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The Watchers #1
Cursed
Since she was eight years old, Lilly Rayne Nightingale felt like Fate was trying to wipe away her existence through a series of odd, near fatal incidences. Luckily, her best friend Will was always one step ahead of Fate preventing her from being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Will was her knight in shining armor until he broke her heart after their one and only kiss.
On Lilly’s first day of college, she meets Brand Cole. Intrigued by Brand, Lilly must decide whether or not she can give up her adolescent fantasy of being reunited with Will and allow Brand the opportunity to conqueror her heart.
Not only do Will and Brand both love Lilly, they share a dark secret neither wants Lilly to discover. Lilly thinks Fate is after her once again when a new series of attempts on her life start to take place, but she soon learns someone of flesh and blood is trying to kill her this time.
On Lilly’s first day of college, she meets Brand Cole. Intrigued by Brand, Lilly must decide whether or not she can give up her adolescent fantasy of being reunited with Will and allow Brand the opportunity to conqueror her heart.
Not only do Will and Brand both love Lilly, they share a dark secret neither wants Lilly to discover. Lilly thinks Fate is after her once again when a new series of attempts on her life start to take place, but she soon learns someone of flesh and blood is trying to kill her this time.
312 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2012
1770 people are currently reading
7149 people want to read
About the author
S.J. West
76 books1,190 followersOnce upon a time, a little girl was born on a cold winter morning in the heart of Seoul, Korea. She was brought to America by her parents and raised in the Deep South where the words ma'am and y'all became an integrated part of her lexicon. She wrote her first novel at the age of eight and continued writing on and off during her teenage years. In college she studied biology and chemistry and finally combined the two by earning a master's degree in biochemistry. After that she moved to Yankee land where she lived for four years working in a laboratory at Cornell University. Homesickness and snow aversion forced her back South where she lives in the land which spawned Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, John Grisham and B.B. King. After finding her Prince Charming, she gave birth to a wondrous gift named Caylin and they all lived happily ever after.
The second book to the Harvester of Light trilogy will be available for purchase no later than December 2012.
The second book to the Harvester of Light trilogy will be available for purchase no later than December 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 492 reviews
October 23, 2021
Great start to this to the series loved it.
The second time reading this was even better, because I forgot alot of what happened. I love Lilly she has just got a way about her that's hard not to like.
Happy Reading 📚📚📚📙📒📗📖📘📕📚📓📘📔📒📓📘📕📖📙📗📒📔📚📖
The second time reading this was even better, because I forgot alot of what happened. I love Lilly she has just got a way about her that's hard not to like.
Happy Reading 📚📚📚📙📒📗📖📘📕📚📓📘📔📒📓📘📕📖📙📗📒📔📚📖
July 24, 2013
Oh dear where to begin... The only reason I'm giving 2 stars is because the ending picked up and the story did have potential. My dislikes:
-The heroine Lilly - Okay she seriously annoyed me so much. She is so wishy washy with her thoughts I love Brand but what about Will blah blah blah. Then how she has all these guys falling for her and shes all like but I'm just plain and "as ordinary as they come" there's nothing special about me... and I'm all like omg shut up... Also I don't understand her views of love at all, she is way too immature loving Will for forever and then dropping him so quick. Love is not wishy washy ughhhh. Lastly her internal dialect is boring and I found myself skipping a lot of it.
-Brand - Oh dear God he is soooo perfect... which coincidentally makes me gag. He seriously didn't end up with any flaws which is so fake. He has all these talents and is so sweet but ultimately he had no dimension. Perfect doesn't exist and so I found him really really unappealing.
-The love triangle-err square-- Okay as if Will and Brand weren't enough Malcolm gets thrown in. However, Ill forgive it because I really liked Malcolm and Will because they had flaws and were not fake. Then we have Lilly in the middle who I cant think of anything that makes her appealing enough to have all these guys like her until towards the end you find out there is something but of course we don't find out why. Here she is hanging around these guys loving them one second and hating them the next like seriously drove me nuts. Also, how she held such a grudge against Will for his mistake but Brand she just comes running back to right after and doesn't get mad at him... sooooo stupid. Lastly, Lilly and Brands relationship came out of no where and the next second they're in love. *multiple eye rolls*
-The Plot - the story flow was so slow at parts and rushed in others a lot of pointless side characters and unrealistic drama of a psycho jealous girl. My main concern here was all the un answered questions especially with Will...
-Tara- annoyingly over protective which is unrealistic
In conclusion I'm sure there's more I'm leaving out but I'm done thinking about this book. The only reason Id read the next was if it was free.
-The heroine Lilly - Okay she seriously annoyed me so much. She is so wishy washy with her thoughts I love Brand but what about Will blah blah blah. Then how she has all these guys falling for her and shes all like but I'm just plain and "as ordinary as they come" there's nothing special about me... and I'm all like omg shut up... Also I don't understand her views of love at all, she is way too immature loving Will for forever and then dropping him so quick. Love is not wishy washy ughhhh. Lastly her internal dialect is boring and I found myself skipping a lot of it.
-Brand - Oh dear God he is soooo perfect... which coincidentally makes me gag. He seriously didn't end up with any flaws which is so fake. He has all these talents and is so sweet but ultimately he had no dimension. Perfect doesn't exist and so I found him really really unappealing.
-The love triangle-err square-- Okay as if Will and Brand weren't enough Malcolm gets thrown in. However, Ill forgive it because I really liked Malcolm and Will because they had flaws and were not fake. Then we have Lilly in the middle who I cant think of anything that makes her appealing enough to have all these guys like her until towards the end you find out there is something but of course we don't find out why. Here she is hanging around these guys loving them one second and hating them the next like seriously drove me nuts. Also, how she held such a grudge against Will for his mistake but Brand she just comes running back to right after and doesn't get mad at him... sooooo stupid. Lastly, Lilly and Brands relationship came out of no where and the next second they're in love. *multiple eye rolls*
-The Plot - the story flow was so slow at parts and rushed in others a lot of pointless side characters and unrealistic drama of a psycho jealous girl. My main concern here was all the un answered questions especially with Will...
-Tara- annoyingly over protective which is unrealistic
In conclusion I'm sure there's more I'm leaving out but I'm done thinking about this book. The only reason Id read the next was if it was free.
June 11, 2018
"I didn't have any reason to dream. I already had you in my arms." I couldn't help but smile, even though his words sounded like they were a direct quote from a sappy romance novel.
The quote above is from the beginning of Blessed (The Watchers, #2), but it PERFECTLY sums up this book. In fact, Cursed might be the sappiest romance novel I've ever read. And despite the plot holes and continuity errors, I loved it! 😍❤️
I'm not going to get into examples of the extreme sappiness, plot holes or continuity because they'd be spoilers and have to be hidden. I'll just say this... If you love Hallmark romance movies and YA paranormal, you'll probably love this book. In spite of actually laughing out loud or shaking my head at many spots in the book, I couldn't help myself. Cursed brought out the 15-year-old girl in me. 🤩
The quote above is from the beginning of Blessed (The Watchers, #2), but it PERFECTLY sums up this book. In fact, Cursed might be the sappiest romance novel I've ever read. And despite the plot holes and continuity errors, I loved it! 😍❤️
I'm not going to get into examples of the extreme sappiness, plot holes or continuity because they'd be spoilers and have to be hidden. I'll just say this... If you love Hallmark romance movies and YA paranormal, you'll probably love this book. In spite of actually laughing out loud or shaking my head at many spots in the book, I couldn't help myself. Cursed brought out the 15-year-old girl in me. 🤩
August 22, 2015
Lilly is hella annoying. I should know better than to force myself to continue reading. No more, if you are 13+ and plot doesn't matter to you, this is your book.:|
February 12, 2013
Hello all,
Obviously you are a fellow reader and you're here to look for great books. Cursed is an amazing book, the trilogy was awesome. Unfortunately, I'm not the type of reviewer that will put all of my feelings out there about a book because I don't want to ruin anything. I think that each person should make their own opinion on a book but if you want mine; this is an amazing story. Full of all elements; mystery, suspense, passion, hope, and love. I hope that you love this book as much as I did. It puts a whole new spin on ancient legends.
Obviously you are a fellow reader and you're here to look for great books. Cursed is an amazing book, the trilogy was awesome. Unfortunately, I'm not the type of reviewer that will put all of my feelings out there about a book because I don't want to ruin anything. I think that each person should make their own opinion on a book but if you want mine; this is an amazing story. Full of all elements; mystery, suspense, passion, hope, and love. I hope that you love this book as much as I did. It puts a whole new spin on ancient legends.
February 24, 2013
This book is between a 2 and 3. Although the characters are in college the whole love story and feelings described in the book are very immature. Maybe it's the authors tone, I'm not sure but I felt like the whole situation would have played out better were the characters in high school. The whole Will thing was just weird to me. For 2 years he ignored her and then he tells her he loves her finally when she starts to like someone else. I mean he is an immortal being, so you would think he's been around the block a time or two, but he waits to say this when everyone and their mother thinks this girl is "different."
The book started getting good once you found out what was going on. I really enjoyed the character Malcolm. He was cool but the others were just whiny and needy to me.
The book started getting good once you found out what was going on. I really enjoyed the character Malcolm. He was cool but the others were just whiny and needy to me.
November 18, 2016
Sorry but I have to admit I don't ever want to read anything like this again.
Too much perfection is just unrealistic and unappealing.
What is worse than two most hot boys falling for a stupid girl you ask? All the hot boys falling for her. -.-
Everyone was soooo perfect and sooo nice. Everyone is sooo in love with her and protective of her. Umm no. This isn't how it works in life. Even in fiction I want to see atleast a bit of truth not some fantasy dream of a girl where everyone is pinning for her affections.
Nothing made these characters memorable. Lilly is everything. Beautiful (doesn't even know it), rational, smart, innocent, soo pure of heart. She has a perfectly loyal and protective bestfriend, her childhood friend loves her so much he wants to keep her safe even from himself and the first day she gets to college she has the hottest guy falling for her. Whenever I picture Lilly, she is this melodramtic annoying girl who is always sighing and whinning about how difficult her life is or how she is CURSED. Lol you know you picked the wrong book when it starts with "I am cursed" kind of lines. I have no idea why I finished it. As I said there was not any particular dnf moment, it was just too perfect for that kind of thing.
Too much perfection is just unrealistic and unappealing.
What is worse than two most hot boys falling for a stupid girl you ask? All the hot boys falling for her. -.-
Everyone was soooo perfect and sooo nice. Everyone is sooo in love with her and protective of her. Umm no. This isn't how it works in life. Even in fiction I want to see atleast a bit of truth not some fantasy dream of a girl where everyone is pinning for her affections.
Nothing made these characters memorable. Lilly is everything. Beautiful (doesn't even know it), rational, smart, innocent, soo pure of heart. She has a perfectly loyal and protective bestfriend, her childhood friend loves her so much he wants to keep her safe even from himself and the first day she gets to college she has the hottest guy falling for her. Whenever I picture Lilly, she is this melodramtic annoying girl who is always sighing and whinning about how difficult her life is or how she is CURSED. Lol you know you picked the wrong book when it starts with "I am cursed" kind of lines. I have no idea why I finished it. As I said there was not any particular dnf moment, it was just too perfect for that kind of thing.
October 14, 2019
I’m sorry, this was just bad. From the writing style and narration to the characters to the dialogue. Not a single redeeming quality. It is also extremely similar to at least one other YA book series that was hugely popular, can’t remember the name.
College freshman and country girl from the trailer park, Lily runs into her old best friend and first crush, Will on her first day of classes. After Will gave her her first kiss in high school he broke her heart by ignoring it and dating a popular cheerleader. Since they’re two years apart in age, Will has been in college and hasn’t attempted to communicate in any way with Lily these last two years. First day of classes she also meets Brand, popular and good looking guy with an English accent who is in his mid-20’s. But he’s in her freshman class. Ok. They start to hang out and go on one date, but Will is suddenly back in the picture wanting to “talk” to Lily. After two years of radio silence he’s suddenly in love with her! Brand after having known Lily one week is also in love!
Brand: “I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone as special as you are. I’ve searched a long time for someone like you, but I’d given up hope you actually existed. If anyone in this world was made for me, you were, Lilly. There will never be anyone else for me but you.”
But wait a second. Someone runs Lily off the road on her way home from Brands mansion. Yes, mansion. Now it’s determined someone is trying to kill her! *gasp The young college co-eds accept this immediately as normal and divide up shifts so she’s never alone.
Lily observes her roommate and BFF, Tara, exchange money with a sketchy guy for a baggie of white powder and confronts her thinking it’s cocaine! Tara denies its drugs and tells her instead it’s dirt. She eats dirt. And Lily is like, “oh ok, weird.” She mentions it in passing to Brand when he sees Tara with the baggie and he’s like, “oh yeah, I know where you can get some really good Georgia dirt.” What. The. Actual. F. I was thinking dirt was some new designer drug, but it seems to be dirt. Like from the yard.
I have no idea what this author is smoking, maybe it’s dirt?
College freshman and country girl from the trailer park, Lily runs into her old best friend and first crush, Will on her first day of classes. After Will gave her her first kiss in high school he broke her heart by ignoring it and dating a popular cheerleader. Since they’re two years apart in age, Will has been in college and hasn’t attempted to communicate in any way with Lily these last two years. First day of classes she also meets Brand, popular and good looking guy with an English accent who is in his mid-20’s. But he’s in her freshman class. Ok. They start to hang out and go on one date, but Will is suddenly back in the picture wanting to “talk” to Lily. After two years of radio silence he’s suddenly in love with her! Brand after having known Lily one week is also in love!
Brand: “I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone as special as you are. I’ve searched a long time for someone like you, but I’d given up hope you actually existed. If anyone in this world was made for me, you were, Lilly. There will never be anyone else for me but you.”
But wait a second. Someone runs Lily off the road on her way home from Brands mansion. Yes, mansion. Now it’s determined someone is trying to kill her! *gasp The young college co-eds accept this immediately as normal and divide up shifts so she’s never alone.
Lily observes her roommate and BFF, Tara, exchange money with a sketchy guy for a baggie of white powder and confronts her thinking it’s cocaine! Tara denies its drugs and tells her instead it’s dirt. She eats dirt. And Lily is like, “oh ok, weird.” She mentions it in passing to Brand when he sees Tara with the baggie and he’s like, “oh yeah, I know where you can get some really good Georgia dirt.” What. The. Actual. F. I was thinking dirt was some new designer drug, but it seems to be dirt. Like from the yard.
I have no idea what this author is smoking, maybe it’s dirt?
October 17, 2013
4.0. I don’t think the description really did the book justice. There were some suspenseful moments, but I thought this was more of a really sweet love story. In reading the other reviews, most people who gave the book a low score said it was because of characters being annoying or the writing being juvenile. I’ll explain why I disagree in the applicable areas.
