This Fatal Kiss
Age 13+
Fantasy & Magical Realism
An immersive fantasy, filled with dark magic, mystery and romance, from the author of The Dark Tide.
Cursed to haunt the river running through the magical spa town where she drowned, water nymph Gisela dreams of returning to the living world and the family she left behind. All it takes to regain her humanity is a kiss from a mortal ... if only others didn't see her as monster.
Kazik, the brooding, interfering, spirit-hunting grandson of a local witch is determined to rid the world of unholy creatures like Gisela, but his plans go awry. Gisela strikes up a deal: she won't tell the other spirits that he's losing his magic, if he agrees to play matchmaker. But trouble arises when both she and Kazik set their sights on the same, devilishly handsome, young man ...
Expertly crafted, this hauntingly opulent quest through the spirit world is a slow burn enemies-to-lovers story told in multiple perspectives.
Creators
Alicia Jasinska is a fantasy writer hailing from Sydney, Australia. A library technician by day, she spends her nights writing and hanging upside down from the aerial hoop. She is the author of The Dark Tide and The Midnight Girls.
Reviews
Engaging and immersive—a delight from start to finish.
Kirkus Reviews
A delightfully queer polyamorous romance teeming with splashes of ethereal magic
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Lovingly detailed Slavic folklore forms the basis of this gripping fantasy…
Kirkus Reviews
Reading this book feels like looking at a gorgeous Art Nouveau painting of a water nymph, and then having the nymph come to life and start making jokes – it’s beautiful, surprising and will make you giggle. Alicia Jasinska manages to expertly bring together the lush, fairytale-esque setting with characters that are both funny and relatable – it’s a tough needle to thread in a historical fantasy, but Gisela’s wisecracking and Kazik’s dry humour make the world feel more vivid, rather than undermining it.
Readings
This Fatal Kiss is a unique and solid YA fantasy with its blend of folklore, mystery and a sweet romance. The world building is rich and immersive, and particular detail is given to the delicacies of Lesna Woda’s treats!
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