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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
This is going to sound odd, but the book is way better than the description.
You may think otherwise. But the description is mostly meta, talking about the world where the story takes place.
The book is not written that way. We are tight on the main character, and we learn about her world as she learns about it, and about herself. Really excellent world-building on the writer's part. There was never a point where I felt like the ride was moving too fast for me to jump on. Nicely done plot twists. A very enjoyable fantasy, a bit different from anything else I've read, and I LIKE that.
You may think otherwise. But the description is mostly meta, talking about the world where the story takes place.
The book is not written that way. We are tight on the main character, and we learn about her world as she learns about it, and about herself. Really excellent world-building on the writer's part. There was never a point where I felt like the ride was moving too fast for me to jump on. Nicely done plot twists. A very enjoyable fantasy, a bit different from anything else I've read, and I LIKE that.
3.75⭐
The cliffhanger this left on!!! I can't wait for to read the second but I hope we get a lot more from Alaya and the prince. I was expecting more of a built up relationship before he realizes he doesn't want to betray her so the second book better deliver!
The cliffhanger this left on!!! I can't wait for to read the second but I hope we get a lot more from Alaya and the prince. I was expecting more of a built up relationship before he realizes he doesn't want to betray her so the second book better deliver!
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you Kindle Unlimited for bringing this book to my attention!!
So lately I've been on this huge Fantasy binge, which I am not complaining about, just wanted to state the fact.
The Queen of Cursed Things was so interesting and way different than what I thought it was going to be about. It just throws you into the action from the first page and it takes you on an adventure. At the end, it's about forgiveness and some deep ass down soul searching. It is definitely a page turner my friends.
I loved the friendship between Alaya and Sade because they are two boss ass bitches. Hell even in the beginning you can understand that Alaya is going to be a BAB (Boss Ass Bitch) because her mom was a freaking bad ass. She killed a shit ton of people just to save her baby from being murder. If that doesn't scream love then I don't know what does. But she is definitely mother of the year. Decade even. LIFETIME.
I will only spoil the first scene of the book, nothing else. Go read it for yourself.
So lately I've been on this huge Fantasy binge, which I am not complaining about, just wanted to state the fact.
The Queen of Cursed Things was so interesting and way different than what I thought it was going to be about. It just throws you into the action from the first page and it takes you on an adventure. At the end, it's about forgiveness and some deep ass down soul searching. It is definitely a page turner my friends.
I loved the friendship between Alaya and Sade because they are two boss ass bitches. Hell even in the beginning you can understand that Alaya is going to be a BAB (Boss Ass Bitch) because her mom was a freaking bad ass. She killed a shit ton of people just to save her baby from being murder. If that doesn't scream love then I don't know what does. But she is definitely mother of the year. Decade even. LIFETIME.
I will only spoil the first scene of the book, nothing else. Go read it for yourself.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars. I'm surprised by how much I liked this book. I mean, there are a ton of elements that make it totally up my alley, but still. I'm pleasantly surprised by how good it was!
There were parts of the storyline that reminded me of other stories in the genre, but there were also elements I haven't seen anywhere else. I enjoyed the little bit of romance sprinkled in, and I especially liked how it wasn't overdone or insta-love like many YA adventures tend to have. For a second, I thought there was going to be a complicated love triangle, and I cringed, but no worries -- that wasn't a huge deal. It turns out the family and friend relationships are much more complicated than any of the romantic ones.
I saw that the author went back to do revisions and released a new updated version of the book. I obviously haven't read the original, but I can say that, overall, this version is well thought out, engaging, and an impressively written piece of fiction -- especially for a book that hasn't gotten a lot of attention yet. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
4.5 Stars. I'm surprised by how much I liked this book. I mean, there are a ton of elements that make it totally up my alley, but still. I'm pleasantly surprised by how good it was!
There were parts of the storyline that reminded me of other stories in the genre, but there were also elements I haven't seen anywhere else. I enjoyed the little bit of romance sprinkled in, and I especially liked how it wasn't overdone or insta-love like many YA adventures tend to have. For a second, I thought there was going to be a complicated love triangle, and I cringed, but no worries -- that wasn't a huge deal. It turns out the family and friend relationships are much more complicated than any of the romantic ones.
I saw that the author went back to do revisions and released a new updated version of the book. I obviously haven't read the original, but I can say that, overall, this version is well thought out, engaging, and an impressively written piece of fiction -- especially for a book that hasn't gotten a lot of attention yet. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
The concept of this book and the foundation it lays on is flat out fascinating - but I found myself drifting away from it a few too many times. There is nothing wrong with it, it just couldn't hold my attention the way something like this should have.
A mysterious past, a rebellious prince, a destiny that could make or break the kingdom... it has all the elements that should have made this a 5 star read, and there are quite a few reviewers on Amazon that think it is, I am just not one of them. For me, it was just OK.
A mysterious past, a rebellious prince, a destiny that could make or break the kingdom... it has all the elements that should have made this a 5 star read, and there are quite a few reviewers on Amazon that think it is, I am just not one of them. For me, it was just OK.
The book is a republished version, which gives more clarity and structure to the story - so note that not all of the reviews will reflect the story as it is now.
I didn't love but I didn't hate it.
You get third person POVs from four characters but I found the story falling flat at times due to the characters not being very exciting; there is more chemistry between Alaya and Sade than Alaya and the Prince.
I didn't love but I didn't hate it.
You get third person POVs from four characters but I found the story falling flat at times due to the characters not being very exciting; there is more chemistry between Alaya and Sade than Alaya and the Prince.
Was a tough tough read, but for somewhat redeemable towards the end
medium-paced
S.M. Gaither invites readers into a fantastical world in "The Queen of Cursed Things," where curses, secrets, and the quest for truth collide. In this story, we meet Alaya, the last survivor of a cursed clan. Her existence is shrouded in mystery and danger as she bears a serpent mark, a symbol of her tainted bloodline. The curses unleashed by her clan's past actions lurk beneath the empire's surface, waiting to be awakened.
Alaya's journey is one of self-discovery and redemption as she grapples with her identity, the power within her, and the truth about her heritage. The character development in the novel is well-executed, and readers will find themselves drawn to Alaya's resilience and determination. The theme of found family adds depth to the story, as Alaya forms connections with those who accept her. Betrayals and twists in the plot keep the reader engaged, and the complexities of the characters' loyalties make for a compelling narrative.
The world-building in the novel is intriguing, although it may not be as immersive as in some of the author's other works. However, the story's focus on Alaya's journey of self-acceptance and the ethical dilemmas she faces creates an interesting narrative.
Alaya's journey is one of self-discovery and redemption as she grapples with her identity, the power within her, and the truth about her heritage. The character development in the novel is well-executed, and readers will find themselves drawn to Alaya's resilience and determination. The theme of found family adds depth to the story, as Alaya forms connections with those who accept her. Betrayals and twists in the plot keep the reader engaged, and the complexities of the characters' loyalties make for a compelling narrative.
The world-building in the novel is intriguing, although it may not be as immersive as in some of the author's other works. However, the story's focus on Alaya's journey of self-acceptance and the ethical dilemmas she faces creates an interesting narrative.
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes