*squeals in bisexual*

Feisty water nymphs, cinnamon roll exorcists & cautionary crushes.

I. ATE. THIS. UP.
Is there a polyamorous love triangle? Yes. But weirdly I didn’t mind (even though Kazik & Gisela would be my preferred pairing).
It was cute and lush with Slavic folklore. I loved the modern-ish banter and the obstacles. The ending does hint at a sequel but it is satisfying as a standalone.

The foreshadowing might be a bit heavy handed (as well as stressing that everyone is bi), the author needs to trust the readers more, but that’s legit the only complaint I have.
Loved it. I’d join and turn the triangle into a quadrangle.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

Quickly:
Things I love:
That cover!
The folklore
the Queer rep
Woyciech <3


This novel is so fun and full of folklore and magic, it's easy to fall in love with it instantly. It started off slow to get into the main plot, but the writing and world building made that enjoyable and pass by. The author has a way to transport you to the setting and sets up the scene vividly. I could hear things, feel things, smell things, all through the words in this novel, while still being easy to read and YA friendly. Also suitable for fans of ‘Where the Dark Stands Still’, especially if you’re loving Polish folklore like myself!

Gisela’s characterisation is strong; she’s witty and annoying in a sisterly way yet still loveable. She’s flawed in a realistic way: she’s a believable teen girl. Really appreciate that from the author. I hope we get to witness her reunification with her family once she’s finished her new goal of discovering who Aleksey truly is.

Kazik is your broody loner who you can’t help but be drawn to despite his closed off nature. Gotta love someone you can wind up easily, which makes him the perfect target for Gisela. Seeing his internal battles with his sexuality and religion is interesting to see, but so so important to be represented.
However, I really feel like his plot line with losing his magic really took a back burner, and was just convenient for him to not be able to instantly exorcise Gisela before she can execute her plan to gain a kiss from a mortal. It would have thickened the plot to maybe see Kazik get into a pickle where he is expected to exorcise a demon, and of course, fails. The village would lose their trust and conflict ensues. It’s a shame the author missed out on this opportunity.

Aleksey, what a guy. Near the beginning of the novel, I was hoping he’d be a villain. I’m happy I was (sorta?) right hehe. I just love when he was telling Gisela straight up that one day, he’ll reveal his true face. He was hiding in plain sight…how sly. I love it. I’m really glad his plot line near the end of the novel has set the whole thing up for a sequel, because I need answers, Aleksey needs answers, and Gisela and Kazik need answers.

Woyciech is by far my favourite character! I would be the first in line to buy a book with his story (hint hint). He was funny and witty also, and I’m a sucker for a character who is so old he’s sick of other people’s shit. But I also love that he was a father figure to all the nymphs, it really warmed my heart to know someone was looking out for these girls who had encountered unfortunate and traumatising deaths.

The magic of the bathhouses was so fun! I hope these are put to more use by our main characters a little more at some point, just because I’d definitely be using them to my advantage where possible.

The slow burn reaaallllyy burned slowly. We don’t actually get much of an established polyamorous relationship, so I hope this can be explored more in a potential sequel. It will be a really interesting dynamic: Gisela, a human-turned spirit-turned back to human, Kazik, the human exorcist, and Aleksey, the forest demon.

Despite my criticisms, I still really enjoyed the book and would implore people to pick it up, especially if they wish to dip their toes into Slavic folklore. I’ll eagerly pick up any sequel that should hopefully come in the future! <3

Thank you so much for a chance to read this as an arc!

This was honestly such a delightful and fun read, it was surprisingly funny and had a very very sweet romance.

The setting in the book gave me the strongest ghibli vibes (especially spirited away), and that together with the slavic folklore woven into the story created such a dreamy atmosphere and was just so fascinating to read about!

I really enjoyed the writing as well, since it was super easy to read and also engaging without ever getting boring, what I liked especially was that each of the characters had a very strong and distinct voice in the different pov chapters.

The one thing that was a bit frustrating while reading, was that some 'things' were constantly repeated and mentioned throughout the book, as if the author didn't fully trust the reader to understand the importance or meaning after the first (or second) mention... but other than that I really don't have much complaints.

One of my main reasons for wanting to read this book was the queer rep and the poly love triangle (!!!!) that's in it, and I have to say it absolutely delivered and was everything I wanted it to be!!
The romance between the characters never felt rushed or forced, and I wanted every one of them to end up together, because the chemistry was just that good...
a really wonderfully done slowburn.

Most of all I appreciated the bi-rep throughout the book! & also the way the 'biphobia' that the main characters had to deal with at some points was adressed and handled,, which isn't something I see often in books.

overall I'm beyond happy that I got to read this arc and will definitely be recommending this book to anyone that wants to read a cozy, fun & atmospheric book full of magic and folklore!

This Fatal Kiss has the slavic folklore and whimsical magic that I loved of Where the Dark Stands Still, but with a misfit trio reminiscent of The Buried and The Bound. It uses a mix of fantasy and horror elements to create characters who are not as ordinary they appear. I loved the writing immediately. This type of prose is the magical, cozy fantasy writing that is my favorite to read. I loved each of the characters separately and enjoyed all three points of views (which is rare for me). This book has some of my absolute favorite tropes and themes including: poly romance, demons, exorcists, elemental magic, yearning, religious trauma, queer rep, and unique mythology. Looking forward to more books by this author!

While slow in the beginning, the novel picks up around the 150 page mark and while the characters were interesting and enjoyable. I was disappointed however; in the obscene amount the author reminds the reader how both Gisela and Kizik have a sexual preference. While once or twice is completely fine. It was a constant almost every 30-50 pages where we are reminded both the Main characters enjoy both sexes.

This YA fantasy romance is a breath of fresh air for the genre, with queer characters and a poly romance at the centre of the story. I loved all the characters and cannot wait for the next one, I didn’t know this wasn’t a standalone😩

Also that cover is absolutely gorgeous!! 4.5 stars

I was waiting to read this book and when I got a change I devoured it. Such a unique story. So so good to read. I rated it 5 stars and recommend everyone to read this.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.
I am so excited, I am still in the first 10% of the book and I know I’m going to devour it. The story is set on a hot spring town and all the wicked creatures roaming in it haunting people (nymphs and goblins and water spirits) and the magical vibe of it all reminds me so much of Spirited Away🥹✨ Kazik being an exorcist also reminded me of Ninth House which is a big plus
I love Kazik and Gisela already and omgg Kazik’s long earrings are such a dead giveaway that he’s a bisexual mess🥰 i cannot wait for the third main character in this throuple to appear
Will update after i finish