A good dark YA with interesting characters, high stakes. My favorite element is the game that likes people to lose all.

Some people wished they could turn into a bird and fly away from their problems, but Mayté wished for the seagulls to carry away her problems

This book took so many turns throughout the storyline that I think I was more worried about the dwindling page count and trying to wrap up everything. Oh my gosh, did this book absolutely nail this entire story?


You’re worth more than anyone else here. Think of yourself first. You need to survive this round, no matter what

The Fortune’s Kiss is a travelling magic gambling tent that only arrives once every couple of years. Now, after 10 years, the giant tent has returned, and the people of Ciudad Milagro are willing to risk it all to have their greatest desire come true.


Everything comes at a price. What was the price for knowing the gambling houses magic—or for using it during the game

Mayté and Lo are best friends, having once come from money, only for Mayté’s father to lose it. They are willing to enter the tent, find the answers they seek, and win the greatest prize. But while they may enter the tent as friends, things take a dark turn for the rest of the contestants, one being Mayté’s brother and the other being a suitor and good friend to Lo. In order to survive, these four must risk it all, or they will lose their souls (and quite possibly lives).


All of their beautiful hopes and wishes were now tainted with blood

This book had me hooked from the start. It gave me some vibes of Caraval but much darker. I mean, those who enter the tent are giving their most treasured item, and out of 10, only 1 makes it? The twists, the reveals, and the ending?! You’re going to have to read this to understand just how it brought me to tears.


Fortune’s Kiss was supposed to fix everything, but now it would be their damnation

What price would you pay to get what you want? Would you be willing to gamble on your life to get an admission into the legendary gambling den called Fortune's Kiss... where dreams can come true or you could lose your life. Two girls, best friends who vowed to enter into the games together in order to make their dreams come true find themselves in over their heads as the stakes are higher than they could have ever imagined. Mayté and Lorena are best friends who vowed to enter into the Fortune's Kiss together, Mayte wanting to become a famous painter and Lorena dreaming of escaping her abusive father. Yet once the games begin and people begin dying, both girls realize that they have to find a way to win or die before they could ever make their dreams come true. This book was not for me sadly, I was so intrigued by the gambling den meets death games kind of vibes but honestly the story just felt kind of slow and bland and I never really cared for the relationship between the two friends or really invested in them. The story just felt like it was missing a spark, something to make it wow.... it felt like Caraval but less intriguing. I really wanted to like this one but it just missed the mark for me personally. I think if you like Caraval, you should give it a go because maybe you'll have a better time with it than I did.

Release Date: Novemebr 12, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Union Square & Co. - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing | Union Square & Co. for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

"Maria Teresa Robles, are you willing to risk everything for a chance to be kissed by fortune?"

this book was good! a lot of people is comparing this to Squid Game but make it magical and i definitely see it. Im talking magical competitions using children games but deadly and when I say deadly ... blood was shed on like every other page. definitely had a dark, horror element to the story which had me GAGGED. I found myself saying "OMG" every game because the host Misterioso is crazyyyyy! just picture somebody playing in your face, smiling knowing they're dead wrong.

Fortune's Kiss is similar to both Phantasma and Caraval - but I found it to be far more violent. I really enjoyed the setting, characters, and the questions readers must ask ourselves as the game plays out. I'll be honest though, the violence was a little intense for me.

The world of Fortune's Kiss is entrancing even when it's deadly and terrifying. Ambition and sacrifice are central themes. How much would we give up for our dreams to come true? What wouldn't we sacrifice? It pits us against each other, against ourselves, and forces us to lay it all on the line. In a dangerous game, all our secrets are fair game and nothing is safe. For Mayté and Lo, will their friendship survive this game? Will they? At the heart, I was interested in a friendship story, but what kept me was a story exploring ambition and sacrifice.

I’m honestly BLOWN AWAY.
From start to finish this story of grand wishes and dark secrets had me in a chokehold.
It’s raw and brutal and powerful.
It’s a labyrinth of twists.
A bloodbath of betrayal.
An emotional rollercoaster of jealousy, despair, and above all else…hope.

“𝙄𝙛 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙆𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙤, 𝙬𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩.”

I’m not giving anything away.
This story isn’t for the faint of heart.
Lo and Mayté have depth and growth and so much maturity.
Lo broke my heart and Mayté mended it.
Every character had a part in the games.
The romance wasn’t a main part of the story but it had a huge impact, especially at the conclusion.

I’ve never read anything like this.
Every scene was a vivid film in my head.
I could easily see this being a tv show or movie.
The MOST unique storyline and I’m legit excited to see what this author gives us in the future.

“𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩.”

I cannot believe this is Amber Clement’s debut novel.
I’ll be a super fan for life.

𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣.

Fortune's Kiss was an unexpected treasure. Two best friends enter a competition to be granted their wildest dreams.

Meet Mayté. She dreams of being seen and appreciated, she wants to be a famous painter. Her family used to be part of Las Cincos -- one of the most wealthy families in Ciudad Milagro. That is, until her father became a drunk and gambled away their wealth, leaving them in a large amount of debt. Mayté feels unloved and unvalued by everyone except her best friend Lo (Lorena).

Although Lo's financial circumstances are better than Mayté's, she is equally unhappy with her life. Her father is abusive and he only sees her for wealth she can bring the family through marriage. Lo doesn't want to be married, especially not to the suitors her father has picked out.

When El Beso de la Fortuna returns to the city for the first time in 10 years, the two friends make good on their pact to join the game. If you are one of the lucky few chosen to participate, you have the chance to gamble to win anything you could desire. But, if you lose... you can lose more than just your material possessions.


I loved these characters and the magical, mystical, world inside of Fortune's Kiss.
Recommend this book to people who like stories about friendship, family, magic, and accepting the dark side of one's self.

DNFed at 53%

The story started off somewhat intriguing but quite slow. I struggled to connect with the characters and also found it hard to differentiate between them. It was often easy to forget who’s perspective I was reading. Even once the game officially started I found myself bored while reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ebook ARC to review.

I think one of the best books I read in the genre ya fantasy so far.
It was dark, intriguing, and deadly.
Two friends. Games. And a deadly end?
This is really worth the time reading.

This was a fast paced, dark YA fantasy with a hint of horror that follows two friends desperate to change their lives, no matter the cost. They enter a devious and potentially deadly game with the hope to be kissed by fortune, knowing one (or both of them) might lose it all.

This is described as Mexican squid games, and it takes place in a sentient house that meddles in the games and messed with the players. The staff running the game know all of the secrets, but they can't share them even if they want to.

The world building was well-done and easy to understand. The tension continues to build as you head towards what you think is the inevitable conclusion, but the book really keeps you guessing about what that actually is. I read it in 24 hours, didn't want to put it down!

I absolutely love the cover, it's stunning!

Thank you Union Square and Co. and NetGalley for the ARC

My review in School Library Journal: Gr 8 Up–Besties Mayté Robles and ­Lorena (Lo) de León have made a pact to escape their fathers’ unsavory legacies. Formerly a member of the mighty Las Cinco ­Familias of Ciudad Milagro, ­Mayté’s father has disgraced their family with his drinking, ­gambling, and unpaid debts. Meanwhile, Lo’s mother has disappeared, and her abusive father wants to pawn her off to a suitor who benefits his agenda. When the renowned Fortune’s Kiss comes to town, the girls take a chance on this ­elusive ­magical ­gambling haunt that offers ­winners their heart’s desire. However, the glamorously dark atmosphere is not all fun and games, as the twisted Lotería is ghastlier than ­either of them envisioned. The real life Lotería game is a unique framing for this sinister fantasy. The aptly named ­gamemaker, Misterioso, seems to viciously ­enjoy when participants are precipitously defeated and their dreams are sacrificed. Friendships, families, and love interests take abrupt, fast-paced turns as reality is distorted during gameplay. The ominous tone includes startlingly gruesome ­components that will thrill body horror aficionados. It’s enigmatic and sadistic, and readers will find themselves shocked and elated as secrets are revealed. Some Hispanic/Latinx culture is intriguingly infused, and readers may be compelled to play the much less disturbing board game version of Lotería.VERDICT An ardently macabre and unique horror-fantasy mashup with strong appeal for the rabid and eager fans of V.E. Schwab and Stephanie Garber who are ready to go darker.Reviewed by Lisa Krok , Oct 31, 2024

This was an engaging and entertaining dark YA fantasy. The plot was well done. I really enjoyed the tale of getting trapped in a game and doing what it takes to get out. The characters in this one were great. I loved the dual point of view between Mayté and Lo. Both were wonderfully done, and I emphasized with them. The friendship that the two had was wonderful and I think will appeal to a lot of readers as it did me. I loved how we explored each of their reasons for wanting to play the game, and then what they learned from the experience. Their growth over the story was well done. I also found the side characters well developed and they helped move the story along nicely. I loved the fantasy element of being part of a game. I found the world building to be well done and one that I didn’t get lost trying to understand. That alone is an accomplishment for me and the reason I don’t read a lot of fantasy.

If you are looking for a good YA fantasy with dark undertones, check this one out. I put this one at the upper end of the YA spectrum due to some darker elements and themes throughout.

What a spectacular debut! Fortune's Kiss truly pulled me in for the ride of my life. I was completely GAGGED. This book had me on the edge of my seat and was literally in tears once I turned the last page.

This YA Fantasy story felt like Caraval meets the Hunger Games with some horror and a Latinx twist!

I loved the two female main characters, Mayte and Lo, and really enjoyed following their characters arcs throughout the book. We have Latinx characters, y'all!! I loved the magic and the mystery and the Mexican culture that was interwoven, especially the implementation of the Lotería game! It was so fun to read and experience, and maybe a bit scary... There were also bits of dark elements in the story that I was not expecting, but I felt added to such a compelling plot.

Amber Clement has a knack for writing and story-telling, and I'm so looking forward to reading more from her. Fortune's Kiss hits shelves on November 12, so make sure to pre-order, grab your copy, or request from your library! ✨

i am so upset. i didn’t care for this… at all! i can see the caraval comps, and much like that book, this just kind of left me frustrated and unconnected to any character. full disclosure— i am latinx! i should have been connected in some form! but i felt absolutely nothing except a drag as the book went on.

2.5 stars rounded up.