This book had so much potential but ultimately in the end it just fell flat for me.

There is very little actually action or mystery, and the book has a repetitive, monotonous, often boring tone. What happens in the very beginning of <I>Knives Out</I> doesn't happen until about 60% into this book, and I think if there was some plot rearrangement it couldn't helped the story tremendously. That being said, it felt like there were multiple random plot holes or leads that never followed through.

I also wish there was more world building. We're kind of thrown into the world where sorcerers just exist and are like celebrities among people, however more backstory could've greatly helped, and more use of sorcery. Because somehow, this book made magic quite boring.

The world and the characters were flat and uninteresting, and I couldn't really be bothered to care for any of them. Hester, specifically, because she had the weirdest introduction and the shortest amount of time in the book, serving very little purpose.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Teen for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3/5 stars.

I wanted to like this SO bad, but it was just lacking...a lot. Now, it is a fairly quick read and is basically constant action/murder mystery solving...and I'll admit the end had me there for a second...but there's just...a lot lacking. For an urban fantasy novel, there's no explanation for why the occult is a branch of study in like...K-12 nor is it explained how some people have the skills and others don't. I'm not expecting a full fledged high fantasy telling, but there needs to be some sort of explanation. Especially when there are three schools of magic and people are typically good at one of them, and a big portion of the plot also rests on power and sorcery...it's hard to suspend disbelief when there's no world building.

The characters were also meh with development.

I will also say this book was hilarious in some parts but also cringe in some parts...but I did enjoy some of the references in it.

**SPOILER-FREE REVIEW**

Thank you to Penguin Random House for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. This book was SO fun!

I was drawn to These Deadly Prophecies from the moment I read the book description: "A teenage sorcerer’s apprentice must solve her boss’s murder in order to prove her innocence in this twisty, magic-infused murder mystery perfect for fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games."

I know that oftentimes when there are comparisons to other works/"for fans of..." statements in book descriptions they fall flat, but I was willing to give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did These Deadly Prophecies fit the vibes, it actually exceeded my expectations.

"But no matter what ugliness ensues, you must promise me this: find my son Callum and stay by his side. Come hell or high water, you stick to that boy like glue, you hear? It is the surest chance we have of keeping everyone safe."

Tabatha Zeng is a high school senior and apprentice to one of the wold's most famous fortune-telling sorcerers. When her boss predicts his own murder, Tabatha initially thinks he's pulling a cruel prank. Despite this, she promises him that, should his prophecy come true, she will seek out his youngest son Callum and stay by his side. However, her plan is complicated as she and Callum are pinned as the primary suspects in Sorcerer Solomon's murder. In order to clear their names, the two must learn to trust each other and work together to determine the identity of the true killer. But with questions surrounding their safety and the inheritance to the Solomon fortune up in the air, they find solving a murder to be more difficult than they expected.

I enjoy reading thrillers, murder mysteries, and fantasy, and this book did an excellent job of weaving all of those genres together into a fun and witty read. I particularly loved the magical realism of this story, where being a sorcerer is as valid a career path as becoming an engineer or a lawyer (though Tabatha's parents may disagree). While the pacing felt a bit off at times, there was nothing so glaringly off that it pulled me out of the story. This is a solidly teen/YA read, which there is absolutely nothing wrong with, but that is something to be mindful of if you're used to reading primarily adult fiction.

Overall, These Deadly Prophecies was a quick and enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of the murder mystery genre.

When I heard this book was being shelved next to the Inheritence Games and Knives Out but with magic added to the mix I knew I had to read it. While I think it was a bit more like the Inheritance Games than Knives out it was a wild ride. I did want to know a little more about the world and how magic works in it. As the story progressed I definitely understood a little more of it, but it was an interesting concept and I wanted to know even more. Tabatha is finishing high school but she is already a sorcerer’s apprentice and not just any sorcerer but one infamous for the most rare talent of fortune telling. When her sorcerer is murdered she has to work with his son to investigate the death so she is not blamed. But as she learns it’s not easy to be Nancy Drew when all of your suspects are extremely rich and powerful. The story was quick moving and the characters were interesting and I was invested in their success. I would love to see more in this universe but the story was pretty wrapped up so I’m not sure I’ll get that wish.

3.5 stars rounded up

This took me a little while to get into because it's not quite what I expected, but I ended up enjoying it. These Deadly Prophecies is a contemporary fantasy/murder mystery with a teen girl protagonist. So it reads more or less like a YA contemporary mystery, plus magical elements. I think it's going to be a fun book for a lot of people.

Tabatha Zeng is a high school student AND the apprentice to a famous sorcerer with fortune-telling powers. But when he is murdered, she and her boss's son Callum are at the top of the suspect list. So of course they team up to uncover who the real culprit is. Throw in lots of messy family drama, magical twists, and some teen romance for good measure! It's a pretty solid YA mystery, and the comparison to Knives Out is a good one.

