Scan barcode
alexvv25's review
3.0
Technically a DNF at 85%. I can’t say why I’m not a fan of this book. It has a lot of elements that I’d like. I’ll probably try and come back to it at another time.
oliviac79's review
2.0
Ahhh Insta love and overpowered Main character. This book was a fun read but not something to write home about. The world building system was interesting but didn't totally make sense and the life spans of characters was a bit confusing. The protagonists won every battle with ease only to lose a different battle pages later to drive the plot.
aimgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
melissakubs's review
3.0
Not bad but not great. It has a storyline that made me want to continue reading, but I hit several slumps along the way. I’m not entirely sure how to explain it, but it seemed that the pace and the characters were… inconsistent. At some points I felt really connected to the characters and at others I was legitimately confused. Overall, I liked listening to the series as an audiobook and the storyline was pretty straightforward, but I just felt disconnected from it at times.
wondermajica's review
3.0
I recently had the opportunity to read Skykeeper by S. M. Gaither and thoroughly enjoyed it. Therefore, when I was notified by Hidden Gems that she had another book available through them, I immediately requested it and was super excited when my request was accepted.
The story immediately drew me in, but as it continued, I slowly grew more and more disappointed. Overall, it just felt rushed, especially as it got closer to the end. I recall seeing the little counter at the bottom of my Kindle's screen that told me how much was left in the book and my thought was "Well this must be book one of a series". Nope. Everything is concluded within 10% of the book. The majority of the action takes place...in the last 15% of the book.
Many of the transitions between chapters felt so disjointed that it made it hard to stay fully immersed in the story. We are given hints of the stereotypical YA love triangle, only for it to go nowhere and many of the events that happen at the end of the book did not feel like they fit with the beginning of the story. The Queen of Cursed Things comes off as an idea that Gaither had that was put into a rough draft and then forgotten.
The story immediately drew me in, but as it continued, I slowly grew more and more disappointed. Overall, it just felt rushed, especially as it got closer to the end. I recall seeing the little counter at the bottom of my Kindle's screen that told me how much was left in the book and my thought was "Well this must be book one of a series". Nope. Everything is concluded within 10% of the book. The majority of the action takes place...in the last 15% of the book.
Many of the transitions between chapters felt so disjointed that it made it hard to stay fully immersed in the story. We are given hints of the stereotypical YA love triangle, only for it to go nowhere and many of the events that happen at the end of the book did not feel like they fit with the beginning of the story. The Queen of Cursed Things comes off as an idea that Gaither had that was put into a rough draft and then forgotten.
amiascah's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Weirdly I happened to be reading this at the same time as 'Flame and Sparrow', another SM Gauther book and while both started off real slow and hard get into, this book just failed to ever capture my interest.
'The Queen of Cursed Things' is SM Gaithers first book in her YA series The Serpents and Kings Trilogy. In a world where everyone is marked by their bloodline of who they are Alaya, is living a lie pretending her hand doesn't bare a mark. But secretly she has the mark of the serpent clan, a clan long thought to be extinct and hated by all for the deadly curses they set. After being captured by the King and the crown Prince helps her break free she follows a book trying to find the father she never knew and her connection to his clan.
spoilers
I honestly don't have any one thing that I can pin point as to why I did not like this book. It just wasn't my jam, as I stated it was hard to get into, and there was a pick up of action I just couldnt bring myself to care. I had gotten it free on Amazon and it sat for a few years on my TBR. It was pretty boring on top of being slow and I never wanted to pick it up to read. I found myself wanting to skim it just to finish it. I found the pacing hard to follow, as in did a day pass or a week? How long had they been traveling for? I didnt enjoy the main character at all. It head was just not a fun place to be stuck and I didnt click with any of the side characters.
I'm gonna chalk this one up to its a me problem.
'The Queen of Cursed Things' is SM Gaithers first book in her YA series The Serpents and Kings Trilogy. In a world where everyone is marked by their bloodline of who they are Alaya, is living a lie pretending her hand doesn't bare a mark. But secretly she has the mark of the serpent clan, a clan long thought to be extinct and hated by all for the deadly curses they set. After being captured by the King and the crown Prince helps her break free she follows a book trying to find the father she never knew and her connection to his clan.
spoilers
I honestly don't have any one thing that I can pin point as to why I did not like this book. It just wasn't my jam, as I stated it was hard to get into, and there was a pick up of action I just couldnt bring myself to care. I had gotten it free on Amazon and it sat for a few years on my TBR. It was pretty boring on top of being slow and I never wanted to pick it up to read. I found myself wanting to skim it just to finish it. I found the pacing hard to follow, as in did a day pass or a week? How long had they been traveling for? I didnt enjoy the main character at all. It head was just not a fun place to be stuck and I didnt click with any of the side characters.
I'm gonna chalk this one up to its a me problem.
emilybattilega's review
5.0
This was a great start to a series I cannot wait to continue reading. It is set in the same world as the Shadows and Crowns series, though it is not necessary to read first. SM Gaither had a talent for writing about found family and that proves true in this book as well. Alaya ventures on her journey of self discovery and adventure with her found family. I enjoyed the banteru between Alaya and the prince. The book ends on a cliff hanger that makes me excited to pick up the next book in the series! Would absolutely recommend!
rogue_duckie's review
3.0
This book is a good read to do in between major emotional damaging books ⭐️ ⭐️ .75. Decent little adventure that pulls you in, but not super immersive. It starts slow but it’s worth sticking with the story. The front part is building up the foundation for the other books. Keep with it, reader!
Part of the reason this is a lower star reading is because there are two versions of this book. Apparently, it was completely re-formatted and re-edited in 2024. So, some versions have more information than others and it messes with the plot. I sometimes like to read the book and listen to the audio at the same time. I did that with this book series and sometimes more descriptions were in the book and some had more in the audio. It pulled me out of the story, but when I noticed it, I then had to start making comparisons between information. And so, two congruent but separate stories now reside in my head for this book. The same for the second book…
**Quotes and Tropes contain spoilers**
Synopsis: A girl who is the last surviving member of a dangerous faction within the kingdom teams up with the prince of the treacherous king. Their goal is to save the people and save the empire. The adventure of learning who she is and how to navigate danger whilst also helping the prince save his people. They risk much to in their journey to overcome the adversity they face.
Tropes: Allies (or adversary) to lovers, found family
Spice level:
Part of the reason this is a lower star reading is because there are two versions of this book. Apparently, it was completely re-formatted and re-edited in 2024. So, some versions have more information than others and it messes with the plot. I sometimes like to read the book and listen to the audio at the same time. I did that with this book series and sometimes more descriptions were in the book and some had more in the audio. It pulled me out of the story, but when I noticed it, I then had to start making comparisons between information. And so, two congruent but separate stories now reside in my head for this book. The same for the second book…
**Quotes and Tropes contain spoilers**
Synopsis: A girl who is the last surviving member of a dangerous faction within the kingdom teams up with the prince of the treacherous king. Their goal is to save the people and save the empire. The adventure of learning who she is and how to navigate danger whilst also helping the prince save his people. They risk much to in their journey to overcome the adversity they face.
Tropes: Allies (or adversary) to lovers, found family
Spice level:
acollectiveofbooks's review
5.0
I'm a fan of fantasy and magic and this book delivered. I liked that this book has a different concept and the author created a wonderful world. There are clans based on the mark you're born with linking them to their associated God which determines their magic and hierarchy. There are a lot of moving parts in the book that kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. Note: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
safran3's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0