eARC Review: Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

Deathly Fates
by Tesia Tsai
Publication Date: April 14th 2026
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Find This Book: Deathly Fates
Source: NetGalley eARC
Rating: 3/5

As a priestess paid to guide the deceased home, Kang Siying has never feared death. However, when her beloved father collapses, Siying realizes that even she is not free from the cruel grasp of mortality. Desperate to provide her father with the medical aid he needs, Siying accepts a dangerous job that promises a generous commission, and travels to a hostile state to retrieve the corpse of a missing prince.

But the moment Siying places her reanimation talisman on the dead prince's head, rather than make the corpse obedient to Siying's commands, the talisman brings the prince back to life. Worse, he won't stay alive for long—not unless he absorbs enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body.

In return for a reward worth twice her original commission, Siying agrees to aid the frustratingly handsome prince in finding and purifying evil spirits for their qi. As they journey across the countryside, encountering vengeful ghosts and enemy spies alike, they gradually uncover dark secrets about the prince's death—secrets that could endanger both Siying's father and their entire kingdom.

I was hoping this book would completely hook me and make it impossible to put down, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. The execution felt lacking overall, and I found myself pushing through a story that never fully grabbed my attention.

I ended up loving Siying in the last few chapters, but for most of the book I struggled to feel invested in her goals or emotional journey. The dynamic between her and the back-from-the-dead prince had potential, but it needed far more development. I was told they were falling in love, but I never really felt that chemistry on the page. Their relationship lacked emotional depth, and both characters could have used stronger personalities.

The MMC especially frustrated me — he’s often an idiot and a coward, and while I appreciated that Siying actually calls him out on it, I couldn’t fully buy into her feelings for him. She spends so much of the book pining after him long before he shows meaningful character growth, which made the romance hard for me to invest in.

The most interesting part of the book was Siying’s role as a priestess of death, but ironically, the story barely explores that aspect. I kept wanting more of the worldbuilding, lore, and moral complexity tied to her position, and it felt like a missed opportunity.

Overall, this wasn’t a terrible read, but it never lived up to its premise for me. There were interesting ideas here, but the characters, romance, and execution didn’t fully deliver.

Review: Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley

Servant of Earth
by Sarah Hawley
Publication Date: November 12th 2024
Publisher: Ace
Find This Book: Servant of Earth
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5/5

In the underground Fae realm, only the strongest and most ruthless have power—but a young human woman forced into a life of servitude is about to change everything.

Kenna Heron is best known in her village for being a little wild—some say “half feral”—but she’ll need every ounce of that ferocity to survive captivity in the cruel Fae court.

Trapped as a servant in the faeries’ underground kingdom of Mistei, Kenna must help her new mistress undertake six deadly trials, one for each branch of Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood. If she succeeds, her mistress will gain immortality and become the heir to Earth House. If she doesn’t, the punishment is death—for both mistress and servant.

With no ally but a sentient dagger of mysterious origins, Kenna must face monsters, magic, and grueling physical tests. But worse dangers wait underground, and soon Kenna gets caught up in a secret rebellion against the inventively sadistic faerie king. When her feelings for the rebellion’s leader turn passionate, Kenna must decide if she’s willing to risk her life for a better world and a chance at happiness.

Surviving the trials and overthrowing a tyrant king will take cunning, courage, and an iron will... but even that may not be enough.

Loved loved loved!!!

Servant of Earth tells the story of a vicious fae court from the perspective of a kidnapped human. It’s definitely dark so be sure to check out the content warnings! That being said, I tore through this.

The world building and magic systems were easy to follow, the main character was fierce and fun to root for, the pacing keeps you entertained, and there was plenty of political court intrigue.

Everything really shines in this book: the setting, the coming of age trials, the class systems, and all of the characters were so well developed!

eARC Review: Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel

Most Eligible
by Isabelle Engel
Publication Date: January 13th 2026
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Find This Book: Most Eligible
Source: NetGalley eARC
Rating: 4/5

Georgia Rose is not going on the hit reality dating show Love Shack to find love. She’s there to write a killer exposé on the producers, which will guarantee the journalism job of her dreams. But when Georgia’s unforgettable one-night stand from the year before, country singer Rhett Auburn, steps into the Malibu mansion as the season’s new host, all of her carefully crafted plans unravel.

Caught up in the drama of backstabbing contestants, producer blackmail, and death-defying dates, Georgia must keep her identity—and history with Rhett—a secret. Despite the lies between them, it isn’t long before Georgia and Rhett’s heated behind-the-scenes moments start to feel more genuine than the romance Georgia’s faking for the cameras. But with her assignment unfinished and the executive producer on her tail, a second chance with Rhett could be her riskiest move of all.

Most Eligible is a fun, behind the scenes romp through a Bachelor-esque dating show, and the premise absolutely delivers. Engel builds the world of Love Shack so well. The producer drama, the over the top dates, even the in-universe country songs all make the setting feel vivid and believable.

Georgia was the standout for me. She’s layered, driven, and full of secrets, and watching her juggle her undercover mission with her unresolved chemistry with Rhett was a blast. Her motivations and regrets gave her a depth that some of the other cast members didn’t quite match.

My only real gripe was that both male love interests felt a bit underdeveloped, which kept the romance from fully landing. Still, the writing is engaging, the pacing is quick, and the whole thing is just plain fun.

A great pick for contemporary romance fans; especially anyone who loves reality TV drama!

eARC Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

The Escape Game
by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss
Publication Date: April 7th 2026
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Find This Book: The Escape Game
Source: NetGalley eARC
Rating: 4/5

It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, season four of The Escape Game ended in horror when contestant Alicia Angelos was found murdered on set.

Now season five is underway, and new contestants are ready to put their skills to the test solving the show's trickiest escape rooms. There's Adi, the cryptographer; Carter, the math whiz; Beck, the wannabe game master, and . . . Sierra Angelos, the girl who got away with her sister’s murder. Or so everyone believes.

But Sierra’s not just here to win. She’s here for justice.

When the contestants begin uncovering clues that hint at the identity of Alicia’s true killer, it becomes clear that the stakes aren’t high in this competition, they’re deadly. If these teens want to win—and survive—the game, they must solve the biggest mystery of who killed Alicia Angelos?

The Escape Game is a fast-paced reality competition with a dark sub-plot: a murder mystery. The novel blends puzzles, high-stakes competition, and amateur detective work into an entertaining and suspenseful read. From the start, it hooks the reader with its eerie premise—after a contestant was murdered during a previous season, a new group of teens returns to the set, stepping closer to the truth behind that crime.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its concept. The escape-room setting is creative and keeps the story moving at a brisk pace, as the contestants race not only to win the game but also to stay on set long enough to uncover more clues. The combination of challenges and mystery makes the setting feel fresh and engaging, and fans of thrillers and puzzle-based stories will likely find a lot to enjoy.

However, the book’s biggest weakness lies in its character development. With four main characters rotating through different POV chapters, it’s difficult to fully connect with any single one. While the multiple perspectives add variety, they also limit how deeply the story explores each character’s personality and motivations. As a result, the emotional stakes—especially surrounding Sierra and her murdered sister, Alicia—don’t always feel as impactful as they could have. This ultimately knocked the book down a star for me.

Still, I enjoyed the story overall, and with an open ending that clearly sets up another installment, I’m hopeful that future books will allow for a stronger connection to these characters.

eARC Review: A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

A Forgery of Fate
by Elizabeth Lim
Publication Date: June 3rd 2025
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Find This Book: A Forgery of Fate
Source: NetGalley eARC
Rating: 5/5

A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

A Forgery of Fate has cemented Elizabeth Lim as a favorite author of mine. Inside you’ll find a fake marriage, scheming, an underwater palace, a brooding dragon, budding friendships, and drool-worthy food descriptions. I’d say this is Beauty and the Beast inspired, but not a retelling. It retains the cursed love interest vibes while offering a wholly new experience!

What I Loved:
-The character building
-Focus on family and friendships
-The Magic System (painting the future still leaves room for trickery and surprises)
-Fake Marriage (and the slow burn genuine yearning that goes with it!)
-The descriptions, Lim is a master at settings and visuals
-The final showdown was awesome
-This book made me cry

I can’t finish my review without expanding upon the characters in this, especially the main characters Truyan and Elang. Tru knows her strengths and she stands by her convictions. She’s fierce yet compassionate and her empathy and cleverness are aspects that I adore and respect most about her. As she gets transported to the undersea realm of magic and dragons and has to start her life anew, she forges new friendships and inspires the people around her to do their best.

I also enjoyed the agency Lim gave Tru, considering the retelling vibes. Unlike Belle who essentially gets kidnapped and is held prisoner; Tru is instead a willing participant in a fake marriage where she uses her painting skills to help Elang’s mission while Elang helps Tru find her missing father.

In summary, I devoured this book and highly recommend it!

Review: Fate Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

Fate Breaker
by Victoria Aveyard
Publication Date: February 27th 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins
Find This Book: Fate Breaker
Source: Publisher Final Copy
Rating: 4/5

A dark fate descends. A shattered alliance must rise.

The Companions are torn apart and the realm hangs in the balance, at the edge of ruin. Taristan and Queen Erida rise triumphant from the battlefield, while Corayne barely escapes with her life; her Companions left behind to uncertain fates.

But not all hope was lost: Corayne managed to steal Taristan's Spindleblade. Without it, Taristan can’t rip open any more Spindles. Without it, he can’t end the world.

Now, from every corner of the realm, the Companions race to reunite while they rally old allies and seek unexpected new ones, in one final push against darkness.

But Taristan and Erida are all but invincible. With their cruel god, What Waits, on their side, they will sacrifice anything and anyone to his hunger.

Everything has come to this. In the final clash between good and evil, a ragged alliance makes its bravest stand against a ruthless enemy . . . and the demon god who would consume the realm entire.

I really enjoyed this series! This book covers a lot of bases, it pretty much has it all! You've got a band of heroes, a villain power couple with an undead army, immortals, knights, assassins, bounty hunters, pirates, dragons, and even magical swords that create portals to other worlds. This series has a lot of really fun and fresh takes on several fantasy tropes, and I love characters with whit, angst, and snark which Aveyard does really well.

The world-building was especially well done, and each book takes its time to develop the ensemble cast of characters, even the ‘bad guys’. There are several different romance side-plots so you get a little taste of everything in this series. My favorite was the slow burn couple, followed by the villain romance. The action scenes were awesome and I really enjoyed the development of all of the character arcs in this last book.

I can’t give Fate Breaker five stars because the ending didn’t provide the plot closure I was looking for. The epilogue gave only 2-3 paragraphs per person and it was all a bit too vague for me to feel satisfied. After dedicating the time to read 1,779 pages (for all three books) I should feel satisfied! But all in all I would still recommend this series for fantasy buffs. It is such a fun journey!