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piperkitty's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I recently finished a book that I found to be quite a quick and easy read. The story is set in an alternative Elizabethan era and centres around a romantic fantasy theme. The main characters are Fang and Lazare, two unique creatures who join forces with apothecary Nell and a small dragon named Amber to break a curse. While the story has its humorous moments, the frequent transitions in the narrative may challenge readers to keep pace with the unfolding events. I found it difficult at times to follow the narrative due to these frequent shifts. Moreover, I felt that the plot was lacking and in need of further development. Exploring a more nuanced and elaborate plot could have added depth and complexity to this already captivating storyline.
#BookReview #FantasyNovel #ElizabethanEra #CharacterDevelopment #CursedAdventure #MagicalCreatures #IntriguingPlot #LiteraryJourney #EnchantingTale #PlotTwists
astilbethehobbit's review
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I want to start off by thanking NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for allowing me to read this!
I went into this deeply fascinated with the concept and being in Elizabethan London where monsters exist like Vampires, dragons, and even Zombies.
However I felt deeply unconnected from the story. Sometimes I even felt lost. I had a very hard time wanting to continue to read it honestly. I was left feeling bored of the setting created. I also had a very hard time with the dialogue for some reason. That I could chalk up to possibly just being a me problem.
I can say I did still love the characters within the story and the romance between Lazare and Fang. Although, it did feel possibly too fast? It just felt weird how much they came across disliking each other and then just, romance.
I loved the concept of the book; it just didn’t feel executed correctly. I still feel lost honestly after finishing.
2.5, rounded to 3 stars.
Final rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this deeply fascinated with the concept and being in Elizabethan London where monsters exist like Vampires, dragons, and even Zombies.
However I felt deeply unconnected from the story. Sometimes I even felt lost. I had a very hard time wanting to continue to read it honestly. I was left feeling bored of the setting created. I also had a very hard time with the dialogue for some reason. That I could chalk up to possibly just being a me problem.
I can say I did still love the characters within the story and the romance between Lazare and Fang. Although, it did feel possibly too fast? It just felt weird how much they came across disliking each other and then just, romance.
I loved the concept of the book; it just didn’t feel executed correctly. I still feel lost honestly after finishing.
2.5, rounded to 3 stars.
Final rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️
emilyexmas's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. It was absurd, funny, confusing, and sweet all at different times. It reminded me of some very funny satirical fanfiction o read a long time ago. A lot of lines that could have been followed by a ba-dum-tish. That satirical veneer kind of prevented the more serious aspects of the book from taking shape, though.
I did love the found family trope, that was really lovely. And Amber the mediocre dragon was a treat.
One thing, though: were the guards ACTUAL birds? I got so confused.
I did love the found family trope, that was really lovely. And Amber the mediocre dragon was a treat.
One thing, though: were the guards ACTUAL birds? I got so confused.
craftyhilary's review against another edition
Two not-quite-dead people, a small dragon, and a Welsh apothecary are thrown together in a fantasy version of Elizabethan London. (That's where I left off, about 16% into the book.) It's a fun premise, but I found the character development to be thin and the plot disjointed. I'm not sure what the author felt was resonant about this setting, but the style and language certainly aren't suited to it. I think they're going for a Discworld vibe, but without Pratchett's deft touch. This one just isn't for me.
smallbob's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
shellc86's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
ditten's review
Not for me. I accidentally fell asleep while reading and though I continued again afterwards, I was sadly not any more interested in the story.
Thanks to Black Crow PR, and the publisher for the ARC
Thanks to Black Crow PR, and the publisher for the ARC
shaunasbookshelf's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The first 60% of this book was really slow for me. I didn't have much interest in the characters and I didn't find there was a good level of character development.
Around the 60% mark I found it picked up a bit and I enjoyed the last part of it a lot more. I wasn't a fan of the multiple povs not being separated by chapter. It could get slightly confusing at times. I didn't really enjoy the pov of Honkensby. I also found that some moments of tension and build up were destroyed by the dialogue. One instance that stands out was during a tense moment when the exclamation "gods farts" was used. This just isn't my type of humor and I found it slightly off-putting.
