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Spell Weaver #3
The Blood Curse
Clio thought she was helping her brother save their kingdom. Instead, she set off a chain of events that will lead to its downfall—and the ruin of all magic.
She must find Bastian and take the shadow weave back before he unleashes it, but the mere thought of confronting him after learning about his lies and betrayals is unbearable. Actually defeating him will be impossible.
Lyre is painfully aware that his creation has fallen into dangerous hands. But even as he and Clio race to recover it, he knows a far worse danger is closing in. Lyceus has joined the hunt for his rebel son, and there’s nowhere in the realms Lyre can hide.
If he’s going to survive, he’ll have to face his father. And when he does, he’ll need a weaving more sinister than anything he’s created before to win against the deadliest weaver alive.
Their enemies are powerful, but Lyre and Clio are only just beginning to realize how dangerous a master weaver and a mimic together could become. If they can combine their strength, they might have a chance. If they fail, the realms will pay the price.
--
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the best-selling Steel & Stone series, the second edition of The Blood Curse features a revised story and new cover.
The Spell Weaver and Steel & Stone series are set in the same world but can be read independently.
--
Spell Weaver
The Night Realm (#1)
The Shadow Weave (#2)
The Blood Curse (#3)
She must find Bastian and take the shadow weave back before he unleashes it, but the mere thought of confronting him after learning about his lies and betrayals is unbearable. Actually defeating him will be impossible.
Lyre is painfully aware that his creation has fallen into dangerous hands. But even as he and Clio race to recover it, he knows a far worse danger is closing in. Lyceus has joined the hunt for his rebel son, and there’s nowhere in the realms Lyre can hide.
If he’s going to survive, he’ll have to face his father. And when he does, he’ll need a weaving more sinister than anything he’s created before to win against the deadliest weaver alive.
Their enemies are powerful, but Lyre and Clio are only just beginning to realize how dangerous a master weaver and a mimic together could become. If they can combine their strength, they might have a chance. If they fail, the realms will pay the price.
--
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the best-selling Steel & Stone series, the second edition of The Blood Curse features a revised story and new cover.
The Spell Weaver and Steel & Stone series are set in the same world but can be read independently.
--
Spell Weaver
The Night Realm (#1)
The Shadow Weave (#2)
The Blood Curse (#3)
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2018
612 people are currently reading
1460 people want to read
About the author
Annette Marie
50 books7,190 followersAnnette Marie is the best-selling author of over thirty books, including the expansive urban fantasy series The Guild Codex, epic urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter.
A 2015 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist in Fantasy and an Amazon Charts Bestseller, Annette has sold over 2 million books. Her books have been translated into French, German, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian, with readers coming back again and again for her addictive blend of fast-paced adventure, tantalizing forbidden romance, and unforgettable characters.
Annette lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minions of darkness. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in her garden or an art project while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
To find out more about Annette and her books, visit www.annettemarie.ca
A 2015 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist in Fantasy and an Amazon Charts Bestseller, Annette has sold over 2 million books. Her books have been translated into French, German, Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian, with readers coming back again and again for her addictive blend of fast-paced adventure, tantalizing forbidden romance, and unforgettable characters.
Annette lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minions of darkness. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in her garden or an art project while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
To find out more about Annette and her books, visit www.annettemarie.ca
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
March 27, 2018
**I received an eARC from the author in exchange for my honest review**
5 Master Weaver stars
GUYS
I CAN'T
JUST....WOW....
The Blood Curse is the final book in the Spell Weaver trilogy, and the bridge to the next series: Steel and Stone. A per the usual Annette Marie guarantee, The Blood Curse DELIVERS. Action, romance, feels, plot twists....it has everything and it is done so well!
I won't go into plot stuff, since this is the third book. It does pick up right where book 2 left off, so there's no time gaps between books.
The character development throughout this series is amazing. I loved seeing how much Clio grew through the trilogy. I loved how she still had her weaknesses and limits, but she still strove to overcome and ended up being such a badass. Lyre....I just want to hold him because throughout the entire series (and the next) he is my favorite. His snark and charm and brilliance is magnetic, and why can't he just be a real person already?
Steel and Stone was released before this series, and as this is a prequel series I knew how certain things were going to turn out . I feel like knowing certain events ahead of time made the reading experience that much richer; however, for new readers I would recommend reading this series first before delving into Steel and Stone. I feel like it would tie together some loose ends that were a bit confusing in Steel and Stone, plus it would give the reader a much deeper look into Lyre and his character. He is very mysterious in Steel and Stone, but his character is so rich in personality that knowing the events in this prequel series will help readers gain a better appreciation for him (and his friendship with Ash).
Annette Marie is one of the most underrated authors today. Her books are absolutely incredible and full of detail and life. Her stories are unique, and her characters are so life-like that I'm shocked they don't actually exist. I am GREATLY looking forward to the Steel and Stone sequel series!
--------------------
AHHHHHH I'M A WRECK IT'S HERE IT'S HERE
5 Master Weaver stars
GUYS
I CAN'T
JUST....WOW....
The Blood Curse is the final book in the Spell Weaver trilogy, and the bridge to the next series: Steel and Stone. A per the usual Annette Marie guarantee, The Blood Curse DELIVERS. Action, romance, feels, plot twists....it has everything and it is done so well!
I won't go into plot stuff, since this is the third book. It does pick up right where book 2 left off, so there's no time gaps between books.
The character development throughout this series is amazing. I loved seeing how much Clio grew through the trilogy. I loved how she still had her weaknesses and limits, but she still strove to overcome and ended up being such a badass. Lyre....I just want to hold him because throughout the entire series (and the next) he is my favorite. His snark and charm and brilliance is magnetic, and why can't he just be a real person already?
Steel and Stone was released before this series, and as this is a prequel series I knew how certain things were going to turn out . I feel like knowing certain events ahead of time made the reading experience that much richer; however, for new readers I would recommend reading this series first before delving into Steel and Stone. I feel like it would tie together some loose ends that were a bit confusing in Steel and Stone, plus it would give the reader a much deeper look into Lyre and his character. He is very mysterious in Steel and Stone, but his character is so rich in personality that knowing the events in this prequel series will help readers gain a better appreciation for him (and his friendship with Ash).
Annette Marie is one of the most underrated authors today. Her books are absolutely incredible and full of detail and life. Her stories are unique, and her characters are so life-like that I'm shocked they don't actually exist. I am GREATLY looking forward to the Steel and Stone sequel series!
--------------------
AHHHHHH I'M A WRECK IT'S HERE IT'S HERE
November 26, 2019
4,5 stars
Me, after finishing this book:
Well, damn. I really enjoyed the Spell Weaver trilogy much more than I anticipated to. This ship is the best, and I will die for them at any moment. The fact that I have to wait like a year for the sequel series? how rude of you, Annette Marie.
Me, after finishing this book:
Well, damn. I really enjoyed the Spell Weaver trilogy much more than I anticipated to. This ship is the best, and I will die for them at any moment. The fact that I have to wait like a year for the sequel series? how rude of you, Annette Marie.
November 24, 2024
you can find my review on my blog as well!
---
Oh my god. I love this book. It’s easily my favourite book in the series, and maybe even my favourite of all of Marie’s books? IT IS SO GOOD, GUYS. So, so good. Perfect action, romance, and humour--I laughed so much while reading this because so many scenes were absolute gold.
The Blood Curse does not disappoint and I am over the moon.
I want to begin with Lyre because I adore him. Lyre is hilarious and in this book, he just shines. Most of his scenes with other characters are just literal perfection and I like to think Annette Marie had a lot of fun writing them because I had a lot of fun reading them. But not only that, Lyre just has so much more of a presence here, if that makes sense? I felt like a lot of the scenes were from his point of view, and with all those scenes, we just got to know Lyre--all his insecurities and strengths and feelings. It gave a lot more insight not just to him, but also to incubi in general, which I really loved! I love that Annette Marie always delves deeper into castes to make them seem more than what they are!
I loved Clio’s growth throughout the series. In The Blood Curse, she’s growing to be her own support and strength and I will just always root for this girl. She has been through a lot and she hasn’t given up despite the odds. I just have so much love and respect for her and I’m glad we got her story!
And speaking of these two--oh, their relationship is just amazing. Like most everything else in the book, I adore it. Not only theirs, but the other ones throughout the book, too. There are some fun surprises along the way! That’s all I’m saying about that.
I feel like with each new book in the Steel & Stone universe, the world just grows and grows. The Blood Curse is no exception. We see new territories, learn more about old castes, and meet new ones. It’s so exciting--I love learning about different Overworld and Underworld castes!
Another cool part about this book is the weaving. Unlike the original S&S books, magic is seen a bit differently due to Clio’s unique power and Lyre’s history as a master weaver. The intricacies behind their magic--their weaving--is so fascinating and I honestly loved reading more about it.
Whew. I adore this book, guys. Just adore it. You’re in for a ride with this finale and in for a lot of laughs. You’ll swoon and be on the edge of your sweet and you’ll laugh multiple times throughout. The entire Spell Weaver series was fantastic and The Blood Curse is just the perfect finale. Easy 5 stars!
---
Oh my god. I love this book. It’s easily my favourite book in the series, and maybe even my favourite of all of Marie’s books? IT IS SO GOOD, GUYS. So, so good. Perfect action, romance, and humour--I laughed so much while reading this because so many scenes were absolute gold.
The Blood Curse does not disappoint and I am over the moon.
I want to begin with Lyre because I adore him. Lyre is hilarious and in this book, he just shines. Most of his scenes with other characters are just literal perfection and I like to think Annette Marie had a lot of fun writing them because I had a lot of fun reading them. But not only that, Lyre just has so much more of a presence here, if that makes sense? I felt like a lot of the scenes were from his point of view, and with all those scenes, we just got to know Lyre--all his insecurities and strengths and feelings. It gave a lot more insight not just to him, but also to incubi in general, which I really loved! I love that Annette Marie always delves deeper into castes to make them seem more than what they are!
I loved Clio’s growth throughout the series. In The Blood Curse, she’s growing to be her own support and strength and I will just always root for this girl. She has been through a lot and she hasn’t given up despite the odds. I just have so much love and respect for her and I’m glad we got her story!
And speaking of these two--oh, their relationship is just amazing. Like most everything else in the book, I adore it. Not only theirs, but the other ones throughout the book, too. There are some fun surprises along the way! That’s all I’m saying about that.
I feel like with each new book in the Steel & Stone universe, the world just grows and grows. The Blood Curse is no exception. We see new territories, learn more about old castes, and meet new ones. It’s so exciting--I love learning about different Overworld and Underworld castes!
Another cool part about this book is the weaving. Unlike the original S&S books, magic is seen a bit differently due to Clio’s unique power and Lyre’s history as a master weaver. The intricacies behind their magic--their weaving--is so fascinating and I honestly loved reading more about it.
Whew. I adore this book, guys. Just adore it. You’re in for a ride with this finale and in for a lot of laughs. You’ll swoon and be on the edge of your sweet and you’ll laugh multiple times throughout. The entire Spell Weaver series was fantastic and The Blood Curse is just the perfect finale. Easy 5 stars!
January 1, 2023
01/01/2023: Reread. (Audiobook!)
11/30/2020: Reread! (Read to my son, Maddox.)
08/05/2020: Reread!
This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Annette Marie is seriously spoiling me. I don't know what I would do if she wasn't an indie author that can put out more than one book each year! If I had to wait a year for each book she writes I die from the anticipation alone. Luckily, Marie loves to spoil us with her breathtaking worlds and characters that will shake your heart up.
I am so smitten and completely in love with this world that Annette Marie has created. This world is so elaborate. I love that there are different realms with contrasting landscapes, traditions, and people. I love all of the different castes of daemons and how Marie has tailored each caste's attributes, both physical and otherwise, with such grace and originality. Some of the castes are based on things that we would recognize from urban fantasy literature, and yet she puts her own unique spin on them. The nerd inside of me marvels at the craftsmanship. The world itself is no different. Marie takes the attributes from each caste and works them into the landscape and way of life for these daemons. It's so very clever and beautiful the way that she flawlessly weaves this world together.
I said this in my review for The Shadow Weave, and I am going to say it again because it is just too perfect and so fitting to pass up. Annette Marie is as much a master weaver as Lyre is. Marie so expertly arranged this plot that it boggles my mind. It is so flawless and full of everything that a compelling story needs. I can't imagine the amount of work that went into creating this masterpiece. Not only did she create a fully enclosed plot for this series, but she also connects things and characters from this series into the plot and characters for her Steel & Stone series. There aren't many authors that can create such an inventive world and plot of this magnitude, cross it over many different book series and do it well. Beyond well in this case! I am still blown away.
These characters have seriously embedded themselves into my fibers. They have lodged inside my heart and I will never let them go. I am so anxiously awaiting the Blackfire series that Marie has in the works that will bring these characters and the ones from the Steel & Stone series together. When she announced it I thought that I would die from excitement! That is a testament to how Marie develops her characters. Each character not only has their own arc and their own development, but the relationships and chemistry between the characters really cement something special. These characters will stay with you.
