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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hoping for a sequel 🤞🏻🍀
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = 4 stars!
Slavic folklore meets Spirited Away with a queer polyamorous romance, wrapped up in gorgeous prose, mouthwatering food descriptions, and just the right mix of whimsical and eerie magic — I was hooked from page one. This book had total Ghibli vibes, and I LOVED IT!
Our water nymph protagonist, Gisela, is pure chaotic delight! Full of humour, mischief, and just enough darkness to remind you she is a water spirit, after all (they do have a reputation for luring folks into lakes). I was absolutely obsessed with her from the moment she appeared on the page. Her banter with the grumpy local exorcist, Kazik, was everything! Snarky, messy, hilarious and watching their flirtation unfold was so good. Gisela delivers all the charm I love in a flirty protagonist, and then some.
The worldbuilding? Chef's kiss. If you love Slavic folklore, this book serves it up with a full spread: mischievous water nymphs, goblins, house spirits, demons, drowners — it’s rich, immersive, and absolutely enchanting. While the story is definitely character-driven, that works perfectly here, because Jasinska crafts such lovable, complex characters that you can’t help but adore. I loved every single one.
Kazik completely stole my heart, grumpy, socially awkward, stubborn as a mule, and very much not ready for the chaos Gisela brings into his quiet life. Watching him get yanked out of his comfort zone (mostly by Gisela’s relentless flirtation and meddling) was hilarious and adorable in equal measure. Underneath all that grump? The softest little cinnamon roll. And then there’s Aleksey — the third piece of this beautiful polyamorous puzzle. Mysterious, charming, mischievous — he fits in perfectly with the other two. The dynamic between all three was so much fun to watch develop — messy, sweet, and full of tension in the best way.
What to Expect:
💦 Slavic Folklore
☕ Grumpy x Sunshine
💞 Enemies to Lovers
💦 Poly Love Triangle (F/M/M)
☕ Found Family
💞 Exorcist x Demon
💦 Banter
☕ Cottagecore / Ghibli Vibes
💞 Queer Rep
⚠️ Content warnings: Touches on themes of religious trauma, bi/homophobia, anxiety and depression, murder, and folklore-inspired violence.
In short: this was a wonderful YA fantasy packed with stunning folklore, captivating characters, and a perfectly chaotic poly romance that had me smiling the whole way through. I NEED the sequel after that ending — please tell me it’s coming!
I’m so grateful to have been gifted a stunning proof ARC by WalkerBooks Australia. ❤️ Thank you SO much! ✨
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Slavic folklore meets Spirited Away with a queer polyamorous romance, wrapped up in gorgeous prose, mouthwatering food descriptions, and just the right mix of whimsical and eerie magic — I was hooked from page one. This book had total Ghibli vibes, and I LOVED IT!
Our water nymph protagonist, Gisela, is pure chaotic delight! Full of humour, mischief, and just enough darkness to remind you she is a water spirit, after all (they do have a reputation for luring folks into lakes). I was absolutely obsessed with her from the moment she appeared on the page. Her banter with the grumpy local exorcist, Kazik, was everything! Snarky, messy, hilarious and watching their flirtation unfold was so good. Gisela delivers all the charm I love in a flirty protagonist, and then some.
The worldbuilding? Chef's kiss. If you love Slavic folklore, this book serves it up with a full spread: mischievous water nymphs, goblins, house spirits, demons, drowners — it’s rich, immersive, and absolutely enchanting. While the story is definitely character-driven, that works perfectly here, because Jasinska crafts such lovable, complex characters that you can’t help but adore. I loved every single one.
Kazik completely stole my heart, grumpy, socially awkward, stubborn as a mule, and very much not ready for the chaos Gisela brings into his quiet life. Watching him get yanked out of his comfort zone (mostly by Gisela’s relentless flirtation and meddling) was hilarious and adorable in equal measure. Underneath all that grump? The softest little cinnamon roll. And then there’s Aleksey — the third piece of this beautiful polyamorous puzzle. Mysterious, charming, mischievous — he fits in perfectly with the other two. The dynamic between all three was so much fun to watch develop — messy, sweet, and full of tension in the best way.
What to Expect:
💦 Slavic Folklore
☕ Grumpy x Sunshine
💞 Enemies to Lovers
💦 Poly Love Triangle (F/M/M)
☕ Found Family
💞 Exorcist x Demon
💦 Banter
☕ Cottagecore / Ghibli Vibes
💞 Queer Rep
⚠️ Content warnings: Touches on themes of religious trauma, bi/homophobia, anxiety and depression, murder, and folklore-inspired violence.
In short: this was a wonderful YA fantasy packed with stunning folklore, captivating characters, and a perfectly chaotic poly romance that had me smiling the whole way through. I NEED the sequel after that ending — please tell me it’s coming!
I’m so grateful to have been gifted a stunning proof ARC by WalkerBooks Australia. ❤️ Thank you SO much! ✨
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adventurous
lighthearted
I loved the narrator for the audiobook. Her voice is full of whimsy. LGBTQ, found family, water nymph romance, what's not to love?
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia, Child death, Violence
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
my only complaint is that there was too much current day language for a fantasy novel
What happens when you make three bisexuals spend their beautiful summer together in the Slavic-town-version of Spirited Away?
soft dnf. might come back to it later
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Five GLOWING stars! This was everything I imagined it would be. I don’t read many polyamorous romance novels because not many people write them. But I will eat it up every time when it is done well. And this book? Done so damn well. While This Fatal Kiss is whimsical it is not cozy and that’s a huge difference for me. While the plot isn’t super complex it’s not as boring as a cozy where usually nothing is really taking place. This novel follows three points of view: Gisela, a water nymph, Kazik, a spirit-hunter, and Aleksey, someone with hidden secrets whom both Gisela and Kazik fall for. I adored this story and the shenanigans that these characters got up to but I also enjoyed the mysterious aspect of their pasts and how they are actually more connected than we realize.
The romance had me giggling and kicking my feet. It was so cute and so romantic. I loved how they each worked as a couple and as a poly. I’m so excited to see how the sequel delves deeper into their romantic relationship as a three. And for the villain arc of [redacted] and how that will play into their relationship and what it means for them all. I think the angst will hit sooooooo good. I’m so ready for that next book and need it EXPEDITIOUSLY.
"I think everyone has a side to themselves they keep from other people for fear of being rejected. It's not just you. Everyone's putting on an act of some kind. The right person will accept every part of you."
That was the absolute last thing Kazik wanted to do, but Gisela grabbed his hand before he could argue, entangling her fingers with his. He felt so out of his depth, so out of place, dragged along behind two of the most beautiful people here like some awkward, ungainly gremlin.
"You are such a nightmare." Gisela's lips ghosted over the shell of his ear. "You like it though." Heaven help me, I think I do.
"I do like her," Aleksey said. "You can't like us both."
"Can't I?" Aleksey's mouth curved in a humorless smile.
"Why not?"
If it wasn't Gisela turning his world upside down, it was the boy before him. It would be a thousand times easier if Aleksey and Gisela would just run off into the sunset together. And just imagine how boring life would be if they did.
"I…I want to kiss you and Aleksey. I think I'm a little in love with you both. I know you might not like that."
"That you want to kiss us both?"
"Do you want to kiss us both?"
"Does Aleksey?" Gisela countered.
Kazik nodded. Gisela took a breath to process this. If she were being honest, she'd admit to feeling a little shocked and slightly scandalized, but not exactly in a bad way. Mostly she was just deeply relieved that they both still liked her, that they both wanted her too. She didn't want to lose either of them, and she didn't think she could've chosen between them if it had come to that.
The romance had me giggling and kicking my feet. It was so cute and so romantic. I loved how they each worked as a couple and as a poly. I’m so excited to see how the sequel delves deeper into their romantic relationship as a three. And for the villain arc of [redacted] and how that will play into their relationship and what it means for them all. I think the angst will hit sooooooo good. I’m so ready for that next book and need it EXPEDITIOUSLY.
"I think everyone has a side to themselves they keep from other people for fear of being rejected. It's not just you. Everyone's putting on an act of some kind. The right person will accept every part of you."
That was the absolute last thing Kazik wanted to do, but Gisela grabbed his hand before he could argue, entangling her fingers with his. He felt so out of his depth, so out of place, dragged along behind two of the most beautiful people here like some awkward, ungainly gremlin.
"You are such a nightmare." Gisela's lips ghosted over the shell of his ear. "You like it though." Heaven help me, I think I do.
"I do like her," Aleksey said. "You can't like us both."
"Can't I?" Aleksey's mouth curved in a humorless smile.
"Why not?"
If it wasn't Gisela turning his world upside down, it was the boy before him. It would be a thousand times easier if Aleksey and Gisela would just run off into the sunset together. And just imagine how boring life would be if they did.
"I…I want to kiss you and Aleksey. I think I'm a little in love with you both. I know you might not like that."
"That you want to kiss us both?"
"Do you want to kiss us both?"
"Does Aleksey?" Gisela countered.
Kazik nodded. Gisela took a breath to process this. If she were being honest, she'd admit to feeling a little shocked and slightly scandalized, but not exactly in a bad way. Mostly she was just deeply relieved that they both still liked her, that they both wanted her too. She didn't want to lose either of them, and she didn't think she could've chosen between them if it had come to that.