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lilhoneybuns's review against another edition
4.0
I wish this book wasn't a stand-alone! I loved every second of it. I was sad for it to end, I love seeing how her powers manifested and became manageable. As well, I liked the love interest, Hayden, and his family!
Side note: I love the main character's name (Ember)!
Side note: I love the main character's name (Ember)!
eghimire_'s review against another edition
2.0
I knew going into this book that it'd be average and everyone was right. Compared to Obsidian, Cursed is just meh.
Ember's life sucks. Everyone at school is mean to her, calling her a freak, except for her best friend Adam. With her dad dead, her mom thinking she's dead, and her touch of death, Ember's life just really sucks. Though, she has her adorable sister Olivia who has the touch of life.
The love interest Hayden is just kinda meh. I guess bad boys who have a hard exterior but are soft on the inside are just so swoon worthy but Hayden isn't a bad boy. He's just a nice guy who cares for Ember. Ember didn't jump Hayden and declare her love for him the moment they met, but slowly build a relationship.
The other minor characters were okay. All of them would judge Ember harshly and think she's a killer freak. Which was kinda annoying. I get why they were mean to her but geez get to know a person before hating them.
The plot line of the story was just meh. The antagonist was very predictable, which says something because I'm a person who doesn't spot the obvious until the main character realizes whatever plot twist it may be. Not like there were many characters in the story.
Overall this book was just average and meh.
Ember's life sucks. Everyone at school is mean to her, calling her a freak, except for her best friend Adam. With her dad dead, her mom thinking she's dead, and her touch of death, Ember's life just really sucks. Though, she has her adorable sister Olivia who has the touch of life.
The love interest Hayden is just kinda meh. I guess bad boys who have a hard exterior but are soft on the inside are just so swoon worthy but Hayden isn't a bad boy. He's just a nice guy who cares for Ember. Ember didn't jump Hayden and declare her love for him the moment they met, but slowly build a relationship.
The other minor characters were okay. All of them would judge Ember harshly and think she's a killer freak. Which was kinda annoying. I get why they were mean to her but geez get to know a person before hating them.
The plot line of the story was just meh. The antagonist was very predictable, which says something because I'm a person who doesn't spot the obvious until the main character realizes whatever plot twist it may be. Not like there were many characters in the story.
Overall this book was just average and meh.
its_thursday's review against another edition
5.0
I really fell in love with this book! I didn't have high hopes for it...in fact it had sat unread on my kindle for well over a year. It was so captivating with such interesting characters. The mystery and suspicion surrounding everything were done so well...not over the top or too predictable. The only thing that I felt was missing was a little more depth to Hayden, but some of the passages about Ember's struggles actually brought tears to my eyes. Despite her problems being of the supernatural variety, I could relate to her insecurities so strongly, even at 26 years old. She was a truly well written character and I can't say I've seen one in quite some time.
My only disappointment about this book is that it's not a series. About halfway through I found myself scrambling to try to find evidence of a sequel online, but alas, no luck. That being said, this book still felt complete in its own right and I would definitely recommend giving it a read.
My only disappointment about this book is that it's not a series. About halfway through I found myself scrambling to try to find evidence of a sequel online, but alas, no luck. That being said, this book still felt complete in its own right and I would definitely recommend giving it a read.
celjla212's review against another edition
4.0
When Ember is brought back from the dead in a crash that killed her parents, she discovers that she has the new ability to kill people with the slightest touch. She lives in isolation, not even able to touch her five year old sister, Olivia. Until one day, the inevitable happens--and Ember and Olivia are taken in my the powerful Jonathan Cromwell, who also houses other kids with special gifts.
Soon, Ember becomes close to the sexy Hayden. Although Ember knows she could do the worst to him, he isn't afraid. Hayden must help Ember unravel the secrets of her past--and find out who wants to harm her in the present.
I have to be honest here. This is the second of Ms. Armentrout's books I have read. The first was the amazing Obsidian, which is one of my fave young adult books. Now, even though I know I shouldn't have, I ended up comparing Cursed to Obsidian while I was reading it. While it was an intriguing book, it had a few shortcomings.
When the book first begins, Ember is an outcast at her old high school, and has been since her accident. What I don't understand is why. I have a hard time believing that a school full of kids would be so cruel to her after a tragedy in which she lost her parents. No reason was really given, except for that her eyes looked "dead." I don't know, the best I could figure is that the other kids in school just sensed something OFF about her...but no one knew the truth about how she came back from death. This could have been fleshed out a little better, for me.
