A review by clatson
A Curse Unspeakable by Morgan I. Gerhart

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

A magical and breathtaking adventure that makes me wish on every shooting star that I could join the Mage’s Caravan!

You will fall in love with the characters, be amazed by the magic, lose yourself in the world, and be shocked by the plot. The book rewards you with each page you read, diving deeper into complex characters, a swoon-worthy love interest, and action that makes you sit on the edge of your seat. 

Let me break it down.

The Mage’s Eye Caravan: 
A group of arcane (magical) who are separated into circles and put on performances across the country. The Circles are: The Blade, Marksmen, Actors, Singers, Musicians, Chefs, Acrobats, Fortunetellers, Fire eaters, and Dancers. And I want to join them all! It reminds me of Hogwarts houses but more of them and more practical! 

Glory:
The author has done an extraordinary job with Glory’s muteness. Her representation of it is thoughtful and intentional yet doesn’t make conversations lull. 
Glory learns so much, and her progression is one you root for every step of the way.

Magic:
The Magic in this world is creative, immersive, and oh so much fun. Magical ability to manipulate hair in any and every way? Yes, please! Save me so much time in the morning! Morgan puts unique spins on magic and makes it more than just a blessing to those who have it (hint hint at the title)

Villain:
And this hunter…. He is bad news. With the ability to persuade anyone to do ANYTHING… The horrors of just the thought alone would send me running! He is straight terrifying, and his plans are shocking.

Romance: 
As someone who gets mad when a romance is advertised as a “Slow burn” and then they kiss in the first 10 pages or have lovey-dovey thoughts the instant they meet…. This is an actual slow burn. I love the tension that's drawn out, how they grow closer, how I am SCREAMING for them to kiss and then- Well…I’ll let you find out for yourself ;)

Side Characters:
The characters feature so many deep backstories, that even lesser side characters shine in just the right way. They are distinct and nothing better ever happens to Meras! Or Chander… Or Eldrin. or…. You get the picture, with so many great characters, you become invested in each one, even if they're not the main character. (I want a Meras spin-off!)

In the end. If you like found family, smart and plotting villains, a respectful sweet slow-burn romance, and a magical fantasy book that makes you crave the next. This is your book!

This is the first in the series I plan to continue. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!