This Fatal Kiss

Starred review from June 10, 2024
After mysteriously drowning in the river near the tourist town of Les´na Woda at 16, Gisela became a rusalka, or a water nymph. She longs to reunite with her family, but the only way to return to her human life is to kiss a mortal. Her attempts have been foiled by reclusive Kazik, the 16-year-old grandson of a late witch who views Gisela as an evil spirit demonizing the town. Upon informing Kazik of the quickest way to dispatch her, Gisela sets her sights on Aleksey, Kazik’s former classmate. But Kazik is interested in Aleksey too, and when Aleksey returns both Kazik and Gisela’s admiration, the trio become tangled in a web of complicated feelings. Yet Aleksey is not all he seems to be either, and he may know more about Gisela’s plight and the death of Kazik’s grandmother than he’s letting on. Jasinska (The Midnight Girls) employs Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey’s alternating perspectives to spin a delightfully queer polyamorous romance teeming with splashes of ethereal magic. As the trio’s relationship unfolds via charming banter and self-conscious uncertainty, secrets heighten the tension in this historical fantasy that’s inspired by Slavic folklore. Protagonists cue as white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Rena Rossner, Deborah Harris Agency.

July 15, 2024
A water nymph and an exorcist form a strange alliance. Gisela is a rusalka--a girl who's bound in spirit form to the river where she died. After almost a year of her watery existence, she longs to become human again and return to her family. According to water goblin Wojciech, the rusalki's protector and father figure, this requires a kiss from a mortal. To local exorcist Kazik, however, Gisela's love-seeking antics are a constant source of irritation and alarm. He finally captures her, but at the triumphant moment, his powers fade, leaving him unable to exorcise her. Gisela--now in frog form--escapes with the help of Aleksey, a handsome human boy. When exorcist and rusalka cross paths again, Gisela proposes an accord: If Kazik helps her get the kiss she needs, she'll stop bothering him. She even has a new romantic fixation on her savior, Aleksey. But Aleksey is Kazik's crush--and might not be all that he seems. As they plot together, Gisela and Kazik find themselves drawn both to one another and to Aleksey. Lovingly detailed Slavic folklore forms the basis of this gripping fantasy, with particular focus on the water and forest spirits. The mystery of Gisela's death provides a strong and unsettling undercurrent, helping to up the ante and ground the romantic hijinks. The subversion of a typical love triangle will also delight readers. Engaging and immersive--a delight from start to finish. (pronunciation guide, content note, resources)(Fantasy. 14-18)

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September 1, 2024

Gr 8 Up-Gisela is a rusalka, a water nymph of Slavic folklore, transformed after her violent death near water, and now existing among her fellow drowned spirits in the river kingdom of Wojciech, the irritable old water goblin. She can only regain her humanity and life, if she can earn a kiss from a living human, or avenge her untimely death. Kazik is the local exorcist, whose quest to stop evil spirits in their European spa town brings him into constant conflict with Gisela and the other rusalki. They are unlikely allies, but when Aleksey, the strange new boy in town, draws both of their attention, they find themselves working together to get Gisela her kiss. The rich Slavic fantasy world unfurls throughout, weaving folklore with fairy-tale, as it reimagines elements of "The Little Mermaid" into something entirely new. The almost completely queer cast of characters includes pansexual and genderfluid representation which, while transgressive within the "old world" religious setting of the book, is fully accepted and celebrated by all the characters involved. The multiple points of view build suspense as each character learns that in this world of magical spirits, not everyone is as they seem. While resolving the main plot, the ending clearly sets the stage for a sequel for Gisela, Kazik, and Aleksey. VERDICT This beautiful Slavic reimagining of "The Little Mermaid" will appeal to fans of fairy-tale retellings and queer romantasy adventures.-Molly Saunders

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 Gisela is a rusalka, a water nymph created from the ghost of a drowned girl, who needs a kiss from a mortal boy to become human again. Kazik is the town exorcist, sworn to protect ordinary people from wicked demons like Gisela. But when she accidentally witnesses Kazik's magical gift fail, Gisela convinces him to help her gain a kiss from Aleksey, Kazik's handsome classmate and secret crush. In return, she won't tell anyone about his magic deserting him. Confusing feelings abound as the three grow closer; Kazik and Gisela find themselves pulled toward each other just as much as they are towards Aleksey. Meanwhile, Aleksey has his own secrets, which seem to line up suspiciously with Gisela's death the year before. Told from three alternating perspectives and influenced by Slavic folklore, this polyamorous romantasy successfully juggles themes of identity, family, and queerness, all while building a crisp, clear, beautiful world where readers will want to linger with these characters.

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