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To the Death
Two teens are pitted against each other in a magical duel for revenge, but they’ll have to fight their growing attraction first, in this YA fantasy thriller from the author of These Deadly Prophecies.
Eighteen-year-old Samantha Chan wants only one thing: revenge for her brother’s death in an illegal magical duel. Ever since that terrible day, she’s been quietly working with legitimate dueling champion Lysander Rook and biding her time until she can take down her brother’s killer: Mateus Blackwood.
Tamsin Blackwood is trapped. She wants to make a name for herself in the magical dueling circuit, but she can’t get away from the legacy of her father—and coach—Mateus Blackwood. When she receives a challenge from the undefeated Lysander and his assistant Sam, she jumps at the chance to earn enough fame and glory to finally escape her father’s influence.
Tamsin has no idea about Sam’s scheming, and Sam plans to keep it that way. Despite herself, though, she can’t help liking Tamsin, and the two girls quickly grow closer to each other than anyone else in their lives. But Sam won’t let anything get in the way of her revenge—not even her heart.
Eighteen-year-old Samantha Chan wants only one thing: revenge for her brother’s death in an illegal magical duel. Ever since that terrible day, she’s been quietly working with legitimate dueling champion Lysander Rook and biding her time until she can take down her brother’s killer: Mateus Blackwood.
Tamsin Blackwood is trapped. She wants to make a name for herself in the magical dueling circuit, but she can’t get away from the legacy of her father—and coach—Mateus Blackwood. When she receives a challenge from the undefeated Lysander and his assistant Sam, she jumps at the chance to earn enough fame and glory to finally escape her father’s influence.
Tamsin has no idea about Sam’s scheming, and Sam plans to keep it that way. Despite herself, though, she can’t help liking Tamsin, and the two girls quickly grow closer to each other than anyone else in their lives. But Sam won’t let anything get in the way of her revenge—not even her heart.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2026
17 people are currently reading
7239 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Tang
14 books210 followersAndrea Tang grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and currently lives, writes, and works in the Washington, DC area. She loves martial arts in general and Brazilian jiu-jitsu in particular, and in her spare time, enjoys learning new sports and checking out live theater.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 9, 2025
3.25 stars.
I wish this was a duology because the sapphic romance was cute and I wanted so much more!
Actually, I wanted to so much more out of everything: the magic, the duels, the family history. This was a fun and quick read for what it was though. I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed it. Usually, I like my fantasy with a lot more worldbuilding and lore, but I'll take it for what it is.
I really enjoyed the semi not-quite enemies to lovers romance. The tension between the two was written pretty well and I enjoyed the suspense and the drama when it came to the relationship buildup.
I liked the dual POV with Samantha and Tamsin in the first half, but after they cross paths, their POVs read pretty similar and it was kinda difficult to tell them apart. I'm normally an audiobook listener, so maybe the audiobook will be better with the POV switches.
I think this will be a fun read for teens looking to dip their toes into urban fantasy and who are looking for diverse rep. The magical concepts here are pretty easy to understand and everyone's motives are straightforward. There are a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
I wish this was a duology because the sapphic romance was cute and I wanted so much more!
Actually, I wanted to so much more out of everything: the magic, the duels, the family history. This was a fun and quick read for what it was though. I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed it. Usually, I like my fantasy with a lot more worldbuilding and lore, but I'll take it for what it is.
I really enjoyed the semi not-quite enemies to lovers romance. The tension between the two was written pretty well and I enjoyed the suspense and the drama when it came to the relationship buildup.
I liked the dual POV with Samantha and Tamsin in the first half, but after they cross paths, their POVs read pretty similar and it was kinda difficult to tell them apart. I'm normally an audiobook listener, so maybe the audiobook will be better with the POV switches.
I think this will be a fun read for teens looking to dip their toes into urban fantasy and who are looking for diverse rep. The magical concepts here are pretty easy to understand and everyone's motives are straightforward. There are a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.
Want to read
November 17, 2025pre-read notes:
ARC received! This sounds sooo good and also.. the cover???
ARC received! This sounds sooo good and also.. the cover???
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Current rating: 3.25-3.5 stars
I feel like if this book was a bit longer and more developed, I would have given it 4 stars!
I haven't read all of Andrea Tang's other books (I've only read 2), but I found myself having very similar thoughts back when I read Kingdom of Without. Both were short, solid, and entertaining reads, but I always end up yearning for more: more worldbuilding, more time with the characters, more development for the romance, etc. But on the other hand, there is something bittersweet about how she doesn't provide complete closure, and I do find myself thinking about the characters even after I read. Idk, I'll just say that I would love for this to be a series, as I grew to be surprisingly attached to Samantha, Tamsin, and even Rook, so again, I want more of these characters and to explore their world!!
I don't have too much else to add; both POVs were relatively compelling, though I did prefer Samantha's chapters by a slight margin. Romance was nice, though there wasn't as much build-up as I would have liked due to the short length of the book.
Overall, this was a fun read and would be great if you're in a slump; I would have finished this in one sitting if I had started reading at a reasonable time. I think I'll read These Deadly Prophecies next and see how that goes!
I feel like if this book was a bit longer and more developed, I would have given it 4 stars!
I haven't read all of Andrea Tang's other books (I've only read 2), but I found myself having very similar thoughts back when I read Kingdom of Without. Both were short, solid, and entertaining reads, but I always end up yearning for more: more worldbuilding, more time with the characters, more development for the romance, etc. But on the other hand, there is something bittersweet about how she doesn't provide complete closure, and I do find myself thinking about the characters even after I read. Idk, I'll just say that I would love for this to be a series, as I grew to be surprisingly attached to Samantha, Tamsin, and even Rook, so again, I want more of these characters and to explore their world!!
I don't have too much else to add; both POVs were relatively compelling, though I did prefer Samantha's chapters by a slight margin. Romance was nice, though there wasn't as much build-up as I would have liked due to the short length of the book.
Overall, this was a fun read and would be great if you're in a slump; I would have finished this in one sitting if I had started reading at a reasonable time. I think I'll read These Deadly Prophecies next and see how that goes!
March 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing a copy of this novel!
I wasn't the intended audience for this novel. Sometimes I can read YA and really enjoy it, other times I do and I find myself just constantly annoyed. Unfortunately, this book falls into the latter category.
I just wasn't a fan of the two leads. To start, this novel had a dual, first-person perspective but the two narrators, Sam and Tasmin, were too similar in voice and it was difficult to tell who was narrating. I also just found them frustrating. My annoyance with Tasmin was that she was supposed to both be terrified of her dad, but she also regularly yelled at and argued with him. And like... this technically isn't a bad thing, but I just thought it was so weird. My parents are no where near as horrible as hers and I wouldn't dream of talking back to them. I think it just felt weird because I feel like this should have been her character arc. Learning to talk back to her father and standing up for herself. Which this was "technically" her arc, but like... not really. She was already doing those things at the very start of the novel so it wasn't a very satisfying change.
As for Sam, ugh... Sam.... She literally spends 4 years planning revenge for her brother's death, and it literally takes 2 conversations with a pretty girl for her to doubt herself. Really? That's it? Sam and Tasmin only knew each other for like 2 weeks. Maybe 3. Also, why was she even talking to Tasmin in the first place??? Every time they would hang out and bond, I was just so baffled. I kind of understand the first interaction they had, I guess? It was honestly pretty dumb and convoluted, but Sam's plan was already pretty dumb so that checks out. But the other interactions just didn't make any sense to me. It just felt like Sam thought Tasmin was hot and basically gave up on her plan immediately. It was just super disappointing.
There was also a lot of goofy "betrayal" stuff between Tasmin and Sam, but again, this didn't feel earned because they only knew each other for a couple weeks. What do you mean the person you barely know and if your "first friend" betrayed you, you don't know each other. I get being a little hurt and disappointed, but it was just so melodramatic.
As for the magic system and world building, there was none. Honestly, I wouldn't really have minded this, except for the fact that there were some pretty long battle scenes and it was just pure nonsense. Just throwing a bunch of random "magic words" out there, but since nothing was established, the words had no impact. There also was a lot of emphasis on how Sam cares about the basics and how important the basics are. And how Rook doesn't appreciate the basics, but Tasmin does. But this didn't even matter. This was just something for Sam and Tasmin to "bond" over, didn't actually come up in the plot at all.
Anyway, I originally gave this book 2 stars but decided to bump it down to 1 after writing this review. I really should've just dnf-ed it. Oh well.
I wasn't the intended audience for this novel. Sometimes I can read YA and really enjoy it, other times I do and I find myself just constantly annoyed. Unfortunately, this book falls into the latter category.
