What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Fractured Fates
Not yet published
Expected 2 Mar 27In this queer romantic fantasy from the author of Legend of the White Snake, a quest for revenge is complicated by reincarnation and rekindled love. This standalone forbidden romance is perfect for fans of danmei and M/M romantasy.
A soul reborn—broken by fate, bound by vengeance, undone by love.
Wen and Xu, sons of rival clan leaders, are in a secret relationship—until the fateful night Xu's father massacres Wen and his entire family.
Instead of dying, Wen awakens in the body of another boy who died at the same moment.
Hellbent on revenge, Wen infiltrates the elite cultivation academy run by Xu's father—only to find himself on a collision course with Xu, who doesn't recognize him in his new body. When Xu is assigned as Wen's tutor, the attraction between them is impossible to ignore.
As Xu's father amasses power, Wen must decide: can he trust the boy who once held his heart to help him stop his father's deadly schemes?
A soul reborn—broken by fate, bound by vengeance, undone by love.
Wen and Xu, sons of rival clan leaders, are in a secret relationship—until the fateful night Xu's father massacres Wen and his entire family.
Instead of dying, Wen awakens in the body of another boy who died at the same moment.
Hellbent on revenge, Wen infiltrates the elite cultivation academy run by Xu's father—only to find himself on a collision course with Xu, who doesn't recognize him in his new body. When Xu is assigned as Wen's tutor, the attraction between them is impossible to ignore.
As Xu's father amasses power, Wen must decide: can he trust the boy who once held his heart to help him stop his father's deadly schemes?
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 2, 2027
About the author
Sher Lee
6 books646 followersSher Lee writes queer young adult novels with Asian characters. She grew up in Singapore and has an abiding love for local street food (including an incredible weakness for xiao long bao). She has two adorable corgis, Clover and Spade.
OUR FRACTURED FATES will be published by HarperCollins (US) and Macmillan (UK) in March 2027.
FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES is published by Penguin Random House (US) and Macmillan (UK), and has been translated in Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, and the Czech Republic.
LEGEND OF THE WHITE SNAKE is published by HarperCollins (US) and Macmillan (UK), has been translated in Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Brazil.
Follow her on Instagram.
OUR FRACTURED FATES will be published by HarperCollins (US) and Macmillan (UK) in March 2027.
FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES is published by Penguin Random House (US) and Macmillan (UK), and has been translated in Spain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, and the Czech Republic.
LEGEND OF THE WHITE SNAKE is published by HarperCollins (US) and Macmillan (UK), has been translated in Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Brazil.
Follow her on Instagram.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2026
eARC received via Netgalley. Thanks!
Another wonderfully somber and heartfelt novel from Sher Lee! I was so glad when I learned this author was putting out another queer YA fantasy after I'd given her previous one four stars, and I think I will be picking this author's fantasy for a while. The amount of yearning and love Lee is able to pack into her books always blows me away. Once again, I loved her main characters and their dynamics, even the sibling duo I liked (and if you know me, you know I hate siblings in books).
Another wonderfully somber and heartfelt novel from Sher Lee! I was so glad when I learned this author was putting out another queer YA fantasy after I'd given her previous one four stars, and I think I will be picking this author's fantasy for a while. The amount of yearning and love Lee is able to pack into her books always blows me away. Once again, I loved her main characters and their dynamics, even the sibling duo I liked (and if you know me, you know I hate siblings in books).
October 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins / Quill Tree for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Our Fractured Fates was a great read. There is a subplot here for everyone - revenge plot, soulmates and rebirth, trials, cultivation academy, clan artifacts, mystery illness, search for a cure, flashbacks to a previous life, second-chance romance.
I enjoyed the push and pull between Wen and Xu and the questions they brought out for each other - how far would you go for revenge, and who would you sacrifice? What cost is too high? Family or love? The way Xu picked up on small things about Chen Shang that gave him pause was a really cute way to flesh out the previous romance between Wen and Xu (also aided by some flashbacks!).
Jiangli was a great side character. I appreciated the way Wen and Jiangli kept the memory of her brother alive.