Overall, I just have to implore you to read this series! Annette Marie will blow your mind with her exquisite world-building, insanely clever plots, and characters that will melt your heart. I believe that I have said it before in other reviews of her books, but I am an Annette Marie fan for life! She is an auto-buy author for me. The quality of her writing speaks for itself. She really is a shining star in the thick night sky of authors. You won't want to miss out on experiencing her worlds for yourself!
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
11/30/2020: Reread! (Read to my son, Maddox.)
08/05/2020: Reread!
This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Annette Marie is seriously spoiling me. I don't know what I would do if she wasn't an indie author that can put out more than one book each year! If I had to wait a year for each book she writes I die from the anticipation alone. Luckily, Marie loves to spoil us with her breathtaking worlds and characters that will shake your heart up.
I am so smitten and completely in love with this world that Annette Marie has created. This world is so elaborate. I love that there are different realms with contrasting landscapes, traditions, and people. I love all of the different castes of daemons and how Marie has tailored each caste's attributes, both physical and otherwise, with such grace and originality. Some of the castes are based on things that we would recognize from urban fantasy literature, and yet she puts her own unique spin on them. The nerd inside of me marvels at the craftsmanship. The world itself is no different. Marie takes the attributes from each caste and works them into the landscape and way of life for these daemons. It's so very clever and beautiful the way that she flawlessly weaves this world together.
I said this in my review for The Shadow Weave, and I am going to say it again because it is just too perfect and so fitting to pass up. Annette Marie is as much a master weaver as Lyre is. Marie so expertly arranged this plot that it boggles my mind. It is so flawless and full of everything that a compelling story needs. I can't imagine the amount of work that went into creating this masterpiece. Not only did she create a fully enclosed plot for this series, but she also connects things and characters from this series into the plot and characters for her Steel & Stone series. There aren't many authors that can create such an inventive world and plot of this magnitude, cross it over many different book series and do it well. Beyond well in this case! I am still blown away.
These characters have seriously embedded themselves into my fibers. They have lodged inside my heart and I will never let them go. I am so anxiously awaiting the Blackfire series that Marie has in the works that will bring these characters and the ones from the Steel & Stone series together. When she announced it I thought that I would die from excitement! That is a testament to how Marie develops her characters. Each character not only has their own arc and their own development, but the relationships and chemistry between the characters really cement something special. These characters will stay with you.
Overall, I just have to implore you to read this series! Annette Marie will blow your mind with her exquisite world-building, insanely clever plots, and characters that will melt your heart. I believe that I have said it before in other reviews of her books, but I am an Annette Marie fan for life! She is an auto-buy author for me. The quality of her writing speaks for itself. She really is a shining star in the thick night sky of authors. You won't want to miss out on experiencing her worlds for yourself!
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
September 25, 2019
Originally posted at:
This was a great not-quite ending for this trilogy. It left a future adventure wide open for the Blackfire series the author is planning to join everyone up in! This may have had a rocky start for me but it ended better than I anticipated it would and I'm so glad for that.
I finally saw a little bit of that mischievous and calculating Lyre I loved getting to know in the Steel & Stone series. The adventure he had in this trilogy builds a whole new level to his character's personality in the following series. I'm excited about where this is headed!
Cleo has proved herself and I loved her in this finale! The gang goes up against almost impossible odds and manage to get themselves out alive with Cleo being the most important part of that plan. I can't wait to see her 10 years from now and find out how she's progressed since this trilogy.
The ending was bittersweet. I was expecting something horrible and nasty to happen and, again, I'm SO glad I was wrong! I'll have to tell myself that it isn't really over and that a happily ever after is still possible for everyone until the Blackfire series starts getting released in 2021 (The author is hoping for 2021, I hope that doesn't change!).
The Audio Book:
The narration was great! I still dislike male narrations but Greg Tremblay turned out to be an okay listen. Both narrations have a reasonable amount of different accents and distinctive male and female voices. I was still in a cold-medication-haze for the first half of this book so I can't really comment on a lot. Just know that it was a great story and that it passed the time quite well!
This was a great not-quite ending for this trilogy. It left a future adventure wide open for the Blackfire series the author is planning to join everyone up in! This may have had a rocky start for me but it ended better than I anticipated it would and I'm so glad for that.
I finally saw a little bit of that mischievous and calculating Lyre I loved getting to know in the Steel & Stone series. The adventure he had in this trilogy builds a whole new level to his character's personality in the following series. I'm excited about where this is headed!
Cleo has proved herself and I loved her in this finale! The gang goes up against almost impossible odds and manage to get themselves out alive with Cleo being the most important part of that plan. I can't wait to see her 10 years from now and find out how she's progressed since this trilogy.
The ending was bittersweet. I was expecting something horrible and nasty to happen and, again, I'm SO glad I was wrong! I'll have to tell myself that it isn't really over and that a happily ever after is still possible for everyone until the Blackfire series starts getting released in 2021 (The author is hoping for 2021, I hope that doesn't change!).
The Audio Book:
The narration was great! I still dislike male narrations but Greg Tremblay turned out to be an okay listen. Both narrations have a reasonable amount of different accents and distinctive male and female voices. I was still in a cold-medication-haze for the first half of this book so I can't really comment on a lot. Just know that it was a great story and that it passed the time quite well!
May 15, 2018
4 Stars
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
This was the final book in the Spell Weaver trilogy (which is kind of a prequel to the Steel & Stone series, at least for me since I read Steel & Stone first), and it was just as amazing, action-packed, fast-paced, and gripping as all the other books. I had planned to read it over the course of several days, but I ended up reading it in two because I didn’t want to put it down.
One of the things I liked most about this book, surprisingly, was getting to see more of Miysis. In Steel & Stone, he was this “never quite a friend, but never quite an enemy” character to the trio. I was never really sure what he was thinking or what he might do. He was interesting; in this book, maybe even more so. As Lyre said, he was manipulative, but not a bad person. *MILD SPOILER (it happens within the first 34% and doesn't actually spoil anything, but just in case)* *END SPOILER*
Then there was Ash, and seeing the formation of Lyre and Ash's friendship, seeing the two of them actually starting to trust each other, was adorable. I mean, Ash fell asleep with his head on Lyre's shoulder. How cute is that? It's easy to forget how young Ash actually is in this series and that, underneath the scary assassin he's forced to be, he's not all that different from anyone else.
