Elizabeth Lim has enchanted readers yet again with her YA fantasy novel, A Forgery of Fate. This mystical, underwater retelling of Beauty and the Beast follows Truyan Saigas, a girl who can paint the future, who must accept a marriage contract with a dragon lord to protect her family. A wondrous tale of love, deception, and dragons, A Forgery of Fate is the ultimate book for fans of romantasy, YA, and fairytale retellings. Read on for our interview with Elizabeth to learn how she developed the novel’s enriching world, the important role Chinese mythology plays in the story, and the inspiration behind her magical characters.
About Elizabeth Lim
Elizabeth Lim is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of A Forgery of Fate, Six Crimson Cranes, and Spin the Dawn. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still tends to come up with her best book ideas when writing near a piano. You can learn more about Elizabeth and her books on her website.
Thank you for joining us, Elizabeth. Let’s get started!
To readers who might be unfamiliar, could you give us a brief introduction to A Forgery of Fate?
A Forgery of Fate is a romantic, underwater, Beauty and the Beast-reimagining with dragons, a marriage of convenience, and an artist who can paint the future. It’s my favorite fantasy that I’ve written to date, and never fails to make me laugh and cry.
The underwater kingdom of Ai’long is quite vivid, full of mythical creatures and lore. What initially inspired this unique blend of ocean myths and magic?
It’s loosely inspired by Chinese mythology, where dragons tend to be water-based, and Chinese mermaids cry pearls instead of tears! Creating the underwater world was definitely one of the bigger challenges in writing this book, and while the setting was inspired by myths and legends I grew up with, I knew I wanted it to feel fresh and true to the world I’ve created in my other books.
When developing this story, what came to you first: the world or the characters?
The characters! I’d been wanting to portray an artist as one of my main characters for quite some time, and Tru was especially fun to write because she’s an art forger! So, there’s an element of criminality in her history and character, which is unlike any other character I’ve published so far. It was very appealing, and I have to say, she’s probably one of my favorites to date. I miss her!
@elizabethlimwriter Can you tell i had too much fun writing this? I love marriage of convenience books. #aforgeryoffate ♬ original sound – Elizabeth Lim
Tru is such a compelling heroine: clever, loyal, and torn between duty and desire. What influenced her voice and personality? Were there any real-life women or literary heroines who helped shape her character?
I don’t typically have real-life inspirations to shape my characters. They tend to be shaped more by the world they’re in and the characters around them. I feel like the way I develop my characters is actually a real-time friendship. We spend so many years together that I get to know them really well, and after a while, they shape their own voice and personality. I’d say this is probably the most magical part about writing, to me.
Throughout the book, Tru and the male lead, Prince Elang, undergo powerful transformations rooted in secrecy, fate, and self-discovery. How did you approach crafting their arcs as both foils and mirrors of one another?
I love this question because I actually had the biggest case of writer’s block while working on A Forgery of Fate, and the solution ended up being exactly what you’re asking in this question – a big spoiler, but the secret transformations and identities that Elang is trying to hide. I think a lot of it was trial and error, some serendipity, and a lot of hair-pulling and planning.
@elizabethlimwriter Can you tell that I love the arranged marriage trope? #sixcrimsoncranes #booktok #yafantasy #arrangedmarriage #enemiestolovers #greenscreen ♬ Whoever uses this sound is gay – 🥂
Is there a detail or moment in A Forgery of Fate that you hope readers do not overlook? Something small but meaningful that you quietly tucked into the story?
There’s so many tiny details that I’ve tucked into this book. From the way Tru learns to paint the dragon on the Scroll of Oblivion, to the chilis that her sisters give her on her wedding day, to the noodles that she adores eating and keeps dreaming about. These tiny details are my favorite things to tuck into a story because I feel it’s what makes the world come alive, and helps the reader bond with the characters.
Another detail I really like is the theme of gardening and moss being connected to Truyan. Moss is such a big part of our ecosystem, and it’s such a quirky plant – it felt really true and authentic to have it reflect how Elang feels about her. There’s also lots of tiny moments in the beginning quarter of the book that make much more sense in the end, but I can’t share too much because of spoilers!
At its core, A Forgery of Fate is about finding the courage to rewrite your own pre-determined story. What message do you hope readers carry with them long after the final page?
I always hope that the stories I write will stay with my readers for a long time. I love writing about family and love in all its forms, and in A Forgery of Fate, exactly that – the message that we are the guardians of our destiny. I think my inspiration for this comes from the experience of having grown up studying music. I had been a serious musician since the age of four, and it always felt like such a big part of my identity that it almost felt stifling sometimes. In my twenties, when I decided to change paths and explore becoming a writer, it did feel like I was diverging from my “fate,” and this experience now shows up a lot in how I write my characters.
@elizabethlimwriter You can tell the artist read the book, 11/10 stunning. This is one of my favorite editions of A Forgery of Fate, my underwater beauty and the beast reimagining with dragons, an artist who can paint the future, and a marriage contract (fake dating too!) Have you read it yet? #aforgeryoffate ♬ butterflies sped up by isabel larosa – Thomas LaRosa440
A huge thank you to Elizabeth Lim for this spectacular interview, and for speaking with us about the making of her latest, breathtaking novel! Be sure to add A Forgery of Fate to your bookcase and keep up with Elizabeth on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.
Looking for more exciting author interviews? Check out our interview with author and editor, Cat Aquino, here.
Find A Forgery of Fate on our Bookshop shelves and add it to your TBR, today!
