This book had a promising set up but the author didn't quite hit the mark, I found this book hard to get into and follow the character's story and the characters had no development.

I enjoyed reading The Curse of the Blessed. At times, I felt that things were drawn out or sections didn't really need to be in there to further the story. I did enjoy the overall storyline. I want to see what happens with Cade and Mae's relationship, so I will be reading the final book.
Mae and Cade's relationship is one of my favorite parts of this book. They sort of have an enemies-to-lovers slow burn going on. It's enjoyable to read when they finally give in to their feelings.
I love how much Mae cares for Annie and Livi once their secret is revealed. I hoped for a different outcome for them, but what happened in the book wasn't bad. But I feel that Mae could have saved them differently. I don't want to have any spoilers in this review, so that's all I'll say about that storyline.
If you enjoy regency romance, this book takes place with the Lords and Ladies of the country. There is a chance for the heroine to become royalty. I would say if you enjoy that this book is right for you.
Due to some unneeded sections/storyline tangents and some slow pacing in this book, I give it 3.5 stars, rounding up to a 4 for the star system.

This is a great fantasy story. I enjoy reading it from start to the end. I like all characters' connection one to another. Set in palace makes this journey is amazing

I really wanted to love this book because it had a good premise. However, I could not get into it. I didn’t really care for the characters. Thus, I just could not connect with the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel. This is a YA (minus two parts) book that centers around Mae and her quest to better the lives of her people and city. She enters a competition for a chance to be the future queen. The plot in this book is very interesting but there is SO MUCH DIALOGUE. Most of the world building is done through this and I would’ve liked to see more of that done organically instead as that’s usually one of my most favorite aspects of reading—going to the places. This ended with a lot of unanswered questions that I hope are answered in the book(s?) to come.

Really with there had been a warning for the sexual assault....I wasn't really enjoying the book up to that point because of the childish dialogue and honestly the main character was too immature for me to want to cheer for her--but I couldn't finish the book after that scene anyway.


**Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.***

My general thoughts about this book is honestly one of indecision. I both liked and disliked this book. The flow of events were well timed and the character themselves had the potential for greatness. However, there were many things that left me confused more than anything. I am glad I read this book, and would want to read the sequel if one were to be released. However, if anyone was expecting a great fantasy with action, adventure, romance, and magical qualities . . . there are many that would be disappointed to know that most of those qualities, although present, seemed slightly washed over.

Favorite Things: I loved that the strong female character, Mae, was actually a strong female character. She had the power, intelligence, and drive that many female leads say that they possess, but actually don't. In a book like Crave for example, the author annoyingly wrote about how strong a female character Grace was, over and over and over . . . and over again, without giving ANYTHING to prove it. The author of this book however, did a great job of showing and not telling when it came to Mae's strengths. She was brave, selfless, and honest to a fault. She didn't care too often about what other's said about her because she knew that their opinions did not matter at all.

Least Favorite Things: The female character constantly complains about how not many man would want to choose her over a pretty little petite woman like some of the other characters and yet had several men pining for her throughout the entire book. The romance was nothing more than forced connections and slight intrigue taken too far. The only romantic couple that made sense was Livi and Annie. They were two female noblewoman who'd grown up together and fell in love; only to be forced to keep (somewhat) hidden. SA was used by the father of one to "fix" her and failed. Yet they still somehow managed to be together often and not kept apart while traveling and staying in the castle? Surely the father would have wanted to send his daughter with someone that would keep them apart. If Mae could take her attendant, why didn't either of them? Forced or otherwise.

