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.

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

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!!

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.

elizabeth lim, in my opinion, is peerless in the young adult fantasy romance space. each of her books sparks such joy in me when i read them. a master at remixing old folk and fairy tales, never doing something as simple as a retelling. i loved all of the elements here. she's just the best at this.

A Forgery of Fate, the newest fantasy from Elizabeth Lim, follows the art forger Truy Saigas as she strikes a deal with a dragon lord for the safety of her family: her hand in marriage and her service as an artist.

Emoji-Aesthetic: 🐉🥮🧧🎍🌊🧜‍♀️🐢

Listen to…
🎶 Monster - dodie
🎶 Ordinary - Alex Warren
🎶 Daylight - David Kühner

I was absolutely swept away by this story. It focuses on family and sisterhood, and friendship. There is a romance, and it is a main storyline, but the focus is on love that has multiple layers.
This story ripped my heart out and then sewed it back together. The way Tru finds her strength, the way she stands up for her friends, for her family and for herself, was amazing to read.
I also really loved all of the side characters and how multidimensional they are. Mailoh has my whole heart. Oh and I want to try literally every dish that is described in this book. They all sounded delicious.
~~~
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A Forgery of Fate - Elizabeth Lim
5⭐️

This book was a gorgeous blend of East Asian culture and the western stories I grew up with, like Beauty & The Beast, which this is a (loose!) retelling of. We see our FMC, Truyan Saigas, as she enters a deal with the mysterious Elang in order to repay her mother’s gambling debts and save her family. This deal takes them under the sea, to a watery world, where Tru must use her artistic ability to help overthrow the Dragon King 🐉

This book had absolutely everything I love in it - a marriage contract with a grumpy half dragon lord with a secretive history, a strong, protective FMC and the SLOWEST most delicious slow burn to ever slow burn. This is an epic adventure, combining themes of family, love, art and culture and I was invested from the get go📖

Elizabeth Lim does an incredible job of creating worlds, and I had to use the absolute bare minimum of my imagination to see the setting and events of this book unfold. I was transported to a vivid world of dragons and demons and merpeople and had no trouble at all seeing exactly what Lim was painting for us. The only word for what Elizabeth Lim does here is enchanting🫧🌊
•
If you’re a fantasy lover who wants to be whisked away to a new world, this is absolutely the book for you. 🐉

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Releasing June 5th 2025 🗓️

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.

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 :’)

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.

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.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

It was … perfection 💞
I was so in love with Elang and the way he loved Tru so silently that no one knew 🥺

I cried so much at the end, this was just an emotional read.

I totally recommend if you’re already a fan of Elizabeth Lim 🫶🏻

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.

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.

This was the first book by the author that I've had the pleasure of reading, but it definitely won't be the last!

It's a book where it feels like anything could be possible. Merfolk? Dragons? Yes! And so much more.

The story is so whimsical and woven so vividly that it's easy to picture the details that the author is trying to convey. It does have the Beauty and the Beast vibes for sure, but is also set largely underwater, so I'd agree with other reviewers saying it also is reminiscent of the little mermaid.

I loved the concept of Tru being an artist who paints visions of the future, forced into a marriage with the surly half dragon, Elang, who is mysterious and determined to keep Tru at arm's length.

This book just felt so magical and although I did guess the twist, I loved the journey so much. I couldn't put this down and was always wondering where it would go next.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

I am a sucker for a beauty and the beast retelling and this book did not disappoint. I loved the characters and world building within this novel. It was just so well written and I adored the ending… I cannot recommend this book enough! I will definitely be checking out Lim’s other novels.

I bawled my eyes out! Actually, i don’t have high hopes for this one since i dislike The Dragon Promise, but oh boy! End up i gave 5 stars to it! I’m hooked by the blurb and very curious bout the book, and i don’t regret that i requested the ARC. I think the author’s writing is very romantic, i love Tru, i love Gaari, but i love Shani the most! Her witty characters make me smile! The world building is good, we have a bit romance, and action. The idea of Beauty and The Beast retelling mix with chinese mythology is very interesting indeed.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me this arc!

A Forgery of Fate follows three sisters, but at its heart is Truyan—the one who truly inherited her mother’s gift. With the Sight, she can paint visions that inevitably come true, a secret she’s carefully guarded. But when her mother’s reckless gambling costs her sister’s freedom, Truyan is forced to reveal her abilities and flee with her family.

Their escape leads them to the enigmatic Demon Prince, who offers a deal: in exchange for his help, she must paint something for him when the time comes. As a skilled forger, Truyan is no stranger to deception, forging masterpieces to survive—but this bargain may cost her more than she ever imagined. With the fate of her lost father tied to the Demon Prince’s promises, she agrees, unknowingly setting herself on a path filled with dragons, magic, and an adventure that will reshape everything she thought she knew about fate, power, and the price of her gift.

Honestly this book was such a refreshing read, from someone who has been in a book slump with fantasy this is perfect. It kind of gives you Disney vibes but the nostalgia from the old movies and the magic. It truly is a great book and I'd recommend it to everyone.