The Curse of Shadows and Thorns is a dark and ancient curse that has plagued a small village for generations. Legend has it that the curse was unleashed upon the village when a young sorceress cast a spell to protect her loved ones, but unknowingly invoked the wrath of powerful spirits. These spirits, angered by her audacity, cursed the sorceress and the entire village with eternal darkness and the growth of thorny plants that entangled everything in their path. From that day on, the village was shrouded in perpetual twilight, with no sunlight ever penetrating the skies. Shadows grew longer and darker, creating an atmosphere of perpetual gloom and despair. The villagers became fearful, as they could no longer see each other clearly and the thorns grew sharper and deadlier with each passing day.
As their attraction grows, so do the dangers: attacks from black-eyed people, a cursed enemy who is more beast than man, and rumors of fae returning for the crown they believe was stolen from them long ago.
When her uncle holds the life of her deathly-ill father over her head, reluctantly, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. The man she allowed into her heart reveals his own secret plans with the return of magic-and he has every intention of using Elise to see them through.
The villagers became fearful, as they could no longer see each other clearly and the thorns grew sharper and deadlier with each passing day. The Curse of Shadows and Thorns affected every aspect of life in the village. Crops failed to grow, leaving the villagers hungry and desperate.
Curse of Shadows and Thorns (Hardcover)
As niece of the king, Elise Lysander cares about two things: sneaking into gambling dens, and avoiding an advantageous marriage at all costs.
When her uncle holds the life of her deathly-ill father over her head, reluctantly, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. He may be arrogant and infuriating, but soon Legion incites a blistering, forbidden passion she can't ignore.
As their attraction grows, so do the dangers: attacks from black-eyed people, a cursed enemy who is more beast than man, and rumors of fae returning for the crown they believe was stolen from them long ago.
After a bloody coup upends the kingdom, Elise flees with Legion, but nothing is as it seems. The man she allowed into her heart reveals his own secret plans with the return of magic-and he has every intention of using Elise to see them through.
With war between magic and mortal on the horizon, Elise must pick a side to protect her kingdom. Does she stand with her people who stole the throne? Or with a man who lied his way into her heart and whose secret past could bring her destruction?
Filled with luscious world building, banter-filled romance, and epic battles, this first book in the Broken Kingdoms series is part Viking, part Beauty and the Beast. One-click to start reading today.
*Author Note* Be prepared, these fairy tale retellings might begin as a slow burn romance, but the series progresses with the spice and steam. Book 1 is not the standard for the heat of the romance and each book gets spicier.
- Fantasy - Dark Fantasy
- Fantasy - Romance
- Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
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When her uncle holds the life of her deathly-ill father over her head, reluctantly, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. He may be arrogant and infuriating, but soon Legion incites a blistering, forbidden passion she can't ignore.
It became difficult to navigate through the village, as the thorns would entangle anyone who dared to venture out. Houses, once vibrant and welcoming, became overgrown with thorny vines, trapping their occupants inside. The curse also took a toll on the villagers' mental health. The constant darkness and entanglement of thorns created a sense of isolation and hopelessness. They lived in a constant state of fear, never knowing when the thorns might strike or what lurked in the depths of the shadows. Many attempts were made to break the curse, but all proved futile. The curse seemed unbreakable, and the villagers began to lose all hope. No one remembered a time without darkness and thorns, and the village sank deeper into despair. However, in every dark tale, there is always a glimmer of hope. It is said that a chosen one will arise to defeat the curse and bring daylight back to the village. This chosen one will possess a pure heart and an unwavering determination to break the chains of darkness. They will face numerous challenges and must confront the spirits who cast the curse in order to free the village from its grip. But until that day comes, the Curse of Shadows and Thorns continues to haunt the village, reminding its inhabitants of the power of ancient curses and the depths of darkness they can bring. The villagers cling to their hope, waiting for the chosen one to rise and lead them out of the eternal twilight and into the light..
Reviews for "A Whisper in the Night: The Curse of Shadows and Thorns Haunts Again"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Curse of Shadows and Thorns." The plot was predictable and unoriginal, and the characters were cliché and one-dimensional. I found myself skimming through the pages, waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. The writing style also felt juvenile and lacked depth. Overall, I don't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-written fantasy novel.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Curse of Shadows and Thorns." The storyline was confusing and convoluted, with too many unnecessary subplots. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real development. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the story. The world-building was also poorly executed, leaving me confused about the setting and the rules of the magical elements introduced. I had high hopes for this book, but it was a huge letdown.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Curse of Shadows and Thorns" was a struggle to get through. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the action scenes were lackluster. The main protagonist was unrelatable and made questionable decisions throughout the book, which made it difficult to root for her. The romantic subplot felt forced and didn't add any depth to the story. Additionally, there were several plot holes and inconsistencies that were never fully explained. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy readers.