As for all the rest… Lyre, Clio, and Ash were all badass, as usual, and I felt for all of them, especially Lyre. The characters actually did get a bit of a reprieve with some down time to enjoy themselves, but aside from that it was pretty much one terrible situation after another (which kept me gripped). The battle/fight scenes were all incredibly well-written (these books have possibly the best ones I’ve ever read, what with all the magic being flung around and everything, interesting magic that Annette Marie describes in amazing ways). Lyceus was more powerful and terrible than I had even imagined. There was romance, and although it got more serious, I feel like it took a bit of a backseat in terms of focus this time and was well-balanced with the other plotlines. There was also a bit of humor amongst all the chaos (I just about died at Ash's reaction to something Clio said near the end). Overall, it was a great ending to the Spell Weaver trilogy, and I’m already anticipating the series coming out about these lovable characters that will take place after Steel & Stone!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Annette Marie's Spell Weaver series. Anyone who likes new adult urban fantasy, incubi, romance, action, and lots of magic.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*
This was the final book in the Spell Weaver trilogy (which is kind of a prequel to the Steel & Stone series, at least for me since I read Steel & Stone first), and it was just as amazing, action-packed, fast-paced, and gripping as all the other books. I had planned to read it over the course of several days, but I ended up reading it in two because I didn’t want to put it down.
One of the things I liked most about this book, surprisingly, was getting to see more of Miysis. In Steel & Stone, he was this “never quite a friend, but never quite an enemy” character to the trio. I was never really sure what he was thinking or what he might do. He was interesting; in this book, maybe even more so. As Lyre said, he was manipulative, but not a bad person. *MILD SPOILER (it happens within the first 34% and doesn't actually spoil anything, but just in case)* *END SPOILER*
Then there was Ash, and seeing the formation of Lyre and Ash's friendship, seeing the two of them actually starting to trust each other, was adorable. I mean, Ash fell asleep with his head on Lyre's shoulder. How cute is that? It's easy to forget how young Ash actually is in this series and that, underneath the scary assassin he's forced to be, he's not all that different from anyone else.
As for all the rest… Lyre, Clio, and Ash were all badass, as usual, and I felt for all of them, especially Lyre. The characters actually did get a bit of a reprieve with some down time to enjoy themselves, but aside from that it was pretty much one terrible situation after another (which kept me gripped). The battle/fight scenes were all incredibly well-written (these books have possibly the best ones I’ve ever read, what with all the magic being flung around and everything, interesting magic that Annette Marie describes in amazing ways). Lyceus was more powerful and terrible than I had even imagined. There was romance, and although it got more serious, I feel like it took a bit of a backseat in terms of focus this time and was well-balanced with the other plotlines. There was also a bit of humor amongst all the chaos (I just about died at Ash's reaction to something Clio said near the end). Overall, it was a great ending to the Spell Weaver trilogy, and I’m already anticipating the series coming out about these lovable characters that will take place after Steel & Stone!
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Annette Marie's Spell Weaver series. Anyone who likes new adult urban fantasy, incubi, romance, action, and lots of magic.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
June 13, 2025
While this trilogy is in a spinoff of the Steel & Stone series, listeners can jump in as I did. The Spell Weaver series ranks among my favorites and should be listened to in the order of their release.
Wow! Hold on for one intense conclusion to the Spell Weaver series. Marie delivered from intense heart pounding moments to laugh out loud interactions. I loved the character growth, the romance, and their friendship with Ash. Not to mention some action-packed scenes as Clio and Lyre work to stop her brother Bastian from unleashing the shadow weave spell.
The world building is stellar in this trilogy and has me wanting to go back and grab the Steel & Stone series where Ash and Lyre were first mentioned. Lyre is an Incubus and spell weaver. He carries a lot of guilt for the spell he created, and his feelings for Clio were swoon-worthy. He isn’t at all like his father or brothers.
I adore Clio and she has come a long way since the first audiobook, The Night Realm. She finds her worth. Her loyalty, compassion and kick-ass abilities make her a true heroine. She worked so hard to overcome her limits and protect those she cares about.
The ending devastated me, and I immediately went to Annette Marie’s website to download the Blood Curse Bonus epilogue set five years later.
Melissa Moran did a stellar job voicing Clio. She captured her spunk, passion, and insecurities perfectly. Tim Paige voiced Lyre’s perspective and brought his struggles and love for Cleo to life. I highly recommend listening to the trilogy. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Wow! Hold on for one intense conclusion to the Spell Weaver series. Marie delivered from intense heart pounding moments to laugh out loud interactions. I loved the character growth, the romance, and their friendship with Ash. Not to mention some action-packed scenes as Clio and Lyre work to stop her brother Bastian from unleashing the shadow weave spell.
The world building is stellar in this trilogy and has me wanting to go back and grab the Steel & Stone series where Ash and Lyre were first mentioned. Lyre is an Incubus and spell weaver. He carries a lot of guilt for the spell he created, and his feelings for Clio were swoon-worthy. He isn’t at all like his father or brothers.
I adore Clio and she has come a long way since the first audiobook, The Night Realm. She finds her worth. Her loyalty, compassion and kick-ass abilities make her a true heroine. She worked so hard to overcome her limits and protect those she cares about.
The ending devastated me, and I immediately went to Annette Marie’s website to download the Blood Curse Bonus epilogue set five years later.
Melissa Moran did a stellar job voicing Clio. She captured her spunk, passion, and insecurities perfectly. Tim Paige voiced Lyre’s perspective and brought his struggles and love for Cleo to life. I highly recommend listening to the trilogy. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
December 22, 2024
2024 Reread I was blown away the first time I read this, and the reread just reinforces how excellent it was. I love how Annette Marie tied critical parts of the climax back to events in the first and second novels (something the Harry Potter series is constantly lauded for).
In The Blood Curse, our band of unlikely heroes face their biggest foes: Clio vs Bastian (and Madrigal), and Lyre vs his father, Lyceus. Lyre's conflict is so daunting: how does a master weaver defeat the greatest master weaver of all time? The plan is so clever that I still love what they (including Ash) came up with, even though I'd read it before. It's such a satisfying solution.
Speaking of Ash, I'd forgotten how big a role he plays in this series, esp books 2 and 3. It's very different to see him as a weapon of Asphodel, under Samael's thumb (mostly). As you can imagine, we see him through another lens in the Steel and Stone series.
With the Spell Weaver trilogy reread now finished, I'm waiting impatiently for the clock to wind down on those ten years. Looking at you, Annette.
2019 First Read A terrific finale for a terrific YA Fantasy trilogy. The Blood Curse has got tons of action, magic, romance, otherworldly creatures and intrigue, all of which is consistently applied over all three novels.
