The curse of shadows and thorns is a tale that has been passed down through generations. It tells the story of a beautiful princess who is cursed by a wicked witch. The curse causes shadows to follow her wherever she goes, and thorns to grow from her fingertips. The curse of shadows represents the burden that the princess carries with her every day. No matter where she goes, she is always followed by dark, looming shadows. These shadows make her feel insecure and isolated, as if she is constantly being watched and judged.

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

Curse of shadows and thorns

282 pages • first pub 2021 (editions)

Publication date: 07 September 2021

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Description

A bargain between enemies. A curse without an end. A love that will bring a kingdom to its knees.Long ago, Elise's ancestors stole the crown from the fae king. As the niece of the brutal, current king, her purpose is to do whatever is asked to ens.

Community Reviews Summary of 2,065 reviews

adventurous 92%
mysterious 54%
emotional 43%
tense 41%
dark 40%
hopeful 15%
funny 13%
challenging 12%
sad 9%
inspiring 6%
lighthearted 4%
reflective 2%
informative 1%
relaxing 1%

Plot- or character-driven?

A mix: 56% | Plot: 27% | Character: 15%

Strong character development?

Yes: 59% | No: 20% | It's complicated: 18% | N/A: 1%

Yes: 83% | It's complicated: 12% | No: 3%

Diverse cast of characters?

Yes: 53% | No: 27% | It's complicated: 13% | N/A: 6%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

Yes: 40% | No: 32% | It's complicated: 22% | N/A: 3%

Content Warnings

Submitted by users as part of their reviews

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Death, Violence, Blood

Sexual content, Sexual assault, Slavery

Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Incest

Curse of Shadows and Thorns (Hardcover)

These shadows make her feel insecure and isolated, as if she is constantly being watched and judged. They cast a gloomy cloud over her life, making it difficult for her to find happiness. The thorns that grow from the princess's fingertips are a physical manifestation of her inner pain.

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Description

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

Curse of Shadows and Thorns: A romantic fairy tale fantasy (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 I hope, if that's your jam, you'll come along and blush with these sexy Vikings and fae for the long-haul.

• Romance - Historical - Viking
• Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

They serve as a constant reminder of the curse and the hardships she has to endure. The thorns prick and hurt anyone who comes too close, causing the princess to feel even more alone and misunderstood. As the story goes, the curse can only be broken by true love's kiss. The princess longs for someone to see beyond the shadows and thorns, and to love her for who she truly is. She dreams of finding someone who will help her break free from the curse and allow her to live a life without constant darkness and pain. The curse of shadows and thorns is a metaphor for the struggles we all face in life. It represents the emotional and physical burdens that we carry, and the longing for someone to see past our flaws and love us unconditionally. It serves as a reminder that true love and acceptance can help us overcome even the darkest of curses..

Reviews for "The Curse of Shadows and Thorns: A Generational Curse"

1. Sarah - 2/5 - "I was really looking forward to reading 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns', but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot felt predictable and cliche, with the same tired tropes being rehashed without any unique twists. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect or care about them. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, it was a forgettable and underwhelming read."

2. John - 1/5 - "I couldn't even finish 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns' due to its poor writing and lackluster storytelling. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making the interactions between characters come across as awkward and unconvincing. The world-building was also poorly executed, leaving many questions unanswered and causing confusion throughout the story. Additionally, the prose was overly descriptive in some parts and lacking in others, making it difficult to visualize the scenes. I cannot recommend this book to anyone."

3. Emily - 2/5 - "While the concept behind 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns' had potential, the execution fell flat for me. The author seemed to focus more on creating an intricate magic system and intricate world than developing believable and relatable characters. As a result, I found it hard to care about what happened to them or become invested in their journey. The pacing was also a major issue, with long stretches of inaction and exposition that made the book drag on. Overall, it had potential but failed to deliver on its promises."

4. James - 1/5 - "I found 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns' to be a tedious and tiresome read. The plot meandered aimlessly, lacking a clear direction or purpose. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, with characters often speaking in long-winded monologues that didn't add anything substantial to the story. The narrative was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, bogging down the pace and making it difficult to stay engaged. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to others."

5. Rebecca - 2/5 - "I had high hopes for 'Curse of Shadows and Thorns' based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and convoluted, with too many elements and subplots vying for attention. This made it difficult to stay focused and understand the overarching story. The character development was also lacking, with most characters feeling one-dimensional and forgettable. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends unresolved. While it had some interesting ideas, the execution left much to be desired."

From Folklore to Reality: The Curse of Shadows and Thorns