255 reviews for:

Ever Cursed

Corey Ann Haydu

3.38 AVERAGE


This book was so fucking weird and awful. I liked the Princess Jane and kinda the overall message but it was a hot mess of a book and just needed to be better over all.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I’ve never had a book actually trigger me before reading this one. I usually don’t mind reads that are discomforting because I prefer accurate depictions of the topics that are broached in this novel. The language used throughout this was glorifying and unsettling, specifically in the way of starvation and sexual harassment. Also, the book is a bit try-hard. In an effort to discuss important topics, it comes across as preachy and disingenuous.  I would never recommend this book to anyone. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional sad fast-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: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Once upon a time there were five Spellbound princesses (Jane, Alice, Nora, Grace, and Eden) who were cursed with the Spell of Without leaving them without necessary parts of life (love, food, memory etc.). The same spell left their mother (the Queen of Ever) in a glass box and their father (the Kind King of Ever) to rule alone. One day the witch who cast the spell appears and tells the princesses and the king how to break it. The oldest princess promises to gather what they need along with the witch who cast the spell Reagan but breaking the spell is not as simple as getting all the items and along the way Jane learns the terrible truth about why the spell was cast.

This book broke my heart as I read it; it was unexpectedly extremely emotionally intense. It seems like a book about a physical journey but instead is about an emotional reveal of Justice and the Truth. This book has very large trigger warnings (which the author does include) for rape and eating disorders. It's not a long book but it took me a long time to read because I'm a sensitive person and needed time away from the hard truths about Ever. I would recommend this for someone who enjoys emotionally charged intense content and fantasy that mirrors our world making sure to give them the content warnings.
challenging reflective medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes

A story of two girls righting the wrongs inherited by years of complacency.

Jane is the eldest daughter and always puts the duties of being the future queen of Ever first. She has lived cursed longer than any of her sisters and she will only have days to break the spell before all their curses become permanent. Eden is the witch who cursed the princesses and must guide them to revelations about the kingdom and the suffering of their people.

The story transitions between Jane and Edens's perspectives, explaining the life of women confined to the kingdom and the witches banished from the kingdom. The story challenges the patriarchal system and the crimes that go unpunished in the kingdom. The plot has a moderate pace and a wide cast of characters. A lot was packed into this story and for the most part, it will be easy for readers to process. However, towards the end, a lot goes down and the plot gets complicated. The book leaves a satisfying ending.

There are themes of rape and sexual harassment.

*Review courtesy of NetGalley*

3.75

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a slow read. Nothing of note happens until about 30% in, and during that first 30%, you don’t really get to know the characters or the world. The subject matter is very heavy, and even though not much detail is presented until later in the book, you know exactly what kind of abuse is going on. It was depressing, and I never really connected with any of the characters. The sisters have some personality, but not much, and it’s hard to tell them apart other than their individual curses.

You won’t get an exciting, driven quest to save a kingdom. It’s more of a ponderous drag to escape horrible abuse. I would say this is definitely for older teens, although the writing style is simple enough for younger teens. The subject matter is just too dark.

Don’t pick this up if you’re looking for a fast paced, compelling story.
adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
adventurous emotional inspiring slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes