Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an e-arc of this book for an honest review. This book was so unique, the plot line is unlike anything that I have ever read in a fantasy romance and that part of it was very fresh to see. With that being said, the romance just really fell flat for me. I feel like we didn’t really get to know the prince much at all for most of the book so I just didn’t feel much emotions towards his character by the end of the book. There were also lulls here and there, there were times where I was on the edge of my seat and times where I was growing bored because it felt like not much was progressing. This wasn’t a bad book by any means it just wasn’t for me. I do think that this is releasing at the perfect time around spooky season this year because it definitely has an eerie almost horror aspect to it in a way!

Description:A teen girl with the power of resurrection must venture into the afterlife, but to survive the death realm, she'll need the help of her two mortal enemies--both of whom she is inexplicably drawn to--in this romantic, gothic fantasy inspired by Wuthering Heights.


I read this book in 24 hours. I didn't want to put it down. It was so interesting and I wanted to see what happened next this is my first book by @keshewrites
It was a great read.
I had to remind myself a couple times that the Jia\MC is a teenager because she made decisions I wouldn't have made, though they made sense for her character.
The Prince and Lin played their supporting roles well. I found myself rooting for one and hoping the other would meet his demise.
The layers of death and settings in the book were written well. From scenery to feel. I appreciated the thought and care to describe the world.
There were lots of twists. Some that made my jaw drop!
Thank you @randomhousekids @delacortepress and @NetGalley for this egalley. I was not obligated to leave a review.

A beautiful, romantic fever dream. I savored every single page. Keshe Chow writes gorgeous, tense, wonderful worlds, and it's a privilege to read them.

No Mortal Creature was a captivating read with a unique fantasy concept—I loved the ghostly elements and the tension that simmered between the characters. The atmosphere pulled me in, and the story had real emotional weight. I just wished for a bit more backstory and connection between characters—maybe a touch of levity or companionship to balance the introspection. Overall, a great book, and I am impressed!

Stunning. Exquisite. Unforgettable.
For No Mortal Creature is a haunting, emotionally charged fantasy that will stay with you long after the final page. With lyrical prose, layered worldbuilding, and some of the most nuanced character arcs in recent YA fantasy, this debut firmly announces Keshe Chow as a voice to watch.

The story follows a girl with resurrection magic, but what unfolds is far more than just a supernatural tale—it’s a piercing meditation on grief, betrayal, isolation, and the fragile beginnings of healing. The emotional core of the novel is both tender and tragic, with glimmers of hope woven throughout in the form of fragile truces and slow, earned growth. Characters who seem one-dimensional at first gradually reveal incredible depth, shifting in their motivations and allegiances in ways that keep readers constantly engaged. Some who begin as unlikeable become beloved by the end.

Chow’s prose evolves beautifully over the course of the story—from straightforward and accessible in the early chapters to poetic, intense, and richly complex as the narrative deepens. The tone mirrors the journey of the characters and the maturation of the plot, transforming a seemingly standard YA setup into a deeply textured and unpredictable fantasy with crossover appeal for adult readers.

The death realm is particularly well-realized: eerie, beautiful, and teeming with unexpected detail. The worldbuilding never feels tacked on—every detail has weight, and the tension hums constantly beneath the surface. Chow masterfully juggles humor, heartbreak, tension, and moments of warmth, all without compromising the dark and aching atmosphere that defines the novel.

This is not a story of clear heroes and villains. It is a story of complicated people grappling with pain, love, and impossible choices. There are twists that shock, moments of quiet emotional devastation, and themes that linger like echoes in the soul. To read this book is to be changed a little by it.

This was an emotional, well-paced, and engaging read. This was the first book by Keshe Chow I have read and I was blow away by the prose and mastery of writing. All of the characters felt real and genuine in how they interacted with each other and the individual struggles they faced.

Everyone in the Fengzhi Yuan province has a single magical gift. Everyone that is but Jia Yi. Her grandmother and priestess of Fengzhi Yuan, Wai Po, thinks her gift may be hidden or delayed. So she takes the younger Jia to visit a shaman who reveals a dark future:

"Jia Yi," she said, and her voice sounded distant, like the whisper of wind through the bare branches of dead trees. "Death clings to you like a mantle." ..."I see nothing but death in this girl's future. ..."No life. Just emptiness, and death."



Her grandmother whisks Jia away before the shaman can finish her prophecy, convincing her that the shaman was a charlatan. But one thing remains, Jia is one ”untouched” by magic. A simple truth that leads to her being bullied by the other children and older siblings.

When her beloved Grandmother, Wai Poi, is at Death's door, Jia is desperate to save her. Her attempts to retrieve medicinal herbs from the woods bordering Yskian territory, lead to an encounter with the Yskian guards and a piercing sword wound through her chest. Mortally wounded, Jia learns that she has the power to resurrect.

When I used to picture dying, I thought it would be like one of two things. Either everything would go suddenly black, empty, void-like, eternal. Or else there would be a rush of memories--ones buried deep--that would float to the surface of my mind like detritus from the sea.

My actual death was like neither of those things.



