I was lucky enough to be given an ARC from HarperCollins UK Once More Chapter team in exchange for an honest review after reading Clara O'Connor’s debut novel Secrets of the Starcrossed. Needless to say, I am completely enthralled in this world!

The Once and Future Queen series has never failed to make me hungry for more answers. In the second installment, Curse of the Celts, we follow Cass, Devyn, and Marcus as they embark on a journey to a world well known to just one of them. Anxious to find out the truth about her past and family, Cass finds herself searching for answers and a sense of belonging that she has never felt before in her life. As she explores her magical capabilities, she finds herself caught up in the midst of a murder attempt and a political divide, all while trying to keep her true identity hidden.

I really enjoyed the world building in this novel and the character development of Cassandra. She’s settled into her new role effortlessly and refused to let others decide her fate which is what I really admired. The ending really solidified my eagerness to finally find out what will happen to all the characters involved, and with the way the world is set up, I can only imagine what is in store for them all. That being said, I felt like not a lot happened in this book and I find myself wanting the plot to unravel at a quicker pace. Perhaps that’s a good thing since the final book comes out later this year! I can’t wait to read Legend of the Lakes!

Thank you to the HarperCollins UK One More Chapter team for providing this digital ARC for review!

Real rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

As a sequel to Secrets of the Starcrossed, Curse of the Celts starts off right where the first book left off, and as is usual for a sequel, it takes us on a journey from the events of the first book to what will, I assume, be the big ending that will take place in the third and final book. On this journey, Cass is introduced to the whole world outside of Londinium that she had only ever heard about briefly as she grew up within the walls. They meet new people who they may or may not trust, secrets are unveiled, and things get complicated as more and more obstacles pop up. The complicated and angsty dynamic between Cass, Devyn, and Marcus continues throughout the book, keeping it interesting, especially as the new characters join the fray. The end featured a big plot twist as well as a huge cliffhanger ending that has me riled and ready to get my hands on the final book in the trilogy as soon as possible!!

Curse of the Celts is the 2nd book in the Once and Future Queen series. This is story is fast paced at point and begins with the public trials of Cass, Marcus, and Devyn. I hadn’t read the first book in the series and was able to quickly pick-up the world building and events of the prior book. I enjoyed greatly world created where the Roman Empire never fell and a truce has existed between the empire and Brittiana. Political moves, power plays, and learning what magic means to both sides and the lengths they will goal to control it all weave in and out of the story, The book ends on a powerful cliffhanger and I am anxious to see how this story ends in the final book.

This book is so much more mature than the first. The storyline is just as interesting as the first book, but now they are travelling through the different kingdoms outside of Londonium. There is more danger, magic and romance. I had high expectations for this book because I did enjoy the first one so much - and it really did not disappoint.

The book introduces new characters Bronwyn and Gideon and also reunites us with some unexpected ones from the first book! I loved reading about the druids and the different castles they visit on their journey up North. It’s so hard to say too much without giving away spoilers! The setting of so many locations in the book really made the story feel so much more ‘exposed’ to the wilderness of the countryside - it was stormy, empty and cold. Cassandra goes straight from a priveleged upbringing inside Londonium to the cold castles further north where she no longer feels at home, and the character as a result does seem to ‘grow up’ a lot more in this book and I definitely found her more likeable this time around!

Again, it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and it was a very emotional ending - I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

I thought this a good sequel in the trilogy. It continues the story of the love triangle between Cass, Devyn and Marcus, and how their story continues outside the walls of Londinium as they try to understand how they will fit in outside the Empire in the Celtic world and how they might use the knowledge there to cure the Maledictio. The twists, betrayals and revelations of the first book continue in the second and propel the reader to the third.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Uk (One More Chapter) for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!

Cass, Devyn, and Marcus get caught at the end of Secrets of StarCrossed so this book starts right when they are in the arena waiting for their fate. But when they see the opportunity to escape they take it.

This book follows kind of the tone the previous book set, Devyn and Cass are still in their argument about if they are allowed to be together or not (I got the sense that this theme was even more important than in the last one), which annoyed me quite a bit because two books with the same topic are too much, more if the topic in question makes no sense at all. Devyn keeps getting closer to Cass and then pushing her away all the time, which makes Cass obviously confused, I can't stop feeling like he is doing that to control her and get her to do what he wants what it is so selfish, even if it is for her own right. Another thing that doesn't change is Devyn not giving any clue or information to Cassandra about her past or what is going to happen to her, which again, I find so stupid because I think that if you give the girl the real information about why things are done a certain way it will help her understand and follow "orders".

On the other hand three new characters, some of these appeared in the last book but didn't get much attention, who are really important in Cassandra's new life and gives us and Cass the information Devyn so carefully hide. I won't say anything about this although I am sure that if you have read the first book you sort of figure out more or less who she is. Also, some references about King Arthur came from nowhere, I really hope to get an explanation about why is this really necessary because in this book I didn't see the need for it.

Changing the tone (because I feel like I am just pointing out the bad stuff about the book) I want to say that I liked it, there is more action, we get to see how is the Britons society, which is not at all better than the Romans (to see that even in Briton the position of a woman is as wrong as the one the Romans have made me quite angry, which is not a complaint about the book but a comment about the society on it, I really was hoping to see a society where the women had an important paper instead of being just brides and mums) how the houses are formed and where Devyn cames from. The unexpected allies and betrayals are on point, I didn't expect any of them, and gave the story a nice touch. We also get to see more about Cassandra's powers which I can't wait to see her get some control on, I am sure once she gets to forget about her love life and has her powers on point she will be a real badass.

This book may give you the impression that is not that amazing but the reading for me was so fast, the ending, as I am starting the see from Clara O'Connor books, is by far the best part of the book, the cliffhangers, and twists at the end of the book are for sure her strength and I have to recognize I cried quite a lot with this ending and really need to see where this story ends.

This book started with a bang. Two chapters in I realised it was the second in a trilogy so immediately had to purchase and read book one.
To continue the story of Cass, Marcus and Devyn through the world of the Celts that were never conquered by the still existing Roman Empire.
There is more romance, more mystery but still the great fast pace remains. Cassandra continues to slightly irritate me but I'm beginning to think that might be part of her charm.
There is introduction of some new characters and the ending, oh wow, yet another cliffhanger.
Thank you One More Chapter Harper Collins for this copy to read and review.

After the ending of the first book of this series I could not wait to get my hands on this second book. Curse of Celts is a thrilling adventure in the beautiful world on the other side of the Wall.

O'Connell continues her exquisite world building but this time it is in sharp contrast to the technogical master piece of city. Outside the Wall is world of castles and Arthurian lore. Where druids still heal and swords are wielded for honor. It is very easy to forget that this story takes place in the future.

The love story and character developement deepen as Cass, Devyn and Marcus find new plots against them. The twist and turns keep you guessing till the end.

Speaking of the end....this book had me until then. I truly did not like it. There are a few reasons but the biggest is O'Connell's continued use of sex as a form of manipulation and control. In the first book Cass is under the influence of drugs and not respectful of her partners wishes. In this book sex is given as an only option for survival to two unwilling parties. There is so much sadness and shame around sex. It bothers me that this is how it is portrayed. My rating would have been higher if not for this continued theme.

I am completely obsessed with this series! Gripping doesn't quite cover it, as this second installment doesn't slow down at all! Picking up almost exactly where the first book left off, Curse of the Celts has even more mystery, magic and romance.

The ending left me devastated and desperate for the last book. I'm not sure how I'll cope until its released!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

An outstanding follow up to Secrets of the Star-Crossed!! Non stop action right from the start, with the stakes continually being raised, and twists that throw the story in directions you will not see coming! The story picks up immediately after the cliffhanger ending of book 1, where Cassandra, Devyn, and Marcus find themselves on the sands of the arena waiting to be judged. They know they need to find a way to escape but it seems impossible, when a surprising ally allows them to flee to the North. The trio find themselves in the wilds on the night of Samhain, when the bonds between the living and dead are thinned and from this point on the stakes and action ramps up and doesn't let you catch your breath. The consequences of each decision they make will reverberate far beyond just their own lives. Especially for Devyn, the consequences may be deadly as he is considered an oathbreaker and traitor.
I love the world that Clara has created in this trilogy. The world of Londinium with its high technology, yet adherence to ancient Roman beliefs is fascinating and in this book we finally get beyond the wall to Devyn's world. The lands and culture of the Celts is wonderfully woven into the story and to see the society and people Devyn grew up with is fantastic. I so enjoyed how so many ancient beliefs and customs are shown through out the story. I especially enjoyed the Druids and their healing skills and how Marcus jumps right in to learn what they know. Meeting up again with Marina, Oban, Bronwyn and Fidelma as well as new characters fills this story out and really brings the intensity to a new level. I loved every bit of the story and literally gasped out loud more than once at the turns it took and was gobsmacked at the ending. I so recommend this trilogy for any fantasy, alternate world, and romance fans out there. So looking forward to the conclusion!!!

This is the second book of the Once and Future Queen series and I was lucky enough to be given an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley after reading the first book. And boy, am I glad I got to read this one!

The story continues from the major cliffhanger of the first book and follows the main characters, Cass, Marcus, and Devyn through the world of Celts that were never conquered by the still-existing Roman empire. I find it fascinating to think what would be different if the Romans were still around, if the Celts were still around, etc. This book introduces some new characters that I enjoyed but at times the main character, Cass, still bothered me. I wish she would've been less about a man the whole time. There's some more romance, some more mystery, and then some much needed family reunions. This book also ended in a cliff-hanger and I want more! It made me 😭 and it was 🔥🔥🔥. I can't wait for the third installment!