To the Death

by Andrea Tang

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 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 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Lesbian, Queer, LGBT, Young Adult Fantasy, Romance

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 10, 2026

About the author

Andrea 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.

Reviews

[Zana · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[tiana ♡]

pre-read notes:
ARC received! This sounds sooo good and also.. the cover???

[Natalie O’Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Laura (crofteereader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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}

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.

[Fanna]

i have a soft spot for fantasy thrillers

[Prof. Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Karis · Rating 3 out of 5]

~~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.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Nishana · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Helen Freire · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[♡ A ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!

[Tiphaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

[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.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read filled with rivalries, magic, strained relationships, and minor sapphic romance.

The world-building was straightforward - modern times but injected with a healthy dose of magic. Magicians are accepted and perform registered duels for entertainment. Beyond the basics of the four elements and that the main magic used are curses of various "flows" or styles (there are not concrete names of techniques or stringent naming conventions).

The alternating POV between Samantha Chan and Tamsin Blackwood made for interesting perspectives as we learn about each of their backstories and motivations. Even after their initial meeting and further run-ins with each other, the difference in perspectives kept the story fresh and interesting.

Overall, a pleasant read that doesn't require philosophical thinking but does analyze what it means to strive for revenge and how revenge can change a person's entire outlook.


Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher G.P. Putnam's for allowing me an ARC to read and review.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I read this book, the words that came to mind were "cute" and "adorable". The idea for the storyline was good and I liked the characters, but the writing overall missed the mark for me. Usually, I am able to visualize a version of what the author was trying to convey, but I had a hard time doing that with this book. The imagery was lacking. There were also plot holes that left me confused. Rook did not have much of a backstory. I also did not quite understand the mechanics of the magician world as I was reading. It became a little more clear as I read, but I still don't understand the dynamics between the second and the arcane master. The execution of the magic itself also needed more detail. But I enjoyed the dialogue, and this was a good read over the holidays to lose myself in a book for a bit.

Thank you to Andrea, the publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC. I look forward to continuing to see this author grow in her writing.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved
- Magic duels - the descriptions of these were strongly paralleled with a boxing or MMA fight. I haven't seen this take on magical fighting before.
- Characters - Tamsin, Sam, and even Rook are all flawed but likable.
- Relationship dynamics - I loved seeing the relationships between all of the characters evolve and really influence character development.
- This quote - "It's worth it, every time, for the chance to experience– just for a little while–something extraordinary."

What I didn't love as much
- The pacing felt inconsistent.

Verdict: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

Dueling duos, stealthy schemes, and rocky relationships - what's not to love? If you're into YA books, even if fantasy isn't normally your thing, you should give this a shot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this book to review. All opinions are my own.

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the stories that sucked me in immediately and did not let go until I finished it. It is very well written, the world building felt unique, and the two main characters felt complex in their plight to come on top of a magical boxing match. The story is a fun collision course between the two leads. one who desperately wishes to find a place outside of her famous duelist father's shadow while the other lead is plotting revenge against the other's father for their role in the murder of a family member. My only wish is the ending was a little bit longer as things wrapped up a bit quickly, but overall, I give this high marks and would recommend to anyone looking for a fresh take on dark academia.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tamsin is the nepo baby of the magical dueling world; her father and second is world famous for his legendary skills which he has not always employed solely in the service of legal and regulated magic. Tam is contacted by Samantha, the second of the reigning champion Rook, to book a duel that would give Tam financial independence from her father’s domination - if she can win. Rook is famous for destroying his opponents and Samantha is using him to seek revenge on Tam’s father, who was responsible for Sam’s brother’s death in an underground, unregulated duel. Sam’s and Tam’s attraction to each other crackles with chemistry that burns brightly without the need of magic. Tang excels at world building and has created another compelling read. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Kinsey Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this free digital review copy.**

Sometimes I still really love YA books and sometimes they just fall a little flat, and that's how I felt about this story. It was entertaining, but nothing incredibly special, and I don't believe I'll be thinking about it for long. The magic system was really not defined at all, and the world was solely focused on the use of it in duels (both legit and underground), so it all just seemed a little underdeveloped to me. The story of the two characters was fine but predictable. The writing was good but not incredible. All in all, a solid three star read for me.

[Annie Deo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam's plan for vengeance frustrated me as it was really unfair, but putting that aside, I really enjoyed how her relationship with Tamsin developed and fractured and repaired itself. Her warped dynamic with Rook was unexpectedly engaging and I got invested in his character as well, he had a really satisfying arc. I loved Tamsin's growth as a character and how she wrestled with her fear of stepping out of her father's shadow and becoming her own person, the way this ended made me happy.

[Catherine Kabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good
- appropriate-for-YA romance
- fleshed out, human characters with feelings and motivations
- really reminded me of Legend of Korra tbh where bending used to be a huge part of society but had become basically just used for pro wrestling
- alternating POVs
- great pacing

The petty complaints
- I felt like everything wrapped up so insanely well by the end that I was left a little like, oh, that was a little saccharine for a book about

(Digital ARC received through NetGalley)

[Jennifer Loschiavo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had potential to be more. It needs more passion,magic, descriptive action sequences… the description of this book builds it up to be really epic and filled with revenge and sexual tension(not raunchy spice). Some cool superhuman powers could have been developed with the duels. I never really felt in the moment. World visuals did not happen for me while i was reading. I was so hopeful. Just because something is YA it doesn’t mean it has to lack substance.

[Meghan Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy.

I feel like this story has so much more it could expand on. If you are looking for a book about rivals this is it. That’s pretty much all it is. I wish we learned more about the magic system and all the different things that could be done. The ending felt rushed to be completed. I yearned for more from the budding relationship and friendships.

[Javierthearcnovice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc from NetGalley and the publisher.

I absolutely loved this book and its vision. It will make a great tv show or movie one day.