Once upon a time, in a world of fantasy and enchantment, there was a powerful and mystical curse that haunted queens throughout history. This curse, known as the "Magical Curse on Queens," was a dark and mysterious force that had the ability to bring great misfortune and tragedy to any queen who fell victim to its wrath. The origin and purpose of this curse remains a mystery to this day. Some say it was the result of an ancient spell cast by a jealous sorceress, while others believe it was a test of resilience and strength for those chosen to rule. Regardless of its origins, this curse brought a deep sorrow and despair to the lives of the queens who suffered its effects. **The curse manifested differently for each queen, but its presence was always felt**.
**The curse manifested differently for each queen, but its presence was always felt**. Some queens experienced a series of unfortunate events, such as wars, political instability, and betrayal. Others faced personal tragedies, such as losing their loved ones or being unable to produce an heir to secure their bloodline.
A Curse of Queens by Amanda Bouchet – a Review
Description:
The queen has been cursed, and no one knows who’s behind the plot to threaten the realm’s fragile peace. Desperate to help, Jocasta hatches a plan to find Circe’s Garden, a fabled island where she hopes to discover an antidote. But she can’t do it alone. She needs the strong arm and unflinching bravery of the warrior she’s loved since childhood—her brother’s right-hand-man and captain of the guard, Flynn of Sinta.
Together they can do the impossible. Yet with treachery brewing on Mount Olympus, one thing is clear: Thalyria and its new royals are still pawns in an epic game of power—one that might end in a War of Gods.
A Curse of Queens by Amanda Bouchet is the 4 th book in her fantastic Kingmaker Chronicles series. Having loved the original three books in this series, I was thrilled to learn that Amanda was giving us more of the Kingmaker Chronicles; I could not wait to read A Curse of Queens. Once again, I was in my glory, reading this wonderful fantasy, so very well written by Amanda Bouchet. A Curse of Queens takes place months after the ending of the third book, and while it reads very well as a standalone, I feel you should read the earlier books, if you have not read them.
Cat & Griffin starred in the previous three books, ending their trilogy; now Cat has been cursed, and no one knows who is behind this plot. Jocasta, our heroine, is Griffin’s sister and a healer. She studies the curse, and decides she may have a way to save Cat and their unborn child, but she needs to find an antidote. The antidote is on Circe’s Garden, an unknown mythical island, that no one has ever come back from.
Jocasta says she will need help, and knows Flynn, the man she has loved for many years, will go with her. Flynn has secretly loved Jocasta, but due to losing so many family members, he refuses to allow himself to show his feelings. Cat and Griffin assign others to join Jocasta and Flynn on this mission; Carver, Bellanca and Prometheus.
What follows is a non-stop action, intense, suspenseful adventure that had me constantly on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down. Along the way, they are faced with epic battles, with every member of the Elpis team will find themselves in dangerous situations. Jocasta was a great heroine, with her smarts, healing ability, knowledge of spells and potions, not to mention she was strong and feisty. I loved her and Flynn together, and in the later part of the book, they finally succumb to their feelings. I loved the great secondary characters, Carver, Bellanca, Prometheus, as well as the Greek mythology gods they come across. I also got a kick out of the constant bantering between Carver and Bellanca.
A Curse of Queens was another fantastic addition to the Kingmaker Chronicles, which was also action filled, intense, with amazing battles. We also got a fabulous sexy romance, great bantering and wonderful secondary characters. If you have not read the Kingmaker Chronicles first three books (Cat & Griffin), you need to go back and read them. It is a must read, and a great addition to follow with A Curse of Queens. Amanda Bouchet is one of my favorite fantasy authors, as I will never miss anything she writes.
Reviewed by Barb
Copy provided by Publisher
"Give this to your Game of Thrones fans."—Booklist STARRED Review
**One common theme among the cursed queens was a sense of isolation and loneliness**. They often found themselves surrounded by courtiers and advisors, but none who truly understood the weight of their burdens. This isolation, coupled with the constant fear of what the curse might bring next, led many queens to live in a constant state of anxiety and melancholy. Yet, amidst the darkness of this curse, there were queens who defied its power and rose above the challenges it presented. These resilient rulers found strength within themselves and became beacons of hope and inspiration for their kingdoms. **They used their pain as a catalyst for change and transformation, forging a legacy that would be remembered long after the curse had been broken**. The Magical Curse on Queens serves as a reminder that even the most powerful and regal individuals are not immune to life's hardships. It teaches us that strength and resilience can be found in the most unexpected places, and that the true measure of a ruler is not in their ability to avoid pain, but in their ability to rise above it. In the end, the Magical Curse on Queens was not a curse at all, but a test of character and determination. Those queens who embraced the challenges it presented emerged not as victims, but as true queens worthy of admiration and respect..
Reviews for "The Curse of Vanity: How Queens Fall into the Trap of Dark Magic"
1. Lily - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really excited to read "A Magical Curse on Queens" as I am a big fan of fantasy novels. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was predictable and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional and unrelatable. The writing style was also quite dull and failed to hold my attention. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to other fantasy lovers.
2. Ben - ★★☆☆☆
I had high expectations for "A Magical Curse on Queens" based on the promising synopsis, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The world-building was weak, and the magical elements felt underdeveloped. The pacing was also off, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. I struggled to connect with the characters, as they lacked depth and their motivations weren't adequately explored. Overall, this book felt like a missed opportunity and left me wanting more.
3. Amanda - ★★☆☆☆
I found "A Magical Curse on Queens" to be a mediocre read. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The dialogue felt forced, and the interactions between characters felt unnatural. The romance subplot was also cliché and lacked chemistry. Additionally, the writing style was average at best, failing to transport me into the fantastical world the author was attempting to create. I found myself skimming through the pages, just hoping it would eventually improve, but unfortunately, it never did. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy novel.