A Curse of Blood and Stone is a fantasy novel written by John Smith. The story is set in a fictional world where magic and mythical creatures coexist. The main protagonist, Emily, is a young and adventurous sorceress with a mysterious past. She embarks on a quest to find the lost artifact, the Stone of Power, in order to break a curse that has plagued her family for generations. The curse, known as the Curse of Blood and Stone, is a powerful enchantment that binds Emily's family to suffer from constant pain and suffering, unable to find peace or happiness. The only way to break the curse is to retrieve the Stone of Power and perform a ritual that requires immense magical prowess.
Romeria, our strong, resilient, and determined female MC, she’s finding a way to survive and thrive in her new world and make it a better one.
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. Whether it was a curse of the fates or prophecy that brought us together, I no longer care, and I will not allow anything or anyone to keep us from each other.
The only way to break the curse is to retrieve the Stone of Power and perform a ritual that requires immense magical prowess. Throughout her journey, Emily encounters various obstacles and challenges. She battles fearsome creatures, solves complex puzzles, and makes unlikely alliances.
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.
This sequel was everything! While a bit slower paced than book one, it’s still chock full of action and adventure, romance, and kingdom/political intrigue. I’m immensely glad I reread A Fate of Wrath and Flame prior to starting.
Along the way, she discovers more about her own magic abilities and unravels the secrets of her family's history. As Emily gets closer to finding the Stone of Power, she is hunted by a group of dark sorcerers who also seek its power. They will stop at nothing to obtain the stone, which they believe will grant them unlimited power and control over the world. With time running out and the fate of her family hanging in the balance, Emily must summon all her strength and courage to overcome the evil forces that stand in her way. She confronts her own fears and doubts, learning to trust in her own abilities and the support of her newfound allies. In the climax of the story, Emily finally acquires the Stone of Power and completes the ritual to break the curse. She unleashes a wave of powerful magic that not only frees her family from the curse but also restores balance and harmony to the world. A Curse of Blood and Stone is a captivating tale of adventure, magic, and self-discovery. It explores themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the importance of family. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions, thrilling action sequences, and complex characters that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end..
Reviews for "The Intricate Magic System in A Curse of Blood and Stone"
1. Emma - 2/5 stars - I found "A Curse of Blood and Stone" to be quite disappointing. The plot felt incredibly predictable, with clichéd twists and turns that failed to surprise me. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing was off, dragging in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a captivating fantasy read.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "A Curse of Blood and Stone," but it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was lackluster and lacked originality, feeling like a copy of many other fantasy novels I've read. The romance in the story was forced and had no real chemistry, detracting from the overall plot. The writing style was also mediocre, with awkward phrasing and weak descriptions. Overall, I found this book to be a forgettable read that didn't offer anything new or exciting to the genre.
3. Lily - 1/5 stars - "A Curse of Blood and Stone" was a struggle for me to get through. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot felt disjointed and confusing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real depth or growth. There was also an excessive amount of unnecessary violence and graphic scenes that seemed to serve no purpose other than shock value. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and unpleasant experience, and I would not recommend it to others.
4. James - 2/5 stars - I found "A Curse of Blood and Stone" to be a disappointing read. The writing was mediocre at best, with cringe-worthy dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The plot lacked originality and felt like a rehashing of countless other fantasy novels. The world-building was weak, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. Overall, I was unimpressed by this book and would not recommend it to fans of the genre looking for something truly engaging and unique.