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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While this book does deal with some heavy topics, sexual assault and eating disorders, it definitely doesn't make light of them one bit, which is why I feel alright making the recommendation on this one to anyone who's looking for a story that's steeped in magic but feels real. Of course, there's the "witches and royals" dynamic of the whole thing, a story primarily about breaking spells and casting them, but the underlying story is one that so, so many people need to read. That there's so many things I've heard from people before culminating in this novel, and that the subjects aren't taken lightly, makes this way better than I thought it would be.
The characters themselves are awesome, too, I love Reagan and Jane as paired voices. They strike a balance while also having paired framing, and that's something I can't say I've seen in a while. Nora, Grace, Alice, and Eden are also companions to Jane that I loved dearly throughout the entire book, they have such an energy about them without feeling heavy or overbearing when they get upset. Olive was also a HUGE standout that I wasn't expecting, I felt for her so, so much.
The magic system here also intrigues me, and makes a lot of sense. I'm surprised I haven't found something that does something similar, and I want more to do with it. This definitely has "stand-alone" energy, but I'd be happy with something within the universe at a later date, maybe with a slightly lighter tone.
While this book does deal with some heavy topics, sexual assault and eating disorders, it definitely doesn't make light of them one bit, which is why I feel alright making the recommendation on this one to anyone who's looking for a story that's steeped in magic but feels real. Of course, there's the "witches and royals" dynamic of the whole thing, a story primarily about breaking spells and casting them, but the underlying story is one that so, so many people need to read. That there's so many things I've heard from people before culminating in this novel, and that the subjects aren't taken lightly, makes this way better than I thought it would be.
The characters themselves are awesome, too, I love Reagan and Jane as paired voices. They strike a balance while also having paired framing, and that's something I can't say I've seen in a while. Nora, Grace, Alice, and Eden are also companions to Jane that I loved dearly throughout the entire book, they have such an energy about them without feeling heavy or overbearing when they get upset. Olive was also a HUGE standout that I wasn't expecting, I felt for her so, so much.
The magic system here also intrigues me, and makes a lot of sense. I'm surprised I haven't found something that does something similar, and I want more to do with it. This definitely has "stand-alone" energy, but I'd be happy with something within the universe at a later date, maybe with a slightly lighter tone.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
A kingdom cursed by witches, a missing princess and princesses cursed for the sins of their father the king. I really enjoyed the story, something different to what I usually read and not at all what I expected.
As always, thank you so very much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this early via e-ARC!
Okay.
Please read this book. Please. It is just... so good. Amazing. Wonderful. I read it in basically one day, because I just couldn’t put it down. It sucked me in. It tumbled me around... and it spit me out and I feel quite a bit different! It is about empowerment, and friendship, and family, and all kinds of other wonderful things! I don’t want to spoil anything... but it’s IMPORTANT. So incredibly important! I loved every moment, and I also wish there was so much more!
Okay.
Please read this book. Please. It is just... so good. Amazing. Wonderful. I read it in basically one day, because I just couldn’t put it down. It sucked me in. It tumbled me around... and it spit me out and I feel quite a bit different! It is about empowerment, and friendship, and family, and all kinds of other wonderful things! I don’t want to spoil anything... but it’s IMPORTANT. So incredibly important! I loved every moment, and I also wish there was so much more!
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I love the inclusivity and the not graphic depictions of sexual assault. This book will still be triggering for many but it’s written very well Definitely not for my middle school Library But I will suggest to my HS colleagues.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
This book really hit me hard at the end when I saw how everything tied together and the metaphors for the real world (the woods and the night, 2 things that are dangerous for women, disappearing completely was really subtle but beautiful). However, the way it was written was kind of clunky which lessened my overall enjoyment.
Ever Cursed is about five princesses who were cursed to be without something - Jane, who can't eat, Nora, who can't love, Alice, who can't sleep, Grace, who can't remember, and Eden, who can't hope. Determined to break the spell cast on them, they set out into their kingdom for the first time and learn what they've been told isn't actually their history.
I was in a HUGE slump before I started this and this book turned it around significantly. I read it very quickly. The book is told in alternating perspectives between Jane, the eldest princess, and Reagan, the witch who cast the spell, both of whom learn there is more to their story than they were each separately taught.
Haydu's take on classic fairy tale retellings discusses themes of the patriarchy and sexual assault. I found it very ambitious for what I expect from a YA novel. I loved how female friendships were explored, the discussions of what makes a character "complicit" in the crimes of their father, the discussions of actual ignorance v. willful ignorance (or not knowing vs. not wanting to know), etc. The female characters are not wholly "good" or "bad", but more nuanced.
And that cover
I was in a HUGE slump before I started this and this book turned it around significantly. I read it very quickly. The book is told in alternating perspectives between Jane, the eldest princess, and Reagan, the witch who cast the spell, both of whom learn there is more to their story than they were each separately taught.
Haydu's take on classic fairy tale retellings discusses themes of the patriarchy and sexual assault. I found it very ambitious for what I expect from a YA novel. I loved how female friendships were explored, the discussions of what makes a character "complicit" in the crimes of their father, the discussions of actual ignorance v. willful ignorance (or not knowing vs. not wanting to know), etc. The female characters are not wholly "good" or "bad", but more nuanced.
And that cover