As a middle school teacher I am constantly looking for new books that will entice teenagers to read. I also like to find books that take on old material that I still believe my students should be exposed to, but will probably not be into if I used the original source material. I was very excited to receive a galley of Cursed for these reasons and also, because it has been optioned by Netflix to become a series.

KING ARTHUR’S COURT
Cursed brings us into the Arthurian Tales, but with a new spin to it. We learn that there is a sword in the stone and that whomever pulls it, will become the new king of the realm. What everyone was not prepared for is that the chosen one may very well not be a man at all. What if that new ruler was, in fact, a queen?

A DARK DRUID RISING
Nimsue is an outcast in her Druid village. She is frequently drawn to the dark arts and it leaves her feeling alone and also feared by her fellow villagers. When her village is attacked and ultimately slaughtered by the Red Palladins, Nimsue, becomes charged to bring back the ancient sword to a powerful sorcerer as her mother lays dying.

Teaming up with a mercenary named Arthur and refugee Fey Folk from across England, Nimsue is on a mission to save her people and avenge her mother’s death. The visuals are amazing throughout and the style of the story will keep students reading.

However, the book reads more like a screenplay in that it jumps quickly from scene to scene and is clearly written for its eventual Netflix debut. This can either be confusing for students or it could keep their attention with the choppiness of the writing. I think it would heavily depend on the audience in your classroom.

When this series eventually does come to Netflix, it could be really helpful in creating interactive lessons around the story versus the Netflix episodes. Students will love the visuals which really brought this book to life for me.

BOOK INFORMATION
Cursed by Thomas Wheeler will be available for purchase on October 1, 2019 from Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers with ISBN 9781534425330. To be linked to special pre-ordering pricing click the link at the top of this section. This review corresponds to an advanced electronic galley that was supplied by the publisher in exchange for this review.

It was a little gory but it enjoyed it. I liked the characters. I feel like I need to brush up on Arthurian legend. I am eagerly awaiting a second book.

I really like Arthurian Myth, and I haven't read a lot of retellings (save for Avalon High by Meg Cabot which is amazing), so I was really excited to get my hands on this book. I think this book has an interesting take because it pulls in a lot of the myths but also puts it in the backdrop of how Christianity started to take over. It really focuses a lot on how pagans and people of other religions were straight up hunted down by the church. It's definitely an interesting take on the myth, but in the historical context it makes a lot of sense.

I kind of love that in this retelling the hero is actually Nimue...not Arthur. Girl is a BAMF, and I loved watching her grow in strength. She went from a young girl who didn't want any responsibly, but ends up as the person who can stop the war. I also enjoyed that Merlin is kind of written as a drunk in this book. It made me laugh. That's not really a spoiler, but he has some interesting things about him in this one.

This book also has some illustrations along with the printed words which are done by Frank Miller. Miller is pretty big in the comic world, so he might sound familiar to you. I have to admit...I don't think I really care for his illustration style. I think I will get a lot of hate for that, but I just don't think it's for me. The artwork in here didn't really appeal to me all that much, but if you are a Miller fan you will probably really enjoy it.

My only big obstacles with this book was the ending! It ends on a big moment, that just felt so incomplete to me. I'm not sure if this is just one book and its going to be a series. The ending just felt a little flat to me.

I think if you like Frank Miler or are interesting in Arthurian myth you will enjoy this one!

*I received a review copy of this book via the publisher Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing via Netgalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Can you ever have too many Arthurian retellings? The magic, the characters, the intrigue, all with a different spin, which is what Thomas Wheeler has done with his own sense of flare and creative license.

CURSED has the plot, the bones and some pretty original thoughts, but something was just off for me, maybe that special spark that fantasy brings to a story. Expect to see characters in a completely different light, some positive, some, not so much. Told through Nimue’s point of view, we see everyone through a different light and heroes of old become something less, something not exactly larger than life.

I felt I was being fed more of a visual tale, less of a story, could that be because this is designed for commercial viewing and not as a book for mental viewing and imagination? This tale skimmed the surface of what could have been a very deep pool of creativity.

So, yes, you can have too many Arthurian tales, but only when they miss the mark of magic! 2.5 Stars

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. My honest review is voluntary.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster's for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book is what drew me to want to read the ARC, but instead of an enticing story I got a letdown. Due to the choppy writing style, I could not get into the story or really appreciate any of the characters.

It's an amazing concept with the female twist on the King Arthur legend if the writing weren't such a drag.

Reading this book and knowing it’s going to be a Netflix series, I was so excited. I’ve always loved Arthurian stories and anything that has to do with that stuff.
The characters were really well developed and I liked the plot. Overall I gave it 4/5 stars!

I'm not very knowledgable with the Arthurian tales other than being a big fan of Disney's The Sword in the Stone. So going into this story, I didn't have much knowledge about characters and how they normally are portrayed. With that being said, I have no idea if this story would be better or worse for those who are more in-depth with Arthurian lore.

