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The Curse of Ophelia #1

The Curse of Ophelia

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The war is over. The curse is lifted. Malakai is gone.

It's been two years since Ophelia has seen the boy she loves. When a treaty was signed ending the war and lifting the curse on Mystique Warriors, Malakai left to attempt the sacred ritual known as the Undertaking.

He never returned, and the Undertaking was forbidden. Ophelia's world crumbled around her.

Since then, she has pursued a fruitless search for answers. When the deadly curse resurfaces only on her, Ophelia finds solace in the idea that when she dies, she may finally be reunited with her lost love. Then, a messenger appears, telling her that she alone may be the one to save her people.

With her closest friends by her side, Ophelia embarks on a race against death—one that will not only challenge her physically, but make her question the Mystique leaders, the Angels, and her belief in love.

Can she win the fight against fate before the curse takes her life, or will the betrayals exposed along the way kill her first?

Contains mature themes.

Audible Audio

First published February 7, 2023

2068 people are currently reading
56838 people want to read

About the author

Nicole Platania

10 books383 followers
Nicole Platania was born and raised in Los Angeles and completed her B.A. in Communications at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After two years of working in social media marketing, she traded Santa Barbara beaches for the rainy magic of London, where she completed her Masters in Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London. Nicole harbors a love for broken and twisty characters, stories that feel like puzzles, and all things romance. She can always be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine in hand, ready to discuss everything from celebrity gossip to your latest book theories.

Connect with her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter as @bynicoleplatania or at www.nicoleplatania.com.

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5 stars
649 (14%)
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1,569 (35%)
3 stars
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153 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 816 reviews
Profile Image for Nicole Platania.
46 reviews37 followers
October 6, 2023
I’ll write a more detailed explanation later, but for now I’ll leave it at this: I’m biased because I wrote this book, but it holds my heart. I hope it can find a place in yours, too.
Profile Image for Ashley.
660 reviews2,791 followers
April 17, 2024
OMG, WHAT DID I JUST READ? BECAUSE IT WAS FANTASTIC 🥹🥹🥹

This certainly doesn't get enough hype and it deserves IT ALL. If you like Throne of Glass by SJM and The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen, I really think you'll enjoy this!

The fmc is legit GOALS. The badass fmc that takes no shit is my all time favorite fantasy female main character but what really got me in this was the "who did this to HIM?" moment. I am unwell 🫠🫠

The plot in this is SO GOOD. I absolutely love a captive romance so I knew right off the bat I was going to enjoy this but add in an fmc that will do anything to find him and I AM DONE.

The last chapter has me dumbfounded - like I am ready to move on to book 2 because I am hooked and so in love with the characters.

Moments:
"I love you. Until the stars stop shining."

"I was Ophelia Tavania Alabath, the daughter of one of the most powerful Mystique bloodlines, future Second of our clan, and no one harmed those I loved without having to answer to me."

"I would have lived centuries in this Spirit-forsaken hole, faced any means of torture, if it meant you would live your days happily."

-new adult
-captive romance
-bonded by a tattoo
-curses
-badass fmc
-who did this to you?
.5🌶️ (one scene)
Profile Image for AC's.
92 reviews37 followers
Read
May 27, 2025
Dnf at 25%.

No more.
Profile Image for Poppy Sabrina.
297 reviews3,132 followers
February 7, 2025
3.5⭐️

This was definitely different to what I was expecting! Very different to other fantasies that I’ve read, this was based around warriors & angels and I really liked that idea, it felt unique

There’s two rival warrior clans, and there has been a war between them and a curse, which was lifted 2 years before the book starts. However the curse appears on Ophelia’s arm, and one of the seven angels appears to her telling her she’s the chosen one and has to embark on a journey to ascend as as a mystique warrior. At the same time as this, Ophelia’s love interest Malachai has been missing for 2 years presumed dead.

I really enjoyed the story and the book definitely was a slower start and really picks up around the 70% mark. I enjoyed the found family forming between the friends and how fast paced their adventure was. Toleks character was really great I liked him!

I just struggled a lot with the world building and how the magic works I don’t feel like it was explained very well, I have so many questions and about the magic inside the mountains having healing properties? I don’t really understand if they possess magic themselves or if it comes from the world around them, I also couldn’t quite picture the warrior clans and how they looked, and I was trying to wrap my head around how the bloodlines worked and the angels etc

However it was a fun read and I think I will pick up the 2nd book at some point to see where the story goes as the ending was really interesting!
Profile Image for Hannah.
607 reviews
June 18, 2023
cw: alcohol dependency, violence/torture

unfortunately this one did not work for me. didn’t mesh well with the writing, the dialogue was a bit much, and i didn’t like the mc at all. i liked a few of the side characters tho! but the plot was very formulaic and predictable. and the undertaking trials that were built up for 70% of the book were so underwhelming and easy. the plot itself was intriguing but the execution fell short for me. and the romance was very lackluster.
Profile Image for Lauren.
305 reviews664 followers
March 11, 2023
Congrats to Nicole on an excellent debut novel!!! This story is truly unique & the world is different than anything I’ve read. I’m truly excited to see where this journey goes.

Team Tolek. 10000%.

The first 40% was a lot of world building and the writing wasn’t as smooth as the last 60%. But once I hit that mark I couldn’t put it down.

I also wanted to strangle Ophelia for about 70% of the book lol like girl what are you doing?

But I really enjoyed Ophelia’s growth in the last 20% and the epilogue left me speechless!
Profile Image for Natasha Kosa Peterson.
368 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2025
1.75 ⭐️

I have no idea why this book is all over my FYP on booktok. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking
First off the first 65% was so freaking boring and I didn’t connect with any of the characters. Ophelia was whiny and insufferable …”I wasn’t made for skirts father I was made for swords” what fmc in a fantasy book hasn’t said that? So original 😆
The world building wasn’t great and I still had so many questions about the angels and the history of these two peoples?
The predicability was nauseating. By about 30% I figured out the whole book. Like literally EVERYTHING that happened 😆
And don’t even get me started on the romance. What romance?! I hated Malakai he is like the worst mmc ever. A coward & a liar
I seriously hope he falls off a cliff and Tol takes over 😂
Don’t even get my started on the stupid trials that took like ten pages 😂 😆 what why?
Soooooo
plot 👎🏻
World building 👎🏻
FMC 👎🏻
MMC 👎🏻
Magic system what magic system we don’t know anything about it besides that it sounds like crescent city’s “the drop” (which we know has inferior intent which I bet this one will too lol 😜)

I’ve heard the second gets better but I don’t really have anything motivating me to read it…when you don’t like fmc or mmc why would you? 🤔

So no don’t recommend this at all. It’s not ACOTAR or Throne of Glass or FBAA or the bridge kingdom. Lies lies lies.

Also it’s written very YA and there was one tiny spicy scene but it was bad because hey we had no romance to build upon it
Profile Image for L.B. Divine.
Author 11 books97 followers
January 28, 2024
The journey that I just went on while reading this was cohesively beautiful as it was emotionally engaging. Nicole is first and foremost, absolutely an incredible writer. The way that she’s able to plop the reader inside the mind of Ophelia and feel her frustrations and triumphs is outstanding. This doesn’t read like a debut novel, rather you can tell that every word and phrase has been crafted to fit the journey of the saga. I can’t wait to see what happens in the rest of the series because this one was so all-encompassing.

Ophelia herself is a star character and player. I can really see a lot of NA romantasy fans bonding to her (as did I) to all that she brings to the table. She’s strong, passionate — yet there is something beautifully human about the fact that she can feel such rage and raw human emotions. I found myself cheering for her in all corners and rooting for her success every time we cleared a hurdle.

Tolek.. where do I begin? Sassy, fun, elated, addicting, poetic… Just saying the hardest part of this book releasing is going to be me not being able to gate-keep this character from all of the super fans he’s about to have. He (and Nicole) deserve all of the success that’s coming for them. (Even though it’ll be hard for me to let go LOL)

For my NA romantasy fans… get ready. The Curse of Ophelia is about to take over the world. 🖤
Profile Image for Melanie Jakusz.
324 reviews11 followers
October 1, 2023
If you are looking for a book with instant gratification, this may not be the book for you. Minor spoilers ahead.

The book started off with Ophelia two years after the love of her life disappeared and her dream of being a Mystique Warrior was taken from her. Soon after the start of the story, she learns she has a curse that will lead to her imminent death. Because of this, it felt like she was resigned to her fate and therefore very closed off. It was difficult to build any strong ties to her or much of the character lineup as a result.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TOLEK. I found myself hoping Malakai committed some great betrayal so I could root for Ophelia and Tolek guilt free. No such luck, but there’s an entire series of opportunities.

On to the next!
Profile Image for Bailee Latham.
340 reviews11.7k followers
January 14, 2024
5 stars

The Curse of Ophelia follows, you guessed it, Ophelia. She is a warrior, her people being descended from angels. But, her people went to war, were cursed, and all has not been well since the war ended when the one her soul loves disappeared two years ago. Ophelia, with her friends and sister, decides to take fate in her own hands and embarks on a journey to follows the Angel Damien’s prophecy and save Malachi, her love.

Listen, I knew I was going to love this book within the first few chapters.

Found family, quests, magic… you name it, this book has it.

I am obsessed. The FMC, Ophelia, is SUCH. A. BADASS. She is giving muscle mommy and I’m here for every second of it. The friends that she has are each so different and make up the perfect main cast for the book. There were times when I gasped and when my heart broke for these characters, but I loved every second.

The magic system is unique and the storyline was never once boring.

I’m starting the second book immediately and no one can stop me.
Profile Image for Marianna Moore.
472 reviews65k followers
January 28, 2024
3.5⭐️
Okay hear me out… this book was SLOW and took me quite some time to get into. However the author still managed to get me deeply invested in the main characters and side characters which really kept me going and then the last 25% I was glued to the book and couldn’t put it down for a second! There is so so much potential with this story and I truly can’t wait to see where it goes so I will be diving into the next one! The FMC is such a bad ass and the found family elements are IMPECCABLE!! I also feel like the plot has taken a unique turn into something I’ve never seen in a romantasy before so consider me intrigued!
Profile Image for Lara.
145 reviews13 followers
July 24, 2024
2.5⭐️
1.5🌶️

I struggled with this one. The story was unique, but the adventure was a little too drawn out -only to fall flat and underwhelming when our FMC finally reached her destination. The reveals were also pretty predictable, so the twists weren’t very exciting. I found myself skimming a lot of the book, bc it just wasn’t keeping me engaged.

I also didn’t fall in love with any of the characters aside from little sis Jezebel, who seemed smarter and just way more interesting. I actually couldn’t stand our fmc Ophelia 😫 She came off as an annoying, privileged, impulsive brat. I was hoping she would get better, but I was cringing at the dialogue and her pov narration throughout the whole book. Maybe if this was marketed more as a YA, I would have appreciated it better?

& when things started to unravel, it honestly felt like I was reading an episode with **Doofenshmirtz from phineas and ferb lol.**

Although there’s definitely potential here for our fmc to grow, the plot to expand, and romance to rekindle/develop, I am just not itching to see what happens next. I may come back this series a little later and try again.
Profile Image for Anna.
246 reviews167 followers
August 30, 2023
i've had to think about it, but i think i am settling on 3.75. i've really enjoyed the first instalment of ophelia's journey, her world and her companions. i might have developed a sweet spot for tolek, santorina and jezebel the most, but i had fun reading about them all and can't wait to see how the dynamics will be now that malakai is there!

one of the things that interested me the most since the beginning was the world and magic system, and i hope to see more of that in the sequel to know more of it. i loved how ophelia began in the book and where she is now, always a force of nature, but eventually seeing her place in the world and her value. i am really curious to see what the plot has in store for her!

however, there is one thing that worries me about the plot and the turn it can take in the sequel... i have voiced this before so it won't come as a surprise... i do not love love triangles at all, and i am scared about those three characters falling into one. my wish and hope is that the original couple stays as they were at the beginning of the book (i have my reasons, come at me), but i guess we'll have to read the next book to find out!

overall, a great read and a really enjoyable first book in a new series!
Profile Image for KMart Vet.
1,540 reviews82 followers
March 3, 2024
Listen, this one drops you into it. But it will explain things in time. "The Curse of Ophelia" picks up two years after the conclusion of a war and the disappearance of Malakai during his Undertaking ritual to become a warrior. His childhood bonded Ophelia is left living in a world that remains haunted by the past and she descends into grief and alcohol abuse. While all of the rest of their friends have accepted his likely death, Ophelia never gives up hope. When an Angel insists that she continue to the now-outlawed Undertaking, Ophelia learns that the Curse (thought to be dormant) has reawakened in her.

I adored so many things about this book. I loved Ophelia and adored watching her grow, learn to lean on her friends, and struggle through her substance abuse. I loved the found family aspect of this. And listen, I am absolutely Team Tolek but I fully support Ophelia in her choice. These are some great and complex characters - you KNOW I love that.

I also enjoyed the world-building even if I don't understand a lot of it yet. I hope there are more answers upcoming. The only quibble I had was that I wish the villains had a little more subtlety to them. Otherwise, this was super well-written and I can't wait to read the next one! Deeply enjoyed this!

Profile Image for Pia.
291 reviews122 followers
December 22, 2022
Rating: 4 ✨
Spice: 0.75-1 🌶

Wow, what an amazing introduction to this series! Before starting this review, I would like to thank the author for the eARC opportunity. Like always, this review is completely voluntary and honest.

This book, this story, was so amazing and intriguing to read. The Curse of Ophelia is a story of healing, of chosen family, of self-discovery and a journey of emotional development that was just so beautiful to see unfold! This is truly a book I am so glad to have read.

Ophelia is such a refreshing character to read about and to be able to read this story from her point of view. She is such a fierce warrior and a powerful character overall. We can see her physical strength was there from the very beginning, however, we are able to see her evolve into such a force to be reckoned with, even more so than before. Her mental and emotional strength in the beginning was drained in a way, due to the events she had gone through, and seeing her built them both back up with the help of those she loves and love her back was incredible. Truly a beautiful journey.

Tolek. He is my baby and I will protect him at all costs. I want to see more of him and I have a feeling we will in TCOO2. His personality is such so flirty, witty, playful but he's so emotionally intelligent and can be so open with those he cares for. He is everything in one in my opinion and I adore him for it. And he is also such a skilled warrior that had me screaming 25/8. Love him.

Cypherion is also a character I adore and will protect him from everyone. You know what, both Tolek and Cypherion are mine. I said what I said! 😤 But Jezebel, Santorina, so many lovable characters I cannot wait to see again in book two.

If you love books with a strong warrior FMC, this book is for you. If you love the found/chosen family trope, this book is for you! If you love books with self discovery types of plots, this book is definitely for you. The world building was not overwhelming at all and I love how it slowly progressed and it wasn't thrown at you all at once in the beginning. I truly recommend this book and hope you give this amazing book a shot! 💕
Profile Image for Arielle.
601 reviews132 followers
February 7, 2023
Reposting for release day!!! 2/7/23
---
This was reallllly damn good but I shall be back to give it the review it deserves later when my children are sleeping 😂
---

I'm back and ready to flail. As most of you know I have been reading Dramione NONSTOP for the past, ohhhhh, year and a half now. For all of December and the first half of this month I have been back to actual books and I am not stopping any time soon. I forgot how much I missed walking in the shoes of all of these different characters in all of these other worlds, so, so much. This book was no exception.

As the first of a series, I was gladly thrust into an entirely new world full of complex governing structures, territories where people excelled at different things, and even other kinds of beings. Honestly there's still a bit I don't quite understand in the bigger scheme of things but I think that was intentional as the journey we went on with our main group of characters was to a specific place with a specific purpose. I have a feeling that we'll be seeing other lands and many more new characters as the series progresses.

Speaking of, while this story as a whole was a great balance of both plot and character-driven, I think the characters were my favorite part. I have always been that way. Obviously, a unique and well-developed plot (which this book definitely has) is very important but to me, having characters who are easy to relate to or even easy to love and hate is super important--always has been and always will be. Ophelia, our main character here is perfectly imperfect. She is a warrior at heart and because of that, she can be hot-headed and stubborn to a fault. Because she is still in a state of grief and mourning (a few different things) for the majority of this book, we get to see her as more than a larger than life Warrior figure--we see her humanity. We see her friends surrounding her, trying to help her and keep her sane. Cyph, Tolek, Rina, and even her sister Jezebel each play different roles in her life and keep her from breaking as best as they can. The found family trope is something that has always appealed to me because it means that these characters have CHOSEN to be a family. They don't feel obligated because they are blood related. they want to be there because...they just want to. I feel like I'm getting too deep into this but I just really love these characters so much, lol.

Anywayyyy this book has it all. Badass characters, romance that will make you ache, writing that I can't believe came from a debut author, and a plot that I'm dying for more of. You won't want to miss out on this one!


Huge thank you to Nicole Platania for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥
Profile Image for Clara (bookish_clara).
401 reviews24 followers
June 27, 2024
4.5 ⭐️

Firstly the writing is absolutely beautiful you really wouldn’t think it was a debut novel, I love how instantly it pulls you in and keeps you emotionally engaged. The world building is so descriptive and easy to understand as is the different characters and I found the plot completely fascinating.

Ophelia is outstanding as an fmc, I found her so relatable in everything she was going through while dealing with her grief after losing her love Malakai but at the same time her fierceness and belief that maybe things weren’t as they seemed,I was rooting for her at every moment throughout this book.

Out of all the side characters i absolutely loved Tolek and found him so entertaining but at the same time his devotion to Ophelia and being there for her only added to the enjoyment of this book as did the rest of her friends.

I throughly enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to carrying on with the series and to see what comes next. I really recommend this book if you love a strong warrior fmc, friends to lovers, found family, chosen one, quests, secrets and betrayal.
Profile Image for Dayna | daynas.bookshelf.
275 reviews839 followers
July 10, 2023
4.5🌟 this book. THIS BOOK.

I found a piece of myself in Ophelia that I’ve never found in another fictional character. her strength and determination made me fall in love with her, but what she endured in this book brought me even closer to her. PROTECT OPHELIA AT ALL COSTS PLEASE😭

the found family developed so well in such a short amount of time and the side characters are one of the highlights of tCoO!

I have such complex emotions about the end of this book. I cried for Ophelia, I’m angry for Ophelia, and I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes us. (i’m prepared to go to war to protect this girl, please Nicole spare me the trouble and give her an ounce of happiness PLEASE)
Profile Image for Steph💕.
285 reviews14 followers
May 23, 2023
Edit after first read as published:
A fantastic debut!!! Probably the best debut indie book I’ve ever read!


Saving my star review for when I can read this in proper book form!! I was a beta reader for this and I loved it so much!! The characters are all amazing and the world is so unique and different! The emotions in this book though 😭
Profile Image for Savannah.
242 reviews399 followers
August 7, 2023
I’m not sure why I waited so long to read this book because I was absolutely blown away and I loved it so much. The Curse of Ophelia is a refreshing take on fantasy romance that had me turning the pages until I was suddenly done and desperate for more. Nicole is a masterful story teller who combined thoughtful and intricate world building with heart warming romance, found family, and a quest to save the world into one action-packed, brilliant fantasy romance book.

She is in a tough place at the start, grieving from the loss of Malaki and unable to let him go or heal. She is a breath of fresh air as a character—she is so raw and feels everything so viscerally. But she’s also a fierce, badass, shabby heroine that would do anything to get the love of her life back. She’s so protective of her friends and I loved it.

I adored the found family in this book and it was definitely a highlight for me. They have a bond that is in breakable and would do anything for eachother. Tolek is an absolute cinnamon roll and I adore him.

The romance is perfect. It’s such a unique take to have the couple be together but separated at the beginning of the series and I really enjoyed it. We get some flashbacks of their relationship and it made me that much more desperate for Ophelia and Malakai to be back together. There’s even the “who did this to HIM” trope. I can’t wait for more of Ophelia and Malakai in book 2.

The world building is intricately woven, wholly fascinating, and immersive to the point where I didn’t even realize world building was being introduced because it was so natural. She did a wonderful job providing context to the world and the history of the war without it being overwhelming for the reader.

The plot is so engaging and I always love an epic quest in a fantasy book.

This book is a MUST read for romantasy readers! The Curse of Ophelia is a brilliant New Adult fantasy romance debut and I can’t wait for the next book and anything else Nicole writes.

Things to expect:
-Lost love
-Flashbacks
-Stabby Warrior FMC
-Found family
-Fae
-A journey to save the world/kingdom
-Who did this to HIM
-Epic quest

The Curse of Ophelia has some of my favorite romance quotes ever. This was the first time I annotated a book because I couldn��t not do it
Profile Image for Monica.
81 reviews7 followers
February 27, 2023
Coming on here to update my review. Even though I still stand by my original review from last Spring, I never explained what a masterpiece TCOO is, and how the story impacted me. So I hope that by the end of this review, I’ve convinced you to read it!

The Curse of Ophelia (“TCOO”) by Nicole Platania is exactly what the Fantasy Romance book world has needed. From the very first page to the last, you can tell that TCOO is filled with all the nostalgia of fantasy books we grew up with as kids, but with the effortless achievement of discussing adult themes such as grief and substance consumption and abuse.

TCOO offers readers beloved tropes such as Found Family (a personal favorite) and Friends to Lovers (this book fully converted me to a FtL stan), all the while providing the adventure and suspense of legendary books and authors like JRR Tolkien and George RR Martin. If you’re a fan of soul-searching quests and establishing justice among realms, which a strong female lead, then TCOO is what you’ve been looking for.

TCOO opens up with a grieving and troubled Ophelia. After losing the most important person in her life with no explanation and then being told she wasn’t going to be allowed to fulfill her destiny, readers can already tell we’re in for a world of adventure and character building. With the help of her sister and her gang of loyal friends, Ophelia sets off on a journey that she knows could possibly kill her. But for her and her people, she’s willing to risk it.

When I was reading TCOO, I saw so much of me in Ophelia that by the end of the book, I felt like I went on a spiritual journey myself. Ophelia and her journey left me with a sense of purpose and identity that I knew I always had, but needed to be reminded of. And that’s what makes TCOO an incredible book. It has readers experience the full spectrum of emotions while also finishing pieces of themselves that they thought they lost.

✨⚔️🌋💜




Listen to me when I tell ya’ll: you won’t want to miss this.

(Yes I am allowed to make this review bc HUZZAH! I’ve already read it and I’m reading it again and it’s a ✨masterpiece✨.)
26 reviews
January 23, 2023
This book. Losing my mind right now. Trying to describe the feeling in a few sentences is impossible.

Immediately from the first chapter it felt like I was reading an epic fantasy, warrior clans, badass fmc, a curse that can not be lifted… I think I’ve seen this film before… and I LOVED THE ENDING.

The journey from start to finish is gorgeously done. World building is also easy to follow which is usually difficult for me. Within the first few chapters I had a solid idea of how the world worked, and the social hierarchy.

Each character has extreme depth, you’ll definitely find someone you click with. Of course the found family is so heartwarming, I felt like I belonged with them. Personally I always prefer character driven books but this one has the character aspect PLUS a stellar plot.

Ophelia Alabath came into my life at the perfect time. I related so much to her flaws and at times it felt like a mirror. She’s broken, lonely, extremely sad, and regretful, all emotions that are so strong they are difficult to cope with it. I know there will be people who do not love her and think she’s too much but she felt so REAL to me. Even when I couldn’t fully understand her, it helped me learn why people may behave a certain way. I think everyone can benefit from Ophelia, I adore her as a main character.

Will not be touching in on the other character that I adore so much but lemme just say ifykyk… ;)

THE ENDING. JAW ON THE FLOOR. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. BEST PART ABOUT READING IS THE TWISTS AND TURNS. This book SERVES alllll of that and more. You will be shocked and crying but it’s worth it and wouldn’t want it any other way.


Profile Image for Celeste Raine.
248 reviews204 followers
February 23, 2023
Updated:
The more I think about this book, the more I am absolutely insatiable for the next book in the series and with how much I loved book one. Nicole.. i need it ASAP.

- rage
- grief
- found family
- tension
- angst
- curses, angels, fae, warriors
- subterfuge
- flipping a MAJOR trope on its head 👀👀👀👀
1 x 🌶️

Firstly, thank you Nicole for allowing me the opportunity to read the ARC.

This book does not read as a debut author novel. This has been written and edited so wonderfully. The tense and language remains cohesive from start to finish and Spirits (😉) do I appreciate that.

Ophelia’s journey through grief, rage, and self destruction was well thought out and executed. The loss of Malakai was vivid that you could truly see how it helped her become an avenging, strong FMC.

The found family/friendship was STRONG in this book. But the way I NEED MORE OF TOL IS AN INSATIABLE THIRST.

This book is full of adventure and secrets unraveling at the seams with some wonderful prose.

There is a lot of internal dialogue throughout this book and I did love that aspect however, I also hoped for just a bit more dialogue between characters, too.

Overall, this was a brilliant first book in a fantasy series that I cannot wait to read more of, with romance, tension, questions, angels, pain, grief and a tiny bit of spice.

Congratulations Nicole. I am truly so excited to read the next book in the series because there are SO MANY QUESTIONS I NEED ANSWERING AND I NEED SOME TOL ACTION TYSM.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Swanson.
278 reviews27 followers
June 29, 2023
“I am Ophelia Alabath, and I am anything but inadequate.”

When I say I LOVED this book I mean I loved it so freaking much.

What does the Curse of Ophelia have? Let me tell you:

✨ Badass Warrior Main Character
✨ Found family you can’t help falling in love with (Tolek was everything I hoped he’d be and more ♥️)
✨ Tragic love story
✨ Intriguing new world (Clans and Mystic Warriors? Sign me up)
✨ Deadly curse
✨ Political intrigue
✨ Action filled quest

The characters, the world, the plot EVERYTHING. I was sucked into this world from the first page. The kind of book I thought about when I wasn’t reading it. It demanded my time and attention. The world and the plot was so unique from any other fantasy romance I’ve ever read.

It was everything Nicole promised and more 🖤

Thank you Nicole for sending me this ARC. Having to wait until February 7th to read this would have been torture 😝 now everyone go preorder and add the book to your TBR. You will not regret it!

✨The Curse of Ophelia✨
📚 Fantasy Romance, lil spice 🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
248 reviews556 followers
October 18, 2023
What a beautiful debut! I was excited to pick this up because I'd heard great things from friends on bookstagram- and NA romantic fantasy is my favorite kind of book by far.

This was a unique fantasy world and had a ton of character development, esp for the mc, Ophelia. Parts of her were hard to put up with (we go back and forth and see snippets of herself 2 years prior + present), but she pulled through as a fierce and lovable character in the end for me. I love that she ultimately came into herself, trusted and believed in herself after going through so much misery in her life.

The setting the stage in the first part of the book didn't draw me in completely, but by the second half I was hooked. And the ending- I was shocked and loved how the world opened up sooo much bigger. It made me really excited to see what will happen in book 2.

If you love NA fantasy - perfectly mixed plot + romance- I'd recommend Curse of Ophelia!
Profile Image for Diellza Kaba.
93 reviews245 followers
December 23, 2022
First and foremost, thank you so much to the author for sending me an arc! This book was already on my tbr and it truly blew me away. Ophelia is such a real, raw, and just overall relatable character and I truly connected with her. She struggles with sudden loss and is dealing with hopelessness and we’re right there alongside her, supporting her to find her footing again. Ophelia’s entire friend group felt like they were MY friend group- such an amazing found family to read about, it’s so rare for me to be fully invested in each of the side characters in a story, but I really am and I care for them so much 😭. Only a few pages in I got that “first chapter feeling” and already knew that this book would be an all time fav and my intuition was not wrong, this book will be my go to comfort reread until book 2 is in our hands 😫. I highly HIGHLY suggest everyone pick it up!
Profile Image for Michaela (books.with.mick).
251 reviews5 followers
March 27, 2023
Reread notes: THANK YOU NICOLE for providing me with an ARC of this book! It is such a beautiful story and I loved seeing how everything came together. You all need this book in your life.



This book is FANTASTIC. I absolutely adore all of the characters and it was so much fun to go on this wild journey with Ophelia.

The focus on mental health is wonderful, working through grief and learning to let others help you.

Tolek Vincienzo owns my entire being and I will love him forever.

Cannot wait until this is published, it is a superb read and will certainly be a favorite series. Book 2 can't come soon enough!! There's so many answers I need!
Profile Image for Taylor Gingrich.
7 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2022
This book is beautifully written with superb descriptions and a setting that lets you fall right into the world. It follows the story of a girl who has lost her first love and has been denied her power. She is angry (rightfully so) and I love how this story focuses so much on her transformation as person and learning to trust while she goes on a journey of self-discovery (and a journey to win back the things that matter most to her). The bits of information revealed at the end is a great twist and leaves you wanting more. Love Ophelia and all her friends.
Profile Image for courtney ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚.
151 reviews1 follower
August 4, 2024
3.5 ⭐️

i really enjoyed this book actually! i don’t think its the best book i’ve ever read but it was fun and super interesting and the way the author writes things is with so much depth and beauty its so refreshing to read!
the one thing that rly got me is the ages of ophelia and malakai like they r so young… but i guess its a YA book so i understand but yeah it was a bit off putting for me…
anyway im so team tolek like he’s such husband material i think i will continue the series eventually so see where things go with him :3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 816 reviews

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