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The Cursed Melodies #1
The Cursed Melodies
A new teen fantasy adventure series from bestselling author Connie Glynn, with hidden powers, budding romance and dark magic...
Astrid glanced up at the looming manor house with all its spires and creeping ivy. A refuge, or just another cage?
Astrid and Jonas have only ever had each other. As twins, they share a bond. But they also share something doctors have called twisted and demonic their entire flowers whisper instructions, trees sing of their histories. The siblings are kept away from nature by their caretakers, but it still calls to them.
Meanwhile, Gwen knows all about the shadow world of Bloom Bloods – people living among us who have magic running through their veins. They act under the instruction of the Queen, conserving fantastical creatures and studying the ancient melodies of magic to keep the mundane and mystic worlds in harmony. But Gwen failed her application to Fountains Abbey, the venerable school that trains up the next generation of Bloom Bloods, and she is now determined to prove her worth.
A mysterious evil is spreading throughout the world; unnatural monsters are appearing in hazardous places – monsters that weave discordant magic. When the twins and Gwen collide, their unique abilities are revealed. But will their combined powers be enough to stop what’s rising in the darkness?
If you enjoyed The Twin Crowns series, you'll love this!
Astrid glanced up at the looming manor house with all its spires and creeping ivy. A refuge, or just another cage?
Astrid and Jonas have only ever had each other. As twins, they share a bond. But they also share something doctors have called twisted and demonic their entire flowers whisper instructions, trees sing of their histories. The siblings are kept away from nature by their caretakers, but it still calls to them.
Meanwhile, Gwen knows all about the shadow world of Bloom Bloods – people living among us who have magic running through their veins. They act under the instruction of the Queen, conserving fantastical creatures and studying the ancient melodies of magic to keep the mundane and mystic worlds in harmony. But Gwen failed her application to Fountains Abbey, the venerable school that trains up the next generation of Bloom Bloods, and she is now determined to prove her worth.
A mysterious evil is spreading throughout the world; unnatural monsters are appearing in hazardous places – monsters that weave discordant magic. When the twins and Gwen collide, their unique abilities are revealed. But will their combined powers be enough to stop what’s rising in the darkness?
If you enjoyed The Twin Crowns series, you'll love this!
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2025
32 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Connie Glynn
11 books1,128 followersConnie Glynn is an English author and YouTuber. Her debut novel Undercover Princess, the first in The Rosewood Chronicles, was published in 2017.
Glynn is also known for her YouTube videos on the channel Noodlerella. She provided the voice for the character Moxie Dewdrop in the UK cinema version of Dreamworks' Trolls.
Glynn is also known for her YouTube videos on the channel Noodlerella. She provided the voice for the character Moxie Dewdrop in the UK cinema version of Dreamworks' Trolls.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Want to read
December 5, 2024rosewood fucking raised me so this better be something kinda similar. (no joke think ive read that series like 15 times)
March 6, 2025
3.5 stars. enchantingly whimsical and full of action & adventure, a really lovely first entry to a series i would definitely like to see more of.
February 8, 2025
average rating: •••.5
‘what's the worst that could happen from reading a book?’
the plot twist had me shocked. because hello??? the betrayal???
but my complain is the phrase you and me against the world. i mean, i get it that they're twins and they're trusted with each other. but seeing this phrase got me irritated a bit.
nonetheless, i've still enjoyed and definitely continuing the series (because i want more some astrid and gwen moments.) and some of the characters who lived from faymore manor.
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pre-review:
update: 02-02-25
so i just noticed that this is the first book in the series so i guess the ending will be a cliffhanger ... 🤷🏻♀️
update: 01-03-25
starting 2025 with a new arc! and a ya fantasy book with dark magic and sapphic? 🙋🏻♀️
thank you to netgalley, penguin, and puffin books for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
‘what's the worst that could happen from reading a book?’
the plot twist had me shocked. because hello??? the betrayal???
but my complain is the phrase you and me against the world. i mean, i get it that they're twins and they're trusted with each other. but seeing this phrase got me irritated a bit.
nonetheless, i've still enjoyed and definitely continuing the series (
───────────────────────
pre-review:
update: 02-02-25
so i just noticed that this is the first book in the series so i guess the ending will be a cliffhanger ... 🤷🏻♀️
update: 01-03-25
starting 2025 with a new arc! and a ya fantasy book with dark magic and sapphic? 🙋🏻♀️
thank you to netgalley, penguin, and puffin books for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
Want to read
December 5, 2024another book by Connie Glynn?! i am such a big fan of her Rosewood Chronicles series... Spring 2025 though.. :( the way i would go crazy to get my hands on an advanced reader copy of this beauty! pls Connie 🙏
January 17, 2025
The warm and homely feeling you get in the depths of your heart from this beautifully written and created story leaves you snuggled in your blanket your mind delving into the adventure of this world, that you can’t help but love and enjoy with all your soul.
Connie‘s first book, The Undercover Princess is a book that means a lot to me as their beautiful writing and creative adventure brought me out of a massive mental health dip. So of course when I saw that they were writing another series it was an instant need to read and have that amazing feeling of home in a book once again.
They did not disappoint.
Again they have created this beautiful world with creatures and characters that you see in such vivid images blooming in your mind as you go through the twists and turns of this adventure.
What more could you want from a YA book then everything this one has to offer.
Even as I finished the last page, my heart felt full, and yet empty at the idea that this book was ending and I would have to wait to read the next part of this amazing journey the characters go on in this magical world I can only describe as beautiful.
If you are looking for a book that will fill your heart with warmth, adventure, and the most beautiful of worlds, then this is the story for your bookish heart.
A massive thank you from the depths of my heart to Connie and Penguin for sending me an early copy, I will treasure it and definitely plan to do something special to celebrate this amazing author and their magical new book series.
Connie‘s first book, The Undercover Princess is a book that means a lot to me as their beautiful writing and creative adventure brought me out of a massive mental health dip. So of course when I saw that they were writing another series it was an instant need to read and have that amazing feeling of home in a book once again.
They did not disappoint.
Again they have created this beautiful world with creatures and characters that you see in such vivid images blooming in your mind as you go through the twists and turns of this adventure.
What more could you want from a YA book then everything this one has to offer.
Even as I finished the last page, my heart felt full, and yet empty at the idea that this book was ending and I would have to wait to read the next part of this amazing journey the characters go on in this magical world I can only describe as beautiful.
If you are looking for a book that will fill your heart with warmth, adventure, and the most beautiful of worlds, then this is the story for your bookish heart.
A massive thank you from the depths of my heart to Connie and Penguin for sending me an early copy, I will treasure it and definitely plan to do something special to celebrate this amazing author and their magical new book series.
May 8, 2025
This book is another classic case of "good concept, but badly needed an editor".
There were many things I liked: the link between magic and music, the quirky wizard mentor archetype, the queernormative world, magic school, and a bratty prince. Unfortunately, all of these were stifled by rooky writing errors, bad plotting, and a criminal lack of character development.
