Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Cursed Mage

Rate this book
A troubled existence. A life-shattering tragedy. A disturbing future.

After her father's sudden death, Kaija thought she could find solace in her academic success and a scholarship to a prestigious university. But her hopes for a fresh start quickly unravel when she learns a devastating truth.

Her college crush, who seems just out of reach, is dead—killed under mysterious circumstances he refuses to acknowledge.

As Kaija delves into the mystery of his death, she uncovers a dark web of secrets that threaten to consume her. The reality of who is behind these events is closer and more chilling than she could have ever imagined.

And the deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes, leading her into a disturbing future she could have never anticipated.

Perfect for fans of dark fantasy and elemental magic, Cursed Mage offers a riveting journey into a world of intrigue and peril.

If you love the complex worlds and morally gray characters of authors like E.E. Holmes and V.E. Schwab, this gripping adventure will keep you hooked until the final page. Dive into Cursed Mage and discover the secrets lurking just beneath the surface.

The truth was never more frightening...

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2025

4 people are currently reading
10 people want to read

About the author

T.C. Marti

18 books22 followers
After spending years devouring the works of J.K. Rowling, George Lucas, and the greatest thinkers in history, TC Marti fuses his imagination with Libertarian themes in his shared universe, the Renegades Epic. Be sure to follow TC on BookBub to catch new releases and sales https://bit.ly/46sKmUH.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
13 (76%)
4 stars
4 (23%)
3 stars
0 (0%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Shey Saints.
Author 2 books46 followers
December 17, 2024
Summary
Cursed Mage is a dark fantasy by TC Marti and a fusion of many other genres. It is also the first book in the Catenarian Chronicles. Two weeks after Kaija’s father dies, she leaves home and travels to her Uncle Vaino and stays with him and his wife. She thinks she can find solace in her academic success and a scholarship to a prestigious university, but her hopes for a fresh start dissipates when she discovers her college crush died a mysterious death. Upon trying to find out the truth about his death, a series of shocking revelations unravel. The deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes, leading her into a disturbing and unimaginable future.

Review
This has been such a good read! Very entertaining! If you’re into the thrill of not knowing what really happened and what will happen next, then this is the perfect multi-genre fantasy to read. I think the constant charm in every TC Marti book is molding powers. The learning, the training, the developments, and just about everything that encompasses a teenager’s journey to self discovery is depicted in a way that is so cinematic and intriguing. It makes me imagine what it’d be like when you watch it on the big screen, so I am hoping for a movie adaptation. Other than the thrill of reading about elemental magic, self discovery, and the action and dangers surrounding supernatural abilities, this book also delves into family, friendship, and camaraderie. Overall, this has been a great action-packed dark fantasy adventure with some heartwarming topics that readers will love. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars!
Profile Image for Nancy (The Avid Reader).
3,069 reviews128 followers
February 20, 2025
Kaija can’t wait to start college, especially after her father's death and her moving in with her uncle. She wants to leave her past behind, but I don’t think that will happen. Her past is about to catch up with her and bring along things she didn’t know existed.

After starting college, Kaija meets a nice young man to whom she feels an instant attraction, but he’s a little out of her reach. Yes, Kaija’s new—or so she hopes—boyfriend is dead. Can you imagine finding out that your new boyfriend is dead? Kaija has just discovered that she is a mythical Mage and can see and speak to the dead.

Kaija learns that her new friend died under mysterious circumstances. She sets out to uncover what happened to him. Her investigation reveals many secrets, not only about what happened to her new friend but also about herself.

Cursed Mage is a new start to the series Catenarian Chronicles by TC Marti. The story begins slowly as we get to know Kaija and her magical abilities. Cursed Mage grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. I raced to the end to find out what happened to Kaija’s new friend, and I enjoyed learning about her and all the things she can do.

The mystery and suspense kept me hanging on every word, eager to learn everything at once about what was happening. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I can’t wait to read more about this new world introduced in the Catenarian Chronicles.

Grab a copy of Cursed Mage today!
Profile Image for Mikaela.
55 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2025
There is so much I would like to say about this amazing book, but then I would spoil too much.

But we get to follow Kaija as she figure out things about herself, who she is and other stuff in life.

And just when you think Kaija figures something out, something happens that at least I didn’t see coming. I just wanted to read more to see what happened next.

It was a really good, interesting book that kept you on your toes. Loved it! I would definitely recommend it for everyone to read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
162 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2025
A great read, focusing a lot on Kaija's journey. It focuses a lot on runes and their meanings which I found really interesting. They are used to work out what happened to a spirit that visits Kaija.
Lots of action nearer the end of the book, where Ella and Heikko make an appearance.
I really enjoyed this book, highly recommend
Profile Image for Rowan Creech.
1,519 reviews14 followers
January 22, 2025
This book was a never-ending ,page-turning adventure into a fantasy world . It is supremely an excellent book to read.
Profile Image for Bigmommanina.
82 reviews
January 4, 2025
Ohhhhh this was a fun read!! Looking forward to seeing what Kaija & co get up to next
Profile Image for Julian White.
1,714 reviews8 followers
July 21, 2025
On kobo (EPub 3 DRM-Free); 9781966148005, 270 pages

A fast-moving narrative, as a young woman's life is interrupted just as she is about to go to college when her father is killed in an accident. A barely-known uncle takes her in and sends her to the college - where she discovers unusual and eventually potentially world-shaking powers. Almost as soon as she settles in her life is upended again - and again...