The story was nice, I liked the magic and Fey folk and how they were put into the story. I also enjoyed the different personalities of the characters. A lot of the characters were cute and I liked some of the relationships but as far as character building, I wasn't really attached to any of them. They were cute and I liked some of the humor but I never gained a strong feeling for any of them.

The plot was very strange for me as I wasn't sure what the point actually was and I wasn't very happy with how it ended either. I believe there is supposed to be another book so maybe the continuation of that one will make this ending better.

Everything about the book for me was pretty average. Average characters and events and writing style. No spectacular visuals and descriptions, just ya know. Average. Although I will say I feel like the Netflix series is going to be pretty good so I am looking forward to that.

I was by no means bored with the story, It's still pretty good I just wish I would have gotten more excitement from it, really.

Though I don’t typically review this type of story, I thought it might be good to this time. Especially since it will soon be showing on Netflix. However, it just wasn’t a good fit. Even though I really tried to get involved in the story, the writing felt choppy and I was only periodically interested.

Basically, Nimue’s village is ransacked and she becomes an orphan. But before her mother dies, she gives Nimue a mission: to hand off the sword to Merlin. If this type of story appeals to you, I think it’s probably a good one to check out. And I have to admit, as a Netflix series, I might really find it interesting. But as a book, not so much.


What Concerned Me:
I had a very hard time connecting with the writing, probably more so than the story.

What I Liked Most:
I’m anxious for this to appear on Netflix. As a show, I may really like it.

I have to admit I got this book for one reason and that was because Frank Miller had his name with it... I am a huge Frank North fan... and that alone was enough to draw me... this book started out a tiny slow ... and I thought oh no... but it didn't take long for me to get invested the book... is very well written... I wish there been a little more background early on but by the end there is enough... the book is fun and suspenseful and definitely could see a book twp coming up... loved all the characters ....or hated them ....but that was of course with the author wanted.... and it worked well ...the drawings by Frank were amazing as always but really Drew me further into the story and allowed me to visualise the things that I was reading ...the book is excellent ...I have read many books on here and I have to say that that with many... I would buy... but now that I had read them I did not have to... this is a book I am going to go out and buy why if nothing else just for the artwork but also lend it to others ....really enjoyed it and can't wait for book number 2 great job! ...I want to thank netgally for a chance to read this early release in exchange for an honest review!

This was a lovely and compelling take on a classic folktale. I really enjoyed how the author chose to tell the story and truly looked forward to reading this every chance I got.

This one is a bit of a challenge to review. I'm a sucker for Arthurian legend stories, so I was thinking this would be a slam dunk for me. It IS a well-paced, action-packed book, but a little disjointed and ultimately didn't (in my opinion) live up to its potential. (Maybe a 3.5?)

The book has been optioned by Netflix for a series and it reads like it--not entirely always in a good way. There is a a lot of intercutting between scenes, which is a tactic often employed on TV and in movies, but works less well on the page. For instance, if you're in the middle of a fight sequence between two people, you'll suddenly skip over to an entirely different action/fight sequence, and then back to the first. In a vision medium like TV, that intercutting builds tension and shows interesting parallels between what you might have thought were unrelated scenes. However, in a book form, that tactic just interrupted the flow. It felt annoying instead of dramatic.

The characters seemed solid, and I thought the author did a nice job of sloooooowly introducing/revealing many characters who we know from the myths and legends. Arthur seemed a little one dimensional for me, but I dug Nimue. The only thing challenging about her storyline though is we know that her time with the sword is limited, so it's a bit of challenge to be invested in her adventures with it. Ultimately I wanted to know more about her connection to nature, magic and her clans. I wanted to know more about the myths surrounding her--instead a seeing more of a reverse role take on the Arthur story.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is too short for what it is endeavouring to accomplish. There is WAY too much going on in terms of the scope of this book. It's a retelling of the legend of King Arthur designed to be Netflix's answer to Game of Thrones and overhyped by the inclusion of Frank miller's art. The problem is that it's trying to do way too much all at once and ends up not doing any of it well. There's no time for anything or anyone to be explained or set up and Wheeler has changed the origins of the legendary characters enough that those moments of exposition are needed. This book had a whole bunch of potential and I was really excited. There are glimmers of a really, really good series here, but this entry tried to basically jump right into the middle of that series with no context or build-up. I wanted to like it more than I ended up liking it. And I found Miller's art a distracting inclusion, it didn't need to be there and it didn't add anything by its existence. Overall it's just too overwhelming too much is happening and because of the pace and length, there's no time to make sense of any of it.

yeah no this book is going to be for someone but it's just not for me i'm over these story types but i'm excited to see more from the author

Review can be found at the link below and on Goodreads for now

http://www.starangelsreviews.com/2019/08/review-by-carol-cursed-by-thomas-wheeler.html

This novel makes my dungeons and dragon loving heart just melt. The illustrations are gorgeous and I'm so excited for the Netflix adaptation!

First and foremost I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for providing me with this ARC.

I was really exciting to read this because of the collaboration. I mean Frank Miller! I am not so familiar with Thomas Wheeler, this was my first by him. I saw on the cover of the book that it was being made into a Netflix Original which made it more exciting to read.