Let's start with Astrid and Jonas, who were...the exact same person. I know they're twins. I know they care about each other (not because it was shown in the story, but because the narrative constantly told us that it was "them against the world"). But surely twins don't have to have identical personalities? They spoke in exactly the same way, and were completely indistinguishable. This wasn't helped by the narrative, that seemed to treat them as one brain and constantly flicked between their POVs with no warning. As for Gwen, I liked her in her first chapter, but quickly lost interest. This seemed to be a common thread: the author would introduce a character well, then forget how to write their personality for the rest of the book.
The side characters were mostly one dimensional and irrelevant. It's a shame, because a lot of them had so much potential. Magnus was a quirky gay wizard mentor burdened with secrets and guilt who somehow managed to be boring. Theodore was a cocky gay prince and a love interest who somehow managed to be boring. I don't understand how you could mess this up.
Well, I do. Bad writing. That was the core of this book's problems. Everything was told to us through the narrative rather than shown. Gwen and the twins cared for each other, not because we saw them bond and truly sacrifice for each other, but because we were hammered over the head with it. Astrid was into Gwen, not because they had chemistry, but because we were told there was chemistry during their very first interaction. Magnus was a father figure, not because he embodied the role, but because the prose said he was. It left the book feeling emotionless, and meant that any big betrayal or tension fell flat. It's a shame, because nothing tugs at my heartstrings more than a well written queer found family.
Also, why did Magnus and Elijah never speak to each other on page?? They're meant to be an established, happy married couple who mentor the group, but never interact other than 2 silent forehead kisses? So many missed opportunities there.
The writing needed editing, not just on a developmental level, but on a line level too. The amount of narrative filters used was baffling. It was never "Gwen's eyes widened". It was always "Astrid saw Gwen's eyes widen". Never "Jonas tensed", always "Astrid could see that Jonas was feeling scared". At some points, it felt like the author had discovered the five senses for the first time and was determined to showcase them. It kept taking me out of the narrative, and considering I was already struggling to get into the book, that was the last thing I needed.
There were many things I liked: the link between magic and music, the quirky wizard mentor archetype, the queernormative world, magic school, and a bratty prince. Unfortunately, all of these were stifled by rooky writing errors, bad plotting, and a criminal lack of character development.
Let's start with Astrid and Jonas, who were...the exact same person. I know they're twins. I know they care about each other (not because it was shown in the story, but because the narrative constantly told us that it was "them against the world"). But surely twins don't have to have identical personalities? They spoke in exactly the same way, and were completely indistinguishable. This wasn't helped by the narrative, that seemed to treat them as one brain and constantly flicked between their POVs with no warning. As for Gwen, I liked her in her first chapter, but quickly lost interest. This seemed to be a common thread: the author would introduce a character well, then forget how to write their personality for the rest of the book.
The side characters were mostly one dimensional and irrelevant. It's a shame, because a lot of them had so much potential. Magnus was a quirky gay wizard mentor burdened with secrets and guilt who somehow managed to be boring. Theodore was a cocky gay prince and a love interest who somehow managed to be boring. I don't understand how you could mess this up.
Well, I do. Bad writing. That was the core of this book's problems. Everything was told to us through the narrative rather than shown. Gwen and the twins cared for each other, not because we saw them bond and truly sacrifice for each other, but because we were hammered over the head with it. Astrid was into Gwen, not because they had chemistry, but because we were told there was chemistry during their very first interaction. Magnus was a father figure, not because he embodied the role, but because the prose said he was. It left the book feeling emotionless, and meant that any big betrayal or tension fell flat. It's a shame, because nothing tugs at my heartstrings more than a well written queer found family.
Also, why did Magnus and Elijah never speak to each other on page?? They're meant to be an established, happy married couple who mentor the group, but never interact other than 2 silent forehead kisses? So many missed opportunities there.
The writing needed editing, not just on a developmental level, but on a line level too. The amount of narrative filters used was baffling. It was never "Gwen's eyes widened". It was always "Astrid saw Gwen's eyes widen". Never "Jonas tensed", always "Astrid could see that Jonas was feeling scared". At some points, it felt like the author had discovered the five senses for the first time and was determined to showcase them. It kept taking me out of the narrative, and considering I was already struggling to get into the book, that was the last thing I needed.
February 26, 2025
Perfect for upper MG and lower YA readers, The Cursed Melodies is a fast paced, action packed and darkly magical read.
December 25, 2024
I was fortunate enough to receive an Early Uncorrected Proof copy of this book, and I now find myself sad that I have to wait until March to be able to share this with my friends! Perhaps that means a reread in the future?
The Cursed Melodies is a fantasy book with its own unique magic system based on music. The magic people, Blooms, live in secret and have a high control of the Red Bloods (non-magic peoples) world.
This book has a different tone from Glynn's previous books, The Rosewood Chronicles. It feels darker and grittier, with less whimsy. Our main characters follow a similar dynamic, two girls, one boy, one girl, and the boy having grown up together - except this time, it's because they're actually twins, not just childhood friends.
The story follows twins Astrid and Jonas and a girl called Gwen. It explores themes of fate, loneliness, trust, and betrayal.
The magic system is unique and one that I adored, with it being themed around music.
Without going into to much detail, I can say that this book perfectly sets up for future installments and I'm very excited to see where the trios journey will take us as the trio grow in power, strength and courage to face the great evil that threatens them.
The Cursed Melodies is a fantasy book with its own unique magic system based on music. The magic people, Blooms, live in secret and have a high control of the Red Bloods (non-magic peoples) world.
This book has a different tone from Glynn's previous books, The Rosewood Chronicles. It feels darker and grittier, with less whimsy. Our main characters follow a similar dynamic, two girls, one boy, one girl, and the boy having grown up together - except this time, it's because they're actually twins, not just childhood friends.
The story follows twins Astrid and Jonas and a girl called Gwen. It explores themes of fate, loneliness, trust, and betrayal.
The magic system is unique and one that I adored, with it being themed around music.
Without going into to much detail, I can say that this book perfectly sets up for future installments and I'm very excited to see where the trios journey will take us as the trio grow in power, strength and courage to face the great evil that threatens them.
February 20, 2025
Charming book with an inclusive cast, but poorly written.
Strap in folks, I have a lot to say.
My series of reviews for Connie Glynn's previous work THE ROSEWOOD CHRONICLES are some of my most popular to date, and anyone who's read those will know I have a love-hate relationship with those books. When Glynn mentioned her next series would take a darker route I was immediately like:
Her signature seems to be boarding schools with a hint of magic, and whilst in ROSEWOOD this charm was simply in the fairy tale inspiration, THE CURSED MELODIES is a true fantasy set in the crags of our world, where Bloom Bloods are able to manipulate the world around them through music and song. Twins Astrid and Jonas discover they are Bloom Bloods and are taken in by the enigmatic Magnus Faymore. Meanwhile, Gwen always knew she was a Bloom Blood, but can't control her magic, and has been barred from attending the prestigious school Fountains Abbey because of it. The trio collide to search for questions of their connected pasts.