Ember is a strong and smart girl, and she really comes out of her shell once she moves into the Cromwell house and meets Hayden. She had been so protective of Olivia for so long, that it had to have felt good to her to have some time to herself, without having to worry about her little sister. And with Hayden, the fact that she is able to touch him ALMOST makes her feel normal again, if only for a short time.
Although, this is another one of those books where the guy seems to be a bit stalkerish before meeting the girl. This is a trope I don't love, and if it happened in real life, you know the girl wouldn't respond in the same way.
I figured out who the bad guy was before it was revealed in the book, I just didn't know his reasons. I'm not sure if this was meant to be a series or a stand-alone book, but there are quite a few things I would have liked to know more about.
I love Jennifer's writing style, and will definitely be reading everything of hers I can get my hands on.
Soon, Ember becomes close to the sexy Hayden. Although Ember knows she could do the worst to him, he isn't afraid. Hayden must help Ember unravel the secrets of her past--and find out who wants to harm her in the present.
I have to be honest here. This is the second of Ms. Armentrout's books I have read. The first was the amazing Obsidian, which is one of my fave young adult books. Now, even though I know I shouldn't have, I ended up comparing Cursed to Obsidian while I was reading it. While it was an intriguing book, it had a few shortcomings.
When the book first begins, Ember is an outcast at her old high school, and has been since her accident. What I don't understand is why. I have a hard time believing that a school full of kids would be so cruel to her after a tragedy in which she lost her parents. No reason was really given, except for that her eyes looked "dead." I don't know, the best I could figure is that the other kids in school just sensed something OFF about her...but no one knew the truth about how she came back from death. This could have been fleshed out a little better, for me.
Ember is a strong and smart girl, and she really comes out of her shell once she moves into the Cromwell house and meets Hayden. She had been so protective of Olivia for so long, that it had to have felt good to her to have some time to herself, without having to worry about her little sister. And with Hayden, the fact that she is able to touch him ALMOST makes her feel normal again, if only for a short time.
Although, this is another one of those books where the guy seems to be a bit stalkerish before meeting the girl. This is a trope I don't love, and if it happened in real life, you know the girl wouldn't respond in the same way.
I figured out who the bad guy was before it was revealed in the book, I just didn't know his reasons. I'm not sure if this was meant to be a series or a stand-alone book, but there are quite a few things I would have liked to know more about.
I love Jennifer's writing style, and will definitely be reading everything of hers I can get my hands on.
camibookish's review against another edition
5.0
Romance,a hot dark haired guy, mystery and some "super powers" Armentrout never cease to amaze me.
ddksouth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cassiesbookishcorner's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Though I appreciate a stand alone, I feel like this one needed another book. Or, at least, an epilogue?There are just so many things left unsaid, unanswered, and unseen. Listen, I like the way JLA writes, and I enjoyed the book. It's giving X-Men, and I'm here for that, honestly. But it's like we were given multiple key problems/events and only one of them was addressed/fixed. I wanted more conclusion. I also would have liked to see a certain...housemate..see some repercussions.
Anyway, I did enjoy the story, and the characters, even if both could have had a little more to them. I'm glad we see Ember happy in the end, even if I feel like that would be short-lived.
Anyway, I did enjoy the story, and the characters, even if both could have had a little more to them. I'm glad we see Ember happy in the end, even if I feel like that would be short-lived.
echoingbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a real good book, but somehow I expected a tiny bit more from JLA. I can say like in all her books Hayden was so drool worthy and hot. Cursed was on my to read list for nearly more than a year so when I was in the mood to read it I really did enjoy the book.
Jennifer always knows how to write books I mean she knows how to keep your attention most of the time and that’s what I like about her books. I could not give this book 5 stars like I give all her books because somehow I expected a tiny bit more ( I already said that I know) that’s why I give a 4 star because it was nearly perfect.
“Listen to me, Ember. I couldn’t hurt you. I can’t.” Hayden settled his eyes on me. They were softer than I’d ever seen. “I love you— I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you.”
Now what is this book about? Well it’s about a very strong heroine who died but her baby sister could not lose her so she brought her back from the dead but when that happened she got this power of death. Now what does that mean? It means that if Ember ever touches anybody or anything by accident or on purpose the die, it’s not something she can switch of or that’s what she thought. Hayden and his family new about Olivia(her younger sister) and later they found out about Ember. They all left the girls alone until one day somehow touched Ember’s skin. Now that means that the guy died. Hayden and his family had to step in, take them to a place where people like them lived people with power just like Olivia and Ember.
“Hunger gnawed at my stomach, but I was afraid someone would be in the kitchen again. So I found myself staring at the front door. Freedom seemed just a doorknob-turn away.
When I did open the door, freedom didn't wait — a half-naked Hayden did.”
