A review by janastange
Cursed Under London by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

I received an eARC of this book, intrigued by its setting in an alternate Elizabethan-era London where monsters exist. The actual reading experience, however, was a mixed bag. At times, it feels like a cozy fantasy, featuring a delightful found family trope with a diverse and lovable cast of characters. Their banter and humor often made me laugh out loud. However, that same humor was sometimes awkwardly placed within the story, detracting from more serious plotlines. 

While each character had a well-developed backstory, the narrative took a while to pick up pace and become engaging. Despite being a short read, the first 60% felt much longer, and I struggled to connect with the characters in a meaningful way. Overall, I feel it was simply not my type of story.