I gave this book 4.5 ⭐️! Wow this book was really good! I love how this book’s setting was totally opposite of the first book! The first book took place in this futuristic city with all this technology, and this book was like going back in time to castles and hand written letters! This book was non stop action and had plot twists I never expected! I couldn’t put it down! That ending...😭 I can’t wait to see what happens next for Cassandra!

I love this series and it is so great to see how well an author improves from book to book. The writing in this is much more mature compared to the previous book and it led to me enjoying it much more.

WOW, O'Connor has a knack for cliff hangers....

So this one, like the first one is pretty slow and there's a lot of pining over Devyn, which quite frankly, got pretty annoying.

Despite all that, I consumed the story and couldn't believe the twist at the end. How soon can I get the last one????

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the second instalment of this series. I enjoyed the first one and I enjoyed this one as well.

3.5* rounded up.

It was nicely paced and took little time to finish as I am invested in the story. It picked up just where the first book left off and included a couple of helpful background pieces in case readers wait longer than I did between reading.

I was very skeptical of one of the first plot devices/twists, which I will not reveal because I don’t want to spoil it. The motivation seemed odd and it was explained later in the novel.

Some interesting new characters were introduced as well. I have a soft spot for Gideon, but I couldn’t say why. And we finally get confirmation of who Cassandra really is; which was wonderful for two reasons:
1. The tension was getting boring and annoying; and,
2. Finally!

The ending was interesting and I’ll definitely be returning to read book three; hopefully through NetGalley!

First of all...HOW COULD YOU!? I was just wondering along happily enjoying this wonderful sequel (honestly middle books in trilogies often suffer but there was no fatigue here) and then BAM! My heart was torn out and ground to dust on the floor in front of me! I sat up abruptly and then the tears started, then my husband looked at me like I’d lost my damn mind.
Starting right where we left off in Secrets of the Starcrossed, Curse of the Celts rolled head first into the action, what follows is a rollercoaster of a story and I was hooked.
I don’t know what it is about this series that has just hooked me so completely, and I know it’s not without its flaws (sometimes there’s a tad too much exposition, and I feel like I don’t really know who Cass/Cat is yet-which is surprising after 2 books, but I also feel like that might be purposeful because she doesn’t know herself yet), but I just love this world and, most, of the people in it.
Cannot wait for Book 3!

I don’t really know what to say about this one. It was just ok. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the setting we were placed in - it just felt so magical and mystical that I was so drawn to it. I think the characters did develop quite a lot and I liked exploring all the different areas that presented new and complex people.

However, nothing was very logical to me. Things didn’t really add up and the journeys that the characters took didn’t make sense in a time consistent or logical way. The characters themselves were very focused on each other but the relationships were very hot and cold and it could be tiring to read them going back and forth over and over again. I did really enjoy the last little section, I thought it was a bold move that really paid off. However, there was a section of it that I didn’t think should have occurred and it put me off a bit.

Overall, I think this is a fast and atmospheric read, but it didn’t all add up and could be repetitive and confusing which brought me out of the story and characters a lot.

I enjoyed jumping back into this world again. I really loved seeing what Cass, Devyn and Marcus got up to in this book. The story was interesting and the ending left me wanting again. I really liked how O'Conner expanded on the world and law in this book which I absolutely love. I'm looking forward to the next book!

Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ecopy of this book. Unfortunately for me it was a DNF. I wanted to give this second book a chance having only given the first book 2 stars however i cannot get along with the writing style or the plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed the second instalment in this trilogy. It was a nice change of pace to leave the city and learn more about the other cultures that exist outside of the wall. I really did not see the plot twist at the end coming and yes, I did cry.

Really excited to read the conclusion.

This novel far exceeded my expectations! Usually in trilogies, the second novel suffers a little as the first one set everything up and then everything is concluded in the third. This novel did a great job as there were pieces from book one that continued in the plot of book two while integrating brand new obstacles. This novel ends on another cliffhanger as there are tons of questions that need answers before the series ends. I am thrilled that I read this novel and continued the series as it was thrilling from start to finish with a lot of twists!

