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winter_curse 's review for:
Awful Curse
by Elena Monroe
Four Celestial Stars
Wow. This book.
Just Wow.
Full disclosure, I didn't expect much. I don't know the author, never read any of her books, but the blurb sounded interesting, so when I saw she sent me an ARC, I was surprised, intrigued and very nervous.
I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't it - it's so much, so, so, much better.
The Twelve Zodiac
Arianna knows moving around and starting over very well. It's part of her life, in her blood, and coming to Arcadia Prep isn't going to change anything. Closed off, wanting to escape, Arianna doesn't expect literal sparks to start flying between her and a mysterious group of friends who run the school.
Bolton wants to go home, but he doesn't think the new girl is the one to get him there. Fourteen years of the same high-school year has left him cautious, closed off. It doesn't matter she has static touch, or The Circle's powers are enhanced around her - it can't be her.
He does everything in his power to push her away: bully her, insult her, but nothing works, since she pushes back, insults him back. Bolton doesn't expect her power to match his.
Hate turns to lust as secrets cling to the air around them, but nothing will stay the same after the truth comes out.
Aries and Sagittarius
I loved Arianna, aka Sagittarius. She is such a strong female character to read about. I loved all of her quirks, reckless behavior and unbreakable spirit. It's impossible not to love this girl.
What I really liked about her character was that she didn't feel forced. Nothing about her felt fake, or out of the ordinary. She really is a true queen.
Bolton, aka Aries, is a king among men. Living the same year over and over again for fourteen years allowed him to gain intelligence, patience, and power in his human body. While he's not always the most likable person in the room, he does radiate the most confidence, and you can't help but fall for his act. He is sometimes king, sometimes an asshole, and all times relatable.
Children of Gods
I'm not going to lie, the first 30% or 40% of the book felt like a retelling of Fallen by Lauren Kate, which bothered me a lot. But then the plot just takes turns you don't expect and you fall into the story. The POVs added a great deal to my liking of the story.
Personally, I couldn't put the book down for a second. I couldn't stop reading. The writing was addictive, the chemistry between the characters, how each character was their own and not a replica of the other.
One thing that I absolutely adored was how modern it was! Non-toxic friendships and Arianna and Bolton's relationship. Everything was so healthy and fresh to see in an erotic high-school romance (most of the time, which is progress).
None of the girls were slut-shamed, none of the guys were rape-y or douchebags. Do you know how rare it is to find a book like this? I loved all the little things about the dynamics between the characters.
Another thing I really liked was how Bolton's true identity isn't hidden from the readers. It's only hidden from Arianna.
This book was one of the most refreshing reads I have read in a long time and I recommend it to all!
Heroine: 5/5
Hero: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Side Characters: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Sex Scenes: 4/5
World-Building: 3/5
Reread: yes.
Recommend: yes.
Wow. This book.
Just Wow.
Full disclosure, I didn't expect much. I don't know the author, never read any of her books, but the blurb sounded interesting, so when I saw she sent me an ARC, I was surprised, intrigued and very nervous.
I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't it - it's so much, so, so, much better.
“Destruction leaves us untouched and toying with how much we can take.
How was destruction not a god?”
The Twelve Zodiac
Arianna knows moving around and starting over very well. It's part of her life, in her blood, and coming to Arcadia Prep isn't going to change anything. Closed off, wanting to escape, Arianna doesn't expect literal sparks to start flying between her and a mysterious group of friends who run the school.
Bolton wants to go home, but he doesn't think the new girl is the one to get him there. Fourteen years of the same high-school year has left him cautious, closed off. It doesn't matter she has static touch, or The Circle's powers are enhanced around her - it can't be her.
He does everything in his power to push her away: bully her, insult her, but nothing works, since she pushes back, insults him back. Bolton doesn't expect her power to match his.
Hate turns to lust as secrets cling to the air around them, but nothing will stay the same after the truth comes out.
“She was painfully normal. She was naturally curious, though, which made observing her a dangerous game.
My new favorite game.”
Aries and Sagittarius
I loved Arianna, aka Sagittarius. She is such a strong female character to read about. I loved all of her quirks, reckless behavior and unbreakable spirit. It's impossible not to love this girl.
What I really liked about her character was that she didn't feel forced. Nothing about her felt fake, or out of the ordinary. She really is a true queen.
“Queens don't have to prove anything.”
Bolton, aka Aries, is a king among men. Living the same year over and over again for fourteen years allowed him to gain intelligence, patience, and power in his human body. While he's not always the most likable person in the room, he does radiate the most confidence, and you can't help but fall for his act. He is sometimes king, sometimes an asshole, and all times relatable.
“She can sit on me like a throne, but I will always be king.”
Children of Gods
I'm not going to lie, the first 30% or 40% of the book felt like a retelling of Fallen by Lauren Kate, which bothered me a lot. But then the plot just takes turns you don't expect and you fall into the story. The POVs added a great deal to my liking of the story.
Personally, I couldn't put the book down for a second. I couldn't stop reading. The writing was addictive, the chemistry between the characters, how each character was their own and not a replica of the other.
One thing that I absolutely adored was how modern it was! Non-toxic friendships and Arianna and Bolton's relationship. Everything was so healthy and fresh to see in an erotic high-school romance (most of the time, which is progress).
None of the girls were slut-shamed, none of the guys were rape-y or douchebags. Do you know how rare it is to find a book like this? I loved all the little things about the dynamics between the characters.
Another thing I really liked was how Bolton's true identity isn't hidden from the readers. It's only hidden from Arianna.
This book was one of the most refreshing reads I have read in a long time and I recommend it to all!
“His lips were mine.
His body was mine.
His crown was… mine.”
Heroine: 5/5
Hero: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Side Characters: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Sex Scenes: 4/5
World-Building: 3/5
Reread: yes.
Recommend: yes.