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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
I wanted to love this book so much but I simply couldn't.
While I understand and admire what Corey Ann Haydu was trying to achieve in Ever Cursed, the book itself simply didn't deliver. At the heart of the story, there is a condemnation of the patriarchy and a message about the power women hold, together and apart, but the way the message is written was, to put it bluntly, not great. The pacing never felt right, some characters simply seemed unnecessary, and the compelling side characters weren't given enough screen time. More than anything, though, I think this book is marketed incorrectly - while the world building takes inspiration from fairy tales and tries to subvert them, this is a story about abuse and healing, which creates different expectations going in.
cw: sexual assault, eating disorder
While I understand and admire what Corey Ann Haydu was trying to achieve in Ever Cursed, the book itself simply didn't deliver. At the heart of the story, there is a condemnation of the patriarchy and a message about the power women hold, together and apart, but the way the message is written was, to put it bluntly, not great. The pacing never felt right, some characters simply seemed unnecessary, and the compelling side characters weren't given enough screen time. More than anything, though, I think this book is marketed incorrectly - while the world building takes inspiration from fairy tales and tries to subvert them, this is a story about abuse and healing, which creates different expectations going in.
cw: sexual assault, eating disorder
This is a surprisingly complex book for something that is presented so simply. It's a powerful, haunting story, and while it wrapped up a little too easily and conveniently, I really liked the characters and the unique setting. It did a good job balancing the reality of trauma and how different people respond to it. I liked the dual narrators, and their different takes on rage and unfairness.
It had a promising premise but ended up being just disappointing.
This was just an average read for me. There was a lot of potential here, I found the atmosphere quite mystical and foggy - but the story itself didn’t have the bones to make it exception.
I liked what the author tried to do. But, it was predictable. Which made it a bit of a chore to get through.
I liked what the author tried to do. But, it was predictable. Which made it a bit of a chore to get through.
Ever Cursed is a unique fairytale with some really great world building and a strong message. I loved the unfolding of the way magic worked in this world and how a Curse becomes True and the power and consequences they hold. It was the small moments in this book that struck me the most whether it was the casual representation in the language of explaining who could be witches or the unspoken way the women were bonded through their shared traumas both large and small. The kingdom of Ever might have magic, but it sadly isn't unrecognizable.
I'm mixed in my struggles with this book. On the one hand, I like that the book told a complete story because it's always a relief to have everything wrapped up in one book and not have to wait for the next one. On the other hand, I do feel like the ending came rather quickly and with a lot of rushed explanations. I wouldn't have minded if the book was slightly longer to flesh more of the history out. I understand the importance of Jane and Reagan re-learning the true history of their world, but it was frustrating at times not having more information or learning the important bits piece by piece.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read I would recommend, it just left me wanting more.
*Thank you to NetGalley & Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the e-arc of this book.*
I'm mixed in my struggles with this book. On the one hand, I like that the book told a complete story because it's always a relief to have everything wrapped up in one book and not have to wait for the next one. On the other hand, I do feel like the ending came rather quickly and with a lot of rushed explanations. I wouldn't have minded if the book was slightly longer to flesh more of the history out. I understand the importance of Jane and Reagan re-learning the true history of their world, but it was frustrating at times not having more information or learning the important bits piece by piece.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read I would recommend, it just left me wanting more.
*Thank you to NetGalley & Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the e-arc of this book.*
Fairy tale retelling are so popular lately that I feel like I've read them all. When I started Ever Cursed I was sure what I was in for, but Corey Ann Haydu's story was not what I was expecting. Instead of retelling a specific fairy tale she created her own, There were a few nods throughout to stories I've heard but ultimately it felt new and different. I especially loved the sisters relationship and following Jane, the oldest princess, and Reagan, a witch who cursed the royal princesses of Ever gave a unique perspective of the story since we learned both sides of the plot almost simultaneously.
This also didn't feel like an old or antiquated story like some retelling tend to do. I loved the moments of female empowerment and equality throughout the kingdom. Overall, what I really want after this is a book on the witches. I feel like that mythology really has a lot of room to grow. This story was captivating and intriguing and felt entirely new and yet still familiar.
This also didn't feel like an old or antiquated story like some retelling tend to do. I loved the moments of female empowerment and equality throughout the kingdom. Overall, what I really want after this is a book on the witches. I feel like that mythology really has a lot of room to grow. This story was captivating and intriguing and felt entirely new and yet still familiar.
