To the Death by Andrea Tang ~ a Review

by MK French

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.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

February 2026; G.P. Putnam's Sons; 978-0593858219
audio, ebook, print (304 pages); YA fantasy thriller

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.

Buy To the Death at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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