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novelsbycaitlin's review against another edition
5.0
Flippin' incredible. How does she come up with this stuff and the characters and the feelings and just? How?
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the previous duology in this series (The Native Star / The Hidden Goddess), so I was excited to see what Hobson had in store for the next generation of the Stanton/Edwards clan. Unfortunately, this entry never sat right with me. The writing was great, and I loved being back in Hobson's complex alternate America, but I never fell in step with Will and Jenny. The central concept of the book (which I can't explain here, or I'll spoil the whole thing) forces the author to tread a very fine line with the main character. In order for him to remain sympathetic, the reader needs to connect with him on a deep and basic level. In my case, that never happened. I was angry with Will for pretty much the entirety of the book, which made his later trials and angst fall flat for me. I get that his early naïveté was meant to serve as a contrast to the horrible thing that happens to him, but I never found him endearing - I found him rather selfish and short-sighted.
I also thought the whole Tesla Industries apprenticeship was a big dead end. Perhaps that aspect of the story will be developed more in The Unsteady Earth, but after the huge build-up surrounding Nikola Tesla and his freaky contracts signed in blood, the narrative shifted in a completely different direction and never returned to Tesla once. It was a frustrating red herring.
On the whole, I feel like The Warlock's Curse makes a lot of sense in outline form, but not much sense emotionally. The plot seems to stifle the characters. YMMV though, and I'll still pick up the next book because who knows - maybe it'll redeem this particular storyline for me.
I also thought the whole Tesla Industries apprenticeship was a big dead end. Perhaps that aspect of the story will be developed more in The Unsteady Earth, but after the huge build-up surrounding Nikola Tesla and his freaky contracts signed in blood, the narrative shifted in a completely different direction and never returned to Tesla once. It was a frustrating red herring.
On the whole, I feel like The Warlock's Curse makes a lot of sense in outline form, but not much sense emotionally. The plot seems to stifle the characters. YMMV though, and I'll still pick up the next book because who knows - maybe it'll redeem this particular storyline for me.
booknookghost's review against another edition
5.0
Originally at: http://yabooknook.tumblr.com/post/62390483738/book-recommendation-the-warlocks-curse
I don't know why I waited so long to rec this book. My own actions baffle me.
So I have already recommended another of M.K. Hobson's books, THE NATIVE STAR, which is one of my absolute favorites and, as it happens, the first book in this series. Why am I recommending THE WARLOCK'S CURSE separately then? apart from obviously liking to bend rules and such
THE WARLOCK'S CURSE is actually the start of a new duology within the series, so technically you could read it without having read THE NATIVE STAR and still understand and enjoy it. I would side-eye you forever, though, because THE NATIVE STAR is fantastic and why anyone wouldn't want to read it is beyond me.
Moving on...
So THE WARLOCK'S CURSE takes place some years after the events of the last duology, following Will and Jenny as they make their way in the world. And obviously get hit in the face by some impressive obstacles.
Let's talk about characters first because we all know that's my favorite bit. Will Edwards. Will. Sigh. There were so many times through this book were I just wanted to reach out and hug him. And so many times I wanted to slap him across the face until his neck rotated 360˚. I'm trying to say he was great. He was likable and made mistakes left and right, but he tried. And, guys, he was troubled. Really troubled. Really troubled.
Jenny was just fantastic, and also flawed (which all the best characters are). She was ambitious and determined and complex. She had goals and motivations and her own plot, even though she wasn't the main character. I loved Jenny. Jenny and I could be friends.
There's other characters I liked loved but I don't want to talk about them because spoilers! I'll just say: Read closely. And, Aebedel Crowday was immensely disturbing.
Deer gawd.
Still, as much as I want to spend all my time gushing about the characters, where this book really shines is in its feel. This was dark. Darker than I expected it, and I loved it. THE WARLOCK'S CURSE pushes its own boundaries, making you care about characters who are broken and amazing and who put themselves in horrific situations. It is full of folklore that will feel new and familiar (specially if you've read the previous duology).
It is satisfyingly dark and a whirlwind of action that doesn't sacrifice character development. Read it and suffer waiting for the second book with me, please.
I don't know why I waited so long to rec this book. My own actions baffle me.
So I have already recommended another of M.K. Hobson's books, THE NATIVE STAR, which is one of my absolute favorites and, as it happens, the first book in this series. Why am I recommending THE WARLOCK'S CURSE separately then? apart from obviously liking to bend rules and such
THE WARLOCK'S CURSE is actually the start of a new duology within the series, so technically you could read it without having read THE NATIVE STAR and still understand and enjoy it. I would side-eye you forever, though, because THE NATIVE STAR is fantastic and why anyone wouldn't want to read it is beyond me.
Moving on...
So THE WARLOCK'S CURSE takes place some years after the events of the last duology, following Will and Jenny as they make their way in the world. And obviously get hit in the face by some impressive obstacles.
Let's talk about characters first because we all know that's my favorite bit. Will Edwards. Will. Sigh. There were so many times through this book were I just wanted to reach out and hug him. And so many times I wanted to slap him across the face until his neck rotated 360˚. I'm trying to say he was great. He was likable and made mistakes left and right, but he tried. And, guys, he was troubled. Really troubled. Really troubled.
Jenny was just fantastic, and also flawed (which all the best characters are). She was ambitious and determined and complex. She had goals and motivations and her own plot, even though she wasn't the main character. I loved Jenny. Jenny and I could be friends.
There's other characters I liked loved but I don't want to talk about them because spoilers! I'll just say: Read closely. And, Aebedel Crowday was immensely disturbing.
Deer gawd.
Still, as much as I want to spend all my time gushing about the characters, where this book really shines is in its feel. This was dark. Darker than I expected it, and I loved it. THE WARLOCK'S CURSE pushes its own boundaries, making you care about characters who are broken and amazing and who put themselves in horrific situations. It is full of folklore that will feel new and familiar (specially if you've read the previous duology).
It is satisfyingly dark and a whirlwind of action that doesn't sacrifice character development. Read it and suffer waiting for the second book with me, please.
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
M.K. Hobson did a Kickstarter campaign to finance the writing of this, the third in her alternate American History Magic/Steampunk (heavier on the Magic than the Gadget)series that started with Native Star. It came as no surprise to me at all that her campaign was successful. I fell in immediate, irrevocable love with her characters from the first two books.
Will and Jenny, the stars of The Warlock's Curse, were just as personable, but for me, a bit more whiny and naive than Dreadnought Stanton and Emily. Let's just say it took me longer to warm up to them.
Anyway, Warlock's Curse is set many years after the second book. Will is a gifted mechanic and youngest son in a family whose Patriarch is arrogant and dictatorial and is keeping Will from a very promising apprenticeship with Tesla industries for no good reason.
So Will decides to run away. Along comes Jenny, childhood friend, who also wishes to get away from her father. The solution? Marriage. As a married couple, Jenny has access to trust fund money and can help Will get to his apprenticeship.
Only...Jenny's not entirely truthful about why she wants her trust fund, and Will's family aren't exactly who they say they are, and Will himself is starting to hear a very strange voice...
You just can't beat Hobson's Veneficas Americana series for pure idea-driven fun (credomancy as a magical system is just so darn cool) and for creating even minor characters worthy of their own novels (Sanctity Snow the crazy, divine-inspired organist or the romance between the Unionist Briar and the Greek sangrimancer, or the love triangle between two of Will's brothers and his flapper-like sister-in-law).
The writing is impeccable, the secrets revealed at just the right pace, and the characters endure real and terrible consequences for their actions.
But...and here's where the book lost that last, 5th star for me, there was too big of a gap between the first and second half of the book.
The first half with Will finding his way at Tesla industries while trying to find out what Jenny is up to was terrific...and then it all gets left behind on one, fatal night and everything changes. (And sadly I can't discuss any of it because it would be massive spoilerage) The second half, while very cool in its layers of conspiracy and implications, had almost nothing to do with the expectations set up in the first half of what Will might achieve with his Flume and his Tesla work at all. The story careens off into another direction and I felt a little lost between the first half and the second. (and a little shell-shocked, to tell you the truth. The first half is whole-hog YA and the second half I felt made this book probably inappropriate for my 5th grade daughter to read)
Not to mention the terribly open ending with many dramatic issues unresolved. (darn you, Hobson!)
There's no question I'll have to get the second in this duology as soon as it comes out to find out what happens. And along with her first duology in the series, this second one promises to be a wild ride.
This Book's Snack Rating: Like those Trader Joe's dark chocolate-covered potato chips for the hardy crunch of riveting characters and world-building coupled with a startling bitterness of plot direction halfway through
Will and Jenny, the stars of The Warlock's Curse, were just as personable, but for me, a bit more whiny and naive than Dreadnought Stanton and Emily. Let's just say it took me longer to warm up to them.
Anyway, Warlock's Curse is set many years after the second book. Will is a gifted mechanic and youngest son in a family whose Patriarch is arrogant and dictatorial and is keeping Will from a very promising apprenticeship with Tesla industries for no good reason.
So Will decides to run away. Along comes Jenny, childhood friend, who also wishes to get away from her father. The solution? Marriage. As a married couple, Jenny has access to trust fund money and can help Will get to his apprenticeship.
Only...Jenny's not entirely truthful about why she wants her trust fund, and Will's family aren't exactly who they say they are, and Will himself is starting to hear a very strange voice...
You just can't beat Hobson's Veneficas Americana series for pure idea-driven fun (credomancy as a magical system is just so darn cool) and for creating even minor characters worthy of their own novels (Sanctity Snow the crazy, divine-inspired organist or the romance between the Unionist Briar and the Greek sangrimancer, or the love triangle between two of Will's brothers and his flapper-like sister-in-law).
The writing is impeccable, the secrets revealed at just the right pace, and the characters endure real and terrible consequences for their actions.
But...and here's where the book lost that last, 5th star for me, there was too big of a gap between the first and second half of the book.
The first half with Will finding his way at Tesla industries while trying to find out what Jenny is up to was terrific...and then it all gets left behind on one, fatal night and everything changes. (And sadly I can't discuss any of it because it would be massive spoilerage) The second half, while very cool in its layers of conspiracy and implications, had almost nothing to do with the expectations set up in the first half of what Will might achieve with his Flume and his Tesla work at all. The story careens off into another direction and I felt a little lost between the first half and the second. (and a little shell-shocked, to tell you the truth. The first half is whole-hog YA and the second half I felt made this book probably inappropriate for my 5th grade daughter to read)
Not to mention the terribly open ending with many dramatic issues unresolved. (darn you, Hobson!)
There's no question I'll have to get the second in this duology as soon as it comes out to find out what happens. And along with her first duology in the series, this second one promises to be a wild ride.
This Book's Snack Rating: Like those Trader Joe's dark chocolate-covered potato chips for the hardy crunch of riveting characters and world-building coupled with a startling bitterness of plot direction halfway through
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
3rd book in a western magic steampunk series I mostly read for the Endeavour book. Well written and interesting though perhaps not a good entry point into the series. But it is essentially horror, which is not a genre I particularly appreciate. I did like the characters especially Jenny.
chukg's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the start of this one -- the two main characters' plan sounded great, like a good setup for an adventure, and I enjoyed the bits about Will's inventions (although I also thought he sounded like quite a brat). Later in the book it gets very dark and the stakes escalate quickly...the end part almost felt like a completely different book, with a different tone. It was exciting but it wasn't as much 'fun'.
I still want to see what happens in the next one.
I still want to see what happens in the next one.
blancwene's review against another edition
2.0
I skimmed The Native Star & The Hidden Goddess to remind myself of the premise and characters, but really I needn't have bothered. This story mostly follows new characters, and it's rather different from the first duology's more light-hearted tone. I didn't like the cliffhanger ending, and I was left unsure which subplots were red herrings, which were important, and which were more like plot holes. (And you bring Tesla and blood contracts into the plot, only for them to be completely abandoned by the wayside? Really??)
Whatever, I'll still read the sequel whenever it comes out.
Whatever, I'll still read the sequel whenever it comes out.
mackle13's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
My overall view of this book is: "Ok, this is interesting. The prologue was kinda weird, but, other than that, this is pretty decent so far. Not quite the same charm as the first, but I'm digging the whole steampunkish Tesla thing. Will and Jenny are both a bit spoiled, but I understand where they're coming from. Ok, this is interesting... I wonder what's going to happen with that contract thing. Hmm...
*reads some more*
What? WTF? What just happened? Oh my holy god, what did I just read?"
So, yeah... it went a bit darker than I was remotely expecting or prepared for, and I don't really know how I feel about it. I'm definitely anxious for the conclusion of this duology, so there's that, but...
Unfortunatley I can't really get into everything without getting deep into spoiler territory, so consider the above my non-spoiler review. Here's the rest:
But, anyway, once we get to Will and Jenny, things are pretty normal. I enjoyed the first part of this book a lot. In a way it was weird for me because I had a hard time really connecting with the characters, but I was connected enough and interested enough to see what would happen and not really be bored.
Also, I was curious about the whole Tesla connection. Tesla is something of a Steampunk icon, so he gets tossed into a lot of these books, but I was glad to see his obsessive fastidiousness and his dislike of women and everything really put into play - which doesn't seem to happen that often. (Most books seem to focus on the mad genius thing, and gloss over his more OCD tendencies.)
They even did an interesting nod to the rivalry with Edison, and gave a plausible enough reason why in this reality Tesla became such a big thing when, in our reality, he was often foiled by Edison's greater power and influence.
Anyway -
One of the things about the Tesla part of the book is Will has to sign a contract in blood - a contract which he never actually reads. I figured that this would play a role in the second part of the book, especially since Will kept sort of casually breaking aspects of the contract.
At this point I wasn't entirely sure about what the prologue was about, or how that would factor into the story to come. I mean, you know the curse is coming, because every chapter has a sort of countdown thing going on... but once the curse sort of comes into play the story does a sort of quick 180.
All of a sudden all the Tesla industries and weird contracts and everything else sort of means bubkiss, and instead it takes a dark and twisted turn as he gets possessed and does horrible things to the few friends he has - including his friend, Jenny, who he married for the sake of getting away from their families and then finds himself falling in love with.
But instead of something normal like him breaking the contract and having to deal with the fallout of that and family shit, we get a possession by the evil warlock who proceeds to rape and torture Jenny through Will.
Yeah...
And then there's some crazy shit with a religious dude trying to get Will's blood to open a demonic box allegedly to destroy it but more to control it, and shit goes down, and then, after Will is 'rescued', he ends up finding out the truth about his parents and then the spirit of the Earth decides Will has to die in the ensuing battle he burns down the building, thinking he killed both his parents... and he's still possessed by hatters warlock guy.
And that's how it fucking ends.
***
Ultimately, looking back, I should've been prepared. The prologue sends up the profound fucktitude which comes at the end... but, like, 3/4 of the book sort of lulls you into forgetting that and dropping your guard, and instead of a gradual build up, it slams into you full force and goes, "Ha! Tricked you!" and then punches you in the face a few times all while laughing demonically at your pain.
My overall view of this book is: "Ok, this is interesting. The prologue was kinda weird, but, other than that, this is pretty decent so far. Not quite the same charm as the first, but I'm digging the whole steampunkish Tesla thing. Will and Jenny are both a bit spoiled, but I understand where they're coming from. Ok, this is interesting... I wonder what's going to happen with that contract thing. Hmm...
*reads some more*
What? WTF? What just happened? Oh my holy god, what did I just read?"
So, yeah... it went a bit darker than I was remotely expecting or prepared for, and I don't really know how I feel about it. I'm definitely anxious for the conclusion of this duology, so there's that, but...
Unfortunatley I can't really get into everything without getting deep into spoiler territory, so consider the above my non-spoiler review. Here's the rest:
Spoiler
So, we start with a bit of a protracted prologue which is kinda dark and sets the tone for how the story ends. But once you start the actual story, it's kind of easy to not think all that much about it, except to give the reader some insight as to the hows and whys of certain things that the characters don't have.But, anyway, once we get to Will and Jenny, things are pretty normal. I enjoyed the first part of this book a lot. In a way it was weird for me because I had a hard time really connecting with the characters, but I was connected enough and interested enough to see what would happen and not really be bored.
Also, I was curious about the whole Tesla connection. Tesla is something of a Steampunk icon, so he gets tossed into a lot of these books, but I was glad to see his obsessive fastidiousness and his dislike of women and everything really put into play - which doesn't seem to happen that often. (Most books seem to focus on the mad genius thing, and gloss over his more OCD tendencies.)
They even did an interesting nod to the rivalry with Edison, and gave a plausible enough reason why in this reality Tesla became such a big thing when, in our reality, he was often foiled by Edison's greater power and influence.
Anyway -
One of the things about the Tesla part of the book is Will has to sign a contract in blood - a contract which he never actually reads. I figured that this would play a role in the second part of the book, especially since Will kept sort of casually breaking aspects of the contract.
At this point I wasn't entirely sure about what the prologue was about, or how that would factor into the story to come. I mean, you know the curse is coming, because every chapter has a sort of countdown thing going on... but once the curse sort of comes into play the story does a sort of quick 180.
All of a sudden all the Tesla industries and weird contracts and everything else sort of means bubkiss, and instead it takes a dark and twisted turn as he gets possessed and does horrible things to the few friends he has - including his friend, Jenny, who he married for the sake of getting away from their families and then finds himself falling in love with.
But instead of something normal like him breaking the contract and having to deal with the fallout of that and family shit, we get a possession by the evil warlock who proceeds to rape and torture Jenny through Will.
Yeah...
And then there's some crazy shit with a religious dude trying to get Will's blood to open a demonic box allegedly to destroy it but more to control it, and shit goes down, and then, after Will is 'rescued', he ends up finding out the truth about his parents and then the spirit of the Earth decides Will has to die in the ensuing battle he burns down the building, thinking he killed both his parents... and he's still possessed by hatters warlock guy.
And that's how it fucking ends.
***
Ultimately, looking back, I should've been prepared. The prologue sends up the profound fucktitude which comes at the end... but, like, 3/4 of the book sort of lulls you into forgetting that and dropping your guard, and instead of a gradual build up, it slams into you full force and goes, "Ha! Tricked you!" and then punches you in the face a few times all while laughing demonically at your pain.
bookbriefs's review
4.0
The Warlock's Curse is the third book in the Venificas Americas series, but it is set at a different time than the first two and it has a new set of characters. I love reading series in order so I can get the full effect of the books, but I wasn't lost or confused by starting with this book. I loved the Warlock's Curse and I will be getting the first two books in the series to read as well, because if they are like this one I know I will love them too.
I am a major history nerd. I was a history major in undergrad and I just get all giddy when history is incorporated into stories or movies. I loved the history in The Warlock's Curse. M.K. Hobson did an amazing job weaving history throughout the story. And the coolest part is that it was like history class and science class with magic and some steampunkiness interspersed throughout it. Umm, yes please- those are all awesome things. And the effect when putting them all together was great.
The writing is the real deal. I love a fluffy book just like anyone else. Something you can pick up and just zone out and read. The Warlock's Curse is not that book. I was more of an active participant while reading this story because the writing is awesome but more dense and complex than some of the fluffier books I read. It was a nice change of pace for me, and I really loved M.K. Hobson's writing style.
Will and Jenny were so full of energy and enthusiasm that it was hard not to love them. Plus, I love a guys point of view so that was a big plus in my book. But the world building was the star of the show for me. I think this has to be some of the best world building that I have seen in a book in a long time. Everything is just so well developed and presented that it makes reading a real pleasure. This book was an emotional journey. More than once I was sad about something that happened, but ultimately everything works for the story. I think The Warlock's Curse is a book that has something for everyone, and you should check it out.
I am a major history nerd. I was a history major in undergrad and I just get all giddy when history is incorporated into stories or movies. I loved the history in The Warlock's Curse. M.K. Hobson did an amazing job weaving history throughout the story. And the coolest part is that it was like history class and science class with magic and some steampunkiness interspersed throughout it. Umm, yes please- those are all awesome things. And the effect when putting them all together was great.
The writing is the real deal. I love a fluffy book just like anyone else. Something you can pick up and just zone out and read. The Warlock's Curse is not that book. I was more of an active participant while reading this story because the writing is awesome but more dense and complex than some of the fluffier books I read. It was a nice change of pace for me, and I really loved M.K. Hobson's writing style.
Will and Jenny were so full of energy and enthusiasm that it was hard not to love them. Plus, I love a guys point of view so that was a big plus in my book. But the world building was the star of the show for me. I think this has to be some of the best world building that I have seen in a book in a long time. Everything is just so well developed and presented that it makes reading a real pleasure. This book was an emotional journey. More than once I was sad about something that happened, but ultimately everything works for the story. I think The Warlock's Curse is a book that has something for everyone, and you should check it out.
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