Needless to say I was intrigued, but while the premise sounded fun and I do like a good boarding school story... I have to admit I didn't have high hopes for this. ROSEWOOD is a series I'm very fond of but it's objectively mediocre at best, with subpar prose and character work.
THE CURSED MELODIES is ROSEWOOD's punk cousin. It isn't terrible, and in the right hands it'll find an audience, but just like its sister series it's poorly executed and barely scrapes its own potential.
The biggest issue is the prose: awkward, clunky and superfluous, it reads like this is Glynn's debut novel. Either I really deluded myself into thinking, hey, it's been five books now, hopefully she's written enough now to develop a smoother narrative voice, or there has been actual skill regression since PRINCESS EVER AFTER (albeit I was probably reading with rosewood-tinted glasses). This part was a big struggle to reconcile and I found myself losing focus or skimming because the book failed to draw any compelling imagery or immersion. Sentences typically follow the same rote structure:
I mean, I really could pick hundreds of examples of this. "Tapping the bottom of the saucer, the tall girl began to hum [...]." "Curious, the twins raised their palms." "Carefully, the lady tucked the gold item away[...].". It started to feel tiresome and trite by the third chapter – imagine how hard it was to endure for the whole book.
There's also heavy reliance on filtering, epithets, and gratuitous body movements. The number of times people blink in reaction to something (17 instances), chuckle (20 instances), glance (60 instances), or the worst one look at/ up/ down something or someone (around 75 instances) was ridiculous. Astrid and Jonas might get referred to as the twins more than their own damn names. They feel things happening to them rather than describing the thing actually happening to them (50 instances).
Just imagine this as my nightmare sentence:
Take out the first four words, and it's golden! That's all you had to do!
It's just so frustrating because this sort of writing can just not happen with a proper edit. It's like there's an innate failure of trust in the readers to logically deduce conclusions from the text.
Here's another example, where Jonas is eavesdropping on the Fountains Abbey ambassadors:
Gee, I wonder who could they be talking about? Is it the one person in the entire book with a Bloom anomaly?
Yet the next line is:
Supposedly this series is geared towards a slightly more mature audience than ROSEWOOD. Where is that trust in that mature audience then? Not only is it hammered in twice that, yes, they're talking about Gwen, but also that Jonas is the one knowing it – which, of course he is, it's his POV we're currently reading. This egregious hand-holding adds so much tedium to the book that simply doesn't need to be there.
The lack of subtlety and build-up as well ruins a lot of the character dynamics. Whilst not outright stating that Astrid and Gwen have feelings for each other, the hints are so punch-in-the-face you don't know why they bother waiting around. They meet each other and suddenly its butterflies and inexplicable pulls and Astrid questioning her loyalty to the twin brother she's known her whole life. The progression of these two, plus Jonas' attraction to Prince Theodore, is much less gradual than, say, Lottie and Ellie's romance in ROSEWOOD, even when it was really obvious from the beginning – and by much less gradual, I mean about as slow as a car crash.
This prose also, in turn, affects the magic system and world-building. In the book, Bloom Bloods use music and song to manipulate the material world to their bidding. The execution is so incredibly generic, though, it could be Harry Potter spells and nothing would change. Conjuring magic through music is pretty cool, but the way the magic is described and used feels tepid and generic, with nothing truly distinctive to separate it apart. Astrid and Jonas, in particular, have a connection to their magic through whispering plants, but the only difference between them and others is just that: the plants talk. We never get true descriptions of what the music sounds like, either. Like, what makes Push and Pull audibly different from one another? Plus the magical creatures are taken from other mythologies, with things such as rusalkas and Strixes. I don't feel any connection to a world that feels like I've read it before.
The annoying thing is, the ideas are there. The whole gotta-catch-em-all magical pocket watch Savonettes are extremely cool! Why couldn't we have run a bit more with that? Make them the magical fulcrums of power, or something?
Astrid and Jonas Bunting and Gwen Chatterjee are our protagonists. Astrid and Jonas attempt to give off this mysterious, creepy twin vibe that everyone but the reader can see. I do appreciate that they were separate characters with the own stories and thoughts, but they did very often feel like the same character copy-pasted for majority of the book. Gwen I was more lukewarm too, but she often overreacts to things out of nowhere, creating melodrama for the sake of conflict. That is, however, another issue with the general storytelling and not a character-specific flaw.
The side cast are the same as ROSEWOOD: mostly one-note and unnecessary. Tell me why we needed Thomas, Lorelei and the two Fountains Abbey ambassadors I can't remember the names of? None of them even remotely contribute to the plot or the trio's character development. Even Gwen's older sister Jan could be taken out without any issue; the ones left have watery personalities that make them forgettable anyway. Only Ambassador Harriet Loupe manages to stick in my head, and only because she was a centre point of personal conflict – because she actually did something of note. The bar is low.
That something of note is to disagree with the twins and Gwen's main objective: discover more about their pasts. As they navigate their newfound relationship and the meddling of the Bloom Blood council, Gwen's parent(s?) were part of a group of scholars called the Rapscallions but died in mysterious circumstances. Astrid and Jonas' parentage is unknown, but they have carried half a Savonette lid each their whole lives, the sole connection to their pasts. The story unfurls as magical creatures appear in places they shouldn't. The plot itself is serviceable but I never felt compelled to find out what happens next. There's whole shenanigans with Pledges and enchanted woods that sort of feel like they were only added to insert a MacGuffin or create some base-level conflict. Like, the first library they go to they happen to find the sole book that's an important link to the entire plot and was supposed to be hidden away? Come on now.
I do have a theory regarding Astrid, Jonas and Gwen but since the book isn't out yet the only thing I will say for now is, think LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn, lol.
If it wasn't already obvious, this book is bad. Glynn has the talent and the ambition to write a fantasy but she just doesn't have the means to pull it off yet. If not for her audience, she wouldn't have got the book deal in the first place – and unfortunately, it still shows. I think I liked this less than UNDERCOVER PRINCESS, which is really saying something. That's not to say this book is the worst thing ever, it has its charm and you can feel the love poured into the characters and world, which in itself is enough to keep me engaged, but it is in need of a thorough edit and polish.
To end on a higher note, though, I will say the non-topical inclusivity is done really well. Both twins are gay, Gwen is no doubt a wlw of some description, Magnus has a husband, Prince Theodore has two mothers... it's not made a big deal out of and completely normalises queerness.
And with all that said, PRH, hire me to edit her books. Promise I would do a good job.
WILL I READ ON? Probably.
ARC received from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 3rd of March 2025.
LAST REVIEW
1: UNDERCOVER PRINCESS ★★☆☆☆
2: PRINCESS IN PRACTICE ★★★☆☆
3: THE LOST PRINCESS ★★★☆☆
4: PRINCESS AT HEART ★★★☆☆
5: PRINCESS EVER AFTER ★★★★☆
Strap in folks, I have a lot to say.