Olivia loves their new home but Ember didn’t because she did not trust anyone there. Nobody wanted her there either everyone was scared of her everyone except Hayden who fell in love with her while he was spying on her and everyone in the house new it. His dad told Hayden to stay away from her but he never listened and also Hayden is the only person she can touch because of his power that kicks in and saves him before Ember’s powers kills him. They can touch each other for a few seconds. Hayden decided he will help her find out how to control her powers more. She was starting to control it perfectly well after a lot of practise and after that she and Hayden became closer than ever.
“Hayden’s gaze fell to my lips.
My heart did a stupid little jump that made me all warm and fuzzy. He liked me— really liked me. Even after seeing my scars. It was like hitting the jackpot of awesome guys.”
I loved the ending of the book because it was fast paced and she trusted the wrong person at the end that nearly cost her life, but the people that she thought she could never trust saved her life. Hayden did everything he could to keep her save and that’s also what his father is doing now to. She now feels that she has a family again and not just has Olivia but everyone else is also there for her. It just took a while for her to figure it out. I would like it if JLA would write another story of all of them maybe where Ember learns to completely control her powers maybe where she can switch it on or off so she can feel like a normal person again.
Jennifer always knows how to write books I mean she knows how to keep your attention most of the time and that’s what I like about her books. I could not give this book 5 stars like I give all her books because somehow I expected a tiny bit more ( I already said that I know) that’s why I give a 4 star because it was nearly perfect.
“Listen to me, Ember. I couldn’t hurt you. I can’t.” Hayden settled his eyes on me. They were softer than I’d ever seen. “I love you— I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you.”
Now what is this book about? Well it’s about a very strong heroine who died but her baby sister could not lose her so she brought her back from the dead but when that happened she got this power of death. Now what does that mean? It means that if Ember ever touches anybody or anything by accident or on purpose the die, it’s not something she can switch of or that’s what she thought. Hayden and his family new about Olivia(her younger sister) and later they found out about Ember. They all left the girls alone until one day somehow touched Ember’s skin. Now that means that the guy died. Hayden and his family had to step in, take them to a place where people like them lived people with power just like Olivia and Ember.
“Hunger gnawed at my stomach, but I was afraid someone would be in the kitchen again. So I found myself staring at the front door. Freedom seemed just a doorknob-turn away.
When I did open the door, freedom didn't wait — a half-naked Hayden did.”
Olivia loves their new home but Ember didn’t because she did not trust anyone there. Nobody wanted her there either everyone was scared of her everyone except Hayden who fell in love with her while he was spying on her and everyone in the house new it. His dad told Hayden to stay away from her but he never listened and also Hayden is the only person she can touch because of his power that kicks in and saves him before Ember’s powers kills him. They can touch each other for a few seconds. Hayden decided he will help her find out how to control her powers more. She was starting to control it perfectly well after a lot of practise and after that she and Hayden became closer than ever.
“Hayden’s gaze fell to my lips.
My heart did a stupid little jump that made me all warm and fuzzy. He liked me— really liked me. Even after seeing my scars. It was like hitting the jackpot of awesome guys.”
I loved the ending of the book because it was fast paced and she trusted the wrong person at the end that nearly cost her life, but the people that she thought she could never trust saved her life. Hayden did everything he could to keep her save and that’s also what his father is doing now to. She now feels that she has a family again and not just has Olivia but everyone else is also there for her. It just took a while for her to figure it out. I would like it if JLA would write another story of all of them maybe where Ember learns to completely control her powers maybe where she can switch it on or off so she can feel like a normal person again.
kba76's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
After a car crash kills her father, Ember knows all too well how painful death can be. She, too, died but her younger sister, Olivia, brought her back to life. Since that accident two years ago, Ember has been dubbed a freak by her peers…and they’re not even aware of her gift.
Having been brought back from the dead, Ember’s own gift has manifested. With just one touch, she can kill.
Before we know it, a mysterious young man arrives at her high school and life changes for Ember and her family. They are taken in by Jonathan Cromwell, the mayor of a little town, who has adopted a number of each children - who each have their own special gift.
As we follow Ember’s story we get to know a little more about the strange situation that has led to this point. Entertaining enough, but rather abruptly resolved and a lot of details left out.
Having been brought back from the dead, Ember’s own gift has manifested. With just one touch, she can kill.
Before we know it, a mysterious young man arrives at her high school and life changes for Ember and her family. They are taken in by Jonathan Cromwell, the mayor of a little town, who has adopted a number of each children - who each have their own special gift.
As we follow Ember’s story we get to know a little more about the strange situation that has led to this point. Entertaining enough, but rather abruptly resolved and a lot of details left out.