"The Curse of Saintsvbook" Legend has it that the small village of Saintsvbook is cursed. Nestled deep in the mountains, the village is said to be plagued by misfortune and tragedy. Locals believe that this curse has haunted their people for centuries. According to the legend, the curse began when a young maiden fell in love with a forbidden suitor. Enraged and against the match, her family sought to separate them. In desperation, the maiden made a pact with dark forces to be with her beloved.
In desperation, the maiden made a pact with dark forces to be with her beloved. However, this act of forbidden love and dark magic unleashed a curse upon the village. Since that fateful day, the villagers have experienced a series of unfortunate events.
Review: The Curse of Saints by Kate Dramis
**THE INSTANT NO. 2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**
THE SPELLBINDING NEW FANTASY DEBUT THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT!
'A sparkling masterpiece of fantasy! The world building was original and expertly done, the enemies to lovers is unmatched' 5***** READER REVIEW
'I was hooked from the very first chapter. Fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout are bound to fall in love with this fast-paced romantic fantasy' 5***** READER REVIEW
'This book has everything I adore about this genre - powerful female lead, full of action and adventure, twists and turns . . . Brilliant!' 5***** READER REVIEW
____________Has she been sent to save the realm or destroy it?
As Spymaster to the Queen, Aya's blood oath ensures she protects those she fights alongside - including Will, the Queen's Enforcer and Aya's bitter rival.
When rumours of dark magic rise in a nearby kingdom, both are sent to investigate.
But when Aya's power acts beyond her gods-given affinity, she risks being turned into a weapon in a war she doesn't know how to win.
And when her relationship with Will unexpectedly shifts, neither knows the danger that will follow . . .
____________INCLUDED IN COSMOPOLITAN'S BEST BOOKS OF MAY 2023
'I wish I could read it again for the first time. You will fall in love with not only the characters but the story itself, absolutely breathtaking' 5***** READER REVIEW'Every interaction between Aya and Will made me squeal and I am obsessed with them' 5***** READER REVIEW
'The first paragraph of chapter one grabbed me and I was immediately hooked' 5***** READER REVIEW
Kate Drami’s debut novel The Curse of Saints makes use of many well-loved tropes, but it’s missing that special something that distinguishes it from its comparators.
As Spymaster to the Queen, Aya is one of the most respected – and feared – people in her kingdom. Part of the Queen’s guard and her Third-in-Command, few citizens of her realm are more powerful. But unbeknownst to all, even her beloved Queen,, Aya’s tenuous grip on her staggering powerful magic is weakening. If she doesn’t learn to control her emotions, disaster will inevitably follow. If only Aya didn’t have to work so closely with Will, her bitter rival since childhood and a major pain in her ass. As the Queen’s Enforcer, the pair must work together to capture spies, foil plots, and generally uphold the interests of their realm.
When rumors of a dark magic in a nearby kingdom begin to spread, Will and Aya are sent to investigate. Could this power be the prophesied darkness that will break the veil between humans and the gods, calling forth the end of times? While investigating (spying) abroad, Aya’s emotional state becomes even more tumultuous as she begins to suspect that Will himself might be connected to this darkness – and even a plot to unseat the Queen.
Bit by bit, Dramis reveals the reason behind their discord – and it’s a good one. It may be a trope as old as time, but I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance arc. What can I say? Sue me. The seething tension between Aya and Will is delightful (Will’s “romantic” lines, less so). Unfortunately, I thought Aya and Will were much more compelling when they hated each other’s guts compared to their dynamic as a couple. It felt a little flat, which is a major disappointment in a fantasy romance novel.
These people are spymasters, generals, and diplomats, but half the time they’re running around acting like teenagers.
As with so many fantasy novels I’ve read lately, my main issue here was with the characters. I can forgive fantasy romance a lot of sins, but I can’t forgive sloppy character work. These people are spymasters, generals, and enforcers, but half the time they’re running around acting like teenagers. Maybe fantasy writers should give it a rest with all these twenty year-old government officials. I don’t know how safe I’d feel if I knew that the people running my kingdom, supposedly cunning and dangerous people, were falling for juvenile schemes. Blowing off a mission to get drunk in a medieval style dive bar after a fight with your prospective girlfriend is incredibly embarrassing behaviour.
I also wish I could speak more to the world building, but it was weirdly convoluted. Aya, Will, and the other members of the Queen’s elite forces all have magical abilities given to them by the gods, but the reason why the gods bestowed these gifts was never explained. Their magics are meant to stop the coming of an apocalypse, but the apocalypse might actually be the gods returning to the realm? I swear I was reading carefully, but I didn’t grasp it. Maybe that confusion is intentional, since Aya doesn’t understand the scope of her powers or her role in the coming battle, but instead of being intrigued by the mystery I just felt frustrated.
The Curse of Saints has significant crossover appeal for YA readers, but that isn’t me. I wanted to read an adult fantasy romance, not an average YA fantasy with a bland and familiar setting and characters. I won’t be continuing the series.
From failed crops to unexplained illnesses, the curse has taken its toll on the once-thriving community. Many say that the curse even affects outsiders who visit the village, encountering hardships and misfortunes while within its borders. Over the years, various attempts have been made to break the curse, but all have been in vain. Some villagers believe that the curse can only be lifted if the forbidden lovers' descendants reconcile and make amends. Others think that an act of great sacrifice or a specific ritual must be performed to appease the dark forces. Despite the challenges they face, the villagers of Saintsvbook have managed to forge a strong community spirit. They support each other through tough times, hoping for a brighter future. Many have chosen to embrace their folklore and superstitions, almost accepting the curse as an inherent part of their lives. Tourists and thrill-seekers occasionally visit Saintsvbook to witness the curse firsthand or attempt to break it. While some remain skeptical of the curse's existence, others have experienced bizarre events that leave them questioning their beliefs. Despite the numerous legends and tales surrounding the curse, its exact origins and nature remain shrouded in mystery. The curse of Saintsvbook continues to capture the imagination of those who hear of its existence, perpetuating its notoriety throughout the ages. And so, the village stands as a testament to the powers of love, sacrifice, and the enduring grip of the supernatural..
Reviews for "The psychological effects of the saintsvbook curse"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "The Curse of Saints" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was predictable and cliché, and the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward phrasing and repetitive use of certain phrases. Overall, I found it difficult to stay engaged with the story and ended up skimming through the last few chapters just to finish it.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
"The Curse of Saints" had a promising premise, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing was slow, and the story seemed to drag on without much happening. The characters were not well-developed, and their actions and motivations often felt unrealistic. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and at times felt forced. While there were a few suspenseful moments, they were too far between to hold my interest. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "The Curse of Saints," but it ultimately didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with too many subplots and unnecessary twists that didn't enhance the main story. The writing style was also a letdown, with excessive descriptions and overwritten prose that detracted from the storytelling. While there were a few intriguing moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lack of coherence. Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me.
4. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
"The Curse of Saints" was a complete disappointment. The characters were unlikable and lacked any redeeming qualities, making it difficult to care about their fates. The plot was contrived and the supernatural elements felt forced, making it hard to suspend disbelief. The writing style was also frustrating, with excessive use of clichés and awkward sentence structures. I struggled to find anything positive to say about this book and would not recommend it to others.
5. Mark - ★★☆☆☆
I found "The Curse of Saints" to be an average read at best. The story had potential, but it lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other paranormal suspense novels I've read. The pacing was slow, and the plot didn't offer many surprises or twists. The characters were forgettable, and I struggled to connect with any of them. While it wasn't a terrible book, it didn't stand out in any way and failed to leave a lasting impression.