Keshe Chow
Penguin
7 October 2025
367
eBook - EPUB
YA Fantasy
ARC via NetGalley
What is dead can die again.
When Jia Yi suddenly finds herself alive again after being stabbed through the heart by an enemy’s sword, she realizes she possesses a rare the ability to move between the living realm and the mysterious, shrouded world of ghosts. Including the spirit of Lin, her ex-best friend and the love of her life, who betrayed her horribly before disappearing for good.
At first, Jia wants nothing more than to leave the past where it belongs – especially after Lin's ghost nearly kills her during their first encounter. Until her beloved grandmother abruptly passes away, and Jia learns her one chance at saving her might lie with a legendary artifact rumored to be hidden somewhere in the afterlife.
To rescue her grandmother, Jia must traverse the treacherous layers of the death realm, all while navigating her complicated feelings for Lin. But there are others searching for the artifact, too – people such as Essien Lancaster, the young prince of a rival kingdom, and Jia's longtime enemy.
Jia will need the help of both Essien and Lin if she wants to survive the afterlife. Only, she isn't sure whether she can trust either of them. With tensions high and new and old connections blooming, Jia must confront the ghosts of her past … or risk becoming one herself.
For No Mortal Creature was a book with a fascinating and fresh premise. Jia was a compelling heroine, and I liked Essien too, but I did wish we had been given a little more opportunity to get to know him as the story progressed. The relationship between them, though, felt well paced in terms of the development of their feelings for one another. The world building was pretty good, and it wasn't often I had additional questions as the story moved along. If I have one small criticism it is that the ending felt a tad rushed after all the build up, but it was still satisfactory. Otherwise, the pacing of the action was good and kept me turning the pages. Recommended for fans of YA fantasy based on Asian myth. I am giving this book 4 stars and would happily read more from this author in the future.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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