The Malediction of the Sea: Curses and Superstitions

Curse from the Sea The sea has long been a source of mystery and wonder, but it is also a place of danger. Throughout history, sailors and seafarers have told tales of curses from the sea, of strange and unexplained happenings that seem to be directed at them. These curses often take the form of storms, shipwrecks, or mysterious disappearances. *The main idea is that curses from the sea are prevalent in maritime folklore and often target sailors and seafarers.* One famous curse from the sea is that of the Flying Dutchman. Legend has it that this ghost ship is doomed to sail the seas forever, never able to make port.

This was so much more than I expected. So much better than I anticipated. What a great book!
I rated it a solid 4 stars. It so close to being 5 stars because it was nearly perfect. I loved it. I recommend it. I would say that it could have been a little better at the relationship building between the characters. At the moment, it lacks 'living with me'. However, I loved the emotions that it drew out of me! I was getting so frustrated and passionate towards the characters. Several times whilst reading this book, I became so emmersed that I had no consiousness of the world around me and I was consumed in this story. And although I nearly teared up, it did fail to cause a physical reaction from me.
I would give this a 2.5 spice rating. This is a slow burn. Nearly glacial. But when it finally hits. BAM! It hits good!
Tropes: Forced proximity, slow burn
It is set in a fantasy world of witches with Magick battlings gods and shadows. I can't get enough of this and I can't wait to continue the Witch Walker series with City of Ruin!

What really kept me from being immersed is the style of writing that is in a fairy tale vein; I m not sure if this is to evoke signing language, or to make it sound like folklore, or just a style that the author prefers but I guess I like a more straightforward tone. Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector or let their empire-and her sister-fall into enemy hands.

Legend has it that this ghost ship is doomed to sail the seas forever, never able to make port. Sightings of the Flying Dutchman are said to be a bad omen, foretelling disaster for those who encounter it. Some believe that the curse of the Flying Dutchman is a punishment for sailing on the Sabbath, while others think it is simply the result of bad luck.

The Witch Collector

Every harvest moon, the Witch Collector rides into our valley and leads one of us to the home of the immortal Frost King, to remain forever. Today is that day-Collecting Day. But he will not come for me. I, Raina Bloodgood, have lived in this village for twenty-four years, and for all that time he has passed me by. His mistake. Raina Bloodgood has one desire: kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On Collecting Day, she means to exact murderous revenge, but a more sinister threat sets fire to her world. Rising from the ashes is the Collector, Alexus Thibault, the man she vowed to slay and the only person who can help save her sister. Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector or let their empire-and her sister-fall into enemy hands. But the lines between good and evil blur, and Raina has more to lose than she imagined. What is she to do when the Witch Collector is no longer the villain who stole her sister, but the hero who's stealing her heart? … (more)

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The Witch Collector is a romantic fantasy about revenge turning into a quest for the greater good. The magic and world-building are very good, and the main character, Raina is particularly strong. I especially like that she is non-verbal and uses sign language which is so unusual for this type of book. What really kept me from being immersed is the style of writing that is in a fairy tale vein; I'm not sure if this is to evoke signing language, or to make it sound like folklore, or just a style that the author prefers but I guess I like a more straightforward tone. It does fit with the style of the story, however. And the cover is just gorgeous. ( )

This was so much more than I expected. So much better than I anticipated. What a great book!
I rated it a solid 4 stars. It so close to being 5 stars because it was nearly perfect. I loved it. I recommend it. I would say that it could have been a little better at the relationship building between the characters. At the moment, it lacks 'living with me'. However, I loved the emotions that it drew out of me! I was getting so frustrated and passionate towards the characters. Several times whilst reading this book, I became so emmersed that I had no consiousness of the world around me and I was consumed in this story. And although I nearly teared up, it did fail to cause a physical reaction from me.
I would give this a 2.5 spice rating. This is a slow burn. Nearly glacial. But when it finally hits. BAM! It hits good!
Tropes: Forced proximity, slow burn
It is set in a fantasy world of witches with Magick battlings gods and shadows. I can't get enough of this and I can't wait to continue the Witch Walker series with City of Ruin!

Below is my SPOILER thoughts and reactions as I read through the book:

17%: Well damn. War right out of the gate. I didn't expect this.

36%: Wait so the sister is cool with Alexus? (And i really thought this was a girl's name.)
If vast magick can be used "across space and time" why didn't they have the magick protect the villages in the past when they were attacked? Ooh, talk about some little embers burning between them 🔥. He has the God knife. I just know it.

63%: Why is it that in these books the man is This powerful And terrible being to be feared but yet once hes met the girl she's constantly saving him and he nearly dies. Often. Like dude how did you survive before??
Is Helena dead? Or possessed?
Okay, I was wrong, he didn't have the God knife.
Just when things are getting spicy, the damn prince has to come in and ruin it! Ugh.
Ooh! He is all mighty and powerful with darkness. 😏 my favorite!
Um, major age gap! He's Un Drallag! What a twist! A powerful sorcerer. And he wants her. But why her? After all these years. After losing his wife?

100%: Oh thank gods Helena was freed! And Alexus is a badass! At least if he would stop needing to be rescued so many damn times. And Raina needs to get over her frustration with Alexus. He's a good man.
I never thought branding would be a trope of mine but here we are. I love it! OH. "Let me show you what it means to be mine." That is my personal undoing. What. A. Great. Scene. Omg. I mean DAMN!
So many emotions are pouring from me right now! First with Raina finally letting herself be his and he claiming her. And I seriously teared up when she saw Finn, Warek, Mena, and little Saira! I nearly got my physical reaction. And now, their journey begins. Raina and Alexus together. Off to save the king and the world as they know it from Gods and shadows. ( )

Below is my SPOILER thoughts and reactions as I read through the book:

Another curse from the sea is that of the Bermuda Triangle. This mysterious region of the North Atlantic Ocean is known for the disappearances of numerous ships and aircraft. The exact cause of these disappearances remains unknown, leading to speculation that there is some sort of supernatural force at work. Some theories suggest that these disappearances could be the result of magnetic anomalies or underwater volcanoes, while others believe it is a curse. Curses from the sea are not just the stuff of folklore and legend, though. They have also been used as a form of psychological warfare in times of war. During World War II, the Japanese military was rumored to have enlisted the help of curses to disrupt enemy operations. These curses supposedly caused mechanical failures and accidents on American submarines, leading to the loss of many lives. While the effectiveness of these curses is debatable, they certainly added to the fears and anxieties experienced by those serving in the war. Whether these curses are based in reality or simply the product of superstition and imagination, they highlight the power that the sea holds over us. The sea is a vast and unpredictable force, capable of both providing and taking away life. It is no wonder that it has inspired tales of curses and curses from the sea. *In conclusion, curses from the sea, such as the Flying Dutchman and the Bermuda Triangle, have become a part of maritime folklore and have had a psychological impact on those who encounter them, highlighting the power and mystery of the sea.*.

Reviews for "Sailing Towards Doom: The Curse From the Depths"

1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Curse from the Sea" because the premise sounded intriguing. However, I was ultimately disappointed with the execution of the story. The characters felt flat and had no depth, making it difficult for me to connect with or care about them. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and lacking the impact I was hoping for.

2. Jacob - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Curse from the Sea" because I found the writing style to be incredibly tedious. The author relied heavily on excessive descriptions and unnecessary details, which slowed down the story to a snail's pace. The plot itself was predictable and unoriginal, offering nothing new or exciting. I was hoping for a thrilling maritime adventure, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested. This book was a major letdown for me.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Curse from the Sea" had so much potential, but it fell short in many areas. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to engage with the characters and their interactions. Additionally, the world-building felt incomplete, leaving me with unanswered questions and a lack of understanding of the setting. The plot itself lacked depth and felt like a shallow imitation of other similar tales. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and immersive story.

4. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Curse from the Sea" to be a frustrating read. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of nothing happening. The promised curse from the sea took forever to actually manifest, and when it finally did, it lacked the impact I was hoping for. The writing style was also quite bland and lacked any real emotion or tension. Ultimately, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed by this book.

The Haunting of the High Seas: Maritime Curses Revealed