Set in China, Deathly Fates by Tessa Tsai is the story of Kang Siying who has been raised by her father as a ganshi priestess, paid to guide the dead to their homes. When her father falls sick, Siying takes a job that sends her to enemy territory to retrieve the corpse of the dead Prince Renshu (Ren for short), to his homeland in order to raise money to pay for her father’s medical care. Things take a turn when she attempts to raise the prince’s corpse, and instead, he comes back to life. But he won’t stay that way for long if she doesn’t help him find more qi, or life force, so that his soul doesn’t leave him permanently.
I found the mix of fantasy, Chinese folklore and customs, and a splash of romance, captured my imagination and kept me immersed in the world of Siying. I also found the depiction of a strong female lead with a weaker male counterpart a refreshing change from many stories out there.
I loved watching the journey of these characters, not just physically, but also emotionally, and in their personal views of the world. The growth of both Siying and Ren was satisfying, as they made their way from the battlefield where Siying found Ren’s body back to their homeland.
I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time expressing what I loved about this novel, I just know it was a fantastic read and if you love a great story with magic, adventure, intrigue, and a touch of romance, then I think you will love this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Deathly Fates will be available on April 14 2026.
Life, Tea, and Everything 