I really enjoyed this. This has been on my TBR for quite a while, so I was thrilled to be able to read and review this early. I think my favorite thing about this book, other than how interesting and fast-paced the plot was, was the way this book was written. The writing was simple, but not too young, which made it super easy to fly through this story. I loved the characters, too. They were fleshed out well and were each distinct and compelling. The twists and turns were so interesting, and I loved the mysterious aspect of the story--it was really well done, in my opinion. Overall, I really enjoyed this and I can't wait for more from this author!

Tabatha Zeng expects to hear and see strange things as the apprentice of one of the world's most famous sorcerers, but she didn't know murder would be one of those things. She is determined to keep the promise she made to Sorcerer Solomon before he is murdered, which means sticking close to his youngest son. But sticking around Callum is tricky when both of them are the top suspects unless they decide to work together to find the killer.

The book takes place in the modern day as if sorcery existed now, which makes for some interesting elements. It allows for normal things like lawyers, police officers, and women's self-defense classes. It also allows us to have a typical snarky teenage main character, which helps the book's tone stay light even with some of the more macabre elements. It allows a lot of the way things function to not need to be explained, but some of the magical elements are put in without a lot of explanation. Why are some parts of magic explained in schools but it still doesn't seem like something that is used widely? It's not essential to enjoying the book, but it does make me wish there were more answers. In a book that's partly based on my world, I like to imagine what it would be like to have those magical elements in my life. It's difficult to do that in this book.

The mix of characters had some delightful and frustrating elements. One of Sorcerer Solomon's sons is supposed to be popular and charming, but Tabatha doesn't seem to approach him any differently in spite of the fact that her inner dialogue suggests she might. I never felt like I got to know him. The paranormal detective also seemed like she should have been more important than she was. Apparently, she's been around investigating this family for years, but most of what we see of her is Tabatha's mom getting Tabatha away from the detective. I also never quite got what Sorcerer Solomon's character was supposed to be like. Yes, he's dead for most of the book, but I couldn't tell what the characters felt about him for most of the book in spite of them all trying to figure out who murdered him. One character who dies later feels so out of place because, on the one hand, she seems really important, but it's never entirely clear what her relationship with Sorcer Solomon and the rest of the family was like. These are some examples of characters lacking just a little more depth that would have made the book soar.

However, some of the character elements are really nice. I thought the relationships between siblings all trying to compete for their parent's attention was nice, and I thought some of the character dynamics of what children growing up around sorcery would be like. I also loved that parents are more involved in this story than is typically common for YA books. I love how protective and still ultimately supportive Tabatha's mom is.

Some other elements are frustrating too. In the end, the true answer to the mystery is never fully revealed. Considering how much of an emotional weight the answer to that question would hold, it's weird and unsatisfying that it's never completely unveiled. I'm also not sure why it was necessary to have a weird quippy comment about Mormon funerals (which would also be obviously incorrect to anyone who has been to a Mormon funeral) to try to make a joke or to use, "I'm gay" as a snarky comeback to accusations of being someone's mistress. Those little details might not have bothered me as much if there weren't also things like the character sighing a truly record-breaking amount of times within a few pages or even the nickname for her being "squishy wizard." Some of the snarkiness worked well, but some of it came off as somewhat amateurish to me, which is a shame considering how much I enjoyed the book otherwise.

In spite of those weaknesses, I enjoyed my experience reading the book. The plot kept me guessing, and there were times when I was shocked or surprised by the turn of events. I thought the mystery was well done overall (except for not revealing a central aspect of it).

The book does contain some light gore elements. Magical murder can still be messy, so keep that in mind if that's something you are sensitive to.

My initial reaction to this book right after reading it was 4 stars, which then lowered to 3 as I thought about it a little more. It's a fun, but sometimes spooky, paranormal murder mystery that fans of things like Knives Out may enjoy. It has just a tiny bit of teen romance, a dash of macabre, and a lot of fun.

This story was so fun to read. I was immediately hooked!

The writing is very simple and yet, at the same time, beautiful. It kept me engaged the whole time. The plot is also well-paced and I loved how it developed. The characters were all incredibly individual and well crafted!

I absolutely loved this book! I plan to come back to this review later to add some more detail.

Thank you so much to PenguinTeen for my e-ARC.

This one was a really interesting twist on the classic who dunnit. I liked the way we were lead in one confusing direction after another, and was completely blown away by the reveal! A little dark for YA in my opinion, but other than a little bit much there it was a great YA read!

Interesting premise, but it fell flat for me. If you're looking for a YA book with mystery and just a touch of romance, this could be a good option for you. However, I was expecting a bit more. I also expected, and wanted, more magic. Here, it felt like it was just another job, among lawyers, police officers, etc. The pace was slower than I prefer, and the characters were a bit one dimensional. I would've like more details on their powers. The romance angle was predictable. I did like the ending.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-read fantasy, family drama, and/or murder mystery, then look no further. These Deadly Prophecies is told from the POV of Tabatha Zeng, a 17-year-old sorcerer’s apprentice. Tabatha was a great main character and I thought Tang really nailed the teenage attitude. A bit of snarkiness and humor, while also including some of the issues & insecurities we all face at that age.

The pace was great too, the writing is such that I was pulled in right from the start and wanted to stay up late to read. I was constantly trying to guess who the murderer was and while I had an inkling, I really was never 100% sure. I personally would have liked a little more magic throughout the book and I thought the ending felt a little melodramatic. However, sign me up for Tang’s next book! I would even love to read a sequel to These Deadly Prophecies to know where all the characters go from here, especially Tabatha.

Genre: YA paranormal mystery

Similar to: Knives Out

Synopsis:
An apprentice to a sorcerer who predicts his own death sets out to solve his murder.

This was a fun paranormal mystery! It was more contemporary than I thought it would be. Think a high school murder mystery with a dash of magic. The tagline of a sorcerer’s apprentice made me think it would be more fantasy based. It follows the story of a sorcerer who is murdered and he gives his inheritance to his apprentice instead of his family. The family all suspect each other murdered the sorcerer and they all try to solve the mystery. The paranormal part comes into play because each child has a special ability.
It was fast paced and had a dash of YA romance. If you are looking for a quick read, check it out!

Thank you to Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! 🪄

Thank you to NetGalley, author Andrea Tang, and Penguin Young Readers Group: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This didn't work for me. I was really intrigued by the premise of a fortune-hunting, investigative mystery mixed with sorcery, but none of it was quite well done. My biggest issue with the book is the lack of world-building. The world these characters are in is not established at all, which makes it really confusing to follow along with. It seems like modern day with magic, but the principles of the magic are not explained whatsoever. It also reads like we've been dropped into the middle of a story or even a series, which makes it hard to get into and connect with both the characters and the plot. I found the romance side story unnecessary, and I was able to predict the ending, making it a let down. I think this book had potential that was sadly not reached, but if you do enjoy the premise of Knives Out with magic, you might still enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This book was so much more than I was expecting! This was fun and mysterious with a total Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys feel only with modern day magic and wizards! Tabatha is a sorcerer's apprentice. Her boss makes the prophecy of being killed by his most beloved...then is found murdered. Everyone is a suspect, and the list is long from his ex-wife and current non-magical spouse, previous apprentice, three children...one of which Tabatha was instructed to stay close to. Callum, the youngest son, becomes her partner in the investigation but is also a suspect (and love interest). Mystery and mayhem with a touch of romance, plus an emotional undercurrent of the messy family drama. I could totally see this as a movie or a TV series. I hope we get to see more of Tabatha and Callum playing detectives and sorcerers...and romantic partners!

4.5 stars

Short and Sweet Review
Tabitha is a sorcerers apprentice for Sorcerer Solomon one of the most famous sorcerers. For a while Sorcerer Solomon has been telling Tabitha about the prophecy of his death and it’ll be by someone he loves. When Solomon actually dies Tabitha becomes one of the suspects and she teams up with Callum, Solomon’s son, to figure out who actually killed him because they’re both the biggest suspects.
These Deadly Prophecies, is a book that really pulls you in and I think the biggest reason is Tabitha’s voice, she narrates the book to the reader like we’re friends and she’s telling you a story. It’s almost like those shows where someone breaks the 4th wall, Tabitha is amusing and a bit sarcastic, but she really knows how to tell a story. Anyway Sorcerer Solomon told her if he did die to go seek out Callum, which is what she does. They haven’t really talked much before this but now they’re spending lots of time together trying to figure out who in the family could have killed him or if it was one of his apprentices and why. The pacing was a little slow at first but once we see Tabitha and Callum start investigating things do start to pick up. The magic system here is interesting, Solomon, Tabitha, and Callum were working more with prophecies but we other characters that are able to do kinetics and illusions. The book was interesting because most of the suspects were family members like Solomons two other kids and his wife and mistresses. There’s a lot going on in this book, which could be a good or bad thing depending on how much content you like and how you have to keep up to piece everything together. The added element of magic to a mystery storyline made it even more extraordinary. I will say I wasn’t sure who the culprit was but the ending was satisfying and the mystery was wrapped up nicely.
Overall, These Deadly Prophecies was a fun ride! I definitely recommend this book for people who love mysteries and this one has the added element of magic and also if you enjoyed the movie Knives Out!

