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Medieval Song #6
The Penwyth Curse
Sir Bishop of Lythe has come to Penwyth for his royal reward--the keep and young Merryn's hand. But he wonders if a curse will prove his undoing.
565 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
September 17, 2025
Read: 2013
Setting: medieval England
My old review is missing. This was my least favorite book in the series. It was too different and confusing, especially compared to her other books. It almost like two different people wrote these books. Oh well, they can't all be winners.
Setting: medieval England
My old review is missing. This was my least favorite book in the series. It was too different and confusing, especially compared to her other books. It almost like two different people wrote these books. Oh well, they can't all be winners.
Read
April 20, 2009This book doesn't even deserve 1 star. It was probably the worst book I've ever read. I can't believe I finished it. I was just waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel but there was never any light. Too bad, the tunnel just didn't cave in on me and put me out of my misery.
December 23, 2010
I almost feel bad giving this two stars, because I've always been fond of Catherine Coulter's work. But this one just didn't stand up to the Song quartet or even
, all of which I really liked. The story itself was entertaining, but there wasn't much depth to the characters. The story started off good, then seemed to get a little, well, goofy in places. There was more to the story of the Wizard Prince and Brecia than there was to the main characters, Merryn and Bishop. Their relationship was rushed like a freight train, he carries her off from her home, then they argue, then bam, they're doing it. No emotional ties really, just she was amazed that she enjoyed his kissing. On the other hand, there was the older storyline of the Prince and Brecia, and their lust, and how they had to vanquish the evil Mawdoor... not much in the way of details though, historical or otherwise. It almost seemed like a YA sort of adventure story, but with sex. I was left kind of disappointed. It was readable, but not really all that awesome, so it was just ok. Coulter's older work is better.
, all of which I really liked. The story itself was entertaining, but there wasn't much depth to the characters. The story started off good, then seemed to get a little, well, goofy in places. There was more to the story of the Wizard Prince and Brecia than there was to the main characters, Merryn and Bishop. Their relationship was rushed like a freight train, he carries her off from her home, then they argue, then bam, they're doing it. No emotional ties really, just she was amazed that she enjoyed his kissing. On the other hand, there was the older storyline of the Prince and Brecia, and their lust, and how they had to vanquish the evil Mawdoor... not much in the way of details though, historical or otherwise. It almost seemed like a YA sort of adventure story, but with sex. I was left kind of disappointed. It was readable, but not really all that awesome, so it was just ok. Coulter's older work is better.
October 9, 2013
Honestly don't know if I'll make it through this one...I'm listening to it on audio during my commute to work, and the main character is really grating on my nerves. I've never really been into the plot where two characters hate each other and then fall in love...and Sir Bishop is a real ass, so I don't see why any woman would want to be with him, regardless of how perfect his "parts" are. But then, I also don't normally pick up romance novels, so maybe I'm just not used to the genre. Plus side? At least the woman reading this has an interesting voice. There's nothing worse than an ill-read audiobook...
...I confess, after a while I had to skip over the sex scenes. I just couldn't get into them, and the fact that the lead female was so enamoured of the lead male after his treatment of her annoyed me to no end, so when they started having sex my brain clouded over and went "ew." There seemed no reason for these two (or the other two) to get together other than sheer animal lust...which I guess is ok if you're a hormonal teenager in the world of today,but that doesn't apply here. Kitchy end. But the narrator has a very engaging voice, so one star.
...I confess, after a while I had to skip over the sex scenes. I just couldn't get into them, and the fact that the lead female was so enamoured of the lead male after his treatment of her annoyed me to no end, so when they started having sex my brain clouded over and went "ew." There seemed no reason for these two (or the other two) to get together other than sheer animal lust...which I guess is ok if you're a hormonal teenager in the world of today,but that doesn't apply here. Kitchy end. But the narrator has a very engaging voice, so one star.
October 8, 2017
This book was ok. I found it boring and hard to complete. The story did pick up near the middle. Not Coulter's best work.
October 7, 2016
This book is garbage.
I stumbled on this book while cleaning my basement. Someone else in my family must have made the unfortunate decision to buy this sorry excuse of a novel. However, they say not to judge a book by its cover so I gave it a chance. The Penwyth Curse was probably the worst book I have read in a very long time. Firstly, the characters had terrible personalities and no development whatsoever. The plot was pretty much nonexistent because I still am very confused how the Penwyth Curse was cast and broken..... And swear if I had to hear the word "Mayhaps" one more time I was going to loose it. Just because Shakespeare used it doesn't mean you can put it in every sentence.
I would have given this book no stars but in the end, I gave it 2. The only reason was because the book was so bad that I found it comical.
I stumbled on this book while cleaning my basement. Someone else in my family must have made the unfortunate decision to buy this sorry excuse of a novel. However, they say not to judge a book by its cover so I gave it a chance. The Penwyth Curse was probably the worst book I have read in a very long time. Firstly, the characters had terrible personalities and no development whatsoever. The plot was pretty much nonexistent because I still am very confused how the Penwyth Curse was cast and broken..... And swear if I had to hear the word "Mayhaps" one more time I was going to loose it. Just because Shakespeare used it doesn't mean you can put it in every sentence.
I would have given this book no stars but in the end, I gave it 2. The only reason was because the book was so bad that I found it comical.
August 14, 2017
I kept waiting for this book to improve, but it never did. I am not even sure why I finished it. It really does not deserve shelf space.
February 19, 2011
* "The Penwyth Curse" mysteriously kills greedy knights who try to take over the 1274 Cornwall castle and village, by forcing marriage on unwilling scrawny fourteen-year old red-head green-eyed Merryn. Author Catherine Coulter, or poor continuity editing, cannot decide whether the current ruling grandfather's long thick hair and beard are white or grey, teeth are great or gone, then allows thoughts, then chapters, of another time to interfere. I skipped more and more. King Edward consults annoying unfunny characters from another Coulter book, and sends a young handsome hero who fibs and acts like arrogant chauvinist from Taming of the Shrew with the girl, grown in looks but not otherwise entrancing me. First wizard, then witch, seem to be reincarnations acting simultaneously. Possibly amusing repartee is wasted in scattered plotlines.
August 30, 2021
I've only ever read this during blackouts when I didn't have a phone then. Believe it or not, this book is on my shelf along with a ton of books. You see where I going with this, right? From the thousands of books on the shelves, this book was the one I decided to read during a bloody blackout. The writing's very "colorful", though. I've learned so many "words" from reading this.
...
WHAT DID YOU BRING INTO THIS HOUSE, GRANDMA?!??!
...
WHAT DID YOU BRING INTO THIS HOUSE, GRANDMA?!??!
January 31, 2012
Everyone needs a little mind candy now and then, and I like the voice of the reader. Medieval setting, wizards and witches, handsome prince meets powerful witch...you know the type!
May 12, 2021
Lord Vellan holds Penwyth and wants to designate his granddaughter Lady Merryn as his heir. King Edward sends Sir Bishop of Lythe to marry her and take over the holding…in spite of the Penwyth Curse. Lady Merryn, at age 18, has already been married and widowed 4 times often within hours of the marriage ceremony. Sir Bishop looks for a way to have his cake and end the curse. The story is mirrored with a couple from centuries before and the story of how the curse began.
Recommended for readers who enjoy the medieval setting and the mystical air. Coulter, as always, creates appealing characters and strong romance.
Readalikes:
Heather Grothaus – Never Kiss a Stranger; Susan Carroll – The Bride Finder; Julie Garwood – Shadow Music; Lynn Kurland, Madeline Hunter, Karen Marie Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon – Tapestry; Kathleen E. Woodiwiss – Everlasting; Paula Quinn – Lord of Desire; Kinley MacGregor – Master of Desire; Rosalind Miles – Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle; Bertrice Small – The Dragon Lord’s Daughters.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Character duos; exaggerated
Storyline: Plot-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Dramatic; Mystical; Romantic; Strong sense of place; Steamy
Frame: Cornwall; 1274, 1278
Theme: Stories mirrored through time
Recommended for readers who enjoy the medieval setting and the mystical air. Coulter, as always, creates appealing characters and strong romance.
Readalikes:
Heather Grothaus – Never Kiss a Stranger; Susan Carroll – The Bride Finder; Julie Garwood – Shadow Music; Lynn Kurland, Madeline Hunter, Karen Marie Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon – Tapestry; Kathleen E. Woodiwiss – Everlasting; Paula Quinn – Lord of Desire; Kinley MacGregor – Master of Desire; Rosalind Miles – Isolde, Queen of the Western Isle; Bertrice Small – The Dragon Lord’s Daughters.
Pace: Fast-paced
Characters: Character duos; exaggerated
Storyline: Plot-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Dramatic; Mystical; Romantic; Strong sense of place; Steamy
Frame: Cornwall; 1274, 1278
Theme: Stories mirrored through time
October 13, 2017
#6 in the series, but you don't have to read all the books to understand this one. Medieval paranormal romance. This book has 2 couples in it from 2 different times. If you don't like paranormal romance, you won't like this story.
Set in England in 1278, the first story introduces the curse & the heroine. The hero is sent by the King to settle the curse & marry the heiress. After 4 dead husbands, dying in gruesome ways, the heroine is not eager to marry a 5th. Bishop, our hero is clever & tenacious. There's also other forces at work.
To understand the origins of the curse, we get sent back in time to Breccia & Prince, a witch & wizard. The stories intertwine at this point. There's a twist involving a wand at the end of the story.
So, CC is a talented author. The stories I've kept are funny & the characters have wit. Unfortunately, you have to watch which ones you read because of her tendency to have to have her heroine raped (usually by the "hero"). This one is her best IMO! Merryn & Bishop work together as partners & Merryn falls hard for him.
Dienwald & Philippa make an appearance & they are a great couple as well.
Set in England in 1278, the first story introduces the curse & the heroine. The hero is sent by the King to settle the curse & marry the heiress. After 4 dead husbands, dying in gruesome ways, the heroine is not eager to marry a 5th. Bishop, our hero is clever & tenacious. There's also other forces at work.
To understand the origins of the curse, we get sent back in time to Breccia & Prince, a witch & wizard. The stories intertwine at this point. There's a twist involving a wand at the end of the story.
So, CC is a talented author. The stories I've kept are funny & the characters have wit. Unfortunately, you have to watch which ones you read because of her tendency to have to have her heroine raped (usually by the "hero"). This one is her best IMO! Merryn & Bishop work together as partners & Merryn falls hard for him.
Dienwald & Philippa make an appearance & they are a great couple as well.
November 27, 2022
Lending library find. This is the closest I've gotten to not finishing a book, and I still can't totally articulate what compels me to slog to the end. In this case, I think it was sheer bafflement? Coulter's book is...almost like a cartoon of a romance novel? Or of any novel? The dialogue is laughably wooden, the flirtation between the two sets of lovers is meant to be playful and clever but ends up being more like playground back-and-forth, and...I don't even know what else to say. We get Merlin at the end, which is not a spoiler, because it's not really related to the plot? I can tell from goodreads that many of Coulter's other books are better loved, so I'm sure she is too wise to take this one's reviews to heart, and I will continue on my merry way, amused & bemused by this book and my compulsion to finish it.
March 8, 2018
This book by Catherine coulter is actually two stories in one, each set in a different time. The later time is during the reign of King Edward the first. A curse is on the people, land and castle at Penwyth and it goes back to the beginnings of time when people believed in witches and sorcerors. The legend is that any who come to take Penwyth castle will be cursed and die if they attempt to marry Merryn. Four have tried and died. Sir Bishop of Lyle comes and says he will break the curse. That story was the better one. The part where they jump back to ancient times was a little to much in my opinion and kind of dragged.
October 24, 2018
Fiction : Romance : Historical, England, 13th-century, time travel
Merryn the mistress of Penwyth castle is cursed (blessed?) "no man will ever take Penwyth, or her, by force". At 17 years old her castle has been seized four times and she was married by force to the conquerer, her four husbands died within hours.
Once again someone,Bishop, wants the castle and is willing to take Merryn to get it. He decides to try to win her rather than take her. This is where we discover that the curse is based on a previous romance between the souls that are now Bishop and Merryn. Can it all work out this time? Can they clear the past to create a futur?
Merryn the mistress of Penwyth castle is cursed (blessed?) "no man will ever take Penwyth, or her, by force". At 17 years old her castle has been seized four times and she was married by force to the conquerer, her four husbands died within hours.