In this final book, Ash plays a much bigger role which provides the background for his and Lyre's friendship in the Steel & Stone series. Let's see... Clio confronts her overzealous brother and tries to make him see that he's courting disaster. Lyre finds himself in a Ra city, making friends with Miysis. Clio goes to Irida to speak to the king. The pair and Ash return to the underworld in an effort to retrieve Lyre's ultimate weapon and for the final showdown between Lyre and his father.
I absolutely cannot wait to continue reading about these characters when Annette Marie publishes Blackfire. The first day it's out, I'll be reading it. Loved this whole trilogy, and Annette Marie, a very talented writer that more YA fans should be reading! Highly recommended trilogy.
In The Blood Curse, our band of unlikely heroes face their biggest foes: Clio vs Bastian (and Madrigal), and Lyre vs his father, Lyceus. Lyre's conflict is so daunting: how does a master weaver defeat the greatest master weaver of all time? The plan is so clever that I still love what they (including Ash) came up with, even though I'd read it before. It's such a satisfying solution.
Speaking of Ash, I'd forgotten how big a role he plays in this series, esp books 2 and 3. It's very different to see him as a weapon of Asphodel, under Samael's thumb (mostly). As you can imagine, we see him through another lens in the Steel and Stone series.
With the Spell Weaver trilogy reread now finished, I'm waiting impatiently for the clock to wind down on those ten years. Looking at you, Annette.
2019 First Read A terrific finale for a terrific YA Fantasy trilogy. The Blood Curse has got tons of action, magic, romance, otherworldly creatures and intrigue, all of which is consistently applied over all three novels.
In this final book, Ash plays a much bigger role which provides the background for his and Lyre's friendship in the Steel & Stone series. Let's see... Clio confronts her overzealous brother and tries to make him see that he's courting disaster. Lyre finds himself in a Ra city, making friends with Miysis. Clio goes to Irida to speak to the king. The pair and Ash return to the underworld in an effort to retrieve Lyre's ultimate weapon and for the final showdown between Lyre and his father.
I absolutely cannot wait to continue reading about these characters when Annette Marie publishes Blackfire. The first day it's out, I'll be reading it. Loved this whole trilogy, and Annette Marie, a very talented writer that more YA fans should be reading! Highly recommended trilogy.
May 3, 2019
Aaaah, this was so good. More people need to know about this amazing trilogy and also about the Steel and Stone books by Annette Marie.
December 10, 2019
DAMNIT. I need Blackfire.....I need to see their reunion- or I. will. truly. perish.
March 22, 2018
*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I screamed and cried so much crying. This book is amazing conclusion to a great trilogy. Clio and Lyre go through so much and every bit will keep on the edge of your seat. In my opinion, it is the best book in the series! If I could I would give it 10 stars. The writing is fantastic, Annette truly knows how to make you care and love her characters. Clio is such a strong woman that goes through so much in a short span. I love this book so much and can't wait for more in the next series!
Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, I screamed and cried so much crying. This book is amazing conclusion to a great trilogy. Clio and Lyre go through so much and every bit will keep on the edge of your seat. In my opinion, it is the best book in the series! If I could I would give it 10 stars. The writing is fantastic, Annette truly knows how to make you care and love her characters. Clio is such a strong woman that goes through so much in a short span. I love this book so much and can't wait for more in the next series!
January 8, 2019
I can't stop swooning. The most satisfying ending to the trilogy with a promise of a next sequel series, what else can I ask for. The two main characters easily became my top favorite heroes in recent literature, I swear I didn't roll my eyes even once. No smut, no sloppy sex scenes which make me gag. Everything elegant, but don't get me wrong, it is not YA, the main character is incubus after all. Annette's writing is catchy, tasteful and highly original. Who wants to read more about fairies, shifters or vampires if you can have demons!
June 7, 2024
2024 Reads #334/250
4.5🌟
4.5🌟
April 24, 2018
Surely, there must be more? Full review to come...
November 14, 2021
Nie mogę uwierzyć, że pierwsza książka z tej trylogii wpadła w moje ręce w sumie przez przypadek - nie znając autorki ani serii, zaciekawiła mnie tematyka. Czytając, bawiłam się niesamowicie, a język, którym pisze Annette Marie sprawiał, że płynęłam przez jej książki, pochłaniając kolejne rozdziały w niesamowitym tempie. Naprawdę przywiązałam się do postaci, a szczególnie do Liry, którego humor i charakter przypominał mi uwielbianego przez duże grono czytelników Nikolaia Lantsova z książek Leigh Bardugo. Idealnie komponował on się z drugą z głównych postaci - dość niezdarną i nieświadomą wielu rzeczy Clio. Jestem niemal pewna, że też pokochacie tę serię tak jak ja - musicie tylko dać jej szansę. I mam nadzieję, że ją od Was dostanie! 💙
July 6, 2025
2023: 4.0 (Original Audio)
2025: 4.5 (NEW Audio)
Average: 4.25
2025: 4.5 (NEW Audio)
Average: 4.25
March 21, 2018
"I received an ARC from the author for an honest review!"
I don't even know how to start. If you ever see a puddle of goo on the street know that that's me. Melted me.
It's very hard for me to form coherent phrases right now as I've just finished and my thoughts are scattered throughout the Underworld, Overworld and Earth.
The love I feel for Lyre and Clio right now is immense. To have that strength of character. To be so loyal, loving, passionate. To put so much soul. To fight every second of every day. To be consumed. I give them my blessings (no that they need it, but right now I feel like I'm their Godmother or something). I have had the absolute pleasure of seeing them grow from the first encounter to the last. And I am in awe, I am floored, I am completely sold.
If you haven't started to read this series yet then you are missing on one of the most beautiful pieces of writing out there. This series, and all the series from Ms. Annette Marie are pots of pure gold. The worlds she creates are like none others, the characters she builds are literally out of this world, and the plots she comes up with are going to make you sit glued to your screen.
This being the last book in the series I don't want to say things that could spoil your fun but I will tell you this, you are in for the ride of your life. We even have some characters from the Steel & Stone series that make it even more interesting and that will answer some questions that you may have if you've read S&S. I am talking about Miysis and Ash. Their addition to the story is the perfect ingredient that blends the two series together.
And as a bonus I will tell you that in the afterword the author promised there will be a sequel to the S&S series. If that doesn't make you fangirl I'm not sure what will. For me this is the best news I've received all year.
I don't even know how to start. If you ever see a puddle of goo on the street know that that's me. Melted me.
It's very hard for me to form coherent phrases right now as I've just finished and my thoughts are scattered throughout the Underworld, Overworld and Earth.
