This Fatal Kiss

by Alicia Jasinska

Overview

Spirit away with dark magic and flirty, polyamorous romance in this whimsical fantasy—and witness a sinister plan take shape in a special BONUS chapter added to the paperback edition!

Cursed to haunt the river running through the magical spa town where she drowned, Gisela is a water nymph who dreams of returning to the living world and the family she left behind. All it takes to regain her humanity is a kiss from a mortal...but everyone sees her as a monster.

And then there’s Kazik, the brooding, interfering, spirit-hunting grandson of a local witch. He's determined to rid the world of unholy creatures like Gisela. After Kazik botches Gisela’s exorcism, she strikes up a deal. She won’t tell the other spirits that he’s losing his magic, if he agrees to play matchmaker and helps her get a kiss. But Gisela’s plan goes awry when Kazik also falls for the devilishly handsome young man that she sets her heart on—someone who could be linked to Gisela’s troubled past.

This delectable quest through the spirit world is cozily crafted with a hauntingly opulent atmosphere and a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers story told in multiple perspectives. Young adult readers are sure to kick their feet and squeal with glee at hilarious banter, scrumptious culinary delights, and endearing sisterhood and found family. An enchanting read for fairy tale enthusiasts and fans of queer romance!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781682638569
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	12/30/2025
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	14 Years

About the Author

Alicia Jasinska hails from Sydney, Australia and is the author of acclaimed YA novels, THE DARK TIDE and THE MIDNIGHT GIRLS. A library technician by day, she spends her nights writing and hanging upside down from the aerial hoop.

Editorial Reviews

★ "A delightfully queer polyamorous romance teeming with splashes of ethereal magic."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"This beautiful Slavic reimagining of "The Little Mermaid" will appeal to fans of fairy-tale retellings and queer romantasy adventures."—School Library Journal

"Found family of other rusałka with diverse sexualities and gender identities, their irascible (but hot) immortal water goblin "grandfather," and the small town setting with its witchy cottagecore aesthetic make this an appealing destination for fans of Jasinska’s The Dark Tide as well as readers in search of a cozy, flirty, folklore-inflected good time."—The Bulletin

"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 "—Booklist

"Engaging and immersive—a delight from start to finish."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-06-15
A water nymph and an exorcist form a strange alliance.

Gisela is a rusałka—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 rusałki’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 rusałka 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)

Kirkus Reviews