What an incredibly fun magical murder mystery!

I really liked the voicing and pacing of this novel, and that it's a low fantasy side by side with mundane society -- like you can elect to take occult classes. I wasn't sure in the very beginning if this was going to be a YA that was too young for me, but I found it really entertaining. There were not any parts that dragged out and plot were great, and it was twisty and full of surprises. I liked Tabatha very much as a main character, and I thought a lot of the familial struggles were really relatable.

Thank you so much Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review! I really enjoyed it.

Tabatha Zeng is the apprentice of Julian Solomon, the most notorious fortune teller. When Solomon predicts his own murder - that he will die at the hands of his best beloved - and it happens in fact, Tabatha is forced to solve a crime alongside Callum Solomon (her murdered boss’s youngest son) in order to prove her innocence.

Firstly, the craft of prophecy is such a spellbinding concept - the way the fortune-telling affects even the strongest mind, with its occult vibes. It is a narrative in which Tabatha, with her witty voice, often speaks to the reader, giving a dynamic tone. With captivating prose, the narrator's internal monologues are balanced by fun banter, moments that make the reader attached to the story. I am always intrigued by the whodunnit and I found it well-done; the deductive reasoning was able to catch one's attention throughout the book. Even though the last pages rush for a neat ending, the twists play with one's expectations.

It was interesting to learn about the magical members of sorcerer Solomon’s family - the characters are full of personality, each dealing with their own flaws. This book is about finding your own confidence while Tang also covers legacy, loyalty and fate. The pop culture and classics references add enjoyment to the narrative. The romance is light and I wouldn't have minded reading more of it. Regarding the cultural (Chinese) background, there is an overprotective mom, yet not entirely stereotyped. I had expected Tabatha's magic to be further developed, in regards to the focus on her inheritance.

THESE DEADLY PROPHECIES is an entertaining and fast-paced YA fantasy. If you enjoy an amateur sleuth murder mystery with Chinese protagonist and engaging magic, read this book.

First of all this needs a lot of editing. There are no breaks between chapters, and the main character just insistently giving us breaking the fourth wall monologs was rough. She's got a great voice in a quirky YA way with was fun but maybe not for me anymore. This had a wacky cast and a great who done it murder mystery thing going for it like knives out. Cool simple magic system and the romance was there. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced e arc of this one, it was fun.

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=2 | 😘=2.5 | 🤬=2.75 | ⚔️=3.5 | 14+

summary: girl is an apprentice to this sorcerer guy who is killed and she has to solve his murder via this prophecy alongside his son bc this is a young adult fantasy novel and love interests are required even if there’s no chemistry whatsoever

thoughts: well. this was... less than stellar 😭 very very cringy, super repetitive prose; had the author read it aloud, like, literally once, they would have realized when characters sighed three times on one page or that they used the same sentence structure over and over again––just stupid, silly things that genuinely make a difference in the reading experience. the dialogue is physically painful?? 😐 like the banter between the MC and her love interest?? his nickname for her was “squishy wizard” I wish I was joking I WISH I was joking. but like beyond surface-level stuff, the mystery that we’re looking for from literally chapter one is never explained! in the last chapter the love interest is talking to the MC and he’s like “wow so wild that the supposed ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK was never resolved haha” which is just––like so concerning and so frustrating?? bc it’s not just leaving a mystery unaddressed but there’s also a specific emotional tie to the main mystery that’s ignored, so it’s not just a bad move plot-wise, but also a bad move character-wise. idk. this felt like a first or second draft that should have been refined for, like... a while.