Not a standard growing-into-powers story this benefits by being in an unfamiliar world - and uses language which I eventually worked out must be Finnish (the odd double vowels should have been a giveaway); intriguing - and there are others in series (including a prequel), as well as links to other books by the same author.
1,039 reviews22 followers
March 24, 2025
She has always had a troubled existence, suffered a life-shattering tragedy, and she never knew that she had a disturbing future ahead of her.

Kaija wanted to find a new peace in her academic success after she had gotten a scholarship to a prestigious university after her father's sudden death. All that soon turns to dust when she learns a devastating truth.

Suddenly, under mysterious circumstances, he refuses to acknowledge her college crush, who always seemed just out of her reach is dead.

Kaija dived into the mystery of his death, and soon she is uncovering this dark web of secrets that threatens to consume her. The deeper and deeper she digs, she realizes that the reality of who is behind these events is actually closer and more chilling than she ever imagined.

The deeper and deeper she digs, the more danger she puts herself in and the more dangerous the truth actually becomes, and this leads her into a future that she could never have seen coming.

This book is perfect for fans of dark fantasy and elemental magic. Cursed Mage gives you a riveting journey into a world of intrigue and peril.

If you are a lover for complex worlds, morally grey characters, authors like E.E. Holmes and V.E. Schwab, then this gripping adventure is going to keep you hooked till the very last work. Jump into Cursed Mage and find out all the secrets that lurk just under the surface.

The truth was never more frightening...

Kaija is so excited to start college, especially after her fathers sudden unexpected death and her having to move in with her uncle. All she really wants to do is leave her past in the past, but she doesn't think that's actually going to happen. Unbeknownst to her, her past is about to catch up to her.

Kaija finally starts college, and there she meets this nice young man, and right away, she feels this instant connection, but she knows that he's out of her reach. Kaija's new – well, she hopes he's her new boyfriend – is dead. Imagine finding out that your new boyfriend suddenly turns up dead? And then Kaija finds out that not only that she is this mythical mage and can actually speak to the dead.

Kaija soon learns that her boyfriend actually died under mysterious circumstances. She then sets out to find out what happened to him, realizing that no one else is doing anything to solve his murder. Her investigation soon turns up secrets, not only about what actually happened but about herself as well.

Cursed Mage is book 1 of the Catenarian Chronicles by T.C. Marti. We get off to a slow start, and we really get the chance to know Kaija and her magical abilities. From the first word, I was hooked on this book, and I didn't want to put it down. I had to find out what happened to Kaija and her friend, and I really enjoyed learning about her and all the things that she could do.

All the mystery and even the suspense kept me reading and hanging on each and every word. I was so eager to learn everything, and I needed to know it yesterday, and I wanted to know what was happening. I felt like I wasn't turning the pages fast enough to find out what was happening, and I felt like I was going to miss out on something if I didn't turn the page right away. I can't wait to read more of this series, and I can't wait to read book 2 of the new Catenarian Chronicles.
Profile Image for Book Reviewer.
4,753 reviews441 followers
February 14, 2025
TC Marti’s Cursed Mage throws you headfirst into the chaotic, magic-laced life of Kaija Jokiharju, a girl who has already had her fair share of struggles before she even discovers the full depth of the world she’s about to step into. The story kicks off with a haunting, almost cinematic nightmare sequence, then shifts into the harsh realities of her home life. Kaija’s father is unreliable, lost in booze and bad habits, and just when she’s counting down the days to escape for college, tragedy strikes. She’s forced to move in with an uncle she barely knows in a house filled with secrets, a world filled with more than she ever thought possible, and a destiny far bigger than she bargained for.

The writing is fast and sharp, with bursts of dry humor and raw emotion that make Kaija’s voice feel real. I loved how the first few chapters refused to dump a bunch of exposition on me, instead, the book slowly lets its mysteries unravel. The way Kaija observes her new surroundings, from the eerie paintings in her uncle’s house to the suspiciously powerful people she stumbles across, adds a creeping tension that makes you second-guess what’s real and what’s just paranoia. The scene where she encounters the strange siblings by the creek, especially the way the girl lifts her with one hand like it’s nothing, was a perfect example of that shift from reality to something otherworldly.

There’s an undercurrent of rebellion throughout the book, not just in Kaija’s personality but in the way the world around her operates. The story weaves in themes of power, control, and hidden societies, keeping you on your toes. Marti balances the fantasy elements with an almost thriller-like pace. Kaija never really gets to rest, and that makes the tension all the more real. And then there’s Marko, a character who walks into the story carrying secrets as heavy as Kaija’s, and their interaction by the lake is intense, confusing, and loaded with meaning, setting up so many questions that kept me flipping the pages.