My series of reviews for Connie Glynn's previous work THE ROSEWOOD CHRONICLES are some of my most popular to date, and anyone who's read those will know I have a love-hate relationship with those books. When Glynn mentioned her next series would take a darker route I was immediately like:
Her signature seems to be boarding schools with a hint of magic, and whilst in ROSEWOOD this charm was simply in the fairy tale inspiration, THE CURSED MELODIES is a true fantasy set in the crags of our world, where Bloom Bloods are able to manipulate the world around them through music and song. Twins Astrid and Jonas discover they are Bloom Bloods and are taken in by the enigmatic Magnus Faymore. Meanwhile, Gwen always knew she was a Bloom Blood, but can't control her magic, and has been barred from attending the prestigious school Fountains Abbey because of it. The trio collide to search for questions of their connected pasts.
Needless to say I was intrigued, but while the premise sounded fun and I do like a good boarding school story... I have to admit I didn't have high hopes for this. ROSEWOOD is a series I'm very fond of but it's objectively mediocre at best, with subpar prose and character work.
THE CURSED MELODIES is ROSEWOOD's punk cousin. It isn't terrible, and in the right hands it'll find an audience, but just like its sister series it's poorly executed and barely scrapes its own potential.
The biggest issue is the prose: awkward, clunky and superfluous, it reads like this is Glynn's debut novel. Either I really deluded myself into thinking, hey, it's been five books now, hopefully she's written enough now to develop a smoother narrative voice, or there has been actual skill regression since PRINCESS EVER AFTER (albeit I was probably reading with rosewood-tinted glasses). This part was a big struggle to reconcile and I found myself losing focus or skimming because the book failed to draw any compelling imagery or immersion. Sentences typically follow the same rote structure:
Verb or adverb, epithet did something.
I mean, I really could pick hundreds of examples of this. "Tapping the bottom of the saucer, the tall girl began to hum [...]." "Curious, the twins raised their palms." "Carefully, the lady tucked the gold item away[...].". It started to feel tiresome and trite by the third chapter – imagine how hard it was to endure for the whole book.
There's also heavy reliance on filtering, epithets, and gratuitous body movements. The number of times people blink in reaction to something (17 instances), chuckle (20 instances), glance (60 instances), or the worst one look at/ up/ down something or someone (around 75 instances) was ridiculous. Astrid and Jonas might get referred to as the twins more than their own damn names. They feel things happening to them rather than describing the thing actually happening to them (50 instances).
Just imagine this as my nightmare sentence:
Blinking, Gwen realised that what Astrid said was true.
Take out the first four words, and it's golden! That's all you had to do!
It's just so frustrating because this sort of writing can just not happen with a proper edit. It's like there's an innate failure of trust in the readers to logically deduce conclusions from the text.
Here's another example, where Jonas is eavesdropping on the Fountains Abbey ambassadors:
"[...] Not to mention that girl. The one with the dreadful Bloom anomaly!"
Gee, I wonder who could they be talking about? Is it the one person in the entire book with a Bloom anomaly?
Yet the next line is:
Gwen, Jonas knew. There were talking about Gwen.
Supposedly this series is geared towards a slightly more mature audience than ROSEWOOD. Where is that trust in that mature audience then? Not only is it hammered in twice that, yes, they're talking about Gwen, but also that Jonas is the one knowing it – which, of course he is, it's his POV we're currently reading. This egregious hand-holding adds so much tedium to the book that simply doesn't need to be there.
The lack of subtlety and build-up as well ruins a lot of the character dynamics. Whilst not outright stating that Astrid and Gwen have feelings for each other, the hints are so punch-in-the-face you don't know why they bother waiting around. They meet each other and suddenly its butterflies and inexplicable pulls and Astrid questioning her loyalty to the twin brother she's known her whole life. The progression of these two, plus Jonas' attraction to Prince Theodore, is much less gradual than, say, Lottie and Ellie's romance in ROSEWOOD, even when it was really obvious from the beginning – and by much less gradual, I mean about as slow as a car crash.
This prose also, in turn, affects the magic system and world-building. In the book, Bloom Bloods use music and song to manipulate the material world to their bidding. The execution is so incredibly generic, though, it could be Harry Potter spells and nothing would change. Conjuring magic through music is pretty cool, but the way the magic is described and used feels tepid and generic, with nothing truly distinctive to separate it apart. Astrid and Jonas, in particular, have a connection to their magic through whispering plants, but the only difference between them and others is just that: the plants talk. We never get true descriptions of what the music sounds like, either. Like, what makes Push and Pull audibly different from one another? Plus the magical creatures are taken from other mythologies, with things such as rusalkas and Strixes. I don't feel any connection to a world that feels like I've read it before.
The annoying thing is, the ideas are there. The whole gotta-catch-em-all magical pocket watch Savonettes are extremely cool! Why couldn't we have run a bit more with that? Make them the magical fulcrums of power, or something?
Astrid and Jonas Bunting and Gwen Chatterjee are our protagonists. Astrid and Jonas attempt to give off this mysterious, creepy twin vibe that everyone but the reader can see. I do appreciate that they were separate characters with the own stories and thoughts, but they did very often feel like the same character copy-pasted for majority of the book. Gwen I was more lukewarm too, but she often overreacts to things out of nowhere, creating melodrama for the sake of conflict. That is, however, another issue with the general storytelling and not a character-specific flaw.
The side cast are the same as ROSEWOOD: mostly one-note and unnecessary. Tell me why we needed Thomas, Lorelei and the two Fountains Abbey ambassadors I can't remember the names of? None of them even remotely contribute to the plot or the trio's character development. Even Gwen's older sister Jan could be taken out without any issue; the ones left have watery personalities that make them forgettable anyway. Only Ambassador Harriet Loupe manages to stick in my head, and only because she was a centre point of personal conflict – because she actually did something of note. The bar is low.
That something of note is to disagree with the twins and Gwen's main objective: discover more about their pasts. As they navigate their newfound relationship and the meddling of the Bloom Blood council, Gwen's parent(s?) were part of a group of scholars called the Rapscallions but died in mysterious circumstances. Astrid and Jonas' parentage is unknown, but they have carried half a Savonette lid each their whole lives, the sole connection to their pasts. The story unfurls as magical creatures appear in places they shouldn't. The plot itself is serviceable but I never felt compelled to find out what happens next. There's whole shenanigans with Pledges and enchanted woods that sort of feel like they were only added to insert a MacGuffin or create some base-level conflict. Like, the first library they go to they happen to find the sole book that's an important link to the entire plot and was supposed to be hidden away? Come on now.
I do have a theory regarding Astrid, Jonas and Gwen but since the book isn't out yet the only thing I will say for now is, think LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn, lol.
If it wasn't already obvious, this book is bad. Glynn has the talent and the ambition to write a fantasy but she just doesn't have the means to pull it off yet. If not for her audience, she wouldn't have got the book deal in the first place – and unfortunately, it still shows. I think I liked this less than UNDERCOVER PRINCESS, which is really saying something. That's not to say this book is the worst thing ever, it has its charm and you can feel the love poured into the characters and world, which in itself is enough to keep me engaged, but it is in need of a thorough edit and polish.