I did however love Nell, Amber and Tem. I liked Fang but also found him deeply annoying. I really enjoyed the friendship between Nell and Fang and the fact that he refused to admit they were friends somehow made it better. I also adored seeing him be tender with Tem who so clearly needed it. Amber was really silly and gave off the vibes of a dog who would greet a burglar with kisses.
I did really like the plot twist ending. The end of the book being left on a bit of a cliffhanger makes sense considering this is the start of a series.
Overall it seemed like the type of book I would enjoy but it just fell short especially when it came to character development and dialogue.
Around the 60% mark I found it picked up a bit and I enjoyed the last part of it a lot more. I wasn't a fan of the multiple povs not being separated by chapter. It could get slightly confusing at times. I didn't really enjoy the pov of Honkensby. I also found that some moments of tension and build up were destroyed by the dialogue. One instance that stands out was during a tense moment when the exclamation "gods farts" was used. This just isn't my type of humor and I found it slightly off-putting.
I did however love Nell, Amber and Tem. I liked Fang but also found him deeply annoying. I really enjoyed the friendship between Nell and Fang and the fact that he refused to admit they were friends somehow made it better. I also adored seeing him be tender with Tem who so clearly needed it. Amber was really silly and gave off the vibes of a dog who would greet a burglar with kisses.
I did really like the plot twist ending. The end of the book being left on a bit of a cliffhanger makes sense considering this is the start of a series.
Overall it seemed like the type of book I would enjoy but it just fell short especially when it came to character development and dialogue.
whatsmichireading's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
If you love the playful anachronism in The Knight's Tale mixed with the playful adventure vibes of an at home D&D game I think this book will be right up your alley. Though Cursed takes place in an alternate Elizabethan England (complete with delightful run ins with Kit Marlowe and Billy Shakes) full of supernatural entities that are full of bureaucracy that language and humor is very 20th century. If you accept this and go with it, you'll have a great time. Fang and Lazare have both recently had unsuccessful death experiences, and come out of those with strange new powers not quantifiable in the societal norms of paranormal London. In their quest to figure out what's happening to them they'll enlist the help of Welsh potion maker Nell, Mediocre Dragon Nell, and lost fae child Tem. The swan captian of the Royal Guard Honkensby is hot on their tail though, so they'll escape to Deep London in search of answers. And it would be foolish to fall for one another on the way right? ... Right??
If you're looking for a fun romp of an adventure, this book is for you. My main critique is mostly that i sometimes found the POV tenses to be confusing. The book is told from a number of 3rd person limited point of views, but i found sometimes that they switched without the usual indicator that we were following someone else's thoughts. Not sure if that's something that will be fixed in final print runs and was just a result of having the early e-arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrago books for the arc! Out July 4!
If you're looking for a fun romp of an adventure, this book is for you. My main critique is mostly that i sometimes found the POV tenses to be confusing. The book is told from a number of 3rd person limited point of views, but i found sometimes that they switched without the usual indicator that we were following someone else's thoughts. Not sure if that's something that will be fixed in final print runs and was just a result of having the early e-arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrago books for the arc! Out July 4!
aruktai's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
An enjoyable read, with an interesting twist on Elizabethan London life with magic and supernatural creatures involved.
While the plot was slow to start, quite a few characters being introduced and some of the interactions being downright comical (any and all interactions with the Hapenny's), the main few were soon solidified and quickly grew with their unique personalities and quirks. I also enjoyed the character interactions within, Nell being a personal favourite. Fang was full of intrigue, his backstory quite saddening and unrevealed under not-so-nice circumstances.
There were a lot of potential for the plot line to go, especially with exploring Tem and the Alchemist, however it felt a tad lacklustre after the big reveal only for nothing much to happen. The book did end on a cliffhanger, though, so perhaps it'll be further explored in the sequel.
While the plot was slow to start, quite a few characters being introduced and some of the interactions being downright comical (any and all interactions with the Hapenny's), the main few were soon solidified and quickly grew with their unique personalities and quirks. I also enjoyed the character interactions within, Nell being a personal favourite. Fang was full of intrigue, his backstory quite saddening and unrevealed under not-so-nice circumstances.
There were a lot of potential for the plot line to go, especially with exploring Tem and the Alchemist, however it felt a tad lacklustre after the big reveal only for nothing much to happen. The book did end on a cliffhanger, though, so perhaps it'll be further explored in the sequel.