There are moments where the dialogue leans into exposition, but it never drags the story down. The world-building is layered, and while some elements remain cryptic for a while, it’s clear Marti is playing the long game, setting up a bigger picture beyond just this book. Kaija’s perspective is both sharp and emotional. She’s tough but never invulnerable, and that makes her journey feel authentic.

Cursed Mage is a must-read for fans of urban fantasy, especially if you like your magic systems tangled in real-world conflicts and your protagonists with just the right amount of bite. It’s a mix of mystery, magic, and survival, all wrapped up in an engaging, fast-paced read that keeps you guessing until the end.
Profile Image for Anthony.
Author 29 books200 followers
March 4, 2025
What a remarkable and exciting start to a brand-new metaphysical fantasy series! The world-building and mythos the author establishes between the Mages and the magic system itself are fantastic and well-established on the page. The balance of action with character growth and story development made this feel like a gripping and well-defined world to get lost in. The compelling world the author creates gives the reader a sense of familiarity while also transporting them into a world filled with magic and wonder. The thoughtful approach to the imagery used in the author's writing style helped simultaneously elevate this setting and cement the mythos.

The heart of this story rests in the development of the protagonist and her journey. Kaija was both relatable and engaging as a character, bringing the same sense of wonder and awe that the reader felt discovering this hidden world and the power that rests in the hands of the Mages, all while layering the story with elements of mystery with her discovery of her sister and the intrigue that comes with the introduction of a potential boyfriend, with a supernatural twist. The story and the mythology the author establishes help elevate Kaija’s journey to an entirely new level.

An intense, heartfelt, and powerful dark fantasy novel that readers won’t be able to put down, author TC Marti’s “Cursed Mage” is a must-read thrill ride. The heart and emotional story behind Kaija and her evolution throughout the narrative, the well-rounded supporting cast, and the blend of action with magical suspense made the author's world feel alive and vibrant on the page. The twists and turns that the protagonist and her story go through and the epic world-building the author deploys make this feel like a concrete, engaging world that readers won’t stop getting lost in time and time again.
Profile Image for Amys Bookshelf Reviews.
874 reviews69 followers
March 3, 2025
TC Marti writes a dark fantastical tale

In Cursed Mage, the reader is introduced to Kaija, who has her whole what she sees as her normal life ahead of her, but then everything changes. With her trying to put the past behind her and as far away from her present as possible, she learns that it's not possible, not even with magic. I am a big fan of TC Marti and read whatever this author writes. This author has a grand imagination, and talent for showing the story. I like TC Marti's dark fantasies, and this adds that grand touch of magic and paranormal, and it creates an interesting world, that surrounds Kaija. Kaija learns of her family secrets, including a sister she didn't know existed, and her own Mage powers. It's a race against time for survival, and having to learn her powers and be able to control them. It kind of reminded me of Marvel's Doctor Strange, but in a female form because of the intensity of powers, and control it takes to handle them. It was definitely an intriguing story of family, magic powers, survival, and trying to hold on to your own humanity. It is always an honor to read TC Marti's books. Cursed Mage is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.
368 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2025
Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. Incredibly epic, suspenseful, and unpredictable, the gripping journey of a young woman who did not know her heritage, or her mage abilities until they were revealed after her father was killed, will keep your attention. Everything will eventually be understood but first, you will try to figure out why a spirit needs help, why she must keep hidden, outrun a coverup and help a family member previously unknown to her. One that changes everything! Becoming unputdownable, I loved every twist and turn of nail biting, emotional tension and fast paced plot!
52 reviews3 followers
February 4, 2025
Series starter for the Cantenary Chronicles.
While searching for answers and being hunted for abilities she didn't know she had, Kaija Jokiharju discovers that Mages have been directing the course of Cantenary's history, all while remaining hidden in plain sight. Kaija grew up with her abilities masked and not knowing what she was. Meeting Marko sets her on a course that puts Kaija and her friends in danger, but one she can't ignore. Come join the adventure in this fantastic coming-of-age story set in the world of Cantanery.
I received an advanced copy from the author
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,909 reviews116 followers
March 6, 2025
First book in the Catenarian Chronicles and boy is it good!! A fast paced, well written, dark paranormal fantasy read that sucks you into an incredible world brimming with action, adventure, political intrigue, magic, mystery and survival. A captivating and compelling read as we follow Kaija on a journey she was not expecting to take. An exciting and gripping read with some fantastic characters, that had me glued to the pages from the get go as just could not stop reading.
60 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2025
A very fun read developing this new world he is opening for us. The story starts with a bang delving into the heroine's internal conflicts and just continues on with struggles and magic

I found the characters to be sympathetic and well done.
12.7k reviews189 followers
March 29, 2025
What truth could Maira possibly learn after her father’s death. It definitely disrupts her life. Absolutely enjoyable with characters that draw you into their lives.
Profile Image for Tony Fecteau.
1,530 reviews7 followers
September 25, 2025
The book was very good. I enjoyed the mystery of magic and how some of that information was slowly given to the readers. The conspiracy theory was a bit tedious and that is why I gave a 4 star review instead of 5 star review. The friendships in this story is what made me really enjoy reading the book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.