The belt curse is a superstitious belief that wearing a belt can bring bad luck or negative consequences. This belief varies across different cultures and regions of the world. In some cultures, it is believed that wearing a belt during childbirth can bring harm to the mother and child. It is thought that the belt can tighten around the waist and hinder the natural process of giving birth. This belief may have originated from the idea that belts restrict movement and can cause discomfort during labor. In certain regions, there is a belief that wearing a belt while sleeping can cause nightmares or restless sleep.

A Vermilion Curse

Former scholar turned mercenary Ryesand Valafar rummages through a ransacked city for banned religious texts, seeking information about ancient and dangerous magic. While investigating an abandoned temple, he encounters a threatening woman with a price on her head high enough to fund his research.

Wanted by both the crown for her involvement in the dead king's occult studies and a menacing cult, Cressida Benoit searches for a way to get rid of a brand that scars her in the besieged capital in order to make her grand escape. An encounter with a demon leaves her in bonds.

When this unlikely pair of opposing personalities discover that they have similar objectives relating to the outlawed religion, they agree to work together to find the place where all dark magic stems from. This proves to be a difficult task when their journey is tracked by a war commander set on bringing them to justice, a family they must escort back to a circus, and the growing tension rising between Ryesand and Cressida, serving as a distraction from their individual goals. In the midst of shifting rulers, villages, disarray, and a scattered court of decadence - falling in love was never in the cards.

Content Warnings for:
Demons
Drug usage
Alcohol consumption
Aphrodisiac usage
Sex Pollen trope in Chapter 18
General fantasy violence
Blood magic
Dark magic rituals near act 3

Genres FantasyRomanceFantasy RomanceQueerLGBT

356 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2023

About the author

DC Guevara is a fantasy-romance author who enjoys lounging on the beach, going to the movies, and browsing bookstores in her spare time. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art History with a minor concentration in English Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. Utilizing English as her second language, she started to explore her love for literature by writing some herself and has never looked back since. She found a home in the romance genre and has started carving out little worlds with her favorite subsections within them and with luck, she aims to add historical fiction, urban fantasy, and gothic romances to her roster. She currently resides in her homeland of Puerto Rico with her partner and their pets, two cats and one dog, who are the real bosses of the household.

In certain regions, there is a belief that wearing a belt while sleeping can cause nightmares or restless sleep. This superstition suggests that the belt acts as a boundary that traps negative energy or spirits, leading to disturbed sleep patterns. Therefore, some people choose to remove their belts before going to bed to avoid any potential negative consequences.

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3 books 41 followers

A Vermillon Curse was such an adventure filled read! The world, the CHARACTERS! I was intrigued from start to finish 😍 Seeing Rye and Cress going from distaste to desperate longing to that scene warms my heart so much 💕💕 I love them so much and seeing them be happy together warms my heart

IT'S OUT
Go pick it up for disaster bisexuals

Ive received an arc from the author and this is my honest review.

4,5 rounding up to 5 !

A vermilion curse is a whirlwind, you have no time to breath and it was genuinely a super entertaining book. The characters were so fun to follow and their banter war excellent.
Cressida reminded me of Eugenides from Queen’s thief. And I loved it. She’s full of energy, sarcasm and overall super resourceful. Ryesand on the other hand is more reserved and he’s baby. Is he a super tall demon ? Yes. Is he still baby? Also yes. Don’t ask question. I love him.

If you’re a fan of adventure movie, fantasy and you just love to have fun while reading : this book is perfect for you !

6 books 62 followers

Read an eARC from the author
Content Warnings: fantasy violence, human sacrifice, death (on-page in flashbacks), explicit sexual acts, sex pollen (dubious consent), PTSD, fantasy hate crimes, dead parents (mentioned in flashbacks)

A demon seeking redemption from a scholarly brotherhood and spymaster on the run from an accusation of regicide cross paths in A Vermilion Curse. Both Ryseand and Cressida have their own ulterior motives for teaming up as a battle couple. With a queernorm world steeped in the aesthetics and the lived-in worldbuilding reminiscent of the Dragonlance novels, A Vermilion Curse enchants with its slow-burn romance and breakneck plot. An utter delight for fans of Berserk, fantasy, and romance in equal measure.

This novel has everything anyone can want from a fantasy adventure. Polar opposites—a planner and a pantser—meet on the run from different tragedies. Ryesand, a demon, seeks redemption from the Brotherhood who cast him out, while Cressida is a spymaster on the run from crimes she didn’t commit. Chthassyl cultists chase both of them for different ends. It’s dangerous, but there is some excellent competency porn where our main characters are involved. Between Ryesand being the level-headed scholar and Cressida the rogue with a heart of gold looking for healing, the opposites attract deliciously, and so much of the fun lies in watching them trust each other and grow closer.

