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pragmaticallypassionate_reader 's review for:
Cursed
by Marissa Meyer
2nd Read, November 2023:
Still enjoyed how everything came together and the mixing of folklore and fairytale in this world! The mystery element was very compelling - although slower at the beginning, the pace picks up for the rest of the book. I especially love the ending and the "epilogue" of sorts - it was perfect for the tale!
1st Read, November 2022:
In my experience, very few last books can wrap up a story as well as Cursed does for the Gilded duology! This was hands-down a 5 star read for me, and I enjoyed every single second I spent reading it!
There's not too much I can say about plot right off the bat without spoiling the end of Gilded, but just know that Cursed picks back up right where we left off. I was expecting a little more excitement and action right away, given how the first book ended, but the start of Cursed is a little slow. If anything, this portion is where I think the book could be slimmed down a tiny bit. BUT, we do learn so much about the castle and the Dark Ones/Erlking/ghosts' way of life (and maybe some subtle future plot points!!) that I don't regret that it was included.
In addition, Serilda and Gild were both strong characters. We got to see Gild a lot more and experience his mischievous nature. I adore their interactions together! On a side note, I also enjoyed the banter that Serilda and the Erlking had together--top notch evil unearthly king and feisty mortal girl throwing it down in word battles.
After the initial slowness, the pace graudally picks up until about 60% through, where all hell breaks loose. Whereas Gilded is spooky and macabre and melancholy, Cursed has much more vibrancy and magic and history. Don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of cruelty on the part of the Erlking, but there is also more of a focus on the background and context of Serilda's world. I feel like there is a lot I could catch going back and reading it a second time, just because of the amount of history and stories that actually end up playing into the overall plot! Plus, there were a couple twists that had me yelling in surprise!
I loved the addition of all the fairytale elements and creatures! I enjoyed reading more about the Moss Maidens, about the old gods, and about the mythical creatures that the Erlking is hunting. This added so much complexity to the story and plot, and it twisted up nicely with the Rumpelstiltskin aspect. Cursed definitely expands beyond your typical Rumpelstiltskin retelling! And with that, the ending was so satisfying and I didn't feel like any pieces were missing or not wrapped up. It may have moved a little fast right at the end, but I appreciated the way the "epilogue" was written. It left me feeling hopeful and satisfied!
There's not a whole lot more I can say without giving key plot points away, but I absolutely adored this series! Marissa Meyer writes amazing fairytale retellings, and this was no different. I will be rereading these books in the future, that's for sure! 5 wholehearted stars from me!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review!
Still enjoyed how everything came together and the mixing of folklore and fairytale in this world! The mystery element was very compelling - although slower at the beginning, the pace picks up for the rest of the book. I especially love the ending and the "epilogue" of sorts - it was perfect for the tale!
1st Read, November 2022:
In my experience, very few last books can wrap up a story as well as Cursed does for the Gilded duology! This was hands-down a 5 star read for me, and I enjoyed every single second I spent reading it!
There's not too much I can say about plot right off the bat without spoiling the end of Gilded, but just know that Cursed picks back up right where we left off. I was expecting a little more excitement and action right away, given how the first book ended, but the start of Cursed is a little slow. If anything, this portion is where I think the book could be slimmed down a tiny bit.
Spoiler
It seems like we spend 30% 'looking for their bodies' and then they find them and . . . disregard them cause they can't leave without the children? And not much feels like it is happening in the background around that time, either. But, after the Erlking revealed that he knew Serilda's secret later, I did want to go back and reread, so that was clever!In addition, Serilda and Gild were both strong characters. We got to see Gild a lot more and experience his mischievous nature. I adore their interactions together!
Spoiler
though sometimes, they did feel too young to have a baby, ahah.After the initial slowness, the pace graudally picks up until about 60% through, where all hell breaks loose
Spoiler
all Verloren breaks loose? lolI loved the addition of all the fairytale elements and creatures! I enjoyed reading more about the Moss Maidens, about the old gods, and about the mythical creatures that the Erlking is hunting. This added so much complexity to the story and plot, and it twisted up nicely with the Rumpelstiltskin aspect. Cursed definitely expands beyond your typical Rumpelstiltskin retelling! And with that, the ending was so satisfying and I didn't feel like any pieces were missing or not wrapped up. It may have moved a little fast right at the end, but I appreciated the way the "epilogue" was written. It left me feeling hopeful and satisfied!
There's not a whole lot more I can say without giving key plot points away, but I absolutely adored this series! Marissa Meyer writes amazing fairytale retellings, and this was no different. I will be rereading these books in the future, that's for sure! 5 wholehearted stars from me!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review!