The Curse of the Forgotten City Deep in the heart of an ancient civilization lies a forgotten city. Once thriving with life and prosperity, it now lay in ruins, haunted by a curse. Legend has it that this curse was brought upon the city by a powerful sorcerer who sought revenge for the city's betrayal. Long ago, the city was a bustling metropolis, filled with grand architecture, advanced technology, and a thriving economy. The people were prosperous, and their society flourished. However, the city's prosperity came at a cost.
A mightily marvelous sequel. (Fantasy. 8-12)
Following the Night Witch s demise, which led to her cursing and perhaps blessing Tor with her prodigious powers, her wide-reaching curses and spells have been broken. As Tor grapples with his newfound power and role as the Night Witch s successor, the trio also slowly explores the still-fresh wounds and traumas from their previous adventure.
However, the city's prosperity came at a cost. The ruler of the city, a greedy and corrupt individual, oppressed the surrounding villages and used their resources for his own gain. The villagers became resentful and plotted against the city.
CURSE OF THE FORGOTTEN CITY
Tor, Melda, and Engle embark on an adventure miraculous and precarious to save Estrelle from the dreaded Calavera.
Following the Night Witch’s demise, which led to her cursing (and perhaps blessing) Tor with her prodigious powers, her wide-reaching curses and spells have been broken. The Calavera, a band of fearsome, malicious pirates, now seek the Pirate’s Pearl, a powerful orb that grants its possessor the power to control the mighty seas. To halt the Calavera’s looming assault on Estrelle, Tor, Melda, and Engle set sail on the Night Witch’s ship before the gruesome pirates can reach their beloved village. Aided by newcomer Vesper, a feisty silver-haired waterbreather with her share of secrets, as well as the Book of Seas, Tor and friends gain new friendships, face fearsome creatures and foes, and traverse the ferocious seas in their quest for the Pearl. Aster’s brisk, lyrical prose weaves rich, intriguing worldbuilding details and wrinkles into this engrossing series that encompasses tales indebted to Latin American myths. A few slower middle chapters introduce new characters that expand the world’s scope; this entry showcases the author’s profound strides in maturing her characters, the series’ true strength. As Tor grapples with his newfound power and role as the Night Witch’s successor, the trio also slowly explores the still-fresh wounds and traumas from their previous adventure. A cliffhanger ending thankfully promises even more adventures. Characters have a range of skin tones.
A mightily marvelous sequel. (Fantasy. 8-12)
Pub Date: June 8, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4926-9723-7
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Review Posted Online: April 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2021
Categories:Share your opinion of this book
More by Alex Aster
- BOOK REVIEW
Word of this rebellion reached the ears of Zafir, a sorcerer dwelling in a hidden cave outside the city. Zafir had long despised the ruler and his unjust ways. He understood the villagers' anger and decided to help them take revenge. Using his dark powers, Zafir cast a powerful curse upon the city. He swore that the city and its inhabitants would be forgotten by the world, sinking into a state of eternal ruin and despair. He wanted the ruler to feel the same sense of futility and powerlessness that the villagers did. The curse took hold almost immediately. The once-thriving city now became a ghost town, its streets empty and its buildings crumbling. No one remembered its name or its glorious past. The curse rendered the city invisible to the outside world, and those who dared to venture near it would feel an overwhelming sense of dread and despair. Generations passed, and the curse remained unbroken. Many adventurers came in search of the legendary forgotten city, but none ever returned. It seemed that the curse had seeped into the land itself, protecting the city and its secrets from prying eyes. As time went on, the curse began to take its toll on Zafir as well. Consumed by guilt and remorse, he sought a way to lift the curse. He realized that his revenge had only perpetuated the cycle of suffering and had not brought about the justice he had hoped for. In his quest for redemption, Zafir embarked on a dangerous journey to break the curse. He studied ancient texts and sought guidance from wise sages. After years of research and self-reflection, he discovered that the only way to undo the curse was through an act of selflessness and sacrifice. Zafir returned to the forgotten city and performed a powerful ritual, offering his own life in exchange for the city's freedom. As his life force dwindled, the curse began to weaken. Slowly, but surely, the city started to regain its former glory. The streets once again teemed with life, and the buildings stood tall and proud. The curse was finally lifted, and the people of the forgotten city rejoiced. They honored Zafir as a hero and vowed to never repeat the mistakes of the past. The city became a beacon of prosperity and justice, a testament to the power of redemption and forgiveness. And so, the curse of the forgotten city came to an end, leaving behind a powerful lesson about the consequences of greed and the importance of empathy and compassion. The city's story serves as a reminder that every action has its consequences, and that true strength lies in forgiveness, not revenge..
Reviews for "The forgotten city's lost industries: exploring its economic past"
- Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Curse of the Forgotten City" after hearing great things about it, but I was honestly disappointed. The plot was confusing and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Additionally, the writing style felt forced and pretentious at times, making it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by this book.
- Justin - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish "Curse of the Forgotten City" because I found it incredibly boring and uninspiring. The pacing was painfully slow, and the characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and ultimately decided to put it down halfway through. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and well-written fantasy novel.
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Curse of the Forgotten City" had potential, but it fell short for me. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with many unanswered questions about the setting and its history. The dialogue between characters felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to become invested in the story. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it.