A review by sadpendragon
This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i read this in a day and couldn’t/didn’t want to put it down—and that can only ever be a good thing

i really enjoyed how this story was built, the romance(s), the exploration of polyamory and feelings for different people, the casual bisexuality and the talks around biphobia/bi-pride and the subtle exploration of genderqueerness

“Gisela didn’t feel strongly either way about her own gender. It was easier, really, to let everyone think of her as a girl rather than exhaust herself explaining that she didn’t always feel like one.”

it’s interesting that this story handled a lot of themes considered dark or for adult audiences while keeping it adapted enough for young adult readers; MI, SA, SH, suicide, revenge on abusers…it had darker themes while keeping its whimsical, funny and captivating vibes.

gisela was a great FMC, she was sooo charming, hilarious and sarcastic—as a way to cope with the hurt too—which i love in a MC but don’t often see in a female MC

it had GREAT grumpy x sunshine interactions; it was ridiculously entertaining and the romances felt genuine, the tension between them all was delicious and it had good built-up

i loved the incorporation of folklore, culture, a respect for nature and the way magic works and was a part of its users

anyways, WHERE IS BOOK TWO HELLO THAT UNRESOLVED ENDING HELP I NEED MORE I NEED MORE CONCLUSION I NEED TO KNOOOOOOOW AAAAHHHHhhgjklgl *definitely recommend*

—thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange of an honest review