I just wasn't a fan of the two leads. To start, this novel had a dual, first-person perspective but the two narrators, Sam and Tasmin, were too similar in voice and it was difficult to tell who was narrating. I also just found them frustrating. My annoyance with Tasmin was that she was supposed to both be terrified of her dad, but she also regularly yelled at and argued with him. And like... this technically isn't a bad thing, but I just thought it was so weird. My parents are no where near as horrible as hers and I wouldn't dream of talking back to them. I think it just felt weird because I feel like this should have been her character arc. Learning to talk back to her father and standing up for herself. Which this was "technically" her arc, but like... not really. She was already doing those things at the very start of the novel so it wasn't a very satisfying change.
As for Sam, ugh... Sam.... She literally spends 4 years planning revenge for her brother's death, and it literally takes 2 conversations with a pretty girl for her to doubt herself. Really? That's it? Sam and Tasmin only knew each other for like 2 weeks. Maybe 3. Also, why was she even talking to Tasmin in the first place??? Every time they would hang out and bond, I was just so baffled. I kind of understand the first interaction they had, I guess? It was honestly pretty dumb and convoluted, but Sam's plan was already pretty dumb so that checks out. But the other interactions just didn't make any sense to me. It just felt like Sam thought Tasmin was hot and basically gave up on her plan immediately. It was just super disappointing.
There was also a lot of goofy "betrayal" stuff between Tasmin and Sam, but again, this didn't feel earned because they only knew each other for a couple weeks. What do you mean the person you barely know and if your "first friend" betrayed you, you don't know each other. I get being a little hurt and disappointed, but it was just so melodramatic.
As for the magic system and world building, there was none. Honestly, I wouldn't really have minded this, except for the fact that there were some pretty long battle scenes and it was just pure nonsense. Just throwing a bunch of random "magic words" out there, but since nothing was established, the words had no impact. There also was a lot of emphasis on how Sam cares about the basics and how important the basics are. And how Rook doesn't appreciate the basics, but Tasmin does. But this didn't even matter. This was just something for Sam and Tasmin to "bond" over, didn't actually come up in the plot at all.
Anyway, I originally gave this book 2 stars but decided to bump it down to 1 after writing this review. I really should've just dnf-ed it. Oh well.
Read
March 4, 2026thank you so much to the publisher for the gifted copy and audiobook.
Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I really struggled with this one. it is YA which is usually a hit or miss for me, in this case it was a big miss. Obviously I am not the target audience for it but I do hope it finds itself in the right hands.
happy reading 📖
Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I really struggled with this one. it is YA which is usually a hit or miss for me, in this case it was a big miss. Obviously I am not the target audience for it but I do hope it finds itself in the right hands.
happy reading 📖
Read
February 8, 2026Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
To the Death by Andrea Tang is a first person dual-POV contemporary fantasy Sapphic romance. Several years ago, Samantha's older brother was killed in the arena of an underground dueling ring run by a legendary duelist, Blackwood. To get revenge for her brother’s death, Samantha takes a job as the second of up-and-coming duelist Lysander, and waits the day for him to beat Blackwood’s daughter, Tamsin. But Tamsin doesn't know anything about Samantha's past nor of her plans.
I would put this more as a fantasy romance rather than romantic fantasy because the story does not really go without the romance plot. The revenge aspect is part of Samantha's motivations and it is the original driving force for her, but it's not really as central to Tamsin’s story. Since the general book is more focused on general interiority and overall feelings shifting and the magic aspects served as a backdrop, it felt like a romance novel with fantasy elements. Because of how one-sided the enemies aspect is for the whole book, I would not call this enemies-to-lovers nor would I really call it rivals-to-lovers. It's more forbidden love.
Tamsin and Samantha's romance is closer to slowburn territory. It takes a while for the two of them to admit their feelings for each other and very little happens until the end. A lot of that has to do with the secrets between them as well as the fact that as long as Tamsin is still working with her father, it would be impossible for Samantha to really give her whole heart to her.
The worldbuilding is mostly limited to the magic system as the book is set in an alternative universe of our world where some people have magic and everyone is vaguely aware, but it hasn't changed history that much. The magic system itself is spell-based, with elemental magic being the basics and magic users are constantly creating new spells. We don't see a ton of fighting and a lot of the magic beyond a few bits here and there.
I would recommend this to fans of YA romantasy who prefer low fantasy or paranormal romance and readers of fantasy who like a slowburn romance
To the Death by Andrea Tang is a first person dual-POV contemporary fantasy Sapphic romance. Several years ago, Samantha's older brother was killed in the arena of an underground dueling ring run by a legendary duelist, Blackwood. To get revenge for her brother’s death, Samantha takes a job as the second of up-and-coming duelist Lysander, and waits the day for him to beat Blackwood’s daughter, Tamsin. But Tamsin doesn't know anything about Samantha's past nor of her plans.
I would put this more as a fantasy romance rather than romantic fantasy because the story does not really go without the romance plot. The revenge aspect is part of Samantha's motivations and it is the original driving force for her, but it's not really as central to Tamsin’s story. Since the general book is more focused on general interiority and overall feelings shifting and the magic aspects served as a backdrop, it felt like a romance novel with fantasy elements. Because of how one-sided the enemies aspect is for the whole book, I would not call this enemies-to-lovers nor would I really call it rivals-to-lovers. It's more forbidden love.
Tamsin and Samantha's romance is closer to slowburn territory. It takes a while for the two of them to admit their feelings for each other and very little happens until the end. A lot of that has to do with the secrets between them as well as the fact that as long as Tamsin is still working with her father, it would be impossible for Samantha to really give her whole heart to her.
The worldbuilding is mostly limited to the magic system as the book is set in an alternative universe of our world where some people have magic and everyone is vaguely aware, but it hasn't changed history that much. The magic system itself is spell-based, with elemental magic being the basics and magic users are constantly creating new spells. We don't see a ton of fighting and a lot of the magic beyond a few bits here and there.
I would recommend this to fans of YA romantasy who prefer low fantasy or paranormal romance and readers of fantasy who like a slowburn romance
Read
February 21, 2026DNF at 42%
This is a book that is not for me. I went into this excited for the sapphic romance and magical battles. However, I didn't find that they were exactly what I wanted.
My biggest issue with this, for me, was that the magic is used for battles. But there wasn't really any world-building for it. We're just told that they use magic and spells and curses during the fights. But is that the only time magic is ever used in this world? Why? How do they create the spells? Do they have to say something? Nothing is ever told to us.
Because of this, the magical battles really just feel like MMA fighting. They're well written. But I wasn't here just for a martial arts type of book.
I also wasn't sold on the sapphic romance. This is a YA novel, so I knew that it wasn't necessarily going to be as in-depth as an adult romance. But I wasn't convinced of the relationship build up. One of our characters wants to get revenge for her killed brother, and in order to do that, she is setting up the other girl to fail her fight... but can she go through with it when she's just so pretty? I really don't care to find out.
I'm sure others will really enjoy this book. And the writing was good. But it's not my thing.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book that is not for me. I went into this excited for the sapphic romance and magical battles. However, I didn't find that they were exactly what I wanted.
My biggest issue with this, for me, was that the magic is used for battles. But there wasn't really any world-building for it. We're just told that they use magic and spells and curses during the fights. But is that the only time magic is ever used in this world? Why? How do they create the spells? Do they have to say something? Nothing is ever told to us.
Because of this, the magical battles really just feel like MMA fighting. They're well written. But I wasn't here just for a martial arts type of book.
I also wasn't sold on the sapphic romance. This is a YA novel, so I knew that it wasn't necessarily going to be as in-depth as an adult romance. But I wasn't convinced of the relationship build up. One of our characters wants to get revenge for her killed brother, and in order to do that, she is setting up the other girl to fail her fight... but can she go through with it when she's just so pretty? I really don't care to find out.
I'm sure others will really enjoy this book. And the writing was good. But it's not my thing.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2025
This one’s a slump-buster! Somewhat like a YA version of An Unkindness of Magicians (with the magical duels and people taking some personal vendettas into the ring), TO THE DEATH was snappy and quick and much more about the people than the magic. It took me a long time to realize that we had no idea how the magic worked, what qualified magicians to compete in the various circuits beyond age, how one became an arcane master, whether magic is only innate or if anyone can learn it… I actually had a whole lot of questions, it turns out! But the plot and characters let me kind of let a lot of those questions lie because the story charged ever onward.
I genuinely don’t think we needed Tamsin’s POV, but I did like having it, especially in the beginning where we got to see her ravenous loneliness and her dad’s assholery. It just had a lot less momentum than Sam’s.
I also like that their attraction to each other was a garnish and not a main course. Because, helloooo, escaping an abusive parent and a revenge plot are much more interesting.
{Thank you GP Putnam’s Sons for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
I genuinely don’t think we needed Tamsin’s POV, but I did like having it, especially in the beginning where we got to see her ravenous loneliness and her dad’s assholery. It just had a lot less momentum than Sam’s.
I also like that their attraction to each other was a garnish and not a main course. Because, helloooo, escaping an abusive parent and a revenge plot are much more interesting.