The love I feel for Lyre and Clio right now is immense. To have that strength of character. To be so loyal, loving, passionate. To put so much soul. To fight every second of every day. To be consumed. I give them my blessings (no that they need it, but right now I feel like I'm their Godmother or something). I have had the absolute pleasure of seeing them grow from the first encounter to the last. And I am in awe, I am floored, I am completely sold.
If you haven't started to read this series yet then you are missing on one of the most beautiful pieces of writing out there. This series, and all the series from Ms. Annette Marie are pots of pure gold. The worlds she creates are like none others, the characters she builds are literally out of this world, and the plots she comes up with are going to make you sit glued to your screen.
This being the last book in the series I don't want to say things that could spoil your fun but I will tell you this, you are in for the ride of your life. We even have some characters from the Steel & Stone series that make it even more interesting and that will answer some questions that you may have if you've read S&S. I am talking about Miysis and Ash. Their addition to the story is the perfect ingredient that blends the two series together.
And as a bonus I will tell you that in the afterword the author promised there will be a sequel to the S&S series. If that doesn't make you fangirl I'm not sure what will. For me this is the best news I've received all year.
April 16, 2019
4.5 Stars
The ending!!!!
This book was fabulous. I've learned that most of Annette Maries' books are. And I have been wondering where has she been for the rest of my life.
This book was heart-touching, true, emotional, full of humor and it touched me. I just wish I had read it before the Steel and Stone Series. I had loved Lyre a lot in the Steel and Stone Series, too, but now I just need a Lyre in my life.
As for all of Lyre's brothers:
This series contains certain parts where the reader loses all hope cuz there is no hope for the characters as far as he can see, but Annette Marie does it every time.
10 years- 10 f*cking years!!!!
Patience- patience.....
The ending!!!!
This book was fabulous. I've learned that most of Annette Maries' books are. And I have been wondering where has she been for the rest of my life.
This book was heart-touching, true, emotional, full of humor and it touched me. I just wish I had read it before the Steel and Stone Series. I had loved Lyre a lot in the Steel and Stone Series, too, but now I just need a Lyre in my life.
As for all of Lyre's brothers:
This series contains certain parts where the reader loses all hope cuz there is no hope for the characters as far as he can see, but Annette Marie does it every time.
10 years- 10 f*cking years!!!!
Patience- patience.....
November 29, 2024
I want this one out along with book 2.!!!!!!
Oh my!!!!!!! I want more.
Oh my!!!!!!! I want more.
June 16, 2025
I received a free copy from Tantor Audio and voluntarily reviewed it.
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and was excited to see how the series would wrap up in The Blood Curse. The Blood Curse was another action packed installment and I liked seeing even more of the world and the characters. The romance deepens in this one and that was great to see. And there are some interesting twist and turns plot wise. All in all a great ending to the series.
The Blood Curse starts shortly after the end of book 2 and were the other two books had a slower start this one starts right with action and danger. They have to stop Bastian from using the clock spell again and they get to that right away. Clio and Lyre have teamed up with Ash in this one, so there's a bit more about Ash too in this one. The plot had some interesting twists and turns. I hadn't expected a certain event to happen until the end, but seeing what happened next it made sense. There also was a battle I wasn't sure how they would win and it was great to see that play out.
The ending wraps things up very well, but it does have a note of sadness. I had actually expected this due to reading the first few chapters of Chase the Dark a while ago, but those scenes still hit me in the feels. I liked how the motivations and actions of the characters involved made sense and there was a very good reason for why these things happened. There is an epilogue set after the Steel & Stone series, so I'll get that after I finished that series as well.
I really liked seeing how Lyre and Clio have changed throughout the series. Especially Clio has come so far and I liked seeing some more confidence in her and how she handled things now, but she also still is that same Clio from book 1 and has her clumsy and naive moments. Lyre on the other hand has learned there are people who care about him, but still has that wary edge to him due to how he grew up. Seeing their romance deepen even more was awesome and I really liked seeing them grow even closer. I appreciated they had some quiet and calm moments to explore what was between them, before they had things to do again.
The world building in this series has been awesome and I hadn't expected there would be so much of it still in book 3, but I was delighted that there was so much. Clio and Lyre travel to the dessert where the griffins live and I liked reading about their city, the people and their culture. Then later on they visit a big city in the underworld and there is more about that city and the underworld castes that live there. The world building has been very unique and fresh and I like reading about all the magic. A lot of the battles involve weapons and magic and they made for some exciting actions scenes.
The two narrators for this series were great and I am really glad I listened to this series as they really help bring the world and characters alive.
To summarize: This was such a great ending to the series! The plot was engaging with plenty going on as well as a few quieter moments. I liked the twists and turns and seeing how it all plays out. the ending wraps things up well, but also has some sad parts and those hit me in the feels despite knowing some of what was coming. I liked seeing how much Lyre and Clio have changed throughout the series and seeing how their romance deepens in this one. I really like them as a couple. The world building in this series is awesome and I liked seeing even more of both the overworld and underworld in this one and especially the scenes in the griffin lands were interesting to me. All in all I had a great time with this series and I look forward to starting the Steel & Stone series soon.
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and was excited to see how the series would wrap up in The Blood Curse. The Blood Curse was another action packed installment and I liked seeing even more of the world and the characters. The romance deepens in this one and that was great to see. And there are some interesting twist and turns plot wise. All in all a great ending to the series.
The Blood Curse starts shortly after the end of book 2 and were the other two books had a slower start this one starts right with action and danger. They have to stop Bastian from using the clock spell again and they get to that right away. Clio and Lyre have teamed up with Ash in this one, so there's a bit more about Ash too in this one. The plot had some interesting twists and turns. I hadn't expected a certain event to happen until the end, but seeing what happened next it made sense. There also was a battle I wasn't sure how they would win and it was great to see that play out.
The ending wraps things up very well, but it does have a note of sadness. I had actually expected this due to reading the first few chapters of Chase the Dark a while ago, but those scenes still hit me in the feels. I liked how the motivations and actions of the characters involved made sense and there was a very good reason for why these things happened. There is an epilogue set after the Steel & Stone series, so I'll get that after I finished that series as well.
I really liked seeing how Lyre and Clio have changed throughout the series. Especially Clio has come so far and I liked seeing some more confidence in her and how she handled things now, but she also still is that same Clio from book 1 and has her clumsy and naive moments. Lyre on the other hand has learned there are people who care about him, but still has that wary edge to him due to how he grew up. Seeing their romance deepen even more was awesome and I really liked seeing them grow even closer. I appreciated they had some quiet and calm moments to explore what was between them, before they had things to do again.
The world building in this series has been awesome and I hadn't expected there would be so much of it still in book 3, but I was delighted that there was so much. Clio and Lyre travel to the dessert where the griffins live and I liked reading about their city, the people and their culture. Then later on they visit a big city in the underworld and there is more about that city and the underworld castes that live there. The world building has been very unique and fresh and I like reading about all the magic. A lot of the battles involve weapons and magic and they made for some exciting actions scenes.
The two narrators for this series were great and I am really glad I listened to this series as they really help bring the world and characters alive.
To summarize: This was such a great ending to the series! The plot was engaging with plenty going on as well as a few quieter moments. I liked the twists and turns and seeing how it all plays out. the ending wraps things up well, but also has some sad parts and those hit me in the feels despite knowing some of what was coming. I liked seeing how much Lyre and Clio have changed throughout the series and seeing how their romance deepens in this one. I really like them as a couple. The world building in this series is awesome and I liked seeing even more of both the overworld and underworld in this one and especially the scenes in the griffin lands were interesting to me. All in all I had a great time with this series and I look forward to starting the Steel & Stone series soon.
September 21, 2022
Jestem rozczarowana. Bardzo ale to bardzo. Niech cię szlag za to zakończenie. Nie, nie podoba mi się i jestem okropnie zła, że zakończyło się to w ten sposób.
Gdybym była bardziej nienawistną oceniłabym tą książkę na 1 gwiazdkę i to tylko z powodu tego jak się zakończyła.
Po tym wszystkim? No sorry ale nie. I jeszcze raz nie. To nie fair.
Także chyba najgorsza część w całej serii. Przeczytana szybko, dużo akcji i szybkie tempo historii. Raczej nie zwalniamy. Czy wątek romantyczny mi się podobał? Tak, chociaż w drugiej części wypadł najlepiej. Szybki przeskok między subtelnością a gwałtownym uniesieniem emocjami. Ja tak wolałabym aby pozostał slow burn ale przydałoby się więcej momentów gdzie mogłaby się ta relacją rozwijać. Ewidentnie akcja, walki, Potyczki i inne zdominowały całą opowieść.
I ja wciąż nie dostałam tyle Asha ile bym chciała. Pewnie w powiązanej serii jest go więcej. I nawet mam podejrzenia kiedy się ona odbywa. Co nie poprawia mi humoru ani trochę. I ja i bohaterowie jesteśmy pokrzywdzeni i taka jest moja opinia.
Ogółem przy całej serii bardzo dobrze się bawiłam, wręcz pochłonęłam ją w kilka wieczorów. Jednak rozczarownie pozostaje i nie mogę nazwać jej najlepsza jaka czytałam. Po zakończeniu plasuje się gdzieś w połowie. Ale plus za pomysłowość, kreatywnośc i brak nudy. Jednak na przyszłość wolałabym aby historia była dłuższą a ja doatalabym więcej momentów między głównymi bohaterami, czy też historii związanymi z pobocznymi. Nie było źle ale nie wiem czy sięgnę po powiązana serię tej autorki. Jeśli miałabym czekać tyle tomów praktycznie i nie dostać tego czego oczekuje lub czegoś co mnie zadowoli to nie dziękuję.
Gdybym była bardziej nienawistną oceniłabym tą książkę na 1 gwiazdkę i to tylko z powodu tego jak się zakończyła.
Po tym wszystkim? No sorry ale nie. I jeszcze raz nie. To nie fair.
Także chyba najgorsza część w całej serii. Przeczytana szybko, dużo akcji i szybkie tempo historii. Raczej nie zwalniamy. Czy wątek romantyczny mi się podobał? Tak, chociaż w drugiej części wypadł najlepiej. Szybki przeskok między subtelnością a gwałtownym uniesieniem emocjami. Ja tak wolałabym aby pozostał slow burn ale przydałoby się więcej momentów gdzie mogłaby się ta relacją rozwijać. Ewidentnie akcja, walki, Potyczki i inne zdominowały całą opowieść.
I ja wciąż nie dostałam tyle Asha ile bym chciała. Pewnie w powiązanej serii jest go więcej. I nawet mam podejrzenia kiedy się ona odbywa. Co nie poprawia mi humoru ani trochę. I ja i bohaterowie jesteśmy pokrzywdzeni i taka jest moja opinia.
Ogółem przy całej serii bardzo dobrze się bawiłam, wręcz pochłonęłam ją w kilka wieczorów. Jednak rozczarownie pozostaje i nie mogę nazwać jej najlepsza jaka czytałam. Po zakończeniu plasuje się gdzieś w połowie. Ale plus za pomysłowość, kreatywnośc i brak nudy. Jednak na przyszłość wolałabym aby historia była dłuższą a ja doatalabym więcej momentów między głównymi bohaterami, czy też historii związanymi z pobocznymi. Nie było źle ale nie wiem czy sięgnę po powiązana serię tej autorki. Jeśli miałabym czekać tyle tomów praktycznie i nie dostać tego czego oczekuje lub czegoś co mnie zadowoli to nie dziękuję.
April 3, 2018
Just excellent, and can't wait for the next series in this universe.
July 23, 2019
I a just going to hide in a corner and cry for the next hours until my heart stops hurting.
Another masterpiece by Annette Marie.
Another masterpiece by Annette Marie.
November 27, 2024
Loved it when I first read it, and year later, it still remains bad ass. I couldn't tell you what changed, though I know some things did, but it still felt like the characters I know and love.
April 23, 2018
Oh my! So good! I need the next book in the universe!
Third (last) books are always scary...what will the author do? How do we wrap this story? The Blood Curse lacks a bit of the emotional connection, mainly because I read the Steel & Stone series so I know Lyre and Ash are fine. Also, Clio must be okay-ish as well, but we don't know how or where she is.
The events of Spell Weaver happen 5 years before the Steel & Stone. So it was very nice to see Lyre in a more assertive and lead role. Also, Ash is young, impulsive, and very dark. So yay. We also get to see a lot of the Ra land - which surprised me and made me very happy.
Clio is an awesome lead character. She was not afraid to use her power and abilities. Also, her love for family was so strong. Lyre is amazing. I mean, he has the restraints of a saint - until he doesn't :D
We got a great closure to two different arcs - Clio's adventure with her brother at the KLOC and Lyre's escape of Chrysallis. There's a bonus epilogue that I highly recommend. It was amazing.
So yeah, I'm going to stop fangirling over this series. Annette Marie has done it again and I will continue to read every book she publishes.
Third (last) books are always scary...what will the author do? How do we wrap this story? The Blood Curse lacks a bit of the emotional connection, mainly because I read the Steel & Stone series so I know Lyre and Ash are fine. Also, Clio must be okay-ish as well, but we don't know how or where she is.
