what could be next truly caught my attention.
Another 10/10 for Keshe with this wonderful, eerie and mysterious novel which will take you deep into the darkest depths of the afterlife. #readmorebooks #keshechow #fornomortalcreature #fantasy #readersofinstagram #mustread #bookstagram

For No Mortal Creature was quite an emotional ride, filled with love found and love lost, mixed and confused feelings, determination, and the power to chase after what is loved.
This book is an interesting take of the plot of Wuthering Heights mixed with some themes from Inception. The general vibe of a gothic setting being peeled back layer by layer as Jia Yi journeys further down through the depths of the afterlife was refreshing. What new horrors or encounters awaited her at the next level down? Jia Yi's determination to uncover the secrets she's faced with and finding her grandmother kept the pace of the story steady.
I appreciated how the author approached the love triangle - it was there, but it was built upon with revelations for the main character Jia Yi as she begins to piece together information of those she thought she knew. It's not until close to the end that both we (the reader) and Jia Yi figure out who she chooses to be with. I typically am not a fan of love triangles with how often they are used as a crucial plot point but this was well executed and made me think about the merits (and demerits) of both love interests.
For No Mortal Creature is a book that's hard to put down and even harder to stop thinking about long after finishing the final page.
What I Enjoyed:
- the fantastical setting with magic breathing from every page
- the glimpses of the different levels of the afterlife
- Jia Yi's persistent mindset and attitude, showcasing a strong lead female protagonist
- gothic mood
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an e-ARC.

What an absolutely stunning fantasy novel. I love this emotional fiction about loss and healing. Read it- I promise you'll like it.

Damn you books with beautiful covers but bad writing. I fall for your tricks far too often; one day I will wise up to them.
But yeah, I hated this book.
YA books with stupidly juvenile writing really piss me off, especially when it comes to fantasy/historical fiction with prose and dialogue that doesn't match the tone the story is attempting to convey. I could not take anything seriously, nor could I feel like I could give a damn. Nothing in the prose was evoking any reaction Chow may have wanted. Besides trying not to fall asleep, I was just frustrated with how often I was able to guess/figure out things the plot was trying to hide because Jia was so damn oblivious to them.
The fact Chow is trying to replicate Heathcliff and Catherine with Jia and Lin is the cherry on top of this horrendous cake, for Chow's poor imitations couldn't hold a candle to the real thing. Lin's sole motivation being he wanted to protect Jia by no telling her anything is so overplayed and tiring. This felt especially apparent wen there was no natural chemistry or dynamics between any of the characters, including with the main love interest of the triangle (Because there's always one). I simultaneously hated everyone while not caring for anyone. It was so exhausting.
All in all, this was a deeply unsatisfying read. The one thing I got out of this was that I will not be reading any of Chow's past or future work from here on out.

I was given the amazing chance to ARC read this beautiful book and I have to say it did not disappoint. I really did enjoy it, and the world building was so much fun!
I am very much a vibe reader I'm here to enjoy the book in all its glory and I did. I do wish we got some more time with one of the main characters along with perhaps learning more about Jia as a hunter before the story and THAT ENDING KESHE THAT ENDING... I'm calm.
I loved the premise of resurrection magic and how Keshe used it in the story. I was angry for Jia at one point in the book (no spoilers but when you get to the scene, you'll also be like JIA GET BEHIND ME) but overall, I had a fun time reading For No Mortal Creature and will absolutely be signing up to street team and ARC her next book as well.

