Review: Brutal Curse by Casey L. Bond

Book Blurb:

Prince Carden of Tierney lost his home, family, and claim to the throne in one fell swoop when he rebelled against his father for a cause he knew was right. Instead of wallowing in despair, he embarks on a new journey, starting a new life on the Southern Isle. When he finds himself caught in a web woven by the famously ruthless fae queen, Coeur, he insults her and she vows to teach him the most difficult and heart-breaking lesson he will ever learn: that humans are incapable of love, and that hearts are beastly things.

Arabella wasn’t really living, she was existing and surviving as best she could. A chance encounter with Carden changes everything for her, but the deadly game he’s dragged her into might cost her life.

Still, she agrees to play. The rules the fae queen gives them are vague, and it’s obvious there are things Queen Coeur isn’t telling them. She’s sure of it. But what she does know is that together, she and Carden must pass a series of tests and trials. If they fail, game over. But if they succeed, she just might be able to restore her family and carve out the life she’s always envisioned.

You can find out more about the book at Goodreads and pick up a copy from Amazon- make sure to grab a copy today while it is a special price of 0.99!

-----

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Another-World, Faeries, Fairytale, Mystery, Romance, Retelling, Royal-Court, Supernatural, Suspense--

Arabella has had enough of her life of starvation and abuse at her alcoholic father's hands, so when her brother returns home from a hunting trip, she decides to leave with him. While out in the forest, she finds a white rabbit that leads her into the middle of a "game"- a game only the dark Queen of the Fey can find entertaining. Her partner in the game is Carden, a former prince and current wanderer, who get's cursed to turn to a beast. Together they must survive five days of the game, a game which has no rules and purpose is to end their lives.

I recently found the book Glamour of Midnight by Casey and I really liked what she did with her magical world, created loosely based on a fairytale and the machinations of the Fey. When I saw that she had a new fairytale retelling coming out, I knew it was only a matter of time until we met. Add in the fact the cover is so incredibly gorgeous and my grabby hands needed to take it, there was no doubt I was going to read Brutal Curse. I love that each book she creates is a standalone story, so you can pick any of her fairytale versions and know you have a complete adventure.

"Hearts are beastly things..."

I love fairytale retellings and this one was the best I have encountered, a mix of Alice in Wonderland meets Beauty and the Beast- with some nasty Fey antics added for flavor. I was highly entertained with the twists and turns that Casey wove through the story, the way she completely reworked two separate stories which I am very familiar with and turned them into something new and even more magical, and with a dark twists that the Fey brought out. I was delighted when I would find a bread crumb from one of the original stories and discover the new way it would play out- the White Rabbit and his obsession with time made much more sense in this tale...The Queen really does love saying "off with their heads"!

As per the norm, with Casey, I have learned that darkness is also mixed in her stories- but you must have balance, so with the darkness was the sweetest of light. Overall this was a great new story that had familiar elements but with the best of spins and a sweet soulmate romance that prevailed!I can't wait to read whatever terrible, wonderful tale Casey wants to craft next.