To end on a higher note, though, I will say the non-topical inclusivity is done really well. Both twins are gay, Gwen is no doubt a wlw of some description, Magnus has a husband, Prince Theodore has two mothers... it's not made a big deal out of and completely normalises queerness.
And with all that said, PRH, hire me to edit her books. Promise I would do a good job.
WILL I READ ON? Probably.
ARC received from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 3rd of March 2025.
LAST REVIEW
1: UNDERCOVER PRINCESS ★★☆☆☆
2: PRINCESS IN PRACTICE ★★★☆☆
3: THE LOST PRINCESS ★★★☆☆
4: PRINCESS AT HEART ★★★☆☆
5: PRINCESS EVER AFTER ★★★★☆
February 21, 2025
2.25/5
I really wanted to love this book, because the premise sounded great; a YA fantasy with budding romance and dark magic. Unfortunately, all of those elements fell short for me.
Things I did like:
- The characters are diverse and most of them have well definited, individual characteristics that distinguish themselves from one another.
- The magic is really unique, I liked that it was based around melodies and how the melodies/spells could be combined to create different spells
- I liked the found family element, and how we got to see the twins slowly develop trust for the people around them
- The writing was accessible and easy to read
My main critiques:
- The twins felt like they'd been merged into one person, rather than being individuals. Their point of view sometimes merged and switched within a chapter and I found it quite jarring. I understand that the point might have been to show they have a "special twin connection", but it felt reductive, and like they had no individuality so they were treated as a unit, and not in a good way.
- The majority of the book is quite slow. After the initial 'adventure' that kicks off the plot, the middle section felt like mostly filler and the majority of the action took place at the end.
- I personally think this book is on the much younger side of YA, probably more like middle grade (8-12 years old), as the writing is definitely more "tell" than "show". Most things are explicitly stated via dialogue, rather than shown in the narrative.
- I also don't think it neccessarily has a "budding romance" element. There's a lack of chemistry or characters growing attached to one another romantically. Again, this is stated via dialogue.
- I feel like Gwen's character regressed during most of this book. She starts off as a feisty girl who goes on a solo adventure just to solve a mystery, but spends the majority of the book shy and insecure.
- I wish we had seen more development of the twins learning to use their magic. This part felt like it was skipped over, and they went from not knowing they had magic, to being able to use it quite suddenly.
I'm so sorry to say that I didn't really enjoy this book, I truly wanted to. I think Connie is a great writer and I did enjoy the Rosewood books when I was younger. Overall, I think this book needed a little more substance and development, to be considered YA rather than middle grade.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this book, because the premise sounded great; a YA fantasy with budding romance and dark magic. Unfortunately, all of those elements fell short for me.
Things I did like:
- The characters are diverse and most of them have well definited, individual characteristics that distinguish themselves from one another.
- The magic is really unique, I liked that it was based around melodies and how the melodies/spells could be combined to create different spells
- I liked the found family element, and how we got to see the twins slowly develop trust for the people around them
- The writing was accessible and easy to read
My main critiques:
- The twins felt like they'd been merged into one person, rather than being individuals. Their point of view sometimes merged and switched within a chapter and I found it quite jarring. I understand that the point might have been to show they have a "special twin connection", but it felt reductive, and like they had no individuality so they were treated as a unit, and not in a good way.
- The majority of the book is quite slow. After the initial 'adventure' that kicks off the plot, the middle section felt like mostly filler and the majority of the action took place at the end.
- I personally think this book is on the much younger side of YA, probably more like middle grade (8-12 years old), as the writing is definitely more "tell" than "show". Most things are explicitly stated via dialogue, rather than shown in the narrative.
- I also don't think it neccessarily has a "budding romance" element. There's a lack of chemistry or characters growing attached to one another romantically. Again, this is stated via dialogue.
- I feel like Gwen's character regressed during most of this book. She starts off as a feisty girl who goes on a solo adventure just to solve a mystery, but spends the majority of the book shy and insecure.
- I wish we had seen more development of the twins learning to use their magic. This part felt like it was skipped over, and they went from not knowing they had magic, to being able to use it quite suddenly.
I'm so sorry to say that I didn't really enjoy this book, I truly wanted to. I think Connie is a great writer and I did enjoy the Rosewood books when I was younger. Overall, I think this book needed a little more substance and development, to be considered YA rather than middle grade.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2025
The Cursed Melodies was a really entertaining read. It was unique, action packed and eerie. The magic system was so fun and interesting to learn about. I loved that it combined nature and music; I haven't read a fantasy that has had singing or playing an instrument the main way to summon magic. I thought the world building was impressive. I think to begin with, the story starts quite slowly but really picks up about 40% of the way through. The first 40% sets the mystery up really well and keeps the reader engaged with the story and the characters.
I really liked the characters of this book. Whilst there were a fair few, I think they all were well differentiated from one another. The twins were so interesting and so mysterious. I am glad that the twins developed on their own throughout the story, when we first started it was almost as if they were one person. But as we continued, you could really see the differences and the parts of their personalities that were just their own. The connection with Gwen is something I really enjoyed reading. It flowed naturally and created such an intense yet electric atmosphere. The budding romance between Astrid and Gwen was really subtle but well written, it didn't over power the plot it only added to it. The storyline between Jonas and the prince was really intriguing, I think there is a lot more to uncover with them in the next books. The representation in this book was extremely refreshing.
I really enjoyed this first installment, it was written super well and it was beyond entertaining. This ended in such a tense place, I can't wait to read the next book. I highly recommend reading this book. You will fall in love with the people, the mysteries and the enchanting fantasy of it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the characters of this book. Whilst there were a fair few, I think they all were well differentiated from one another. The twins were so interesting and so mysterious. I am glad that the twins developed on their own throughout the story, when we first started it was almost as if they were one person. But as we continued, you could really see the differences and the parts of their personalities that were just their own. The connection with Gwen is something I really enjoyed reading. It flowed naturally and created such an intense yet electric atmosphere. The budding romance between Astrid and Gwen was really subtle but well written, it didn't over power the plot it only added to it. The storyline between Jonas and the prince was really intriguing, I think there is a lot more to uncover with them in the next books. The representation in this book was extremely refreshing.
I really enjoyed this first installment, it was written super well and it was beyond entertaining. This ended in such a tense place, I can't wait to read the next book. I highly recommend reading this book. You will fall in love with the people, the mysteries and the enchanting fantasy of it.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2025
What's the worst that could happen from reading a book?
Well, being disappointed is definitely one option, looking at The Cursed Melodies
I don't have much time anymore to write this, so I'll make it quick and brief: I really was disappointed while reading it. I'd never expected liking it so much as I did The Rosewood Chronicles, but I was still partially expecting to be blown away by Connie Glynn's new project.