For No Mortal Creature immediately stakes its claim as a captivating journey into the unknown, promising a unique exploration of life, death, and the treacherous spaces in between. Jia grew up believing she was powerless, unlike the rest of her family, but after she finds herself alive again after a fatal stab wound, she realizes she has a rare type of magic that allows her to resurrect herself. And, as if becoming a necromancer isn't enough of a shock, Jia's grandmother is dying from mysterious circumstances, there's an enemy prince who wants to make a deal with her, and her ex is also haunting her.
Jia Yi is a fierce, grieving heroine with the power to traverse life and death, but nothing prepares her for the secrets and dangers of the afterlife or the emotional minefield of reuniting with her first love and her sworn enemy. I really liked the magic and the different levels of the underworld. Some plot elements and character arcs could have been more deeply developed—particularly toward the climax, where pacing becomes slightly rushed.
Overall For No Mortal Creature is a solid hauntingly romantic YA fantasy!

This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Unfortunately, at times I found it a touch repetitive - especially at the end.
However, there were plenty of fantastic elements also! I greatly enjoyed the world building, as well as the magic system.
This was a 3.5 for me (rounded up to 4 here)
Thank you so much to Delacorte Press for the ARC!

“…every good lie begins with a half-truth. And every good betrayal begins with a lie.”
The dichotomy and interactions of truths and lies in this story beautifully showcase how acts of love can border so close to betrayal.
Reading how Jia Yi experienced moving through these superimposed worlds was really well done and fun to read. I see how the author was somewhat inspired by Inception in the sense of intrigue and curiosity that I experienced as a result of the convolution and complexities of this world. I love this environment of controlled chaos. The set up of the death realms in relation to the living was incredibly intriguing. I frequently found myself not being able to put the book down. In addition to the world building and general story, I felt that Chow’s writing style in this book was really lyrical and captivating.
I enjoyed reading about the relationships in this book, but felt many of them would benefit from more details/time in order for them to feel completely genuine. Particularly near the end of the story, things started to feel a bit rushed. I started thinking this must be the first of a series when I was around 50-80% through the book and then suddenly everything wrapped up very quickly.
All of that said, I would definitely recommend this book to readers when it comes out.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House and Keshe Chow for the opportunity to read an ARC of this wonderful story.

dnf'd, writing style wasn't my fave. didn't get very far so i'm willing to try it again sometime but not sometime soon.

A gothic, YA fantasy that centers on the relationships that shape us and the sacrifices we're willing to make for those who matter most, For No Moral Creature is a highly-engaging novel for readers who love clever world-building, compelling characters, and a story that keeps you wondering what comes next.
From the first pages we are drawn into Jia Yi's world. Author Keshe Chow does a phenomenal job of creating landscapes that jump off the page and into our imagination. And this is a necessary skill to have for a story like this one because it takes us on a fantastical journey to worlds that most, except Jia Yi, can only imagine.
The true strength of this story though are the relationships that we're invited into through Jia Yi. As most YA readers can relate to, Jia Yi's relationships shape her understanding of her world and shape her choices. They drive her to love and hate, certainty and uncertainty, life and death. Chow has crafted an extraordinary magical world that allows these internal dynamics to play out in the external world through Jia Yi's unique talents. Add in some tensions that are inevitable when a person finds themselves inhabiting worlds that they don't belong in, and you've got an engaging, emotional, and intelligent YA novel.
There are moments where the pacing felt a bit too fast and I wanted to author to linger a little longer to really give the story and characters their due - but this is my only criticism of a book that I'm adding to the library of books I want to hand my daughter when she's ready for her own YA adventures.

Current rating: 2.5 stars
While I was initially intrigued by the premise, I ended up disappointed in the execution. I didn't care for a single character and found that Jia's obliviousness could get annoying at times. The plot got a little repetitive, and the romance was even worse; neither of the love interests got enough development with Jia for me to believe it at all.

The premise of this book was very interesting, the idea that someone could visit the spiritual world and return to the mortal world. I enjoyed the story and was rooting for Jia from beginning to end. Lots of twists and turns that kept you guessing until the very end. The slow burn relationship between Jia and Essien was enjoyable to see unfold. The love of family is also strong in this book. The cover art is also gorgeous. I wanted to keep reading Jia's story after I finished the book, but alas, I will have to wait.