I also appreciated the inclusion of hanzi and pinyin to give cultural depth to cultivation instead of anglicizing everything. While there was cultivation in this novel, it wasn't at the foreground of the plot, which remained much more focused on whether or how Wen would avenge his family and any related costs. If you haven't read a cultivation novel before, this is easily accessible and a great intro into the genre.
This was a fast-paced, condensed book, sitting at just over 300 pages. With the amount of subplots and plots happening, I think it would have benefited from being a tad bit longer to really give each subplot its resolution and allow us spend more time with Wen and Xu. Greater character depth and relationship exploration would have made the rebirth and rediscovery of each other feel more impactful.
Overall, really enjoyed this one. Definitely a great introduction to M/M romance and cultivation novels!
Our Fractured Fates was a great read. There is a subplot here for everyone - revenge plot, soulmates and rebirth, trials, cultivation academy, clan artifacts, mystery illness, search for a cure, flashbacks to a previous life, second-chance romance.
I enjoyed the push and pull between Wen and Xu and the questions they brought out for each other - how far would you go for revenge, and who would you sacrifice? What cost is too high? Family or love? The way Xu picked up on small things about Chen Shang that gave him pause was a really cute way to flesh out the previous romance between Wen and Xu (also aided by some flashbacks!).
Jiangli was a great side character. I appreciated the way Wen and Jiangli kept the memory of her brother alive.
I also appreciated the inclusion of hanzi and pinyin to give cultural depth to cultivation instead of anglicizing everything. While there was cultivation in this novel, it wasn't at the foreground of the plot, which remained much more focused on whether or how Wen would avenge his family and any related costs. If you haven't read a cultivation novel before, this is easily accessible and a great intro into the genre.
This was a fast-paced, condensed book, sitting at just over 300 pages. With the amount of subplots and plots happening, I think it would have benefited from being a tad bit longer to really give each subplot its resolution and allow us spend more time with Wen and Xu. Greater character depth and relationship exploration would have made the rebirth and rediscovery of each other feel more impactful.
Overall, really enjoyed this one. Definitely a great introduction to M/M romance and cultivation novels!
November 2, 2026
After Wen’s family is attacked and slaughter by a rival clan out to steal their sacred relic, he is shocked to awaken in someone else’s body. With his new life he vows revenge, no matter the cost. His journey takes him to a coveted Cultivation school where he meets his former lover, who just happens to be the son of the man who destroyed his family. Now he must recover his family relic while trying not to fall for him twice.
This one felt very C-drama inspired for me, since the plot of a lot of them hinges on the main character being bettayed and reincarnated—either in the past or into another body. I think it is a great intro for people who aren’t familiar with Asian inspired fantasy and cultivation novels, since the themes and magic systems used in them aren’t familiar to most Westerners. It had a great variety of spiritual power and beasts.
My issues were two—
1: the romance felt very shallow to me since all the important parts had finally happened and there wasn’t any build up for the second chance (they literally jump right into sex after he finds out Wen is in a new body). I would have liked to have seen a bit more flashbacks, I guess. This felt more like a cultivation school fantasy than anything.
2: the pacing needed some work. It advances very quickly with a lot of the plot told to us through other characters instead of us experiencing it through the MC’s learning. Also all the action wraps up quite neatly in the last thirty-ish pages.
Overall it was an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon!
This one felt very C-drama inspired for me, since the plot of a lot of them hinges on the main character being bettayed and reincarnated—either in the past or into another body. I think it is a great intro for people who aren’t familiar with Asian inspired fantasy and cultivation novels, since the themes and magic systems used in them aren’t familiar to most Westerners. It had a great variety of spiritual power and beasts.
My issues were two—
1: the romance felt very shallow to me since all the important parts had finally happened and there wasn’t any build up for the second chance (they literally jump right into sex after he finds out Wen is in a new body). I would have liked to have seen a bit more flashbacks, I guess. This felt more like a cultivation school fantasy than anything.
2: the pacing needed some work. It advances very quickly with a lot of the plot told to us through other characters instead of us experiencing it through the MC’s learning. Also all the action wraps up quite neatly in the last thirty-ish pages.
Overall it was an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Quill Tree Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. What a beautiful and gut wrenching fantasy! On the day that Wen and his family were murdered he looked to see if his love Xu was there. Xu’s from a rival clan and his father wanted something that was entrusted to Wen’s family. Because Wen’s father wouldn’t give it up their family was murdered. Did Xu know what his father planned? But Wen gets a chance at revenge, when he died he a awakened in another body. Now he can make Xu’s father pay and find out what role Xu played in Wen’s family’s demise. He infiltrates an elite academy run by Xu’s father and something keeps pulling him in Xu’s direction. Luckily Xu doesn’t recognize him. But Wen’s plans get complicated when his old attraction to Xu returns. As Xu’s father becomes more powerful Wen must find out if he can get his revenge but even more he must decide can he trust Xu or will loving him destroy everything Wen has set out to do? I’m a big fan of Sher Lee and I love the way her romantasy’s are beautifully tragic! The book is fast paced and starts off with a bang! I was hooked from the first page! I loved Wen and Xu and their yearning and love was so sweet! I also really enjoy a good revenge plot! I loved the anger, charm, revenge, betrayal, rekindle love, queerness, and reincarnation! Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So, Wen was killed by Xu's father just because Wen's family refused to hand over a relic to his family. But instead of dying for good, he somehow ends up in the body of another boy who died at the exact same time as him.
I first thought this book would focus mostly on Wen's revenge and their forbidden love, but apparently, once he infiltrates the academy in his new body, he also has to go through all these tests and stuffs? And honestly, I found those parts a little boring. Like, I wanted to read about his plan for revenge, not watch him go through some kind of Divergent-style tests or whatever.
As for Wen, he's not exactly an unlikeable character, but I also don't have much to say about him. I'm pretty neutral towards him. But Xu ... I feel like he doesn't really have a clear goal or personality of his own. I kept waiting for him to actually do something memorable, but he just felt like he was being dragged along by the plot. It's almost like we were supposed to know from the very beginning that he's one of the good guys and not like his evil family. He's just ... there. Like he's obviously going to be a good person and help Wen from the start. There's barely any tension or anything that makes me root for their relationship.
I also realized that I'm not really into the cultivation elements in this book. Maybe it's because I'm not familiar with the genre, but yeah, it just wasn't really my thing. The revenge plot wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be, and neither was the romance. But I liked Jiangli. She's actually my favorite character in the whole book, even more than the two main characters lol.
I first thought this book would focus mostly on Wen's revenge and their forbidden love, but apparently, once he infiltrates the academy in his new body, he also has to go through all these tests and stuffs? And honestly, I found those parts a little boring. Like, I wanted to read about his plan for revenge, not watch him go through some kind of Divergent-style tests or whatever.
As for Wen, he's not exactly an unlikeable character, but I also don't have much to say about him. I'm pretty neutral towards him. But Xu ... I feel like he doesn't really have a clear goal or personality of his own. I kept waiting for him to actually do something memorable, but he just felt like he was being dragged along by the plot. It's almost like we were supposed to know from the very beginning that he's one of the good guys and not like his evil family. He's just ... there. Like he's obviously going to be a good person and help Wen from the start. There's barely any tension or anything that makes me root for their relationship.
I also realized that I'm not really into the cultivation elements in this book. Maybe it's because I'm not familiar with the genre, but yeah, it just wasn't really my thing. The revenge plot wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be, and neither was the romance. But I liked Jiangli. She's actually my favorite character in the whole book, even more than the two main characters lol.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 3.75/5
While not a perfect book, I had a fun time reading this. This book immediately places you into the scene, creating intense stakes and a goal that I could root for. I was immediately engaged, and the fast pacing allowed me to remain engrossed in the story throughout the entire book. I felt Wen's anger and conflict so strongly, especially when he reunited with Xu.