2 STARS
⭐️⭐️
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. The premise was good, the pacing of the book was good, but I just did not care about these characters or their world at all. The world-building left me unsatisfied, and the characters didn't go deeper than surface level which was disappointing. The magic system was also quite confusing and never quite fully explained. The synopsis proclaimed to be a feminist fantasy, but other than the fact that all the protagonists were female, I didn't really get a feminist vibe from it. Overall, I did not enjoy this one.
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⭐️⭐️
Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. The premise was good, the pacing of the book was good, but I just did not care about these characters or their world at all. The world-building left me unsatisfied, and the characters didn't go deeper than surface level which was disappointing. The magic system was also quite confusing and never quite fully explained. The synopsis proclaimed to be a feminist fantasy, but other than the fact that all the protagonists were female, I didn't really get a feminist vibe from it. Overall, I did not enjoy this one.
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I totally judge books by their cover. All the time. I try not to but it can't be helped. I mean, just look at this- it's ridiculous. Completely stunning. So I bought it. BUT in this case, the inside is just as spectacular.
This was a unique experience; some prominent real world issues thrown into a fantasy world with kingdoms and witches, magic and curses.
Don't be fooled by the pretty cover though, this book has dark themes. When the author includes a warning at the beginning, you better pay attention.
As a woman, reading this hit close to home. It read like a fantasy retelling of "Catch and Kill" by Ronan Farrow. A lot of the story line revolves around women being silenced so it felt heavy at times knowing a lot of this "fictional story" is frighteningly real but Corey gives us hope for a better world (even if we don't have magic)
This one will stay with me for a while. Maybe forever...
Ever Cursed by Corey Ann Haydu
Summary
The princesses of Ever have been cursed for nearly five years when this story begins. Their mother has literally been trapped in a clear box on display for all of the people of Ever. Each princess has their own curse which begins on their thirteenth birthday. Jane, the oldest daughter, hasn’t eaten since she turned thirteen almost five years ago. Because of the nature of the spell, she continues to live a strained existence. Once the spell becomes final or permanent, Jane will suffer the full affects of not eating.
Jane must team up with the young witch who has placed her and her sisters in such a perilous position in order to undo the spell placed on each of them. In the process, Jane discovers what kind of queen she wants to be someday, and makes a plethora of new friends.
Thoughts
I obviously requested this book from NetGalley because the title is thought-provoking and the cover is beautiful. The book itself did not disappoint!
Haydu begins by letting readers know about the triggers in the novel, and I think this is wonderful! Teen girls (the target audience) are living in a trigger filled world, and this story is full of girls who overcome some difficult situations that these teen readers can relate to. Don’t let these triggers keep you from reading. That was not the point of the trigger warning (in my opinion) - this trigger warning should encourage girls to be strong and continue reading for inspirational purposes.
Pardon my language, but this book is filled with some badass women. Obviously our characters all have their flaws, but together they overcome their flaws in order to better their community. Haydu created beautiful female characters and explained the use of magic in this society flawlessly.
I will force our children’s librarian to purchase this book for our teen section. It is an absolutely necessary read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Summary
The princesses of Ever have been cursed for nearly five years when this story begins. Their mother has literally been trapped in a clear box on display for all of the people of Ever. Each princess has their own curse which begins on their thirteenth birthday. Jane, the oldest daughter, hasn’t eaten since she turned thirteen almost five years ago. Because of the nature of the spell, she continues to live a strained existence. Once the spell becomes final or permanent, Jane will suffer the full affects of not eating.
Jane must team up with the young witch who has placed her and her sisters in such a perilous position in order to undo the spell placed on each of them. In the process, Jane discovers what kind of queen she wants to be someday, and makes a plethora of new friends.
Thoughts
I obviously requested this book from NetGalley because the title is thought-provoking and the cover is beautiful. The book itself did not disappoint!
Haydu begins by letting readers know about the triggers in the novel, and I think this is wonderful! Teen girls (the target audience) are living in a trigger filled world, and this story is full of girls who overcome some difficult situations that these teen readers can relate to. Don’t let these triggers keep you from reading. That was not the point of the trigger warning (in my opinion) - this trigger warning should encourage girls to be strong and continue reading for inspirational purposes.
Pardon my language, but this book is filled with some badass women. Obviously our characters all have their flaws, but together they overcome their flaws in order to better their community. Haydu created beautiful female characters and explained the use of magic in this society flawlessly.
I will force our children’s librarian to purchase this book for our teen section. It is an absolutely necessary read.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.