Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

It was so wonderful diving back into Elizabeth Lim’s work with this gorgeous slow burn romantic fantasy!

I absolutely adored Tru and Elang, but Shani is by far my favourite of them all - what a menace!!

I highly recommend checking out this book when it is released!!

I’m absolutely obsessed with everything about this book I sobbed I had the odd giggle ! I read it within 2days I just couldn’t put it down . The absolute heartbreaking turmoil through out this story had my heart twisting left and right! It starts with baba going missing and the rest of family scrambling to save their lives and survive by the oldest daughter forging paintings. What you don’t expect is blackmail death magic and destruction wrapped up in watching an unconventional love story unfolding in heart stopping moments of sadness and splashes of joy . An absolute 10 out of 10

this might not be my fav Elizabeth Lim’s book, but Truyan is now my fav MC from the Legends of Lor’yan universe.

Truyan is an art forger, an eldest sibling, loves soup noodles, and that alone speaks deeply to me lol. she’s also determined, selfless, responsible, basically the exact opposite of Shiori’s personality (this isn’t a slander to Shiori, I love her too). then there’s Elang, an aloof and mysterious half-dragon who offered an arrangement that would benefit both of them if the goal is fulfilled.

this book was just as magical as the rest of Lor’yan books, this time it’s mostly from Ai’long’s perspective. i enjoyed the story, especially Truyan and Elang’s dynamics. the plot twists were layered, there’s some betrayals, but the food galore and light humor and sarcasm balanced the tension. there’s also a cameo of my second-favorite character of the Lor’yan books🥰

unfortunately for me the final action scene felt confusing and the ending felt like missing something. still had a great time reading this! since this is also Lim’s first standalone book that is completely separated from other Lor’yan books story-wise, i think she did well.

5⭐

Thank you Elizabeth Lim, Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC!

A Forgery of Fate is a Beauty and the Beast meets The Little Mermaid, East-Asian inspired romantic fantasy about Truyab Saigas, a gifted art forget, who has the unique ability to paint the futur. But when her father is lost at sea, not even magic can heal her family, or save her two younger sisters from the dangerous consequences of her mother's gambling debts.

This book was an enchanting blend of Chinese folklore and romance, offering a lush and emotionally beautiful journey beneath the waves. Part loose retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” part epic adventure, this book uses familiar tropes with fresh creativity to create a tale that feels both timeless and unique.

The world-building and writing style stands out the most. The lyrical writing, whimsical descriptions and lush backdrop had me captivated the entire time, enhcnated by the deep lore and working of the world. The description and writing style is detailed and we'll developed, exploring different parts of the world.

Truyan is a wonderful protagonists. Her selflessness and protectiveness towards her family is incredibly relatable. Her Prince is a brooding and enigmatic character, who's very secret and mysterious at the beginning but as the plot slowly unravels, everything is worth the angst and tension. Their dynamic is tense, intriguing, and layered with the classic Beauty and the Beast charm.

The conclusion was epic and the plot seemed evenly paced throughout. The ending had my jaw dropped with all the action scenes and twists.

I'm always yearning to return to Ai'long, and I trust Elizabeth Lim to enchant me once more.

This story is placed in the same world as the Six Crimson Cranes dilogy, and one of the main characters is the cousin of Seryu, the one from Dragon's Promise.

And again, it's mythology enriched with fairy tales and so much imagination. A truly great FMC that can paint the future and The High Lord of the Westerly Sea in a marriage contract that is both danger and promise. I'd say the romance is badass x grumpy, but in a way that absolutely made me root for them.

This book definitely has everything I wanted from it: sea dragons, pearls, magic, red thread, heartache, destiny. And even though I didn't like the main plot twist at first, I absolutely warmed up to it.

What can I say? I gladly succumb to the magic of Elizabeth Lim's book. And I want more!

4,5/5 stars

#AForgeryOfFate #Netgalley #Bookstagram

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Absolutely stunning!Elizabeth Lim has done it again—A Forgery of Fate is an absolutely breathtaking story that weaves magic, fate, and emotion into something truly unforgettable. From the first page, I was completely lost in this world, feeling every hope, every heartbreak, and every triumph alongside the characters.