The Good -
The artwork is Interesting!
The action was Perfect!
A strong female lead! (Much needed)

This is one of those stories that you hear and think that it could be great, but just couldn't make it! Although the idea is interesting, it has been told numerous times. I found myself not being able to stay engaged or attached to the characters. My mind was wandering and thinking of other things as I was trying to live in this world. I almost put it down a few times. So because of that I would give the book 3 stars.

Wow!!!! This book will translate very well into television and I’m so excited that Netflix is doing it. I give this book a 3.5 stars and here are the pros and cons that I experienced in this action packed journey.

Pros:

I really loved how action packed the story goes. Chaos is all over the place and you are always on the edge of your seat to know what happens next.

I also really love the development of Nimue’s (Lady of the Lake) character and her control over her powers. I felt that all the characters were fleshed our really well and I knew them for a long time.

Cons:

This may be on me, so I would not blame the book, but I have no knowledge of the Arthurian legend except that I know who Lancelot, Author, Guinevere, and Nimue are, and nothing else so here is what I struggled while I was reading it:

1) The setting was kind of confusing and I wished it was more described to get a better vision of it.

2) There was just a brief explanation of the Hidden that was mentioned out throughout the story and I wish it was more explored.

3) There were many creatures of the Fey kind but there were only tiny descriptions of them and I wish there was more description of their looks and facial expressions so I could have an idea what they are.

Those are all my pros and cons. I just wonder is this book a Standalone or will it become a fantasy series? I feel there are still some parts of the plots that are not resolved just yet and I do hope it will get another book to see what’s next!!!!!

All in all, I really enjoyed this book so much and thank you for Netgalley for sending me an early copy of the book.

This is less a YA updated version of Mists of Avalon than something completely new that uses the names of the Arthur saga to tie it in to the story. I think that what threw me a little, the waiting for the Arthur stuff to match what I knew of his story. The mix of POVs and what seems to be a mix of eras and fashions and beliefs get a little confusing (eg Druids during the Middle Ages). Having said that, had the author used different names and belief systems this could have been a great book. We have a strong heroine who decides lead her people (kind of like Joan of Arc) against those who think they're heretics/pagans/a threat, fight scenes, romance - what more could you ask for?

eARC provided by publisher.


READING PROGRESS

I had high hopes for this, but in the end it wasn’t for me. I love Arthurian legend, and the promise of a female protagonist really drew me in (Mists of Avalon, anyone?) but the execution just wasn’t there. The character didn’t feel authentic or likeable. I’m OK with an unlikeable protagonist so long as they have something else going on, but this one didn’t. There was nothing to draw me in. I’m also unsure whether this is the final artwork, but all together the package just felt really underwhelming. Another reader might enjoy this one but I did not.

Cursed
by Thomas Wheeler and Frank Miller
5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Lady of the Lake is an enchantress in the Matter of Britain, the body of medieval literature and legend associated with King Arthur. She plays a pivotal role in many stories, including giving Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin, and raising Lancelot after the death of his father. At least two different sorceresses bearing the title "the Lady of the Lake" appear as separate characters in some versions and adaptations since the Post-Vulgate Cycle and consequently Le Morte d'Arthur.

Now comes another adaptation from two of the most creative minds ever..

Synopsis:

A DARK MAGIC
A POWERFUL WARRIOR
A LEGENDARY QUEEN

Touched by darkness, Nimue is an outcast to her people, forced to repress her magic. But when her village is slaughtered, the darkness begins to resurface.

Tasked by her dying mother to reunite the Sword of Power with the sorcerer Merlin, she must save a terrorised Kingdom. Nimue's mission leaves no room for revenge, but the growing power within her can think of little else. Hers was not the only decimated village and others face a similar fate.

With the help of the rogue mercenary Arthur, Nimue must battle the armies of a corrupt king and, be it in victory or on the edge of a blade, discover the truth about her destiny once and for all.

My Thoughts:

Cursed is a bold retelling of the Arthurian legend, created by award-winning artist Frank Miller and acclaimed screenwriter Tom Wheeler. An original Netflix series starring Thirteen Reasons Why star Katherine Langford is set for release in Spring 2020.
Amazing, amazing, amazing!! The highlight of my year is this book and the upcoming Netflix production of it!! I couldnt get enough of Merlin and Nimue. By far my most favorite adaptation of the Arthurian Tale!!
A story about legendary Arthur character Lady of the Lake. Nimue is her characters original name before becoming Lady of the Lake and she was brave, and strong, and loving. Regardless of having great power, Nimue was also touched by evil... The marks on her back tell the story even though everybody knows especially since her father had left her. However she would be the one person with the power and strength to save them all from The Red Paladins.
She is the giver of King Arthurs Sword, the enchanter of Merlin, and the savior of Lancelot. This is her story. Well written with amazing graphics from Sin City artist and producer Frank Miller!! Wheeler and Miller made the perfect team for this amazing retelling and I cant wait for the Netflix showing, I only hope it is half as amazing as the book!!