3.75 ⭐️ A huge thank you to NetGalley & LaManna books for this e-arc! 🦋

Ever find yourself in the mood for a book that doesn’t require a full commitment to a complex, multi-layered fantasy world but still offers enough magic, intrigue, and swoon-worthy moments to keep you hooked? *Cursed* by Gina LaManna delivers exactly that: a fun, easy read that lets you escape reality for a few hours without demanding too much brain power.

Alessia is a doctor with a perfectly planned out life, until she isn’t. What should have been the most predictable moment of her existence (her wedding) takes a sharp left turn when she’s taken from the altar after pleading for an escape. It’s all very ACOTAR in the best way. Enter Silas, our brooding, mysterious hero who has his own reasons for bringing Alessia into this world. The Isle is on the brink of disaster due to a curse centuries old and, because clearly life wasn’t nearly chaotic enough, Allie might be the key to saving it all. But as Allie says multiple times, no pressure, right? 😅

The relationship between Alessia and Silas might have felt a little insta-lovey, but it made sense given the circumstances they were in. Their story is one filled with chemistry and trust, making them believable as a couple. Alessia finds herself on The Isle. She finds a home she’s been searching for her entire life, a friend she’s been aching for, and Silas. All of which felt like missing parts of her until she found them. You can see and feel her relief in finding that and how desperate she was for it.

This book is the literary equivalent of "just one more episode.” I sat down intending to read a few chapters and suddenly realize I was 42% through in just one-sitting. It flies by, with just the right balance of tension, action, and romance to keep the pages turning. The side characters were also great. They added a lot of personality, humour, and just the right amount of chaos to make the world feel alive. I would happily read an entire book about the supporting cast, which is great for me because I learned Gina LaManna has more works in this universe out to catch up on while I await the sequel in this series.

If you’ve read enough fantasy books, you’ll recognize some familiar tropes. The *surprise, you’re magical!* reveal, the *hidden world in peril*, the *reluctant chosen one*—it’s all been done before. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but don’t go in expecting a groundbreaking twist on the genre. While I loved that the book was fast-paced as that was exactly what I was looking for, there were moments where I wished it would slow down just a little. Some plot points felt glossed over, and I wanted more time to sink into the world-building and character development. A little extra depth would have made this story even better.

Was this the most unique or mind-blowing fantasy book I’ve ever read? No. Did I enjoy every minute of it anyway? Absolutely. Sometimes, you just need a little fun, magical adventure that lets you escape for a few hours, and Cursed does exactly that. It’s an easy, bingeable read with a likeable heroine, a brooding love interest, fun and dynamic side characters, and a world that I’m excited to spend more time in.

Sadly the writing style wasn't for me. And it was really hard to keep concentrated due to the layout of the ebook. I don't know if it was due to netgalley format, or if its just an arc thing, but it was really distracting! The whole text was "highlighted" with a grey background, and fully right flushed rather than left flushed!

Even though this book was a few hundred pages, it went by fairly quick. I love the characters and the relationships that they had towards each other. I tend to go for books that contain spice but the plot was so good in this that I didnt mind it not having any spice.

This was a very quick and easy read, told from Alessia’s perspective, as she navigates a brand new fantasy world.

Alessia is part of a wealthy family, paired off with a soon-to-be husband who controls anything her parents don’t, and she’s completely unhappy. While wishing to escape her over-the-top wedding, a mystery person shows up. Silas is the mystery man, and he transports her to a magical island. It’s on this island that Alessia learns about her true nature and discovers her calling. The romance between these two feels more like fated mates due to how quickly things progress, but it wasn’t too fast for me personally.

Their love story is a bit of a secondary tale to what truly needs Alessia’s attention - the curse that has descended upon the island. A magical curse has begun to take down the many varied paranormal inhabitants. Lucky for them all, not only is Alessia a trained doctor, but she also has some magical abilities that you can quickly figure out the source of. Couple this with Silas and the rest of the island’s support, and you get a rather quick resolution to what could have been a world-ending plague. I see this is listed as book#1 so I assume we get more adventures for this world and if they are all as quick and satisfying as this one, I will eagerly sign up!

3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Cursed" is a very pleasant book to read. All types of mythical beings and creatures roam the island this book is mostly set in. The main character, Alessia, is nearing 30 and it is nice to read about someone older than 25 in a romantasy book.
This book has an interesting premise and characters, however none if it felt fully developed. All of the plot and subplot felt like they needed just a little more attention. The book felt a little hurried and because of that, I never really felt that deep of a connection with the characters.
All in all, this book is a pleasant diversion but didn't have a lot of depth

Review was posted on NetGalley, Instagram, Goodreads, and Storygraph on February 23, 2025.

This was a fun and short read. The characters were like able and I enjoyed the story. Had a cutesy feel to it.

A pleasant read.

So, this took me a bit to get into but when I did, I enjoyed it.

The characters were likeable, the story of a girl whipped away to an unknown fae realm was engaging and overall, it was well written.

I wouldn’t say it gripped me or had me turning pages frantically late into the night, but I did finish it and was interested to see what happened.

If ‘fae male steals ‘human’ girl away into another land in which she has to save everyone due to the powers that she didn’t know she had’ is your kind of read, then you’ll likely enjoy this.

Thank you for the ARC and I wish the book every success on release.

This was ok. It was a short read but had moments of not making much sense. It felt rushed but I guess that's to be expected in a short book. I got frustrated with the FMC not knowing certain things but as the reader, we did. Overall, it was an alright book but I won't read the next one.

Alessia “Allie” Wells is a doctor, a runaway bride, and a firm nonbeliever in magic—until a dark stranger kidnaps her from her wedding and takes her to a mysterious island.
There, she discovers an enchanting world filled with mythical creatures and a deadly curse that only a true Fae can break. The problem? Fae were wiped out centuries ago… except for her.
As Allie embraces her destiny, she falls for the powerful man who took her—but if she can’t undo the curse, she’ll lose him, the island, and the only place she’s ever truly belonged.

Since I was in a pretty big reading slump (at least for me), this book came at the perfect time—it had everything I needed, and I truly enjoyed it. I’m amazed at how well the world was built; the world-building is excellent. From the very first chapter, I was hooked, wanting to know what was happening and what would come next.
I’m not sure if the book is just really fast-paced or if it was something else, but as a slow reader, I finished it surprisingly quickly. It’s super easy to follow, yet it keeps you engaged with constant tension and excitement.
This book has everything—romance, fantasy, Fae, unicorns, fated mates, Greek gods... I don’t even know what’s missing, haha! It’s written in first-person POV from Alessia’s perspective, and I love how her integration into this world is portrayed—it feels gradual and natural.
Although there’s nothing I can point out as truly wrong, in my opinion, this is a 4-star read. I feel like something was missing, like something just didn’t fully click for me.
That said, I can’t wait for the next book in the “Court of Isles” series—I really hope it comes out soon! I definitely recommend reading this book, especially if you're drawn to fantasy worlds—it’s so easy to immerse yourself in this one.

This was cutesie, cheesy, and mostly entertaining but not anything exceptional. The amount of times our FMC said okie dokie should be criminal. That just felt very random and out of place for a fantasy story. The author did a good job at telling, but not showing. It was a short book, so I expected things to go fast but I wish there had been a bit more depth. Also, I saw someone asking if there is spice, and the answer is no. The most that happens is kissing. (This isn't me complaining about that either, just wanted to give others a heads up in case they were also wondering about this.) Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

-NetGalley-
Maybe spoilers!!
I really liked the book, it was very fluid and easy to read. I was surprised when I picked up the book today, I was 48% through, a few hours passed and I was already 85% through! It's written in a very nice way. Like I said: it's fluid.
I still feel like Silas is hiding something, it creates doubts for me just like Millie, I feel like the author could have developed the characters more, told us more about their story. Millie, I feel like there's something there that would be good to explore.
Atlas seemed like an important person, necessary and with a brief development (for a first book) but just right.

And on the other hand, what will happen to Hades?
What happens to the people who left? Will they come back? Is the island completely healed?

I look forward to the next book!

Thank you for the oportunity to read this book and thank Gina for this amazing story.

Court of Isles #1: Cursed is a heartwarming and charming fantasy that will leave readers with a sense of joy and contentment. The story masterfully weaves together themes of communication, friendship, and healing, offering an uplifting experience that makes it a true delight to read.

The world-building is engaging and unique, pulling you into a magical realm that feels both fresh and immersive. The plot is easy to follow, yet offers enough intrigue to keep you invested in the journey, with great potential for further development as the series continues.

The characters are a highlight, with the relationships between the main characters and supporting cast adding a depth and warmth to the story. The dialogue is witty and engaging, and the characters themselves feel lively and well-rounded. You can’t help but become attached to them, especially as their growth and connections evolve throughout the book.

Court of Isles #1: Cursed is an easy-to-read fantasy that balances heart, humor, and magic, making it a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a lighthearted yet immersive read. It’s a perfect start to what promises to be a wonderful series!

This was extremely difficult to read. I’m not sure if there was an issue with the publisher but I haven’t had a book in such rough shape on netgalley. All of that being said, I couldn’t get down with the writing style. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This very cozy fantasy Is perfect for lower young adult read. Possibly upper young adults that love a fluffy, fated mates, predictable, no spice, Fay story. It was a really quick read for me, finished in one sitting- But it was an enjoyable read at the start. Even though I'm more of a long read, magic history, complex lore kind of person, I do enjoy a cozy read as a palette cleanser but personally this one just lined me up for dissapointment.

The story is about a woman who wishes to escape her dull life and wishes extra hard while at the altar at her wedding where time freezes, a mysterious man appears in front of her and She is magically transported to a hidden aisle.

The isle is right there in the human world but hidden from human eyes, its Full of magical creatures, witches and mermaids and she must believe first that magic is real and then in her self, in order to save them all from the curse.

After living a life of being told what to do and when to do it, she finds this new freedom exhilarating. And we get to watch as she settles in to this new stronger version of herself while she comes alive with the powers that the island holds. with a dash of the Greek gods and a sprinkle of old wounds left a fester; this story had incredible potential but it just felt flat for me!
It was a case of being told about the story rather than being shown it or allowed to discover it, and the worst of it was that we all knew the female main character is Fae, not human, and we all knew about the spoilers that were coming. However, she didn't find/work out any of it until around 80% in- which left no room for character growth and was extremely frustrating as a reader, to say the least!

The first chapter is great, as is the world building. It sets the book up like it's going to be a 5 star fantastic read and a wonderful series, but then it became lazy, Or perhaps rushed. (The author does have around 50 books out. So I feel these books are probably a case of quantity over quality.)

I won't be openly recommending this to others, and I won't be reading any more of the series.
However, if someone comes along that loves a fluffy, predictable, cosy fantasy with a happy ending- then this will be the first on my list.

Thank you so much to net galley and Gina lamana For this opportunity to arc Reed, the review is my own truthful opinion given feely

This book went by way too fast. The story and plot were there. The characters were perfect. I just felt like it was a shortened quick version of a story that could have been at least 300 to 400 pages long. I would have loved to see more details and some of the ideas elaborated on.

Thank you netgallery and LaManna Books for providing a E-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Attention Romantasy Lovers: Your next cozy urban fantasy is here!

This was a nice treat! A palate cleanser if you will filled with modern fairytale whimsy and a lighthearted tone that carries our whisked away bride off on an adventure where she must uncover the mystery of this cursed land.

This book has:
Banter
Shadow Daddy Silas
Wedding kidnapping
Mystery
Magic
Cozy Vibes

A treat to read and a fun set up! A tad insta lovey for my taste but curious to see where Gina will take this!

Alessia is at the altar, about to commit to a marriage she has been pushed into by parents and a fiance who don't seem to see her as a person, when a man appears out of thin air to whisk her away. She arrives in a magical land that is also being destroyed by a curse. This was a little…superficial? I don't know how to word it, but it felt like there was no depth to anything that happened. Just here's Alessia plopped down into a fantastical situation, learning to use magical powers conveniently quickly and saving the day with no real struggle, no big deal. The romance also had no substance. Typical story, Alessia and Silas barely interact except to bicker and irritate each other but also they are passionately in love and eventually act on it, blah blah. It was obvious they were going to end up together because of course, but it didn't feel like there was really any stake it in for either of them. Finding out they were somehow fated to be "mates" felt gross. Even Alessia's parents and fiance were like caricature villains in a way, making it hard to believe that someone so easily cowed by them could suddenly become something of a hero with barely any character development to back it up. The plot itself was good, but I didn't like how it all came together. 2.5 stars rounded to 2.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book, in return for an honest review.

Cursed follows Alessia as she’s ripped from her normal life into a world of magic, where she has to confront her true past and this curse that’s threatening it all.

I really like the premise of this book, and I think the author has some really good ideas - the execution of it all just wasn’t the best. Unfortunately, the book falls into the habit of telling instead of showing a lot of the time. It doesn’t feel like Alessia has to work for anything that happens, it all conveniently falls into place and works for her. There are some very unnatural pieces of dialogue that are obviously just there to give the reader exposition, which completely ruins the flow of the conversation and scene.

The main relationship here, between Alessia and Silas, was quite disappointing. I’m a massive fan of a slow burn romance, so these two ‘falling in love’ after only knowing each other a few days was such a let down. They know literally nothing about each other, yet I’m supposed to believe they’re in love? Not happening.

As this is the first book in the Court of Isles series, I’m curious as to where the author will take the story next (although I can probably guess) - however I’m not sure I’ll be picking up any more books in this series.

Oh boy, this book had me hooked from the early pages. A remnant scene of ACOMAF where the wedding is crashed by Mr Dark and Handsome. But as this story and plot continued, as did the uncovering of Silas and Alessia- it just became more convoluted and the story was too hard to keep up with. There was moments where the fantasy didn’t feel like a fantasy book- it felt too modern with the cross over of real worlds and fantasy worlds. Some books can write and immerse these two components well, but this book just didn’t do it for me. I wished to love it more.

Really enjoyed this book and the banter between Silas and Alessia. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. A nice combo of romance and fantasy. No spice.

Wondering if there’s history between Atlas and Millie and if they’re going to get their own romance? Also, need to know more about the baby unicorns.