Captured by the armed guards of the enemy kingdom, she is dragged before Prince Essien Lancaster to be tested for illegal magic. The Prince seems impassive to her plight, but after she is passed over by the Spyrre (think dementors) he aids in her recovery. In return, he asks if she would use her power to retrieve his family’s sword from the afterlife, a weapon that can bestow its wielder any victory.

Delivering an unconquerable sword to her sworn enemy isn't on the top of Jia's list. But when she returns to her village and finds her grandmother has died, she decides to see the shaman to hear the prophecy in its entirety. Jia learns more than she bargained for when she finds others, more dangerous, are also searching for the sword in the afterlife --including her grandmother and ex, Lin.

For No Mortal Creature is culturally rich gothic fantasy with a compelling narrative. The realm of death immerses the reader in a dark and oppressive world of lingering shadow and imagery. As Jia progresses through each of its layers, the afterlife becomes more aethereal and cloistering. Jia, herself, feels less substantial with each descent. To survive this perilous journey, she must rely on two people she least trusts: Lin, the friend who abandoned her and the enigmatic Prince Essien, who may only be using her to obtain the sword.

In the description, the author states she drew inspiration from Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. While this novel delivers ghosts, dreams and eerie, supernatural settings to provide a Gothic atmosphere, this isn't a story about the destructive power of obsessive love. If anything, it's the opposite, with characters selflessly ignoring their own best interests to aid and protect those they love. Jia's relationships with Lin and Essien are complex and fraught with tension, mistrust and betrayal. But there is also longing and intimate moments, respectful of a YA audience.

The story is deeply emotional, exploring the themes of grief, betrayal and isolation with a core that is both tender and tragic. There is a glimmer of hope as the characters broker tentative truces which allow them to grow past misunderstandings and begin to heal.

The writing style evolves as the reader gets deeper into the story, becoming more complex and hauntingly poetic. While this definitely starts off sounding like a young adult fantasy, by midway there is an intensity and unpredictability that will captivate the more seasoned fantasy maven.

After not enjoying the author’s first book, I went into this hesitant. But I really liked it! Very strong premise with a unique take on “the descent into hell” trope. I also thought the ending was BOLD in a way I’d love to see more of in YA. Sometimes I did feel the plot was stretched too thin (it’s essentially a key item fetch quest), and the male LI is overly described as having “alabaster skin,” “blue eyes,” and a “marble brow.” These repeated descriptors only served to remind me the male LI could have had more of a personality, as the other two lead characters are more richly fleshed out.
Would recommend this for lovers of Inception and Wuthering Heights.

A gorgeous, dark, haunting YA fantasy about a girl with resurrection magic. The characters are nuanced and complex, and the plot kept me guessing and at the edge of my seat until the very end. I knew I'd be hooked by its stunning cover and its comp to Wuthering Heights, and For No Mortal Creature absolutely met and exceeded my expectations!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an exquisite exposition of life and death. This book had everything; humor, love, devotion, animosity, betrayal, beauty, darkness, radiancy. I am so stunned by the story, the characters, the depth, the underlying meanings that can be gleaned, that I'm struggling to find enough words to actually review the book. The characters seem so one note at first, but there is so much depth to them as the story progresses, and so much character growth. Characters that I really didn't like at first became characters that I adore. The top later motivations changed frequently, but the underlying motivation was always there in everything Jia did, and could always be seen from the outside perspective. I loved that there were moments of levity, but there was an underlying tenseness to everything that every character did. There were an exceptional amount of layers and plot shifts and shifts in characters personalities and motivations that it always kept me on my toes. Everytime I thought I had something figured out, that I knew what was going to happen, that I knew what a character was going to do or say, my ideas would be thrown out of the window by a plot twist or a characters actions. The death realm was more fleshed out than I expected. There was so much to it, so many nuances and tiny details that you don't think about missing until they're given to you. This book was exceptional, it had everything I could ever want or wish for or hope for in a book, and I wish I could erase my memory of this book so I could experience it for the first time again. The Girl With No Reflection instantly went to the top of my loved books list, but I think this may have topped it.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The author did a fabulous job with keeping the story interesting and flowing. I never really liked books that drag on but this book never did! The characters were very unique and I really enjoyed there journey. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

This was an absolutely beautiful read! This is the story of a young girl, Jia Yi, who realizes she has resurrection powers and goes on a journey to the death realm in search of her grandmother, amongst other things. All the while, she’s faced with the ghost of her first love, Lin, and dealing with his betrayal and how they left things, and her blooming friendship with the mysterious yet alluring Prince Essien. Jia Yi juggles trying to figure out her newfound powers, how to traverse (and “survive”) the death realm, and where her feelings truly lie as she’s faced with the (literal) ghosts of her past.

The descriptions and visuals in this story are absolutely amazing. The imagery of the death realm are both beautiful and horrifying at the same time. The way the author portrays death and the afterlife is mesmerizing, and we get to explore it right along side Jia Yi.

And the romance! It’s angst all around, and I’m here for it! The complicated feelings that arise from Jia Yi seeing her first love in the death realm and having him accompany her on this journey make the tension top tier! And the chemistry with Prince Essian is just as juicy.

