zozo1 's review for:

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

3.5

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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I didn't know what was happening half the time but nice.

I read Six Crimson Cranes a year or two ago and really enjoyed it. That's not to say this one wasn't a strong addition to Elizabeth Lim's roster I just found Truyan a little bland which is funny because she likes spices. It was also a little tricky for me to visualize Ai'long and the dragons themselves which is a pretty major part of the book. Even though this is somewhat a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and has elements of Howl's Moving Castle

with the missing heart, the water demon in place of a fire one, and Truyan's abilities to make paintings "come to life"

I feel like I wouldn't have guessed so if I hadn't been told which is actually a good thing. Props to Elizabeth for being so creative.  

As for Elang/Elangui/Gaari/Gaarin whatever his name is, I'm really starting to dislike male characters who push away the girl "for her own good", you could've told her the truth about your curse from the beginning if you were going to sacrifice yourself anyways. Also, how did he figure out she was his Heavenly Match? Did Shani just know because of her dad? Also how did he come back three years later and not know who she was? Was he reborn? As the same guy but 24? I also wish Gaari and Elang had been two different people I'm not a fan of the "they've met before" trope.

This is more of my own gripe though, but, why is it always poor, selfless girl falls in love with hideous, rude man and teaches him how to live, laugh, love in the process but never the other way around?