Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was delighted when I was selected to ARC read "A Forgery Of Fate," having already been a huge fan of "Six Crimson Cranes" and "The Dragon's Promise."

A Forgery Of Fate begins with Tru, fighting to survive, and protect her family's future when her father goes missing at sea, presumed dead. She begins a life as a Master Forger, gifted with Sight to keep her family alive, and keep them out of the hands of the hideous Madam Yargui, due to her mother's poor choices.

A series of unfortunate events brings her to the home of the mysterious Elang, a half-dragon, half-human Prince who has been banished from his home until he finds his Heavenly Match. Tru quickly finds herself in over her head when she finds herself part of an elaborate plan to overthrow His Eternal Majesty, King Nazayun, who may hold the secret to finding Tru's father.

A Forgery Of Fate was a delightful book, bringing Six Crimson Cranes and A Dragon's Promise full circle, and will delight and captivate precious readers, and fans of Chinese mythology.

I am incredibly grateful to both NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review A Forgery of Fate. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to the teams at NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.

Elizabeth Lim... WHAT A MASTERPIECE.

I actually am speechless after reading A Forgery of Fate. That was nothing short of phenomenal. I devoured it over a weekend because I just couldn't put it down.

It consumed and continues to consume my every waking thought.

There were so many complexities in this story but the way Elizabeth Lim put words to paper, she made it so easy to understand and follow along.

It's truly been such a long time since I've felt this connected to the majority of the characters in a book. I am obsessed with Tru especially. There was just so much character development across the board.

Sometimes endings can be bittersweet but I just love how this one turned out. I couldn't ask for more if I'm being honest.

Elizabeth Lim just has such skill, each and every time I read something she has written I am simply captivated and A Forgery of Fate was no exception.

I am truly so honoured to have been able to read this ahead of the release date. This is absolutely a book that everyone should read. I have no notes, it is perfect.

Hailed as a tale inspired by Beauty and the Beast, while also slightly reminiscent of the world of The Little Mermaid, this certainly was something that would have fit within the Disney universe.
Elizabeth Lim certainly knows how to weave together a beautiful story, one that certainly draws you in with its atmospheric charm.

We're introduced to Tru Saigas, an art forger who lives alongside her two sisters as they try to support their eccentric mother, who years prior had been widowed when her husband (Tru's father) had disappeared while on an excursion at sea.

Tru has an interesting power - whenever her fingers start tingling she is able to paint a certain moment in the future that eventually comes true. When her mother gets into a sticky situation and is forced to find a large amount of money to pay back some mounting debt from gambling, Tru tries to use her gift in order to solve the situation, but is forced to flee when they suffer a violent attack through the hands of Madam Yargui's men. In her panicked escape she ends up crossing paths with the Dragon Prince Elang, who happens to give her a safe refuge in exchange for an interesting request....

I'll be honest, the deep sea kind of freaks me out, so this was captivating and unnerving at the same time. Like Tru, I wasn't altogether drawn to our grumpy half dragon in the first instance. He blew cold a little too often and I wasn't really sold on the chemistry for quite some time, but eventually when things start to gradually build I could begin to see why everyone was raving about this couple.
As slow burn as their connection is, they certainly have a charm and at some point I found myself surprisingly rooting for them.

However, Shani was probably one of my favourite characters, 'warts n all!' Though I could see how certain events were likely to play out, I still felt she was an interesting character and grew to really care for their friendship.
If there's certainly something Elizabeth Lim excels at it's her ability to craft a beautiful and enchanting world with intriguing characters.

I'll admit though that I saw the 'twist' coming so I wasn't as blown away by the events of the story as much as I would have hoped, but I still found it captivating and very much enjoyed Elizabeth Lam's flowery prose and beautifully depicted story which gently leans into East-Asian inspired mythology

I've read a few of Elizabeth Lim's previous books and this is probably one of my favorites that she's written so far. There's a lot packed in here, a heartfelt and gripping story with the right dosage of action and romance, which is also perfect for fantasy lovers.

I absolutely recommend this and I certainly won't hesitate to read more of Elizabeth Lim's novels in the future, as well as tackle the backlog of books she's written that I've yet to dive into.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would describe A Forgery of Fate as whimsical, which is not usually something that appeals to me. However, I thought the under water setting, with the talking turtles and sassy water demon, was fun.

I loved the family dynamics in this, Tru's love for her sisters and her parents was heart-warming. Even better was the fact that she didn't forget about them after the love interest was introduced. She was focused on doing what she had to in order for them to have a better life, and that didn't waver throughout. Although she was sometimes reckless, doing things without thinking of the consequences, I wasn't mad about it as she was a lovable main character with an empathetic nature.

The romance between Tru and Elang was Beauty and the Beast-esque, which is a dynamic I like. While I found the plot twist regarding Elang obvious it didn't take away from my enjoyment. Nor did the fact that it was plain from the start that he liked Tru.

A Forgery of Fate is one of the better fantasy books I've read of recently, a strong standalone.

4.5⭐

A Forgery of Fate was such a fun and enchanting read, I have loved all of Elizabeth Lim's books and this was another to add to just how beautiful and captivating the writing and storytelling is when you loose yourself into this authors books.

Every description from the smallest of details are so clear and easy to understand and so vivid that it completely captures your attention from the very first page and keeps you engaged throughout, I really loved Tru as a fmc and how to protect her family she finds herself entering into a fake marriage with the dragon prince to help him secure his kingdom but what entails is filled with so much heartache, destruction and despair that slowly unfolds into a really beautiful love story.

The story is so beautiful and enchanting and even though there is a romance it is also about love of family, sisterhood and friendship. I sobbed and I giggled and loved every moment I read it in 2 days I couldn't put it down, the ending completely gutted me and then healed me again. It was such a beautiful ending and one that will stay with me for a long time to come. Highly recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Elizabeth Lim’s A Forgery of Fate is a breath-taking romantic fantasy that weaves together magic, deception, and the timeless allure of Beauty and the Beast. With her signature blend of lush world-building and heartfelt storytelling, Lim delivers a tale that is as enchanting as it is thrilling.

The story centres on Truyan Saigas, a gifted art forger with the rare ability to paint the future. After her father’s disappearance at sea leaves her family in dire straits, Tru is forced into a life of con artistry to support her mother and sisters. But even her magical talents aren’t enough to save them from the gangsters demanding payment for her mother’s gambling debts. Desperate, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord, who offers her family a fresh start and the promise of answers about her father’s fate.

In exchange, Tru must leave her old life behind and join the dragon lord in his desolate undersea palace. There, she becomes entangled in a dangerous plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King’s inner circle. As Tru uses her gift to paint a future that could upend both mortal and immortal realms, she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic dragon lord, uncovering secrets that bind them together in ways she never imagined.

Lim’s world-building is exquisite, blending the opulence of an undersea palace with the tension of a high-stakes conspiracy. The novel’s exploration of love, sacrifice, and the power of art is both poignant and thought-provoking. Tru is a compelling protagonist, her resilience and determination making her a character readers will root for from the very first page. The slow-burn romance between Tru and the dragon lord is beautifully crafted, filled with moments of tenderness and tension that will leave readers swooning.

A perfect read for fans of romantic fantasy, retellings, and stories with lush world-building, A Forgery of Fate is a story of love and deception, of forging one’s own path in the face of impossible odds. Lim’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the beauty and danger of Tru’s world with equal skill. This is a novel that will captivate fans of romantic fantasy and leave them eagerly awaiting Lim’s next masterpiece.

I loved that this was an East-Asian twist on the classic Beauty and Beast fairytale, and the story was suitably beautiful in it's prose. The descriptions were magical, and the romance slow to develop with delicious notes of tension, and yearning. Truyan was an interesting character to follow, with her magical ability of painting visions, a unique aspect to the story that I've not seen done elsewhere before! Her love interest ("Beast") Elang, was in character for the fairytale, and it was interesting having the Beast portrayed as a dragon. Elizabeth Lim is certainly unique with this fairytale retelling!

However, I unfortunately was unable to finish the book, and stopped at 50%, finding it just a bit too slow for me continue. I did read the ending chapter out of curiousity (so the plot must have got my attention!), and the ending was suitably sweet, but I'm just sorry that I was unable to reach it naturally myself. However, I wouldn't let this dissuade you from reading it - it's just in a style that doesn't suit me as a reader, but if you like your fantasy world's slowly developed in detail, and your characters grow slowly as they go through various strife, then this will be a great read for you! Elizabeth Lim is clearly a good storyteller with a creative mind, and I think this book will be a big hit with fans of fairytale retellings.

Tru and Elang are cute together and I liked Shani.

I liked all the twists and turns during the story and the writing was brilliant, it draws you into the world and doesn't let you go.

This was a fun and fast read that has a sweet ending 😊

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved A Forgery Of Fate as the characters were really well described, it made me feel like I inside the book with the characters throughout. I really felt the emotions that the main characters were going through and the storyline was incredible. I loved it so much, I wanted more and was sad that the story had ended. I would definitely read more by Elizabeth Lim. I highly recommend her!