Once again someone,Bishop, wants the castle and is willing to take Merryn to get it. He decides to try to win her rather than take her. This is where we discover that the curse is based on a previous romance between the souls that are now Bishop and Merryn. Can it all work out this time? Can they clear the past to create a futur?
December 13, 2022
Truth be told, I'm still half reading this book. I'm waffling between a 1.5 and just 2. To be honest, I absolutely hated the main hero. It was a real trial to read with him. All I wanted to do was to punt him across the sea and let Merryn just chill.
For one that's so learned he's absolutely an idiot.
I also wasn't into them much. I didn't feel any need to see them together or to figure out the curse.
Maybe this just wasn't the book for me.
But I just.. Did not like anyone except for the Grandmother.
For one that's so learned he's absolutely an idiot.
I also wasn't into them much. I didn't feel any need to see them together or to figure out the curse.
Maybe this just wasn't the book for me.
But I just.. Did not like anyone except for the Grandmother.
July 19, 2017
King Edward of England is thankful to Sir Bishop of Lythe's for saving his daughter's life he rewards Bishop with the keep of Penwyth and, with it, Merryn de Gay for a wife. Merryn is the granddaughter of the present lord, and her dowry is a curse: any who forced her to wed and try to take the land will die. At the age of 18 is has buried 4 husbands and between her and Bishop to put an end to the curse good
August 9, 2019
More Manic than Magic
The Penwyth curse started out pretty interesting with curses, mystery, and a maiden. It quickly took a confusing turn into another realm. The back and forth between time? Realms? was a bit hard to follow initially, but then once you understood what was happening, it made more sense. I thought the entire book was a bit bizarre, but it was still an enjoyable read.
The Penwyth curse started out pretty interesting with curses, mystery, and a maiden. It quickly took a confusing turn into another realm. The back and forth between time? Realms? was a bit hard to follow initially, but then once you understood what was happening, it made more sense. I thought the entire book was a bit bizarre, but it was still an enjoyable read.
dnf
October 13, 2020DNF at page 96, so no star rating. This was dreadfully dull and repetitious. This feels like a first time author. I loved Coulter back-in-the-day as a teen. I got a whole box of her books for free, and I keep trying to pick them up. They have not aged well. I need to stop trying and just donate them to a thrift store.
February 22, 2022
This book should win 5* from everyone who dislikes the previous books shouting rape, cruelty or humiliation.
After reading some of the wicked and blood boiling books from Catherine this one was smooth and pleasant.
It’s indeed a YA kind of story.
I missed the strong emotional romance from the previous books.
After reading some of the wicked and blood boiling books from Catherine this one was smooth and pleasant.
It’s indeed a YA kind of story.
I missed the strong emotional romance from the previous books.
December 27, 2023
Whatever drugs the author was on must have been some goooood stuff, but the results are oh-so-very-bad. If you are contemplating reading this book, I highly suggest finding the nearest sharp instrument and poking out your eyes instead. It would be faster (and likely less painful) than trying to slog your way through this deranged, overly convoluted, fever-dream of a story. Trust me.
October 22, 2024
This book is so weird. Catherine Coulter’s early stuff was always batcrap crazy plot-wise, but I have to wonder if she was high when she wrote this. It’s like a fever dream. Of course I read the entire thing because it’s Catherine Coulter and her writing itself sucks me in so that I have to know what happens. I do wonder if my brain melted a bit during the process of this one though.
May 28, 2019
Didn't think too much of the back & forth. It was already in Medieval Times and went back to "Sometime Else." I like books of long ago this just didn't have the mystery. Solve the curse & they did. I think I will skip the other Medieval Songs.
November 30, 2016
Like all the books in this series, it's a fun light read. I enjoyed it and you most likely will too as long as you don't expect it to be a life altering read.
June 29, 2017
Not great.
December 10, 2018
Pretty good, I was skipping a lot of the sorcerer stuff that seemed redundant.
December 14, 2018
This was a hard read - pretty slow in places which is surprising because I have like other books written by her.
January 21, 2019
I am surprised at how much i disliked this book. It didn’t even feel like one of her books.
February 10, 2019
Pretty good story. It jumps from the present time to a past. There's a fantasy theme to it with wizards and witches. A bit of repetitive dialogue though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2019
Love her Medieval times book. Makes me want to be there
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews