This was an enjoyable YA fantasy with a unique setup. I was really intrigued by the idea of curse-breaking and the setting. I've got to admit that the author was pretty creative and I loved the descriptions and overall idea. The main character was pretty amazing too and I admired her decisiveness and bravery. There's also a mystery involving her mother's disappearance and Adrius' curse. I also liked the hint of romance between Marlow and Adrius but later I got annoyed by the constant push-pull between them and the misunderstandings. I also felt like Adrius never really apologized for some of his past actions and I wasn't completely convinced by his reasoning for them. But that doesn't diminish the chemistry between them. And while the world building was unique I'd have liked more details on the spells, curses and their origins. It was still an enjoyable read with some twists that surprised me and I'd love to see what happens in the next book!

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

Garden of the Cursed by Katy Rose Pool was another one of my most anticipated read of 2023, and it did not disappoint! A young adult fantasy read with just enough hints of sci-fi and romance, and I absolutely devoured it. A brilliant read, now eagerly awaiting the sequel!

Another example of why people should still read YA!

This one is mystery, fantasy, a touch of romance and I really enjoyed.

I thought the pacing was good and appreciated the different take on a magic system dealing with the cards.

I’m very interested to check out the next one!

If you’re looking for a new enemies to lovers fantasy but with a mystery? then look no further than Garden of the Cursed! it was a really unputdownable with a unique magic system with great tension between the characters. The characters themselves were very interesting. I had a great time reading this book and I can’t wait for the sequel!

Enemies to lovers romantasy mystery?! Sign me up!! This book delivered on the premise, turning pages and building unbelieveable tension between the characters. A total delight.

An interesting magical tale of secret societies, family and friends. How far would you go to uncover the truth regarding family? How far would you go to help a friend?

Garden of the Cursed is a great book! I loved this book and did not want to put it down. The world building and characters in this one were fantastic.

Garden of the Cursed follows Marlow Briggs, a cursebreaker, after her ex hires her to break the curse that’s been placed on him. Marlow wants nothing to do with Adrius Falcrest, but helping him may help her find out what happened to her mother. Her mother’s disappearance is the only case that keep eluding her. Reluctantly, Marlow and Adrius work together to try and solve both of their mysteries.

I love Marlow. She is feisty and so much fun. Plus she has a cat that can detect curses. The magic system is awesome as well, and definitely felt fresh.

I definitely recommend this one for fans of enemies to lovers and mysteries. I would compare the mood and tone of this to Six of Crows.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book! It was a very cool world and magic system that I really enjoyed learning about as the story went on. Marlow is an incredibly cool main character that can hold her own. Adrius is book boyfriend material for sure. There are great twists and turns and the mystery aspect of this book kept me on the edge of my seat. I really liked the narrator of the audiobook. I just wanted to keep listening and was sad when I had to stop. This story just kept getting better as it went on and by the end I was shocked. I can’t wait till the next book and it’ll be such a pain waiting for it 😂 Hopefully Netgalley with have the audio arc early so I can read it 😂

Thanks to the author and publisher for an electronic copy of the book to review.
I originally was interested in this book because the cover art is spectacular, the synopsis stating the book is perfect for fans of Veronica Mars and These Violent Delights, with the combination of being an enemies to lovers mystery romance. Unfortunately it took me a bit longer to actually start reading it, but I'm so glad that I did.
Unfortunately, I did not realize that the book was part of a duology and now need to find book 2 to read since this book leaves off with a lot of loose ends. And I'm very interested in finding out what happens next for Marlow.
It did take me awhile to get into the story with the world building and setting up the mystery, but once I got into it, I could not put it down. I love a mystery that keeps me guessing, and this one sure did. Each time I thought I had it figured out, the author was one step ahead and disapproving my theory. I really did not see the ending coming.
Marlow & Adrius' fake relationship was pretty typical and I love the trope. Combining it with enemies to lovers was interesting.

I need the next book in this series ASAP. I loved the world-building, the characters, and the premise. Such a suspenseful read.

Marlow Briggs, a skilled cursebreaker in Caraza City's Marshes, grapples with her mother's unsolved disappearance. Despite a beautiful cover, the book exceeded expectations, leaving the reader eager for its sequel. The story's captivating atmosphere and strong character development contribute to its appeal.

Garden of the Cursed is the first part in a fantasy series featuring Marlow Briggs. Marlow lost her mom mysteriously one year ago and has been searching for clues about what happened while also taking up post as a local cursebreaker for those in need. One day, an old frenemy comes to her because someone has placed a terrible curse on him and he needs her help. Thus begins a twisting tale with a lot of betrayal, secrets, and a touch of romance.

I loved this book! Marlow is such a flawed character, but you can't help but root for her. The way magic works in this world is really interesting and well thought out. I was interested and engage the entire story.

Let's be honest, I picked this up for the cover alone - it's stunning. I can't wait for the second book - I have Pool's other series and I cannot seriously believe that I haven';t read it yet after reading this. The world building was stunning and the story was so entertaining. The relationships were done very intentionally, and felt like they really progressed the story and made an impact.

a fun fantasy romance read

thank you to the author, netgalley, and the publisher for this advanced copy to review!

Katy Rose Pool can do no wrong. After reading her Age of Darkness series, I was SO excited for Garden of the Cursed. It did not disappoint. Katy is a master at character development. I truly enjoyed every character in the story, given the depth and dimension given to each and every one of them.

The world was extremely unique. I adored the contrast between high and low society living and I think Katy did a fantastic job depicting them both. I also loved the idea of spell casting. As a result, I could not put this book down!

Marlow and Adrius’ relationship was complex and real. I enjoyed the slow burn nature of their relationship and can’t wait to see where it goes in book two!

Garden of the Cursed hit all of my high points for a young adult fantasy. Pool absolutely slayed with this one.

The magic system is unique in its execution.  It's controlled by five families giving it an almost mafia like vibe and the elite scenes feel almost Regency in their crafting. The magic is made by taking parts of an individual like their memories, blood, tears, etc. It's then crafted into a spell or hex card that is sold. This aspect pushes into the idea of the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Those that live in the Marshes sell just to get by. The rich profit.

That leads me into the characters crafted by Pool. Marlow is a cursebreaker living in the lower part of society. She once had her foot in the world of the elite and then her mom went missing. For almost a year she's been seeking answers as she breaks curses to stay afloat. Pool crafted a sarcastic badass with a deep heart that has barred itself from the world. Though Marlow is the main MC, Adrius is the love interest who holds a corner of Marlow's hidden feelings that she refuses to accept. When he comes to her for help after being cursed, we know its only a matter if time before the barriers break.

This novel takes the fake dating trope and expertly weaves in a little second chances amongst the rich and poor dynamics. The side characters add to the plot and push the reveals and backstory to a path along twists and turns that kept me guessing. It ends on a reveal of a cliffhanger that makes book two in this duology seem way too far away.

If you love action packed young adult reads with expertly crafted characters and dynamic chemistry, you'll want to grab this gem. I didn't even bother with an audio this time, I was way too immersed in Pool's writing. Partly why it took so long too finish.

Thank you Fierce reads and Henry Holt for a gorgeous gifted copy. I will be stalking the summer calendar for book two!!

The magic system was COOL - hex cards with clearly defined rules and activation words that can only be created by trained professionals under the “complete” control of the five noble families. Also, the structure of the city: the Marsh with its stink and the gang-controlled territories and the Evergarden with its flowers and parties and wasteful magic. I also liked Marlow and wanted way more about her day job, rather than just her using those connections to call upon convenient favors.

Now for the negative: so much of the worldbuilding was left super vague. It felt rather similar to Pool’s other series in that way. We don’t understand how the magic actually works (how are cards made? What does a grimoire actually do?), we don’t understand the politics or relations with the larger world (is magic everywhere? What’s the system of government in this town? What do other cities/countries think of the town and its noble families? What’s trade like? How do they treat people from other countries? I could go on)

Instead most of the book was spent on the romance and the con that facilitated that romance. I just finished the book and I literally can’t even remember the love interest’s name because he didn’t have a personality, just a series of circumstances.

And of course there’s a sequel, though it felt like it would only take another 40 pages to wrap everything up; better to just throw in a cliffhanger I guess.

Absolutely addicting YA fantasy. I need the sequel now, please. Garden of the Cursed takes place in Caraza City, a city of two parts: the Marshes, the seedy underbelly where two rival gangs control all; and Evergarden, where the rich elite spend their days, ruled by the powerful Five Families. The Five Families corner the market on legal magic in Caraza City, which of course means that there's a thriving black market for illegal magic. Protagonist Marlow has lived in the Marshes for a year now, ever since her mother's disappearance. She's tough and inquisitive, and has successfully become one of the city's best cursebreakers. Though she has few leads, she's never stopped looking for information on what happened to her mother. While working on a case, she runs into Adrius Falcrest, son of one of the Five Families and Marlow's former best friend, who had betrayed her in the past. She wants nothing to do with him, but he desperately needs her help to break an unusual curse that has been placed upon him. So Marlow agrees to help, hoping to find more information on her mother back in Evergarden. They strike up a fake dating scheme so that Marlow can investigate and attempt to break his curse. But time is ticking. Can Marlow find the truth about Adrius' curse and about her mother's disappearance before it's too late?

This fantasy/mystery was exactly up my alley. Great worldbuilding. The world feels true, both gritty and beautiful, with an interesting magic system. I was instantly invested. Marlow was easy to connect with. She has this front of toughness that she's had to develop, but underneath she's just scared to let anyone in. And Adrius... He's a perfect love interest. Cocky rich boy at first glance, until his true feelings and insecurities come out. Classic friends to enemies to lovers trope. The mystery kept my interest throughout. I couldn't wait to uncover the truth about Marlow's mother and Adrius' curse and how they were connected. The cliffhanger ending totally worked on me. I will be awaiting the sequel with bated breath.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

🌌Marlow Briggs is pretending to be in love with with a powerful noble in order to find answers and clues to her mother's disappearance.

🌌This duology for will have teens reading the whole book in one sitting...speaking from personal experience that is.