I finished A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim at 2AM. My eyes were wide and my heart was pounding. This fantasy story pulled me in with magical art.
It had fake marriage drama and a dragon lord who surprised me. If you want romance, adventure, and a new take on fairytales, this book gives you that.
Key Takeaways
The book gives a new take on Beauty and the Beast.
It has magical art and a dragon lord. The characters work well together and move the story fast.
This keeps the story fun and interesting. Readers will find romance, adventure, and special fantasy parts that are different.
First Impressions
Why I Picked It Up
I’ll be honest, I grabbed A Forgery of Fate because I needed a break from heavy, dark fantasy. I wanted something with a bit of magic, a dash of romance, and a twist on a classic story.
Elizabeth Lim’s name caught my eye. I’ve read her other books and usually enjoy her style. The cover looked gorgeous, and I’m a sucker for anything with dragons or magical art.
Expectations
Before I started, I had a few hopes:
I wanted unique magic. Magical art sounded fresh.
I hoped for chemistry between the main characters.
I expected a fast pace. I didn’t want to slog through slow chapters.
I looked for a fairytale retelling that didn’t feel like a copy-paste job.
I also worried a bit. Would the romance feel forced? Would the plot get lost in too many fantasy details? I’ve read a lot of retellings that blend together, so I hoped this one would stand out.
About the Author
Elizabeth Lim’s Style
I have to give props to Elizabeth Lim for her unique writing style. Her stories feel like music—there’s a rhythm to the way she builds scenes and emotions. I read that she studied music composition, and honestly, I can see it in her books. Each character feels like they have their own theme, almost like a song playing in the background.
Lim also brings in a lot of visual art. Her family loves Chinese painting, and that shows up in the way she describes magical art and settings. I love how she makes her fantasy worlds feel real with these little cultural details.
Lim’s characters always stand out to me. She doesn’t just write about heroes and villains. She gives us people with real feelings, tough choices, and sometimes, a bit of moral grayness. I noticed she likes to write about sisters or close relationships, and those parts always hit me hardest. Her slow-burn romances and emotional moments kept me turning pages way past my bedtime.
Series and Standalone Works
Elizabeth Lim has written both series and standalones. I first found her through the Blood of Stars duology, which mixes sewing magic with adventure. She also wrote Six Crimson Cranes, a fairytale retelling with a strong sister bond.
Her standalone, Her Radiant Curse, focuses on sisters too. Each book has its own vibe, but you can always spot her love for art, music, and complicated characters.
A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim: Story
Plot Overview
A Forgery of Fate grabbed my attention right away. The main character is Tru. She is a magical artist who can paint things into real life. Tru gets involved with a dragon lord who needs her help. They agree to a fake marriage, but things get tricky fast. The story is inspired by Beauty and the Beast, but it feels new. There is an exciting art heist, underwater escapes, and a bit of forbidden romance.
Here are some things that stood out:
She meets friends and enemies, each hiding something.
The story leads to a big reward, both magical and personal.
There is a wild escape scene that made me read faster.
Tru is unsure about going back to her old life, which adds drama.
The mix of romance, adventure, and art heist kept me interested. I was never bored. The risks felt real, and Tru and the dragon lord had great chemistry in every scene.
Setting and Atmosphere
The underwater world in A Forgery of Fate feels dreamy and strange. I could picture the glowing colors and moving water. The setting reminded me of fantasy movies where every detail pulls you in. The underwater cities and magic rules made the world feel new. The fairytale feeling is strong, but the world is different and not copied.
Fantasy places like this have hidden magic and new rules.
The mood feels magical, almost like a dream.
The mix of romance, suspense, and magic makes the world feel real.
Characters
Tru (Truyan)
I have to give props to Tru. She’s not your average fairytale heroine. Tru has agency. She makes her own choices, even when things get scary. Her magical art is more than a cool trick. It shapes the story and her future.
I loved how she used her talent to solve problems, not just wait for rescue. Tru’s motivation felt real. She wants freedom, not just romance. Sometimes, she doubts herself, and I felt that in my chest. I rooted for her every step.
Strong-willed but not perfect
Uses art as both shield and sword
Wants more than just a happy ending
The Dragon Lord
The Dragon Lord surprised me. He’s not just a beastly love interest. He has secrets, and his chemistry with Tru is electric. Their fake marriage setup gave me chills. I laughed at their awkward moments and felt the tension in their arguments. He’s grumpy, but not cruel. I liked how he respected Tru’s choices. Sometimes, I wished for more backstory, but what I got kept me hooked.
Mysterious and a bit grumpy
Not your typical “beast”
The fake dating trope works here
Supporting Cast
The side characters brought color to the story. I liked the clever friend who always had Tru’s back. The rival artist made things spicy.
Some characters felt a bit flat, but a few stood out and made me smile. I wish I knew more about the underwater folks, but the main cast carried the story.
Storytelling
Retelling Elements
I love a good fairytale twist, but I get bored when a retelling just copies the original. A Forgery of Fate actually surprised me. Lim takes the Beauty and the Beast idea and gives it a fresh spin with magical art and an underwater world.
I noticed the story theme and character realism felt more grown-up than most retellings. Tru isn’t just a stand-in for Belle. She has her own voice and real choices.
The story keeps the central moments from the classic, but adds new layers.
I saw how the focus on sharing and trust made the story feel more meaningful, kind of like how studies show kids remember more from stories about sharing than busy stories.
The characters felt more real than in some other retellings I’ve read.
Lim doesn’t just retell—she reimagines.
Pacing
I read this book in one night. The pacing kept me hooked. Every chapter ended with a reason to keep going. I never felt lost or bored. The story moved fast, but not so fast that I missed the emotional beats.
The action scenes felt quick and sharp.
The romance built slowly, which made the payoff sweeter.
I noticed my own engagement matched what I’ve seen in reader stats—when a story keeps you guessing, you just keep turning pages.
The emotional highs and lows kept me invested, just like research says about stories with strong emotional swings.
World-Building
Magic and Lore
I have to give props to Lim for how she mixes magic with real-life worries. Tru’s art magic isn’t just a cool trick. It shapes her choices and the story’s big moments. I noticed the magic rules felt clear and made sense.
That made the world feel believable, not random. I’ve read fantasy books where magic just pops up with no reason. Here, every spell and magical rule matters.
The magic system reminded me of games like D&D, where rules and history make things richer.
Lim grounds her fantasy in real feelings and problems, which makes the story hit harder.
The criminal groups in the book use secret codes, kind of like real thieves’ slang from history. That detail made the world feel more real.
I liked that the magic had limits. Tru couldn’t just wish her problems away. That kept the tension high and the stakes real.
Underwater Setting
The underwater world in this book felt wild and new. I could almost see the glowing colors and strange shadows. Lim describes the way light bends and colors shift underwater. It made me feel like I was swimming next to Tru.
The setting uses details that remind me of how scientists fix underwater photos—adjusting for weird colors and light.
The cities and creatures felt different from anything on land. That made every scene feel fresh.
I loved how the underwater rules changed what Tru could do. She had to think fast and adapt.
Sometimes I forgot I was reading. I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
Ending and Impact
Resolution
I reached the last page with my heart racing. The final scenes felt like a wild ride. Tru faced her biggest challenge, and I actually held my breath. The story didn’t tie everything up with a neat bow, but I liked that. Some questions stayed open, which made the ending feel real.
I wanted a bit more from the dragon lord’s backstory, but the main plot wrapped up in a way that made sense. The art magic played a big part in the final twist. I have to give props to Lim for not taking the easy way out.
Satisfying but not perfect ending
Some loose threads left for readers to imagine
Art magic drives the final moments
The romance lands softly, not too cheesy
I closed the book feeling both happy and a little sad
Strengths
I have to confess, I read this book with my knees tucked up and my phone on silent. I lost track of time and forgot about my tea until it went cold. That’s how much I got pulled in.
Here’s what stood out for me:
Creative Retelling: The story takes the bones of Beauty and the Beast and gives them new life. I never felt like I was reading the same old fairytale. The mythic touches and magical art made everything feel fresh.
Strong Protagonist Agency: Tru doesn’t just react—she acts. She makes choices, faces the fallout, and never waits for someone else to save her. I rooted for her because she felt real.
Complex Characters: The dragon lord surprised me. He’s not just a grumpy love interest. He’s flawed, deep, and sometimes even funny. The side characters add color and help build that fairytale mood.
Engaging Pacing: I couldn’t put it down. Every chapter ended with a hook. The rhythm kept me flipping pages, and I never felt lost or bored.
Balanced World-Building: The underwater setting felt magical but never confusing. The details made me want to stay in this world, but the story never got bogged down.
Down the Rabbit Hole’s review nailed it: the book balances detail and fairytale magic, never overwhelming the reader. I agree—the pacing and character work kept me hooked.
Weaknesses
I have to admit, I read this book with my phone flashlight under the covers, hoping for a jaw-dropping twist. Sometimes, I got it. Other times, I found myself squinting, trying to figure out what the story wanted from me.
Here’s where the book tripped me up:
Unclear Goals: I struggled to pin down the main aim. Was it about Tru’s freedom, the romance, or the art heist? The story jumped between these, so I felt a bit lost.
Organization: The plot sometimes zigzagged. I had to flip back to remember who was on Tru’s side. The timeline felt wobbly, which made some scenes confusing.
Writing Style: Lim’s style is usually clear, but here, some chapters felt rushed. I wanted more time with the dragon lord’s backstory. Some emotional moments didn’t land as hard as I hoped.
Audience Fit: I couldn’t tell if this book wanted to be for teens or adults. The romance felt mature, but the adventure parts read younger. That mix made it hard to know who would love it most.
Comparisons: I’ve read other fairytale retellings that felt tighter and more focused. This one had heart, but sometimes lost its way.
Final Thoughts on A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
Who Will Love It
I have to give props to anyone who loves fairytale retellings with a twist. If you want a story that feels both familiar and new, this book might be your next late-night read. Here’s who I think will enjoy it most:
Readers who crave magical art and creative fantasy worlds
Fans of Beauty and the Beast but want something less predictable
Anyone who likes a fake marriage trope with real emotional stakes
People who enjoy strong, active heroines who make their own choices
Those who want a book that mixes romance, adventure, and a bit of heist action
Tip: If you like stories that keep you guessing and don’t mind a few loose ends, you’ll probably have fun with this one.
A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim gave me late-night chills and a few laughs.
Tru’s magic and the underwater world felt fresh.
Some plot jumps left me scratching my head.
I’d rate it a solid 7/10.
Would you read it? Drop your thoughts below!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Forgery of Fate a standalone or part of a series?
I read it as a standalone. I didn’t spot any cliffhangers or hints at sequels. You can jump in without reading anything else.
Does the romance take over the story?
Nope! The romance adds tension, but the plot focuses on Tru’s choices and the magical art. I never felt like the love story swallowed everything.
Is this book good for younger readers?
I’d say teens and up. The story has some mature feelings and tricky choices, but nothing too wild. I’d hand it to a younger cousin who loves fantasy.