Plot:
Lilly Nightingale has just started college. While trying to avoid (and recover from) Will, the boy of her dreams in high school, she meets Brand Cole. The minute Brand takes a liking to Lilly, Will tries to re-enter her life. Both guys warn Lilly about the each other, and soon, several attempts are made on Lilly’s life. Similar strange occurrences have happened in the past, and Will was always present, but Lilly chalked it up to fate. As the story progresses, she finds out that everything happened for a reason. She also learns why Will was always there when bad things happened in the past, why he broke her heart, why someone wants to kill her now, and how Brand is involved in everything that is happening.
Characters:
In reading the other reviews, a lot of people found the characters irritating. To me, the characters were actually refreshing. I’ve said it a million times before, but in most YA novels, the heroine is extremely weak (think Bella Swan prior to becoming a vampire) or extremely snarky and brash (sorry, but Rose from Vampire Academy is the first to come to mind). While Lilly may seem to lean toward the former, and while the guys are bound and determined to protect her, she isn’t really weak because things happen to her BEFORE she has the chance to react. She does lack self-esteem, and she does feel cursed, but based on the comments her mother makes, the fact that no one other guy has ever taken interest in her, and the near death experiences she had in the past, her state of mind makes perfect sense.
The guys—Brand and Will, not so much Malcolm—aren’t your typical broody, smart-alecky, “I’m going to be indifferent and then suddenly fall in love with you” kind of guys either. (Think Edward Cullen or Jace Wayland.) Brand is sweet and romantic and tells Lilly he likes her immediately, and that’s kind of new. Will is also sweet and willing to put aside his differences with Brand to make sure Lilly is safe and happy. You can’t really ask for more than that in a book boyfriend. I did find Malcolm a little unnecessary and annoying, and I do hate it when every guy in a book falls in love with the heroine, so I will concede there. At least Lilly put a lot of thought into it and made a choice, so that’s good.
The other primary character, Tara, didn’t bother me either. She actually reminded me of Tara from True Blood, so I’m kind of used to the sassy, best friend aspect, and I could practically hear her voice in my head as I read her dialogue. It was also nice to see a friend question the heroine’s judgment or even tell her what the best course of action would be rather than just being in love with love like some book BFFs are.
Writing:
Some people mentioned that the writing was juvenile. I didn’t really feel that way. There wasn’t any fighting as foreplay or unrequited sexual tension. The romance was more old school and poetic, but sweet none the less. If anything bothered me about the writing, it was spelling/punctuation/grammatical errors. There were a lot of them but nothing so grievous that it took away from the story.
The Bottom Line:
I liked Cursed. It was an easy read with a nice twist on old characters (vampires, werewolves, angels, etc.). While there’s not really a drastic, “I’m stopping mid-action”-type cliffhanger, there are lots of questions that I’m sure will be answered in the next books. I’ve already downloaded Blessed and am happily looking forward to reading it.
Plot:
Lilly Nightingale has just started college. While trying to avoid (and recover from) Will, the boy of her dreams in high school, she meets Brand Cole. The minute Brand takes a liking to Lilly, Will tries to re-enter her life. Both guys warn Lilly about the each other, and soon, several attempts are made on Lilly’s life. Similar strange occurrences have happened in the past, and Will was always present, but Lilly chalked it up to fate. As the story progresses, she finds out that everything happened for a reason. She also learns why Will was always there when bad things happened in the past, why he broke her heart, why someone wants to kill her now, and how Brand is involved in everything that is happening.
Characters:
In reading the other reviews, a lot of people found the characters irritating. To me, the characters were actually refreshing. I’ve said it a million times before, but in most YA novels, the heroine is extremely weak (think Bella Swan prior to becoming a vampire) or extremely snarky and brash (sorry, but Rose from Vampire Academy is the first to come to mind). While Lilly may seem to lean toward the former, and while the guys are bound and determined to protect her, she isn’t really weak because things happen to her BEFORE she has the chance to react. She does lack self-esteem, and she does feel cursed, but based on the comments her mother makes, the fact that no one other guy has ever taken interest in her, and the near death experiences she had in the past, her state of mind makes perfect sense.
The guys—Brand and Will, not so much Malcolm—aren’t your typical broody, smart-alecky, “I’m going to be indifferent and then suddenly fall in love with you” kind of guys either. (Think Edward Cullen or Jace Wayland.) Brand is sweet and romantic and tells Lilly he likes her immediately, and that’s kind of new. Will is also sweet and willing to put aside his differences with Brand to make sure Lilly is safe and happy. You can’t really ask for more than that in a book boyfriend. I did find Malcolm a little unnecessary and annoying, and I do hate it when every guy in a book falls in love with the heroine, so I will concede there. At least Lilly put a lot of thought into it and made a choice, so that’s good.
