A Nameless Curse

Realms Curse #1

by G.W. Prouse

Felicity is a weapon trained to expose secrets, slit throats, and weaken realms. A Fae orphan raised among humans, she’s loyal to the guild who trained her. She needs to complete one final mission to be inducted among those who call themselves Master Spy.

Ordered to uncover the rebel informants within the king’s court, she finds herself amidst the gossip acting as the rakish prince’s latest conquest. When her guild returns memories she hadn't known they'd stolen, she questions her reality. But there are more interesting whispers of a dark curse that blurred identities and truths—and hints that the royal family may be the cause.

Forced to question who the real traitors are, she must choose where her loyalty lies. Felicity could align with the prince, who equally frustrates and entices her more than she cares to admit, ignore the king’s cruelty, and claim the title she’s long coveted. Or damn it all and ally with the ward, a possible rebel who won’t, or can’t, speak of his past. If she trusts him, then they’ll dismantle the kingdom from the inside…and save the continent in the process.

Every weapon has a weakness. It’s not just her neck on the line—it’s her heart.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance

466 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2023

About the author

GW Prouse has a heart for travel and a love of the outdoors that inspires her settings and worlds. While she lives near the beach, she prefers redwood trees, fog covered lakes and mountain peaks. If she’s not writing, reading, or rushing her family around to the countless activities her children can accumulate, she can be found riding her horse, hiking the hills, or cuddling up with her husband for a movie.

Reviews

[Azthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nameless Curse" by G.W. Prouse introduces the enigmatic Felicity, a character whose journey captivates from the very start. Prouse adeptly lays the groundwork for the mysteries shrouding Felicity's origins and history, delivering surprising twists and revelations that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The intricate relationships and tense dynamics among Felicity, Ward, and the prince add depth and complexity to the story. Prouse skillfully navigates the interplay between these characters, creating a web of emotions and alliances that leave readers eagerly anticipating the next moves and developments.

While offering a satisfying conclusion to certain storylines, the book expertly plants seeds of curiosity for what lies ahead, leaving ample room for unanswered questions to fuel anticipation for the sequel.

As someone fortunate to have received an ARC (advanced reader copy), I'm eagerly awaiting the continuation of this thrilling saga. Heartfelt thanks to the talented author for this opportunity. For enthusiasts of "Throne of Glass," aficionados of slow-burn romance, and lovers of the romantasy genre, "A Nameless Curse" is an absolute must-read that promises an enchanting journey into a world filled with intrigue, magic, and unresolved destinies.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free and leaving an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story but there were just a few things that kept it from a four star for me. It did seem to drag a bit and take a while to uncover the mysteries. It was also a little confusing to figure out all of the different Fae and realms, and Lady Fiadh was also a mystery I still have quite a few questions about. But overall I did enjoy this story I just wish there was a little more clarity.

First of all this is NOT a romantasy, so please go into knowing this is fantasy - a lot of world building and complexity with plenty of mystery built in too. The slow burn is definitely referring to the story, there is a side of romance but it's not the main plot point and I really like that.

Felicity is an assassin trained by the tower since she was a fae orphaned among the humans. The guild that trained her had her glamour herself so that the others did not know she was Fae. Animosity built because she seemed to be favored an sent on more missions - once she completes a final mission she can be inducted to become a master spy.

Once she completes her most recent mission she finds herself sent to the King to help him discover a traitor in his court. This is where the mystery and stories start to connect. We find out she had memories taken, doesn't truly know who she is, and has become overwhelmed when the memories come back to her. We also have a curse on the lands in the kingdom that blurs identities and more truths that need to be uncovered.

Felicity has always been told what to do and never questioned it but now she is finally realizing that maybe she should which was fun to see her character development and change throughout the story. I liked that we didn't really know who the prince was or Ward and that this was a big part of the mystery. Towards the end I figured it out but I really enjoyed how we got there. I will definitely continue this series because I want to see what happens with the "big reveal" at the end.

Ok so here is my one big confusion....When they capture Ward and the king wants him to be executed, he uses the word that makes it so Felicity cannot hear what is happening until her name is said. BUT the it says Ward's thoughts turned her - which is regrets because that is something that Lady Fiadh's magic can discern. It then says that "she whispered Felicity's name under her breath" so...is that how Felicity was able to hear everything and her memories helped her understand who Ward was? Was she faking not being able to hear? And if so why because she then ran off with the queen to try to steal the hearts of the realms. Again maybe part of the mystery but this was a disconnect for me.

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really packed a punch, it was like the perfect blend of slow burn plot with well-timed twists! I really need book 2 asap 🥲 it ended in a nice but still cliffhanger-y way, and there is so much I need to know 😭

💫 The Umbrella Academy season 1's Vanya x The Cruel Prince's Cardan
💫 MC who's a spy/weapon who's recovering her stolen memories and is deciding whether her loyalty lies to her mission or her heart
💫 A Nameless Curse (it's the title, I know, but LITERALLY)
💫 Slow.w.w.w.w. burn (it's so slow burn, that the author made a note of it at the beginning 😂)
💫 Twists and twists and more twists and turns

TWs - violence, violent deaths, overthrowing of a past ruler, dictatorship of a kingdom

-- ty to the author for advanced copy!

[Ash Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

5 stars. Nahhh, 10 out of 5 stars!

I want everyone to read this book (at least anyone that enjoys fantasy).

This was not only one of those books that I had a hard time finishing because I didn’t want it to end. I, also, wanted to immediately reread it.

There were quite a few twists. One I thought, but after that there’s several more that left me gasping.

I genuinely cannot wait for book 2!

Felicity, Ward, and Prince Alarian are all such great characters, that I loved almost from the beginning of the story - all fleshed out, well.

I will not stop recommending this novel to people :)

[Josie Bidwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really wanted to like this. The writing is actually good, but NOTHING happened for over 300 pages.

Themes were too similar to other books:

A mysterious male main character that keeps his hands in his pockets…..is that you, Rhysand?

A secret willow tree to take refuge under…… is the you, Hawke?

Not to mention, I had no idea who was supposed to be the love interest, as the FMC seemed relatively ambivalent to both until about 300 pages in.

It was just not unique or particularly entertaining. I won’t be reading the next.

[sarahgabriellereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable story!

I was wonderfully surprised when I began reading and realised the realms were named after the elements in Irish! It was so nice, and almost exciting, to see my native language used in such a unique way and to understand the words and their meanings, as Gaeilge.

Straight away, Felicity was a likeable character. I found her confidence, cleverness and drive quite charming, along with her magic and its abilities. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding her taken-and-returned memories and seeing her piece her past life back together. Watching Felicity navigate through her returning emotions and fighting herself on whether she should follow her moral compass or stay loyal to her mission was a great insight into who she was as a person - it showed great character depth and development.

The enigma surrounding both the prince and Ward was interesting to follow. I enjoyed guessing if they were individually trustworthy or not, and I loved that their true intentions stayed a mystery for most of the story - it kept me on my toes!

I LOVED the twist at the end! I wasn’t expecting it at all and gave a whole new feel to the story knowing the truth. I will definitely be reading the sequel to A Nameless Curse when it’s released.

(I received a Review Copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. RC received via BookSirens.)

[Madi Milner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good fantasy book. Nice change because it had very little spice, one scene where things got heated but lots of tension. Good little twist at the end about the main character and one of the side characters. Somewhat easy to figure out the rebel leader but still not right in your face. Easy intriguing quick read.

[Preethi · Rating 5 out of 5]

YALLLLLLL this book gave me everything i needed. It had Fae, it had espionage and assassins, it had political intrigue. need i say anymore? It kept me on my toes the entire time not knowing if there was gonna be a betrayal or if i just like making everything in my life a soap opera. Prouse did an amazing job at world building that didn’t feel like it dragged on (aka it felt fast paced in a perfect way). I loved the magic systems in this book (aka the nico di angelo esque shadow magic).

This story had an amazing pace as we followed Felicity, a spy/assassin, try to take out rebel informants, but she ends up questioning who the real bad guy is.

Overall, if spying fae in a political court of discourse with an amazing romance is your thing, this book is 100% for you.

[Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4.5

Ho ricevuto un ARC di questo libro tramite BookSirens. Le opinioni espresse in questa recensione riflettono genuinamente i miei pensieri.

Progetto #FaeliciousReads: 2/168 ✔️
Per scoprire di cosa si tratta leggete la recensione fino alla fine ✨

Se state cercando un libro dai fortissimi vibes alla Throne of Glass ( aka Il Trono di Ghiaccio) questo è sicuramente il libro che fa per voi!

Le premesse sono davvero simili: una giovane fae, costretta a fingersi umana, è cresciuta all'interno della Torre, una gilda di assassini. Lì dentro lei è la migliore, e per questo viene reclutata da re Roald per smascherare le spie ribelli nascoste tra i cortigiani. La protagonista sarà quindi costretta a trasferirsi a palazzo sotto mentite spoglie, dove conoscerà il principe Alarian e il misterioso Ward. Tra indagini, té mattutini, segreti nascosti e sentimenti nascenti, riuscirà Felicity a concludere con successo la sua 14esima missione?

Lo stile di scrittura è semplice ma efficace, sebbene in qualche momento possa risultare un po' confusionario, ma non così spesso da rendere la lettura spiacevole.
Anzi, l'autrice con la sua narrazione è riuscita a tenermi incollata alle pagine e a creare in me la voglia di mettermi a leggere anche quando sto facendo tutt'altro, il che non è affatto scontato, specialmente considerando che la narrazione è in terza persona (per me è molto più facile immergermi in una storia se narrata in prima persona).

Devo ammettere che non ho trovato elementi particolarmente originali in questa storia, eccezion fatta per il plot twist finale che, lo ammetto, non avevo minimamente previsto!
Ma nonostante l'assenza di originalità, A Nameless Curse si è comunque rivelata una lettura coinvolgente, sicuramente migliore di tanti altri libri letti nel corso del 2023.

E considerando che questo è il romanzo di debutto dell'autrice beh, non posso proprio lamentarmi.

La protagonista mi è piaciuta molto, nonostante non abbia trovato in lei tratti distintivi che possano differenziarla dalla miriade di protagoniste femminili dei fantasy di questi ultimi anni.
E' sicuramente una ragazza forte che ne ha passate tante, e sono curiosa di vedere come evolverà il suo personaggio nel prossimo libro.
Ho apprezzato tantissimo il colpo di scena presente intorno al 25% del libro, che aggiunge uno strato aggiuntivo al personaggio e contribuisce a renderlo molto più interessante. Forse avrei preferito che quella rivelazione arrivasse un po' più in là nella storia, ma mi è piaciuta lo stesso!

I personaggi maschili principali - Alarian e Ward - mi hanno ricordato molto Dorian e Chaol, sebbene siano molto diversi in quanto a personalità. Eppure i vibes sono quelli.
Tra i due ho sicuramente preferito Ward, anche perché abbiamo modo di conoscerlo più a fondo rispetto ad Alarian, che è meno presente e che nasconde molti segreti fino alla fine.

Una cosa che non ho apprezzato molto è come l'autrice abbia gestito il rapporto tra Felicity e i due uomini. Perché dico questo? Perché per la gran parte del libro si ha la sensazione che la protagonista possa instaurare una qualche romance con entrambi i personaggi maschili, e solo alla fine scopriamo che uno dei due è assolutamente non considerabile come love interest, per ragioni che ovviamente non starò qui a dirvi per non fare spoiler.
Però ecco, avrei preferito non pensare fino alla fine a Felicity in una possibile relazione romantica con quel personaggio. Avrei voluto che fosse chiaro fin da subito che il rapporto che si stava instaurando tra i due era di pura amicizia.

Un'altra cosa che mi sento non di criticare ma semplicemente di sottolineare è che, a mio parere, la romance in questo libro non è poi così slow-burn come molte delle recensioni dicono.
L'autrice scrive addirittura una nota a inizio libro per ricordare al lettore che la romance è mooolto slow, invitandolo quindi a essere paziente.

Beh, forse abbiamo concenzioni diverse di cosa sia una slow-burn, perché a mio parere quella tra Felicity e il suo love interest non lo è.

Innanzitutto, di romance in questo libro ce n'è davvero poco, e i due personaggi non finiscono insieme alla fine della storia, quindi forse è per questo che l'autrice la considera una slow-burn. Tra i due c'è giusto qualche scena con un po' di tensione e un bacio, ma niente più, quindi se cercate una lettura dove l'elemento romance sia prominente vi consiglio di guardare altrove.

Il motivo per cui, secondo me, non è considerabile così tanto slow è che la protagonista non ci mette poi così tanto a percepire i primi segni dell'attrazione nei confronti del love interest, e lo stesso vale per lui, tant'è che dopo neanche 400 pagine abbiamo già un bacio. Considerando quanto i due interagiscano effettivamente nel corso della storia, a mio parere la loro attrazione reciproca tutto è tranne che slow.
Ma forse questa è semplicemente la mia percezione, visto che per me una vera slow-burn è quella tra Feyre e Rhysand in ACOMAF, dove aspettiamo 49 capitoli prima che accada qualcosa, e dove i due interagiscono tantissimo prima di quel momento (e già avevano interagito nel primo libro).

Mi è piaciuto molto l'intrigo che si viene a creare nella ricerca di Felicity, ma ritengo che il world-bulding e le tematiche politiche lascino un pochino a desiderare. Felicity cambia presto fazione, ma non si capisce effettivamente perché. Le basta vedere una persona maltrattata per decidere che una fazione abbia ragione e l'altra no. Non so, le sue motivazioni sono un po' deboli a mio parere.

Detto ciò, ho comunque apprezzato molto questa lettura, e le 4.5 stelline sono dettate proprio dal fatto che sia riuscita a coinvolgermi emotivamente e a darmi quella piacevole sensazione che tutti i libri dovrebbero dare. Consiglio quindi vivamente questo libro a chi non stia cercando il nuovo Throne of Glass, ma che voglia comunque qualcosa dalle vibes mooolto simili ⚔️

Ma quindi, cos'è il progetto #FaeliciousReads?

Da appassionata di fae quale sono, ho deciso che è mio compito recuperare tutti i libri riguardanti queste affascinanti creature. Ho stilato una lunga lista di titoli, lista in continua crescita visto che ogni settimana scopro nuovi libri sul tema.
Seguendomi su Instagram (mi trovate come @clodiaslibrary) resterete aggiornati sul progetto: ogni 2/3 settimane posto il #FaeFriday, dove condivido con voi uno dei titoli della mia lista, parlandovi dei tropes, della trama e di tutto ciò che riguarda il libro in questione, nella speranza di catturare il vostro interesse e allungare la vostra TBR. Inoltre, ogni qualvolta deciderò di leggere uno dei titoli della mia lista #FaeliciousReads, verrete informati e condividerò con voi gli aggiornamenti di lettura sulle storie, per coinvolgervi il più possibile nella mia reading experience 🤎

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Note: I received an ARC for free from Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.***

In the past few months, I’ve begun taking advantage of my kindle unlimited membership and really diving into all the romantasy novels it has to offer, so by the time I received my arc for A Nameless Curse, I’d read quite a few. Something I’ve found is that they’re all rather hit or miss for me. There have been popular stories I’ve loved, while for others, I couldn’t quite understand the hype, or make it past more than a handful of chapters. Now, every time I download something new, I wonder: Will this be a hit or a miss?

A Nameless Curse is definitely a hit! So, what did I love about it?

For starters, there is, OF COURSE, the romance! There’s a warning prior to beginning the book that the romance is a slow burn, and this isn’t an exaggeration. When I tell you that I SUFFERED waiting for *those* scenes, I absolutely mean it. But it was honestly so worth it, and it was the absolute best kind of suffering. The banter between Felicity and Alarian was so well-done and fun to read, and I loved watching the feelings between them grow and change over the course of the novel. Also, I honestly just love Alarian. He's such a great character and love interest.

That said, the romance definitely wasn’t the only part of this story, and there was a lot more to love! Readers who enjoy political intrigue will have a lot of fun watching Felicity weave through the ins and outs of court life and realm politics. Personally, I enjoyed the threads of mystery woven throughout the story. It was clear early on there was more going on beneath the surface—especially in regards to Ward and Alarian—but exactly what I couldn’t quite discern. This growing sense of mystery peaked in some truly fabulous twists at the end of the novel. I won’t spoil them, but when I say I was on the edge of my seat in those final chapters, I mean it.

Another aspect I want to highlight is Felicity herself. There’s this wonderful balance at play of Felicity having this vicious and somewhat emotionless side, but despite that she’s never truly cold. There’s a relatability to her character that’s difficult to put to words, but it makes for a compelling arc, and I loved watching Felicity’s story unfold. She went from someone who thought herself completely cold, unfeeling, and nothing more than a weapon, to a character with so much empathy and a desire to fight for what’s right. So many books struggle to nail a character change arc, and A Nameless Curse is a shining example of how to do one well.

Finally, I’d like to mention the last thing that has me really excited for this book, and it’s the fact it set up a sequel so well. The ending felt satisfying, while at the same time, the twists really open up the story for more, and have me desperate for the next installment. Additionally, the fact the romance was such a slow burn leaves a lot more to unfold in the second book—something so important in books where the romance is one of the big tension drivers, imo. I recently read A Court of Blood & Bindings, another popular romantasy read on Kindle, and while I very much enjoyed the first story, because the romance felt too wrapped up, I couldn’t quite sink into the next one. On that front, I can already tell ANC won’t have that pitfall, and I honestly can’t wait to see what’s next.

So, in summary: if you enjoy witty banter, slow burn romance, political intrigue, mysterious elements with twists and turns, and compelling characters, then A Nameless Curse will likely be a great fit for you!

[Faye Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

'A Nameless Curse' by G.W. Prouse is the first book in a duology about Felicity, a Fae assassin and spy sent to uncover the rebel contacts and instigators within the King's court. While trying to piece together her own returned memories, she has to decide who to trust in the court where anyone could be a rebel.


I was instantly drawn to this book by the blurb (and the quite beautiful cover). The blurb says "This book will appeal to fans of Hannah Whitten's 'For the Wolf'" which is the first book in another duology that I absolutely loved. The blurb also promises Fae court intrigue and a slow burn romance, which I was all in for. And this book definitely delivered all of that for me! I started the book and literally couldn't put it down - I had to see it through to the end in one session!


Speaking of the slow burn romance, the disclaimer at the front of the book is fantastic: "This book is a SLOW burn! Please be patient with the characters. They are dealing with stuff." And I thought it was executed REALLY well. Given Felicity's purpose in the Fae court was all about the mission and that her career progression was really important to her, it was realistic that she would hold off from any sort of relationship while there and focus on the mission. I think the relationships progressed naturally, with her coming to actually know Prince Alarian and Ward as people. Sometimes in Romantasy books I do get frustrated by the characters committing to each other far too early and that passion/love bursts out of nowhere when they don't actually know anything about each other, but that definitely isn't the case here. The characters' development does occur naturally due to how the plot progresses so nothing feels forced for the sake of it.


The book is really well written too, and I loved the pacing. There was always another clue to be uncovered, new memories to piece together, and Felicity was actively seeking these clues. I've been irritated in the past by other spies/assassins that seemed to expect information to fall into their laps but Felicity does what she needs to to get the information.


I think there's a lot of content still to come in book two and the ending definitely made me want the second book asap! It's probably a good thing for me that it isn't out already because I finished this book at about 1.30am so if the sequel was already out, I know I would have dived straight in to see how that "To Be Continued" ending resolved itself!


Disclaimer: I received an ARC from BookSirens, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[SC · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Nameless Curse" by G.W. Prouse is an absolute page-turner that seamlessly blends enchanting elements for a thrilling fantasy experience. From the enigmatic Felicity's captivating journey to the surprising twists and revelations, Prouse masterfully keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The intricate relationships and tense dynamics among Felicity, Ward, and the prince add depth and complexity to the story, creating a web of emotions and alliances that leaves you eagerly anticipating every move. The slow-burn romance, expertly warned about before diving in, is a delightful agony worth savoring, especially with the well-executed banter between Felicity and Alarian.

This book is a jackpot for fantasy enthusiasts, delivering Fae, espionage, assassins, and political intrigue with a pace that never lets up. Prouse's world-building is a standout, avoiding any dragging moments and infusing the narrative with a Nico di Angelo-esque shadow magic that adds an extra layer of fascination.

As we follow Felicity, a spy/assassin navigating a political court, the story unfolds with an amazing pace. The mystery woven throughout, especially concerning Ward and Alarian, culminates in fabulous twists that had me on the edge of my seat during the final chapters.

What truly sets "A Nameless Curse" apart is Felicity herself—a character with a perfect balance of a vicious, emotionless side and a relatable humanity. Witnessing her character arc from a cold weapon to someone with empathy and a desire to fight for what's right is a compelling journey expertly crafted by Prouse.

The book not only offers a satisfying conclusion to certain storylines but also plants seeds of curiosity for what lies ahead, setting up a sequel that I'm anxiously anticipating. The slow-burn romance ensures there's much more to unfold in the next installment, avoiding the pitfall of a rushed romance seen in some other fantastical reads.

In summary, if you're into witty banter, slow-burn romance, political intrigue, and mysterious elements with twists and turns, "A Nameless Curse" is a must-read that promises an enchanting journey into a world filled with intrigue, magic, and unresolved destinies. Prouse has crafted a fantasy gem that caters to lovers of "Throne of Glass" and anyone craving a romantasy adventure. Dive in and prepare for a ride filled with compelling characters and an enticing blend of fantasy elements.

I am so glad I received an ARC copy of this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next in the saga.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!?

I wasn’t sure about this book when I picked it. I’d been perusing available romantasies for what felt like hours. I’d swear I’m sick of fae court intrigue, but apparently that would be a lie. So I thought I’d give this book a shot, it’s just the right length, interesting enough premise, what could it hurt? Everything. When the author warns you in advance that it’s gonna be a slow burn, that’s how you know it’s gonna be a really. slow. burn. But it’s so worth it I swear to you.

The burn is painfully delicious. I’m not usually a fan, I like instant gratification. But it’s such a refreshing change of pace to really see a relationship develop between two characters. It makes the insta-love tropes I typically end up with look really cheap by comparison. Halfway through the book I couldn’t even be sure who the MC was going to end up with, or who I wanted her to be with for that matter, although thankfully I was leaning in the right direction. The author achieved a rare level of depth between two characters that is just so addicting, I’m itching for book two.

