Thank you to netgalley and Publishers for gifting me this ARC in exchange for a review!

This fatal kiss is a YA slavic folklore-inspired fantasy about a water nymph, Gisela, who seeks the help of the local exorcist, Kazik, to win a kiss from a mortal that will grant her a second chance mortal life. In this mythology, water nymphs are the spirits of young girls who tragically died near bodies of water and instead of passing on to the afterlife, they turn into water nymphs, doomed to linger in the waters in which they died.

Admittedly I had a great time reading this book. The first 20% is a little slow, but the other 80% flew by. I genuinely enjoyed the love triangle, if anything it shocked me because I so rarely encounter polyam romance in books, and it was a delight to see the fluidity of almost all characters in both sexuality and gender. As a bisexual, the amount of bi panic validated me. Kazik's drunken thoughts and feelings in the Saint John festivities were ghost written by me, ifykyk. Gisela, Kazik, and The Third Person all stood out to me as characters, for different reasons each one, and I was rooting for all of them to kiss because their chemistry was just That good.

The world Alicia Jasinska builds is full of the paranormal, vengeful and benevolent spirits, magic that stems from faith and religion, or magic that stems from natural elements. I had a great time dipping my toes into this world, though I do wish it was a little better defined aside from the magical elements. I couldn't exactly place it in a specific time period which confused me a little in terms of the language that was used in juxtaposition with the scant technology mentioned, and I also needed some more backstory about the mortal world itself. Is there a map? Are all regions magical and occupied with spirits and demons? Where do the tourists come from? What is this world's history?

The character building also felt a little lackluster, I think. The main trio of characters all had clear motives and personal arcs throughout the story, but secondary characters fell flat. They only existed in the background and did not drive the plot forward in any way. I wanted a little more from them. Kazik's cousin, Zuzanna, is a prime example from this. From the story, I assume she's like a sister to him, and yet we barely see her in more than three scenes. She's not in the region because of her studies but! She had so much potential, their family's dynamic seemed to be thrown completely off due to their tumultuous past and the implications of their power and yet we barely got any glimpse of what baggage both these characters carry, when it is clear that this exact baggage drives their arc. I needed a smidge more! But maybe that's just because I really loved Kazik. I see a brooding, haunted, closed off character. I immediately have to devote my life to him.

Also, judging by the way it ended... Could there be more? Alicia, is there a potential book 2? I felt like so many plot threads were tugged but left loose by the end, like if I were writing the book I would give myself another 50 pages to resolve everything. I do hope there is more. This world (and this love triangle) could benefit from a second book.

This fatal kiss comes out Sept 24th, don't forget to preorder!

This fatal kiss is a spellbinding YA fantasy that intertwines Slavic folklore, a polyamorous love story, and a richly atmospheric setting. The story follows Gisela, a rusalki (water nymph) longing to regain her humanity. She forms a pact with Kazik, a grumpy exorcist, to win the heart of Aleksey, a boy harboring secrets of his own.

The novel's enchanting world is reminiscent of *Spirited Away*, filled with vivid descriptions of mystical creatures and a charming town that feels alive. The queer, polyamorous romance between Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey is beautifully developed, with a slow-burn dynamic that feels both authentic and heartwarming. The tension and humor in Gisela and Kazik’s relationship, combined with Aleksey’s mysterious allure, make the love triangle compelling.

[Book Title] also touches on themes of religious trauma and biphobia, adding depth and representation that is both meaningful and rare in YA literature. The novel’s few drawbacks include occasional repetition of plot points and an open-ended conclusion that might leave some readers wanting more.

Overall, this book is a magical and immersive read, perfect for fans of myth-based tales and heartfelt romance.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

~

This Fatal Kiss, by Alicia Jasinska
★★☆☆☆
416 Pages
3rd person, dual character POV
Content Warning: drowning, violence, abusive relationship, sexual assault, suicide ideation, questioning sexual identity.


First off, I want to thank the author for the Author's Note full of triggers. It's rare that authors give you that warning at the beginning, letting you know what's ahead. However, I found this list to be incomplete, which was a real shame.
I would add – history of depression, mentions of death, rape, self-harm (digging nails in to calm a panic attack) and questioning gender identity.

~

DNF'd at 15% (page 67)

Honestly, I contemplated DNF'ing this at 9%, but my policy is to give a book this long around 10-20% to convince me to keep going, so I persisted. I gave it until 15% because I badly wanted to enjoy it, but the story never really took off.

For me, this is one of those stories that has so much potential but never reached it.

The concept was intriguing and had great potential, it just never felt realised. Maybe because I just finished a similar folklore book I loved, but this one fell flat in comparison. The story meandered along, promising things that it just didn't deliver, becoming slow and bland.

In terms of characters, there are really only 2 main characters who matter – at the point where I stopped – which are Gisela and Kazik. Though, by reading the blurb and other reviews, this is a poly romance so there is a third character, though I can't say whether he has a POV or not.

Gisela is the main character IMO. She occupied 80% of the POV that I read. She's a water nympth, or rusałki. In the book, they're described as:
“Rusałki were maidens who had met untimely and violent ends. They were cursed to haunt the waterways in which they'd drowned, bound to live as restless spirits, unless one of two things happened.
The first was if their death was avenged.”
The description makes Gisela's future journey sound interesting, but for me she was a selfish, vain young girl with only one thing on her mind. I found her insipid at times, flighty and superficial. Even beyond her desire to become human again – accomplished if a human kissed her – all she could think about was how attractive everyone was: Yulia, Kazik and Aleksey. She didn't even hesitate to think about how best to manipulate others to get her own way.

Kazik was, to me, the only interesting character so far. He's been burdened with a heavy weight of responsibility from his family of witches/exorcists and Gisela does nothing but cause trouble. I can see why he'd be annoyed with her.

All of the nymphs felt one-dimensional. There wasn't one (yet) who felt smart, brave or strong, and when anyone did risk sounding that way, they were quickly described as being manly, butch or it was implied they were trans/questioning their gender. Gisela herself is always identified as she/her throughout the book, yet when it's mentioned that Yulia sees herself as a man rather than a woman, suddenly it's mentioned that Gisela doesn't feel strongly about her gender identity, either way. It's implied that she'd non-binary, but she 'lets' others call her female because it's 'easier'. It felt like a lazy way to be LGBT-inclusive or to somehow make the poly relationship that followed more likely or acceptable. It never felt genuine or natural to the character.

I also felt like the language didn't feel natural to the world, either. The world that was built was floral and folklorish, with a historical fantasy twist, but the language was quite modern and jarring to read.

Overall, the book had too many issues – the language, the character inconsistencies, a plot lacking direction, a conflicting concept, and unrealised potential – that I just couldn't get into it. It felt boring, like it was going nowhere very, very slowly.

Unfortunately, if it couldn't grab me by 15%, that wasn't likely to change.

<i>“You’re the most infuriating spirit I’ve ever met, and I never want you to stop haunting me.”</i>

I haven't locked in with a book in so long i feel so empty now that i finished it.
It's been so long since I read a GOOD book, and this was it !! It got me hooked from the very beginning, this whole aesthetic of a slavic folk magical but also realistic and a little bit catholic and gay was so well put together I couldn't stop.

Every character is unique. Kazik and Gisela are just so..... One thing I would have loved to happen was for them to be more rivals, spend more time bickering each other, following each other, pissing each other off. But I liked that at the end it all was for a greater good, for Kazik to realise that not all spirits are bad and abominations, because Gisela is not an abomination, but he has to know that, what better way to do so by working with her to regain her humanity?!

I have to admit it felt a little repetitive sometimes. I know why she wants to go back home, I know why Kazik likes boys and girls. It felt like everything was over explained, but i like that, sometimes, not all the time.

Now Aleksey, we don't know who Aleksey is. We don't know how he actually is. And he is just so iconic, Bi king behaviour for real.

4/5, really good and easy read. I HOPE there is a second part, I HOPE !!!

This Fatal Kiss is a cozy fantasy about Gisela, a water nymph seeking the help of a local exorcist, Kazik, to find someone to kiss her so she can return to being human. The book is beautifully written, with a wonderfully atmospheric quality that I found enhanced by listening to a cozy fantasy ambiance video on YouTube while reading.
Although a few modern phrases momentarily pulled me out of the story, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. One of my favorite aspects was the witty banter between the characters. The story brought back memories of being a teenager with a crush-innocent, hopeful, and fun-conjuring up those wild, unrealistic scenarios just to interact with someone special. The slow burn romance was spectacular, filled with yearning, denial, and rich character development.
The queer representation in this story was phenomenal. There's nothing better than a love triangle that's actually a love triangle where they all love each other. I also loved the subtle yet intentional clocking of a biphobic comment made by one of the side characters.
There's also a well-crafted mystery element woven into the story. The pacing was excellent, and the author surprised me with a plot twist halfway through-I didn't see it coming! Unraveling the mystery of what happened to Gisela that led to her death and transformation into a water nymph, as well as the fate of Kazik's grandmother, added depth to the narrative.
This book feels like a fairy tale, blending equal parts whimsy, magic, and a hint of darkness and danger. I also appreciated the pronunciation guide at the beginning of the novel—it was very helpful.
Thank you to the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

3.5/4

I would put this story firmly in the YA camp. The story is part romance/part myth/part coming of age/LGBTQIA. It sounds like a lot to mix up but the story itself is well told and kept my interest throughout.

Gisela is a rusalki (a water nymph) who cannot recall how she became one - water nymphs are the spirits of dead girls who don't or can't move on to the next world. She lives with other water spirits in the Water Goblin's palace. She is desperate to return to her life and thinks she has found a way to become human again - she just needs a human boy to kiss her.

Kazik is the exorcist of Leśna Woda, taking over after his grandmother Kasia's death. He has spent a year tussling with Gisela, trying to get her to stop tormenting the humans of the town.

Aleksey is the boy they both fall in love with. But will he prefer Kazik or Gisela? And what is the secret he is hiding from everyone?

The story follows this love triangle with a difference as both Gisela and Kazik try to catch Aleksey's eye.

I called it a romance but it's not sloppy and covers gender and sexual fluidity very carefully. It is a well thought out story but there's humour and drama too.

I'd recommend it to anyone who likes myth based books or anyone who enjoys a non-soppy romance.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Holiday House for the advance review copy.

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley & Publishers for allowing me to read this.

This is the first book that I read featuring a polyamorous relationship and I enjoyed it. I appreciated how diverse the characters are in their sexuality and I loved how atmospheric this little spa town felt. We got to meet so many creatures and spirits along the way and although the plot felt very predictable at times, I had a great time over all.

One thing that didn't really make sense to me personally is the contrast between how magical/timeless/old the setting of the town felt and how modern and sometimes childish the dialogue between the characters was.

The ending felt a bit too open and rushed for my liking, but I guess there will be a sequel to this?

All vibes and atmosphere, this story plunges the reader into magical waters filled with Slavic creatures. Watch out, though. In the woods and skies, some cunning beings may be found as well.

Gisela is a girl doomed to be a water nympth until she finds a human to kiss her voluntarily. Kazik, known as the exorcist, is just a boy who helps people and chases creatures around his spa town. For Kazik, Gisela is problematic to say the least so he agrees to become her matchmaker and help her get the one kiss that will allow her to get her life back.

The story truly feels like something out of Studio Ghibli. It's so wholesome and whimsical. I've absolutely become a cottagecore girl while reading this novel, meandering magical swamps right next to our main characters.

The one problem? The digital copy I received has some typos and problems with capitalization and formatting.

A rusalka trying to regain life with the help of an exorcist is a premise that pulled right at me. I love slavic fantasy and seeing my culture represented.
I was swept straight into the world, n once I started reading, I could not stop. So based on pure enjoyment, this book is fantastic. Where it wavers is the technical aspect. While incredibly readable, with great characters, solid world and well crafted story, the writing style feels a bit... shallow.
I know this is YA, but it felt like written by a teenager. All the incredible potential, handled by someone inexperienced. The writing does a lot of telling, The characters sometimes talk strangely, And themes are brought up but not fully explored. As someone´s first book, this would have been genius. But 3rd book by established author? That surprised me.
Another thing that did not quite click with me is how unfinished the ending of one of the main trio feels, and with him part of the storyline. This book worked really well as a standalone in all other aspects, so why are we leaving this vague untied thread that is not long enough to support a second book? To me he felt the most intriguing of the characters, the conflict his secret brought. So it disappoints me it comes to a halt, and not a conclusion

I don’t typically reach for YA but the cover reeled me in. And when I read the blurb, I knew had to read this.

I read This Fatal Kiss in one sitting because I literally could not put it down. It was so good! Gisela was such a sassy and fun character. She is determined to get what she wants, and she will stop at nothing to see her goal through. Kazik is adorable! My little soft boy! I absolutely loved the banter between these two characters, and banter in a romance is very important to me. And then we have Aleksey. I like him too, and I like what he adds to the mix with Gisela and Kazik. I love it when love triangles are actual love triangles because it involves bisexuals!

The sisterhood between Gisela and the other rusałka was so precious. These girls love each other fiercely, even when they fight and tease each other. Also shout out to Wojciech. I didn’t expect him to be one of my favorite characters, but here we are. He acts like a doting father to his rusałki and I found that so touching.

Alicia Jasinska was able to weave all these characters’ threads together in such a brilliant way. There were hints early on, but the reveal still so satisfying. And the queer representation in this book was so well done as well. I like how the characters are proud of their identities, that it’s not a big deal, that it feels so normal to them, and how their loved ones don’t bat an eye about their queerness. The exploration of Slavic folklore and how religion and the Church have a huge sway in changing the views on traditional beliefs added some layers and tension in the story. Although it wasn’t much of a focus in the story, it did give Kazik motivation for his actions and added depth to his character.

My only gripe was that I couldn’t understand when the story is set. I thought this was set in the past, or in a world that doesn’t have technology as we know it. So reading about trains, buses, radios, and cameras took me out of the story a little. As with some slang that felt to modern/real world instead of unique in-world slang.

Also. That ending??? Please I need the sequel ASAP

I loved reading This Fatal Kiss, and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

*will be posting a review on Instagram closer to the publication date

This book is completely cozy, lighthearted and fun. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down!

Giesla is a water spirit, which in Slavic folklore means she died a violent and tragic death near a body of water. She wants nothing more than to become human again. She's heard a rumour that kissing a person is all she needs to make her dreams come true.

Gielsa enlists the help of the local exorcist named Kazik, who wants to get rid of her and all spirits. But he makes a special bargain with her to play matchmaker. And the two set their sights on wooing Aleksey, a local kid and total hottie. Except Aleksey isn't quite what he seems...

This YA book tackles the feeling of always wanting to be somewhere else, which is a very teenager or perhaps just human feeling. Gielsa longs to be a human and return home. But she is perhaps overlooking how her current home in Wojciech's castle allows her to actually be a teen girl, surrounded by found family with all the other water spirits.

The author queers Slavic folklore, which separates water spirits into completely different male and female roles. A human boy become a spirit but was welcomed into a female role as soon as he said he belonged there instead. There is also what we might call butch who becomes a spirit who doesn't feel like a woman, but she doesn't want to go live with the men. So she wears men's clothes and carries on with her day among the female spirits, totally welcomed.

The main romance is also m/f but this gets queered as well, as all the main characters are what we might call bisexual or pansexual. Once a love triangle starts to develop, it takes a gentle turn towards polyamory instead of the usual jealousy and fighting.

So there is all this, plus the plot is fun and fast-moving too. Completely recommend!

I liked it? And yes, this is supposed to be a question.

Pros:
-Plot is really unique and engaging.
-I like that we have 3 POVs and the way the author reveals information through each of them.
-The cover is gorgeous. I think art nouveau is my favorite style of art, besides the stuff my Kindergartener brings home for me. (Seriously, who wouldn’t want a family portrait with TWO suns and TWO rainbows in their sky?!)

Cons:
-There is almost too much going on with this world. Too many different types of spirits are squeezed into this story like a clown car.
-Some aspects feel repetitive; I found the story slowed in the middle.
-I have some thoughts on the relationships (love triangle?). The times I felt chemistry turned out to not be the final couple.
-Unexpected cliffhanger. Unresolved plot line.

This is would be the kind of book that I would love to hear about, with plot points told to me by someone else who read it. I would recommend this book but not blindly.

3.5 stars.

5/5 stars WOW I LOVED this story so much! I felt like it was written for me, specifically.

Doomed Slavic water maidens, gorgeous food and nature descriptions, (beet soup!) a Babcia and Dziadek character... I'm already looking forward to re-reading this book and it's one of my favourites I read so far this year.

This book has a compelling fantasy world with an overarching story about self-discovery and finding where you belong, with a generous sprinkling of angst, hauntings, and possessions. I was unsure how I felt about the characters at first, but seeing them grow and develop over the course of the story solidified their place in my heart.

I enjoyed the polyamorous romance between our three main characters, but since this part of the story has been integral to the marketing, I felt as though knowing about it in advance undercut some of the romantic tension. The ending also felt incredibly abrupt - it seems as though there might be a sequel, but to leave it only shortly after the dramatic climax felt like there were still problems this book left unresolved.

I really loved this book! The folklore aspect of this book was amazing! I always loved reading books based in different folklores and mythologies than I grew up hearing about, so the Polish folklore was a real treat. This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska is a gripping and atmospheric read that blends dark romance with supernatural elements. Jasinska crafts a narrative that's both haunting and emotionally resonant. The characters are well-developed, particularly the leads whose chemistry and struggles drive the story. The pacing is tight, with plenty of twists to keep readers on edge. Jasinska's lyrical prose enhances the eerie, immersive atmosphere of the novel. Overall, it's a compelling story for fans of fantasy and romance.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot, in no small part due to the folklore inspiration throughout the novel! The characters were well done as well as their back stories. I also loved reading about the traditions of the town in which this story took place! I have already recommended this book to multiple bookish friends.

4,25/5⭐
Czasem po prostu rodzi się w człowieku potrzeba, żeby wyciągnąć koc, zrobić dużą kawę i uśmiechać się podczas całej lektury. Dobra zabawa to serio coś, czego mi brakowało w sierpniu i „This fatal kiss” po prostu idealnie się wpasował w moje potrzeby czytelnicze.
Nie ukrywam, że książka ma swoje tyci wady – początek nie był gładki jak zanurzenie się w wodzie. Chociaż czytałam opis (i to właśnie on mnie przyciągnął do tej powieści), wstępne spotkanie nie pozwoliło mi od razu uchwycić tej zapowiadanej magii. Kilka rozdziałów dalej? Rzucam wszystkie wątpliwości, płynę z nurtem w towarzystwie niepoprawnej, choć smutnej w sercu, flirciary oraz pana marudy.
Gisela chce odzyskać swoje człowieczeństwo – bycie rusałką to nic tragicznego, ale szczerze tęskni za domem. W szczególności martwi się o swojego młodszego brata, którym opiekowała się pod wieczną nieobecność zapracowanego ojca. Dotychczas wszystkie jej plany spełzały na niczym. Ludzie w Leśnej Wodzie płoszyli się, gdy orientowali się, że jest martwa, a ona potrzebuje tylko pocałunku! Lokalny egzorcysta Kazik także nie pomagał… do czasu małego szantażu. A może i dobroci serca?
O cie panie, jak ta dwójka się rewelacyjnie ze sobą ścierała! Kiedy tylko pojawiały się rozdziały, które prezentowały innych bohaterów, albo rozdzielały w jakiś sposób głowną dwójkę… Mogło być mi troszkę smutno. Chociaż w teorii są bardzo sztampowymi postaciami, to byli wspaniali na swój sposób. Alicia Jasinska nie zapomniała o wątpliwościach, które powinny targać obojgiem. Nie poskąpiła im przeżyć, smutku, tęsknot oraz zgryzoty. Chociaż Gisela i Kazik pozornie różnili się diametralnie, niesamowicie wiele ich łączyło, a patrzenie na ich docieranie się było wyborne.
Do tego jest jeszcze Aleksey – chłopak, który ma stać się kluczem do ratunku Giseli. Chłopak, który zdecydowanie zawrócił tej dwójce w głowach. Chłopak, który coś ma za uszami, ale przecież tak pięknie się uśmiecha. Chłopak, który wyciągnął z bohaterów dobrą stronę, dał im pole do rozmyślania i zrozumienia pewnej kwestii. Nie ukrywam, że czytam ogrom why choose/reverse haremów/poli historii i tutaj, w młodzieżowej odsłonie, po prostu oszalałam. Dynamika, nuta napięcia i pragnienia, ukradkowe spojrzenia… Naprawdę czytało się to bez tchu.
Muszę też pochylić się na sekundę nad folklorem i słownictwem, ponieważ bardzo dobrze to wszystko wyszło! Odnajdujemy ogrom imion rodzimych, wiele polskich słów i to od czasu do czasu odmienionych! Czułam się jak dziecko w sklepie z cukierkami, uśmiechałam się na widok każdego z nich. Momentami klimat umykał mi przez to, że w głowie trochę za mocno ukształtowałam scenerię podobną do dawnych wsi–małych miasteczek. Nie są to miejsca 1:1, ale naprawdę możecie poczuć tutaj tę końcówkę lata, chłód znad jeziora i pradawnych lasów.
Natomiast potwornie niedobrze, że będzie drugi tom! Bo nie mam go w rękach i nie wiem, kiedy będę mieć! Co prawda można być spokojnym, główna oś fabularna pięknie się zamyka, za to zostaje otwarta jedna kluczowa kwestia. Mam ochotę chodzić po ścianach, żeby się już teraz dowiedzieć wszystkiego! Oby Alicia Jasinska nie kazała nam długo czekać!

Dziękuję NetGalley za egzemplarz do recenzji, cóż to była za przygoda!

Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book!

I highly enjoyed the slavic folklore woven into a modern-ish world and the whimsical vibes the author managed to convey. The characters were likeable and their relationships endearing, especially the bond between Gisela and the other water spirits. Kazik's perspective was also fun to read from, since we got to see his struggle with religion. However it did take me way too long to actually get into the story. While it's a solid read, this isn't a something I'll be thinking about a lot. Still, I am excited to see what the sequel will bring.

the folklore and setting was beautifully fleshed out, as well as the main characters. the romance was so great until the last chapter. like… very disappointing! it didn’t feel right after all of the confusing emotions the characters have been processing. don’t market a romance book the way you did if it ends like that!

Thank you so very much to NetGalley and the publisher for accepting my request to read and review this one early 🩷

I saw the cover for this book and was instantly drawn in,

Then I read the synopsis and saw ‘dark magic’, ‘whimsical fantasy’, ‘exorcisms’, ‘queer Romantasy’ and ‘polygamy’ and knew this would be such a gem, and I wasn’t wrong,

This book made me giggle and swoon (and hungry af)

I adored the characters, I felt like they had so much depth, I loved the world, I loved the magic.

I loved the relationship/s the most! I was swwwooonninggg and rooting for these characters so much. Gesela and Kazik and Aleksey were all fantastic.

My only complaint with this book was that I found it a little juvenile at times and the writing almost a little too silly or young. I still enjoyed it, I do wish it has less of a Disney vibe though.