A Cursed Son has me locked in from the beginning. This book was a great romantasy enemy to lovers that kept me on my toes. The audiobook narrator did an incredible job taking you into this world and making each character sound and feel unique. There is tension (that went on for a bit too long but it is the first in a series), the thread of fate, and the power of magic really made this book enjoyable. Cannot wait for the next one!

Thank you to Sparkly Wave, NetGalley, and of course Day Leitao for giving me the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of A Cursed Son in exchange for an honest review!

(Full Review will be posted on my goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7262837747 )

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom series.

I read an eARC of this book last year and I wasn't sold on the writing style. It read as if it were meant to be spoken- using words like "haha" or "thingy" made me thing this book would be received better as an audiobook. Unfortunately, it did not. The writing style comes off as juvenile. The story is from the main character's 1st person POV and it reads like a teenage girl's diary. "I don't want Marlak's man thingy" in referring to his male anatomy is a little jarring when reading what you're expecting to be an adult story. In the main character's inner thoughts she thinks words like "haha" which supports my thought that this reads like a diary. When I read the eARC I finished the book because I was invested in the storyline. I listened to the audio with hopes that the writing would make more sense being read aloud, unfortunately it did not and I decided to put it down at 25%.

“What’s the point in a story that’s not real?”⠀
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He leans back in his chair and brings a ringless finger to his chin. “The feelings are real. There’s something about feeling them while knowing you can’t truly get hurt.”⠀
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“Feelings? Like despair? What’s the fun in it?”⠀
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“Well, if you’re depressed, you look at your own life and say, ‘nevermind. This could be so much worse.’” He chuckles again. “No. It’s about getting out of that dark place, and reading sometimes makes you believe you can do it too.”⠀
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Day Leitao, A Cursed Son ⠀
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A Cursed Son by Day Leitao is an Adult Romantic Fantasy with a swoon worthy enemies to lovers story that has one of the most unique "dreamy" romances I've read in quite a while! The banter between Marlak and Astra is perfection and I love how they push each other to be more adventurous and hopeful. I absolutely shrieked when Marlak got hurt and Astra went all "who did this" on him!!! The vibes are just so so good! I thought the elemental magic was really interesting and reminded me of Shadow and Bone. The worldbuilding with the different kingdoms and courts as well as the Faelands gave this story a lush feel. I was on the edge of my seat, especially with the epic ending. Like, OMG what are you doing to me! ⠀
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Day is a master at balancing magical fantasy with thrilling romance in a fun and whimsical way. I love her books and this one is definitely at the top of my favorites now! I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories like Fourth Wing, A Kingdom of Flame and Fury, or The Plated Prisoner Series.

I enjoyed the narrator, Caitlin Kelly, immensely and would love to hear more books by them. They captured the playful banter and inner turmoil of the characters perfectly!

Enemies to lovers, great banter and a cliff hanger ending!

This is classified as new adult which to me is just YA with sex. Spice levels were minimal (in my opinion) and the characters felt very YA. I received an audio copy so it may have been the very young sounding narrator that made the character feel so young? There are also several scenes where they can see inside others minds, or they're in and out of dreams, and it wasn't easy to discern at times with the audiobook. Maybe in print it's easier to catch the shift?

Overall it's not my favorite fantasy read but it gets the job done. I look forward to checking out the second book.

Impeccably performed, this audiobook brings a new and engaging dynamic to an already strong and intriguing story.

Astra has trained her whole life as an Elite Guard ready to step into the role of pretending to be the princess in important diplomatic missions. Her life is changed for life when her carriage is attacked by the disgraced fae prince and he shortly after comes to an agreement with Astra's master to marry her. To add to the confusion, Astra has spent many years dreaming about this prince without knowing that it was him.

I absolutely love this story and the slow-building romance between Astra and Marlak. The story is strengthened by a strong cast of characters who feeling fully realised and add another level of entertainment to the story.

This is a strong start to the series and I can't wait to see where Leitao goes next with it!

HOLY CRAP!!! WHAT DID I JUST READ??? AND REALLY....THAT'S HOW YOU LEAVE ME HANGING???!!

OK...so, I've never read anything else by this author (at least I don't think so....) but how could you do that to me?? I held on for the ENTIRE book. I FINALLY felt like I got some closure...

And then, you ripped the floor right out from beneath my feet!! Just. Like. That!!!

Astra has been raised in the Krastel Kingdom...as a false Princess. Her job is to protect the real Princess...and do anything that is needed....including marrying a nefarious Prince in order to protect the real Princess. This is no problem. (at least for her.... I have a problem with this whole scenario!!) Astra has been trained and trained some more. She is ready. (She is also just a KID at 19!!). As she is traveling, her carriage is attacked...and she comes to find out that the person behind it is none other than the disgraced Prince... Marlak.