The story starts off exactly where the last novel left off. Cass, Marcus, and Devyn have been caught and brought for public trial after attempting to escape the city. Through a series of events, they manage to escape and are now outside the wall to try and meet a lot of new characters on their journeys. The world-building continues as we encounter each new location along the way. With the exploration of the world beyond the city walls, Marcus, Cassandra, and Devyn’s magic all gets to be described in more depth. A lot of the characters learn a lot more about whom they are and tons of secrets are revealed. I was surprised at how many twists and turns this novel managed to fit in without a lot of them feeling forced. There were a few parts that I definitely saw coming based on subtle foreshadowing, but they were done in a very clever way.

There are times where Marcus felt like a nonexistent character as there was a lot going on, but he does keep his essential role in the story. My opinion of Cass stayed about the same as it did in the first where almost her entire being is Devyn. Every decision/thought/action is for her and him to be together. Again, it felt like a little too much for my taste in the story. I did appreciate her character growth outside of Devyn where she is becoming more mature and also more confident. This novel, though, has an incredible amount of pieces in motion at all times, so the plot became the main focus for me, as the reader. There is a lot that Cassandra goes through in this novel, so I am extremely intrigued to see how she grows in the final novel.

The pacing of this series feels like a roller coaster as there are a lot of fast-paced moments mixed with some slower. I loved how it was done in this novel as it was not full action the entire time and allowed the reader to catch their breath and process some information along the way. The tone is darker as there is a lot more danger as the secrets and backstories for a lot of the characters, both main and backgrounds are revealed. The story sets itself up for a smooth transition into the final novel as everything is put into place for what promises to be a fantastic conclusion!

The Celtic background and stories were amazingly integrated into the story. There is also the story of King Arthur and Nimue that give a lot of background into the world and the magic. It felt like a natural inclusion as the known story of Arthur naturally fit with the story created in this series. The history between the Romans and the Celts were explained in more depth, so all the outside influences were weaved together in this novel. The stories told were revealed in conversations, but they did not feel like info-dumps as they were seamlessly done in a natural way. It felt like a story being told as one character would reveal a piece of the world rather than information being thrown at the reader.

Overall, this series has grown to be amazing and I would recommend it to any reader. The first book is not for everyone as some, like me, did not fully enjoy it, and others loved it. However, this novel ties a lot of the events from the first and also enthralls the reader more to make them anxious for book three to be released. There is the cliffhanger at the end that I have no idea how it will move forward and I am beyond excited to eventually get my hands on book three! There are a lot of exciting moments and revelations that it is hard to believe the large amount that happened in this novel. This series has grown on me more than I ever thought possible and I cannot wait for the Legend of the Lakes to be released later this year! [4.25 out of 5]

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for this opportunity to enjoy this excellent ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are voluntary and completely my own.**

I really enjoyed the first book in this new fantasy trilogy, Secrets of the Starcrossed back in January. Imagine a world where the Roman Empire never fell and where Londonium - a technological hub where magic is banned - has been annexed from the rest of the empire, it’s own walled island in the middle of lands ruled by the Britons. And the Government are not nice to their people, not nice at all, under a false pretence of democracy.

Not to give much away that would be a spoiler for the first book, but at first I was not sure I was going to seek out the second book. It was unique, clever, but I did not really connect wit the magic system and I was not convinced by the main romance. But the publishers offered this review copy of the second book and oh wow I’m glad they did because I now cannot wait until the final instalment, Legend of the Lakes arrives in June. At first, I felt like it was more of the same, the book was enjoyable but not standing out for me, but then we started to get some new characters who were intriguing, things started to go not as I expected them to and the last half an hour of the book... clever. Brilliant. Should have been obvious. Was a bit obvious but never, never like that. And now I’m invested, so invested, and I’m telling you, if YA fantasy is your thing, go and read these books because it all becomes worth it at the end of Curse of the Celts!

The Curse of the Celts begins right after the explosive cliffhanger in the first book Secrets of the Starcrossed. I found this book to be intense, romantic, intriguing, mysterious and absolutely heart wrenching.

I found Curse of the Celts to be even better than Secrets of the Starcrossed and I didn’t think that was going to be possible because I loved the first book so much. One of the best parts of this book was discovering all of the new places that exist outside of Londinium.

I also really enjoyed the majority of the new characters and I was happy to see some old faces as well. I absolutely love Gideon so much and he has now become my favourite character. I love his strength, bravery and his humour. Cass has definitely grown on me a lot and I really enjoyed watching her grow into a stronger character. I liked that Devon’s backstory was shown in a lot more depth. I retract my statement from my last review where I said that Marcus deserved a lot better and now I hope he gets what is coming to him.

I was not ready for the ending and I don’t think that i will ever be ready. It literally ripped my heart out. I can’t wait to see what Cass is going to do in the next book.

I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins One More Chapter for the eARC. This in no way affects my review.

I requested this book before realizing it was the 2nd in the series. So, in the last month, I’ve furiously worked to read both Secrets of the Starcrossed and Curse of the Celts. I also requested it based on the cover alone. I was initially taken aback by the technologically advanced setting, but it did grown on me.

I’ll say that the second book is much more gripping than the first. In the first, I struggled with piddly details like the attraction happening too fast and the world either not feeling complete or feeling like a melting pot of other dystopian works that have gone before. By the end, of book 1, I felt a little more grounded, and book 2 begins on a super dramatic note and ends in a shocking cliffhanger.

In both books, I’m not a huge fan of the romance aspect. It feels a bit forced. However, I am one of those people who like more subtle romance or where it seems like the characters are not trying to be together. The constant reminder of how much Cass desired Devyn niggled at me a bit. Some love this though, so…

What I truly adore about this series the blending of the backstory steeped in (1) an alternate history where Rome never fell and the impact on the well-known rulers (Yorks, Plantagenets) from before and (2) transitioning into the more earthy lore around the Celts and druids.

Obviously, what drew me in was the triskele on the front of the book.

For this one 4* from me.

I enjoyed jumping back into this world again. I really loved seeing what Cass, Devyn and Marcus got up to in this book. The story was interesting and the ending left me wanting again. I really liked how O'Conner expanded on the world and law in this book. I look forward to the next book.

Curse of the Celts is the second book in the secrets of the starcrossed. We are back in the arena with Cass, Marcus and Devyn as they try and escape Londinium.

I absolutely loved and adored the first book, The Once and Future Queen and was so excited to get stuck in to the second instalment. It didn’t disappoint!

Clara’s words flow so well and is a joy to read. I feel as everything is so much more advanced in this book. The characters are more rounded and the world building is just incredible!

Again, I adored this fast paced book. I fell even more in love with the characters and the world. I am eager now for book three.

Thank you so much to One More Chapter and NetGalley for my ARC.

This book was a really fun and enjoyable read. The characters were relatable and had great depth. I definitely recommend it and will be ordering copies for my library.

Before going anywhere else with this review.. if everyone would like a good laugh..

I just recently joined NetGalley and this was one of the first books that I requested as an ARC. I requested it not knowing that it was the second book in a trilogy. I truly did not realize that until I got to the acknowledgments, and that (of course) made so much of the book make SO MUCH MORE sense. I’ll still post my review as I laugh at how stupid I was for assuming it was a stand-alone.. and now I’ll need to backtrack and read the first book.

This is one of those books that claims you on the first page. At least it was for me. It’s an instant info-dump from the beginning, so be prepared. A lot of detailed context is immediately thrown at you and slowly comes together in the subsequent chapters. I had to reread a few spots to keep up, but it didn’t feel overwhelming. I enjoy books that start off heavy on the world-building.

