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A review by thenovelmaura
Curses by Lish McBride
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars. Thank you to Penguin Teen for the eARC of this gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling! As with all the ARCs I review, this one came out months and months ago. So let's not delay any more than I already have, shall we?
Look, we all know I love an epic fantasy trilogy with dozens of characters and chapters of world-building. But sometimes what you really need is a quirky, standalone retelling with tons of fairy tale references that make you chuckle! Merit is not your typical beast, since her mom still expects her to live as a lady. She's required to attend society parties, find fashionable clothes that will cover her tail, and handle delicate teacups with her large claws. It was really fun watching Tevin and Merit navigate these picnics and balls while looking for her ideal suitor, and of course, falling for each other along the way.
I also loved Tevin's siblings and how their magical gifts made them perfectly suited for scams and con jobs. Oh, and I can't forget that there's a talking ostrich and a support group for the cursed, where we meet several familiar fairy tale heroes. As it turns out, fairies are always ready for more mischief, and the difference between a blessing and a curse is a mere matter of opinion. I almost gave this one a full 5 stars, but the ending was too rushed and convenient for my taste (pros and cons of a standalone). Still, if this book sounds like it'd be up your alley, you won't be disappointed!
Look, we all know I love an epic fantasy trilogy with dozens of characters and chapters of world-building. But sometimes what you really need is a quirky, standalone retelling with tons of fairy tale references that make you chuckle! Merit is not your typical beast, since her mom still expects her to live as a lady. She's required to attend society parties, find fashionable clothes that will cover her tail, and handle delicate teacups with her large claws. It was really fun watching Tevin and Merit navigate these picnics and balls while looking for her ideal suitor, and of course, falling for each other along the way.
I also loved Tevin's siblings and how their magical gifts made them perfectly suited for scams and con jobs. Oh, and I can't forget that there's a talking ostrich and a support group for the cursed, where we meet several familiar fairy tale heroes. As it turns out, fairies are always ready for more mischief, and the difference between a blessing and a curse is a mere matter of opinion. I almost gave this one a full 5 stars, but the ending was too rushed and convenient for my taste (pros and cons of a standalone). Still, if this book sounds like it'd be up your alley, you won't be disappointed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Confinement