The other primary character, Tara, didn’t bother me either. She actually reminded me of Tara from True Blood, so I’m kind of used to the sassy, best friend aspect, and I could practically hear her voice in my head as I read her dialogue. It was also nice to see a friend question the heroine’s judgment or even tell her what the best course of action would be rather than just being in love with love like some book BFFs are.
Writing:
Some people mentioned that the writing was juvenile. I didn’t really feel that way. There wasn’t any fighting as foreplay or unrequited sexual tension. The romance was more old school and poetic, but sweet none the less. If anything bothered me about the writing, it was spelling/punctuation/grammatical errors. There were a lot of them but nothing so grievous that it took away from the story.
The Bottom Line:
I liked Cursed. It was an easy read with a nice twist on old characters (vampires, werewolves, angels, etc.). While there’s not really a drastic, “I’m stopping mid-action”-type cliffhanger, there are lots of questions that I’m sure will be answered in the next books. I’ve already downloaded Blessed and am happily looking forward to reading it.
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October 6, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/6/2019)! 🎁
March 29, 2021
At first, this felt like Twilight but with Angels and Demons. Wait...
May 1, 2013
Oh Jesus Christ Superstar! What a book!
I liked it from the start and ended up loving it!
But mostly, I love Brand! Soooo sweet and hot and sexy and cute and almost perfect... I say almost" because of how he behaved after the thing with Crazy Michelle. I seriously worshipped him all the time except that one time. And the dream? Oh it was so sweet, my heart melted.
I liked Lilly too. A very nice character. I felt connected to her. And with Brand too,
when we got to see things through his point of view.
I'm not sure I really liked Tara. I mean, she is a good friend and she loves Lilly like crazy, but I think that sometimes she was too overprotective and overwhelming. I also liked her other times though.
I didn't know what to think about Malcom at first, and I admit I didn't want to like him, I didn't want him to come between Lilly and Brand. But I found myself liking him in the end. I think he can be a very good friend. A dark, handsome, funny, crazy, mischievous friend, but still a very much caring friend.
I don't know what to say about Will. I have mixed feelings. We don't really get to know him well enough to have a real feel of him, but I have to say, I didn't like him much. And we still don't know what has happened two years ago for him to leave her after that kiss if it's true that he loved her. I would have loved to understand that.
I didn't like Nora and Michelle.
I liked Abby and I was kind of surprised to know who she really is to Brand.
Though, I have to say, I suspected it at one point.
The story was good and although it reminded me of another book in the scene where Abby and Lilly met, I liked the whole book.
I can't wait to read the 2nd book and know what happens next and get some questions answered finally.
A very good read, and hard to put down and go to sleep.
I liked it from the start and ended up loving it!
But mostly, I love Brand! Soooo sweet and hot and sexy and cute and almost perfect... I say almost" because of how he behaved after the thing with Crazy Michelle. I seriously worshipped him all the time except that one time. And the dream? Oh it was so sweet, my heart melted.
I liked Lilly too. A very nice character. I felt connected to her. And with Brand too,
when we got to see things through his point of view.
I'm not sure I really liked Tara. I mean, she is a good friend and she loves Lilly like crazy, but I think that sometimes she was too overprotective and overwhelming. I also liked her other times though.
I didn't know what to think about Malcom at first, and I admit I didn't want to like him, I didn't want him to come between Lilly and Brand. But I found myself liking him in the end. I think he can be a very good friend. A dark, handsome, funny, crazy, mischievous friend, but still a very much caring friend.
I don't know what to say about Will. I have mixed feelings. We don't really get to know him well enough to have a real feel of him, but I have to say, I didn't like him much. And we still don't know what has happened two years ago for him to leave her after that kiss if it's true that he loved her. I would have loved to understand that.
I didn't like Nora and Michelle.
I liked Abby and I was kind of surprised to know who she really is to Brand.
Though, I have to say, I suspected it at one point.
The story was good and although it reminded me of another book in the scene where Abby and Lilly met, I liked the whole book.
I can't wait to read the 2nd book and know what happens next and get some questions answered finally.
A very good read, and hard to put down and go to sleep.
April 23, 2015
Meh, definitely for the 13+ age group. Predictably unoriginal novel about a conservative southern girl from a cliche family who happens to find herself the object of attention of two of the most beautiful men at her college. That should be great, right? Except the unoriginal and fantastical twists render it an eye-roll fest. Yes, it's that kind of book.
Lilly Rayne Nightingale lives in a trailer park in Mississippi. She is just about to start college after her first love and best friend, Will, decides he doesn't like her as much as he thought. Still hurting from that loss, Lilly meets Brandon, the most sought after boy on campus. Brandon, of course, immediately pounces and before you have even turned the page, they are an item. I don't like it when there isn't any build in a relationship. He's an Adonis, she is hot, so they should be together...NOT! In all honesty, Lilly is such an average girl that the fact that she has a superhuman pull on these uber-handsome men is downright ridiculous. It gets better. Someone is trying to kill Lilly and we don't even know why because that secret is left for the next installment in the series. But, I don't have any interest in reading subsequent novels because there just wasn't enough to "sink my teeth into" in this boring first installment. Pun intended.
