Each present is a curse. In our consumerist society, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements and societal pressure to buy more and more. We are led to believe that having more material possessions will bring us happiness and fulfillment. But in reality, each present we acquire is a curse that weighs us down. When we receive a gift, it comes with a set of expectations and responsibilities. We feel obligated to use and cherish it, even if it doesn't align with our values or desires.
I think I had a similar feeling about the pacing of the second book, at the start at least. That book was elevated, for me, by the start of Aaron’s redemption arc and the same was pretty much the case here, as it continued (although less prevalent). In terms of the plot, it all starts to feel very much the same as the previous book. It felt like there wasn’t anything that differentiated this book from its predecessor. As such, I found I was a little bored by it at points.
The story pretty much follows on from the end of the previous book, with helpful reminders of just what happened then, as it s been a year or so since that was published and I d forgotten just about everything that happened in it. Meanwhile, the Children of Brigid are on a conversion mission, and when they focus their attention on Roe, Maeve makes it her mission to end the cult s reign of terror on the town.
We feel obligated to use and cherish it, even if it doesn't align with our values or desires. We may feel guilty or ungrateful if we don't fully appreciate the gift. And if we decide to get rid of it, we may face judgment from others who don't understand our reasons.
Every Gift a Curse (The Gifts #3) (Hardcover)
This is book number 3 in the The Gifts series.
- #2: The Gifts That Bind Us (Compact Disc): $39.99
Staff Reviews
All Our Hidden Gifts (2021), Gifts That Bind Us (2022), and Every Gift a Curse (2023):
"Present day Ireland, four coming-of-age witches learn to harness their powers to defend the magical well underneath the city of Kilbeg against an American evangelist cult! Maeve Chambers stumbles on an old deck of tarot cards in the school basement, and soon she is familiar enough with tarot to start reading her classmates’ cards. She makes enemies, she makes friends, and she is constantly at the center of magical-related drama. She and her friends, Roe, Lily, and Fiona, struggle to balance their education, their futures, and their identities all while coming into their own individual powers. Meanwhile, the Children of Brigid are on a conversion mission, and when they focus their attention on Roe, Maeve makes it her mission to end the cult’s reign of terror on the town. This was such a wild ride and I could not put it down. Fans of Derry Girls and The Craft/anything witchy will love this series. TW: homophobia, transphobia, hate crime, self-harm, and more. Take care of yourself while reading these books."--Reviewed by Meghan
Magic-sensitive Maeve wants to save the innocent from a dangerous cult. But how much can she delve into darkness without becoming what she fears? The exciting conclusion to the Gifts series.
Big things are happening for Maeve and her tight-knit coven in Kilbeg, Ireland. Fiona lands a role on a TV show, Roe’s band is poised to hit the big time, and Lily has a new punk style and passion for tattooing. Then there’s Maeve, whose magic is growing stronger and more frightening. She finds herself increasingly lashing out, doing and saying cruel things without knowing why. When her recurring dreams begin to involve her physically manifesting in other places, Maeve realizes the power she wields might not be entirely under her control. She turns to enemy-turned-maybe-friend Aaron for help, which means pushing her other friends away. But when the two learn that the religious cult the Children of Brigid is kidnapping vulnerable teenagers in preparation for a dangerous ritual, Maeve must risk letting an older magic consume her. She’ll need all the protection—and love—she can get from her scattered coven.
Caroline O’Donoghue is the author of All Our Hidden Gifts and The Gifts That Bind Us as well as fiction for adults. An Irish author, journalist, and host of the acclaimed podcast Sentimental Garbage, she has contributed to Grazia, the Irish Times, the Irish Examiner, BuzzFeed, Vice, and the Times (London). Caroline O’Donoghue lives in London.
- Young Adult Fiction / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
- Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Readers will be swept up both by interesting magical elements, such as Fiona’s communication with her familiar, a magpie named Paolo, and the more ordinary, recognizable details of the changes experienced by a group of teens on the cusp of adulthood. This appealing blend of realism and the paranormal and the evolution of each of the characters in their own rights is as satisfying as the final reckoning with the Housekeeper. . . A smartly plotted end to an emotionally engaging fantasy.
—Kirkus Reviews
Despite the fantastical backdrop, O’Donoghue’s characters seem wholly real in their dialogue and in their personal stories; Roe in particular has a major victory when a national magazine genders them correctly. Buy to finish the series, and eagerly await what comes next from this author.
—Booklist
With the Children of Brigid closing in once more, and Maeve’s friend group now fractured across Ireland, can they hope to ultimately save the town – and Maeve – from the grip of a power greater than they ever imagined?
