I received an electronic ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
Based on the book blurb, this should only be a 1,5 star review. However, I read it straight through in one sitting and enjoyed the story but did not feel it empowered women nor addressed more than surface sympathy or healing for abuses suffered throughout.
The book is written in alternating POVs - Jane (oldest princess and cursed with the To Be Without spell) and Reagan (witch who cast the spell). Readers see the full story as they connect pieces from each narrator.
Jane and her four sisters have been cursed to be without something (food, love, sleep, memories, hope) on each of their 13th birthday. The youngest turns 13 in the midst of the story so events are told wrapped around this event. Reagan returns to tell them how to unbind the spell she cast in a moment of deep emotional anger. Jane and Reagan must work together to unbind all five of the sisters. Before the end, most of the women unite to reverse the spell and then to take back their powers and conquer their fears.
The triggering person (king) and cause is obvious from early in the book but is only alluded to for much of the story. Female empowerment is hinted at and occurs near the end. Most of the characters are fairly flat and focused on themselves and their needs. Hints of attitude change are given over and over but not developed well.
It feels like Haydu was not certain what she wanted readers to take from this book. The ending is okay doesn't really resolve the conflicts. Lives continue with a few changes but the methods for this new life are obvious and contrived.

Ever Cursed is a unique fairytale with some really great world building and. a strong message. I loved the unfolding of the way magic worked in this world and how a Curse becomes True and the power and consequences they hold. It was the small moments in this book that struck me the most whether it was the casual representation in the language of explaining who could be witches or the unspoken way the women were bonded through their shared traumas both large and small. The kingdom of Ever might have magic, but it sadly isn't unrecognizable.
I'm mixed in my struggles with this book. On the one hand, I like that the book told a complete story because it's always a relief to have everything wrapped up in one book and not have to wait for the next one. On the other hand, I do feel like the ending came rather quickly and with a lot of rushed explanations. I wouldn't have minded if the book was slightly longer to flesh more of the history out. I understand the importance of Jane and Reagan re-learning the true history of their world, but it was frustrating at times not having more information or learning the important bits piece by piece.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read I would recommend, it just left me wanting more.

I had high hopes for this book, but at the same time, I was prepared to be disappointed. I've read far too many "feminist fairytales" that either lean too far into the feminism (making them borderline unreadable) or too far into the fairytale (making them not as progressive as they likely think they are.) This book was neither of those things - feminism and inclusivity flowed naturally, and the magical elements and their recontextualization were engaging and exciting to read..

There was so much that I loved about this book that it's hard to narrow down a few elements for this review. The magic system was so clever, and the role of the witches' skirts in providing a literal manifestation of the weight of spellcraft was incredibly inventive. I also loved the sheer horror of the spelled princesses, as well as how well the author depicted the theme of female powerlessness and male desire. That the men in this world would be attracted to weak and suffering women felt both natural to the world of Ever and a clever reflection of our own culture and it's fascination with waifish unhinged young women.

If I had one complaint, it's that the ending wrapped things up very quickly. The concept of "every woman being a witch" also felt odd, considering the trappings of the fairytale, as did the ease with which the women toppled patriarchal oppression. In this regard, I feel that the book would've been better as the start of a series - perhaps the curse is broken at the end of book one, but the regime isn't overthrown until later in the plot. That being said, as I mentioned at the start of this review, if my major complaint is that a book ends too quickly, it's a damn good read. Pick this one up if you're in the mood for a clever fairytale universe that centers the feelings and interests of women, and explores how men are so often threatened by female power.

Ever Cursed by Corey Ann Haydu

Summary

The princesses of Ever have been cursed for nearly five years when this story begins. Their mother has literally been trapped in a clear box on display for all of the people of Ever. Each princess has their own curse which begins on their thirteenth birthday. Jane, the oldest daughter, hasn’t eaten since she turned thirteen almost five years ago. Because of the nature of the spell, she continues to live a strained existence. Once the spell becomes final or permanent, Jane will suffer the full affects of not eating.

Jane must team up with the young witch who has placed her and her sisters in such a perilous position in order to undo the spell placed on each of them. In the process, Jane discovers what kind of queen she wants to be someday, and makes a plethora of new friends.

Thoughts

I obviously requested this book from NetGalley because the title is thought-provoking and the cover is beautiful. The book itself did not disappoint!

Haydu begins by letting readers know about the triggers in the novel, and I think this is wonderful! Teen girls (the target audience) are living in a trigger filled world, and this story is full of girls who overcome some difficult situations that these teen readers can relate to. Don’t let these triggers keep you from reading. That was not the point of the trigger warning (in my opinion) - this trigger warning should encourage girls to be strong and continue reading for inspirational purposes.

Pardon my language, but this book is filled with some badass women. Obviously our characters all have their flaws, but together they overcome their flaws in order to better their community. Haydu created beautiful female characters and explained the use of magic in this society flawlessly.

I will force our children’s librarian to purchase this book for our teen section. It is an absolutely necessary read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is very similar to Damsel by Elena K Arnold! That being said- it was not an easy read at times. It’s not super detailed in those hard moments, it’s more skimmed over, but it still happens.

I was a little disappointed overall though because the world building, character development, and magic system were all lacking for me! Things were explained, but I still felt confused and unsatisfied. It was a cute story though, just not as deep as I imagined it to be.

Wow this book gave me anxiety. Similar to Damsel, it is not for the faint of heart. It is a tough read (through a little less graphic than Damsel, and maybe a little more hopeful).