Next we know, this is fast becoming an Edward/Bella/Jacob story with a sidekick thrown in. There are too many underdeveloped characters and no real sense of direction. Author failed in getting me invested in the characters to continue on with the series. I wonder why people think that just because JK Rowling wrote a series of books marvelously well, they can too? This book might have done better as a stand alone rather than stretch the non-plot over three books. Save yourself some time and bypass this one.
Lilly Rayne Nightingale lives in a trailer park in Mississippi. She is just about to start college after her first love and best friend, Will, decides he doesn't like her as much as he thought. Still hurting from that loss, Lilly meets Brandon, the most sought after boy on campus. Brandon, of course, immediately pounces and before you have even turned the page, they are an item. I don't like it when there isn't any build in a relationship. He's an Adonis, she is hot, so they should be together...NOT! In all honesty, Lilly is such an average girl that the fact that she has a superhuman pull on these uber-handsome men is downright ridiculous. It gets better. Someone is trying to kill Lilly and we don't even know why because that secret is left for the next installment in the series. But, I don't have any interest in reading subsequent novels because there just wasn't enough to "sink my teeth into" in this boring first installment. Pun intended.
Next we know, this is fast becoming an Edward/Bella/Jacob story with a sidekick thrown in. There are too many underdeveloped characters and no real sense of direction. Author failed in getting me invested in the characters to continue on with the series. I wonder why people think that just because JK Rowling wrote a series of books marvelously well, they can too? This book might have done better as a stand alone rather than stretch the non-plot over three books. Save yourself some time and bypass this one.
July 15, 2017
This was good. Really good. I liked that it was YA but with a mature tone that's been absent from some of the recent YA series I've read. I liked Lilly but I hope she becomes stronger as the story progresses. I have to admit I find Brand a bit smarmy, almost too romantic. I liked Will's strong silent type and Malcom's cocky attitude. Looking forward to reading the next one.
P.s. What is going on with the dirt?!
P.s. What is going on with the dirt?!
January 2, 2016
I saw this book advertised and was instantly intrigued, I loved the cover so went on to read the blurb.. which launched me into a read- fest taking in the storyline.
So in a few words.. I LOVED this read, the characters and.. well everything.. including Malcolm.. #teammalcolm!
So in a few words.. I LOVED this read, the characters and.. well everything.. including Malcolm.. #teammalcolm!
March 18, 2019
This was a quick, easy read with an interesting plot. While the characters are college-aged, Cursed really read more like Young Adult, which was a bit disappointing. I think SJ West is a good writer and I would have liked to see her flesh out her characters a little more.
unfinished
May 31, 2013Only read the beginning. The writing sucked and everything seemed to progress too quickly. This book was not for me ):
June 19, 2019
Enjoyable. Off to read book 2.
January 5, 2020
Couldn’t put it down
This book sucks you in so easily! I loved every single character and moment in this book and can’t wait to read what happens next!!
This book sucks you in so easily! I loved every single character and moment in this book and can’t wait to read what happens next!!
July 14, 2017
3.5 stars, rounded up because I'm feeling generous (and apolgetic, I made some snarky remarks about this whilst reading).
This is not a book I would have picked to read, under normal circumstances. But I was doing a reading challenge, and the book had to feature an angel. This was one of the first ones that came up, and actually, I'm glad I read it.
To be fair, I didn't like the first 30% of the book. I do have to admit, I was in a foul mood, and so made a lot of snarky updates. Around the 40% mark, I started laughing. And around 65-70% I felt like I just HAD to know how the story continued.
Originally, I wanted to describe this as Twilight with a touch of Final Destination, but it's really more like True Blood, especially . Anyways, it was actualy a fun and gripping story, once I got into it. And the other 2 parts of the trilogy are going onto my tbr. (I do currently have a paranormal romance overdose, I read to many stories in this genre lately, and it's actually one of my least favourite genres. That being said, me giving this 3.5 stars is really something).
This is not a book I would have picked to read, under normal circumstances. But I was doing a reading challenge, and the book had to feature an angel. This was one of the first ones that came up, and actually, I'm glad I read it.
To be fair, I didn't like the first 30% of the book. I do have to admit, I was in a foul mood, and so made a lot of snarky updates. Around the 40% mark, I started laughing. And around 65-70% I felt like I just HAD to know how the story continued.
Originally, I wanted to describe this as Twilight with a touch of Final Destination, but it's really more like True Blood, especially . Anyways, it was actualy a fun and gripping story, once I got into it. And the other 2 parts of the trilogy are going onto my tbr. (I do currently have a paranormal romance overdose, I read to many stories in this genre lately, and it's actually one of my least favourite genres. That being said, me giving this 3.5 stars is really something).
April 4, 2017
kinda boring, too lovey dovey in my opinion. Wish there was a little more grit to the story. I have all three books so ill probably finish them
February 21, 2018
3.5 stars.
May 20, 2020
this was absolutely paranormal trash but i loved it
January 3, 2024
this book is madness and outdated but likeeeeeee malcolm hit uppppp 😍🫵
March 30, 2020
This book was tough to get through. It’s definitely an insta-romance, which I don’t like. I kept thinking that there was going to be more with Cole and that we shouldn’t trust him... but unfortunately that didn’t happen! I wish it would have, because that would make this book more interesting.
I just don’t understand how she moves on so quickly - literally in a few days - from the guy she’s loved for her ENTIRE life.
There isn’t very good world building, we know that there are some magical forces at play, but not much is explained. I think this was an attempt to make readers continue with the series, but there needed to be more here.
I just don’t understand how she moves on so quickly - literally in a few days - from the guy she’s loved for her ENTIRE life.
There isn’t very good world building, we know that there are some magical forces at play, but not much is explained. I think this was an attempt to make readers continue with the series, but there needed to be more here.
July 18, 2023
I didn’t really like Lilly and the end just felt too fast
January 1, 2024
This was truly bizarre. The commentary on race was ignorant as hell. All the characters talk like they’re 95 years old and they’re supposed to be young adults. What is this? Was it written by AI?
April 15, 2014
A phenomenal paranormal tale with Angels, Demons and beautiful YA romance!
A worthy rival to Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, this exciting new series is packed with imaginative vision and brilliant characters. Scintillatingly suspenseful and a real page-turner, I was sucked into this wonderfully compelling tale that tugged at the heartstrings as it swept me away. The profound poignancy and emotion within the well-conceived narrative made me laugh and cry, as I lost myself within an enchanting ‘love triangle’ that conflictingly pulled me in one direction and then the other. Amid the intense passion, spellbinding mystery and promise of hope was a refreshingly original ‘take’ on ancient legends. I loved the author’s unique approach to the genre and the extraordinary world building and depth, with touches of brilliance and inspired concepts that surprised me totally! As a lover of paranormal {Angels/ Demons/ Love triangles} and the Young Adult setting of High School, this was a book that I felt irresistibly drawn to…including the striking cover.
Book 1: Cursed of The Watchers series is set within a contemporary 21st Century setting, with fantastic main protagonist Lilly whose likeability and charisma is instantly magnetic. The love triangle between Lilly, Will and Brand was reminiscent of Edward, Jacob and Bella; keeping you guessing throughout the book as to whom she would pick! Fans of Becca Fitzpatrick’s ‘Hush, Hush’ series (or) Lauren Kate’s exquisite ‘Fallen’ saga will find this dazzling debut a tantalizingly tempting treat and engrossing read.
S J West’s Vampiric fallen angels are really interesting and like nothing I have encountered before. As the thrilling tension and drama built in intensity to the most unexpectedly mind-blowing, dramatic cliffhanger ending I was left on edge desperate to find out what happens next…
CURSED had me reading into the early hours of the morning, not able to tear my gaze from the hypnotic saga that was so engaging it was as though the story & characters ‘got under your skin’. Deeply beguiling and incredibly well written the deftly woven plot seems to get even better as you read the next chapter…and the next. This supremely magical story is one that I am so pleased to have had the chance to read, as now I cannot wait to delve into book 2 and to continue from where I left off!
*I would like to thank SJ West for providing me with an e-copy of the first book within the Watchers series to read & review. *
How can you not LOVE that cover? It’s beautiful!
A worthy rival to Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, this exciting new series is packed with imaginative vision and brilliant characters. Scintillatingly suspenseful and a real page-turner, I was sucked into this wonderfully compelling tale that tugged at the heartstrings as it swept me away. The profound poignancy and emotion within the well-conceived narrative made me laugh and cry, as I lost myself within an enchanting ‘love triangle’ that conflictingly pulled me in one direction and then the other. Amid the intense passion, spellbinding mystery and promise of hope was a refreshingly original ‘take’ on ancient legends. I loved the author’s unique approach to the genre and the extraordinary world building and depth, with touches of brilliance and inspired concepts that surprised me totally! As a lover of paranormal {Angels/ Demons/ Love triangles} and the Young Adult setting of High School, this was a book that I felt irresistibly drawn to…including the striking cover.
Book 1: Cursed of The Watchers series is set within a contemporary 21st Century setting, with fantastic main protagonist Lilly whose likeability and charisma is instantly magnetic. The love triangle between Lilly, Will and Brand was reminiscent of Edward, Jacob and Bella; keeping you guessing throughout the book as to whom she would pick! Fans of Becca Fitzpatrick’s ‘Hush, Hush’ series (or) Lauren Kate’s exquisite ‘Fallen’ saga will find this dazzling debut a tantalizingly tempting treat and engrossing read.
S J West’s Vampiric fallen angels are really interesting and like nothing I have encountered before. As the thrilling tension and drama built in intensity to the most unexpectedly mind-blowing, dramatic cliffhanger ending I was left on edge desperate to find out what happens next…
CURSED had me reading into the early hours of the morning, not able to tear my gaze from the hypnotic saga that was so engaging it was as though the story & characters ‘got under your skin’. Deeply beguiling and incredibly well written the deftly woven plot seems to get even better as you read the next chapter…and the next. This supremely magical story is one that I am so pleased to have had the chance to read, as now I cannot wait to delve into book 2 and to continue from where I left off!
