I have no idea what I really expected from this book aside from pirates, but it far exceeded my expectations. Perhaps it was the emotional damage I wasn't expecting because yes, there is emotional damage, which sent me into a spiral of unexpected feelings. That only tells me it's a good book!

The synopsis is spot on, and you can tell that Dunnewin thoroughly researched the history to bring this book to life. Beyond that, our main characters, Ryland and Emmeline, are brought to life and their emotions bleed off the page into the reader. Emotional damage, remember? I vacillate between calling this book tragic or bittersweet. At the very least, it is bittersweet. While I am a huge fan of happy endings, I enjoy and appreciate bittersweet and/or tragic endings when done well and when they fit plot. This one was done so well so kudos to Dunnewin (even though I found myself tearing up and crossing my fingers for something else).

My only critique is that this book is hefty-close to 600 pages-and may have benefited from just a bit more editing. While the writing is descriptive and wonderful, there are moments where it does seem to go on a little laboriously. I acknowledge that you want your readers to be in the world and in the story, but I believe that at times succinctness benefits the storytelling better than too much description.

Overall, very enjoyable and I just wish there was more or another book in this wonderful world Dunnewin created.

A Cursed Age truly is an adventure above the high seas. Mermaids, a Sea Witch, Harpies, and Pirates…oh my. In this world of myth come to life we find ourselves on ships that not only ride the waves, but also the clouds. The author drags you along on an emotional journey full of revenge,longing, and camaraderie. The female main character Emmeline is born a bit too clever in a time that doesn’t appreciate it and our male main character Ryland has lived past his expiration date due to a curse placed on him by an ex-lover. Together they tackle the sky searching for answers and freedom.
The slow burn romance in this read was swoon worthy, the found family aspect was handled beautifully, and the ending should have come with a tissue warning. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more from A.M. Dunnewin.

🌊✨ A Cursed Age by A.M. Dunnewin ✨🌊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’ve ever wished Pirates of the Caribbean had more steampunk, higher stakes, and a cursed love that spans centuries—you need this book in your life.

Set in a Nautical Gothic world during the Napoleonic Wars, this standalone sweeps you away with cursed pirate Captain Ryland Coldwell (yes, I’m a little obsessed) and fierce airship captain Emmeline Whittock. The vibes? Dark magic, airships, sea witches, betrayal, and a love story that refuses to stay buried.

Emmeline is everything I want in a heroine—smart, resilient, and totally done with being pushed around. And Ryland? Let’s just say he’s morally gray immortal with tragic backstories 💀❤️ Gwenifer, the vengeful sea witch and Ryland’s ex (yes, it’s complicated), adds that perfect layer of haunting menace.

The pacing is intense, the atmosphere is amazing, and the blend of steampunk and historical fantasy feels totally fresh.

Spiciness is low BUT there is way more focus on the relationships between characters, slow burn tension, and all the things that make up all the emotional longing.

⚓️ For fans of: Gothic vibes, enemies-to-reluctant allies, immortal curses, and historical fantasy with teeth.

Book Review: A Cursed Age by A. M. Dunnewin

A Gothic Nautical Odyssey of Immortality and Fate
A. M. Dunnewin’s A Cursed Age is a haunting fusion of Treasure Planet and The Witcher, weaving a darkly atmospheric tale of immortality, destiny, and the weight of centuries. Captain Ryland Coldwell, a cursed immortal, finds his solitary existence upended when fate intertwines him with a mysterious counterpart—a collision of past and present that unravels secrets as deep as the ocean. Dunnewin’s prose drips with gothic allure, blending nautical adventure with psychological depth, while the creeping dread of Ryland’s curse lingers like fog over midnight waters.

Key Strengths
-Atmospheric Worldbuilding: The nautical gothic setting is immersive, with vivid descriptions that evoke both grandeur and decay.
-Complex Protagonist: Ryland’s immortal torment is rendered with emotional precision, making his journey gripping and poignant.
-Pacing & Tension: The plot unfolds like a storm at sea—measured swells erupting into thunderous revelations.

Potential Considerations
-Niche Appeal: The fusion of genres (gothic, nautical, fantasy) may polarize readers seeking pure adventure or horror.
-Secondary Characters: Some supporting roles feel underexplored amid Ryland’s dominating narrative.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Worldbuilding: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A brine-soaked, shadow-cloaked masterpiece.
-Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Ryland’s curse is a wound you’ll feel.
-Plot Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A fresh twist on immortality tropes.
-Prose Style: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Lyrical but occasionally dense.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – A ghost ship of a story—haunting long after it docks.

Ideal Audience
-Fans of The Witcher’s melancholic heroes or Pirate Latitudes’ swashbuckling grit.
-Readers who crave a gothic atmosphere with a seafaring soul.
-Those intrigued by morally gray immortals and cosmic curses.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and A. M. Dunnewin for the advance copy. A Cursed Age is a testament to Dunnewin’s talent for merging mythic scale with intimate torment—a voyage worth taking.

Note: Review based on an ARC; minor edits may appear in the final edition.

5 ⭐️
A.M. Dunnewin dd a phenomenal job with A Cursed Age! If you're a 90’s kid like me and enjoyed the vibe from Treasure Planet, this one is for you. This is a steam punk style, gothic, semi-dark romance, magical adventure filled with cleverly written banter and spice.
We have a sea witch with Harpies under her command, pirates and adventure, a sexy romance and sizzling encounters, magic, curses, and so much more! There is also a hint of history as the story takes place in Venice, Italy during the time of Napoleon no less, who also happens to be the goal of capture for someone *wink*. Captain Ryland Coldwell is our adventurous pirate trapped in the West Indies, and Emmeline Whittock the only female aboard the vessel, Nyx. Eventually we end up in New Orleans and by the end of the adventure on the last page you might even have some big feelings and tears. Not typically something I would ever mention, but this hits some tropes out of the park: morally grey, slow burn, vengeance, and a lot more.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for permitting me to read and review this book prior to release to the public.*

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+ love story - even with the insta lovey -- which I normally do not like, It worked for this one.
+ the ending! Great way to wrap up the story for a standalone book.
+ the writing was 10/10
+ I love a good (evil) sexy sea witch

- was a *teeny* bit too long. I think it's fine overall bc it was good storytelling and I wasnt super bored just felt long... It did kinda fit with the MMC's character being this man of adventure. They were always traveling here and there but it just was a lot to read through.

Overall, I loved it!

A Cursed Age is a masterpiece! I absolutely loved this book. I laughed and cried and it gave me all the best feels. The prologue had me hooked right away. I loved how lyrical and descriptive the book was. I really felt like I was there with the characters. This book was so rich with myths and lore. I have been in search of a book that gives me the vibes, feels and adventure of Pirates of the Caribbean and I found it in this book. It had pirates, a sea witch, mermaids, magic, love and an airship. What more could you want? It was such an adventure! The cast of characters was my absolute favorite. There is just something about a found family that sees you for who you are and will do anything for you. The crew was so diversed and I really felt like I got to know each of them.
I loved Emmeline and her character. She was dealt a hard hand in life but didn't let that stop her. Ryland was such a complex character. And I loved the journey of emotions that his character takes you on.
I absolutely adored Ryland and Emmeline's love story. I loved that it developed throughout the whole book. Their story really makes you believe in love. The ending was a breath of fresh air. It was
bittersweet but gave me so much hope. I will definitely read this book again!

From the airships shaped with innovation to the water witches ruling over malicious powers, the world building creates an ideal setting for this tearful journey for connection, fate and the sacrifice.

The chemistry between the main characters is what makes this novel really great. The MMC (pirate, cursed with immortality, and forced to live on an island due to his translucently ex) balances the gruff determination with unexpected tenderness. His counterpart is a tough-minded captain of an airship who is trying to escape an arranged marriage with her brutal father and adds smart composure to their budding relationship. Their bond seems real, developing from dubious alliance into something greater and more meaningful.

The novel expertly infuses Greek mythology into the text, and harpies and mermaids become the powerful impediments in protagonists’ way. These mythological components engross the already gripping tale with a textural quality.

Although the book is still good for young adults, it is also not favorable for a young audience due to violence and profanity that goes along with the book’s pirate environment. The plot also explores tough issues of grief and abuse, revealing a process of overcoming painful pasts of the main characters.

The conclusion, albeit powerful in emotions, could have reader crying. A Cursed Age is another remarkable adventure which manages to mix both historical components with fantasy, and thus provide the readership with a story about escaping chains.

⭐️ 4.5

Ugh that ENDING so so tragic and bitter sweet and perfect. I would love a prequel story of Ryland’s time and adventures before meeting Emmeline!!! I don’t want to leave these characters :(

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dark Hour Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Cursed Age is a dark historical fantasy book filled with curses, pirates, intertwined fates and chosen family.
Even though it was close to 600 pages, personally it didn't feel like a long book at all because I found the pacing perfect and was so invested in the characters and their journey.

While there certainly is a solid plot that is fast-paced, what I appreciated most about this book was the contrast of toxic, obsessive love to a pure, sweet love without the drama and 'excitement', as well as the paths we take in life - whether we allow our experiences to make us bitter and hateful, or to fight to stay kind in spite of it.

This beautiful, thoughtful exploration, in both the main and side characters, reveals how quiet strength is often overlooked and that staying kind in a cruel world is one form of that.

A Cursed Age by A.M. Dunnewin grabbed my attention the minute I read the summary. I love a good book about magic and pirates. Throw in some steampunk aspects and I'm sold. I honestly couldn't put this one down and while it seemed a bit drawn out at times, I still wanted to know everything that was going to happen next so I kept turning the pages.

Our mmc is Captain Ryland Coldwell. He's a pirate and adventurer who just happens to be trapped in the West Indies. He's also immortal due to angering the wrong woman but he's determined to get off the island he's been trapped on to get revenge on his ex, Gwenifer, the witch who cursed him. The problem is that he can't use a normal ship to escape because along with the immortality, she's made it so that anytime he tries to leave, Ryland is pulled back to the island by whatever means necessary. And typically that requires the sinking of the ship he is on. Luckily for him, the world has begun to evolve and with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte there has also come the rise of the airship, the only type of vessel that Ryland thinks he has a chance of getting away on. So when one happens to reach the shores of the West Indies, he knows he has to take a chance.

Our fmc is Emmeline Whittock. She is the only woman on board the airship Nyx and to say it's been a challenging trip would be an understatement. Not only are they off course in the West Indies but she just happens to be fleeing from her murderous fiance and the threats of Napoleon's army. When she and her crew are attacked by pirates, Ryland is the one who comes to save the day and for some reason Emmeline feels a pull toward him despite knowing nothing about him. But because of the assistance he has provided, she agrees to take him on board not realizing that the growing storm is the wrath of the sea witch Gwenifer, hunting for the man who wasn't supposed to leave.

This was such a great book in terms of characters. Not only do we have Emmeline and Ryland but there is an entire crew on this ship that we get to know and it was lovely to see and understand how they came to be where they were and why they were there to support Emmeline. Of course you have the bad guys (her fiance and father - I won't say anything here but you'll learn all about them) but from Arthur, the Captain, Brent, Porter, Miguel, Gutter...all of them had an impact on the story and a purpose.

Emmeline herself has been through some stuff. Her childhood, despite her place in society, hasn't always been easy but she always had her brother to lean on and now that she's on her own, she has to find a way to stand on her own. She's still finding her way but she's slowly coming to see her strength and Ryland is pushing her to do that as well as pushing her to see what's good around her.

Ryland recognizes he hasn't always made the best choices but he is determined to get his revenge and at the same time, keep his commitment that he won't harm Emmeline and her crew. He also knows now what Emmeline is to him and he decides he will be the monster (so she doesn't have to) and destroy those around her that would harm her if that's the last thing he does. And boy, does he come through.

The relationship build between Emmeline and Ryland was done really well too. There was an immediate connection which is explained as the story unfolds and I loved how it came together. I'm not ashamed to say that the ending actually made me tear up...and you'll know why when you read it.

