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A review by anabel_unker
This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska
5.0
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
After an untimely and violent death, Gisela is cursed to haunt the local river of a spa town. And while things aren't all bad-- she is welcomed into her new spirit family with open arms, given riches beyond her wildest imagination, and has the chance to be almost sixteen forever-- Gisela is unable to forget the responsibilities of her human life and is willing to do anything to return to her little brother.
Kazik, acting as the village exorcist ever since the death of his deeply beloved grandmother, struggles to shoulder his newfound role and isolates himself from the people he knows. Despite his innate ability to remove the spirits that linger between the human world and the next realm, Kazik's power is starting to falter and the consequences could be disastrous for the people under his care.
The two teenagers, one mortal and one spirit, strike a deal-- Kazik will act as matchmaker and help Gisela seduce a local boy, Aleksey, to help her regain her humanity. If successful, Gisela could return home and there would be one less thorn in Kazi's side. However, love rarely follows a straight path-- and the three become entangled in a plot more convoluted than any of them could dream up.
I'm always on the hunt for books that have the Studio Ghibli feel (think: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Half a Soul, or A Fragile Enchantment), and this book delivered in spades. THIS FATAL KISS was dreamy, romantic and the perfect combination of fantasy and realism. It was unclear when this story took place (my guess would be the early 1900s, but I believe the author was specifically vague), but it had a timeless feel. The robust mythology, whimsical setting, and themes of environmentalism all created something truly magical (pun intended).
But not only does it deliver on the Ghibli side of things, this book delivered LGBTQ+ (primarily bisexual and polyamorous) representation and romance in spades. I also particularly enjoyed Gisela's relationship with the other river spirits-- Gisela was forced to grow up too early in order to help raise her brother, and it was so comforting to see her embraced by a new family so whole heartedly. The consistent love, encouragement, and affection was surprising, but it was a refreshing and realistic take on the importance of found families in people's lives.
While I love a good YA book as an adult, if THIS FATAL KISS had been published when I was actually a teenager, I think I would have been obsessed. As the first part of a duology/series (still unconfirmed), I'm very excited to see where the trio's journey goes next!
After an untimely and violent death, Gisela is cursed to haunt the local river of a spa town. And while things aren't all bad-- she is welcomed into her new spirit family with open arms, given riches beyond her wildest imagination, and has the chance to be almost sixteen forever-- Gisela is unable to forget the responsibilities of her human life and is willing to do anything to return to her little brother.
Kazik, acting as the village exorcist ever since the death of his deeply beloved grandmother, struggles to shoulder his newfound role and isolates himself from the people he knows. Despite his innate ability to remove the spirits that linger between the human world and the next realm, Kazik's power is starting to falter and the consequences could be disastrous for the people under his care.
The two teenagers, one mortal and one spirit, strike a deal-- Kazik will act as matchmaker and help Gisela seduce a local boy, Aleksey, to help her regain her humanity. If successful, Gisela could return home and there would be one less thorn in Kazi's side. However, love rarely follows a straight path-- and the three become entangled in a plot more convoluted than any of them could dream up.
I'm always on the hunt for books that have the Studio Ghibli feel (think: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Half a Soul, or A Fragile Enchantment), and this book delivered in spades. THIS FATAL KISS was dreamy, romantic and the perfect combination of fantasy and realism. It was unclear when this story took place (my guess would be the early 1900s, but I believe the author was specifically vague), but it had a timeless feel. The robust mythology, whimsical setting, and themes of environmentalism all created something truly magical (pun intended).
But not only does it deliver on the Ghibli side of things, this book delivered LGBTQ+ (primarily bisexual and polyamorous) representation and romance in spades. I also particularly enjoyed Gisela's relationship with the other river spirits-- Gisela was forced to grow up too early in order to help raise her brother, and it was so comforting to see her embraced by a new family so whole heartedly. The consistent love, encouragement, and affection was surprising, but it was a refreshing and realistic take on the importance of found families in people's lives.
Spoiler
And the scene between Gisela and Wojciech where he gives her permission (and encouragement) to enjoy living her own life and allow her family to take on the responsibility for their own care healed my inner oldest-daughter complex just a little bit.While I love a good YA book as an adult, if THIS FATAL KISS had been published when I was actually a teenager, I think I would have been obsessed. As the first part of a duology/series (still unconfirmed), I'm very excited to see where the trio's journey goes next!