The storytelling is rich and immersive, with stakes that feel so real. The characters are beautifully complex, their struggles deeply moving, and their journey one that lingers in your heart long after you turn the last page. There are twists that took my breath away, moments of quiet heartbreak, and scenes so powerful they made my chest ache.

This book is more than just a fantasy—it’s about resilience, love, and the choices that define us. If you want a page-turner that will leave you utterly wrecked (in the best way), A Forgery of Fate is a must-read.

4.5 stars!!

Elizabeth Lim delivers again! This was another stunning entry in the Legends of Lor’Yan series that was incredibly heartfelt, touching, and had me sobbing by the book’s end with snot running down my nose. I was a MESS. The last few chapters were a rollercoaster!! It is set in the Six Crimson Cranes universe, but can absolutely be read as a standalone. A Forgery of Fate is definitely a “trust the process” book that kept on getting better as it went on and I absolutely LOVED how everything came together in the end and upped the rating for me to a near perfect read!

Tru is a great, developed FMC! She’s independent, capable, and such a mood LMFAO. I found myself laughing at her commentary on multiple occasions. She’s just so real and relatable. The way she reacted to situations is really similar to how I would have reacted in her shoes. I really liked that she wasn’t portrayed as a damsel, going off on dangerous missions on her own and capable of fending for herself. I love her for her strong heart, not willing to give up on the people she cares for. I also really enjoyed Tru’s powers to paint the future! I thought that was so cool and magical and how it played a very significant role throughout the novel.

I really enjoyed the plot to Forgery. It was a page turner and I never found myself bored, but it truly gripped me after the big plot twist! I was so invested in the story after that. Nazayun is a returning antagonist and is just as despicable in this. I genuinely was so worried because the fate of these characters was so unknown and it doesn’t let you breathe until the very epilogue. Yes, epilogue!! I was just crying nonstop and wiping frantically at my tears because I was so anxious and stressed.

Like the other Legends of Lor’Yan books, Forgery also has talking animals and memorable side characters that leave an impression on you. My favorite this time was Kunkoi, a merman, but also Shani, a chaotic demon with a surprising amount of depth and intrigue to her! I won’t say much, but I liked what was done with her character. Apart from them, I also liked the strong sibling relationship between Tru and her two sisters. Nomi was my favorite. She was so adorable but they’re all great in their own way.

I think the romance was more on the mellow and subtle side, but still sweet and endearing nonetheless and absolutely won me over by the end. Who knew water bells and moss could make me sob?? Fans familiar with the Dragon’s Promise will remember Elang, an aloof, and mysterious half dragon with no heart. It really took me a while to warm up to Elang, but it was very intentionally done. I did feel like the slow burn was too slow at first. I had moments where Elang made me giggle here and there, but I needed more affection from him and wanted to feel more. I got really irked by Elang’s push and pull with Tru, but TRUST THE PROCESS. The ending totally changed how I felt and the way it all came together actually made the book sooo much better and fixed my problems with it! I LOVED this man by the end. Tru and Elang’s love story is truly unique and beautifully written, and only Elizabeth Lim could write something so originally hers.

PS – There’s a quick cameo towards the end that got me smiling through my tears.

It is the story of Truyan- Tru- who is the oldest sister in a family where they struggle to make ends meet and survive and the father’s disappearance at sea. Tru is a gifted artist and to make money she forges paintings and her associate sells them. But it is not her only talent as she can see the future in her painting.

First, I’d like to say that I LOVE the title, it’s just so fitting and well chosen.
I definitely got the Beauty and the Beast inspiration from the beginning and The Little Mermaid one- not at the beginning, but at some point I did see the how it was inspired from it.

Shani is iconic and so fun and I also came to love Elang.
I absolutely loved Tru and her relationship with her family and art. She is such a kind, fun, and sweet main character.
There were many plot twists that I didn’t see coming, and I quite enjoyed them!
The way the novel was written was so good that the story flowed and I did not want to put it down.

I would highly highly recommend it and would give it 5 stars.