I think I went in expecting more of a fantasy tone with a lot of world-building, but instead the tone is very contemporary (though there is some world-building) and it reads a little young. Because of my expectations it took a bit to adjust to what the story actually was, but I think this is going to be a hit with a lot of teens. I received a copy for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I was hooked the second I heard it was described as a magical Knives Out. I did get a bit of that vibe but I would say it felt a bit short of my Knives Out meets the Inheritance Games expectations. I think my biggest issue was the pacing. I found that for a shorter book (256 pages) the plot would speed along and then abruptly stop and then pick up and stop again. The narration style was unique and felt more like an internal monologue with bits of the story being told through Tabatha’s thoughts. Its first person with Tabatha engaging us the reader and it’s very much a tell us not show us style of writing. I also found that Tabatha’s character fell a little flat to me she kind of relied on the other characters big personalities to progress the story and I never really felt like we got to know her. I think I was expecting more magic. Tabatha maybe performs magic once or twice and it’s not memorable at all considering she’s one of the greatest sorcerers apprentice’s.

The mystery was intriguing and I do love a whodunnit with twists. The last 25% of the book really flys by and the ending seemed to happen very fast. I personally think it could have been fleshed out a bit better and the reason why felt like it was trying to be profound but was basically a miscommunication. Overall this was a fun YA book and I know this review sounds super negative but I did enjoy the story. The magic blended well within the contemporary world and the characters are quick witted and there’s fun banter. I think that overall this just wasn’t a personal favorite but it’s not a bad book or story. I think it’s great for YA readers and fans of mysteries mixed with magical murders.

Thank you Penguin Teen for providing me with an ARC

This book was a fun read and I can't wait to read more from this author. The main character Tabatha has to solve her teacher's murder along with one of his children. It was fun to see how they struggled to come up with the answer to the mystery. It had magic, mystery and some romance.

Tabatha is apprenticed to the Sorcerer Solomon, a man who has prophesied his own death. In this twisty mystery, Tabatha teams up with his Son to work out who perpetrated the crime...

There are some good twists in this book, and Tabatha was an interesting character. I found it a struggle to get into the book though, something about the writing style just didn't work for me!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for review

This was a fun book that kept me guessing until the end. I always enjoy mysteries where everyone's a suspect and this one fits the bill. The twists and turns and red herrings were entertaining and the ending made sense to me. Always a plus.

I liked the characters and wouldn't mind reading more about them, but the book could easily be a standalone if there isn't a sequel, like most YA fantasy/mystery books seem to have these days.

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book! This book had been on my radar for a while, I was instantly drawn in by the title and cover. Our main character is an apprentice under a famous fortune teller who comes across the fortune of his own grizzly death. The apprentice and one of the fortune tellers sons must work together to solve his murder. I really enjoyed this book throughout and the way that it was written as our main character’s memories of the situation. I wanted a stronger ending to this, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

A teen sorcerer's apprentice must solve her teacher's murder and deal with the strange inheritance he left her while also dealing with his very complicated family, it's Knives Out but with magic and a bit of romance! Tabatha Zeng is the apprentice to one of the world's most famous sorcerers... and she's known about his prophesied death for months. Tabatha apprentices's under fortuneteller Sorcerer Solomon, and he predicts that he will die a brutal death by "his most beloved" and that Tabatha must stick close to one of his sons, Callum Solomon, no matter what after his death. Tabatha finds herself in the list of suspects as well as in the potential crosshairs of whoever murdered her boss. It's up to her and Callum, her boss's youngest son, to solve the mystery before the killer aims for one of them and in order for them to both clear their names. Yet the Solomon family is complicated, filled with drama, money, and power... and Tabatha can't trust anyone, not even the boy she's begun to work with and who has begun to worm his way into her heart. This was such a fun murder mystery with a dash of romance and magic. I loved the Knives Out vibes in this book and it perfectly balances the mystery with the drama. I had so much fun reading this one and the story kept having fun twists and turns. You don't know who could have done it and it was a really nice twist at the end. I really loved the chemistry between Tabatha and Callum, I can't resist a cute investigative couple. Tabatha herself was a really fun protagonists to read. Overall, if you enjoy Knives Out and are looking for a fun mystery read, I would absolutely recommend this!!

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

What happens when your mentor prophecies his own murder? Well you become an amateur sleuth and work with his son to solve the murder obviously. This witty knives out style story was a great read. Tabatha was the apprentice to the world famous Sorcerer Solomon and was learning all about her gift of prophecy, but when she’s not fully trained and trying to find a murderer that could be one of his family members - she realizes she’s just a teenager playing Nancy drew. The banter and craziness that ensues with the help of the sorcerers son, callum was the best part of the book. The author gives them a real teenage vibe that they can figure this all out but at the same time way over their head. The many suspects and characters we meet along the way have you second guessing who done it. Fun read!