{Thank you GP Putnam’s Sons for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
February 7, 2026
This is one of those books that would have been better if it was longer. I loved the backdrop of magical duels as effectively a professional sport , and I would have liked to have seen and understood more of it (I’m still not fully sure what the point was of having a second).
In addition to that, the romance between Tamsin and Sam, as well as the development of all major characters, could have been fleshed out much more if this was longer. I’m a big fan of revenge plotlines and the enemies/rivals to lovers tropes that frequently comes in revenge-based stories, but because of the length of this book, there was definitely an insta-love vibe despite the fact that one wants to take down the other’s whole family.
There is still a little bit of tension between them in what ends up being their third act, and the characters do have good chemistry on page, so this is still decent as far as a romance goes if you are looking for one that doesn’t go far into the relationship. Also good if the favorite arc of any show or book for you is the sports/fighting festival or if you enjoy individual sports and fantasy books.
Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers, and Andrea Tang for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
In addition to that, the romance between Tamsin and Sam, as well as the development of all major characters, could have been fleshed out much more if this was longer. I’m a big fan of revenge plotlines and the enemies/rivals to lovers tropes that frequently comes in revenge-based stories, but because of the length of this book, there was definitely an insta-love vibe despite the fact that one wants to take down the other’s whole family.
There is still a little bit of tension between them in what ends up being their third act, and the characters do have good chemistry on page, so this is still decent as far as a romance goes if you are looking for one that doesn’t go far into the relationship. Also good if the favorite arc of any show or book for you is the sports/fighting festival or if you enjoy individual sports and fantasy books.
Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers, and Andrea Tang for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ solid 4 / 5 STARS
i thoroughly enjoyed this read. the tension, characters, storyline, magic, and the world-building are all exquisitely done. i do wish there were more information in terms of the magic system and a pinch more vivid imagery, but as is... i really liked it.
nonetheless, i HIGHLY recommend this book! this is my first dose of Andrea Tang's writing and story-telling abilities, and it sure as hell won't be my last. it's a great introduction to this author. looking forward to more!
shout out to the author and publisher for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in advanced via NetGalley. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are mine.
i thoroughly enjoyed this read. the tension, characters, storyline, magic, and the world-building are all exquisitely done. i do wish there were more information in terms of the magic system and a pinch more vivid imagery, but as is... i really liked it.
nonetheless, i HIGHLY recommend this book! this is my first dose of Andrea Tang's writing and story-telling abilities, and it sure as hell won't be my last. it's a great introduction to this author. looking forward to more!
shout out to the author and publisher for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in advanced via NetGalley. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are mine.
January 25, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ for To the Death by Andrea Tang
Samantha Chan seeks revenge for the loss of her brother’s life in a magical duel. She blames a prominent magician Mateus Blackwood, and plans to get back at him through his up and coming magician daughter Tamsin.
I’ll start with the romance, which I thought was super cute! Sam and Tamsin had potential for a great build up of a relationship, but I don’t think there was enough scenes of the “good” side to outweigh their bad and angry parts. I wanted more happy times and connection to maybe lessen some of the horrible things they said to each other. I do think by the end they each had significant growth and it gave more hope to them working things out.
I loved the magical duels! I think I would have liked a little more of them to be honest, I think it’s such a cool magic system and I’d love to hear more about it. The spells were intriguing and the laws surrounding it seemed to be in place limiting it to fighting. Each of the characters relationships with magic were toxic at times, and it helped to create a non-romantic side to the characters growth.
Overall this was a cute YA fantasy romance, and one I enjoyed reading. I’d love to see the author write more books in this world where magical duels are a spectator sport.
To the Death by Andrea Tang comes out February 10, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
Samantha Chan seeks revenge for the loss of her brother’s life in a magical duel. She blames a prominent magician Mateus Blackwood, and plans to get back at him through his up and coming magician daughter Tamsin.
I’ll start with the romance, which I thought was super cute! Sam and Tamsin had potential for a great build up of a relationship, but I don’t think there was enough scenes of the “good” side to outweigh their bad and angry parts. I wanted more happy times and connection to maybe lessen some of the horrible things they said to each other. I do think by the end they each had significant growth and it gave more hope to them working things out.
I loved the magical duels! I think I would have liked a little more of them to be honest, I think it’s such a cool magic system and I’d love to hear more about it. The spells were intriguing and the laws surrounding it seemed to be in place limiting it to fighting. Each of the characters relationships with magic were toxic at times, and it helped to create a non-romantic side to the characters growth.
Overall this was a cute YA fantasy romance, and one I enjoyed reading. I’d love to see the author write more books in this world where magical duels are a spectator sport.
To the Death by Andrea Tang comes out February 10, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
Want to read
May 14, 2025i have a soft spot for fantasy thrillers
March 2, 2026
📚To The Death
✍🏻Andrea Tang
Blurb:
Two teens are pitted against each other in a magical duel for revenge, but they’ll have to fight their growing attraction first, in this YA fantasy thriller from the author of These Deadly Prophecies.
Eighteen-year-old Samantha Chan wants only one thing: revenge for her brother’s death in an illegal magical duel. Ever since that terrible day, she’s been quietly working with legitimate dueling champion Lysander Rook and biding her time until she can take down her brother’s killer: Mateus Blackwood.
Tamsin Blackwood is trapped. She wants to make a name for herself in the magical dueling circuit, but she can’t get away from the legacy of her father—and coach—Mateus Blackwood. When she receives a challenge from the undefeated Lysander and his assistant Sam, she jumps at the chance to earn enough fame and glory to finally escape her father’s influence.
Tamsin has no idea about Sam’s scheming, and Sam plans to keep it that way. Despite herself, though, she can’t help liking Tamsin, and the two girls quickly grow closer to each other than anyone else in their lives. But Sam won’t let anything get in the way of her revenge—not even her heart.
My Thoughts:
Tamsin Blackwood is a young up-and-coming dueling magician who is slowly suffocating under the weight of her father’s reputation and expectations. When she receives a challenge to face Lysander Rook, the hottest young magician in the game, it’s finally a chance for her to escape her father’s hold if she can win. What she doesn’t know is Rook’s second Samantha Chan is out for revenge and doesn’t care who she hurts in the process. Fate keeps bringing Tamsin and Sam into each other’s circles. Can two rivals become more than that?I would put this more as a fantasy romance rather than romantic fantasy because the story does not really go without the romance plot. The revenge aspect is part of Samantha's motivations and it is the original driving force for her, but it's not really as central to Tamsin’s story. Since the general book is more focused on general interiority and overall feelings shifting and the magic aspects served as a backdrop, it felt like a romance novel with fantasy elements. Because of how one-sided the enemies aspect is for the whole book, I would not call this enemies-to-lovers nor would I really call it rivals-to-lovers. It's more forbidden love. Tamsin and Samantha's romance is closer to slowburn territory. It takes a while for the two of them to admit their feelings for each other and very little happens until the end. A lot of that has to do with the secrets between them as well as the fact that as long as Tamsin is still working with her father, it would be impossible for Samantha to really give her whole heart to her.
Thanks NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books and Author Andrea Tang for the complimentary copy of "To the Death" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
# G.P.Putnam'sSonsBooks
#AndreaTang
#TotheDeath
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, Emotional abuse and Violence
✍🏻Andrea Tang
Blurb:
Two teens are pitted against each other in a magical duel for revenge, but they’ll have to fight their growing attraction first, in this YA fantasy thriller from the author of These Deadly Prophecies.
Eighteen-year-old Samantha Chan wants only one thing: revenge for her brother’s death in an illegal magical duel. Ever since that terrible day, she’s been quietly working with legitimate dueling champion Lysander Rook and biding her time until she can take down her brother’s killer: Mateus Blackwood.
Tamsin Blackwood is trapped. She wants to make a name for herself in the magical dueling circuit, but she can’t get away from the legacy of her father—and coach—Mateus Blackwood. When she receives a challenge from the undefeated Lysander and his assistant Sam, she jumps at the chance to earn enough fame and glory to finally escape her father’s influence.
Tamsin has no idea about Sam’s scheming, and Sam plans to keep it that way. Despite herself, though, she can’t help liking Tamsin, and the two girls quickly grow closer to each other than anyone else in their lives. But Sam won’t let anything get in the way of her revenge—not even her heart.
My Thoughts:
Tamsin Blackwood is a young up-and-coming dueling magician who is slowly suffocating under the weight of her father’s reputation and expectations. When she receives a challenge to face Lysander Rook, the hottest young magician in the game, it’s finally a chance for her to escape her father’s hold if she can win. What she doesn’t know is Rook’s second Samantha Chan is out for revenge and doesn’t care who she hurts in the process. Fate keeps bringing Tamsin and Sam into each other’s circles. Can two rivals become more than that?I would put this more as a fantasy romance rather than romantic fantasy because the story does not really go without the romance plot. The revenge aspect is part of Samantha's motivations and it is the original driving force for her, but it's not really as central to Tamsin’s story. Since the general book is more focused on general interiority and overall feelings shifting and the magic aspects served as a backdrop, it felt like a romance novel with fantasy elements. Because of how one-sided the enemies aspect is for the whole book, I would not call this enemies-to-lovers nor would I really call it rivals-to-lovers. It's more forbidden love. Tamsin and Samantha's romance is closer to slowburn territory. It takes a while for the two of them to admit their feelings for each other and very little happens until the end. A lot of that has to do with the secrets between them as well as the fact that as long as Tamsin is still working with her father, it would be impossible for Samantha to really give her whole heart to her.
Thanks NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books and Author Andrea Tang for the complimentary copy of "To the Death" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
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#TotheDeath
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⚠️Trigger Warnings: Child abuse, Emotional abuse and Violence
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To the Death by Andrea Tang offers a compelling blend of YA fantasy, intrigue, and romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story centers around Samantha Chan and Tamsin Blackwood, two talented young duelists whose worlds collide in a high-stakes magical competition. Their evolving relationship adds a compelling layer to an already intense plot of revenge and legacy.
One of the strengths of the book was its pacing—action-packed duels paired with moments of vulnerability and tenderness. Andrea Tang does a great job of balancing the adrenaline of magical combat with the emotional stakes of her characters’ personal journeys. Samantha’s drive for revenge against her brother’s murderer is both understandable and tragic, and Tamsin’s desire to carve out her own identity outside her family’s shadow felt very relatable.
However, I felt like the story lacked some depth when it came to the broader world and outside characters. Despite how vital the magical duels are to the plot, I never really felt immersed in a fully fleshed-out universe. There are mentions of illegal spells, laws, and governance, but these details are mostly glossed over. We’re told magic is primarily used for fighting, but there’s little exploration of how society at large functions with magic—what other uses it might have, how it influences daily life, or how widespread the laws and restrictions are. The magic system itself is only briefly touched upon, with references to foundations, curses, elements, and shields, but I was left wanting more specifics to truly understand and visualize the world Tang has created. It felt like a backdrop rather than an integrated part of the story.
The characters, though well-drawn, also felt somewhat isolated from this larger context. Tamsin’s struggles with her narcissistic father were intense, but her father sometimes read more like a cartoon villain than a nuanced person. Rook, Sam’s champion, had a background arc that piqued my interest, but it felt underdeveloped, and I wish we had more insight into his motivations and history. I would love to see a spinoff centered around him someday.
The romance between Sam and Tamsin was sweet, but I found the tension predictable at times. I would have appreciated more exploration of their internal conflicts and the complexities of their feelings beyond initial attraction. A few plot twists felt a little rushed, lacking the build-up I was hoping for.
Overall, To the Death is an enjoyable YA fantasy thriller with a strong premise, memorable characters, and enough surprises to keep readers engaged. It’s a solid choice for fans of magical duels and layered character dynamics, but I personally felt it could have benefited from richer world-building and deeper character backgrounds. Still, it’s a fun, fast-paced read worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for a story of revenge, romance, and magic with a promising start.
One of the strengths of the book was its pacing—action-packed duels paired with moments of vulnerability and tenderness. Andrea Tang does a great job of balancing the adrenaline of magical combat with the emotional stakes of her characters’ personal journeys. Samantha’s drive for revenge against her brother’s murderer is both understandable and tragic, and Tamsin’s desire to carve out her own identity outside her family’s shadow felt very relatable.
However, I felt like the story lacked some depth when it came to the broader world and outside characters. Despite how vital the magical duels are to the plot, I never really felt immersed in a fully fleshed-out universe. There are mentions of illegal spells, laws, and governance, but these details are mostly glossed over. We’re told magic is primarily used for fighting, but there’s little exploration of how society at large functions with magic—what other uses it might have, how it influences daily life, or how widespread the laws and restrictions are. The magic system itself is only briefly touched upon, with references to foundations, curses, elements, and shields, but I was left wanting more specifics to truly understand and visualize the world Tang has created. It felt like a backdrop rather than an integrated part of the story.
The characters, though well-drawn, also felt somewhat isolated from this larger context. Tamsin’s struggles with her narcissistic father were intense, but her father sometimes read more like a cartoon villain than a nuanced person. Rook, Sam’s champion, had a background arc that piqued my interest, but it felt underdeveloped, and I wish we had more insight into his motivations and history. I would love to see a spinoff centered around him someday.
The romance between Sam and Tamsin was sweet, but I found the tension predictable at times. I would have appreciated more exploration of their internal conflicts and the complexities of their feelings beyond initial attraction. A few plot twists felt a little rushed, lacking the build-up I was hoping for.
Overall, To the Death is an enjoyable YA fantasy thriller with a strong premise, memorable characters, and enough surprises to keep readers engaged. It’s a solid choice for fans of magical duels and layered character dynamics, but I personally felt it could have benefited from richer world-building and deeper character backgrounds. Still, it’s a fun, fast-paced read worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for a story of revenge, romance, and magic with a promising start.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
To the Death is a magic filled book that explores family dynamics, relationships, and self-discovery.
Eighteen year old Samantha Chan is out for revenge. After her brother died in an illegal magical duel, Samantha's goal has been to take down her brother's killer, Mateus Blackwood. In order to do that, she has been working with dueling champion Lysander Rook and waiting for the right moment to set up a duel with Blackwood's daughter, Tamsin.
Tamsin has been living in her father's shadow since she started dueling. And since he's her coach, she's finding it difficult to pull away from him and make a name for herself in the magical dueling world. When Tamsin receives an invitation from Lysander Rook's assistant to fight him in a duel, she jumps at the chance. Tamsin knows this could be her shot to finally escape her father.
When Tamsin and Samantha unexpectedly develop a friendship, and their feelings begin to grow deeper, things get a bit complicated. How can Sam get her revenge with growing feelings for Tamsin? And how can Tamsin defeat Rook when Sam is his partner?
I've read a lot of books with magic in them before but not like this one. Magical dueling is an innovative concept and worked really well in this story. The magical duels are exciting and have a lot of tension in them. However, I would have liked to see more specific detail about the spells that are cast in the duels. Some of the description felt a little vague. But the overall visuals and images Andrea Tang paints of the duels, along with the description of the emotions the competitors feel while dueling, are captivating.
It was delightful watching Sam and Tamsin go from strangers/enemies to friends and developing romantic feelings for each other. There is a lot of tension as they both struggle to fight their feelings for each other since they are competitors. But, despite being competitors, they also encourage each other and help each other achieve their goals and increase their magical abilities.
The relationship between Tamsin and her father is nothing short of toxic. As the reader you feel sympathy for Tamsin and her situation. She is a character that is easy to root for and whom you want to see succeed. Tamsin's desire to separate herself from her father takes her on a journey of self-discovery. Samantha also has her own journey of self-discovery as she fights to avenge the death of her brother. Her relationship with Lysander Rook keeps her grounded throughout the story; he is a good sounding board for Sam.
Overall, this was a great book. There is a strong plotline, the characters have strong character arcs, the world of magical duels fits well into the NYC setting, and the exploration of relationship dynamics makes you empathetic towards the characters.
Eighteen year old Samantha Chan is out for revenge. After her brother died in an illegal magical duel, Samantha's goal has been to take down her brother's killer, Mateus Blackwood. In order to do that, she has been working with dueling champion Lysander Rook and waiting for the right moment to set up a duel with Blackwood's daughter, Tamsin.
Tamsin has been living in her father's shadow since she started dueling. And since he's her coach, she's finding it difficult to pull away from him and make a name for herself in the magical dueling world. When Tamsin receives an invitation from Lysander Rook's assistant to fight him in a duel, she jumps at the chance. Tamsin knows this could be her shot to finally escape her father.
When Tamsin and Samantha unexpectedly develop a friendship, and their feelings begin to grow deeper, things get a bit complicated. How can Sam get her revenge with growing feelings for Tamsin? And how can Tamsin defeat Rook when Sam is his partner?
I've read a lot of books with magic in them before but not like this one. Magical dueling is an innovative concept and worked really well in this story. The magical duels are exciting and have a lot of tension in them. However, I would have liked to see more specific detail about the spells that are cast in the duels. Some of the description felt a little vague. But the overall visuals and images Andrea Tang paints of the duels, along with the description of the emotions the competitors feel while dueling, are captivating.
It was delightful watching Sam and Tamsin go from strangers/enemies to friends and developing romantic feelings for each other. There is a lot of tension as they both struggle to fight their feelings for each other since they are competitors. But, despite being competitors, they also encourage each other and help each other achieve their goals and increase their magical abilities.
The relationship between Tamsin and her father is nothing short of toxic. As the reader you feel sympathy for Tamsin and her situation. She is a character that is easy to root for and whom you want to see succeed. Tamsin's desire to separate herself from her father takes her on a journey of self-discovery. Samantha also has her own journey of self-discovery as she fights to avenge the death of her brother. Her relationship with Lysander Rook keeps her grounded throughout the story; he is a good sounding board for Sam.
Overall, this was a great book. There is a strong plotline, the characters have strong character arcs, the world of magical duels fits well into the NYC setting, and the exploration of relationship dynamics makes you empathetic towards the characters.
February 28, 2026
Samantha Chan wants revenge for her brother’s death in an illegal magical duel. She’s been training with legitimate dueling champion Lysander Rook and planning to destroy her brother's killer, Mateus Blackwood. Mateus' daughter, Tamsin, is trying to escape that legacy by going the legitimate circuit. Lysander is undefeated and offers a challenge along with his assistant Sam, making Tamsin hope for enough fame and glory to finally escape her father’s influence. Tamsin doesn't know about Sam’s scheming, and the two grow closer. Even so, Sam won’t let anything get in the way of her revenge, not even Tamsin.
We open with Tamsin's POV, which shows us not only the official magical duel circuit, but how carefully she must toe the line with her father. He exudes menace and demands attention, even with her, so it's no surprise that he'd be willing to kill in an illegal duel. The connections and sponsorship deals make it seem like a gymnastics or wrestling event, only with the potential for grievous harm if something goes wrong. Tamsin is so upset with her father's behavior that she confides in Sam weeks before the big match, before even knowing who she is. Sam is coaching Lysander and hiding her reasons for getting involved in this world; her brother died four years before, and it's not something others think about anymore. It drives Sam forward and is the only thing she thinks about, ultimately isolating her from the rest of the people she knows.
We get the strain of training, of grief, and revenge. It doesn't take the form Sam thought she wanted, and even she eventually sees how hollow revenge is. The real point that comes in the finale is that fighting out of fear or anger doesn't really help and doesn't feel like winning. It's the trite-sounding "love of the game," because then it doesn't matter who wins or loses, because a single match won't break the fighter. I found the finale interesting and fitting for the characters and the growth they've shown at that point. It's a great story, and it kept me hooked to the end.
We open with Tamsin's POV, which shows us not only the official magical duel circuit, but how carefully she must toe the line with her father. He exudes menace and demands attention, even with her, so it's no surprise that he'd be willing to kill in an illegal duel. The connections and sponsorship deals make it seem like a gymnastics or wrestling event, only with the potential for grievous harm if something goes wrong. Tamsin is so upset with her father's behavior that she confides in Sam weeks before the big match, before even knowing who she is. Sam is coaching Lysander and hiding her reasons for getting involved in this world; her brother died four years before, and it's not something others think about anymore. It drives Sam forward and is the only thing she thinks about, ultimately isolating her from the rest of the people she knows.
We get the strain of training, of grief, and revenge. It doesn't take the form Sam thought she wanted, and even she eventually sees how hollow revenge is. The real point that comes in the finale is that fighting out of fear or anger doesn't really help and doesn't feel like winning. It's the trite-sounding "love of the game," because then it doesn't matter who wins or loses, because a single match won't break the fighter. I found the finale interesting and fitting for the characters and the growth they've shown at that point. It's a great story, and it kept me hooked to the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC!~~
3.5/5 stars rounded down!
This was cute and had so much potential, but I wanted more.
Despite how vital the magical duels are to the plot, I never felt like it was explored much outside its niche, particularly for the main characters and those heavily involved in the duels. It's mentioned a few times that people who don't know about magic don't really know or care about the duels, and we don't get a bigger picture to how the world at large functions with magic. I think its implied it's primarily used for fighting, but surely that can't be all there is. There's mentions of illegal spells, so there had to be governance and laws put in place, but that kind of information is push aside to focus on the moment. We don't even learn much about the specifics of the magic other than there are foundations, curse, elements, and some sort of shields. It was interesting when it was explored; I just wish we were given more information to fully emersed in the world.
The main characters were distinct and had complex personalities and roles in one another's lives. Sam was a little more grating because her whole personality revolved around her revenge quest for most of the book, but, luckily, the narrative confronted that fact and had her grow in a satisfying way. Tamsin's side of the plot could infuriate anyone with a narcissist parent. The dad tended to lean more cartoon villain than grounded for me the more he was on page, but the resolution Tamsin gets with him well made up for it. The girls had some cute chemistry together, too. I only wish we got further insight into Rook, Sam's champion, because he gets a background arc that felt in equal weight to the main plot. I would so love if there was a spinoff with him as the main character.
All in all, this was a good read! Maybe great for those who want a lighter urban fantasy, but I personally wanted much more out of it.
3.5/5 stars rounded down!
This was cute and had so much potential, but I wanted more.
Despite how vital the magical duels are to the plot, I never felt like it was explored much outside its niche, particularly for the main characters and those heavily involved in the duels. It's mentioned a few times that people who don't know about magic don't really know or care about the duels, and we don't get a bigger picture to how the world at large functions with magic. I think its implied it's primarily used for fighting, but surely that can't be all there is. There's mentions of illegal spells, so there had to be governance and laws put in place, but that kind of information is push aside to focus on the moment. We don't even learn much about the specifics of the magic other than there are foundations, curse, elements, and some sort of shields. It was interesting when it was explored; I just wish we were given more information to fully emersed in the world.
The main characters were distinct and had complex personalities and roles in one another's lives. Sam was a little more grating because her whole personality revolved around her revenge quest for most of the book, but, luckily, the narrative confronted that fact and had her grow in a satisfying way. Tamsin's side of the plot could infuriate anyone with a narcissist parent. The dad tended to lean more cartoon villain than grounded for me the more he was on page, but the resolution Tamsin gets with him well made up for it. The girls had some cute chemistry together, too. I only wish we got further insight into Rook, Sam's champion, because he gets a background arc that felt in equal weight to the main plot. I would so love if there was a spinoff with him as the main character.
All in all, this was a good read! Maybe great for those who want a lighter urban fantasy, but I personally wanted much more out of it.
February 16, 2026
Now this is a rivals to lovers, complete with double crosses, family feuds, lying, attempted (possible) murder, betrayal, public humiliation, and heartache. Now make it a sapphic love story with an interesting magic system, a sympathetic side character who likes dogs, and you have this book. The writing is solid, the world building is … okay, and the pace drags, but overall I did have fun with it.
Samantha is a jerk, who does terrible things. She uses people, hurts people, lies to people, and doesn’t honestly care about anything or anyone but herself and her own pain. She’s a horrible friend, a coward, and I think she has an interesting character arc. I also think she was forgiven much too quickly, and too much sympathy was given to her because of her dead brother, sympathy I didn’t think her actions really earned her. If she’d had to grovel more, make actual amends rather than just say the words, I think I would have enjoyed her story more, but the book simply rushed to the end to get it over with.
Tam has an absolute toxic parent in her father, and disregarding (for the moment) all of his nefarious dealings, he’s just a shit person. For 18 years she’s lived under his thumb, doing as she’s told, waiting until she was old enough to be able to break free of him … and again, I think her resolution was over far too quickly and easily. For a child so enmeshed to just wave her hand and say bye, dad felt more convenient than calculated. But, again, the book wanted to be over.
I think with another 20 or so pages, maybe 50, and giving the characters more time to actually deal with what they went through, rather than throwing a happy ending at things, I would have enjoyed this book so much more. But that’s just me. And I think it’s a testament to how well this book worked that I’m asking for it to give me more rather than simply shrugging and moving on to the next book.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Samantha is a jerk, who does terrible things. She uses people, hurts people, lies to people, and doesn’t honestly care about anything or anyone but herself and her own pain. She’s a horrible friend, a coward, and I think she has an interesting character arc. I also think she was forgiven much too quickly, and too much sympathy was given to her because of her dead brother, sympathy I didn’t think her actions really earned her. If she’d had to grovel more, make actual amends rather than just say the words, I think I would have enjoyed her story more, but the book simply rushed to the end to get it over with.
Tam has an absolute toxic parent in her father, and disregarding (for the moment) all of his nefarious dealings, he’s just a shit person. For 18 years she’s lived under his thumb, doing as she’s told, waiting until she was old enough to be able to break free of him … and again, I think her resolution was over far too quickly and easily. For a child so enmeshed to just wave her hand and say bye, dad felt more convenient than calculated. But, again, the book wanted to be over.
I think with another 20 or so pages, maybe 50, and giving the characters more time to actually deal with what they went through, rather than throwing a happy ending at things, I would have enjoyed this book so much more. But that’s just me. And I think it’s a testament to how well this book worked that I’m asking for it to give me more rather than simply shrugging and moving on to the next book.
Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 24, 2026
This was a really fun, competition-driven fantasy with strong martial arts tournament vibes. It’s fast, accessible, and very easy to get into. The magic system is simple, the rules are clear, and the pacing moves quickly enough that you never sit in one place too long. The ending wraps things up neatly, which makes this feel like a clean, satisfying YA package.