I love reading about elemental magic systems. The one described in this book was intricate enough to feel like I was learning about something new. I appreciate the undiscovered-magic-bloodline troupe going on in the book.

The Celts vs. technology / technicians was really interesting as well. A lot of this back information felt like a dystopian story and that was really cool!

*Further discussion ahead contains spoilers.*








The bond between Cassandra and Devyn was really interesting to learn about. The ability to share thoughts and emotions is a captivating concept. The tidbits of them “not being fated for each other” because he’s supposed to be her protecter, yet they have this deep connection together. Their back and forth relationship was painful enough to give whiplash. All the way though to the end was an anxiety roller coaster.

*BIG SPOILERS AHEAD*






Also - WHAT THE F* MARCUS?!

The ending of this book filled me with so much overwhelming rage. You’re gonna tell me that the love of her life dies and she’s got to go consummate the marriage with this man that she can’t really stand?! What the actual f*. No. NO!

And then bam. It’s just over. I-.. WHAT?!

With thanks to Clara O'Connor and HarperCollins UK for an advanced readers copy of this book.

Wow... that was a ride from start to finish and the only thing I have left to say is, Please can I have more?!?!

Curse of the Celts is a stellar follow up to secrets of the star crossed and picks up exactly where we left off. The book is jam packed with action, and some beautiful world building as we travel from the Roman controlled London towards safe haven in the Celtic lands. But be warned just like the first we get the mother of all cliff hangers... I'll just be twiddling my thumbs waiting for the 3rd.

If you haven't read the first book yet, I would thoroughly recommend picking it up.

What an incredible world Clara O’Connor has created! CURSE OF THE CELTS takes place in a world where Rome never fell and the world is a mix of high tech and ancient Roman sensibilities. Welcome back to a world where ancient druids and Celtic beliefs come alive as Devyn, Marcus and Cassandra must flee for their lives and warn the Celts of a mysterious blood curse that is pummeling their people. There is one person who can help them, but first they must find her…

Fast-paced, detailed and fascinating in its originality, this tale is a wonderful addition to this trilogy that explodes with imagination and intrigue, not to mention a slightly entangled romance that definitely is magnetic.

Great characters, a dangerous quest that will test their strengths, Ms. O’Connor will hook readers from page one with her colorful style and brilliant storytelling.

I received a complimentary ARC edition from One More Chapter! This is my honest and voluntary review.

I wanted to love book one of this trilogy, but I did not. There were aspects of the plot that piqued my curiosity, and it ended on a cliff-hanger – which both led me to pick up book two. And, I am so glad I did! I loved this story from beginning to end, and the issues I had with the first book are entirely non-existent in book 2.

What I Loved

The plot and setting are rich, vibrant, and full of magic and wonder of a by-gone mystical era. I love that King Arthur's time is maintained in this story even though, technically, the setting is a much more recent period. That time in history spurs my imagination, and Curse of the Celts hits on all the reasons why it does; from the vastness of the forest and the beauty of the water to the Samhain celebration, the magic, and the castles – my imagination could wander and explore.

The story is plot-driven, and the characters take a back seat to the plot, but I did not notice that until reflecting on the story in anticipation of writing this review. Even though lacking depth, the characters still must overcome so much that I was able to lose myself in their struggles and connect on that level. I expect to see Cassandra's significant growth in the third and final book as the plot choices dictate that the story development will head in that direction.

The tone, which was a problem for me in the first novel, is more appropriate in this part of the story. The characters face much tragedy, and I loved that the story took me to some very tough places, as death impacted the characters more than once. The last death, even though sad, made the story much more potent and gave it an unexpected depth that still resonates with me.

To Read or Not to Read

This is a fantasy I can now recommend highly. I'm still not a fan of book one, but I am a fan of book two - the direction it took, the vibrancy of the story, and the theme that is now firmly in place, make me want to sing its praises to anyone and everyone.