A Curse of Blood and Stone In ancient times, a curse was cast upon a small village nestled among the mountains. This curse was unlike any other, as it transformed the villagers' bodies into solid stone. Their lives were frozen in time, their existence reduced to mere statues scattered throughout the once bustling streets. Legend has it that the curse was brought upon the village by a vengeful sorcerer. The sorcerer, whose name has long been forgotten, was betrayed by the villagers and sought revenge for their treachery. With a flick of his wrist and a chant of ancient words, he cast the curse upon the unsuspecting villagers.
Zander, an ultimately good king and man, he grapples with his new reality determined to find the best solution for the kingdom of Islor and his people.
elven x immortals with a twist fates x casters x mythical monsters thief heist backstory medieval-esque times other realms x elemental magic a king x his captive kingdom x courtly intrigue slow burn, enemies to lovers x fake relationship a kingdom x its history steeped in blood. He can offer his allies no honest explanation for why he protects the Ybarisan princess and takes counsel from Queen Neilina s caster, leading those closest to doubt his wisdom and his allegiance.
With a flick of his wrist and a chant of ancient words, he cast the curse upon the unsuspecting villagers. The curse took hold swiftly, turning men, women, and even children into lifeless stone figures. The once vibrant village became a haunting graveyard frozen in an eternal gloom.
A Curse of Blood & Stone: A Book Review
Another adventurous installment of the Fate & Flame fantasy series by K.A. Tucker, A Curse of Blood & Stone continues the story of Romeria who finds herself with immense magical power abilities within a world she is still trying to figure out.
The angst between Romy and the outcast elven king, Zander, had all the typical Tucker amazingness as the two characters tried to fight against their forbidden feelings toward each other. I think I would like a tad bit more romance within the story between them but I’m hoping there is a lot more to come.
I really liked that Romy’s abilities are growing and that she picked up a bunch of mortal strays as a cost for saving their lives. I feel like these characters will continue to play an important role in the next book.
While it did take me a bit to grasp what was happening because a lot occurred in the first novel, I appreciated the pace to be able to remember the backstory to what was happening as the author provided along the way.
There was enjoyable action, magic, character development and new friends in this story and I can’t wait to see what happens in the third book!
Thank you Valentine PR and K.A. Tucker for the advanced reader’s copy. Thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Book Description
From jewelry thief to interloper to queen-in-waiting, Romeria flees Cirilea a traitor to all. But the yawning distance between her and Zander troubles her more than any king’s bounty on her head. While Zander may have escaped by her side, he seeks to regain his throne, and no immortal will ever welcome her as Islor’s queen. She fears it won’t be long before Zander abandons her as everyone else she’s ever loved has.
Zander sacrificed his crown to save Romeria’s life, yet he dreads what her existence means for the future of his realm. As Ybaris’s plan to destroy Islor unfurls, a more insidious threat, orchestrated by rival fates, lurks beneath the surface. He can offer his allies no honest explanation for why he protects the Ybarisan princess and takes counsel from Queen Neilina’s caster, leading those closest to doubt his wisdom—and his allegiance.
As their company aims for the Venhorn Mountains, steered by prophecy, Romeria is desperate to wield her newfound abilities to undo Princess Romeria’s treachery before the kingdom tears itself apart. But with the mortal rebellion swelling, bolstered by the gift of Ybaris’s poison, it may already be too late.
From internationally bestselling author K.A. Tucker comes the second novel in her Fate and Flame series, an adult fantasy story that should be read in series order.
The curse not only affected the villagers, but also the animals and plants that thrived in the surrounding area. It seemed as though nature itself mourned the loss of life that this curse had brought. Over the centuries, the curse became the stuff of legends, passed down through generations. Travelers and explorers, drawn by the chilling tale, sought out the cursed village. They would approach the village, only to be met by the eerie sight of statues standing in perpetual agony. The curse was so powerful that even the most skilled and powerful sorcerers could not break its hold. However, hope was not completely lost. The legends whispered of a prophecy that foretold the breaking of the curse. According to the prophecy, a person from a distant land would come to the village, carrying within them the power to lift the curse and bring life back to the petrified souls. As time passed, hope diminished, and the curse seemed unbeatable. But one day, a young wanderer stumbled upon the cursed village. She had heard the whispers of the prophecy and was driven by an unrelenting determination to free the villagers from their stone prison. The young wanderer embarked on a quest to understand the curse's origins and find a way to break its hold. Through her research, she discovered an ancient relic hidden deep within the mountains. This relic was said to contain the power to reverse the curse, but its location was known only to the sorcerer himself. After a perilous journey, the young wanderer found the hidden relic. With trembling hands, she held it aloft, chanting the ancient words that would release the villagers from their stone prison. The air crackled with energy, and a blinding light engulfed the village. When the light faded, the statues had disappeared, replaced by breathing, living villagers. The curse of blood and stone had been broken, and the village rejoiced. They celebrated their newfound freedom, never forgetting the young wanderer who had saved them from their eternal torment. And so, the curse of blood and stone became a tale of triumph, reminding all who heard it that even the darkest of curses can be broken with resilient will and unwavering hope..
Reviews for "Unexplained Phenomena: The Curse of Blood and Stone"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "A Curse of Blood and Stone." The story had potential, but the execution was lacking. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their motivations were unclear. The plot was also very predictable, and I was able to guess the twist from the very beginning. Overall, I found the book to be dull and lacking depth.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't finish "A Curse of Blood and Stone" as the writing style was just not engaging at all. The prose felt awkward and forced, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or the characters. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself constantly losing interest. The world-building was also poorly executed, leaving me confused and disconnected from the narrative. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it was a huge letdown.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "A Curse of Blood and Stone" had an interesting premise, but the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden bursts of action. This made it difficult for me to stay engaged with the story. The dialogue also felt stilted and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. Overall, I found the book to be a mediocre fantasy novel that failed to live up to its potential.
4. Alex - 2.5 stars - While "A Curse of Blood and Stone" had some intriguing concepts and a unique magic system, I ultimately found it to be underwhelming. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their fates. The plot also felt rushed and disjointed, with important details and explanations being glossed over. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary, adding little to the overall story. Overall, this book had potential, but it failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience.