Curse Corrupted

Gallows #4

by Sharon Stevenson

***This is the fourth in the Gallows series of novels - the following description contains spoilers***


Twin demon trackers Shaun and Sarah Gallows are used to dealing with supernatural threats but what happens when that threat comes from within?

The twins are in the middle of a murder case when Shaun is captured by werewolves. Suddenly his future as a tracker is in question. Faced with the choice of remaining as he is and continuing to serve both the Council and the Seelie Court, or becoming a werewolf powerful enough to be an Alpha and gaining a life with a mate he is already attracted to, Shaun is conflicted. His werewolf curse was corrupted after he was ravaged in battle and now a witch has removed the corruption. He has days before his first shift takes all choice away from him and he becomes wolf. Can he make his decision in time, or will it be taken out of his hands?

Meanwhile Ben has come back into Sarah’s life and is attempting to prove he has changed. She isn’t sure if she can trust him but when it comes right down to it she may have no choice. When she is marked for death she must find a way to defeat a demon and avoid being dragged to hell without the use of her physical fighting skills. Her demon bond might be the key to her survival, but can she trust War to look after her best interests when he could have her to himself in hell?


***Be warned this book is Adult Modern Fantasy, not YA. It is not suitable for younger readers as it contains profanity & sexual references.

Genres: Paranormal

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2013

About the author

I'm the twisted mind behind The Gallows Novels and the After Death Series. If you want to know a bit about me, here it is: I spend too much time indoors and probably watch too many horror films. Some of my favourite things are; Alone time, people who know when to shut up, having a drink, eating pizza (usually after having too much drink the night before), reading books, adult swim cartoons, bad horror and sci-fi movies, proper good TV shows like Dexter & The Walking Dead, and last but not least having a laugh with my hilarious other half - this would usually include some of the above.

Reviews

[Rick Soper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was yet another great novel in a series of great novels! This is Sharon Stevenson's 4th novel in the Gallows Twins series of novels and they just keep getting better and better. The Gallows Twins, Shaun and Sarah, who are Trackers, tasked with the job of policing the Supernatural community which includes Vampires, Werewolf's, Witches, Demons, and various members of the Fae community, find themselves in yet another wide array of problems, each of which is desperate and life threatening. That's one of the things that I really enjoy about all of Sharon Stevenson's novels is that there is always a whole lot of things going on. The Twins are very different people, Sarah was born to be a tracker and carries out her duties with enormous talent and enthusiasm, while Shaun didn't want to be a Tracker, has been battered, scarred, and is looking for anyway out of his fated profession. In every novel the Twins find themselves going in more different direction on different adventures than they're ever working together, and that ends up being very entertaining. Like any very good series of novels, The Gallows Series builds it's characters from one novel to the next expanding their feelings, their experiences, and their trials, so as a reader you're brought further and further into the emotions of their situations. I really enjoy the multiple points of view, the multiple situations, and the pace that Stevenson writes at and would highly encourage anyone who hasn't started this wonderful series to find out what they've been missing, because once you start I think you'll find yourself just as hooked as I am.

[Alan Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The great ingredients we expect from a Sharon Stevenson Gallows Novel are here in abundance, with the sibling trackers, Shaun and Sarah, dark magic, spells, intense psychological as well as physical struggles, imprisonment, fairies, vampires, shape-shifting, witches on the rampage; two wolf-packs in a fight for survival to the death; and graphically-described, mind-numbing, martial gore-fests. Sarah is tracked by a demon, and Shaun is tempted through love and desire to join a wolf-pack; Ben's feud with Ray, and his desire for revenge, continues, plus now he's after Beth, Red's wife. There is also that intriguing, authentic element of such characters' penchant for takeaways and fast food, in between the killings, mind-games and slaughters. As always, such a plethora of incident, plot and atmosphere are uniquely held together by the author's smooth, effortless style of writing. Sharon Stevenson has created not just an opus of her own, but a distinctive 'feel' unique only to herself and her creations. Not to be missed.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book four in this series to me is almost evenly divided between the two siblings. We learn a lot more about what happened to Shaun as far as how he got his scars abd how they affect him emotionally. We also delve more into the bond between War and Sarah. We learn what makes Ben really tick now that he is no longer controlled by a demon and there may still be some good left in him. There are even some tidbits about the prophecy that is to come, Shaun's soulmate, a glimmer at Ray's inner workings, and what Teri has been up to. It was an exceptional follow-up book. The pace was steady and it seems that each book just gets better and better which is what you want with a series. I can't wait to see what Hell Halved has in store, but I think I can imagine based just on the name. I volunteered to read this book.

[Matt Holgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I profess I am hooked by Sharon Stevenson's books about the Gallows Twins. And with Book 4, 'Curse Corrupted', it is no different. It's a difficult book to review without giving anything away, but it has urban fantasy oozing out of it. And oozing is probably a mild spoiler, but hey, you're just going to have to read it to find out. Every review of this series, I seem to say Stevenson is hitting her stride, but then she goes and improves on her last outing.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have made it this far into the series, you already know it's great! The characters are amazing and overcome some series mistakes they are always making. I really like that Shaun and Sarah are fallible. I also like the different points of view that are being put in the book to help us get to know the other characters well. Elle doesn't show up as much in this book and I miss her! We do find out why Shaun has his scars! I have been wanting to know that one for a while! Lots of crazy things happen in this book and it is very hard to put down. The only reason my rating is a 4 is because there were a few typos in this book, but they were not major or overly distracting; I am also sure Sharon is working very hard on finding them and fixing them. The title to this book is very appropriate, and it doesn't take long to figure out why. I love that each book has a dilemma to overcome that is concluded, yet leaves enough things open that you really want to read the next book! I am very excited to find out what happens with the twins and their friends next!

[Angelika Rust · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose there's nothing much I can say about this series I haven't already said in previous reviews. I like it, period. I love an author who clearly has fun messing with their characters. Seriously, a good part of this series is based on human (or almost human) beings doing what they're best in - making stupid decisions. That makes it almost painfully realistic, despite all the supernatural stuff going on, and together with the humor and witty dialogue, it's simply a joy.

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book to the series. Finally after reading the cliff hanger from the end of book#3 Fated Fallen. We realize that there is a possibility of more to Ben then meets the eye. I particularly like how this book finally explains Shaun's perspective on himself. Very interesting how the twins handle their various messes plus soon to be messes and new job duties plus being a tracker.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Shaun, all he ever wanted was a normal life & a girl who doesn't see him as a monster but he always gets put in horrible situations. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I would highly recommend this book and series to everyone.

[michelle davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!! Wonderful!!!!! Amazing!!!!

Another great one in a long line of the books in the Gallow Series. I can't wait to read the next. I hope the series doesn't end with the next book I will be terribly disappointed...

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gallows Novels books 1-6

Twins, Shaun and Sarah are as different as chalk and cheese, but both are demon trackers.
Shaun is more of a loner and doesn't like his job, while Sarah jumps in with both feet and gets the job done, while still finding time for her friends. The story is told from their points of view which, in my opinion, gives more of an insight into their individual characters.

Demons, vampires, werewolves, witches and fairies... this series has them all!

The books are fast-paced, easy to read, and enjoyable. I originally bought book 1, but having read that, bought the box set 1-3 followed soon after by the second box set (books 4-6).