This was a hilariously fun book with great characters and a wonderful plot. I really enjoyed the humor in this book and found it to be a delightfully fast read with a great tone. While this felt a little young, the overall pacing and the plot made for a great romantic-comedy. I also really enjoyed the little pieces that kept this book in the Elizabethan era of London and not any more modern. This book was an easy, quick, read, perfect for fans of fast paced and humorous comedy. 3.75/5

Dragons! Vampires! Talking swans?! Queen Elizabeth?! Oh my!

This lovely little gem of a fantasy rom-com is absolutely ADORABLE. At first, if I were to describe a book combining dragons, vampires, zombies, humans, and fae, then sprinkling in William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Queen Elizabeth, you’d think me mad. However, Hutchinson Crouch makes it work! And they do it in an absolutely lovely way.

The beginning of the story takes a little to feel like you’re up to speed on the what’s what and who’s who, however, I feel that is intentional. The main characters have been thrown for a loop and they are trying to figure out where they fit in the world order of Upper London and Deep London. Are they dead? Are they alive? How did they get this magic?

Once the character relationships start to develop, and this is when I think Hutchinson Crouch really flourishes, you’re all in as a reader. The friendships, relationships, insecurities, vulnerabilities, all of it is written so well, and so real.

Somehow, Hutchinson Crouch is able to weave her menagerie of creature characters together seamlessly. Even including a cameo from William Shakespeare! Truly, a well written and beautiful little tale. I can’t wait to read the next.

DNF’ed at 50%. I really liked the premise of this book, however it didn’t really pull me in at any point. I think there were too many stories going on at once for me to really get into the world the author was building.

Thank you Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, Farrago Books and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Cursed Under London" is a thrilling dive into the magical underbelly of the city! The story weaves together rich folklore, gripping suspense, and unforgettable characters. Each twist and turn kept me on the edge of my seat, while the witty dialogue added a delightful touch. If you're looking for a spellbinding adventure beneath the streets of London, this book is an absolute must-read!

Cursed Under London was a good read, the pacing for me was hit and miss, it felt like it picked up speed but then slowed down a bit. The storyline however was good and I loved the found family trope. The characters were all fleshed out well and created with a flare that lent itself to the storyline. The storyline itself I felt was interesting and enjoyable.

This was a light-hearted and fun Elizabethan alternative historical fantasy with a heavy dose of romance

💖 first in a trilogy
💖 mlm grumpy x sunshine romance
💖 found family

The fantasy element was really cool! England is divided into two halves - upper (above ground, where the humans are) and deep (below ground, where supernatural creatures like zombies, vampires, and dragons live), although in Upper London there is often mixing of two sides.

The story starts as two human men are separately attacked by a street gang and left on the verge of death. But then they both transform into supernatural creatures which are not quite living but not quite dead. Brought together by an adorable little dragon, they decide to figure out what caused their changes together and enter the world of Deep London.

Although this was advertised as a romantasy it felt more like a fantasy with insta romance - like they are trying to kiss a hundred pages in and sharing a bed less than 50% of the way through. The romance was cute, I just prefer more slow burn romances so maybe this is a me thing, but I wanted more tension and angst.

This is advertised as laugh out loud funny, but it didn't really have me laughing. It was still enjoyable though.

Overall, the concept was cool, it was really short, I liked the fantasy side of it but I wanted more tension and building up of the romance. I enjoyed it but I haven't really thought about it after finishing it so I don't know if I'll continue the series.

When down-on-his luck actor Lazare finds himself unexpectedly cursed, he finds the only other person with a similar affliction - sulky, gorgeous Fang, determined to unravel his own immortality so he can get on with dying. Along with a helpful Welsh herbalist and an urban dragon who’s really just here for the snacks, they set about uncovering the answer - but before they know it they’re embroiled in gang warfare and someone else’s dark quest for power.

Delightfully silly, this historical fantasy rom-com was a pleasure to read.

Fans of Pratchett will enjoy the satire and the humorous absurdities that abound. It’s also gloriously diverse, queer-norm, and with a found family storyline that is deeply satisfying. Zombie sex pest Kit Marlowe was an unexpected highlight

Set in a version of Elizabethan England where birds are genuinely governmental drones (they’re magical, swans are the police), where dragons rule their own kingdom allied with the Welsh, and the undead, fae folk and other magical beasties live underground in Deep London, you’re introduced to a loveable and ridiculous cast and their surprising quest.

Cursed Under London is an absolute romp of a lighthearted fantasy novel that fits somehow both into the cozy genre and romantasy. The novel is a true story of found family, queer romance, friendship, and the pure chaos that comes with being out of your depth and still doing the right thing.

Our hero's are a mix of loveable, tortured, queer, doing their best, who start as strangers and become friends. From Fang and Lazare to the little dragon Amber, to my personal favorite Nell the apothecary owner, all the characters oozed personality and humor. The ragtag bunch all being from the outskirts of society we saw the grimy side of London in the fictional Elizabethan period where magical beings and humans have reached peace and live together in two cities stacked on-top of one another. While the world was unique and well fleshed out, the would building left something to be desired as I could tell this was the start of the world expanding outwards and I kept getting teased with interesting places and ideas that I hope will be explored more in later novels in the series.