The events of Spell Weaver happen 5 years before the Steel & Stone. So it was very nice to see Lyre in a more assertive and lead role. Also, Ash is young, impulsive, and very dark. So yay. We also get to see a lot of the Ra land - which surprised me and made me very happy.
Clio is an awesome lead character. She was not afraid to use her power and abilities. Also, her love for family was so strong. Lyre is amazing. I mean, he has the restraints of a saint - until he doesn't :D
We got a great closure to two different arcs - Clio's adventure with her brother at the KLOC and Lyre's escape of Chrysallis. There's a bonus epilogue that I highly recommend. It was amazing.
So yeah, I'm going to stop fangirling over this series. Annette Marie has done it again and I will continue to read every book she publishes.
March 29, 2018
5.0. This may be my favorite Annette Marie book yet!
Plot:
Blood Curse picks up where Spell Weaver left off. Clio and Lyre must find Bastian before he can use the KLOC. Along the way, they face a variety of daemons, including Madrigal and Lyceus.
Characters:
In my last review, I said that I had liked Clio in the first book and liked her even more in the second. Well, I like her even more in this one. She is just about unstoppable when she puts her mind to something. She has her weaknesses, but she puts them aside to do what she needs to. Ash is back, and this time, we get to see past his warrior persona and get to know a friendlier side of him. While I like Clio and Ash, Lyre is definitely my favorite. We get to see how his love for Clio helps him to overcome some of the weaknesses cast upon him since he was a child.
Shadow Weave has several secondary characters. We learn more about Clio's and Lyre's families, but we also meet Miysis, who really comes into play in the Steel and Stone Series.
Writing:
Marie is an awesome world builder. She's taken the character through three completely different worlds and made it possible for her readers to envision each of those worlds distinctly. While that in itself is amazing, I have always been more impressed by her ability to take flawed characters, help them redeem themselves, and make readers see them as heroes.
In terms of content, if I had to rate the book, I’d probably give it a PG13. There is lots of language (including the F-bomb) and tons of violence. Blood Curse also has more adult situations than the previous books. They’re not graphic, but they may not be appropriate for younger readers.
The Bottom Line:
I have to say I was really nervous going into Blood Curse. I wasn't really happy with the way the Steel and Stone series ended, and I already knew a certain character from this series was missing in that one. But I will say I was truly pleasantly surprised with the reasoning behind the character's absence and with the transition Marie created between the two series. I was even more pleasantly surprised when I found out there's going to be a new series based in the Steel and Stone world. There's no way I'm going to miss that one.
Plot:
Blood Curse picks up where Spell Weaver left off. Clio and Lyre must find Bastian before he can use the KLOC. Along the way, they face a variety of daemons, including Madrigal and Lyceus.
Characters:
In my last review, I said that I had liked Clio in the first book and liked her even more in the second. Well, I like her even more in this one. She is just about unstoppable when she puts her mind to something. She has her weaknesses, but she puts them aside to do what she needs to. Ash is back, and this time, we get to see past his warrior persona and get to know a friendlier side of him. While I like Clio and Ash, Lyre is definitely my favorite. We get to see how his love for Clio helps him to overcome some of the weaknesses cast upon him since he was a child.
Shadow Weave has several secondary characters. We learn more about Clio's and Lyre's families, but we also meet Miysis, who really comes into play in the Steel and Stone Series.
Writing:
Marie is an awesome world builder. She's taken the character through three completely different worlds and made it possible for her readers to envision each of those worlds distinctly. While that in itself is amazing, I have always been more impressed by her ability to take flawed characters, help them redeem themselves, and make readers see them as heroes.
In terms of content, if I had to rate the book, I’d probably give it a PG13. There is lots of language (including the F-bomb) and tons of violence. Blood Curse also has more adult situations than the previous books. They’re not graphic, but they may not be appropriate for younger readers.
The Bottom Line:
I have to say I was really nervous going into Blood Curse. I wasn't really happy with the way the Steel and Stone series ended, and I already knew a certain character from this series was missing in that one. But I will say I was truly pleasantly surprised with the reasoning behind the character's absence and with the transition Marie created between the two series. I was even more pleasantly surprised when I found out there's going to be a new series based in the Steel and Stone world. There's no way I'm going to miss that one.
June 1, 2018
This is the last and, in my opinion, probably the best book in the Spell Weaver series. With a well-paced story and the perfect amount of action, The Blood Curse isn't a disappointing conclusion, but rather one of those books one can simply read and enjoy mindlessly without thinking too hard because the plot is simple and straightforward. I also loved that Ash was such an integral component to this part of their journey, having read the Steel & Stone series and becoming overly attached to him (and Piper).
However, I thought that certain people died too prematurely in the story of whom I was under the impression would be the 'final boss', having been portrayed as such from the first book. The climax was also short and slightly underwhelming, and I couldn't help but have a "really? after everything this is all that we get?" moment.
To be fair, though, this series has been a great source of entertainment. Books don't have to be perfect to be enjoyed. And I definitely did enjoy this, which is the bare minimum I can always expect from Annette Marie. I seriously can't wait for her next two series.
However, I thought that certain people died too prematurely in the story of whom I was under the impression would be the 'final boss', having been portrayed as such from the first book. The climax was also short and slightly underwhelming, and I couldn't help but have a "really? after everything this is all that we get?" moment.
To be fair, though, this series has been a great source of entertainment. Books don't have to be perfect to be enjoyed. And I definitely did enjoy this, which is the bare minimum I can always expect from Annette Marie. I seriously can't wait for her next two series.
October 20, 2024
AMAZING!!!!
Beautifully written, a lot of action. Fights with sword, with magic, really well described. I had difficulties to stop reading and go to sleep!
A roller coaster of emotions, the third book in the trilogy does not disapoint and I can't wait for what's next!
I love how badass Clio can be with her mimic magic and Lyre too. I got really excited when I met another character I liked from the Steel & Stone series, it made me very happy.
A must-read, like all the other books from Annette Marie!
Beautifully written, a lot of action. Fights with sword, with magic, really well described. I had difficulties to stop reading and go to sleep!
A roller coaster of emotions, the third book in the trilogy does not disapoint and I can't wait for what's next!
I love how badass Clio can be with her mimic magic and Lyre too. I got really excited when I met another character I liked from the Steel & Stone series, it made me very happy.
A must-read, like all the other books from Annette Marie!
April 18, 2018
The open ending to another series sucked....
October 16, 2024
Nah theres another series where he CHASES OVER A ANOTHER GIRL I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT. THAT ENDING MARKS THIS DOWN TO 2 STAR
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