Cover Image: Curse & Craving

Curse & Craving

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I really liked how this book included mythology, those kind of books are always a huge plus for me. To be totally honest, I don’t love the cover. Like if I saw the cover alone it wouldn’t have drawn me to the book, but I did enjoy the book!

Was this review helpful?

Okay so, I originally read this as Shadow Play, back in the day. I didnt really realize this was a rewrite, I didnt look at the description, I just saw Jill Ramsower and I was liek YES GIVE ME!

I loved the rewrite, the start is way different, not sure how I feel about the start but overall I loved the the fairy tale/folklore concepts that are twisted into this novel and the mixture of Arthurian legends, it's not often that different myths are combined and done well. I loved we get to learn about the fae alongside Rebecca, which makes the world the author created feel really realistic. Honestly the story falls together really neatly, the plot was interesting, and the world building equally as intriguing.

Was this review helpful?

This wasn't for me unfortunately! The pacing felt off for me. A shame because the premise sounds like something I'd normally love.

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

Was this review helpful?

Interesting take on Arthurian legend, but there was so many boring points to the book that I just felt dissatisfied in the end.

I thing the characters were a little under developed, however I really liked the interesting mix of mythology mixed in with the story.

I think the book was easy to follow along with, I just wasn’t absolutely devouring the book like I thought I would

Was this review helpful?

There were a few things that I liked about this book but sadly there were more that I didn't like. The actual book was far too long - much longer than it needed to be and the final battle! Well, what the hell was that? We had been working up to this battle throughout the book and it just seemed to be over a bit quick and was very anti-climatic. I can't help wondering if perhaps the author completely changed her mind about it and just kind of tacked this one on.

Was this review helpful?

2.5 stars

I have to say, the pacing was a lot off on this one, which ruined the reading experience for me.. I felt as if the ending was a bit of a bust. Might work for a light lower-YA fantasy novel, but not for the new adult/adult romantacy novel this claims to be.

I didn't know until after I requested this arc that it would be compared to the Fever series by KMM. I DNFed the first book in that series, so had I known this, I might not have requested to read it.

Great concept for a fae fantasy romance, just didn't love the execution.

Was this review helpful?

I have a weakness for any dark romance and fantasy books. Curse and Craving kept my streak alive and well. This was a wonderful New Adult book that I can't wait to share with our patrons.

Was this review helpful?

Great start to the series and phenomenal world building in this unique fantasy romance. I studied Medieval Lit in college and love when I see stories that incorporate Arthurian legends. And meshing with a contemporary urban setting is definitely a unique spin for me.

I'm a hug fan of the grumpy sunshine trope and doesn't get grumpier than Lochlan. His character definitely takes some warming up to but develops into one I enjoyed reading. Becca's journey from an almost naive museum curator to navigating this complex fantasy world is fun. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two of them as well as the other characters in the book. I think the set up for Ashley's story was great and I look forward to reading that as well!

Was this review helpful?

Curse & Craving is an adult Paranormal fantasy romance set in Ireland, where our Maine character travels for a job and pretty quickly gets immersed in a world of myths and monsters.

This book felt like it started off a little bit slow for me but did pick up after a couple of chapters. I liked our main character, though I did always feel a bit of a distance from her throughout the whole book.

I’m a huge fan of Ireland and it’s folklore, so I understandably loved the setting, and also really enjoyed the myths and legends woven into this story. I enjoyed the writing style from this author, as this was my first read from them, but like with our main character there was always a bit of distance or disconnect for me while reading Curse & Craving. This is a slow burn romance, but there is enough action, and intrigue to keep you turning (or clicking) through the pages.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the plot, and all of the myths tied into the story, but like I said before I just couldn’t fully connect with it all, which is most likely just me. I would definitely read more from this author. If you are looking for a good Urban Fantasy, with lots of action great mythology and some slow burn romance, definitely give Curse & Craving a chance.

**Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Was this review helpful?

this was the first book i read from this author but the writing was so good and the characters were loveable. also loved the different mythologies.

Was this review helpful?

# Curse & Craving by author # Jill Samsower is book one # Of Myth & Man series. It contains adult themes and content that might not be suitable for sensitive audiences. I've caught your attention now.
Her job is in a new country, an entirely different world. This is a world of magic and secrets. And a dark and monstrous power.....
Thank you for the advance copy,
# Netgalley and # Victory Editing

Was this review helpful?

Wow! I wasn't expecting that!!
I'm going to be honest here when I started reading this book I didn't know it would have some Fae stuff related, I totally picked this ARC because of the cover!

Now I don't usually like Fae-related books, it's my least favorite topic but I actually enjoyed this book. It's my first time reading this author, and it was so well written, all the creatures, and characters are amazing and unique.

The mix between faes, Norse mythology, legends, and more, all together was so beautiful to read, honestly, I cannot wait for the next book!!

The slow burn in this book was just at the right point, not too slow but not too soon either!!

I just hope everyone can give a chance to read this book! I highly recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

The beginning was very slow and hard to get into for me. The second half of the book redeemed itself! I really loved the romance and found it believable. The slow burn was rewarding in the end. Ultimately I took off stars because I wasn't as in love with it as I thought I would be.

Was this review helpful?

Curse & Craving is such a good book, romance, travel, the fae! I also loved how it was a little bit like a retelling of a famous story (read it, you will see what I mean!).

If you like romantic fantasy with angst and twists this is a great book for you!

Was this review helpful?

this book was one that surprised me alot! it is so well written and filled with so much information and world building but it all works without been a information dump and that is just what this fantasy fan wanted in a book.

the characters are likeable and have great growth and for once they have a support system with a mix of personalities which was a great thing to see and one of the side characters seem to be having a great time. the spicy in this book as good and natural not forced like you see in some book recently.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for eARC book

The book is not bad, but I think it might be better with more fighting scenes and further information about Seele’s world. Rebecca begins turning into Fae when she moves to Ireland, meets Lochlan, Rowan; she discovers Fae world, a big mix of Artù’s stories, with Merlin, Morgan and all main characters.
It was a pleasure reading, the writing is fluent and chemistry between Lochlan and Bec is tangible. A good book for fans of S.J. Maas who are looking for a mix of fantasy e romantic stories.
This book tells Becca’s story and next books will have other characters.
I didn’t like some scenes and I would have preferred some situations not to be treated superficially.

Was this review helpful?

This is a big ole book for me at nearly 500 pages for book 1. The premise is a gift was bestowed on a little girl by Merlin which slowly turned her into Fae. So she goes from clueless to I have got this very fast. For me the end of it the big war/fight thats been brewing since before she was born was too simple. So much build up for so little outcome. It appears each book is a standalone or at least the focus is on another character so I look forward to seeing if this changes the book dynamic.

Was this review helpful?

2.75ish stars

Eh. There wasn't a lot of soul in this book. It wasn't necessarily bad. I finished it. But I didn't connect with anyone really and have no desire to read the next ones in the series. The romance was quite forced. The love triangle was not believable. The MC is described to be "timid and conservative," but she still thrusts herself into ridiculous situations that don't suit her described personality. She was quite bland and forgettable. The book did start to get more interesting in the latter half, but not enough to redeem it. There are a couple of relatively meh but not outright awful sexy bits if that's what you're after.

"Even though it was still nearly two months from the middle of winter..." Two months from the middle? Seasons are fucking three months long. Two months from the middle? Ffs.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC book!

I enjoy reading this book so much! Almost 500 pages but I can finish it in just 2 days because I can't stop reading this book!

This is a fantasy book but the world is mixed with our real world and our heroine here is a human or was. We will follow the journey of Rebecca who after move to Ireland found that she is no longer a human. Not stopping at that, she burdened with power that can prevent the war that will be happen in Faery, Fae world.

Because we follow the character who once human, we will see a complete journey of her from powerless to become a powerful Fae. I must say this book has a complete journey, from denial until struggle of Rebecca to accept her new fate. I can say the author doing great job to explain all things that happen in Fae world, the history and journey itself, slowly but I'm not feel bored at all while read this.

Rebecca is a great character. I love her, even there are so many behavior of hers that sometimes annoying but I think it became one of her uniqueness. We will see so much training of her and I love it. It make more sense because she is not instantly became a great Fae.

The world building is beautifully written, both in this earth or in Faery. So much unique creatures and I love the Arthurian Legend use in here. I never saw something like this before where Fae mixed with Arthurian Legend. It nice to have something familiar while read this.

How about the romance? It's great. I love them even though it super slow burn, you must patience to finally see them together but the tension is never leave them at all. There are still so many sweet thing happen between them and if you love slow burn romance, you will find it here.

One thing that less satisfied for me is the war. It's good and have the tension but still lack of what great war in my mind is and I'm not really fan of the way it end actually.

Was this review helpful?