All Our Hidden Gifts (2021), Gifts That Bind Us (2022), and Every Gift a Curse (2023):
"Present day Ireland, four coming-of-age witches learn to harness their powers to defend the magical well underneath the city of Kilbeg against an American evangelist cult! Maeve Chambers stumbles on an old deck of tarot cards in the school basement, and soon she is familiar enough with tarot to start reading her classmates’ cards. She makes enemies, she makes friends, and she is constantly at the center of magical-related drama. She and her friends, Roe, Lily, and Fiona, struggle to balance their education, their futures, and their identities all while coming into their own individual powers. Meanwhile, the Children of Brigid are on a conversion mission, and when they focus their attention on Roe, Maeve makes it her mission to end the cult’s reign of terror on the town. This was such a wild ride and I could not put it down. Fans of Derry Girls and The Craft/anything witchy will love this series. TW: homophobia, transphobia, hate crime, self-harm, and more. Take care of yourself while reading these books."--Reviewed by Meghan
Magic-sensitive Maeve wants to save the innocent from a dangerous cult. But how much can she delve into darkness without becoming what she fears? The exciting conclusion to the Gifts series.
Big things are happening for Maeve and her tight-knit coven in Kilbeg, Ireland. Fiona lands a role on a TV show, Roe’s band is poised to hit the big time, and Lily has a new punk style and passion for tattooing. Then there’s Maeve, whose magic is growing stronger and more frightening. She finds herself increasingly lashing out, doing and saying cruel things without knowing why. When her recurring dreams begin to involve her physically manifesting in other places, Maeve realizes the power she wields might not be entirely under her control. She turns to enemy-turned-maybe-friend Aaron for help, which means pushing her other friends away. But when the two learn that the religious cult the Children of Brigid is kidnapping vulnerable teenagers in preparation for a dangerous ritual, Maeve must risk letting an older magic consume her. She’ll need all the protection—and love—she can get from her scattered coven.
Caroline O’Donoghue is the author of All Our Hidden Gifts and The Gifts That Bind Us as well as fiction for adults. An Irish author, journalist, and host of the acclaimed podcast Sentimental Garbage, she has contributed to Grazia, the Irish Times, the Irish Examiner, BuzzFeed, Vice, and the Times (London). Caroline O’Donoghue lives in London.
- Young Adult Fiction / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
- Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Readers will be swept up both by interesting magical elements, such as Fiona’s communication with her familiar, a magpie named Paolo, and the more ordinary, recognizable details of the changes experienced by a group of teens on the cusp of adulthood. This appealing blend of realism and the paranormal and the evolution of each of the characters in their own rights is as satisfying as the final reckoning with the Housekeeper. . . A smartly plotted end to an emotionally engaging fantasy.
—Kirkus Reviews
Despite the fantastical backdrop, O’Donoghue’s characters seem wholly real in their dialogue and in their personal stories; Roe in particular has a major victory when a national magazine genders them correctly. Buy to finish the series, and eagerly await what comes next from this author.
—Booklist
Additionally, the accumulation of presents leads to clutter and excess in our lives. Our homes become filled with objects that we rarely use or even remember we have. This clutter creates stress and takes up mental and physical space, preventing us from truly enjoying our living environments. Furthermore, the constant pursuit of presents distracts us from what truly matters in life. Instead of focusing on experiences, relationships, personal growth, and meaningful connections, we become consumed with material possessions. We prioritize things over people and moments, leading to a shallow and unfulfilling existence. In reality, true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in the accumulation of presents. It is found in the intangible aspects of life – love, connection, personal growth, and purpose. By recognizing that each present is a curse, we can shift our focus away from material possessions and towards what truly matters. We can free ourselves from the burden of consumerism and embrace a more meaningful and fulfilling way of living..
Reviews for "each present is a curse"
- Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to read "Each present is a curse" based on the intriguing plotline, but unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. The characters felt underdeveloped and their actions often made no sense. The writing style was also quite confusing, with abrupt shifts in perspective that left me feeling disoriented. Overall, I found the book to be quite disappointing and it didn't live up to my expectations.
- John - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Each present is a curse" but ended up feeling let down. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and it felt like not much was happening for the majority of the book. Additionally, the plot twists were predictable and lacked any real impact. The protagonist was also quite unlikable and I found it hard to connect with them. Overall, I found the book to be a bit of a slog and it didn't hold my interest.
- Emily - 3/5
While "Each present is a curse" had an interesting concept, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style felt repetitive and overly descriptive, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged in the story. There were also several plot holes and inconsistencies throughout the book that left me feeling frustrated. However, the book did have some redeeming qualities, such as the unique world-building and the occasional moments of suspense. Overall, it was an okay read, but not something I would highly recommend.