Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
(3.5) I found it hard to focus on this book but I think that probably has more to do with my headspace this week than the book itself. I was very intrigued by the magic and how it functioned in this world. The world building was subtle but became powerful as we learned the truth about its legends. There were parts and certain things I felt could use expansion and I wanted to know more about and the ending felt almost too tidy. However, I was intrigued by the characters and while it read like a standalone, this world is one I would be interested to return to. Also very much appreciate when a book includes a trans character that is treated with grace and not a trace of transphobia from any of the characters. Very here for that.
(Tw: talk of rape and assault, eating disorder (?) — not a spoiler really but the main character is cursed with the inability to eat, and it is talked about and explored a lot, so I feel like that may be triggering to those who have struggled with eating disorders)
(Tw: talk of rape and assault, eating disorder (?) — not a spoiler really but the main character is cursed with the inability to eat, and it is talked about and explored a lot, so I feel like that may be triggering to those who have struggled with eating disorders)
I would like to thank Simon & Schuster for gifting me this ARC.
This has got to be one of the darkest fairytale retelling inspired mash-ups I have ever read.
The topics this story contains are truly horrorfying in their realness and contains some passages that makes me want to take a scalding hot shower.
If you want a fairytale that touches upon the dark realness of original folktales, this is the book for you. It’s hauntingly beautiful in it’s portrayel of the darker aspects of the human condition.
This has got to be one of the darkest fairytale retelling inspired mash-ups I have ever read.
The topics this story contains are truly horrorfying in their realness and contains some passages that makes me want to take a scalding hot shower.
If you want a fairytale that touches upon the dark realness of original folktales, this is the book for you. It’s hauntingly beautiful in it’s portrayel of the darker aspects of the human condition.
1/5 Stars
I am not an aggressive reviewer, but this book made me want to be one.
I can’t tell what I don’t like more: the monotonous, unnecessarily long and boring dialogue, the need to go over every life changing relevation the characters make every 2 pages or my dissatisfaction.
I thought this book was boring. The plot had so much potential to do something really great, but the execution was poor. Chapter 13 was the longest and most boring chapter I’ve read in my life. It felt like whilst the words were different it all had the same meaning.
I thought this book was going to be some great quest. It was not. I’d imagined this struggle and slowly unraveling story and I did not receive it. The task was too easy and half the time I wanted to skip chapters to get back to the quest of retrieving the items. The objects seemed to just fall into their lap after no discernible effort.
Also, the last 30 pages were so cringey. The idea of the enlifting, feministic finale was overused and I did not like it.
Another I didn’t like we’re the characters having to repeat things all the time. For example, Jane seemed to have a ‘moment’ every chapter, where she struggled to come to terms with the evilness of her father. It goes on for a page and eventually wraps itself up, but then that whole can of worms is opened up again the next chapter.
In conclusion, this book had so much potential and it did not use it. I do not recommend this book, it’s a waste of time.
I am not an aggressive reviewer, but this book made me want to be one.
I can’t tell what I don’t like more: the monotonous, unnecessarily long and boring dialogue, the need to go over every life changing relevation the characters make every 2 pages or my dissatisfaction.
I thought this book was boring. The plot had so much potential to do something really great, but the execution was poor. Chapter 13 was the longest and most boring chapter I’ve read in my life. It felt like whilst the words were different it all had the same meaning.
I thought this book was going to be some great quest. It was not. I’d imagined this struggle and slowly unraveling story and I did not receive it. The task was too easy and half the time I wanted to skip chapters to get back to the quest of retrieving the items. The objects seemed to just fall into their lap after no discernible effort.
Also, the last 30 pages were so cringey. The idea of the enlifting, feministic finale was overused and I did not like it.
Another I didn’t like we’re the characters having to repeat things all the time. For example, Jane seemed to have a ‘moment’ every chapter, where she struggled to come to terms with the evilness of her father. It goes on for a page and eventually wraps itself up, but then that whole can of worms is opened up again the next chapter.
In conclusion, this book had so much potential and it did not use it. I do not recommend this book, it’s a waste of time.
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
The book wasn't meant to entertain. It was meant to get you thinking about the subject at hand. For me, I was a bit bored because I thought this was going to be about other things. It was still a nicely written book and certainly creative enough. For those struggling, I think this would be a good book to read. The end results wasn't picture perfect but it was written in a way of healing. I wish we could give several stars for certain things. High stars for it being written well. Low stars for ME personally. I do think others will enjoy it.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
this book is the definition of childhood fairytale with a modern and dark twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Misogyny, Gaslighting
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the writing style and how things flowed. The story itself bugged me a little because a lot of things were kept secret and hidden at the beginning and even when you find out most of the secrets a lot of things still feel a little unanswered. Some of the relationships and changes in them between characters feel a bit underdeveloped as well, which throws things off a little bit as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
***4.5 stars***
Ever Cursed was a fun fairy tale vibe-y story. I loved the writing, and the story was really fun to follow. So much happened, and it was all super great. I loved all of the sisters, and Regan. Jane was fun, but my favorite was Nora, and then Eden more towards the end when she was all gloomy. Alice and Grace were also great characters, too. Oh, but I loved Regan. She was witch-y and gloomy but just wants revenge for her family and is perfect. The king, though, was quite possibly one of my least favorite characters ever. Oh, Gods, I hated him with every inch of my body. He was terrible, he made me want to punch things and people, and just scream. There was a lot of really sad aspects to this book, though it still managed to hold a light and fun feeling. The curses made my heart break. Not being able to eat, sleep, love, hope, remember. It all sounded terrible.
Ever Cursed was a fun fairy tale vibe-y story. I loved the writing, and the story was really fun to follow. So much happened, and it was all super great. I loved all of the sisters, and Regan. Jane was fun, but my favorite was Nora, and then Eden more towards the end when she was all gloomy. Alice and Grace were also great characters, too. Oh, but I loved Regan. She was witch-y and gloomy but just wants revenge for her family and is perfect. The king, though, was quite possibly one of my least favorite characters ever. Oh, Gods, I hated him with every inch of my body. He was terrible, he made me want to punch things and people, and just scream. There was a lot of really sad aspects to this book, though it still managed to hold a light and fun feeling. The curses made my heart break. Not being able to eat, sleep, love, hope, remember. It all sounded terrible.