A promising start to the sequel to 'Gild'.

I'm not going to lie; I did not realize that 'Cursed' was a sequel when I nabbed the first few chapters. However, I had seen enough social media hype to know that my interest was piqued.

The first five chapters succinctly sum up the first novel, to the point that I didn't feel I was missing out in the least. If anything, the first-person narration started to feel redundant despite the rapid pacing of the story. Good guy, bad guy, trauma, romance and loathing... The foundation of a typical YA fantasy.

Any repetition is easily overlooked by the strength of the writing and the lovability of the characters. In the short excerpt I felt I knew who I was rooting for, who I was rooting against, and was already bracing for the second shoe to drop. All signs of a very tight story made to be devoured.

Between now (July) and November's release, I'll see if I can't sneak in the first installment to properly see what all of the fuss is about.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a free sampler of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

When I finished the previous book in this series (Gilded), I slammed the book shut and demanded that I get to read the rest of the story. So, needless to say, I have been highly anticipating Cursed.

This sampler scooped me back up into the story immediately, and I'm already salivating to know what the rest of the book has in store. Serilda and Gild's interactions felt familiar and cozy, but I am fascinated already to see where Serilda's relationship with the Erlking will go in this book.

My only complaint is that I didn't get to read the whole book. Marissa Meyer doesn't miss.

Please please please let me request the full egalley, I need more! As always Marissa Meyer's plots are clever and interesting, her characters fully drawn, and her worlds escapist even when dystopian. I love this duology's delving into and twisting of more folkloric storytelling and I need to know what happens next!

*Arc sampler provided by Netgalley and Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.*

Cursed picks up right where Gilded left off, Serilda is engaged to the Erlking and pregnant with Gild's child. Serilda and Gild must figure out his true name and figure out how to stop the Erlking from capturing the Gods and bringing his lover Perchta back from the dead.


This is only a 5 chapter sampler of the book so it's hard to give a fair review of it. I do enjoy Serilda's interactions with Gild but I am curious to see how her relationship with the Erlking plays out after reading this. I'm excited to read the full book when it comes out in November.

This was a great sampler! I'm usually not the biggest fan of sneak peeks for books—especially ones in series that I'm so highly anticipated, but I think this was the perfect taste that kept me super excited for the rest of the book but not extremely mad because I felt like I was cheated. I was in the mood to reread Gilded and I came on here to see if Cursed was available to request because maybe reading that would keep me from doing even more rereading when I have so many books on my TBR. Instead, I found this sampler available for download and I downloaded it faster than the speed of light.

I loved getting the refresher on what happened in Gilded! Marissa Meyer doesn't let her readers hang and I appreciate that immensely.

Serilda and Gild were as amazing as before and the Erlking is just as if not more wicked than she was in the first book.

Even though this was only six chapters and about 50 pages, I felt like I got so much in this sampler. I can't wait for the full book!!!!!

What can I say, I love Marissa Meyer and will read anything and everything that she puts out. The first book in this series, Gilded, left off on a major cliffhanger, so it was fun to read a sampler of the next and final book, Cursed, before its November release date. But once again, the sampler ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger as well, haha, so I guess my wait continues!

Confession time....I saw this offering by Marissa Meyer and requested the sampler before I even realized it was a sequel! That mattered little though, even with no context, Meyer's instantly hooked me with her lush and atmospheric writing! If you are a fan of her previous works this will certainly work for you!

I am off to buy Gilded now because I must know all the things!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early look.

I absolutely cannot wait for this book to come out so I can finish the rest of the story! I've waited patiently since I finished the 1st book, but now that I've gotten a taste of what's in the next one I'm ready for more!

Although I've only read the sampler, I am SO excited for this book to come out! I absolutely loved Gild and ever since I finished it, I have been thinking about the story and characters. The Cursed Sampler was an absolute delight to read, although now I'm dying to know what happens next. I cannot wait for the rest of this book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Cursed picks up where Gilded left off but with more descriptive and quiet scenes. Our villain seems to be more than what we chalked them to be. Maybe there's even a hint at redemption? Only time will tell.

Marissa eloquently continues weaving the tale with expertise. Seriously, one of the best authors! If you enjoyed Gilded, continue the series with cursed. You won't be disappointed!

I was lucky enough to be given a sampler of Cursed and I simply cannot wait for the books release date!
I'm on the edge of my seat. Gild is so sweet. What a stand up character.
Few review will come once I've read the entire book.

I’d say this is a successful sampler. I tried this out to read something new and was instantly hooked; I’m so ready for the book to release and may even go back to read Gilded so I can pick this up.

I’m so so so ready for this book. The sample wasn’t enough. If you’re looking for another ARC reviewer, look my way.

One of my most anticipated upcoming reads!

I’ve been excited for Cursed since Gilded first came out so I was thrilled to see the sampler available. I can’t wait for the full version to be released!

What an interesting sample! It definitely has me wanting to read more.

I have read some of Marissa Meyer’s books in the past (and quite enjoyed them), but I haven’t read the series this book is in. I will have to read the first novel in this series now so that I am ready when this book releases.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Thank you to Netgalley for offering this sample.

This is my most anticipated release of the year. Gilded smacked me off my seat in February and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. This is the most beautifully crafted story I've read in a long time. It was haunting and eerie. Meyer mingles folklore into a tale so riveting I couldn't put down. Although this was a small sample of the upcoming book, I immediately fell back in where the first left off. I just adore Gild, he is a cinnamon roll and I need him to have a happy ending! I love the way the author uses Serilda's story telling as a device to provide background the story. The Erlking is one of creepiest villains' I've read. So far in the sample, I am anxious already for what he may have up his sleeve for Serilda. I honestly can't say enough about this series and I've already pre-order my copy. November 8th can't come soon enough.

Looks like a nice start! This book will pick up right where the last one left off. The tension is there, and things are set up for the final conflict. I'm still not clear on some things, there seem to be some plot gaps. But we'll see how it all shakes down.

Stars- 5/5!

** I received a free advanced sample from the publisher and have chosen to leave a review**

Overview-
Serilda and Gild attempt to break the curses that tether their spirits to Adalheid's haunted castle before the Endless Moon, when the Erlking means to capture one of the seven gods and make a wish to return his lover, Perchta, from the underworld. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear he doesn't want just one god—he wants to capture all seven, and force them to bring down the veil that keeps the Dark Ones separate from the land of the mortals. Serilda and Gild must try to thwart his plans, all while solving the mystery of Gild's forgotten name, freeing his younger sister who is trapped inside Gravenstone Castle, and trying to protect their unborn child.
Review-

I absolutely loved this sampler! After reading Gilded, I could not wait for Cursed because of the wild cliffhanger! This sampler included 6 chapters and definitely made me excited to read the rest of the book this fall. I know that Marissa Meyer has a few twists hidden in this book, so I expect this book to be even better than the last!

If you are interested in more reviews and bookish content, follow me on Instagram @3am_bookmarks !

I was thrilled to receive this sample! Just that portion had me hooked I don’t think I’ve ever read something I knew was so short so fast.

This is true temptation and agony to have read this sampler and have to wait for the book! The opening of Cursed is so well written, perfectly summarizing events that led up to the novel and whetting your appetite for even more of Serilda's "spun stories", Gild's charm, and the Erlking's danger!