I think I was expecting more of a high stakes fantasy rather than this light, fun, magical romp. Once I got into the vibe of the book, I throughly enjoyed Tabatha and Callum's Nancy Drew/Joe Hardy investigation.

Personally, I really had no idea who the murderer was until the reveal. I loved the murder mystery, Inheritance Games vibe and there were definitely some swoon worthy moments.

Thank you to Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
There's a dash of magic in here, but the snappy narration and relatable protagonist keep the story grounded and surprisingly realistic.

Thoughts
Modern stories where magic is considered just as standard as any other industry are always fun for me. So it was nice to have an apprentice who argues with her parents over whether or not to become a professional sorcerer, or something more respectable, like a lawyer. You know the one. And I think that's my favorite part of the book. Despite being a world with magic, the story is a very grounded novel with a relatable protagonist who has very relatable problems. The magic system is clearly explained, although not explored as deeply as I'd like, and magic is used way less often that I initially expected. The family and friends are appropriately messy, although there's a part of me that would not have complained if they were even MORE messy. Narration is quick and snappy, and I enjoyed the POV quite a bit. A good read for anyone looking for a YA modern mystery with just a touch of magic to it.

Well this is a Solid 4 stars, it is a pleasant surprise how much I liked this book. It was fast paced and written in a witty first person narration that I quickly finished it in two sittings, I was definitely sold on the fact that it is Knives out kind of mystery with an occult theme. It definitely has all the elements of cozy, low stakes mystery even with elements of gore because of the narrative style

Tabatha and Callum’s character’s were quite engaging and the mystery itself wasn’t the most compelling part of the story because in my humble opinion you could perhaps figure out whodunnit by half way point but the story was intriguing enough for me to stop thinking about who but focus mostly on why and how of the mystery element.I loved the core of the plot being able to find the version of yourself and love it fiercely, definitely an interesting take with a twist of magic and mystery.The world building while it was interesting, I thought it needed a bit more of refining because it sounded like it is a Magical realism but I wasn’t really sure about anything else other than that like how things worked with the Sorcerer world and common folks. Either way it’s an entertaining , quick YA fantasy to pick up for yourself for a fun read

When I saw the "Knives Out" comparison in the description of this book, I WAS HOOKED. That comparison is right on the money and the book was such a wild ride. It was quick paced, crazy characters, and a touch of romance...what else could you ask for?

Give this book a READ!

This book was cute, and also good not great. I felt like it moved at a breakneck pace and not in a good way. While Tang did a good job at moving the plot along, it often resulted in a lack of character and plot development. The culprit seemingly comes out of nowhere, with reasons that must be TOLD to the other characters in a data dump because they're so on the outskirts you barely know them as a character<

I enjoyed the world of this book; it was interesting to consider a world, which is this actual world, but with magic having survived the Salem Witch Trials and become integrated with society. A little bit more about HOW this happened would have greatly enhanced this, though. Tang wrote as if everyone knew that magic was just a thing, which makes complete sense for the characters, but as an outsider, a little more context/history would have been nice.

This book definitely wants to ride on the coattails of the success of properties like Knives Out and The Inheritance Games Trilogy (quadrilogy?) but it doesn't quite rise to the occasion. Its still enjoyable for fans of those stories, but will still stand in their shadows. Will be interesting to see if this becomes a duology or more, but this story and its characters might not be strong enough to go any further.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Okay this was SO good. I think that this was the ideal mystery/thriller for those who love to be curled up in front of the fire anxiously holding onto the edge of their seat all evening. Absolutely PERFECT for people that loved Knives Out, A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

Once I heard this compared to The Inheritance Games and Knives Out, I knew I needed to pick it up. A murder mystery with a magical twist? Yes, please. The premise sounded like it was going to be right up my alley, but unfortunately, I thought the execution was messy. I didn't like the writing style, and thought the world-building and characters needed a lot of work. The mystery was also pretty meh. I was able to tell who was behind it very quickly, so the big reveal wasn't as impressive. I did enjoy how fast-paced the story was and flew through it in one sitting, but as a whole, I found it lacking.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

Fun little mystery! The pacing was a bit off at times but I enjoyed it and the twists.

Come for the 'Knives Out' and 'The Inheritance Games' but with magic! Stay for the snarky narration and adorable nerdy jock detective partner!

This was a fun murder mystery in which each member of the family is a suspect, and most of them can do magic. Highly recommended YA reading!

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.

This was really fun! Great characters, great world-building, great plot twists. I'd love to read more from this author.

A cute and funny murder mystery filled with magic, prophecy, and a sprinkle of romance. What’s not to love?

Tabatha Zeng is an apprentice of the famous fortune teller Sorcerer Solomon, who predicts his own brutal murder. Teamed up with Callum Solomon, the third son of Solomon and classmate of Zeng, the two must solve the murder before being framed for the deadly deed. The only hunch they have is the sorcerer’s own prophecy.

The dialogue really makes this book a must read. Callum is such a cute jock, and I couldn’t help but laugh at his super nerdy jokes. The mystery was great to solve along with the characters. Fans of Knives Out will love this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this ARC.

This book was a fun quick read if you want your murder mystery craving to be satisfied! The plot was fast paced and many things were occurring as the book went on. The biggest thing I struggled with was the writing style, that made the book a little bit difficult for me to get through. The romance was also a part of the plot but it wasn't the main focus. More so a little dash to compliment the premise. This is a great quick read standalone!

3.5 stars/5 stars

Unique plot resulting in a wonderfully written book.

This book kept my attention and made it hard to put down. The plot left me guessing until the very end.

Highly recommend this read, 5/5 stars!

What a fun book! You can’t go wrong with sorcerers and murder. I loved the whole whodunnit vibes of this book and was guessing til the end.

The writing style was interesting. It’s not often you get a book that directly speaks to the reader, so it took a minute to get used to.

The characters were fun and it was interesting to see how they progressed and evolved as the story went on.

Tabatha Zeng is the apprentice to Sorcerer Solomon. Or she was, until the prophecy he told her one evening comes true and he is found gruesomely murdered in his own home. The police have two suspects - Tabatha and Callum Solomon, the sorcerer’s youngest son. The two young suspects decide to team up, to find the real killer and clear their own names.

First, I love the overall premise of this book. The magic involved is really interesting, and I would have enjoyed seeing Tabatha use her magical skills more often. The characters all had distinct and interesting personalities and the sibling relationships were well done. The level of mystery in this book was a bit lacking for me. Tabatha and Callum are supposed to be seeking out clues but it never really feels like they are using detective skills. Their detective work amounted to talking to each other about their suspects. I also found the ending a bit unsatisfying and wish it hadn’t wrapped up quite so quickly.

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

These Deadly Prophecies brings us to a modern world where sorcery is a viable career option. Our narrator, Tabatha, loves the occult, and is the apprentice of Sorcerer Solomon, one of the most well-known sorcerers in eastern America who specializes in prophecies. Unfortunately, Sorcerer Solomon prophesized his own death, and the book begins where his life ends. But who murdered Sorcerer Solomon?

I was absolutely enthralled with this book. I loved Tabatha as the narrator of this story, giving her account of what happened. Her narrative is engaging and full of excitement. At times she addresses the reader directly, which makes the story feel even more real. I think the fact that Tabatha is not originally from the sorcery world makes her very relatable to readers, explaining the intricacies of sigils, spells and traditions.

This book really takes on the feel of a murder mystery, as Tabatha teams up with Solomon's youngest son, Callum, to try to find our who committed the murder. This book had me making my own theories then changing my mind as I learned more, just like the characters did in the book. The book really kept me guessing until the very end when everything was revealed. I enjoyed the interactions between Tabatha and Callum and enjoyed both characters a lot. There's also a cast of side characters who are diverse and add to the charm of the story.

I felt like this book was very well written. It was nearly impossible to put down, and I ended up staying up until 2am to finish the story - once I got so far into the book, I just couldn't wait until the morning to find out the solution to the mystery and how things would end. I'll be seeking out more books by Andrea Tang for sure!

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the free advance copy of These Deadly Prophecies. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and all opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this. It's told in 1st-person narration, which can be hit-or-miss for me, but I honestly really liked it. Tabatha had a really distinct voice and I really enjoyed her interactions with all the characters. She wasn't quite as active a character as I would've liked. A lot of things that happened were just her bearing witness to it, but I still enjoyed her narration. I also thought her budding relationship with Callum was surprisingly cute.

Unfortunately, there were a few things that really had the book lacking, in my opinion. For one, it was far too short for my liking. At first, the pacing was fine, but it seemed to have a bit of difficulty wrapping it all up at the end. Plus, this being an urban fantasy, I really wanted to see our protagonist utilize her magical abilities a bit more. Part of that was that she was an apprentice--and a mostly rule-abiding one at that. But it still felt a little lacking.

The mystery could've been done a bit better, but for the most part I didn't mind it. I think, though, it would've been more satisfying if the book hadn't opened up with Sorcerer Solomon prophesizing his death to Tabatha. I think if we'd started showing Tabatha learning more of the magic first-hand and giving the reader a chance to learn with her, it would've made the ending feel a bit more satisfying. As it is, a lot of what is learned about magic comes like halfway through the book by the time we've established characters and whatnot. It just felt like a bit of a weird placement.

Overall, I didn't mind this and I mostly enjoyed it, mostly due to the narration. I just wish there was a bit more padding out of the story to really make it feel like a satisfying mystery.

I was put on this earth to watch Chris Evans wear cable-knit sweaters in a murder mystery. Compare any book to my favorite movie, Knives Out, and I will read it.

The Knives Out comparison is on the nose. These Deadly Propheciess has an unhinged, quick-paced narrative, with a cooky cast of characters and a dash of magic and romance. Tabatha's goal is to be a sorcerer, but for now, she's just an apprentice to the greatest fortune-teller of all time, Sorcerer Solomon. When he is found brutally murdered, it's up to Tabitha to figure out who killed him, and why.

Tabitha is a great narrator. She's sarcastic, witty, and just a tad jaded. Her Chinese parents aren't a fan of her chosen career path, and she's desperate for approval; not just from them, but her mentor too. She's jealous of the ease Solomon's family moves through the world. Their money, status, and race lend them a leg up on her. Her pessimistic point of view and determination to find her mentor's killer made her an easy character to like.

The mystery aspect started a bit slower than expected. Yet, this book is under three hundred pages. Even with the slower start, it is still fast-paced and quickly resolved. The magical realism added a unique element to a stereotypical plot line. Despite the cheesy ending and villain reveal, the mystery was wrapped up nicely.

Overall, this book is just such a fun ride. If you like The Inheritance Games, or Knives Out, I highly recommend you give this a try.

Thank you, NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, for the advance copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This was a quick YA fantasy book but a lot happens in those 25o pages! There's also a mystery/thriller aspect and some romance going on, I love when genres combine together. I liked the overall theme in this book but would have liked it to be longer. This had interesting twists that made you wonder who was who. If you want the inheritance games but with sorcery I would recommend!

I really enjoyed These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang, published by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Tabatha Zeng, apprentice to Sorcerer Solomon, the most notorious fortune teller on the east coast had a problem.

Sorcerer Solomen was dead. And she was a suspect.

Magic. Mayhem. Murder Mystery.
What more do I have to say?