‘Deathly Fates’: A Review
What’s the point of living a human life if you forget your humanity?
Siying is a priestess; her job is to guide the dead home. Ren is a prince; his soul is suspended in a world between life and death.
The only way for him to stay alive is to absorb enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body. Together, the unlikely pair embark on a life-threatening, life-saving journey in search of evil spirits to purify for their qi, and gradually uncover the dark truth behind the prince's death.
A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, Deathly Fates is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.
As a priestess paid to guide the deceased home, Kang Siying has never feared death. However, when her beloved father collapses, Siying realizes that even she is not free from the cruel grasp of mortality. Desperate to provide her father with the medical aid he needs, Siying accepts a dangerous job that promises a generous commission, and travels to a hostile state to retrieve the corpse of a missing prince.
But the moment Siying places her reanimation talisman on the dead prince's head, rather than make the corpse obedient to Siying's commands, the talisman brings the prince back to life. Worse, he won't stay alive for long—not unless he absorbs enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body.
In return for a reward worth twice her original commission, Siying agrees to aid the frustratingly handsome prince in finding and purifying evil spirits for their qi. As they journey across the countryside, encountering vengeful ghosts and enemy spies alike, they gradually uncover dark secrets about the prince's death—secrets that could endanger both Siying's father and their entire kingdom. - Publisher’s synopsis
This book gave me Demon Slayer vibes, with a final battle reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. It was a lot creepier than I'd expected (though my horror tolerance is quite low), but it IS a story about necromancy and death so I should have seen the slightly-graphic descriptions coming. It did well to hold my interest, though, with its quick progression and pacing. It read like a C-drama or even a donghua! Tsai, in her debut novel, did a great job in bringing readers into the fantastical world of necromancy and “spirit-driving” while adding a bit of palace politics in the mix (because what is a traditional Chinese fantasy-inspired novel without some political intrigue).
I enjoyed the banter between Siying and Ren and how their relationship developed through supportive communication and a desire to understand the other, helping each other face their fears and break down internal barriers. Romance was secondary to their adventure and friendship, which I appreciated as it didn’t distract from the main story and character development.
Thoughtfully inserted throughout the book—specifically in the scenes with Siying and her father—are quotes that make you pause for a bit to consider the words and deeper meanings. These passages are reminiscent of the wise characters in Chinese mythology and folktales, who typically embody Taoist, Confucian, or Buddhist thought. Here are some lines and paragraphs that particularly stood out to me:
Overall, it was a very smooth, easy read and a wonderful debut novel that I will definitely reach for again. Also, I have to mention the BEAUTIFUL cover art that will be sure to attract many readers like myself who can’t help but judge a book by its cover. Thank you to the publisher Wednesday Books and Colored Pages Book Tours for sending me a copy (+ the Siying art print & peach ginseng (minor story spoilers?) tea) to review.