Opinions: The overall story was extremely predictable from the first few pages, and there were many aspects of the story that felt more like a copout, rather than finding a way to make things work out naturally. An example of this was setting up the idea that magic was thought of as evil and that many people have been taken away from their families never to be seen again. Only for the reverse to be found as true and that her magic which she thought of as a curse, many saw as a blessing. So much so in fact that the kingdom officials went looking for anyone with such abilities to possibly bring that magic back into the official bloodline of the king. Another situation I found this to affect is her relationship with the prince. The author used a "common loss" trope to tie the characters together, mixed with a bit of trauma, and a dash of sexual tension. It felt forced and almost cringe. Especially when having Prince Cade being so indecisive and extremely selfish in how he presented his feelings for her. Once moment he's kissing her and the next he's shoving her away and talking about another woman he'd rather marry. That he'd absolutely hate to marry her because he loved her too much. And although that made sense from his trauma, saying it only once or twice and moving forwards would have made his character more likable. Instead, all the way until the end he is trying to convince her through kisses to stay away from him and let him be forced into an awful loveless marriage with someone he's be okay to see destroyed and forced to have heirs with. Like . . . really?

The love triangle created started off pretty pleasant. With the princes friend, Lord Aimon, being charming and flirtations with the main character. However, it soon seemed a bit too strained. There was no choice between the two as there could have been. She began by choosing neither, yet flirting back with Aimon who she later tells she saw only as a friend. I was almost rooting for her and Aimon to start some kind of secret romance with Prince Cades approval. But then she suddenly fell for the prince out of nowhere. It just didn't feel right, but had the set up to be great. Mae's indifference from page one however made the attraction dull and sudden.

Just my mind wondering, but I wish there had been more depth in the triangle as well. For example, I almost kind of hoped that Aimon would have come out as bisexual. If he had once been in love with Cade, but decided to move on because of his role, and then began his attraction towards Mae, it would have brought that depth. Especially if Prince Cade had won her over in a more believable way, taking Aimon's second love from him. Yet he would have been happy for both of them having been in love with both in the past. With how Aimon's loyalty to Cade is written in this story, it wouldn't have been such a large stretch if the imagination for him to have possibly loved and held back his feelings for his best friend.

Felix is an un-needed side character that brings in absolutely nothing to the overall story whatsoever and is only there as a former love interest to mess with Cade and Aimon for all of two seconds before vanishing and reappearing whenever inconvenient. He leaves the woman he is supposed to be in love with in the possible care of would be suitors she is not so subtly using to possibly make him jealous while he has made it clear he only wants her. You can take his character completely out of the book and there would be absolutely no change at all to anything that happened. I am so confused as to why he was put in place.

Title: "The Curse of the Blessed"

"The Curse of the Blessed" is a captivating and enchanting tale that follows Lady Maela Llewelyn on a journey of self-discovery, magic, and political intrigue. Set in a kingdom burdened by oppression and dwindling resources, Maela's struggles and determination make for a compelling narrative.

The author skillfully portrays Maela as a relatable and courageous protagonist. Her love for her family and land drives her actions, and her hidden magical powers add a layer of mystery and danger. The tension builds as Maela is thrust into the palace, forced to participate in an event she never desired. The conflicting desires of Maela—to help her people and pursue her magical potential—create a compelling internal conflict that keeps readers engaged.

The world-building in "The Curse of the Blessed" is immersive, with rich descriptions that bring the kingdom to life. The stark contrast between the opulence of the palace and the struggles of the common folk emphasizes the disparity within the society. Additionally, the dynamics between the characters, particularly Maela's friendship with the highest lord and her unexpected interactions with the prince, add depth and intrigue to the story.

What sets this book apart is its ability to balance multiple themes seamlessly. It explores the themes of power, love, loyalty, and the sacrifices one must make for the greater good. The author's writing style is engaging, capturing the reader's attention from the beginning and maintaining a steady pace throughout.

"The Curse of the Blessed" is a must-read for fans of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue. With its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and a touch of magic, this book offers a compelling and thrilling journey that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.

I did not finish this book, and I am not a person who does not finish books. I was very interested in the idea of the story and I was engaged with it. I could not get over the stilted and sometimes almost childish dialog, and this is why I struggled to make it through the book. Another reason I was bumped out of the book was due to the protagonist. There are only so many times a reader can read her downplaying everything about her, from her looks to her magic. The ‘aw shucks’ persona gets old really quickly.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of the curse of the blessed. The cover got me on this one so I grabbed it but I am not as big of a sci-fi nut theses days. I thought the story started off cute very mid evil or 19th century still having servants and ladies maids. I thought the romance wasn’t quite there and the sexual assault definitely ruined it for me. Unfortunately that lost me over all so I couldn’t say I loved this one even if I wanted it to keep me.

The novel explores the themes of power, friendship, and political intrigue in a medieval fantasy setting. While the plot has potential, the execution falls short in some areas. The writing is heavy on dialogue, which may not be to everyone's taste. The author relies on conversations between characters to move the plot forward, and this can make the story feel slow at times.

On a positive note, the secondary characters in the novel are well-developed and add depth to the story. Lady Maela's interactions with the highest lord of the city and the crown prince are interesting, and the reader is left wondering where these relationships will lead. However, the ending of the novel is underwhelming, and it feels as if the author did not have a clear direction on how to wrap up the book.

One of the weaknesses of The Curse of the Blessed is the over-reliance on the main character. Every character seems to want to speak to Lady Maela at every moment, and this can feel forced and unnatural. Additionally, the book leans towards a younger audience, and older readers may find the story simplistic and predictable.

Overall, The Curse of the Blessed is an enjoyable read with some flaws. While it may not appeal to everyone, fans of young adult fantasy may find it entertaining. The book has potential, and with some additional development, it could have been a stronger novel. However, for readers looking for a light fantasy read with interesting characters and a political intrigue, The Curse of the Blessed may be worth checking out.

Lady Maela Llewelyn is a determined and compassionate young woman who is willing to do whatever it takes to help her people. However, her secret magical powers put her at great risk of being taken away by the High Holy Council. When she saves a young girl and is seen using her powers by her uncle, she is convinced to attend an event at the palace to find the next queen of the kingdom.

Despite her lack of interest in becoming the prince's bride, Mae sees the opportunity to speak with the king about her land's problems and hone her mystical abilities. However, she faces many obstacles as she travels to the palace and becomes a target for discrimination from those who look down on her for her background.

The story is set against a backdrop of political intrigue and tensions within the kingdom, which adds depth to the plot and keeps the reader engaged. As Mae becomes involved with the highest lord of the city and the prince, she finds herself at the center of more intrigue and danger than she ever could have imagined.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and easy to connect with, particularly Lady Maela. Her courage, strength, and compassion make her a compelling protagonist, and readers will be rooting for her from beginning to end. The author does an excellent job of building tension and suspense throughout the story, leaving readers eager to turn the page to find out what happens next.

Overall, "Lady Maela" is a captivating and entertaining read, full of adventure, magic, and romance. Anyone who enjoys fantasy novels will surely enjoy this book, as it is a great example of the genre. I highly recommend it to fans of authors like Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo.

Over a good easy read. It did remind me of the selection by Kiara Cass and the bachelor mixed with magic. It was definitely interesting but it did take me quite some time to get into it. The first half was a bit slow and dragged for me. It was a bit repetitive at time as well. The main character Mae is determined to help her people even if that means being put up again several over ladies for the princess hand and to be the future queen. Even though in the end all she wanted is to help her people. The last thing she expected was to come to care for several of the ladies and the prince. I did personally find her kind of whinny and poor me at some points in the book. There was not nearly as much action, magic or romance as I expected. But the small amount that there was it was done well. I wish there was more depth when it came to the romance and the magic. I have been left with so many questions. It felt unfinished. I was not a huge fan of the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for letting me receive this book as an ARC.
This book starts with a strong female main character who has no mind-to-mouth filter. I related to this character in this way. The book itself is very well-written and easy to follow when reading. This is a good book showing a spin on a traditional coming-of-age type novel. Mae, the MC, has to face some internal and external struggles while figuring out life itself. The use of magic in this book to show her how to balance and handle her problems was done very well. I would recommend this as a YA to those who are looking for a cute read.

This book was balanced in its plot structure, well-written, and engaging.

The main character Mae is intelligent, and kind, and often lets her mouth run away with her. I found her to be much like the character Danielle in the film Ever After. It is nice to see when the ‘Not like other girls’ trope is done well. I absolutely loved the secondary character of Leanna, who starts off guarded and judgmental of the higher-born people of the kingdom. Watching her come to terms with her own prejudices and self-correct without anyone forcing her to examine herself was refreshing. I think she may be one of the strongest characters in the novel.

This was a coming-of-age story with an interesting plot and subplots that really piqued my interest. I enjoyed the world-building that the author created for the story by giving the background of the kingdom and incorporating the social struggles between the different cities of the kingdom.

The characters were loveable and made me root for them to win throughout the book. Mae goes through not only external problems she has to face but also internal struggles with her magic, who she is meant to be, and figuring out her destiny. Some struggles of the other characters are also very interesting and make for excellent side plots to the main story.

I really enjoyed this story and I do plan on continuing to read more from this author, especially if they come out with a sequel. I want to know what happens next!

Fantasy, magic and adventure with a fun strong female character named Mae. Yes, this will be a hit with young teens.
The story is fun and both a simple read so it will not overwhelm younger readers.
Good writing that will hold the readers interest and keep them reading to see what happens.
This is currently set as book one of a series.
Readers will enjoy this book if they go in without expectations or hoping for it to be like so many others,
Thank you NetGalley and the publishing company for the advanced e-book edition of the fun story in exchange for review consideration. All thoughts are my own

Title: The Curse of the Blessed
Author: C Tarkington
Genre: Fantasy, Romance?

Kind of remind's me of Goose Girl by Shannon Hale [Highly Recommended]
***A beautifully written book about a princess hiding from her treasonous servant who takes up her identity while traveling to a neighboring kingdom. She hides away in the palace farms and tends to geese, learning to speak with them as well as the wind. She must take back her identity before her servant marries the prince and claims war on their home so that she may take it for herself. The princess although engaged to a man she has only seen from afar while in disguise, can't help but fall in love with a handsome knight she meets after somewhat stealing his horse. 1st in a 4 part series called Books of Bayern.

WARNINGS: Sexual Assault
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Overview: My general thoughts about this book is honestly one of indecision. I both liked and disliked this book. The flow of events were well timed and the character themselves had the potential for greatness. However, there were many things that left me confused more than anything. I am glad I read this book, and would want to read the sequel if one were to be released. However, if anyone was expecting a great fantasy with action, adventure, romance, and magical qualities . . . there are many that would be disappointed to know that most of those qualities, although present, seemed slightly washed over.

Favorite Things: I loved that the strong female character, Mae, was actually a strong female character. She had the power, intelligence, and drive that many female leads say that they possess, but actually don't. In a book like Crave for example, the author annoyingly wrote about how strong a female character Grace was, over and over and over . . . and over again, without giving ANYTHING to prove it. The author of this book however, did a great job of showing and not telling when it came to Mae's strengths. She was brave, selfless, and honest to a fault. She didn't care too often about what other's said about her because she knew that their opinions did not matter at all.

Least Favorite Things: The female character constantly complains about how not many man would want to choose her over a pretty little petite woman like some of the other characters and yet had several men pining for her throughout the entire book. The romance was nothing more than forced connections and slight intrigue taken too far. The only romantic couple that made sense was Livi and Annie. They were two female noblewoman who'd grown up together and fell in love; only to be forced to keep (somewhat) hidden. SA was used by the father of one to "fix" her and failed. Yet they still somehow managed to be together often and not kept apart while traveling and staying in the castle? Surely the father would have wanted to send his daughter with someone that would keep them apart. If Mae could take her attendant, why didn't either of them? Forced or otherwise.

Opinions: The overall story was extremely predictable from the first few pages, and there were many aspects of the story that felt more like a copout, rather than finding a way to make things work out naturally. An example of this was setting up the idea that magic was thought of as evil and that many people have been taken away from their families never to be seen again. Only for the reverse to be found as true and that her magic which she thought of as a curse, many saw as a blessing. So much so in fact that the kingdom officials went looking for anyone with such abilities to possibly bring that magic back into the official bloodline of the king. Another situation I found this to affect is her relationship with the prince. The author used a "common loss" trope to tie the characters together, mixed with a bit of trauma, and a dash of sexual tension. It felt forced and almost cringe. Especially when having Prince Cade being so indecisive and extremely selfish in how he presented his feelings for her. Once moment he's kissing her and the next he's shoving her away and talking about another woman he'd rather marry. That he'd absolutely hate to marry her because he loved her too much. And although that made sense from his trauma, saying it only once or twice and moving forwards would have made his character more likable. Instead, all the way until the end he is trying to convince her through kisses to stay away from him and let him be forced into an awful loveless marriage with someone he's be okay to see destroyed and forced to have heirs with. Like . . . really?

The love triangle created started off pretty pleasant. With the princes friend, Lord Aimon, being charming and flirtations with the main character. However, it soon seemed a bit too strained. There was no choice between the two as there could have been. She began by choosing neither, yet flirting back with Aimon who she later tells she saw only as a friend. I was almost rooting for her and Aimon to start some kind of secret romance with Prince Cades approval. But then she suddenly fell for the prince out of nowhere. It just didn't feel right, but had the set up to be great. Mae's indifference from page one however made the attraction dull and sudden.

Just my mind wondering, but I wish there had been more depth in the triangle as well. For example, I almost kind of hoped that Aimon would have come out as bisexual. If he had once been in love with Cade, but decided to move on because of his role, and then began his attraction towards Mae, it would have brought that depth. Especially if Prince Cade had won her over in a more believable way, taking Aimon's second love from him. Yet he would have been happy for both of them having been in love with both in the past. With how Aimon's loyalty to Cade is written in this story, it wouldn't have been such a large stretch if the imagination for him to have possibly loved and held back his feelings for his best friend.

Felix is an un-needed side character that brings in absolutely nothing to the overall story whatsoever and is only there as a former love interest to mess with Cade and Aimon for all of two seconds before vanishing and reappearing whenever inconvenient. He leaves the woman he is supposed to be in love with in the possible care of would be suitors she is not so subtly using to possibly make him jealous while he has made it clear he only wants her. You can take his character completely out of the book and there would be absolutely no change at all to anything that happened. I am so confused as to why he was put in place.

The world is well described, pulling you in to the atmosphere of the main characters home. Initially i found Mae’s international with her environment and people around her very easy and organic, though that unfortunately seems not to be the case with some of the others further into the book. There were also a few punctuation errors early on.
Overall the story was very good, but half way through didn’t seem as fleshed or or maybe a little rushed.
All in all i would still recommend for someone that enjoys a little bit of magic, intrigue and a sassy lady.

For the digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review, I am grateful to NetGalley.
The book's premise was intriguing and kept me reading. I felt bored while reading and had to force myself to complete the book. Although the main heroine, Maela, was brave, sympathetic, and endearing, after a few pages her self-deprecating attitude grew tiresome. If Annie and Livi had been the primary protagonists, I would have liked the novel because they are two of my favourite characters. I read most of the chapters while pacing, although the final few were quite engaging. If the plot had a solid backstory, it might be a little more fascinating. I had high hopes for this book, but I was let down.

This one wasn't a winner for me. I loved the idea and the synopsis however the story in itself is just written in a way that my brain can't comprehend. The book has a lot of repetition, and dialogue.

I think the author would have benefited from a new pair of eyes for editing, as there were so many mistakes in this one.