But, unfortunately, the book just wasn't for me. I thought the characters were always acting a bit off, changing from one type of person to another and back again, that's the only way I can explain it. Of the three main characters, Astrid was the only one I took a bit of a liking too, and not even that much and definitely not all the time. And other characters just aren't that interesting.
The world and magic seem interesting, but remain a bit too vague as well to get a grip on, and all in all, there wasn't a lot going on in the book either. It's only near the end that the pace picks up and there's some action. Before that, it's mostly secrets and weird stuff happening.
All in all, the story on a whole just wasn't that interesting and never hooked me. I kept reading mostly because I just wanted to finish the book, in case something enormously shocking, revealing and cliff-hangery (that's not a real word, is it?) would happen - tough luck for me, I might add.
I dunno. It was just one of those books that I read and that had a general meh-ness to it.
6/10
Well, being disappointed is definitely one option, looking at The Cursed Melodies
I don't have much time anymore to write this, so I'll make it quick and brief: I really was disappointed while reading it. I'd never expected liking it so much as I did The Rosewood Chronicles, but I was still partially expecting to be blown away by Connie Glynn's new project.
But, unfortunately, the book just wasn't for me. I thought the characters were always acting a bit off, changing from one type of person to another and back again, that's the only way I can explain it. Of the three main characters, Astrid was the only one I took a bit of a liking too, and not even that much and definitely not all the time. And other characters just aren't that interesting.
The world and magic seem interesting, but remain a bit too vague as well to get a grip on, and all in all, there wasn't a lot going on in the book either. It's only near the end that the pace picks up and there's some action. Before that, it's mostly secrets and weird stuff happening.
All in all, the story on a whole just wasn't that interesting and never hooked me. I kept reading mostly because I just wanted to finish the book, in case something enormously shocking, revealing and cliff-hangery (that's not a real word, is it?) would happen - tough luck for me, I might add.
I dunno. It was just one of those books that I read and that had a general meh-ness to it.
6/10
December 22, 2025
Akce na konci to přece jen trochu vytáhla. Podle obálky jsem čekala YA, je to ale middle grade každým coulem. Hloupí, neschopní dospělí, jedno drama, co nemuselo být drama, za druhým... Ale ani v rámci tohohle věkového zařazení mi to prostě nesedělo. Až v půlce knihy konečně začíná být zřejmé, jaká je zápletka, ale i tak se v ději pořád strašně skáče; doba, kdy se to odehrává, i prostředí se vznáší jen v jakémsi neurčitelném vakuu. Postavy jednají nelogicky a tak do tří čtvrtin bych nikoho nebyla schopná charakterizovat vyjma Gwen, která je extrémně nepříjemná. Motivace postav jsou neuchopitelné, nekonzistentní. Když už máte pocit, že chápete, o co dvojčatům jde, stejně najednou začnou mluvit o něčem jiném. Měla jsem u čtení prostě strašně dlouho pocit, že najednou neumím anglicky, jak to nedávalo smysl a skákalo náhodně od jednoho k druhému. Ale na konci se ta akce přece jen trošku vyšvihla. Jen mě mrzí, že je to série a vlastně tady v prvním dílu nezjistíme skoro nic. Ale moc, moc vibuju to extrémně queer-normativní prostředí!
February 19, 2025
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for approving me to read this early, I’m rating this 3.5 stars.
This story had very quirky gothic vibes throughout, I adore the twins and their peculiarities. YA fantasy is a real favourite of mine and this story is a good addition to the genre. Gwen is also a lovely yet naive character full of well meaning intentions, but seemingly quite lost.
I enjoyed the mystery that plays out surrounding our three core characters, we get some good world building introducing us to magic and creatures that cause all sorts of chaos. The story has an eerie vibe to it linking the past to the present, and although after some twists and turns we do get some answers, there is still much to unravel about the characters and the sinister plot unfolding around them.
I’m looking forward to continuing the story and finding out more.
This story had very quirky gothic vibes throughout, I adore the twins and their peculiarities. YA fantasy is a real favourite of mine and this story is a good addition to the genre. Gwen is also a lovely yet naive character full of well meaning intentions, but seemingly quite lost.
I enjoyed the mystery that plays out surrounding our three core characters, we get some good world building introducing us to magic and creatures that cause all sorts of chaos. The story has an eerie vibe to it linking the past to the present, and although after some twists and turns we do get some answers, there is still much to unravel about the characters and the sinister plot unfolding around them.
I’m looking forward to continuing the story and finding out more.
March 14, 2025
The Cursed Melodies is a dark and atmospheric young adult fantasy.
This story was full of mystery and some great twists, which left me guessing right up until the end. It is fast paced with some Arthurian nods. The story had a really interesting magic system with nature & music elements. It felt really unique and added to the atmosphere of the story.
Gwen, Astrid and Jonas were interesting characters and I loved their connection. Astrid & Jonas are twins and I loved reading about their perspectives. They portray a range of emotions which added some nice drama to the book.
The Cursed Melodies is YA fantasy with some older fashioned language, but it is a great recommendation for a young adult reader.
I am excited to read the next book in this series.
Thank you to Penguin Books Australia for gifting me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story was full of mystery and some great twists, which left me guessing right up until the end. It is fast paced with some Arthurian nods. The story had a really interesting magic system with nature & music elements. It felt really unique and added to the atmosphere of the story.
Gwen, Astrid and Jonas were interesting characters and I loved their connection. Astrid & Jonas are twins and I loved reading about their perspectives. They portray a range of emotions which added some nice drama to the book.
The Cursed Melodies is YA fantasy with some older fashioned language, but it is a great recommendation for a young adult reader.
I am excited to read the next book in this series.
Thank you to Penguin Books Australia for gifting me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2025
The Cursed Melodies is an incredible journey that sets up what is sure to be an incredibly mysterious series.
As someone who grew up reading the Rosewood Chronicles, this book really feels like a grown up, more magical big sibling to Rosewood.
The main trio are loveable and relatable in every aspect and I adore their genuine teenage / YA responses in reply to their circumstances, instead of them suddenly becoming heroes.
The magic system itself is so wonderfully unique and I only wish that I was talented enough myself to play the music to hear it for myself!
Thank you Connie for once again bringing a fantastic new world, characters, and mysteries into my life! I cannot wait for the next installment
As someone who grew up reading the Rosewood Chronicles, this book really feels like a grown up, more magical big sibling to Rosewood.
The main trio are loveable and relatable in every aspect and I adore their genuine teenage / YA responses in reply to their circumstances, instead of them suddenly becoming heroes.
The magic system itself is so wonderfully unique and I only wish that I was talented enough myself to play the music to hear it for myself!
Thank you Connie for once again bringing a fantastic new world, characters, and mysteries into my life! I cannot wait for the next installment
May 20, 2025
i read this book in the span of a day, because i just fell in love with the magic and the world of the story. bloom and the melodies and the way the magic in this world works is amazing 10/10 super interesting and unique. the ending was disappointing, and i think the “plot twist” would have made more of an impact if we had explored the side characters more. the writing wasn’t great, i felt like especially in the middle it was a lot of tell, instead of descriptions and dialogue, and a lot of the time the mc’s would just come to a conclusion based on some information and all of the other mc’s jumped to the same crazy mental leap without it being mentioned, idk. also have never read the word discord more in a book ever before lmao
July 1, 2025
I love YA fantasy but at some points I thought it was maybe slightly too on the younger side for me (which won’t reflect my rating as that’s on me) however I still found the entire concept & story very interesting. I’d love to have got a bit more closure on Jonas & Astrid’s history & origins but I guess the author is saving that for the next book, which tbh even though I said it was slightly too on the YA for me, I will continue the series & it’s left me intruiged & needing answers!! The characters, especially the twins & Gwen, I loved. They were very likeable & had some great side characters & sneaky villains in there too!
April 14, 2025
Cursed Melodies follows a pair of twins with mysterious gifts, though they have no idea where these abilities came from or why they possess them. As they embark on their journey, they form new friendships and uncover secrets along the way.
While the story takes some time to build, once the action begins, it delivers a dark and magical experience. The unique creatures introduced throughout the book added to the mystery and wonder.
Thank you to the author and publishers who allowed me to read this early via an ARC from NetGalley!
While the story takes some time to build, once the action begins, it delivers a dark and magical experience. The unique creatures introduced throughout the book added to the mystery and wonder.
Thank you to the author and publishers who allowed me to read this early via an ARC from NetGalley!
April 28, 2025
DNF at 20%
The Cursed Melodies by Connie Glynn was a pre-order from Waterstones that I was genuinely excited to read. The cover is beautiful, compared to the Twin Crowns series which I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and the book description intrigued me.
Unfortunately, this really fell flat for me for a few reasons, and I felt this way from the start and could not bring myself to push past the 20% mark.
I did not like the twins perspective or story. I found the background quite confusing and info-dumping right at the beginning whilst nothing really being explained. I did not enjoy the magic system, and I found the writing style extremely juvenile – even for a YA book.
I could see a much younger audience enjoying this book (or the part I read at least) and just was not to my taste.
I am sad that I did not get to the romance side of the book, but I did not want to force myself through something I was not enjoying.
The Cursed Melodies by Connie Glynn was a pre-order from Waterstones that I was genuinely excited to read. The cover is beautiful, compared to the Twin Crowns series which I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and the book description intrigued me.
Unfortunately, this really fell flat for me for a few reasons, and I felt this way from the start and could not bring myself to push past the 20% mark.
I did not like the twins perspective or story. I found the background quite confusing and info-dumping right at the beginning whilst nothing really being explained. I did not enjoy the magic system, and I found the writing style extremely juvenile – even for a YA book.
I could see a much younger audience enjoying this book (or the part I read at least) and just was not to my taste.
I am sad that I did not get to the romance side of the book, but I did not want to force myself through something I was not enjoying.
March 23, 2025
4,5 stars
She never dissapoints. We are so back.
She never dissapoints. We are so back.
October 16, 2025
Not my cup of tea unfortunately but good if your starting off your YA fantasy journey
November 19, 2025
Das war echt ein richtig cooles Jugend-Fantasy-Buch. Ich mochte die drei Hauptfiguren extrem gerne und fand richtig cool, dass es Zwillinge waren und wie eng die beiden sind und sich die Geschwister-Beziehung entwickelt. Teilweise hätte ich mich ihnen gerne noch etwas näher gefühlt. Die Welt hat mir auch total Spaß gemacht und die Handlung war echt sehr spannend, vor allem die Magie und die Wesen fand ich cool. Das Cover ist natürlich auch richtig toll und hat mich erst auf die Geschichte aufmerksam gemacht. Und ich mochte das Ende, das zwar Lust auf den den zweiten Band macht, aber mich gleichzeitig auch mit dem typischen YA-seligen-Endgefühl und einem Lächeln zurückgelassen hat.
March 1, 2025
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book overall, the vibes were on point. However, I felt like the characters could have been a little more fleshed out and the pacing felt a little weird but I still really liked it. It kept taking directions I didn't expect. The world was very interesting and I honestly do want more. I hope there's a sequel. It was quite a fast read, I did like the characters, I just wished their voices had been a little more distinct. I feel like they could have been more layered... Anyway, still a good YA fantasy, with a very interesting world and great twists!
I liked this book overall, the vibes were on point. However, I felt like the characters could have been a little more fleshed out and the pacing felt a little weird but I still really liked it. It kept taking directions I didn't expect. The world was very interesting and I honestly do want more. I hope there's a sequel. It was quite a fast read, I did like the characters, I just wished their voices had been a little more distinct. I feel like they could have been more layered... Anyway, still a good YA fantasy, with a very interesting world and great twists!
February 21, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
The Cursed Melodies was my first ever ARC
and I'm so happy that it was because I loved this story! I was a big fan of The Rosewood Chronicles so I had high hopes for The Cursed Melodies.
Starting with the characters- I found the characters really intriguing and as a reader felt invested in their stories from the start. I loved the twins but Gwen was definitely my favourite character. The characters backgrounds and progress throughout the story is such a great representation of friendships, choices, and struggles.
The plot- The Cursed Melodies has all of the great things that a YA fantasy book needs. I found the plot to be fun and exciting, and I think the pacing of the story was perfect. I found this to have a medium pace which was great for multiple reasons. I love world building and it was great in this book because it wasn't too complex. The pacing really helped because as readers we explored a lot of the world without getting stuck in one place for too long with an overload of information, but also did not jump from one place to the next with not enough context. The magic system in this book and its link with music is such a unique and interesting idea. My only complaint is that I would have loved to have seen more of the use of magic, but I don't think there was a lot of room for that to be explored in this book and am assuming it will be something for the sequel.
I really like the author's writing style and found this to be a light but entertaining read.
The Cursed Melodies was my first ever ARC
and I'm so happy that it was because I loved this story! I was a big fan of The Rosewood Chronicles so I had high hopes for The Cursed Melodies.
Starting with the characters- I found the characters really intriguing and as a reader felt invested in their stories from the start. I loved the twins but Gwen was definitely my favourite character. The characters backgrounds and progress throughout the story is such a great representation of friendships, choices, and struggles.
The plot- The Cursed Melodies has all of the great things that a YA fantasy book needs. I found the plot to be fun and exciting, and I think the pacing of the story was perfect. I found this to have a medium pace which was great for multiple reasons. I love world building and it was great in this book because it wasn't too complex. The pacing really helped because as readers we explored a lot of the world without getting stuck in one place for too long with an overload of information, but also did not jump from one place to the next with not enough context. The magic system in this book and its link with music is such a unique and interesting idea. My only complaint is that I would have loved to have seen more of the use of magic, but I don't think there was a lot of room for that to be explored in this book and am assuming it will be something for the sequel.
I really like the author's writing style and found this to be a light but entertaining read.
February 4, 2025
The author has a way with words, like she’s carefully tucking you into bed on a winter evening. This book is a wonderfully crafted magical adventure, a fairytale right at your doorsteps. The characters are such a joy to follow around and I gasped audibly at every reveal. What more can you want?
March 16, 2025
4 Stars
I’ve always said a little dark magic and a twisted family bond make for the perfect recipe for a page-turner, and Connie Glynn’s The Cursed Melodies delivers on that front like no other.
Picture a world of enchanted forests, hidden powers, magical secrets, and monsters that make your skin crawl, all wrapped up in a high-stakes, heart-racing adventure with a hefty dose of mystery.
The Cursed Melodies introduces us to Astrid and Jonas, twin siblings with a power so mysterious and twisted, doctors have labeled it as “demonic.” But they’re more than just cursed. They can hear the whispers of the trees, the songs of flowers, and the ancient histories hidden in nature’s melodies. Pretty cool, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want to have that connection to the natural world? Well, unfortunately, their caretakers don’t share that enthusiasm and try to keep them away from nature’s embrace, but nature… it doesn’t take no for an answer.
Enter Gwen, a girl determined to prove her worth to the magical world after failing her application to Fountains Abbey, a prestigious school for Bloom Bloods (humans with magic running through their veins). Think Harry Potter but with a much darker, dangerous twist. Gwen is on a mission to unlock her powers and show the world that she belongs.
The magic really kicks off when Astrid, Jonas, and Gwen’s paths collide. As the kids start to piece together their shared powers, they uncover a growing evil, a creeping darkness that’s leaving a trail of unnatural monsters behind it. And guess what? They’re the only ones who can stop it. (Of course they are, right? Because why wouldn’t they be? )
The best part of The Cursed Melodies is definitely the rich, immersive world-building. From the second you step into the enchanted forests and hidden corners of this universe, you’re transported. The concept of Bloom Bloods, magical humans who can communicate with nature, is absolutely fascinating, and Glynn brings it to life in such a vivid way.
The idea that the earth itself has a voice, a history, and a power all its own is something I couldn’t get enough of. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear what the flowers are whispering, right?
But it’s not just the magic that pulls you in. The family dynamics are just as rich and complicated. Astrid and Jonas have this beautifully complicated bond. On one hand, they’re inseparable, bound by their mysterious powers. On the other hand, their connection is a curse of its own, and they’re trapped in a delicate balancing act of trying to understand themselves while being misunderstood by everyone around them. They’re different and that sense of alienation is something a lot of readers will connect with.
The twist? The tension between the three main characters, especially as they come to terms with their abilities and begin to question each other’s motivations, is electric. You can feel the conflict brewing as they realise the forces they’re up against aren’t just magical, they’re personal, rooted in the very essence of their being.
What didn’t work for me… While the world-building was stellar, I did find some parts of the pacing a little slower than expected. There were moments where the action felt like it was getting bogged down by too many details, and I just wanted to get to the good stuff, you know, like when the characters are in full-on danger mode, fighting off creatures and uncovering secrets. But in the grand scheme, it’s a minor complaint, and the overall journey is so worth it.
The Cursed Melodies is everything you want from a dark fantasy, magical powers, a dangerous quest, complicated relationships, and creatures that give you chills.
If you love YA fantasy that leans into mystery and adventure while also exploring family, identity, and magic in all its forms, this is your next must-read. Glynn has woven together a story that’s both enchanting and terrifying, filled with emotional stakes and jaw-dropping twists.
If you’re into The Twin Crowns or Serpent & Dove, this book is a perfect fit for your shelf. Definitely don’t miss this one if you’re in the mood for a spellbinding adventure with heart, magic, and a touch of danger.
I’ve always said a little dark magic and a twisted family bond make for the perfect recipe for a page-turner, and Connie Glynn’s The Cursed Melodies delivers on that front like no other.
Picture a world of enchanted forests, hidden powers, magical secrets, and monsters that make your skin crawl, all wrapped up in a high-stakes, heart-racing adventure with a hefty dose of mystery.
The Cursed Melodies introduces us to Astrid and Jonas, twin siblings with a power so mysterious and twisted, doctors have labeled it as “demonic.” But they’re more than just cursed. They can hear the whispers of the trees, the songs of flowers, and the ancient histories hidden in nature’s melodies. Pretty cool, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want to have that connection to the natural world? Well, unfortunately, their caretakers don’t share that enthusiasm and try to keep them away from nature’s embrace, but nature… it doesn’t take no for an answer.
Enter Gwen, a girl determined to prove her worth to the magical world after failing her application to Fountains Abbey, a prestigious school for Bloom Bloods (humans with magic running through their veins). Think Harry Potter but with a much darker, dangerous twist. Gwen is on a mission to unlock her powers and show the world that she belongs.
The magic really kicks off when Astrid, Jonas, and Gwen’s paths collide. As the kids start to piece together their shared powers, they uncover a growing evil, a creeping darkness that’s leaving a trail of unnatural monsters behind it. And guess what? They’re the only ones who can stop it. (Of course they are, right? Because why wouldn’t they be? )
The best part of The Cursed Melodies is definitely the rich, immersive world-building. From the second you step into the enchanted forests and hidden corners of this universe, you’re transported. The concept of Bloom Bloods, magical humans who can communicate with nature, is absolutely fascinating, and Glynn brings it to life in such a vivid way.
The idea that the earth itself has a voice, a history, and a power all its own is something I couldn’t get enough of. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear what the flowers are whispering, right?
But it’s not just the magic that pulls you in. The family dynamics are just as rich and complicated. Astrid and Jonas have this beautifully complicated bond. On one hand, they’re inseparable, bound by their mysterious powers. On the other hand, their connection is a curse of its own, and they’re trapped in a delicate balancing act of trying to understand themselves while being misunderstood by everyone around them. They’re different and that sense of alienation is something a lot of readers will connect with.
The twist? The tension between the three main characters, especially as they come to terms with their abilities and begin to question each other’s motivations, is electric. You can feel the conflict brewing as they realise the forces they’re up against aren’t just magical, they’re personal, rooted in the very essence of their being.
What didn’t work for me… While the world-building was stellar, I did find some parts of the pacing a little slower than expected. There were moments where the action felt like it was getting bogged down by too many details, and I just wanted to get to the good stuff, you know, like when the characters are in full-on danger mode, fighting off creatures and uncovering secrets. But in the grand scheme, it’s a minor complaint, and the overall journey is so worth it.
The Cursed Melodies is everything you want from a dark fantasy, magical powers, a dangerous quest, complicated relationships, and creatures that give you chills.
If you love YA fantasy that leans into mystery and adventure while also exploring family, identity, and magic in all its forms, this is your next must-read. Glynn has woven together a story that’s both enchanting and terrifying, filled with emotional stakes and jaw-dropping twists.
If you’re into The Twin Crowns or Serpent & Dove, this book is a perfect fit for your shelf. Definitely don’t miss this one if you’re in the mood for a spellbinding adventure with heart, magic, and a touch of danger.
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