A Forgery of Fate

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes!

"Everything I love in a story-danger, complex characters, romance, betrayal and gorgeous writing." -Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of Dance of Thieves

Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it's up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother's gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

From the publisher

Penguin Random House/Knopf Books for Young Readers | Jun 3, 2025 | 480 pages | ISBN-978-0593650615 | YA Fantasy

"In beguiling prose, Lim skillfully blends elements of classic fairy tales...and inject heart-pounding action into this lush romantasy epic." -Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This emotional, thoughtful story about love and found family is perfect for romantasy fans." -Booklist, starred review

"An adventurous and romantic addition to the genre." -Kirkus Reviews

"Hand to readers who like the ache of slow-burn romance and the whimsy of fairy tales." -School Library Journal

"An alluring and captivating story, filled with mythical creatures, lyrical prose and vibrant characters."-Isabel Ibanez, #1 New York Times bestselling author of What the River Knows

"Devastatingly romantic, with heart-stopping action and twists that kept me turning the pages."-Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

"Everything I love in a story-danger, complex characters, romance, betrayal and gorgeous writing." -Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of Dance of Thieves

"A tale that grabs your heart and won't let you go. Full of dangerous magic, endearing characters, and imaginative storytelling reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast." - Brigid Kemmerer, NYT bestselling author of Defy the Night

"Exquisitely written and masterfully plotted, A Forgery of Fate is stunning in every way. I loved every page of the riveting tension-filled romance, magical adventure, and incredible characters, all woven together by Elizabeth Lim's remarkable storytelling." -Sue Lynn Tan, USA Today bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

"Elizabeth Lim's worlds are so vivid and immersive that I'm convinced she must use her very own magic paintbrush." -Lynette Noni, international bestselling author of The Prison Healer

"A captivating retelling of Beauty and the Beast, brimming with heart-pounding adventure and enchanting romance that will leave you breathless." -June Hur, New York Times bestselling author of A Crane Among Wolves

"Once again Lim works her inimitable magic in taking a beloved fairy tale and making it not only her own, but genuinely original." -Liz Braswell, New York Times bestselling author of As Old As Time