Romantasy for the sirens and pirates. Very PotC inspired, lots of swashbuckling. The romance didn't really hit for me, but I know it will work for others. The setting was a delight and i enjoy the almost cozy vibe of the adventures on the high seas

Gothic, pirates AND the witcher vibes? That’s already a win for me!

Loved the character developement, loved the vibes and how fierce Emmeline was.

Absolutely amazing!

I thought slow-burn was my strong suit, until I read one filled with aching yearning, only for it to have a heart-breaking ending.

I have to admit, I only got truly eager to continue reading once Ryland and Emmeline finally met. And can you believe he blushed during their first encounter?? The brooding captain?? 😩💗 I thought it would be insta-love, considering their immediate attraction from the start but NO! they barely even held hands, despite all those close-proximity moments. The tension was real ❤️‍🔥

And I swear, Emmeline is so much more than she lets on, an intelligent, loyal and deeply empathetic woman. I adore her character sm!! 🫂💗 It’s no wonder Ryland fell deeply for her the moment he got to know the real her. I devoured every moment of him being proud of Emmeline, whenever she stood up for herself, when he admired her intelligence, and when he intently listened to her ramble about the airship 🥰

However, as much as I enjoyed the romance, the war-related parts were a bit hard to follow and slowed down my reading, and the ending’s angst didn’t quite hit for me either, but ig that’s on me because I read it during a hectic time 😔

And tbvvh I was holding out hope for a miracle, for them to somehow get their happy ending but… the author went with a realistic ending in the end ❤️‍🩹

An intriguing tale of high seas drama taken to the skies, some romance, and of course, the French Emperor. You know. The short one.

This tale starts wild -- with wounded Venice and it's internal politics, not to mention eldritch horrors. From that point we jump between many sea-side and open-sky locations, going from ship to ship, port to port, as we watch our "heroes" (who are mostly people who have made many questionable life choices) try to manage their interpersonal conflict, keep themselves on step ahead of their enemies and deal with their worst foe: themselves, for the most part.

With some interesting tweaks to history (like airships) some interesting commentary about the political mores of the time, and the cost of war on many levels, A Cursed Age is a solid read, though it doesn't bring anything exceptionally new to the genre. Enjoyable, fun, well written -- but nothing exceptional. It'll be fun for anyone who enjoyed The Pirates of the Caribbean, of course, but less so the The Little Mermaid crowd. This books gets some dark slices, and it definitely doesn't shy away from showing the cost of imperial advancement in the age of piracy. (Look for the information about Haiti! And what France would do to it!)

This definitely had the gothic vibe I was looking for. I love this take of having airship Pirates while mixing in historical events. Emmeline is more reserved, clever, and really thinks before she acts on something. Ryland was awesome 🏴‍☠️! They complement each other well.

I feel like our villian was missing something for me. Shee do horrible things to Ryland but she didn't give kick-ass villian. She was just to obsessed.

The research into the historical aspect was was practically perfect! I enjoy when and author puts their due diligence in the research aspect.

The ending 🥲. How could you do me like that?


Thanks to Dark Hour Press, NetGalley and A M Dunnewin for the arc. 💜🏴‍☠️

What a riveting piece. It's been too long since I've put my eyes on a Steampunk juggernaut. The way my heartbeat sped up when I saw it was a pirate fantasy. *points to palm* I need it.

When the characters were revealed, I adored that Emmeline was a character I could easily slip into her POV. Never once did I throw my phone in exasperation. She honestly was a pleasure to read page after page. Special mention to the side characters & how much they rounded the story out beautifully.

Ryland def had me kicking my feet & enjoying the journey of growth he was on. The story was complex & by no means a light read. There was meat & potatoes here but also dessert too. Can't say a thing against other than if this is your cup of tea, it really will hit on target. But if it's not, it may be too spectacular to be appreciated, so like the sun, please look away. ☝️😆

A Cursed Age by A.M. Dunnewin is an epic seafaring fantasy with sirens and sea witches, pirates and inventors and of course love and betrayal . The book tells the story of Emmeline and Ryland, two characters from very different backgrounds whose paths happen to cross when in an attempt to escape the sea witch who cursed him pirate captain Ryland inveigles his way onto the airship Nyx, designed by Emmeline and her recently murdered brother. Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars, the book takes the reader on an adventure that crosses from the Caribbean to New Orleans and then on to the ancient city of Venice. This is a tale with plenty of mystery and intrigue and a very satisfying slow burn romance between the main characters. While the romance plot is clearly there it does not dominate the book, something which I quite enjoyed having recently read so many fantasy books where the romance takes centre stage. This is a long book, and I think it is a little longer than absolutely necessary, I did find that it felt a little bogged down in the middle but I was glad that I stuck with it and I did enjoy the way the story wrapped up.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Steampunk Pirates of the Caribbean meets Treasure Planet. Set in the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, this one starts as a pretty crazy ride right from the first chapter. The MMC reminds me so much of a young, less drunk Jack Sparrow, and all I could envision in my mind throughout the entire book was Jack Sparrow gawking at an airship with a pretty Steampunk lady at the helm. You even get a little bit of a Tia Dalma in there when the MMC goes to find out how he can break his curse. For those of you who love a good pirate story, this is one. The prose is very well done, and the emotive quality of the story (with themes of grief, regret, and hope) are well-rounded. This one is a bit long, but I feel like the author didn’t leave anything out. I really enjoyed the ability to read a book with a historical backdrop reworked.