The time taken to build the world, give the characters personality, and set the stage for the events that unfold is really appreciated. It didn’t drag on for me at any point, I was enraptured by every twist, giddy at every turn. I can’t say I saw a lot of it coming either. The story has been constructed beautifully and I have a feeling book two will finish answering the questions that book one has asked.

This was a top tier read and I’m thankful I took the chance. Fae, magic, court intrigue, espionage, double agents, lost memories, fake relationship, a little bit of forced proximity, a curse! Everything you could ever need, all in the right place. 5 stars, without a question.

Thanks to the Author and to BookSirens for the ARC. It was my pleasure to read and review this book!

[Robin.Bookish.Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

“… You’re my beginning, my middle… my entire reason for existence.”

This is epic high fantasy fae sleeping beauty reimagining that is as refreshing as it is lovely. Spies and assassins, court/political intrigue, magic and secrets, twists and turns, celtic/Irish elements (which is a personal fav of mine) and slow burn, no spice, one bed romance that is emotional, with sweet and spunky banter. Not to mention there is a stabby FMC (also a personal fav of mine).

This story follows Felicity, a clever fae who was raised by humans to be as an assassin, and she is loyal only to those who have raised her. With one mission left to earn her place amongst the elite Master Spies, she is ordered to uncover the snake in the King’s court but finds herself caught up in the handsome and charming Prince’s clutches, not that she minds. Her lost memories, that she didn’t know were even taken, are returned to her and she questions everything and every one that she has ever known. With murmurs of darkness on the horizon, she must decide where she stands… and hope to protect her heart and save the kingdom while she does it.

Well written and top-notch world building, this story is captivating and magical. I appreciated that the characters were so diverse and yet meshed really well together. I absolutely LOVED the fantastical celtic elements. I wish there were more authors who incorporated these elements into their work. There is just something really enchanting about it. I’m really glad that I read this story AFTER book 2 was published because that cliff hanger kicked me.

“Use the anger. Don’t let the anger use you.”

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to BookSirens for the advanced copy!!

Fans of ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Folk of the Air won't want to miss this one!

A Nameless Curse has absolutely everything you'll love in a second-world fantasy:

✨ The slooooooooooooowest of slow burns rife with will they/won't they moments (the author wasn't kidding--she makes you really work for that romantic tension, but it's so worth it!!)

✨ Political espionage in a mercurial, luxurious faerie court full of balls, high teas, and feasts

✨ A society of ruthless assassins (emphasis on ruthless! Please check those TWs at the beginning of the book; Prouse did a great job detailing everything you'll see throughout)

✨ Hidden passages, secret messages, and lots of magic!

✨ So many tropes! Only one bed, loath-to-lovers, memory loss/recovery, secret identities, curses, and found family (my favorite!) to name a few

✨ Did I mention the slow burn??

Felicity might have been trained as a weapon for the Tower--the organization of assassins where she's spent her whole life--but when she's swept away to a prince's royal court to complete the last mission she needs to be inducted as a master spy, she learns far more about the fae realms, court politics, and intrigue than the Tower ever taught her. The resident prince himself is a mystery wrapped in a (very attractive) enigma, and special shout-out to the ward, the studious, bookish fae with his own share of secrets.

This book has more plot twists than a Twizzler; I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what would happen next, but every tidbit I learned about the fae realms, Felicity herself, or the royal court she was tasked to spy for made me ever more invested with every chapter. And that cliffhanger!! IYKYK lol.

I cannot wait for Book 2!!

[Hilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nameless Curse by G.W. Prouse is the story of the spy and fierce assassin Felicity. She has to fulfill one more mission to become a Master Spy. But as she goes undercover in the cruel King’s Court to find some rebel traitors, she finds that not all things are as they seem, and also finds out she is not who she thinks she is.

From the very first page I was hooked into this story. The writing style is great, flowing and fast paced. Felicity is such a great character: she is fierce, loyal to her guild (her home), and she is a wonderful spy. There is a lot of mystery surrounding her as she has no memories but those from an early age. As things get out of hand, she learns her memories were stolen, but she gets a way to restore them. As the story progresses she learns a bit more about herself and she begins to wonder if what she is doing is right. The Prince, who ordered the mission and his friend (?) Ward are both enigma’s. You have no idea if you can trust them or not.

The mystery and the flashbacks make this a book you almost can not put down. A lot of things happen. There are some curses and you keep guessing what will happen next or if those curses will be lifted somehow. At the end there is this really suprising twist, which I loved immensely. I had no idea at all.

A Nameless Curse is a fantastic story, with a great fast paced and flowing writing style, with wonderful characters, a lot of mystery, and I can’t wait for the sequel.

Highly recommended!

[Tiegan | Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've left a more detailed of this book on my Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9pvBp4ytp3/

*4.5 rounded up to 5

_________

“Why won’t you fight me?” she growled and lifted her fists again in the ready stance.

His shoulders drew back. “Because I deserve it.”

_________

"A Nameless Curse" was one of my favourite reads of 2024!

The FMC Felicity is an assassin who was raised by an assassin's guild and doesn't remember her parents. The basic premise of ANC is that Felicity must figure out who she trusts as she grapples with secrets, bloodshed and politics while completing one final mission for her guild.

ANC is narrated from a single POV (for the most part) and is filled with court intrigue as well as twists and turns, and the tentative beginnings of a slow-burn romance.

It's one of the few books of 2024 that had me incredibly impressed with how cleverly and intelligently written it was--when I mention the twists and turns, I wasn't kidding. I'm a big romance reader, but despite that, the best part of this book wasn't the developing relationship between Prince Alarian and Felicity-- it was how Prouse breadcrumbed details throughout in a way that you don't realise their significance until diabolical revelations occurred.

I was awestruck by the time I read the last page.

Can't recommend this book enough.

[Gabrielle Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome, and I cannot wait for book two! Felicity has only ever known being a spy, but then she’s sent on a difficult mission only to find out she cannot return to her previous home at The Tower, the place and people that raised and trained her. To add insult to injury, she finds out they took her memories from her - thankfully, she’s now able to get them back, albeit not immediately. This mission is making her question her morals and her place in the world, and Felicity wonders if she feels contempt for the handsome prince, or is it more?

This has everything you could want in a fantasy book - slow burn romance, political intrigue, fae, secrets, magic, and more. Felicity is a character you route for from page one. This gave me Throne of Glass vibes, but with a much faster pace and gripping action. I’ve decided I want to move to Dorcha and have a pet winged lynx - as a cat lady, that was my favorite small detail of the story. Also the ending was totally unexpected and I could not stop reading that last 20% - I had to know what was happening!!

I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book in exchange for an honest review - thank you for the opportunity! I cannot wait to dive more into this world and these characters in book two!

[A.C. Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Nameless Curse is a slow-burn fantasy with echoes of classic fairytales. This was a promising debut from an upcoming author. Filled with secrets and political intrigue. Reminiscent of Sarah J. Mass’s Throne Of Glass.

Felicity is a spy and assassin thrown into the court of The King by the mischievous Prince Alarian and shadowed by the mysterious Ward. I loved the slow building of Felicity’s relationship to each of them. I would have loved for her to have even more time with the main love interest.

There were some good twists towards the end of the book.

It took a while to understand all of the different types of Fae and how the world worked alongside humans. It also was a little confusing why Felicity still needed Glamor at all after she left the tower.

While I understand the author wanted to unfurl the plot bit by bit Felicity not having her full memories was frustrating. I think that this book would have benefited from multiple character points of view. As Felicity’s view of the world was very limited.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars


I liked this book overall, but I felt that the characters came across a bit flat.

Felicity, in particular, didn't fully work for me. She's supposed to be a spy and an assassin, and while the story often describes her as bloodthirsty and dangerous, that intensity never fully translated on the page. The way she's written made it hard for me to truly believe in that side of her.

The story started off quite slow, but things really picked up toward the end. A lot happened in the final portion of the book, and there were some genuinely good twists that kept me engaged.

I suspected early on that Felicity and Ward had a shared past, but I didn't expect their connection to be what it turned out to be. For most of the book, I actually thought Ward had romantic feelings for Felicity and that the two of them might end up together, so that reveal caught me off guard.

I was also surprised by Alarian being the leader of the rebel group. I had a feeling he was involved somehow, but not to that extent–definitely an unexpected twist.

There are still quite a few unanswered questions by the end of the book, but I assume those will be addressed in the second book.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story of Felicity, Ward, and Alarian. It kept me interested from start to finish. Reading it felt like catching up with an old friend; it was cozy, warm and sometimes lust could be seen in between chapters.

But, sometimes, the story moved too fast, and there were moments that seemed a bit out of place. I would have preferred to understand a bit better the raids that happened in town or the story with the garden. There were hints regarding the last plot twist but I definitely did now expect what it was and it was a nice surprise.

What I loved was the mystery throughout the book. Some questions didn’t get answered until the end, which kept me hooked. There’s magic, attraction, and a lot of intrigue – and although it might sound like other Fae stories I’ve read it was not.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the second book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first installment in G.W. Prouse's NA fantasy duology. Felicity was an intriguing character from the start, and I was emotionally invested in her journey from the beginning. Prouse does a good job of laying the foundation of the mystery of Felicity's origins and backstory, and I was surprised by several of the big twists and plot reveals throughout.

I adored the tension and complicated dynamics between Ward, the prince, and Felicity (and their different relationships). This book ends with a really satisfying conclusion, while plenty of questions remain for what comes next.

I cannot WAIT to read book two. Thank you so much to the wonderful author for providing me with an ARC of this one. I highly recommend for fans of Throne of Glass, slow, SLOW burn romance, and romantasy.

[Kaylee Pieczynski-Bast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holy world building bat man! Our main character starts off the book missing memories (which she doesn’t know about) but shes in the dark about a lot of things, and as the reader we are too. So much information coming at you, and very quickly. I felt it was hard to grasp the world this book is set in.

There were some aspects that were confusing to me, however I think that might be the point. As Felicity is trying to figure things out, so are we.

I wouldn’t consider this romance, it’s truly a pitch of romance. I didn’t know who the romantic interest was until well over half way through.

But stay tuned for the twist!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

GUYS THIS BOOK. 😭
I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind the entire time I was reading about our new favorite FMC, Felicity. This book was beautifully written with world building that literally brings the pages to life without being so jammed packed with information that you forget to fall in love with the characters.
This book had everything: the Fae, secrets, magic, assassins, court intrigue, single POV, slow burn romance, only one bed, Celtic elements and emotional twists and turns.
The book does end on a bit of a cliff hanger but lucky for us the second book, A Nameless Oath, is OUT NOW so catch me running through the palace to get to it. 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ I HAVE to know what happens next...

[Molly Persson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She had been a weapon long enough to know death intimately”

I absolutely LOVED this book! Not only is the plot itself great, but the world building, the characters and the way GW describes what it going on in Felicity’s mind. The female assassin trope has been with us a long time now, and I honestly think this is the best one I have read, ATOG have a competitor!
I love books where I am kept guessing the big reveal, and when even I struggle to know who to trust. It takes a special kind of author to achieve that, GW Prouse is one of them!
I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura Ramsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

This book just missed the mark for me. The premise was really interesting, but the execution just didn't bring the character or story to life at all for me.

I hesitate to even call the romance a slow burn because very little of anything even happened in the first half of the book, with either of the male characters who were teased at possible romantic partners.

The twists were too little too late and honestly a little confusing as there was so little world building that I couldn't get immersed in the world.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a super fun read for me. The author has an incredible way of laying out details in a scene, I honestly felt like I was there living it. I can easily recall the mood, setting, and feeling of the characters in many of the scenes which I think is really neat and a rare talent. I appreciated Felicity’s storyline and wanted so much more of Felicity’s story by the end. It’s a complete novel in itself with twists along the way, but it also sets up another huge story ready to unfold and am looking forward to book 2 so much!!! Happy to know this is part of a duology and so ready for some beautiful books and great stories on my shelves!

Thank you for the ARC.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I LOVED that the author is like, look this is a slow burn. Be patient. Because it takes the expectation out of speedy reveals. And I didn't take slow burn to mean romantic slow burn; just that it's not a story that will hit you with plot twists galore.

To my fans of fantasy fae lore: some things you will figure out way before they are revealed. You just will. BUT even figuring things out doesn't take away any of the fun (and sadness at points) of this book. We get to know Felicity and Ward and Alarian. And I enjoyed getting to know Felicity. And I liked that there wasn't an obvious love interest as it wasn't the focus of the book.

Anyway, I'm on board for Book 2.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book from BookSirens, and I read the whole thing in two sittings.

A Nameless Curse is twisty and romantic and chock-full of delicious political intrigue. Felicity is a great twist on the “assassin” archetype, and I was on the edge of my seat to find out more about her mysterious past. The romance is definitely a slow burn, but it was worth the wait 🔥

Fans of ACOTAR and the Folk of the Air will definitely want to check this one out. My only complaint is that it ends on a cliffhanger and I have to wait for book two!

[Bookitallaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love anything with fae and political intrigue! This looked so good and I'm kinda bummed I couldn't get more into it. There was a lot of just filler for the first like 250 pages and then we have this 'who do I pick' kinda vibe thing. I almost feel like too that it look a lot of the same characters from other books pretty similarly and I just wanted it to stand on its own.

Again this was not a bad book, it just wasn't my favorite. I wanted more! I'll give book 2 a try and see what happens at that time but hopefully this was just a set up for the big hook. We shall see.