Reviews

The Curse of Sins by Kate Dramis

melissarosereads's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Simply put, I loved it! 

The Curse of Sins was even better than the first in the series! Without the need for world building, it's straight into the action and character development. I really enjoyed the relationships and political complexities. There was so much going on, so much depth.

It kept up the pace and had brilliant twists right up to the end, which I didn't see coming! I had an inkling that certain characters wouldn't be quite who they seemed to be but not to that extent!

I loved Aya and Will's relationship, they faced a lot of challenges and although some of their communication (or lack of it) was frustrating, overall I found it realistic.

The world and magic system is well thought out and complex and I feel like there is even more to be revealed in the final book! It was also nice to see the bond with the wolves in action as I felt that was missing in Book 1.

This is such a great fantasy, it's unique and I can't wait for Book 3!

sarahinreaderland's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to read this second book in the Curse of Saints series. I enjoyed the first one, but The Curse of Sins was a whole other level of drama, tension and romance. I remember writing in my review for The Curse of Saints that I wish there had been more romance throughout the story and my wish came true. Aya and Will's relationship developed so much more and I was on that romance journey right alongside them.

I got very invested in the plot with this one. I felt joyous when good things happened and heartbroken when things weren't going well (which happened a lot!). I loved the secrecy and mystery, particularly when it all started to unravel. I am not ashamed to admit that was more than one twist that I did not see coming and I had many *gasps with hand to mouth* moments. 

I continued to love Aya and I think she is a great character in this series. She's brave albeit a touch stubborn and she cares and loves fiercely. I really enjoyed seeing some of her vulnerabilities and was so pleased that she let her guard down with Will. I went to and fro on my feelings about Will. He made some questionable decisions but I am team Will and believe that his intentions were always true.

The only downside to having read this book now is that I have to wait for the next book to be released. The ending has left me craving more and if I had it my way, I'd be jumping straight back into this world with these characters. 

amy_reads4's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Thank you so much to Tandem Collective, Kate Dramis and Penguin Michael Joseph for having me on the readalong for The Curse of Sins. 

The Curse of Sins is book 2 in Kate Dramis’s Curse of Saints series. Having read book 1 I couldn’t not wait to dive into book 2 and I was not disappointed in the slightest, in fact I think I may have loved this one even more than the first. 

This world is incredible complex, with rich development and world building, the characters and multilayered and draw you in to their world completely. If you asked me to pick a favourite character I do not think I could as they all have their own individual appeal and story. 

I really enjoyed how we followed multiple characters and their stories across the seas, until they all came together at the end. Oh the ending, it broke me, I knew it was going to be heavy but I really wasn’t expecting quite that, I did not see it coming, in-fact the whole way through I believed it was going to be the opposite, I cannot believe I now have to wait to read book 3 to find out what happens next, it’s going to feel like forever. 

This is a high fantasy world with beautiful romances, the most evil of evil, and bonded wolves, whom I adore and love the part they play. 

Whilst this is a thick book I feel the story lends itself to needing to be on the longer side with all its different storylines and the world building. 

I cannot wait to see what comes next, and I will not be over that ending for some time to come! 

mrs_hs_favourite_books's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book so much. Action packed and brilliantly paced. Filled with lots of twists and turns. For me the highlight, was the development of Will and Aya’s relationship. The perfect chemistry and spice levels. And Will is everything. I love him so much. Just a brilliant book. And I can’t wait for book 3. Xxxx

carlzbark's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

piperkitty's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

 

 have thoroughly enjoyed my time reading "The Curse of Sins," which is the second book in the series. I had the pleasure of joining @Tandemcollective's #TandemReadalong of #TheCurseofSinsReadalong, and it was wonderful to connect with other participants. Each part of this book had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next with Aya, Will, and Adion. The emotional rollercoaster this book took me on was incredible - I laughed, screamed, shouted, cursed, and even shed a few tears. One of the highlights for me was the dynamic between Adion and Josie. Their relationship is intricately woven and engaging to read. The tension between them added depth to the story and kept me captivated. The ending was a real shocker, and now I'm left yearning to know what happens next. The tension and the cliffhanger have left me craving more. This book has reignited my love for fantasy, and I can't wait to dive into more stories like this.

#thecurseofsins #TandemReadalong #TheCurseofSinsReadalong #books #AdPr #booksofinstagram

anna4's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Not counting the prologue, Curse of Sins picks up right where Curse of Saints left off. 

Due to my own stupidity, I accidentally spoiled myself with what happens on the last 20, maybe 30 pages, and I was somewhat worried that it wouldn’t have the effect on me that the author intended. Which yes, but also, no. It affected me even though I knew what was coming.

Don’t be like me. You don’t want to know what happens until it actually happens.

Compared to book one, this sequel had way more monologues from pretty much everyone who had their own pov. Which was nice, because we got a more in depth view in their minds.

Yet it also felt a bit too much at times, because those monologues might feel repetitive to a certain point. 

Especially when those feelings, thoughts and doubts often enough boil down to the same issue the character in question was facing from the beginning of the book/series. 

And it’s not like I can’t understand those emotions, it’s just from a reader pov you’re like ‘ok I think I got it now’.

One might argue that those parts could have been shortened or felt dragged out and I am inclined to agree.

I loved Aidon + Josie in Curse of Saints and was very happy to see that they played not only a bigger role, but we also got to see frequently through their povs what was happening in their lives and in Trahir, especially after the events in Curse of Saints. 

But I love them even more now!

An arguably important part of the book was Tova and her relationship with Aya. I would have loved to read some of their conversations through Tova’s pov, so we can understand her own frustration and general emotions better.

We were also (re)introduced to (some new) characters not only around Aya and Will, but also Aidon and Josie and I am very interested to see how these new relationships will develop in the next book.

Some of the cursing felt a bit off, and it’s not like I am against dropping the f-bomb or a curse in general (one might argue I am actually the opposite of being against it), but there were some moments where it did feel almost forced and not really necessary to convey whatever frustration the character was feeling. 

This is also something that I felt during Curse of Saints, but can easily look past.

I also felt like some of the revelations came way too quickly to Aya and Will. How are you not able to connect the dots and see through all of the issues and yet here you are suddenly understanding everything without a second thought?

With how Curse of Sins ended, I am VERY excited to read the next book and hope to explore even more of the world! I would also really love to read from some more characters point of view.

Thank you to Michael Joseph for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

read in: May 2024

ashjreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I am too speechless rn to write a review. Ask me tomorrow. 

the_localbookworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

4.75

victorias_library's review against another edition

5.0

THIS. BOOK. 

So good!! This is 10x better than Saints. 
The plot: THERE
The romance: THERE 
The disrespectful ending: THERE