She is scurried away and held as a prisoner (kind of....). In the meantime she realizes that this Prince is the one who has been taking over her (very steamy...) dreams! BUT, the man he is during the day seems VERY different than the Prince in her dreams...
As time goes on, she comes to realize that he might not be as bad as she initially thought. PLUS, it is very hard to separate the man in her dreams from the man in front of her...

She gets married in a hurry...with really no other choice. BUT, she does NOT want to consummate the marriage. That is fine with Prince Marlak. And so they decide to form a kind of friendship in order to find out what is really going on out there in the Kingdom...

The more time she spends with him though, the harder it is to separate him from her dreams.
And then, when he accuses her of trying to break into his mind with these awful dreams, well, she is just mortified!!

As time goes on, they become a bit closer...but she still has a really hard time giving any trust to him at all...

🛑🛑 I am going to STOP RIGHT HERE!! 🛑🛑. I don't want to give any more of the plot...but if this sounds like something you might like, please pick it up!! It’s a terrific read!!
Magicks! Magical Realism! Finding your magick! Friends. Love interests. Fae. Magical beings and animals… False realities… Kings and Princes…. And…so much more!!

Oh…and I just Loved the cover too!!

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me!!

#TheCursedSon (Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom #1) by #DayLeitao and narrated nicely by #CaitlinKelly (and I have to say that she DID sound like a teenager with the narration!!)

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #SparklyWave for an ARC of the audiobook. This was actually released in July 2024, so you should be able to find 👀 it on shelves now!!

As for me… You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads.
Insta: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read this if you enjoy:
-Enemies to lovers
-Marriage of convenience
-Slow burn
-Awesome side characters
-Unique magic system
-Unique world-building
-Soulmates
-Hidden identity
-Fae and other creatures

I enjoyed this, and I’m intrigued to see where it goes. I wasn’t expecting the beginning, and it caught my attention right away, finishing it in a day. It was an easy, lighthearted read. The magic system and storyline are unique. The plot is engaging, it is fast paced, and it keeps you guessing on what will happen next. Astra is so positive and bubbly about everything. She is funny, sassy, and a little naïve. She can be a little annoying, but it is fitting for the character who has been confined her whole life. Her internal dialogue made me laugh out loud a few times. She acts and sounds like a teenager (again makes sense with what her upbringing), but this is an adult read. The banter back and forth between her and Marlak is everything, and I’m glad they eventually start to communicate with each other.

I love all the characters introduced so far. There is a dark unicorn named Cherry Cake…need I say more?!

The ending made my jaw drop and I can’t wait to read the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc. If you love enemies to lovers, half burnt princes and unicorns then this book is for you. I absolutely loved this audiobook and could not stop listen from the moment I started. She’s a fake princess who has dreams of the exiled prince and one day after a chance meeting he shows up and asks for her by names requesting to marry her. After he takes her to his “kingdom” she start teaching her to fight and introducing her to his allies as his queen.


🔹fake princess
🔹enemies to lovers
🔹half burnt prince
🔹unicorn

Title: A Cursed Son by Day Leitao
Genre: Romantasy
Pub Date: March 6, 2024

❄️ Elemental Magic
👑 Disgraced Prince
❣️ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Banter for DAYS
💍 Arranged Marriage

⭐ 4.5/5
🌶️ 3/5

Need to preface this by saying the cliffhanger will hurt you, but never fear as book 2, A Traitor Sister, is to be released in November '24!

The dream connection is so intriguing! I loved the tension between Astra and Marlak, how the dreams lead to awkwardness between them. There were times it felt somewhat repetitive, but it didn't take away from the story. I did feel frustrated with the miscommunication/lack of communication, but I think that was intentional! I hope in book 2 we get a secondary romance for Talia too! 🫶 I loved it and I can't wait to read A Traitor Sister!

“You are sworn to protect her, not me. Her. If you see her with a knife trying to kill me, you protect her. If I’m about to die, you protect her.”

This book was pretty unique. Our MFC Astra is faux royalty. (Also a huge overthinker.) She’s grown up as a stunt double to the real princess essentially. One night she begs for her kindred soul and begins having dreams about a man who loves her. At the same time the man has these same dreams but he thinks she’s sending him the dreams to manipulate him. Then one day she meets him but he isn’t at all loving like the dream. Then he asks for a political marriage to her. There’s also magic elements, lies, betrayal. I feel like my brain has whiplash but in the best way. The ending was such a roller coaster and I can’t wait to read the second book.

Great world building, well described fascinating characters & captivating plot full of emotions, anguish, sacrifices & love. All highlighted by the amazing narration.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ALC.