I tried really hard to get into this book and have tried repeatedly to pick it up and read it, but I'm afraid I just can't connect with it. I feel like having it on my review list is holding out hope, so I'm going to have to add it to my DNF list. But thank you very much for the opportunity to read and review it.

Unfortunately, after six chapters it was clear this supernatural romance wasn’t for me, as it was too heavy on the romance and the 'saucy-style' sexual tension just isn’t my ‘cup of tea’; so reluctantly, I had to DNF it.

I love a bundle especially book related. Having a whole completed series waiting to devour is the best feeling in the world, it’s just finding the time to devout to it, is the problem. This was incredible from the flawed characters to the wonderful arcs and an interesting mythology. The novellas were a great edition that tie in back story and expand the world and story.

Review of Book 1: A unique and interesting paranormal tale revolving heavily around the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Some Native American lore mixed with the paranormal make this a fascinating urban fantasy. However, this book has two of the most frustrating characters ever! So this really is a fifty/fifty book

Ellie is a waitress and helps her stepmother run the family in. Her father has dementia and the family struggles financially. She is a Curse Keeper. One of two and when she meets the other they unlock a gate that has been keeping angry Gods and spirits locked away for the past several hundred years. Now they only have 1 week to seal the gate before it is too late.

The problems? Ellie does not remember how. Her father taught her but she forgot and dismissed the lessons. They are missing key items needed to stop the vengeful from passing the gate and they have a strange despised attraction to one another.

At first Collin frustrated me the most. He is a complete jerk and has a LOT of secrets. But then Ellie is frustrating in her own right. While they only have a week to SAVE THE WORLD she at first refuses to work with him just because he rubs her the wrong way then things like job shifts, etc are still needed. UMM, you are on a tight schedule and you don't even have or know what you need yet. You just rely on Collin and assume nothing will go wrong?! Then, to top everything off, Collin keeps warning her off, saying not to trust him, yet she does and then blames him when it goes bad! I wanted to go off on her several times throughout the book. While I don't have to love every character is is hard to fully enjoy the book when the main character refuses to take off her rose-colored glasses and wake up while the world is going downhill fast. GRRR!

I do like how the author took the time to look into the legends and lore to make this book work. It gave the book a more plausible feel. The story concept is great with an interesting perspective. The writing style is okay but not great. Simple, I guess you could say. The flow works and it builds nicely to the ending.

Overall, I am curious enough to read the next book but Ellie especially needs to improve or I might not continue very far. The ending of this book better have been a wake-up call for her. Note that this is a New Adult book and is filled with sexual situations from beginning to end.


Book 2: Warning: If you have not read the first book in the series, this review contains spoilers! You have been warned.

A substantial improvement from the first book. Ellie has her act more together in this book. She is actively looking for answers on her own. Her attitude in the first book about drove me batty but here she is more realistic in what she is doing.

She is still pissed at Collin for his betrayal, yet still drawn to him. Honestly, what she sees in him, I have no idea. Sexy good looks does not make up for a lousy, lying, manipulative personality. In addition this book introduces another potential romance for Ellie. While normally I am not a fan of love triangles, this one makes some sense at least.

The police officer Tom is a much more active role in this book. He wants to help Ellie but is also determined to get the truth. Then there is David (her new interest), who holds lots of knowledge and resources to point Ellie in the right direction.

The plot thickens as Marino steps up his game, spirits want to kill her out of vengeance and Okeaus has some sinister plan afoot and Ahone is silent and unhelpful. What is a girl to do?

I enjoyed this one so much more than the first. I love how the author is tying everything together and it has me most curious for the end results. This book is much more plot focused which I appreciate.

Book 3: Ellie, the main character, has certainly come a long way with me. In the first book, she frustrated me with her naivety and ignorance. By the end of this book she is one to be proud of. Strong-willed, independent and has lost her ignorance is bliss attitude.

This book is more violent than the last books in the series. Ellie, David and Collin need to step up to the plate to survive. New twists are thrown at the reader. Sides are taken but which side is good. Or, for that matter, less evil? Ahone, Okeaus and other spirits have all made their moves and so far our human heroes have just been pawns. But in this last installment, it is their turn to make the moves.

Claire's character becomes more vital in this one and lives will be lost. Each of our main characters will experience loss. And Ellie still has some major decisions about where she stands with both men.

Most questions are answered but the ending is a bit open-ended for my taste. Still, I am reasonably satisfied. This book is by far my favorite of the series. From disgust and anger, to heartbreak to cheering on Ellie and the team, this book left me feeling very involved which I love in a book.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

The Curse Keepers series, now offered in a single collection containing the full text of all three novels and three prequel novellas, plus:
• An all-new introduction by the author, Denise Grover Swank
• All six works presented in the author’s preferred reading order

The wall between our world and a world full of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than four hundred years . . . and it’s about to come crashing down. In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank’s epic paranormal romance series, the Curse Keepers, two reluctant yet brave heroes are all that stand between the world’s survival and its total destruction.

This review is based not just on the stories, but the collection as a whole.

I am always cautious when a book says "Author's preferred reading order." Feels like the author doesn't trust her reader to work out that Book 3 comes after Book 2...

As for the stories...I really did enjoy the novellas. To the point and told me everything I needed to know about plot of the full novels at the time. We learn about how the curses happened, the story from another character's POV, and some details about something that happens in one of the books but explored further, to give the reader a little more background on what happened and why it was important.

However, I just really didn't get into the novels themselves. Too much time was spent on either attempting to build the world...or characters lusting after each other. Didn't really hit any real heights I am afraid.

I think these stories would be best suited to being read individually, with some time between them, otherwise it all just becomes a bit of a blur...


Paul
ARH

I was unable to finish the book, but thank you for the opportunity.