That said, it’s also pretty shallow for my personal taste. The world-building is light, the magic isn’t explored in much depth, and everything moves so fast that there’s not a lot of room for emotional or thematic layering. I wanted more time inside this world and more time with these characters, especially because the setup is actually strong.
The rivals-to-lovers angle works well enough, and I appreciated that their growing feelings felt mostly believable rather than forced. But the romance never quite gets the space it deserves. It ends up feeling more like a subplot than something fully developed, which is fine. Where the book really shines is in the character arcs. Both Sam and Tamsin are driven by grief, pressure, and legacy in different ways, and that part felt more thoughtfully handled than the romance or the world-building. The idea of magical dueling as a professional sport is also genuinely fun, and I would’ve loved to see more detail there; more matches, more strategy, more sense of how this world functions beyond the arena.
Overall, this is a quick, enjoyable YA read with sapphic tension, high-stakes duels, and very straightforward storytelling. Fun, but a little young and a little thin for me. I kept thinking this would’ve hit harder if it had been longer and allowed to dig deeper into its magic, its politics, and its relationships. Still, if you want something fast and emotionally uncomplicated, this one does exactly what it sets out to do.
Thanks so much to the team at Penguin Teen and Storygram Tours for the gifted copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
That said, it’s also pretty shallow for my personal taste. The world-building is light, the magic isn’t explored in much depth, and everything moves so fast that there’s not a lot of room for emotional or thematic layering. I wanted more time inside this world and more time with these characters, especially because the setup is actually strong.
The rivals-to-lovers angle works well enough, and I appreciated that their growing feelings felt mostly believable rather than forced. But the romance never quite gets the space it deserves. It ends up feeling more like a subplot than something fully developed, which is fine. Where the book really shines is in the character arcs. Both Sam and Tamsin are driven by grief, pressure, and legacy in different ways, and that part felt more thoughtfully handled than the romance or the world-building. The idea of magical dueling as a professional sport is also genuinely fun, and I would’ve loved to see more detail there; more matches, more strategy, more sense of how this world functions beyond the arena.
Overall, this is a quick, enjoyable YA read with sapphic tension, high-stakes duels, and very straightforward storytelling. Fun, but a little young and a little thin for me. I kept thinking this would’ve hit harder if it had been longer and allowed to dig deeper into its magic, its politics, and its relationships. Still, if you want something fast and emotionally uncomplicated, this one does exactly what it sets out to do.
Thanks so much to the team at Penguin Teen and Storygram Tours for the gifted copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To the Death is a YA fantasy set in a world of high-stakes magical sports duelling. This was a nice, quick read, but I kinda wish it wasn’t quite this short. The idea of a magical fighting/duelling sports league sounded really interesting and the fact that it’s sapphic is just the cherry on top. But unfortunately both those aspects felt very underdeveloped in this book.
The sapphic romance follows a pretty typical enemies/rivals-to-lovers trajectory, with the small caveat that they actually are not lovers (yet) by the end of the book. The change from rivals/enemies to developing romantic feelings for each other was done fairly well and actually felt mostly believable. However, because the developing-feelings-for-each-other stuff only starts maybe halfway through the book (which only has 300 pages), the relationship didn’t really get the time it deserved and still ended up feeling undercooked. It is also definitely not the main focus of the story, but I didn’t actually mind too much because the two protagonists’ (Tamsin and Sam) character arcs - which are the actual main focus - were so well done.
The other disappointingly underdeveloped part of this book was the magic system and general world-building. The story is set in a version of our world, just one that has magic. But that’s about it as far as establishing the lore goes. The magic is only ever shown as being used in fights, it is never mentioned whether there are any other applications for the magic. There are plenty of moments where characters get seriously injured and I don’t think they ever get any sort of magical healing. So that must mean that the only use magic has in this world is for duelling, which just feels… wrong? It leaves the world of the story feeling empty and hollow, and makes it very difficult to truly feel immersed in the story.
So, this book is for you if you want a quick and easy character-driven YA read with a little dash of sapphic romance, and are fine with world-building that is rather slapdash.
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Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the ARC!
The sapphic romance follows a pretty typical enemies/rivals-to-lovers trajectory, with the small caveat that they actually are not lovers (yet) by the end of the book. The change from rivals/enemies to developing romantic feelings for each other was done fairly well and actually felt mostly believable. However, because the developing-feelings-for-each-other stuff only starts maybe halfway through the book (which only has 300 pages), the relationship didn’t really get the time it deserved and still ended up feeling undercooked. It is also definitely not the main focus of the story, but I didn’t actually mind too much because the two protagonists’ (Tamsin and Sam) character arcs - which are the actual main focus - were so well done.
The other disappointingly underdeveloped part of this book was the magic system and general world-building. The story is set in a version of our world, just one that has magic. But that’s about it as far as establishing the lore goes. The magic is only ever shown as being used in fights, it is never mentioned whether there are any other applications for the magic. There are plenty of moments where characters get seriously injured and I don’t think they ever get any sort of magical healing. So that must mean that the only use magic has in this world is for duelling, which just feels… wrong? It leaves the world of the story feeling empty and hollow, and makes it very difficult to truly feel immersed in the story.
So, this book is for you if you want a quick and easy character-driven YA read with a little dash of sapphic romance, and are fine with world-building that is rather slapdash.
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Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the ARC!
March 12, 2026
This was a really fun and unique story. I found myself drawn in really easily. The concept was really solid and there is a really sound foundation for this story. I really enjoyed both of our FMCs and thought that their motivations were really compelling. The grief element of the story is really interesting and I liked exploring the lengths that grief/trauma can take someone to. I also really appreciated the conversation around familial pressure and legacy. The stories blend together nicely and really build up a story that is emotional and compelling.
However, I do think that this story suffers a bit in length. There are a handful of really thoughtful and compelling themes, but we don't really get enough time to dive in and explore them as much as we could have. One area where I think this is particularly evident is the romantic arc. I had a hard time really connecting with their relationship and their investment in each other. With how it's setup, this story dances around the line of insta-love. I think giving more space for the romance would naturally allow for deepening of the other themes and really help flush out the overall narrative.
I also really wanted to see more of the magic/fighting. I feel like, while that is the main hook of the story, we get surprisingly little of it in the book. And, especially by the end, while Samantha's skill-set is mentioned, the demonstrations of her abilities by the end feels incongruous with how little she's actually practiced/battled.
Overall, this was an easy read that I did have fun with, but I do think this book needed more time to really build.
3.5/3.75
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing me with a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
However, I do think that this story suffers a bit in length. There are a handful of really thoughtful and compelling themes, but we don't really get enough time to dive in and explore them as much as we could have. One area where I think this is particularly evident is the romantic arc. I had a hard time really connecting with their relationship and their investment in each other. With how it's setup, this story dances around the line of insta-love. I think giving more space for the romance would naturally allow for deepening of the other themes and really help flush out the overall narrative.
I also really wanted to see more of the magic/fighting. I feel like, while that is the main hook of the story, we get surprisingly little of it in the book. And, especially by the end, while Samantha's skill-set is mentioned, the demonstrations of her abilities by the end feels incongruous with how little she's actually practiced/battled.
Overall, this was an easy read that I did have fun with, but I do think this book needed more time to really build.
3.5/3.75
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing me with a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
Ultimately, I wanted more out of this than I got. Perhaps due to its YA genre.
I was disappointed in the magic system; it's not expanded on at all, and we don't really get much out of the magicians fighting in this world. Basically, there's not a lot explained about it. There's magic, there's people that can wield it, and then there are these fights that happen, and are apparently (what I'm imagining to be like MMA) sources of money/betting/gambling.
This world we're given is much like our own, just with magicians that fight. That's fine. Just, how can we have this concept and then not really go into it. There is so little depth to it.
Samantha is pretty boring as a character. Yes, she wants revenge, which I can totally respect, but it's like......not even revenge she's getting on her own. And the way she goes about it is not my taste. I think revenge, if not done by yourself and orchestrated behind the scenes, means you should STAY BEHIND THE SCENES. Tamsin is kind of okay-- her characterizing mostly comes from her strained relationship with her father, so she doesn't really get to grow outside of that. And then there's Rook, who I think is the most underutilized character and simultaneously unneeded. I think if he's going to exist, he probably should have had a bigger part to play, bigger stakes. The story focuses on the two girls, but it's so yawn. Tamsin's father is also a very poor antagonist; he's giving big bad meanie more than anything.
The plot does, however, not go the way I thought it would. How we end up is at least more interesting than it could've ended, but it was still a big whatever for me.
thank you to netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the eARC!
I was disappointed in the magic system; it's not expanded on at all, and we don't really get much out of the magicians fighting in this world. Basically, there's not a lot explained about it. There's magic, there's people that can wield it, and then there are these fights that happen, and are apparently (what I'm imagining to be like MMA) sources of money/betting/gambling.