Overall, this is a comedy/romantasy/cozy queer novel of found family, love, and what you will do to protect even those you barely know to create a home for yourself.

I would recommend picking up this novel if you like:
- Cozy comedy fantasy novels
- Anything Terry Pratchett but wish it was more queer
- Queer found family stories to tug on you heart
- A page turner that keeps the twists coming the entire time
- A romantasy that feels romantic and slow paced

I received an advance review copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!

From the world, to the humour, and the found family, the characters are something that really stood out to me. Their variety of relationships and personalities all contributed to their humour and definitely helped the story progress,

What I enjoyed
The humour
Mythology references
All of the characters
The politics and rivalries

Overall it is a very fun read with characters that are sure to capture your attention and would be a good gateway into the fantasy genre.

The idea of this book had great potential. And initially when I began reading I was enjoying myself. However, I felt that as the book moved past the 20% mark, it started to drag and become a bit convoluted. I started to not care about the plot anymore. I will say that I enjoyed the characters a lot. And the found family aspects were lovely to read. As well as the humor that seemed to lighten the story. Overall, the book was just okay.

I loved this story--it was quite a fun fantasy novel and absolutely full of action, monsters, love, and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait for this author to put out more books!

This just wasn't for me! I'm not the biggest fan of urban fantasy and this just didn't work for me. I can see it working for other people, though, and I think the writing is fine. The setup is interesting and there's a mystery at the heart of the story that I think will keep people engaged. I just wasn't vibing with it.

This just wasn't for me! I'm not the biggest fan of urban fantasy and this just didn't work for me. I can see it working for other people, though, and I think the writing is fine. The setup is interesting and there's a mystery at the heart of the story that I think will keep people engaged. I just wasn't vibing with it.

This novel ticks a lot of my comfort book requirements - potential gay romance, quirky side characters, a bumbling quest, cheeky humour - there’s even an ‘only one bed’ moment!

The story of two men who should have died but mysteriously ‘sparked’ back to life trying to find out why in an alternate sort of Elizabethan historical romp. Aided by a friendly small dragon, a Welsh illegal apothecary with a penchant for lady dock workers, they encounter vampires, zombies, street gangs and a magical little girl…

I really enjoyed this cozy adventure, the leads were just messed up enough, the dialogue was funny, the world intricate enough to support future books and was very cinematic- you could easily imagine this on Netflix.

It won’t be for everyone though, Historical accuracy? No, not hugely. Modern dialogue and jokes, oh yes. I can imagine some people flopping about with their outage like a fish on a tile floor. They’re missing out on a fun romp, and the chance to get to know a promiscuous, bisexual zombie Christopher Marlowe. Because, why not!

Can’t wait for book two!

Cursed Under London was so much funnier than I was expecting! It's great for fans of Good Omens or What We Do In The Shadows - fantasy, humor, whimsy, and great plot. The characters are loveable and hilarious, and the story progresses at a good pace. Amber now holds a special place in my heart. It was a little too cozy and low-stakes for my usual liking, but it'll have great appeal for readers that want a cozy, late-night read that'll make them laugh.

Oh what a fun time I had with this one!
I don't read a lot of fantasy (the label 'romantasy' isn't quite fitting and that's good, in my humble opinion) .anymore,
but I am glad I made an exception with 'Cursed Under London'.
It was a quick, funny, lovely read and I loughed out loud a few times.
I am looking forward to hopefully part 2 and 3!

DNF at 40%
-
I had a hard time getting into the book and into the storyline an dhad a hard time liking the characters. I put it to the side and then wanted to continue to read it again but it's been few weeks now and I know that I won't finish it.

This was a funny and cute light-hearted Elizabethan alternative historical fantasy with a solid dose of romance. I enjoyed the various fantasy characters and as someone who loves period romances the setting being Elizabethan London was a lot of fun for me as well. Found family and grumpy sunshine being two of the main troupes was so fun because it brought us some really great supporting characters (looking at you Amber) and it gave us some really fun and hilarious banter between the two MC's as well a the supporting characters. It was a little more YA/NA for me than I traditionally read and enjoy but that didn't stop me from laughing my way through the story.

I loved this book and this review it was hard to write and keep spoiler free. What I would like to type out and leave is “omg I loved this book you need to read it now it’s funny and cute” but let’s dive a little deeper and stay spoiler free.

I fell in love with the concept of this book and loved that it was quick read. This book is full of wit and filled with a chaotic cast of characters you can’t help but love. The characters were likeable, and I thought the worldbuilding was fantastic.

This is one book world I wish I could jump into I would love to jump into an alternative Elizabethan London that is split in two halves above ground where the humans are and below ground, where supernatural creatures live. Although in the above ground London supernatural creatures live amongst humans.

I didn't really like it that much. It didn't really grasp me at the start and it was very hard to get into. It is funny, but not to my taste.