The success of a romance novel falls on the chemistry and development of its main characters, and Guevara excels here. Despite being a bit of a bisexual disaster, Cressida is quick on her feet and can get herself out of situations as soon as she gets in them. Ryesand, on the other hand, is far more reserved and keeps his truth closer to his chest. Their banter really works for me because of the strength of their personal convictions. This book is intended for adult audiences, and the multiple sex scenes are explicit. This book fucks with enchanting magic and heart-pounding sword fights that show off the best from both our main characters.

As someone who is really picky about cult books, I enjoyed Guevara’s approach to that antagonist and trauma. It’s careful, and there is a clear reason what the cultists seek and the sorts of people they seek to destroy. This is a fantasy book about everyday people in increasingly extraordinary situations. There is magic and divinity, but it’s not the sort that cloaks our main characters in plot armor. In fact, it might be their greatest enemy from start to finish.

Last, but not least, the Berserk references are so tasty and so fresh. Guevara turned the relationship between Guts and Casca and the world-building of a sword-and-sorcery fantasy into something new. Though the world is queernorm, there’s still heartbreak, fantasy racism, especially where Ryesand is involved, and classism, especially where Cressida is concerned. But there’s still beauty, art, and lore, which makes Anthares so richly lived in.

I had a blast reading this fast-paced adventure, and I can’t wait for others to join the ride as well.

DC Guevara

DC Guevara is a fantasy-romance author who enjoys lounging on the beach, going to the movies, and browsing bookstores in her spare time. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art History with a minor concentration in English Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. Utilizing English as her second language, she started to explore her love for literature by writing some herself and has never looked back since. She found a home in the romance genre and has started carving out little worlds with her favorite subsections within them and with luck, she aims to add historical fiction, urban fantasy, and gothic romances to her roster. She currently resides in her homeland of Puerto Rico with her partner and their pets, two cats DC Guevara is a fantasy-romance author who enjoys lounging on the beach, going to the movies, and browsing bookstores in her spare time. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Art History with a minor concentration in English Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. Utilizing English as her second language, she started to explore her love for literature by writing some herself and has never looked back since. She found a home in the romance genre and has started carving out little worlds with her favorite subsections within them and with luck, she aims to add historical fiction, urban fantasy, and gothic romances to her roster. She currently resides in her homeland of Puerto Rico with her partner and their pets, two cats and one dog, who are the real bosses of the household. . more

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Furthermore, some people believe that wearing a belt while gambling brings bad luck. It is thought that the belt restricts the flow of luck or fortune, thus preventing the person from winning or having a successful gambling experience. This belief is particularly prevalent in certain Asian cultures where gambling superstitions are widely observed. In addition to these specific beliefs, the belt curse often encompasses a more general notion that wearing a belt can attract negativity or misfortune. This may stem from the idea that belts are associated with restraining or constraining, which is believed to hinder personal freedom or luck. Despite the varied beliefs around the belt curse, it is important to remember that they are rooted in superstition rather than factual evidence. People who believe in the belt curse often adhere to these beliefs out of tradition or cultural customs. It is ultimately up to each individual to decide whether or not they believe in such superstitions and to respect the beliefs of others..

Reviews for "Breaking Free from the Belt Curse: Stories of Individuals Who Overcame their Unfortunate Circumstances"

1. Emma - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The belt curse". The plot was too predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. The whole concept of a cursed belt had potential, but it was executed poorly. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, which made it hard for me to connect with the characters. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and I wouldn't recommend it.

2. James - 1/5 - "The belt curse" was a complete waste of time. The writing style was amateurish and the story was riddled with clichés. The characters were so uninteresting and flat that I couldn't bring myself to care about their struggles. The pacing was also off, with certain scenes dragging on for far too long. I had high hopes for this book, but it ended up being a huge letdown.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - I couldn't find anything redeeming about "The belt curse". The plot was incredibly weak and filled with holes. The ending was so predictable that I saw it coming from miles away. The author attempted to create suspense, but it fell flat every time. The characters were forgettable, and I didn't feel any emotional connection to their journey. I regret picking up this book and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

4. John - 1/5 - "The belt curse" was the worst book I've read in a long time. The writing was uninspiring and lacked any depth. The author seemed to rely heavily on unnecessary descriptions that didn't add anything to the overall story. The plot was confusing and very poorly executed. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end and be done with it. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.

5. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The belt curse", but it fell short in so many ways. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making the conversations awkward and unconvincing. The pacing was also inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by long periods of boredom. The concept of a cursed belt had potential, but this book failed to deliver on that promise. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.

The Belt Curse: A Closer Look at Famous Accidents and Mishaps Linked to Belt Wearers