DNF. Do not like the writing, skimmed through and unimpressed with the tone and romantic development

A hauntingly tragic tale of fate and the curse of a woman scorned.

I read this in one day as I could not put this book down.

As hard as I tried, I really could not get into this book. While the premise was interesting, unfortunately the most interesting elements of the story seemed to have occurred offstage before the commencement of the book.

In particular, I found the world building lacking – I don’t think the magic system/cursing process was every fully clear to me, and then the mixing in of the steampunk elements, historical events, and additional magical creatures as the story progressed did not feel very cohesive.

The two main characters did not feel fully developed, nor did their connection. Even for a story written in third-person, the writing when we’re following each character did not feel distinct in any way to reflect their unique perspectives. The side characters similarly did not feel distinguishable from each other.

Unfortunately, I also found the ending of the book pretty dissatisfying, and overall do not recommend.

A Cursed Age by A. M. Dunnewin – 3/5 stars
A Cursed Age is a Gothic nautical fantasy set in 1806, blending elements of steampunk and historical fiction. The story follows Captain Ryland Coldwell, a pirate cursed with immortality by a vengeful sea witch, Gwenifer. Trapped in the West Indies, Ryland seeks revenge and a way to end his curse. His opportunity arises when the airship Nyx, piloted by Emmeline Whittock, lands nearby after being blown off course. Emmeline, fleeing from a murderous fiancé and the threats of Napoleon’s army, reluctantly agrees to take Ryland aboard. As they journey from the Caribbean to New Orleans to Venice, they face the wrath of Gwenifer, who hunts Ryland to reclaim her lost power
What Works:
• Atmospheric Worldbuilding: The novel effectively captures a Gothic, nautical setting, with vivid descriptions of the West Indies, airships, and the looming threat of the sea witch.
• Complex Characters: Ryland's internal struggle with his immortality and Emmeline's resilience add depth to the narrative.
• Romantic Tension: The slow-burn romance between Ryland and Emmeline provides emotional engagement.
What Could Be Improved:
• Pacing: The story's pacing can be uneven, with certain sections feeling drawn out while others rush through key developments.
• Character Development: Some secondary characters lack depth, making it challenging to fully invest in their fates.
• Worldbuilding Depth: While the setting is atmospheric, a deeper exploration of the steampunk elements and historical context could enhance the immersive experience.
Final Thoughts:
A Cursed Age offers a unique blend of Gothic romance and nautical adventure. While it may not appeal to readers seeking fast-paced action or intricate worldbuilding, those who enjoy character-driven narratives with a touch of the supernatural may find it a worthwhile read

3.5 stars. This could have used some further editing but was well written on the whole. Unfortunately I didn’t find myself invested in any of the characters, and some of the dramatic moments leaned melodramatic.

This book is a fun and creative mix of historical fiction, fantasy, and adventure. The world-building is imaginative, with a strong atmosphere and unique setting. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and their dynamic kept me invested throughout. The writing flows well, and the pacing keeps the story moving without dragging.

Overall, it’s an entertaining and memorable read—perfect for those who enjoy a bit of magic, romance, and adventure in their historical fiction.

Captain Ryland Coldwell a pirate, lover, and overall adventurer has made the mistake of scorning a woman who has vowed vengeance against him. Unfortunately for him she has the powers to do so. He now finds himself immortal, trapped in the West Indies. While there are certainly advantages to being immortal his imprisonment on the islands is a drawback. He eagerly waits for an opportunity to break free and get his own revenge on his ex-lover Gwenifer - a sea witch. The onset of the Napoleonic wars has resulted in the earth evolving. This has given rise to the airship. One such airship, the Nyx reaches the islands. This might just be the ticket for his exit from the West Indies.

Aboard the Nyx is Emmeline Whittock fleeing from her murderous fiancé and the threats of Napoleon’s army. They have been blown off course in a storm and have been forced to land on the islands a place that is dangerous for them. When attacked by pirates Ryland is at hand to save them. Both protagonists are attracted to each other. Ryland gets a passage on board the Nyx. Cursed age is their adventures and those of its motley crew.

