REVIEW A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim is a new standalone fantasy romance that's filled with Lim's signature worldbuilding (and dragons!), slow burn romance, and lots of East-Asian inspired elements. Audiobook narrator Mirai did an excellent job bringing the story to life with her performance. While the book is marketed as a Beauty and the Beast reimagining, the story focuses more on the mission and the fantasy elements than the romance. That didn’t detract from the story at all, and helped add to the uniqueness.

Truyan is a gifted art forger who stepped up to take care of her family after her father's disappearance at sea and her mother's gambling habits worsened.. After a sale of a forgery went wrong, Truyan runs into the mysterious 'Demon Prince' Elang who offers her a deal. Protection for her family in exchange for her help (and the use of her gift in painting the future) with overthrowing the Dragon King. The only catch? To overthrow the Dragon King, they both must venture to his domain and underwater kingdom.

The worldbuilding and the chemistry between Tru and Elang were what kept me hooked throughout the story. The author painted such a vivid picture of the underwater kingdom that it was easy to envision in my mind. I didn’t expect to see turtles depicted as handmaidens and mermaids as queens, but it worked well for this book. There's also some major twists and unexpected reveals in Tru and Elang's relationship that I didn't expect. While there's a slow burn romance developing, they also treat each other like reluctant partners in crime a good portion of the time which was entertaining. And all the art metaphors, especially with the main theme of the book being art forgery, were particularly witty; my favorite line was "Gray is the color of truth. The same in art as it is in life, nothing is ever as black and white as it looks."

Overall, this was a great book and a very bingeable fantasy. It's currently listed as a standalone novel, and I liked how the author wrapped up the story threads at the end of the book. I recommend this novel to fans of Lim's earlier works, as well as dragons, fantasy romance, and books inspired by East Asian folklore.

BLOG TOUR The Goblin King's Mischief by D. Lieber

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions for The Goblin King's Mischief by D. Lieber. Check out my post to learn more about the book and the author, read an excerpt, and even enter a giveaway. Make sure you show some love to the other hosts as well - the more you comment, the more chances you have to win. 

The Goblin King's Mischief by D. Lieber (Goddess Fish Promotions Tour Schedule)

About the Book

A promise unkept. A love she can’t forget. This wily human will do anything to reclaim the heart of the Goblin King.

Lady Melody Piobaire never lost faith her first love would come for her when she was forced from his side. That is, until she finds out he doesn’t even know who she really is…doesn’t even know she’s human. To make things worse, she’s the promised mistress of the sidhe king. Rather than bear Tir’s heir, she devises a plan to win back her true love in the most goblin of ways.

Orphaned elf Aodh never forgot what it was like growing up on the mean streets of Goblintown. And now, as Goblin King, he’s dedicated to being the just and attentive ruler the neglected goblins deserve. So when a spoiled human who knows nothing of what it means to be a goblin tricks him into marriage, he’ll do anything to be rid of her.

Melody is certain she can win Aodh’s heart again, so she isn’t prepared for his hot and cold hostility. Aodh is unsettled by the forward human in his home and the way she seems to know just how to get to him.

What can Melody do if her only love no longer wants her, or worse, no longer exists?

Excerpt

His blush deepened. “Help me by being my goblin queen.”

Heat bloomed on my cheeks and neck—even my ears felt hot. I could hardly hear my voice over the sound of my pounding heart. “Is this a marriage proposal?” I tried to make my voice light, but I didn’t quite pull it off.

He dropped his eyes to the little bit of space between us. “I mean, you must like me at least a little. You’ve kept coming around these last few months after all.” His nonchalant tone was much more convincing than mine had been.

Disappointment wiggled its way into my heart, but it made my lie much smoother. “Yes, to buy potion ingredients.”

His expression sagged a little, and hope pushed the disappointment aside. “W-well, you did kiss me that time.”

I could see it now, and I smiled while my heart rang as a bell struck. “Yes, to thank you for saving me.”

All of his confidence, his bravado, crumbled away as he turned his gaze back to the dispersing crowd. 

“Do you know what you’re asking me to put aside?” I wondered aloud.

“I’m sure your parents have picked some rich and powerful sidhe out for you,” he said bitterly. “Is that what you want?” His question was quiet, uncertain.

Thoughts of guilt toward my family and Lorccán were long forgotten. My hand trembled when I reached out and rested it on his, and his eyes flicked to mine.

“They have. But even so, when you become the goblin king, I’ll be your goblin queen,” I murmured.

About the Author 

D. Lieber has a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.

Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.

Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox). 

Links

Website: www.dlieber.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/dlieberwriting

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/d-lieber

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