This world we're given is much like our own, just with magicians that fight. That's fine. Just, how can we have this concept and then not really go into it. There is so little depth to it.
Samantha is pretty boring as a character. Yes, she wants revenge, which I can totally respect, but it's like......not even revenge she's getting on her own. And the way she goes about it is not my taste. I think revenge, if not done by yourself and orchestrated behind the scenes, means you should STAY BEHIND THE SCENES. Tamsin is kind of okay-- her characterizing mostly comes from her strained relationship with her father, so she doesn't really get to grow outside of that. And then there's Rook, who I think is the most underutilized character and simultaneously unneeded. I think if he's going to exist, he probably should have had a bigger part to play, bigger stakes. The story focuses on the two girls, but it's so yawn. Tamsin's father is also a very poor antagonist; he's giving big bad meanie more than anything.
The plot does, however, not go the way I thought it would. How we end up is at least more interesting than it could've ended, but it was still a big whatever for me.
thank you to netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
All I could picture here was that scene in the Detective Pikachu movie, where the pokemon are using their powers in a fighting ring.
Imagine that, but it’s people instead.
This story was pretty good.
Theres definitely an emphasis on strong women and some female rage going on- which I’m always fond of.
Now, add in magic and bad guys that can’t believe they’re getting defeated by women, and you have something extra special.
I was under the impression that this was going to be a romantasy novel. But it actually turned out to be fantasy with a very minor romantic subplot.
Personally, I would have loved to see Tasmin and Sam’s relationship get more development, and some more in-depth cutesy scenes.
But, thats because i'm a romance lover. It isn’t really something I would take away any points for.
If you really enjoy fantasy, and don’t mind when that is the main focus- you will probably enjoy this.
I think this could benefit from some more explanations surrounding the magic system.
There is a lot of people fighting with magic- but not a ton of detailed description on what is actually happening to the opponent (if that makes sense).
This may be because it’s a YA, and thus can’t get overly descriptive or graphic- but i think even just a bit of detail would have helped more with visualization.
Overall though, the story is nice, and it will probably be enjoyable to a lot of YA fantasy lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P Putman’s Sons Books for Young Readers and author Andrea Tang, for providing me with the eARC of “To the Death”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: February 10, 2026
Imagine that, but it’s people instead.
This story was pretty good.
Theres definitely an emphasis on strong women and some female rage going on- which I’m always fond of.
Now, add in magic and bad guys that can’t believe they’re getting defeated by women, and you have something extra special.
I was under the impression that this was going to be a romantasy novel. But it actually turned out to be fantasy with a very minor romantic subplot.
Personally, I would have loved to see Tasmin and Sam’s relationship get more development, and some more in-depth cutesy scenes.
But, thats because i'm a romance lover. It isn’t really something I would take away any points for.
If you really enjoy fantasy, and don’t mind when that is the main focus- you will probably enjoy this.
I think this could benefit from some more explanations surrounding the magic system.
There is a lot of people fighting with magic- but not a ton of detailed description on what is actually happening to the opponent (if that makes sense).
This may be because it’s a YA, and thus can’t get overly descriptive or graphic- but i think even just a bit of detail would have helped more with visualization.
Overall though, the story is nice, and it will probably be enjoyable to a lot of YA fantasy lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P Putman’s Sons Books for Young Readers and author Andrea Tang, for providing me with the eARC of “To the Death”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: February 10, 2026
November 21, 2025
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC!
i absolutely loved all the characters in this novel. sam and tamsin were both strong protagonists with compelling motivations. i couldn't help but root for them both even when they were on opposing sides.
the few supporting characters in this book were also great. i especially loved rook's complicated but sweet relationship with sam.
i do have a few criticisms with this book. the magic system is never explained, like at all. so during a lot of these fight scenes i couldn't really understand what the characters were doing or how they were doing it.
my second issue is that sam's whole plan to defeat tamsin in a fight to get back at her dad for killing sam's brother just... didn't really make sense. i find it hard to comprehend how someone would decide to get revenge for their sibling's murder by... ruining the social status of their murderer? not by killing them, not by sending them to prison? i also didn't like how all the characters seemed to paint sam as a horrible person for her way of coping with her brother's death instead of showing her empathy. her brother died in such a violent way, and while sam's way of grieving wasn't healthy, i do think it's kinda awful to tell her to just move on.
all that said, the book had a really great ending, with a fresh new outlook for everyone. i do wish we got another kiss between sam and tamsin though, but maybe i'm just greedy. i had a great time reading this though, and i recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced urban fantasy novel.
i absolutely loved all the characters in this novel. sam and tamsin were both strong protagonists with compelling motivations. i couldn't help but root for them both even when they were on opposing sides.
the few supporting characters in this book were also great. i especially loved rook's complicated but sweet relationship with sam.
i do have a few criticisms with this book. the magic system is never explained, like at all. so during a lot of these fight scenes i couldn't really understand what the characters were doing or how they were doing it.
my second issue is that sam's whole plan to defeat tamsin in a fight to get back at her dad for killing sam's brother just... didn't really make sense. i find it hard to comprehend how someone would decide to get revenge for their sibling's murder by... ruining the social status of their murderer? not by killing them, not by sending them to prison? i also didn't like how all the characters seemed to paint sam as a horrible person for her way of coping with her brother's death instead of showing her empathy. her brother died in such a violent way, and while sam's way of grieving wasn't healthy, i do think it's kinda awful to tell her to just move on.
all that said, the book had a really great ending, with a fresh new outlook for everyone. i do wish we got another kiss between sam and tamsin though, but maybe i'm just greedy. i had a great time reading this though, and i recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced urban fantasy novel.
December 4, 2025
To the Death is an adrenaline-filled, magic-soaked sapphic fantasy that hooked me from the first page, because MAGIC! Books with magic are always a treat, and this one absolutely delivers. Set in a world where official and underground magical duels can leave competitors brutally wrecked, the story follows Sam and Tamsin through alternating POVs that enrich every emotional blow and twist. Tamsin Blackwood’s arc is a standout as she slowly breaks free from her controlling, once-legendary father—whose dark secrets cast a heavy shadow—and learns to fight for her own identity and glory. Sam, meanwhile, is a complete gem: brilliant, driven, and consumed by a revenge plan rooted in grief for her brother, only to have her entire worldview shattered when the truth behind his death finally comes to light. Their chemistry screams rivalry, anger, attraction, and betrayal, creating a romance that’s quick but charming, even if I wanted more time to explore it fully. The world of magic duels is fascinating and vividly built, but with only 304 pages, the ending does feel a bit rushed, and I especially wished the full weight of Sam’s revenge had more room to unfold. Still, every second of reading was exciting and emotionally rich—fast-paced action, morally tangled choices, a splash of romance, and two characters discovering who they are once truth hits harder than any spell. A gripping, magical ride that leaves you wanting just a little more—maybe even a second book to dive deeper into this world.
February 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I loved this book. It's great, though the worldbuilding is pretty basic - there's magic, there's legal magic duels and illegal magic duels, and that's basically already it. However, I didn't expect some high fantasy epic when I picked up this book, but a typical YA story about magic duels, and that's exactly what I got. I also got Asian wlw romance, which was the cherry on top.
Both Tamsin and Samantha made me feel sorry for them and what they had been through, and the fact that both of them are victims of their circumstances makes it difficult to really dislike either of them, even though there would be reasons to do so. The book really keeps you hoping that they find a way to resolve the conflict that's at the centre of the book in a way that manages to fulfill everyone's hopes, and luckily, that is the case!
The cast is pretty limited - the two female MCs, Lysander, Mateus Blackwood, and Silverstein, with only very few other named characters -, but it doesn't feel simple or lacking, it just feels... contained. Sufficient. Not too little, not too much.
I think that this might be a bit underwhelming for someone expecting an epic high fantasy battle to the death, but for someone that just wants a fairly simple YA fantasy, with clear themes of good and evil, but complex characters that can't clearly be categorised as either, this is a perfect read.
I loved this book. It's great, though the worldbuilding is pretty basic - there's magic, there's legal magic duels and illegal magic duels, and that's basically already it. However, I didn't expect some high fantasy epic when I picked up this book, but a typical YA story about magic duels, and that's exactly what I got. I also got Asian wlw romance, which was the cherry on top.
Both Tamsin and Samantha made me feel sorry for them and what they had been through, and the fact that both of them are victims of their circumstances makes it difficult to really dislike either of them, even though there would be reasons to do so. The book really keeps you hoping that they find a way to resolve the conflict that's at the centre of the book in a way that manages to fulfill everyone's hopes, and luckily, that is the case!
The cast is pretty limited - the two female MCs, Lysander, Mateus Blackwood, and Silverstein, with only very few other named characters -, but it doesn't feel simple or lacking, it just feels... contained. Sufficient. Not too little, not too much.
