Review by lindsaymck - From Bad to Cursed

You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

lindsaymck 's review for:

From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper

3.5

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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: Yes

Thistle Grove gets an enemies-to-lovers sequel that gives off major Montague and Capulet vibes! The tension between Isidora Avramov and Rowan Thorn was hinted at in the last book, but I loved learning more about their history and seeing them open up to one another.

Dangerous dark magic targeting members of the Thorn family puts immediate suspicion on the Avramovs. Arch-nemeses Issa and Rowan need to work together on the investigation into what is behind these attacks, leading to some delicious slow-burn chemistry between complete opposites. They are both able to slowly-but-surely, move beyond their petty past conflicts to find that there is more to their new partner-in-solving-crime than meets the eye.

Issa is a thrill-seeking, animal-loving, sexy dark sorceress who “looks like they could kill you/is actually a cinnamon roll… who could still kill you” and who wants to stretch herself beyond her family’s expectations to pursue a career in ready-to-wear fashion. Rowan is a lawfully good, rule-abiding vet who “looks like a cinnamon roll/is a cinnamon roll” and gives off major golden-boy energy. Both care deeply about their families and that care turns towards one another as the walls they’ve built up come down brick-by-brick. Issa’s ectoplasm recreation of the attack, Rowan introducing her to his family’s heart tree, Issa’s anxiety/panic attack scene, and Rowan taking her to the secret thermal baths all stand out as special moments that move this couple forward in big ways, physically and emotionally.

Plot-pacing and character development are really well done, especially as it pertains to exploring their family dynamics. Issa and Rowan unpacking how the death magic of the Avramov’s and green magic of the Thorn’s have affected their perspectives and prejudices of one another allow them to test just how well opposites attract.

The mystery element is engaging and keeps readers on their toes as these archenemies become lovers who really appreciate and support one another through the struggles they face. It would’ve been interesting to get chapters with Rowan’s POV, but Issa was a very likable and badass FMC who contains multitudes and is easy to root for.

This quote from Talia? comes to mind when I think of Issa’s contrasting traits and how beautifully complex she is (and the other Avramovs are!):

“It’s simple: disaster and hero, monster and martyr, beauty and beast… choose your own dichotomy. Because it does matter. We were always built to be both.”

Content Warnings