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hearthandhardcovers 's review for:
A Forgery of Fate
by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reminiscent of Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan, A Forgery of Fates is rooted in the cadence of Asian folklore. The atmosphere is ethereal yet grounded, drawing on mythological motifs without ever feeling derivative. Fans of lyrical worldbuilding and rich cultural undertones will feel right at home in this universe, where every detail—down to the stars inked in the sky—feels intentional and meaningful.
What truly shines is Lim’s narrative voice. Her storytelling is intimate and immersive, with a rhythm that feels almost oral in tradition, like you’re sitting by a hearth being told a story passed down through generations. Her characters are flawed and fully human, even when touched by the divine, and the emotional arcs are finely tuned to the soft ache of longing and sacrifice.
Where I felt this novel faltered slightly was in the emotional depth between characters. While relationships are described with clarity and intention, I sometimes struggled to feel the connections, particularly the bonds that should have carried more emotional weight. This may stem from the folkloric style of storytelling Lim draws from, where the focus traditionally centers on the protagonist’s journey, often at the expense of nuanced side relationships. While thematically consistent, it left some character dynamics feeling more observed than experienced.
Still, despite the emotional distance between some characters, A Forgery of Fates remains a solid and evocative novel, one that fans of folkloric Asian storytelling will deeply appreciate. Its mythic tone, lyrical prose, and cultural resonance more than make up for the moments where emotional connection takes a backseat to narrative tradition.
What truly shines is Lim’s narrative voice. Her storytelling is intimate and immersive, with a rhythm that feels almost oral in tradition, like you’re sitting by a hearth being told a story passed down through generations. Her characters are flawed and fully human, even when touched by the divine, and the emotional arcs are finely tuned to the soft ache of longing and sacrifice.
Where I felt this novel faltered slightly was in the emotional depth between characters. While relationships are described with clarity and intention, I sometimes struggled to feel the connections, particularly the bonds that should have carried more emotional weight. This may stem from the folkloric style of storytelling Lim draws from, where the focus traditionally centers on the protagonist’s journey, often at the expense of nuanced side relationships. While thematically consistent, it left some character dynamics feeling more observed than experienced.
Still, despite the emotional distance between some characters, A Forgery of Fates remains a solid and evocative novel, one that fans of folkloric Asian storytelling will deeply appreciate. Its mythic tone, lyrical prose, and cultural resonance more than make up for the moments where emotional connection takes a backseat to narrative tradition.