A Forgery of Fate review

Book: A Forgery of Fate 

Author: Elizabeth Lim 

Pages: 460 

Date(s) Read: October 15th, 2025 to December 17th, 2025 

Date Published: June 3rd, 2025 

Rating: 4/5 

Genre: Asian Fiction, Books Read in 2025, Stand-alone, Romantasy 

Characters: 4/5 

Writing style: 3/5 

Story: 4/5 

Ending: 5/5 

Cover: 5/5 

Format: Hard Cover 

Date Bought: August 3rd, 2025 

Book Cost: $15.74 

Review:

A Forgery of Fate is a straightforward and uncomplicated romantasy that focuses more on the fantasy than the romance. 

  

In a Forgery of Fate Tru forgers art to pay for her mother's mounting gambling debts after her father's disappearance at sea. She meets the enigmatic Elang who wants to overthrow Nazayun, the dragon king. To do that Tru must go to the underwater domain as Elangs "Tru" love.  

  

While nothing about the writing style or characters particularly stands out I found this novel to be an enjoyably bingeable romantasy. Personally I found it was lighter on the romance, which is usually okay but here I was desperate for more it.  

  

Tru and Elang had such electrifying chemistry. Its a great fantasy and adventure but more romance would have been ideal. Come here for a romantic story but don't expect a lot of romance.  

  

I bought this book for its fabulous cover art, which stands out more than the book itself, which isn't to say this is a bad novel -- far from it but it's very YA and you'll not forget that a moment reading this. If you're looking for an Asian inspired fantasy world and an exciting adventure this one is worth picking up. Add a star if you're in the YA age range.

Princess of Blood review

Book: Princess of Blood

Author: Sarah Hawley

Pages: 512

Date(s) Read: October 21^st, 2025 to December 12^th, 2025

Date Published: September 30^th, 2025

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fae, Fantasy, Romantasy,

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 4/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: September 14^th, 2025

Book Cost: $21.00

Review:

Princess of Blood is a spectacular sequel to Servant of Earth. I was on the edge of my seat every moment of this exciting fantasy follow-up.

 

In Princess of Blood Kenna is now the leader of the resurrected blood house. While trying to pick which future king to lend her support to Kenna strives to take care of Anna, reinvigorate her house, and navigate vicious fae court politics, all while falling in love with the last person she should be falling for.

 

Again, Kenna is a standout fmc. Most characters will follow the mmc no matter what buy Kenna diverges from that with her relationship with Drustan, showing actions do have consequences. This opens up the door for an even more intense slow burn romance.

 

Kenna is top tier fmc, if you're looking for a female main character that is truly amazing then Sarah Hawley's Shards of Magic series is the one for you. If you're looking for romance, fae court politics, and a lot of action this one has it all.

Blood and Steel review

 

Book: Blood and Steel

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Pages: 550

Date(s) Read: October 21^st, 2025 to November 18^th, 2025

Date Published: February, 13^th 2013

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5 (Arcane Society)

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: August 3^rd, 2025

Blood and Steel is an exciting romantasy that has everything you could ask for. I loved every moment of this fast-paced, action-packed fantasy.

 

All Althea Zoltaire wants to be is a warrior, something forbidden for women in Thezmarr. Her only desire has been to be one of the renowned Warswords of the realm. Unwilling to give up she becomes entangled with Warsword Wilder Hawthorne, the most vicious of all Warswords. Althea has just three years to make herself a legend, because in 3 years she will die.

 

Althea is not a particularly standout fmc but that doesn't detract from how much fun I had reading this novel. She's stubborn and driven, which is to be expected of female leads for romantasy books but I nonetheless enjoyed reading her journey. Her friends and peers are lovable and interesting. I found myself equally invested in the choices and decisions her friends and sister had to make.

 

There's nothing new or fresh here, but that's okay, there doesn't have to be. It's a blast to read and hits all the major romantasy hallmarks. Blood and Steel is a fabulous first novel.