What happens when a powerful sorcerer predicts his death and his inheritance is in the balance? What happens when those around him start dropping dead in violent ways? What happens when the occult police officer is biased against all occult practices? Well, it’s up to two high school kids to find out who DID kill the sorcerer before the wrong person is blamed. Oh, but don’t forget, the family is less than forthcoming. This comes to a very satisfying and surprising conclusion. Jaw-dropping after what I thought would be a completely predictable book. Very good. It does have long chapters, though, that’s the only detraction here.

This book was a very fun read. Nothing earth-shattering but a good time none the less. I did find the main character to be slightly boring but she got better as the book progressed. The story was engaging enough and kept me reading. I would recommend for fans of The Inheritance Games because it definitely gave off the same vibes.

4.5 / 5.0 These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang is a modern magical realism story of a murder mystery, love, and fate.

Tabitha Zeng is apprentice to the most famous fortune teller in the world and is around his magic-touched family everyday. She, like so many other witches and sorcerers and magically-inclined people, is learning the ups and downs of her chosen profession, when her mentor tests her fortune-telling resolve with a true prophesy, the death fate wrote for him.

Here is where the story takes a sharp turn into horror and mystery. The dark happenings of jealousy and envy, and the truth of this family surrounding love, hate, and indifference. This is a fantastic story, the characters are well written and the pacing is excellent. There is a lot of detail and explanation as Tang explores the world with us, but it’s not overdone. It can be a little dry at times but moves quickly.

Overall, it doesn’t have a traditional resolution for this type of story. It leaves some things up the reader, letting us mull over our own thoughts and considerations. The characters are all masterfully placed into their roles in the plot, so just pay attention and you’ll be able to flow into the story easily. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a chance to review this book.

Until Next Time,
MC

Andrea Tang's YA mystery "These Deadly Prophecies" casts an inventive magical twist on the classic whodunit formula. When apprentice sorcerer Tabatha Zeng finds her boss murdered, she teams up with the victim's son Callum to catch the killer and clear their names. Tang builds an engaging world where magic exists behind the scenes of regular society. Tabatha makes for a smart, proactive protagonist as she puzzles out clues and confronts suspects with unique magical talents. The mystery itself intrigues, encouraging readers to piece together alibis and motives alongside the leads. At times the pacing lags, while the ending wraps up abruptly. The romance between Tabatha and Callum also feels underdeveloped. However, the magical elements add fresh imagination to the murder mystery genre. With cunning sorcerers, a scrappy heroine, and plot twists to the very end, fans of shows like "Knives Out" are sure to find an entertaining whodunit with a spellbinding twist.

These Deadly Prophecies was such an entertaining read. I didn’t want to put it down because it was so much fun.

The narrator, Tabatha Zeng, is an apprentice to one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world. She has a talent for prophecy, which is a rare talent. I loved her quirkiness and her determination to follow her own path. And, when she speaks directly to the reader, it’s such a delightful surprise that pulled me in even more because now I was part of the story.

The pacing is breakneck, as the story is full of danger, suspense, and action. Lots of thrills are always a good thing, in my opinion. And it’s surprising! I didn’t expect the who or the why, and the story ended much differently than I expected it to - which I think is good because it shook me up just a bit.

These Deadly Prophecies is technically YA, but it will be equally as appealing to the adult reader who enjoys a magical Knives Out type of story. The mix of fantasy and mystery/thriller takes over, and age is quickly forgotten.

The family dynamics are fun, creating an entertaining aspect, and the magical world is surprisingly well-developed and explained. I just loved this novel and will watch for more books by Andrea Tang.

This book was a DNF book. I will have to manually go and remove it from my
List of finished books from goodreads.
I had a friend review it, how it left them wanting more. I understand the idea but it dragged and I will want more from a story.
The writing is great the story/ plot is long. It can be entertaining but not for me.

Several times in the book are references to the MCs acting like Nancy Drew and Joe Hardy. That is what you're getting here. Very very light in magic (our female protagonist uses it maybe once) and it makes the occult feel very mundane (it's described here as a business). There's some plot holes (why did he rip up his will? It seemed mostly a reason to have two plots move forward but didn't make much sense), and if you can tell a prophecy is true does it matter who says it? Who lives on the house full time? She was an apprentice all through HS but never saw the ,2nd wife in person or in a photo? Again these things are necessary for the plot but they don't fully make sense.

So focus on a YA mystery with very little paranormal sprinkled in.

A gorgeous fantasy mystery. Knives out is a great comparison, I definitely got the same sort of twisted family murder mystery vibe. And the reveal was gorgeous. Thanks for the arc!