Deathly Fates Review: When Death Brings Romance

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"To care for another person was frightening, vulnerable. It meant another loss for my heart. And now I'd gone and grown fond of someone challenging death itself." 

Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai is a story about Kang Siying, a priestess, whose job is to guide the deceased to their final resting places. Unlike most people, she doesn’t fear death, it’s literally her line of work. But when her beloved father falls seriously ill, Siying is forced to face the harsh reality of mortality. Desperate to pay for his medical treatment, she accepts a high-risk, high-reward mission: travel to a dangerous territory to retrieve the body of a missing prince.

However, things take an unexpected turn when her reanimation talisman not only moves the corpse, but also brings the prince back to life. Now, Prince Ren is alive but fading fast. To stay anchored to the world of the living, he needs to absorb qi (life force) by purifying evil spirits, and Siying agrees to help him.

What follows is a journey filled with vengeful ghosts and dark secrets surrounding the prince's mysterious death and uncover the truths that threaten the safety of the entire kingdom. 

From the very first chapter, I was hooked! The world-building is immersive, the plot moves at a great pace, and I found myself constantly turning the pages to see what would happen next. The balance between action, suspense, and lighthearted moments is spot on.

Tesia Tsai is a talented writer. For a debut novel, this is incredibly well-written and polished. The story is fun, emotional, and full of surprises. I finished it feeling completely satisfied and already eager to read more from this author.

One of the things I adored about this book is the female main character, Siying. Usually, we see the male lead as the strong, protective one who knows everything. But here, Siying is the competent, knowledgeable professional, while Prince Ren is more of a charming and flirty partner. She is the definition of a "girlboss", confident and skilled yet realistic about her limits. Seeing her take charge and use her expertise was so satisfying.

The chemistry between them is absolutely delightful. Their banter is hilarious, and the romance is a perfect slow burn. It gave me "Rumi and Jinu" vibes, so if you loved that dynamic, you will definitely adore these two.

Overall, Deathly Fates is a wonderful read that offers something for everyone: supernatural elements, exciting adventure, and a romance that will make you smile. If you enjoy fantasy stories with strong female leads and charming love interests, this book is for you!

I highly recommend picking this one up. I greatly enjoyed it, and I’m sure you will too! 

This review is part of the Creative Book Tour by Colored Pages Book Tour. Thank you Wednesday Books and Colored Pages Book Tour for providing me with the review copy.