*I would like to thank SJ West for providing me with an e-copy of the first book within the Watchers series to read & review. *
How can you not LOVE that cover? It’s beautiful!
September 16, 2017
Cursed (Book 1, The Watchers Trilogy) (Young Adult Paranormal Angel Romance)
No Spoiler Alerts 😊 ! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I'm so happy 😁 that I have a new series to read, for the next for days!!
I love all the twists and turns of the book, real people wanting to kill her, but why? People sent to kill her and then, changing their mind all because of this one girl named " Lily." Who is she? This is still yet to be determined in the next book!!!
I especially love ❤️ " 3 way love triangle going on " for Lily.
But, what will her heart ❤️ choose? I was so happy to find out at the end of this book.
I loved this series, it was enticing from the 1st page, I am a mother of two teens, and I will not give my age.. and was a high school teacher before I became disabled because of a student, which means I have a Masters degree in Education and before I read this book I read a few comments that said that these books are only for pre-teens. I felt that insulting to not only the author, but to anyone who is in my age group or anyone who would enjoy this book/series. Never believe what the comments say because everyone has different opinions. If I cannot get into a book within the first chapter, I stop and do not read the rest of the book, and would never say anything bad about the author because it maybe the writing and I didn't click. Then I try again at another time, and I always find that I usually either like the book or I truly didn't.
Anyways, I say this book is amazing and can't wait to read the next book!
No Spoiler Alerts 😊 ! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I'm so happy 😁 that I have a new series to read, for the next for days!!
I love all the twists and turns of the book, real people wanting to kill her, but why? People sent to kill her and then, changing their mind all because of this one girl named " Lily." Who is she? This is still yet to be determined in the next book!!!
I especially love ❤️ " 3 way love triangle going on " for Lily.
But, what will her heart ❤️ choose? I was so happy to find out at the end of this book.
I loved this series, it was enticing from the 1st page, I am a mother of two teens, and I will not give my age.. and was a high school teacher before I became disabled because of a student, which means I have a Masters degree in Education and before I read this book I read a few comments that said that these books are only for pre-teens. I felt that insulting to not only the author, but to anyone who is in my age group or anyone who would enjoy this book/series. Never believe what the comments say because everyone has different opinions. If I cannot get into a book within the first chapter, I stop and do not read the rest of the book, and would never say anything bad about the author because it maybe the writing and I didn't click. Then I try again at another time, and I always find that I usually either like the book or I truly didn't.
Anyways, I say this book is amazing and can't wait to read the next book!
December 10, 2017
Paranormal Romance series set in college, love triangle, cliffhanager with unexpected twists
I just got through reading the Hush, Hush series from Becca Fitzpatrick so I was in the mood to reading more Paranormal/Angel books so I am giving this series a try. I gave it this book a 3 1/2 stars because I felt like I was left hanging for most of the book and didnt get any kind of satisfactory till the last 90% of it. I am going to give this series a try so I will get the rest to see what else is in store. There is something about Lilly Rayne and these guys who are Watchers from Lucifer, fallen angels.
We have vampiric fallen angels that through in a different vibe so that it made it a little more interesting, finding out the history of a fallen angel, if they can get married to humans and have children. Not going to say anything, you can find out yourself. There are some unexpected twists and romance occurrences involved, Lilly is certainly interesting and appealing to the fallen angels. We will see why Lucifer wants Lilly to die. It does end in a cliffhanger but, guess what? We got all books to download now and plus another spin off series after this one to continue the story.
Ladies, we have some hot fallen angels, starting out with Lilly's past best friend Will, Brand, and Malcom. Who will Lilly choose and is their love for real for one another?
Read October 10, 2013
Posted Reviews on Goodreads and Amazon
I just got through reading the Hush, Hush series from Becca Fitzpatrick so I was in the mood to reading more Paranormal/Angel books so I am giving this series a try. I gave it this book a 3 1/2 stars because I felt like I was left hanging for most of the book and didnt get any kind of satisfactory till the last 90% of it. I am going to give this series a try so I will get the rest to see what else is in store. There is something about Lilly Rayne and these guys who are Watchers from Lucifer, fallen angels.
We have vampiric fallen angels that through in a different vibe so that it made it a little more interesting, finding out the history of a fallen angel, if they can get married to humans and have children. Not going to say anything, you can find out yourself. There are some unexpected twists and romance occurrences involved, Lilly is certainly interesting and appealing to the fallen angels. We will see why Lucifer wants Lilly to die. It does end in a cliffhanger but, guess what? We got all books to download now and plus another spin off series after this one to continue the story.
Ladies, we have some hot fallen angels, starting out with Lilly's past best friend Will, Brand, and Malcom. Who will Lilly choose and is their love for real for one another?
Read October 10, 2013
Posted Reviews on Goodreads and Amazon
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