one more minor thing. (speaking as one queer person!! in my opinion!! this is literally so subjective!!) I don’t think every book has to (or even should) have queer rep––I’d rather there be no queer characters than harmful rep (this is especially true when an author is handling strong themes about the marginalization of a non-queer group). not that anyone asked lol. all this to say, I really, really wish Tang hadn’t had any queer characters, because the queer character we got we literally only know is queer because she said “I’m gay” as a sick comeback to someone accusing her of being some guy’s mistress. do we see her in any sort of relationship or mention a partner or anything?? no. nothing. and then (view spoiler). the entire thing was hilariously atrocious. and again, I consider this a relatively minor issue because it is, like, one side character and clearly the author really thought they did something here with their token lesbian which is so funny to me but I would have preferred a story with no queer rep to whatever this is!!

Ok, this book was such a fun read. I loved following along Tabatha on this crazy mystery. Her banter with Callum was top tier. The ending actually surprised me even though I really thought it wouldn’t. If you’re looking for a quick and fun murder mystery then this will hit the spot!!

I thoroughly enjoyed "These Deadly Prophecies"! It's a quick and action-packed read with a compelling murder mystery plot. While it could have benefited from more world-building, the constant action and intriguing magical elements kept me engaged. The characters, although not deeply developed, were likable, and the book had its share of humorous moments. Overall, it's a fun and entertaining read, perfect for fans of YA mysteries with a touch of magic.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited to receive the ARC for this book, I’d read snippets and I never thought in a million years that I’d get it but here we are!! I loved the story overall, I think it says a lot about growing up, having faith and confidence in yourself even though you’re different, and setting things straight when you make mistakes, especially ones that hurt other people.

Part of why it lost points in style in particular were the points when Tabatha broke the fourth wall. That’s entirely a personal style thing and it didn’t take away from the overall story too much, and there were parts of that style that I did enjoy and think were important to the story itself.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to friends who like magic and mysteries, and I think it’s a really great young adult book that reminds you that yourself is the best version of you.

**Characters:** 9

**Setting:** 5

**Plot:** 9

**Pace:** 8

**Style:** 6

**Ending:** 9

**Enjoyment:** 10

64 / 16 = 4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this YA whodunnit. Tabatha's narration is sparkling and quippy. It reads incredibly well. I never try to guess the murderer in a mystery like this, but was able to figure it out. I did have the motivations and how completely wrong, so still got to enjoy the reveal at the end. Great for readers who like a confident, funny female lead.

Tang's fast-paced murder mystery of sorcerers and teen sleuths is highly enjoyable and full of surprises. I enjoyed this story, the world that Tang has built, and the magic and people she's created inside it. I think any fans of Knives Out and magic-based fantasy will love it.

The pacing is quick, the story really pulls you along and I loved how Tang devised her twists to keep me guessing. Though I did discover who the culprit was before the big reveal, I didn't mind because there were still some elements that came with the how and the why that made for some surprise.

One of the best things about this story is the writing. Tang's main character, Tabatha, has such a snarky, quippy voice and it comes across beautifully on the page. She sounds like the sarcastic teenager she is and she has lots of little self-effacing moments that keep her grounded and real. She's messy, she has insecurities, but she also has heart and she knows how to put her trust in others without giving herself completely away. Callum is an interesting, jock-type counterpart, but I love the comparison of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys for their dynamic. I also enjoy the fact that neither of them is fully in control of any situation because, well, they're both teenagers trying to figure things out.

I also liked that the parental figures are present and a part of this story. It's not some isolated teen event. Tabatha's mother is caring and supportive, despite Tabatha's feeling like she's overbearing and hypercritical of the one thing she has set her sights on - the occult. The Solomon family adult figures are all highly messy and very much reminiscent of the Knives Out family that make the comparison feel very valid. Still, they bring the drama to the story that is definitely welcomed.

Overall, I'd say that this is definitely worth the read, especially if you're a mystery fan and you enjoy a little bit of magic mixed in. There's humor amidst the drama and gore/violence (which is never over the top). It's fast paced and it's lots of fun.

i have mixed feelings about this one. the synopsis was very intriguing and i went in to this thinking i would fully love it. sadly, that was not the case. the pacing was off in this book. there were times where nothing was happening and then everything happening all at once. frankly, it left me bored for chunks of the book. i did, however, really enjoyed the magical element to the story. the sorcery magic in the real world was very cool in my opinion.