All that to say I truly enjoyed this book. There is action, magic, curses, romance, and danger throughout. Dunnewin takes the reader from the West Indies to New Orleans to Venice and I was along for the ride. If you're looking for a new Fantasy with great characters and a page turning story to pick up consider this one. Don't let the length scare you away, it is a bit long but I think you will enjoy it.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher allowing this book up for a free-read.

WOW. Sign me up for finding a new favorite author! What got me to read this was how the author was saying this was a gothic romance, infused with Treasure Planet and pirates. She wasn't wrong!

We are introduced to our sea witch and her 'hide-away' with her court of harpies and boy oh boy, I was like - okay, this is what I am talking about in a book. She is sexual, beautiful, wicked, and out for revenge and conquering her foe / past lover. Our past lover is a captain who has been 28 for over a hundred years. In that time he has experienced a lot, can shoot like crazy, use a sword like a beast, but he cannot die. Oh, he also can't leave the island due to her curse of making him immortal.

Our female lead escaped a marriage, recently lost her brother, and stole her flying ship from her fiance's clutches. With her trusted group of men, she is heading for America to live with her uncle. She and the male lead when he assists her men in outmaneuvering her fiance's hired goons. Seeing that she has a flying ship, and he can't go near the water, this will assist him greatly in getting off the island, questing to find the sea witch and killing her.

This book is a one-shot / stand alone and it's sad because there is a plot element that I feel, based on the fantasy aspect and 'fate' that could use a second book (with a happier ending) if the author so truly wished. However, if that were to occur that will cheapen the ending. The ending was right, and reminded me of The Canterville Ghost strangely enough.

Oh, and the romance? The romance was AMAZING. Lingering glances, "I would do anything for you" moments, he falls first and hard, she slowly falls in love with him, and finally being one another's anchor.

I really encourage any one who loves really well done fated / doomed love stories to check into this one. You won't regret it.

Nautical Gothic tale set in 1806 about a cursed pirate, a wrathful sea witch, and the rise of the airship.
"Alls fair in love and war... and revenge"
Not my usual genre to read but I did enjoy. Suspenseful and intriguing!

I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint! I admit that I fell in love with the cover but promise me a nautical adventure in 1806, too? Sign me up.

Captain Ryland Coldwell is immortal. He gained his curse from scorning the wrong woman and is now a pirate without his ship and his crew, roaming the earth in search of a way to break the curse. Unfortunately, he leaves sunken ships behind him, and as a result is perpetually stuck in the West Indies.

A new phenomenon, the airship, has been invented due to the conquests of Napoleon Bonaparte. When one arrives in port, Ryland knows it is finally his chance to escape. The airship, the Nyx, was blown off course while fleeing from death and capture. Emmeline Whittock, builder of the ship and the only woman aboard, is stunned to meet Ryland after he saves their ship and their crew from a group of pirates. She feels a mysterious pull towards him, but is unable to figure out why.

As thanks, Ryland has one request—to come aboard the ship and to be able to escape the West Indies once and for all. His other mission is to get rid of the sea witch that has haunted him for years, once and for all.

This was a really great book and I loved reading it. The setting is fantastic and the author did a great job of research and developing new ideas. This is a story about friendship, love, adventure, and revenge. I will definitely be getting a copy of this for my shelf when it comes out!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.

(4.5 Stars)
Reaction:
A Cursed Age is a dark historical fantasy novel set against the backdrop of the early 1800’s, a time filled with innovation and marred by the Napoleonic Wars. Action and romance are the drivers of this story, but found family, self-discovery, and healing give it heart. The writing is poetic and vivid, eliciting visceral images that drew me into the feelings and emotions of the story from the very beginning. The book gives some Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, especially towards the start. Ryland comes off as a pirate with the confidence and swagger of Jack Sparrow, but the slow-burning anger of William Turner, which is a potent combination. Emmeline is a character that’s easy to like and relate to. A smart woman who is working on her confidence, but her superpower (and weakness) is her capacity to care about those around her. Their romance feels like a slow-burn as they try to resist the magnetic pull between them, but is at the same time intense, and I enjoyed the tension between the two, although it was a bit too close to insta-love for my taste. The airship’s crew are an eclectic but loyal group that adds depth to the narrative, especially the father figures of Captain Dormer & Arthur. The settings are vibrant, and each have been thoughtfully placed to contribute to the scenes themselves, such as the voodoo culture of New Orleans as the backdrop for the introduction of more intricate mystical ideas. I thought the presence of fantastical creatures like mermaids upped the ante in the action scenes and made the other magic, like Ryland’s curse, believable in this alternate fantastical world. The ending of this book is super emotional, with different layers of feelings and realizations happening at the same time, I could not put it down! I really enjoyed reading this book, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books with complex characters, found family, and a rich backdrop to get lost in.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dark Hour Press, and A.M. Dunnewin for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

What I enjoyed:
·       I appreciated that Ryland and Emmeline’s fights were not born of typical tropes like miscommunication or jealousy. The conflicts came about because each could see potential in the other person, and they were desperately trying to make the other realize it, which made their attraction feel more sincere.
·       The magic is well-integrated and supportive in the narrative without dragging it down or overshadowing it with drawn out explanations. Blending the ideas of sea witches, voodoo, and mermaids against realistic industrial pursuits like flying ships and the Napoleonic Wars, the story asks the reader to only slightly suspend their sense of reality without giving it up entirely.
·       One of the themes in this book is the plight of women during this time period. Both featured women, Emmeline and Gwenifer, are products of the male-dominated society they grew up in. Both struggle with a woman’s lack of independence and opportunity in their own way, and I think that theme is still extremely relevant to the experience of being a woman today.

What I didn't enjoy:
·       The one point I didn’t follow was the idea that Gwenifer wanted to seduce Napoleon Bonaparte and give him an heir. That Gwenifer would seduce for power was believable for her character, it just seemed like a bit of a stretch that she was going to go so far as giving Bonaparte an heir in a vie for magical power.

I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this
Ryland cold well is a cursed pirate that fell for the wrong woman a witch named Gweneffer. He lives an immortal going from ship to ship trying to get revenge on the woman that cursed him. He meets Emmiline Whittock, a woman escaping from her murderous fiancé. They journey through the island, trying to escape the witch that cursed Ryland. The story was good, but I felt like it was slow in some points of the book. I would recommend this to anyone that is a lover of the sea and pirates. The love is beautiful and gives you hope in the lives of two people trying to escape the past and facing it head on

This was an epic dark fantasy romance, in an alt history, steampunk-ish setting. Really enjoyed the world building, the characters and their back stories. Each person grew in depth and developed further as the story progressed.

Although really well done, I did find it a bit long, with a lot of action, but almost too much going on (places, people, magic/mystical/lore stuff, mythical species, etc). Also felt it was a bit insta-lovey/ fated love which I’m not a huge fan of.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Dark Hour Press/IBPA for a copy!

This book was given by NetGalley as an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ryland is a pirate who has been cursed to immortality and to never leave an island by his ex, who happens to be a sea witch. Emmeline is a brilliant inventor of a flying ship. Emmeline’s ship is just the thing Ryland needs to get off the island he’s been bound to since it will enable him to escape through the air rather than the sea.

Honestly, I was a little bored and didn’t love the writing style. I should have loved Emmeline’s crew more than I did and I should have been more invested in what happened to the characters.

When I say the ending of this book made me sob...

The beauty, the tragedy, the gut wrenching agony and power of the ending is the book does not shy away from it. It tells you upfront what will happen, it warns you that your heart will be ripped from your chest if you continue and yet you have little choice because like the sirens waiting for the crew, the writing will lure you in and never let go.

A fantastic alt. history where airships are invented during the time of Napoleon, with a splash of magic, a pirate from the golden age, who cannot die and a love story that has spanned lifetimes.

Em's father and fiancé are disgusting excuses of men and make for some worthy villains of the piece. It was a joy to finally see them receive their just desserts. Seeing Em's growth, her story was a delight too, as she struggled with all she had lost but slowly learnt to see everything she had and everything she could be.

Truly enjoyable story that I gladly gave my heart away for.