I loved how I never could guess what would’ve happened next in this book. Sometimes with the romantasy genre, it can get predictable, but this one blew me away. I never knew where the plot was going to take me, and I miss being surprised by that. I read this book in less than 24 hours, that’s how quickly it got its hooks in me. I continuously wanted to know what would happen next and where Jia Yi’s story would go.

I can’t wait for this book to come out so more people can read it and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did!

What I loved most about this story was the way the author balanced all the different elements so well (grief, action, romance, humor, fear), stretching the characters' emotions (and therefore, my own). Grief was handled so thoughtfully—the lengths Jia, the main character, would go to chase after the person she loved most in all the world. The depth of the afterlife—layered in a manner like the movie Inception—was enormously creative. And the ending—chef's kiss!

Quite honestly, this is one of the most captivating books I have ever read. I could not put it down until I fell asleep with it in my hand at 2am, and then stayed up until 2am again to ensure I finished it.

This book continuously felt like a refreshing new experience for me. Chow’s setting is instantaneously captivating—locating readers in a Chinese province constantly endangered by the white Lancaster colonizers who have invaded and desecrated the land and cultural traditions, seeking to eliminate magic and conquer everything within their sight. The backdrop of a castle and moat—protected by armed men in chain link—also situates a rough timeline for the novel, without explicit time and place ever being stated.

Starting somewhat in medias res, Jia is in danger from the first scene, and the high-stakes danger—literally, death, death, and more death—never stops until the last page. Then, enemies to lovers is added to the tale—times two! Jia’s relationship to both Lin and Essien are so startlingly different, providing an excellent commentary and insight for how the love we need and give shifts as we grow and learn more about ourselves and our needs.

One of the blurbs I read for this book was inspiration from Inception, and Jia’s travels between the various realms of the afterlife—meeting with Chinese ghosts, demons, and loved ones—continuously tests her resolve, fortitude, understanding of interpersonal relationships, and knowledge of her culture. Some of the most memorable moments of this book come from when Jia’s sense of self and reality are challenged—but not by the afterlife. Instead, she must encounter how her actions and perceptions of past interactions have been interpreted differently by her loved ones, demonstrating that there truly are more than one side to each story. Jia then must reflect on how little she truly knows—despite her traditional YA confidence of “I am an adult!”

Overall, this was truly a fantastic read, filled with deception and surprising twists and turns. Despite often feeling like I can predict the ending and what loyalties of secret relationships characters share, I continuously found myself blown away by this book and will happily recommend it to anyone.

***thanks to NetGallery for providing me with an ARC copy of this novel***

Gothic, romantic, and utterly consuming. For No Mortal Creature breathes fresh life into the afterlife.

From the first page, I was drawn into Jia Yi’s haunting world. This girl who, after being killed, discovers she has the rare ability to cross the veil between life and death. What follows is an unforgettable descent into a realm teeming with ghosts, unresolved emotions, political power plays, and the haunting pull of love and betrayal. Wuthering Heights meets Inception with a twist.

This story is beautifully layered, inspired themes stitched into a richly imaginative world. Jia’s emotional journey is tangled and poignant, and her connections with Lin and Prince Essien are intense, dynamic, and riddled with secrets. I was especially captivated by the atmosphere. Lush, eerie, and laced with longing. Just the right amount of tortured and tangled to hook you completely.

The pacing is tight, the stakes are high, and the twists? Deliciously executed. It’s one of those books that’s nearly impossible to put down, and even harder to stop thinking about.

Thank you to the Author and Net Galley for the ARC, I am leaving this review with my honest opinion.

The cover is stunning, the prose lyrical without being overwrought, and the emotional depth of the characters is something I’ll be thinking about for a long time. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy, this one earns a spot on the shelf so I can read it again and again.

For No Mortal Creature is a beautifully atmospheric gothic fantasy that sinks its claws in early and doesn’t let go. Jia Yi is a fierce, layered heroine with just the right balance of bitterness and vulnerability, and her journey through the death realm is as emotionally fraught as it is imaginative. Think shadowy landscapes, haunting spirits, and yearning soaked banter with two boys she has every reason not to trust. This is romantic fantasy that understands tension.

The Wuthering Heights influence comes through in the book’s emotional intensity—grief, betrayal, obsession, and longing all tangled together. Jia’s relationships with Lin and Prince Essien are full of ambiguity and slowburn conflict, and the afterlife setting feels lush, eerie, and unsettling in the best way.

Some pacing issues and a few flat side characters kept this from being a full five stars, and I wanted a bit more emotional payoff in the final chapters. Still, this is a dark, compelling read that hits the sweet spot between gothic and romantic fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Ahh okay wow I absolutely loved and devoured this one. I'm going to go back and read Keshe's other book as well because the voice is immaculate.

This book.....having lost my mom a few years ago and just losing my childhood pet recently this really helped me look at death and life in a very different light. It was healing in a way that I can't really put into words and it's going to stick with me for years to come.

The world building was amazing, the plot was plotting and there's just a way Keshe has with words that scratches the itch in my brain