I think that this might be a bit underwhelming for someone expecting an epic high fantasy battle to the death, but for someone that just wants a fairly simple YA fantasy, with clear themes of good and evil, but complex characters that can't clearly be categorised as either, this is a perfect read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To the Death follows Samantha Chan, second to an unbeatable magic dueler, Lysander Rook. She only wants one thing: get revenge on Mateus Blackwood for the death of her brother. Tamsin Blackwood lives in her father’s shadow and desperately wants to make a name for herself as a magical dueller. When Tamsin agrees to a duel against Lysander, she collides with Samantha and the two girls hit it off. But Sam can’t let anything get in the way of her revenge, even if it means breaking a heart.
I quite enjoyed the concept of this book, but the execution didn’t work for me. I really do think its more a case of my preferences than the book though. It was definitely interesting and fun. I just wanted more from the world building and the pacing. The magic was interesting though and I enjoyed the duals. I haven’t read many magical duel books before so that was fun.
While I liked Tamsin, I wasn’t as fond of Sam. I love a revenge story but this one didn’t work for me with how I prefer them to play out. I just couldn’t really ship them as a couple. But the potential is there for another audience. I did enjoy how much each of them grew for such a short novel. That was well done.
If you like magical duel books, this one might be for you!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
I quite enjoyed the concept of this book, but the execution didn’t work for me. I really do think its more a case of my preferences than the book though. It was definitely interesting and fun. I just wanted more from the world building and the pacing. The magic was interesting though and I enjoyed the duals. I haven’t read many magical duel books before so that was fun.
While I liked Tamsin, I wasn’t as fond of Sam. I love a revenge story but this one didn’t work for me with how I prefer them to play out. I just couldn’t really ship them as a couple. But the potential is there for another audience. I did enjoy how much each of them grew for such a short novel. That was well done.
If you like magical duel books, this one might be for you!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
[RATE: 3.5/5]
|| Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review ! ||
Firstly I have to say I was confused that this was a urban fantasy, as by reading the blurb I expected some kind of medieval-ish fantasy or 17th century tops - but no, it's modern-day New York where youtube, reddit and social media exist.
And that's part of was bothered me in this book, along with the lack of worldbuilding. We barely know the relation with magic from the outside world ; is the magic used in any other domain or is it really just for entertainment, are the spells and arcane energy used for more (useful) stuff than basically attack or defense in a duel... It has a lack of information, of depth in the magic system and the world.
Otherwise I did still really enjoyed the story and the main characters. I loved seeing both Tamsin and Samantha's character growth, even if Sam's one was slower due to her revenge. The relationship between Tamsin and her father was hard to read sometimes but the ending is extremely satisfying. I also really enjoyed the love relationship between Tam and Sam, even when there were issues regarding them being rivals and vengeance in between them ; there were a good chemistry, and I enjoyed the ending.
Firstly I have to say I was confused that this was a urban fantasy, as by reading the blurb I expected some kind of medieval-ish fantasy or 17th century tops - but no, it's modern-day New York where youtube, reddit and social media exist.
And that's part of was bothered me in this book, along with the lack of worldbuilding. We barely know the relation with magic from the outside world ; is the magic used in any other domain or is it really just for entertainment, are the spells and arcane energy used for more (useful) stuff than basically attack or defense in a duel... It has a lack of information, of depth in the magic system and the world.
Otherwise I did still really enjoyed the story and the main characters. I loved seeing both Tamsin and Samantha's character growth, even if Sam's one was slower due to her revenge. The relationship between Tamsin and her father was hard to read sometimes but the ending is extremely satisfying. I also really enjoyed the love relationship between Tam and Sam, even when there were issues regarding them being rivals and vengeance in between them ; there were a good chemistry, and I enjoyed the ending.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Read the full review with representation information and trigger warnings on my blog.
Samantha has been hatching a plot to get revenge on Tamsin’s father ever since he was responsible for the death of her brother in an illegal duel. Tamsin wants to get out from under the thumb of her narcissistic father. When Samantha approaches Tamsin about a duel with the person she’s the second of with enough prize money to set Tamsin up for life, hoping to destroy her, Tamsin accepts, but Samantha does not expect that she will fall for Tamsin.
This book was marketed as a fantasy thriller, but it really seemed like more of a romance to me. I also don’t think the title makes much sense. There is no actual duel to the death in the book, and despite all the talk about how dangerous dueling is and how bloodthirsty the audience is, nobody dies during the actual book. It makes it kind of anticlimactic. There’s also the practically requisite bit in revenge-related romances about how revenge isn’t actually healing. Okay, that is a valid thing to write a book about, but if you’re writing a book about revenge not actually fixing anything why is it marketed as a thriller and titled To the Death? It just doesn’t make sense.
The worldbuilding was definitely sparse in this book, and I agree with other reviewers that it could have been better. It looked like maybe we were about to get some worldbuilding when Samantha is watching a documentary about the history of dueling, but then she basically zones out and there is no worldbuilding there. That would’ve been a great opportunity for worldbuilding; another great opportunity would’ve been when Tamsin and Samantha were shopping in a bookstore for books about magic. The book itself is a lot more character focused than plot or worldbuilding-focused, which is fine, but it wasn’t really what I was expecting when I picked up the book.
The characters are interesting, but it does feel like everything’s very convenient in a way that meant the plot was predictable. It’s also clear which one of the two POV characters the author favors (Samantha), which was a little weird. If you’re writing a romance with two POV characters, they should probably both get equal authorly effort on their plotlines and endings. I think the book could’ve been better if it was just from Samantha’s POV, honestly. I liked Tamsin more, but if there was going to be so much favoring of Samantha, maybe it should have just been from Samantha’s POV?
To the Death releases February 10 from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. Thank you to Netgalley, Andrea Tang and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Samantha has been hatching a plot to get revenge on Tamsin’s father ever since he was responsible for the death of her brother in an illegal duel. Tamsin wants to get out from under the thumb of her narcissistic father. When Samantha approaches Tamsin about a duel with the person she’s the second of with enough prize money to set Tamsin up for life, hoping to destroy her, Tamsin accepts, but Samantha does not expect that she will fall for Tamsin.
This book was marketed as a fantasy thriller, but it really seemed like more of a romance to me. I also don’t think the title makes much sense. There is no actual duel to the death in the book, and despite all the talk about how dangerous dueling is and how bloodthirsty the audience is, nobody dies during the actual book. It makes it kind of anticlimactic. There’s also the practically requisite bit in revenge-related romances about how revenge isn’t actually healing. Okay, that is a valid thing to write a book about, but if you’re writing a book about revenge not actually fixing anything why is it marketed as a thriller and titled To the Death? It just doesn’t make sense.
The worldbuilding was definitely sparse in this book, and I agree with other reviewers that it could have been better. It looked like maybe we were about to get some worldbuilding when Samantha is watching a documentary about the history of dueling, but then she basically zones out and there is no worldbuilding there. That would’ve been a great opportunity for worldbuilding; another great opportunity would’ve been when Tamsin and Samantha were shopping in a bookstore for books about magic. The book itself is a lot more character focused than plot or worldbuilding-focused, which is fine, but it wasn’t really what I was expecting when I picked up the book.
The characters are interesting, but it does feel like everything’s very convenient in a way that meant the plot was predictable. It’s also clear which one of the two POV characters the author favors (Samantha), which was a little weird. If you’re writing a romance with two POV characters, they should probably both get equal authorly effort on their plotlines and endings. I think the book could’ve been better if it was just from Samantha’s POV, honestly. I liked Tamsin more, but if there was going to be so much favoring of Samantha, maybe it should have just been from Samantha’s POV?
To the Death releases February 10 from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. Thank you to Netgalley, Andrea Tang and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Solid 4 Stars
I could spend a LOT more time in this fantasy world, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. I think this book works perfectly well as a standalone, but I didn't want it to be a standalone. It's fine. Everything is developed. All the characters stand on their own. But... it could have been so great with another book or two (or three or four). It could have been amazing. It was fine. I enjoyed it. But the potential here is so untapped.
I really did like this book. I loved it. And I'll be writing all about that in my full review over at Gateway Reviews. If you know me, you know I'm not one to beg for books to be longer. I like short and snappy if you pull it off. So the fact that this book had me wanting more is certainly a good thing (even if the end product here feels a little... underwhelming). Anyway, all of that's for my full review. Stop by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
I could spend a LOT more time in this fantasy world, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. I think this book works perfectly well as a standalone, but I didn't want it to be a standalone. It's fine. Everything is developed. All the characters stand on their own. But... it could have been so great with another book or two (or three or four). It could have been amazing. It was fine. I enjoyed it. But the potential here is so untapped.
I really did like this book. I loved it. And I'll be writing all about that in my full review over at Gateway Reviews. If you know me, you know I'm not one to beg for books to be longer. I like short and snappy if you pull it off. So the fact that this book had me wanting more is certainly a good thing (even if the end product here feels a little... underwhelming). Anyway, all of that's for my full review. Stop by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
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