A Forgery of Fate is a breathtaking, East Asian-inspired romantic fantasy that blends mythology, artistry, and fate into a mesmerizing tale of love, sacrifice, and destiny. With lush world-building and evocative prose, Elizabeth Lim crafts a spellbinding story that will captivate fans of Beauty and the Beast.

Truyan Saigas is an unforgettable protagonist—an artist with the rare ability to paint the future, burdened by her family's struggles and the weight of her own impossible choices. Her fierce devotion to her sisters makes her instantly relatable, and her journey into the depths of the Dragon King’s realm is as thrilling as it is poignant. The underwater world Lim creates is stunningly immersive, filled with rich lore, dazzling descriptions, and an eerie sense of wonder. From grand palaces to perilous court intrigues, every setting feels alive and brimming with magic.

At the heart of the story is Tru’s slow-burning romance with the enigmatic Elang. Their dynamic is beautifully layered with longing, mystery, and heartbreak. As secrets unravel—including a shocking revelation about Elang’s true identity—their relationship takes on even greater emotional depth. The tension, the yearning, the impossible stakes—it all builds to a stunning climax that left me breathless. And the ending? Utterly devastating and yet achingly beautiful.

Beyond the romance, A Forgery of Fate is also a tale of resilience, fate, and the unbreakable ties of family. The sibling bond between Tru and her sisters is one of the novel’s strongest elements, grounding the story in deep emotional stakes. The themes of destiny and sacrifice are woven seamlessly throughout, making this a novel that lingers in your mind long after you turn the final page.

Elizabeth Lim once again proves why she’s a master of fantasy storytelling. A Forgery of Fate is a luminous, heart-wrenching tale that enchants, devastates, and ultimately leaves you longing for more. A must-read for fantasy lovers.

I'm not sure what happened, but I seemed to get 1% of this book, and so unfortunately I am unable to review.

Having never have read anything by Elizabeth Lim before I can say I was pleasantly surprised. First of all how gorgeous is this cover? An amazing creative twist inspired in the story of beauty and the beast, a great heroine and a great hero.
Everything about this book was magical.

I'm in love with everything Elizabeth Lim writes.
And the bet part is every book seems to get better and better. I loved this so much!

5/5 stars 🌟

Once again, Elizabeth Lim had created yet another masterpiece, a beautiful story that whisked me away. The way she writes is so masterful and enchanting, from the vivid descriptions and the lyrical prose, everything was so tastefully done.

Truyan, the main female character, uses art forgery as a means of work to support her family, with the ability to also paint her visions. She is smart, passionate, dedicated yet always remembers to show kindness. The prince, Elang, was also such an interesting character, enigmatic and mysterious, and we slowly see him open up to Tru, which was so heartwarming to see. We see her fall in love with the beauty of the underwater world, as well as her falling for Elang. Their relationship was so beautiful and heart wrenching to read about, from the angst to the tension, it was all worth the wait.

The plot pace remained steady throughout, and there was never a dull moment whilst reading this book. This story also had elements of the beauty and the beast, but it was so much more as well. Her world building is truly mesmerising, and we see this through her creation of a whimsical underwater world, where the story mainly takes place in.

This epic fantasy deserves all the praise, and there’s no doubt that this is and will be one of my top reads of this year. Such a refreshing and magical read, would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing me with this arc for an honest review.

This one was just not it for me.

I found the story to be not only boring and predictable, but too unnecessarily long. There was so much setup leading to Tru and Elang's deal, and the 300 pages afterward was spent trying to convince me that these two had romantic chemistry and the curse is a tragedy that kept them apart. I just did not care for these two, nor the family or any of the side characters. The inconsistencies with Tru's powers were also very annoying. Why could she pant fast with some visions but takes forever with others? Other than to stretch the page count, I have no idea. I only stuck with it simply out of sheer stubbornness.

The writing had some pretty descriptions and phrases related to Ai'long, but it also felt juvenile, too. Demon turds was thrown out as a curse at multiple points, and it also turned me off to the story more and more with how childish it felt. I was also able to guess so many "twists" that the characters were too dumb to catch on themselves, but I was too bored out of my mind to care too much about it.

All in all, this just was not for me. This'll definitely be a hit amongst people who already love Lim's previous books, but I will not be amongst them.

A Forgery of Fate is a vivid and masterful Beauty and the Beast retelling combined with Eastern mythology. I’ve never read the authors works before but a few of her books are on my never ending TBR and this has given me the push to pick them up!