This historical romance has a sci fi twist. The dual protagonists have numerous adventures on this unusual journey. Needless to say, the pair who are inexorably drawn to each other fall in love. As I read their adventures, I was hoping that it could be a happy ending for not just them but the entire crew. There were bound to be casualties along the way. Dunnewin’s stellar plot building kept me glued to the book. I genuinely did not anticipate the various plots and twists that kept me on tenterhooks throughout. Her captivating penmanship exuded the chivalry and charm of the era. Had it not been so the entire tale would have been a terribly gruesome read.

Despite it being a sci fi Dunnewin was clued into the problems of the times and wove them into her tale with verve and compassion. I won’t discuss them here as it would be a spoiler. What made this such an awesome tale was Dunnewin’s total understanding of everyone of her characters. This became evident as each page turned. She certainly knows how to spin a gripping yarn. Each of the plot twists were well executed as was her world building skills. Dunnewin has excelled herself yet again with her latest novel. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

This was a well done historical fantasy. I found that the pacing flowed smoothly and that I was completely invested in the plot. I loved the FMC and I found the plot thoroughly engaging. The historical details gave meat to the story. I felt that I would have enjoyed more passages of descriptions of the surroundings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A Cursed Age is elegant, brooding, and full of quiet dread—the kind of fantasy that sinks into your bones. A.M. Dunnewin crafts a world weighed down by its own history, where curses linger like fog and no one walks away untouched.

The story unfolds like a whispered warning—slow, deliberate, and hauntingly beautiful. The characters are complex and morally gray, shaped by generations of consequence and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

If you love gothic undertones, slow-burn tension, and fantasy that leans into fate and rot, this one delivers. Dark, atmospheric, and utterly captivating.

Captain Ryland Coldwell is a pirate cursed with immortality and as he seeks revenge, he meets Emmeline Whittock, a mysterious woman aboard an airship, who harbours secrets of her own. The cover is gorgeous and I was extremely intrigued by the set up with the sea witch's curse (the tentacles!!). The blend of gothic and steampunk is also excellent.
However, I suspect because I was so invested in the sea witch in the initial pages, once we switched to the main characters (particularly Emmeline), I struggled to feel as invested right away. Some of this may also be that the pacing slowed down substantially and I felt I needed to push through until about the 50% mark.
Overall, I think this will appeal to a broad audience of romantasy readers who are looking for something fresh, with a gothic edge.

Seriously, WHAT DID I JUST READ?? I did NOT expect to be as blown away as I was. When I tell you this book had me in a chokehold right up until the end, I'm not exaggerating.

A Cursed Age is basically a pirate romantasy: we have slow burn, fated mates, witches, mermaids and pirates. The world building is incredible! And honestly a little out of my comfort zone since I'm not usually one to require elaborate descriptions, but in this case it really helps to immerse you in the story.

It starts off SLOW!! Give it a few chapters to really start building momentum, the author is just setting the scene! Don't rush it, don't put it down, trust the author!!

I absolutely loved Emmeline, she's a quietly strong heroine with real growth throughout the book. It's refreshing to see a FMC who isn't completely helpless, but she's not some secret ninja assassin either haha. She's RELATABLE!! And Ryland is absolutely swoon-worthy with his own journey of personal growth. Gwenifer is suitably horrendous with her own villain origin story, and the side characters are so likable and funny and not just there to push the story along. I'd totally read a spin-off just of Captain Dormer, yum!!

I really didn't want this story to end, but the author did a beautiful job of bringing everything together and tying up loose ends that I hadn't even noticed. This is one that I'll be adding to my shelf collection for sure!!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Man, I wish this had been better! The description sounded so promising. Steampunk alt-historical fiction with pirates? Something about a sea witch? Hell yeah.

But this really fell short and I was so disappointed.

First off, it's loooooong. And weirdly for as long as it is, I feel like the worldbuilding could have been stronger. But my main gripe is that this book has worse instalove than Twilight. It is SOO bad!! Literally the two MCs have absolutely noo chemistry whatsoever and their relationship was not developed in a way that made sense to me. This is kinda explained by the fact that *spoiler* <spoiler> they are fated to be together, but it's not really explained WHY they are soulmates. It also doesn't seem like this is something that exists for other people in this world so again, WHY are these two seemingly random people so special that they have this epic fated love? How does it work?? I have so many unanswered questions and this book answered none of them. I really dislike fated love as a theme in general but pretty much every other book i've read it in (Throne of Glass series by SJM comes to mind) does it better than this, because at least there it's explained why they are fated soulmates. </spoiler>.

But this is a critical plot theme and it just didn't work for me. I was rolling my eyes so hard because at least in YA, it makes sense, because, teenagers. These are adults. Blegh. 2 ish stars