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A review by momwithareadingproblem
The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight
3.0
The Curse of Gremdon by Ciara Knight was just an okay read for me. It is set in a fantasy realm ruled by Elders with feminine oppression and fear of the unknown set the tone. It’s billed as a fantasy, paranormal romance and it is that, but there was a little too much romance for me and not enough story.
Arianna is a warrior, the only female warrior (at least from my understanding), training and fighting her way to the top to earn elite status. She’s cunning, ruthless, and guards her heart with a stone wall. When the kingdom fell (more on that in a moment), she lost everyone but her younger brother and she will do whatever it takes to protect him. You gotta love that about her!
Tardon is already an elite warrior when the book starts. He is alone and wishes for a family, something forbidden under the Elders. However he accepts their “gifts” willingly until after a training fight where Arianna gets the better of him. He realizes he doesn’t want the cheap whores the Elders send every night, he wants Arianna. His mind is consumed with her and honestly it was a bit odd. A warrior who was content in his ways all of a sudden wanting another warrior? Hmmm….
The plot was ALL OVER THE PLACE for me. I really struggled with it! There wasn’t much, if any, backstory about why the inhabitants of Gremdon all lived at the castle, why they weren’t allowed beyond the walls, why the all had to wear an amulet from the Elders, etc. As the reader, you are dropped into this fantasy world and while it is haunting and horrific, you have NO clue what is going on. There is little to no world-building til close to then end but then it makes sense. So if you read and you are lost, stick with it!
Overall this book was just ok for me. As I already stated the world-building was lacking and with fantasy that’s a big no-no in my book. Also the romance was a bit over-the-top. It’s a forbidden romance that blossoms between Arianna and Tardon, but I felt like it was more lust than love that the author conveyed. If you enjoy new adult, paranormal romance, than I believe you’ll enjoy this one. It just wasn’t for me.
Arianna is a warrior, the only female warrior (at least from my understanding), training and fighting her way to the top to earn elite status. She’s cunning, ruthless, and guards her heart with a stone wall. When the kingdom fell (more on that in a moment), she lost everyone but her younger brother and she will do whatever it takes to protect him. You gotta love that about her!
Tardon is already an elite warrior when the book starts. He is alone and wishes for a family, something forbidden under the Elders. However he accepts their “gifts” willingly until after a training fight where Arianna gets the better of him. He realizes he doesn’t want the cheap whores the Elders send every night, he wants Arianna. His mind is consumed with her and honestly it was a bit odd. A warrior who was content in his ways all of a sudden wanting another warrior? Hmmm….
The plot was ALL OVER THE PLACE for me. I really struggled with it! There wasn’t much, if any, backstory about why the inhabitants of Gremdon all lived at the castle, why they weren’t allowed beyond the walls, why the all had to wear an amulet from the Elders, etc. As the reader, you are dropped into this fantasy world and while it is haunting and horrific, you have NO clue what is going on. There is little to no world-building til close to then end but then it makes sense. So if you read and you are lost, stick with it!
Overall this book was just ok for me. As I already stated the world-building was lacking and with fantasy that’s a big no-no in my book. Also the romance was a bit over-the-top. It’s a forbidden romance that blossoms between Arianna and Tardon, but I felt like it was more lust than love that the author conveyed. If you enjoy new adult, paranormal romance, than I believe you’ll enjoy this one. It just wasn’t for me.