There were so many things I loved about this book. Our FMC, Tru, is an art forger who has the ability to paint the future who delves into a fake marriage with cursed (and grumpy cinnamon roll) dragon lord, Elang, as they join forces in his underwater kingdom to take down the Dragon King and save her father.

The standout of the story for me was the world-building, meticulously crafted and jam-packed with whimsy. What do you MEAN there are phoenix demons and talking turtles?! The setting in this was simply stunning.

Many thank you’s to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy, this will not be the last Elizabeth Lim book I read in the not too distant future.

Elizabeth Lim's work constantly captivates me and transports me to other worlds. In the early pages, I was grieving for Truyan's family, but only without revealing anything, which made me even more excited. I LOVED all of the characters and they grew on me. Truyan is unlike any other female lead in Lim's past works. What draws me to Truyan is her eagerness to provide the best for her younger sisters and family. Her family totally had me laughing and crying at the same time, and I just love how Truyan is so blunt—it makes her even more charming!

Even though I wasn't especially interested in the romance at first, I ended myself crying over Truyan's sacrifice to be with the man she loved LOL IT WAS QUITE ROMANTIC. OOH, the twists and turns are so surprising. I was assuming who the true villain was and it turned out to be wrong, and I loved it. The world-building is amazing and still ties back to the earlier books, so it feels like I'm coming home :’)

This was my first Elizabeth Lim book and i will immediately be going through her back catalogue 🫡
such a beautiful, atmospheric piece that felt like i was fully immersed inside the book. the food descriptions made me hungry, the water descriptions made me want to jump in the ocean and i just love love love dragons forever🐉

thank you @hodderbooks @netgalley for the opportunity to read this early!

thank you very much to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!

i will frame this review by saying i do read a number of east asian fantasies but this is my first book by Elizabeth Lim (the rest are still on the tbr), and if i had to describe this in a word, it would be 'breathtaking'. there is not a single part of this story that didn't capture my heart.

first off, Tru's family. i started reading this on the bus after work, and god, the start with her family during the good times when all they had to worry about was Fal being vain and Tru's blue hair, before everything went wrong. and when it did, i was tearing up and trying not to cry. this feeling was a little like the first ten minutes of Up.

i loved the bond between Tru and her sisters, especially Nomi. we have the painter, the fashionista (of sorts) and the tinkering bookworm. i especially enjoyed reading their dynamic, even with their mother whom i warmed up to later in the book.

i also have to comment the worldbuilding, Ai'Landi and Gangsun were so vivid they felt real, even the kingdom underwater and the realm of the merfolk and all their festivals. i want to live in it. the jostle between Nazayun and Elang was phenomonal as a political and also mystical battle.

okay, now my favourite part, the tragic romance between Tru and Elang. (being chinese i did understand the play on words with Elang's name, which could mean the second son of the family, but in this case, probably second in line for the throne, or second class compared to the other dragons. am i reaching? maybe.) the slowburn of it was intense and i loved every single moment of it!! you'd think it was them falling for each other slowly, and sure enough it seemed like it, but only Tru's end. (spoilers from here on!!) i loved the reveal of Elang being Gaari who has been friends with Tru for years.

the YEARNING simply leaps off the page. i swear. that ending and reveal that Tru IS his heavenly match and her heart houses his pearl and only one of them can live shattered me. i saw this coming but good god it hurt. the timeskip felt so worth it. i nearly died when he didn't recognise her, but thank goodness for the powet of the red string of fate.

" my heart, my home — they are yours. they always have been. "

" every word we exchanged, every glance, and every moment where i didn't have to pretend... it meant everything — to me. "

he planted her a field of waterbells, her favourite flower. i am in PAIN.

OMG, I was needing something so addictive like this.

First of all, thank you Netgalley, the author and the editor for the opportunity to read this book. I simply loved it.

It has romance, magic, DRAGONS… only things for me to love.
Before this book, I hadn’t read anything by Elizabeth Lim but now I’m super interested to try her other books.

“The only paintings he loves are yours, Lady Saigas.”

In this one we have a spark of Belle and the Beast and the Little Mermaid and honestly it was simply amazing.
Loved the main characters, Elang and Tru, and also some other ones who are presented to us throughout the book.
I hate the King of Dragons, that one I really hate.

“Were I a bit more delusional, I might have thought he’d missed me.”

I also really liked the way everything was linked. Some information could look unimportant but in the end it was linked to something big.

It also have an arranged marriage and a little enemies to lovers, for those like me loves this trope.

It was an addictive book that I’ll be recommending because I’m a really big fan of romantasy and this one made me cry and laugh.