The worldbuilding and magic system were intriguing, though I wish the book had been longer in order to flesh them out. That's my main gripe with this book—I wanted more from it. More worldbuilding, stronger characterisation, and a more fleshed out relationship between Wen and Xu. Their forbidden romance was interesting, but not particularly memorable. Their personalitites weren't that unique, and I also wish more attention had been given to Wen's relationship with the side characters, who didn't feel that fleshed out either.
Overall, while this book was enjoyable, I wish it had been longer in order to flesh out the characters and plot. It's a fast and easy read, perfect as a palette cleanser.
Rating: 3.75/5
While not a perfect book, I had a fun time reading this. This book immediately places you into the scene, creating intense stakes and a goal that I could root for. I was immediately engaged, and the fast pacing allowed me to remain engrossed in the story throughout the entire book. I felt Wen's anger and conflict so strongly, especially when he reunited with Xu.
The worldbuilding and magic system were intriguing, though I wish the book had been longer in order to flesh them out. That's my main gripe with this book—I wanted more from it. More worldbuilding, stronger characterisation, and a more fleshed out relationship between Wen and Xu. Their forbidden romance was interesting, but not particularly memorable. Their personalitites weren't that unique, and I also wish more attention had been given to Wen's relationship with the side characters, who didn't feel that fleshed out either.
Overall, while this book was enjoyable, I wish it had been longer in order to flesh out the characters and plot. It's a fast and easy read, perfect as a palette cleanser.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books | Quill Tree Books for the ARC!
When I found out Lee was releasing another queer romantasy novel, I knew I was doomed. OUR FRACTURED FATES features some of my favorite tropes: transmigration, yearning boys, cultivation, and revenge. This book broke me beyond comprehension in such a wonderful, unforgettable way.
Wen is a resilient protagonist with so much love and loyalty to his loved ones. His determination to avenge his family is such a strong motive, and what better stakes than to introduce a secret heated romance with the killer's son? Watching Wen wrestle with the idea of choosing between revenge and love, and the feeling of familiarity Xu gets when he meets Wen in his new body made my heart ache. They are two kindred souls who deserve all the happiness in the world.
The world really shows off the beauty and intrigue of cultivation novels by introducing the reader to some infrequently used creatures and concepts from Chinese mythology. Full of action, tension, and heated romances, it’s a perfect introduction to danmei for Western readers, and I eagerly wait for more stories like this from Lee.
When I found out Lee was releasing another queer romantasy novel, I knew I was doomed. OUR FRACTURED FATES features some of my favorite tropes: transmigration, yearning boys, cultivation, and revenge. This book broke me beyond comprehension in such a wonderful, unforgettable way.
Wen is a resilient protagonist with so much love and loyalty to his loved ones. His determination to avenge his family is such a strong motive, and what better stakes than to introduce a secret heated romance with the killer's son? Watching Wen wrestle with the idea of choosing between revenge and love, and the feeling of familiarity Xu gets when he meets Wen in his new body made my heart ache. They are two kindred souls who deserve all the happiness in the world.
The world really shows off the beauty and intrigue of cultivation novels by introducing the reader to some infrequently used creatures and concepts from Chinese mythology. Full of action, tension, and heated romances, it’s a perfect introduction to danmei for Western readers, and I eagerly wait for more stories like this from Lee.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
This book had very intriguing components, but struggled with the lack of room to be fully fleshed out, I think. There was a revenge plot, flashbacks, trying to get into a prestigious school, a search for a cure subplot, and a re-falling-in-love love story, all in just 300 pages. Because of this, I felt neither plot nor characters really had space to develope strong and distinct personalities. Given a bit more time, I think it could have been a really compelling story.
This book had very intriguing components, but struggled with the lack of room to be fully fleshed out, I think. There was a revenge plot, flashbacks, trying to get into a prestigious school, a search for a cure subplot, and a re-falling-in-love love story, all in just 300 pages. Because of this, I felt neither plot nor characters really had space to develope strong and distinct personalities. Given a bit more time, I think it could have been a really compelling story.
Want to Read
October 13, 2026Have read and loved both of this author's previous books so I would LOVE to get my hands on this one.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews