What do you think?
Rate this book
Monstrous Romances #2
Cursed Embrace: A Dark Monster Romance
A unicorn cursed with mortality...
Sucked into a world of darkness, my identity stolen,
I’m captured by demons and taken to their master.
Caught in a realm of monsters, dreams blur with reality,
But I can’t let the darkness steal my light.
A beast, condemned to darkness...
A prince of demons. A monster lurking in an ominous castle.
I am a demanding creature of hunger and obsession.
She’s the prey who stumbled into my den.
An enchanting creature, both infuriating and ethereal.
I want to consume her, body and soul.
She’s mine. All mine.
A wicked man, more fearsome than the demons...
The Crimson King. The Red Bull. Above all; a collector.
A wizard obsessed with dark magic and filling his mythical menagerie,
he’s set his sight on the last unicorn in existence.
Not even the barriers between worlds will hinder him.
Can a possessive beast deter him from his prize?
Sucked into a world of darkness, my identity stolen,
I’m captured by demons and taken to their master.
Caught in a realm of monsters, dreams blur with reality,
But I can’t let the darkness steal my light.
A beast, condemned to darkness...
A prince of demons. A monster lurking in an ominous castle.
I am a demanding creature of hunger and obsession.
She’s the prey who stumbled into my den.
An enchanting creature, both infuriating and ethereal.
I want to consume her, body and soul.
She’s mine. All mine.
A wicked man, more fearsome than the demons...
The Crimson King. The Red Bull. Above all; a collector.
A wizard obsessed with dark magic and filling his mythical menagerie,
he’s set his sight on the last unicorn in existence.
Not even the barriers between worlds will hinder him.
Can a possessive beast deter him from his prize?
273 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2025
27 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Raven Flanagan
35 books183 followersRaven first started writing as a young teen, but it wasn't until 2019 when she decided to start writing again and decided to revamp and finish a childhood story that her passion for writing really blossomed.
Now she writes steamy romances with the hopes of sharing those stories with others.
Mother, nerd, and chaotic daydreamer
Follow me on social media to stay up to date with future books!
Instagram: @AuthorRaveFlanagan
Tiktok: @AuthorRaveFlanagan
Now she writes steamy romances with the hopes of sharing those stories with others.
Mother, nerd, and chaotic daydreamer
Follow me on social media to stay up to date with future books!
Instagram: @AuthorRaveFlanagan
Tiktok: @AuthorRaveFlanagan
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 16, 2025
If you have never read or watched the classic The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle, you might find this to be a good read.
If you have read or watched TLU, you’ll be struck by the startling similarities - complete passages and narrative that is pulled directly from the source, run through a Thesaurus, and spit back out.
This is plagiarism.
If you have read or watched TLU, you’ll be struck by the startling similarities - complete passages and narrative that is pulled directly from the source, run through a Thesaurus, and spit back out.
This is plagiarism.
May 15, 2025
Mavros 🥵😍 I love him so much he was giving me beast vibes (beauty and the beast) which i absolutely loved. and the imps omg I couldn't but love them .
the crimson king, ugh, I dont even want to talk about him.
my favorite part and swoony was when he taught her read 📚 like the cutest thing ever.
chapter 11🔥🔥
Astoria she such sweet and protective one :)
“I do not fear my dreams of you.”
the crimson king, ugh, I dont even want to talk about him.
my favorite part and swoony was when he taught her read 📚 like the cutest thing ever.
chapter 11🔥🔥
Astoria she such sweet and protective one :)
“I do not fear my dreams of you.”
Read
May 25, 2025DNF Review:
(aka: The one where the unicorn was me... running away.)
Okay besties, I saw the words cursed unicorn, demon prince, and obsessive monster daddy and I thought—this is IT. This is my villain origin story! I was ready to be taken, ruined, enchanted, and left emotionally unstable in the best way.
But instead?
I was taken…
By confusion.
Ruined…
By boredom.
Enchanted?
Not even a little.
By chapter TWO I was like: Is this dark fantasy or an abstract poetry slam in a haunted Hot Topic? Nothing made sense, everything was dramatic (but not in the fun way), and I felt like I accidentally walked into someone else’s dreamscape and couldn’t find the exit.
Our unicorn girl? Supposedly magical. But felt like a Tumblr quote generator on shuffle.
The demon prince? I wanted to simp. I really did. But he had the energy of a sleep-deprived goth boy trying too hard to be mysterious in a group chat.
And that Crimson King dude? Bro, chill. Go touch some grass (or like… burn in a volcano, idk).
I tried. I tried. But even my dark romance heart couldn’t hold on. By the time the second chapter hit, I was already mentally DNF-ing and scrolling TikTok like, “Was it me? Am I the problem?” No babe, the book just wasn't giving.
So yeah. DNF at chapter two. This unicorn trotted back to the smutty forest where the monsters actually make me feral.
(aka: The one where the unicorn was me... running away.)
Okay besties, I saw the words cursed unicorn, demon prince, and obsessive monster daddy and I thought—this is IT. This is my villain origin story! I was ready to be taken, ruined, enchanted, and left emotionally unstable in the best way.
But instead?
I was taken…
By confusion.
Ruined…
By boredom.
Enchanted?
Not even a little.
By chapter TWO I was like: Is this dark fantasy or an abstract poetry slam in a haunted Hot Topic? Nothing made sense, everything was dramatic (but not in the fun way), and I felt like I accidentally walked into someone else’s dreamscape and couldn’t find the exit.
Our unicorn girl? Supposedly magical. But felt like a Tumblr quote generator on shuffle.
The demon prince? I wanted to simp. I really did. But he had the energy of a sleep-deprived goth boy trying too hard to be mysterious in a group chat.
And that Crimson King dude? Bro, chill. Go touch some grass (or like… burn in a volcano, idk).
I tried. I tried. But even my dark romance heart couldn’t hold on. By the time the second chapter hit, I was already mentally DNF-ing and scrolling TikTok like, “Was it me? Am I the problem?” No babe, the book just wasn't giving.
So yeah. DNF at chapter two. This unicorn trotted back to the smutty forest where the monsters actually make me feral.
June 19, 2025
Writing is beautiful and descriptive, the story of an escaping mythical being running into the arms of the prince of demons 😈
Astoria was dropped into a world she did not know, in a body she didn't understand with feelings that overwhelm. We get to see her learn and understand her new life while trying to come to terms with her change💕 and fall for the Prince😈 I loved seeing her finally understand and let herself fall🫠🫠💕
Mavros was an excellent Prince of Demons a morally dark MMC, from the touches he stole from Astoria (unapologetically), to how he fell for her and protected her till the end 🫠
"And the way he was kissing me, I could feel the foundation of a home setting its bones in place."
Thank you for the ARC!
Astoria was dropped into a world she did not know, in a body she didn't understand with feelings that overwhelm. We get to see her learn and understand her new life while trying to come to terms with her change💕 and fall for the Prince😈 I loved seeing her finally understand and let herself fall🫠🫠💕
Mavros was an excellent Prince of Demons a morally dark MMC, from the touches he stole from Astoria (unapologetically), to how he fell for her and protected her till the end 🫠
"And the way he was kissing me, I could feel the foundation of a home setting its bones in place."
Thank you for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 26, 2025Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the book. I never saw the unicorn thing other reviews mentioned so it wasn't a problem for me. There were other issues, though.
The writing wasn't for me. There were descriptions everywhere, all the time. Don't get me wrong, they were beautifully written, but do we really need a description of the trees, sky, magic, trees again, and a flashback to a different time while the FMC is running for her life? There were so many descriptions that it completely diluted what little plot there was.
The main issue, though, was the FMC. First, she was a horse. Even in the human form, she very much missed being a horse. I'm sorry, but there's nothing sexy about that for me :D
Worse, however, was how stupid she was. I despise the type of FMCs who are like "Oh my god, my captor is so incredibly SCARY and he might just KILL me so I should really keep my mouth shut and play nice, but I'm going to needle him for NO REASON AT ALL and then get frightened when he inevitably snaps and yells at me. And oh, god, I'm even more scared now so I'm going to needle him EVEN MORE, because, like, that's the most logical thing I can do in my situation, right?" And the horse lady was the embodiment of that. Ugh.
Sorry, I'm sure this book will find its readers but it was not for me.
The writing wasn't for me. There were descriptions everywhere, all the time. Don't get me wrong, they were beautifully written, but do we really need a description of the trees, sky, magic, trees again, and a flashback to a different time while the FMC is running for her life? There were so many descriptions that it completely diluted what little plot there was.
The main issue, though, was the FMC. First, she was a horse. Even in the human form, she very much missed being a horse. I'm sorry, but there's nothing sexy about that for me :D
Worse, however, was how stupid she was. I despise the type of FMCs who are like "Oh my god, my captor is so incredibly SCARY and he might just KILL me so I should really keep my mouth shut and play nice, but I'm going to needle him for NO REASON AT ALL and then get frightened when he inevitably snaps and yells at me. And oh, god, I'm even more scared now so I'm going to needle him EVEN MORE, because, like, that's the most logical thing I can do in my situation, right?" And the horse lady was the embodiment of that. Ugh.
Sorry, I'm sure this book will find its readers but it was not for me.
June 1, 2025
A unicorn torn from magic. A demon bound by rage. A bond that is anything but safe.
She was the last unicorn, hidden in a timeless forest, until a desperate spell shattered everything. Now mortal, Astoria wakes in Infernus, a brutal realm of beasts and shadows, grieving lost magic and the life she left behind. But Infernus is no sanctuary, and she'll have to learn how to fight, feel, and burn.
Mavros, the half-demon prince who rules this realm, is built from wrath and ruin. He's no savior. Born of fire and fury, he’s built a kingdom on control and fear. When Astoria arrives, her magic calls to something buried deep in him. She's not like the mortals he's crushed or the enemies he's faced. Her fire and defiance pulls him closer. Her pain mirrors his own. Her presence awakens instincts he's buried beneath violence and command.
What starts with distrust slowly twists into something deeper as both fight the ghosts of who they were. Astoria evolves from a fragile exile into a force that stands her ground, embracing her humanity without forgetting her magic. Mavros, hardened by betrayal and isolation, learns to protect without possession and opens himself to something he never believed he deserved.
Their attraction grows from cautious touches to raw, consuming need that is as intense as the magic that binds them. Together, they face haunting pasts, dark powers, and the Crimson King’s wrath. In a world where survival takes everything, they find something worth holding onto, a love that changes everything.
A dark, steamy, enemies to lovers, fated mates, monster romantasy, exploring love, connection, identity, transformation, survival, grief, power, sacrifice, trust, redemption, belonging, control, fate, vengeance, healing, submission, free will, fear, and memory. It's a journey through monsters, memory, and magic, where survival isn't just about strength but about finding someone worth breaking for.
She was the last unicorn, hidden in a timeless forest, until a desperate spell shattered everything. Now mortal, Astoria wakes in Infernus, a brutal realm of beasts and shadows, grieving lost magic and the life she left behind. But Infernus is no sanctuary, and she'll have to learn how to fight, feel, and burn.
Mavros, the half-demon prince who rules this realm, is built from wrath and ruin. He's no savior. Born of fire and fury, he’s built a kingdom on control and fear. When Astoria arrives, her magic calls to something buried deep in him. She's not like the mortals he's crushed or the enemies he's faced. Her fire and defiance pulls him closer. Her pain mirrors his own. Her presence awakens instincts he's buried beneath violence and command.
What starts with distrust slowly twists into something deeper as both fight the ghosts of who they were. Astoria evolves from a fragile exile into a force that stands her ground, embracing her humanity without forgetting her magic. Mavros, hardened by betrayal and isolation, learns to protect without possession and opens himself to something he never believed he deserved.
Their attraction grows from cautious touches to raw, consuming need that is as intense as the magic that binds them. Together, they face haunting pasts, dark powers, and the Crimson King’s wrath. In a world where survival takes everything, they find something worth holding onto, a love that changes everything.
A dark, steamy, enemies to lovers, fated mates, monster romantasy, exploring love, connection, identity, transformation, survival, grief, power, sacrifice, trust, redemption, belonging, control, fate, vengeance, healing, submission, free will, fear, and memory. It's a journey through monsters, memory, and magic, where survival isn't just about strength but about finding someone worth breaking for.
June 8, 2025
4.25!!
Mavros had a mouth on him! He was mean, but caring and wanted to have Astoria with him so much that he couldn’t contain himself. Those sleeping scenes were…steamy!!! I was rooting for him to show his softer side to her, and when he did, how could Astoria not fall too?
Astoria was such a deep character. Her whole existence had changed in the blink of an eye because some evil guy was “racist” and now her life as an air spirit was forever over. I liked how she faced the new reality, how she overcame her grief and found her old self in her new life with her monster by her side.
I genuinely enjoyed the story, the pacing and the chemistry between the characters. The bad guy was bad, the stakes were high and the romance was perfect.
The prose annoyed me a bit but only on the beginning, it evolved and turned into normal fantasy wording so much better.
But, the cuts and jumps between chapters/scenes sometimes were confusing and disjointed.
And I wanted Astoria to be a bit more proactive in the fight, but her character was great nevertheless.
Quotes:
She had escaped from something, and I would be her refuge.
She was aroused because of me. I caused it. I owned it.
He touched me like I was sacred, like I was fire, and he'd lived his whole life in the cold.
"Your scent, it drives me mad. I try to resist it, I promise I do. But how can I when the scent of your fear is an alluring perfume? Gods, it's like a drug."
One of us wanted to hunt, to eat. One of us wanted to run before being devoured.
"So tight, and wet, and perfect. All mine. Made just for me."
"Be good for me. Oh, fuck. So good for me. Feels so good. Just be good for me, keep taking my cock so well. I'll make it good for you. Just keep taking me."
And I would keep her. Not as one keeps a bird in a cage, but like a god on a pedestal.
"No matter what form you take, you are mine. Always."
Love was pain, and I'd willingly carry that bittersweet ache as long as Mavros allowed me to build my new home in him.
Mavros had a mouth on him! He was mean, but caring and wanted to have Astoria with him so much that he couldn’t contain himself. Those sleeping scenes were…steamy!!! I was rooting for him to show his softer side to her, and when he did, how could Astoria not fall too?
Astoria was such a deep character. Her whole existence had changed in the blink of an eye because some evil guy was “racist” and now her life as an air spirit was forever over. I liked how she faced the new reality, how she overcame her grief and found her old self in her new life with her monster by her side.
I genuinely enjoyed the story, the pacing and the chemistry between the characters. The bad guy was bad, the stakes were high and the romance was perfect.
The prose annoyed me a bit but only on the beginning, it evolved and turned into normal fantasy wording so much better.
But, the cuts and jumps between chapters/scenes sometimes were confusing and disjointed.
And I wanted Astoria to be a bit more proactive in the fight, but her character was great nevertheless.
Quotes:
She had escaped from something, and I would be her refuge.
She was aroused because of me. I caused it. I owned it.
He touched me like I was sacred, like I was fire, and he'd lived his whole life in the cold.
"Your scent, it drives me mad. I try to resist it, I promise I do. But how can I when the scent of your fear is an alluring perfume? Gods, it's like a drug."
One of us wanted to hunt, to eat. One of us wanted to run before being devoured.
"So tight, and wet, and perfect. All mine. Made just for me."
"Be good for me. Oh, fuck. So good for me. Feels so good. Just be good for me, keep taking my cock so well. I'll make it good for you. Just keep taking me."
And I would keep her. Not as one keeps a bird in a cage, but like a god on a pedestal.
"No matter what form you take, you are mine. Always."
Love was pain, and I'd willingly carry that bittersweet ache as long as Mavros allowed me to build my new home in him.
June 23, 2025
3.5 stars
If The Last Unicorn and Beauty and the Beast had a baby, and then handed it off to a very possessive, very spicy demon, it might look a lot like Fate and Monsters. This story blends myth, magic, and monster heat in a way that feels both nostalgic and darkly fresh.
Astoria, a Sylph cursed into a mortal form, is thrust into a realm of demons where she captures the attention of Mavros, a beastly prince driven by obsession and hunger. Their connection is magnetic from the start, the chemistry is intense, the spice is rough and shadowy, and Mavros is the kind of possessive monster romance fans devour.
There’s a solid fantasy foundation here with dark castles, cursed creatures, and twisted magic. The villain (a power-hungry Crimson Mage) adds high-stakes tension. Fans of darker romances will appreciate the somno elements, size difference, and dominant praise woven throughout the story.
That said, this one didn’t completely hit the mark for me. The pacing lagged in places, especially early on, and while the prose is beautifully descriptive, it occasionally tipped into overdone. The dialogue between the leads sometimes felt out of step with the otherwise flowery narration, and I found myself wishing for more grounded, emotional interactions to balance the heat.
Still, for readers who love dark fairytale retellings with monster spice, fated obsession, and a story that dips into both danger and desire, this is a unique addition to the monster romance genre. Not perfect, but memorable.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this early.
If The Last Unicorn and Beauty and the Beast had a baby, and then handed it off to a very possessive, very spicy demon, it might look a lot like Fate and Monsters. This story blends myth, magic, and monster heat in a way that feels both nostalgic and darkly fresh.
Astoria, a Sylph cursed into a mortal form, is thrust into a realm of demons where she captures the attention of Mavros, a beastly prince driven by obsession and hunger. Their connection is magnetic from the start, the chemistry is intense, the spice is rough and shadowy, and Mavros is the kind of possessive monster romance fans devour.
There’s a solid fantasy foundation here with dark castles, cursed creatures, and twisted magic. The villain (a power-hungry Crimson Mage) adds high-stakes tension. Fans of darker romances will appreciate the somno elements, size difference, and dominant praise woven throughout the story.
That said, this one didn’t completely hit the mark for me. The pacing lagged in places, especially early on, and while the prose is beautifully descriptive, it occasionally tipped into overdone. The dialogue between the leads sometimes felt out of step with the otherwise flowery narration, and I found myself wishing for more grounded, emotional interactions to balance the heat.
Still, for readers who love dark fairytale retellings with monster spice, fated obsession, and a story that dips into both danger and desire, this is a unique addition to the monster romance genre. Not perfect, but memorable.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this early.
June 11, 2025
The last unicorn and beauty and the beast were some of my favorite movies growing up. The last unicorn especially is something near and dear to my heart that I still watch to this day. When I heard that this book was a retelling of both I was super excited for it! I’ll start by saying it definitely had that 90s/early 2000s dark fantasy vibe. Between the dark castle, the Infernus realm and the Crimson Mage, it definitely felt like a dark fantasy novel. The romance was also dark, at times it was hard to tell if Mavros wanted to eat or pleasure Astoria, which gave the spicy scenes a dangerous edge. I especially liked the somno elements and all the praise that Mavros would heap onto her.
However, it took a really long time for me to get through this book. At 216 pages, this should’ve been a one sitting read for me and it took over 2 days to finish. The language was very flowery, to the point where it felt like very adjective was being thrown at a sentence. There wasn’t heaps of dialogue between Astoria and Mavros to carry you through either. And when there was, it felt like it didn’t 100% match the extremely descriptive language in non-talking scenes. It just started to feel like too many words to describe things after a while. There also wasn’t a ton of detailed domestic scenes that endeared you to the MCs as a couple. It was okay, maybe just not what I expected it to be so I’m putting it at 3 stars.
However, it took a really long time for me to get through this book. At 216 pages, this should’ve been a one sitting read for me and it took over 2 days to finish. The language was very flowery, to the point where it felt like very adjective was being thrown at a sentence. There wasn’t heaps of dialogue between Astoria and Mavros to carry you through either. And when there was, it felt like it didn’t 100% match the extremely descriptive language in non-talking scenes. It just started to feel like too many words to describe things after a while. There also wasn’t a ton of detailed domestic scenes that endeared you to the MCs as a couple. It was okay, maybe just not what I expected it to be so I’m putting it at 3 stars.
June 22, 2025
Oh, a big Possessive beast of a demon is what we all want and NEED! Mavros you beautiful hairy beast you- you were head over heels for unicorn/ Astoria from the first sight and I loved this.
I cannot help but swoon when these characters were drawn to each other similarly to fated mates, but technically- NOT fated mates.
This was an interesting story involving a unicorn and a Beastly King, the unicorn is the last of its kind and is Cursed to become human to save itself, as an evil King Wizard is after them.
Overall, a slightly darker paranormal read, the size difference between Mavros and the human/ unicorn and the somno makes the spice Dark and rough and quite spicy. And I really enjoyed this read. I love how it ended, not on a cliff hanger, but as it says: "There can be no happy endings if nothing ever ends."
Quotes:
“Now you must run. Flee this place, unicorn. Find the darkness who will embrace you. Only he can save you now.”
'He touched me like I was sacred, like I was fire, and he’d lived his whole life in the cold. Every inch of space between us vanished as our bodies explored, discovered, yielded. I’d never known desire could feel like this—wild, aching, unstoppable. And I didn’t want it to stop.'
"No matter what form you take, you are mind. Always."
I cannot help but swoon when these characters were drawn to each other similarly to fated mates, but technically- NOT fated mates.
This was an interesting story involving a unicorn and a Beastly King, the unicorn is the last of its kind and is Cursed to become human to save itself, as an evil King Wizard is after them.
Overall, a slightly darker paranormal read, the size difference between Mavros and the human/ unicorn and the somno makes the spice Dark and rough and quite spicy. And I really enjoyed this read. I love how it ended, not on a cliff hanger, but as it says: "There can be no happy endings if nothing ever ends."
Quotes:
“Now you must run. Flee this place, unicorn. Find the darkness who will embrace you. Only he can save you now.”
'He touched me like I was sacred, like I was fire, and he’d lived his whole life in the cold. Every inch of space between us vanished as our bodies explored, discovered, yielded. I’d never known desire could feel like this—wild, aching, unstoppable. And I didn’t want it to stop.'
"No matter what form you take, you are mind. Always."
May 24, 2025
➳ 2.5 ★
My first impression of this book was not the best. Like other reviews mentioned, the beginning starts off possibly too similar to The Last Unicorn, although the author did say it was an inspiration/vibe. Then the book turns into a twisted, dark romance Beauty and the Beast inspired tale (again, as the author had said in her blurb). While a few of the spicy scenes were fun to read, the book didn’t seem to go anywhere until the last 30 pages or so. It’s more dark/monster romance than plot, which if that’s your thing, maybe you would like this more than I did.
A bit nit-picky of me, but the language used in this book irked me. We’re following a unicorn who has been around for centuries, or possibly the beginning of time?, and she’s using modern language even though she’s isolated from the outside world. Same goes for Mavros. The descriptions at times seemed…peculiar (iykwim), but I’ll leave it at that.
Overall, I’ll admit I was disappointed reading this. I had higher hopes given the blurb provided for ARC sign-ups, and it didn’t live up to expectations. I gave it 2.5 but rounded down bc personally it feels closer to a 2 than a 3; I won’t be reading this again.
It’s an easy and quick read if you want some monster spice though 🙂
Thank you to Raven Flanagan for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
My first impression of this book was not the best. Like other reviews mentioned, the beginning starts off possibly too similar to The Last Unicorn, although the author did say it was an inspiration/vibe. Then the book turns into a twisted, dark romance Beauty and the Beast inspired tale (again, as the author had said in her blurb). While a few of the spicy scenes were fun to read, the book didn’t seem to go anywhere until the last 30 pages or so. It’s more dark/monster romance than plot, which if that’s your thing, maybe you would like this more than I did.
A bit nit-picky of me, but the language used in this book irked me. We’re following a unicorn who has been around for centuries, or possibly the beginning of time?, and she’s using modern language even though she’s isolated from the outside world. Same goes for Mavros. The descriptions at times seemed…peculiar (iykwim), but I’ll leave it at that.
Overall, I’ll admit I was disappointed reading this. I had higher hopes given the blurb provided for ARC sign-ups, and it didn’t live up to expectations. I gave it 2.5 but rounded down bc personally it feels closer to a 2 than a 3; I won’t be reading this again.
It’s an easy and quick read if you want some monster spice though 🙂
Thank you to Raven Flanagan for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2025
This will be my first book that I have read by Raven Flanagan, and I have to say I did enjoy the story. I found it an easy read. I have seen a few comments that people have related the plotline/story to “The Last Unicorn”, but I have not read that novel so can not comment on those similarities.
I will admit that upon seeing the book cover it did give me the Beauty and the Beast vibe but unlike that Disney story this one has more darker vibes to it.
I do like a paranormal supernatural romance story, so I do like a possessive partner as I love the werewolf mate bond so Mavros being a possessive demon had me hooked. The story has some tender moments between Mavros and Astoria, and they have amazing chemistry.
The story piqued my curiosity. It had action, tension, mystery not to mention having some spice thrown into the mix so I can’t complain.
This book will either capture your attention and you devour the storyline and enjoy it, or it won’t. Everybody’s take on stories is different, but I did enjoy it.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I will admit that upon seeing the book cover it did give me the Beauty and the Beast vibe but unlike that Disney story this one has more darker vibes to it.
I do like a paranormal supernatural romance story, so I do like a possessive partner as I love the werewolf mate bond so Mavros being a possessive demon had me hooked. The story has some tender moments between Mavros and Astoria, and they have amazing chemistry.
The story piqued my curiosity. It had action, tension, mystery not to mention having some spice thrown into the mix so I can’t complain.
This book will either capture your attention and you devour the storyline and enjoy it, or it won’t. Everybody’s take on stories is different, but I did enjoy it.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2025
Raven Flanagan
The book right at the beginning is giving me the last Unicorn Vibes with a touch of the Gmork the black fiend from never-ending story, if Gmork was the beast in Beaty and the beast.
Ok but instead of the beast we have a Gmork, and instead of cutlery we have demons, and instead of bell we have the last unicorn FMC, and then Voldemort steps in to try and take away the Belle FMC and kill the Gmork of the realm. Don’t forget the smutt put it together and voila Fate and Monsters is what you get.
You would think having so many mixed points in the book that it wouldn’t work, but, it really does work and work well together. This story is a journey of a multitude of strong characters that go from light and bright to dark and then darker.
Key points in no particular order:
– Elementals
– demons
– portal travel
– physical changes
– held captive
– knotting
– dub/non con
– wizard
– Morally Black MMC x2
– Morally angelic/naive FMC
The book right at the beginning is giving me the last Unicorn Vibes with a touch of the Gmork the black fiend from never-ending story, if Gmork was the beast in Beaty and the beast.
Ok but instead of the beast we have a Gmork, and instead of cutlery we have demons, and instead of bell we have the last unicorn FMC, and then Voldemort steps in to try and take away the Belle FMC and kill the Gmork of the realm. Don’t forget the smutt put it together and voila Fate and Monsters is what you get.
You would think having so many mixed points in the book that it wouldn’t work, but, it really does work and work well together. This story is a journey of a multitude of strong characters that go from light and bright to dark and then darker.
Key points in no particular order:
– Elementals
– demons
– portal travel
– physical changes
– held captive
– knotting
– dub/non con
– wizard
– Morally Black MMC x2
– Morally angelic/naive FMC
September 8, 2025
✨ A Spin on Beauty and the Beast ✨
I love a good retelling, and this story absolutely delivers! The plot was intriguing, the pacing just right, and those little nods to Beauty and the Beast? Chef’s kiss💋. It was like finding hidden gems scattered throughout the book.👀
Mavros? Whew! Possessive, obsessed, protective, and totally unhinged in the best way. I was so here for it. Astoria was the perfect balance of strong-willed and fierce, but also soft and self-discovering. She didn’t take his crap, but she also wasn’t afraid to get vulnerable. Their dynamic was the perfect fit. 🔥
It's got just the right mix of "beast" from Mavros 🐺 and "beauty" from Astoria 🌹.
What to Expect:
💀 Monster Romance
💔 Hurt/Comfort
📏 Size Difference
😴 S0mn0
⚠️ Dub-Con
🐾 Kn0tting
If you're into dark, spicy fairytales with a monster-sized heart (and... other things 👀), grab this now!
I love a good retelling, and this story absolutely delivers! The plot was intriguing, the pacing just right, and those little nods to Beauty and the Beast? Chef’s kiss💋. It was like finding hidden gems scattered throughout the book.👀
Mavros? Whew! Possessive, obsessed, protective, and totally unhinged in the best way. I was so here for it. Astoria was the perfect balance of strong-willed and fierce, but also soft and self-discovering. She didn’t take his crap, but she also wasn’t afraid to get vulnerable. Their dynamic was the perfect fit. 🔥
It's got just the right mix of "beast" from Mavros 🐺 and "beauty" from Astoria 🌹.
What to Expect:
💀 Monster Romance
💔 Hurt/Comfort
📏 Size Difference
😴 S0mn0
⚠️ Dub-Con
🐾 Kn0tting
If you're into dark, spicy fairytales with a monster-sized heart (and... other things 👀), grab this now!
June 3, 2025
The last of her kind, Unicorn is hunted by a mad magical king. To save her, a witch transforms her into a female human and sends her to another realm called Infernus.
This is a fast-paced, action-packed read filled with plenty of well-written spice.
Unicorn is possibly one of my favorite female lead characters, largely due to her complete and utter lack of knowledge about humans and how to be one. My favorite scene that highlights her adorableness and cluelessness is her first meal with Marvos, the Prince of Infernus.
Marvos definitely fell hard and fast for Unicorn. Despite not knowing where she came from, he treated her like she was the most precious thing he had ever seen.
I'm loving these monster romances!
This is a fast-paced, action-packed read filled with plenty of well-written spice.
Unicorn is possibly one of my favorite female lead characters, largely due to her complete and utter lack of knowledge about humans and how to be one. My favorite scene that highlights her adorableness and cluelessness is her first meal with Marvos, the Prince of Infernus.
Marvos definitely fell hard and fast for Unicorn. Despite not knowing where she came from, he treated her like she was the most precious thing he had ever seen.
I'm loving these monster romances!
June 18, 2025
This was an engaging read by a new-to-me author. The world building was clear, the characters and plot interesting. The author was incredibly descriptive, which may or may not suit. I found it a fun and fast paced read with some swoon worthy moments to go with the darker vibes of a mad king and a possessive demon, Mavros, both wanting our gal, Astoria - but for completely different reasons. Mavros and Astoria two were hot together so this is definitely on par with other monster romances ;P This is second of a multi-author series that I’ve read and I’m looking forward to checking out the other books. Good fun!
May 17, 2025
This was such an enjoyable read and I devoured it with remarkable speed. Please check trigger warnings before reading though as there are a few.
It reminded me of Beauty and the Beast but with very dark vibes. Full of tense moments I just loved the build up throughout the book leading to the confrontation with the Crimson King.
There were some swoon worthy moments which I loved especially when Mavros was teaching Astoria to read. The chemistry between them was so lovely - such a possessive beast!
I really liked how it ended as well which kept my little heart happy.
It reminded me of Beauty and the Beast but with very dark vibes. Full of tense moments I just loved the build up throughout the book leading to the confrontation with the Crimson King.
There were some swoon worthy moments which I loved especially when Mavros was teaching Astoria to read. The chemistry between them was so lovely - such a possessive beast!
I really liked how it ended as well which kept my little heart happy.
May 26, 2025
Cursed Embrace is book two of the Monstrous Romance Series.
This was a fulfilling story. We get some mystery, intrigue, hidden identity, monster smut. It kind of has the Beauty and the Beast vibe to it with a bit of a twist. I liked the uniqueness of having a unicorn in this. Mavros was quite charming at times. He was a bit abrasive at the start, but he does become endearing as the story progresses. We do get a library scene, which is reminiscent of the BATB movie which I liked reading about. I thought those moments were cute between them.
This was a fulfilling story. We get some mystery, intrigue, hidden identity, monster smut. It kind of has the Beauty and the Beast vibe to it with a bit of a twist. I liked the uniqueness of having a unicorn in this. Mavros was quite charming at times. He was a bit abrasive at the start, but he does become endearing as the story progresses. We do get a library scene, which is reminiscent of the BATB movie which I liked reading about. I thought those moments were cute between them.
June 5, 2025
This was a good read.
Mavros is cold, angry, and is used to getting his way any chance he gets but something about her throws him off. He doesn’t trust her but secretly wants to.
The more they are near each other the more the walls come crashing down. They way they feel towards each other shouldn’t be this way but their connection just continues to grow more and more.
Both main characters have an unforgettable past that haunts to them. Both if which you can tell is hurting them.
It’s not a soft book but there is steam and i liked where this story went.
Mavros is cold, angry, and is used to getting his way any chance he gets but something about her throws him off. He doesn’t trust her but secretly wants to.
The more they are near each other the more the walls come crashing down. They way they feel towards each other shouldn’t be this way but their connection just continues to grow more and more.
Both main characters have an unforgettable past that haunts to them. Both if which you can tell is hurting them.
It’s not a soft book but there is steam and i liked where this story went.
June 20, 2025
A sylph and a beast
Very quick monster romance read. It’s something different from what I’ve been reading and it was a nice palette cleanser for me. From the get go we’re right in the thick of it. Sylph gets thrown from the only world she’s ever known into a whole new place and body thanks to someone trying to “save” her. Now she’s caught the beasts eye and has to figure out if that’s good or bad thing. I will admit sometimes I was side eyeing that beast and his choices, but hey it works out in the end so I guess that’s all that matters.
Very quick monster romance read. It’s something different from what I’ve been reading and it was a nice palette cleanser for me. From the get go we’re right in the thick of it. Sylph gets thrown from the only world she’s ever known into a whole new place and body thanks to someone trying to “save” her. Now she’s caught the beasts eye and has to figure out if that’s good or bad thing. I will admit sometimes I was side eyeing that beast and his choices, but hey it works out in the end so I guess that’s all that matters.
May 31, 2025
This is an interesting story that pulls readers in. If you enjoy fantasy and monster romance this is a story for you. Astoria and Mavros are strong characters and make a good couple. I enjoyed watching their relationship take shape and deepen. The chemistry between these to is something else and it was nice to see the trust and love that grows between them. Their story moves at a good pace and has a nice mix of emotions and heat with a touch of angst.
June 10, 2025
This is a must read for any Beauty and the Beast fans. He is growly and possessive…she is innocent and new to his world and being cursed into a human body.
To writing has matured greatly from book 1..which was mostly smut (but I’m here for it 😉). Fate & Mate monsters writing included a great deal more plot & descriptive writing that really helped paint the scenes for the reader. But FEAR NOT….for there was spice…PLENTY O SPICE..and it was 🔥SPICY🔥.
To writing has matured greatly from book 1..which was mostly smut (but I’m here for it 😉). Fate & Mate monsters writing included a great deal more plot & descriptive writing that really helped paint the scenes for the reader. But FEAR NOT….for there was spice…PLENTY O SPICE..and it was 🔥SPICY🔥.
June 23, 2025
I loved Mavros! I was hooked from the beginning with the magic and the chase. The beauty and the beast vibes were great. It had a great story line and flow throughout the book. I really enjoyed Domovory as a character, he gives off some sass and annoyance attitude. Ah... the romance that builds between Astoria and Mavros is endearing. She tries to figure out his obsession of the unknown feelings her new form gives off.
May 26, 2025
3.5⭐️
This is a quick read. It’s not what I was expecting from the blurb but it’s still good! There was some jumping around I personally found hard to follow but in the end the over all story line was good. I didn’t realize it was book two in the series until I went to post my review so I am planning on reading book one eventually!
This is a quick read. It’s not what I was expecting from the blurb but it’s still good! There was some jumping around I personally found hard to follow but in the end the over all story line was good. I didn’t realize it was book two in the series until I went to post my review so I am planning on reading book one eventually!
June 1, 2025
While this was a semi short book at only 20 chapters it did feel a bit like a chore to read. The story itself seemed amazing but to me it just felt like it was missing that hook factor that really makes you want to keep reading. To me, that just wasn’t there. I loved the characters. There relationship was so beautiful.
June 16, 2025
A nice little fantasy monster smut story that is a cross between the last unicorn and a dark twisted tale of beauty and the beast. It was a sweet and spicy love story it did take a while to get to the action a bit at the start and most at the end other wise I’d rate it higher was just a little to slow for me.
June 28, 2025
"Be good girl and spread those pages for me "
Oh My, Mavros, he gives me the beast vibes and i am a sucker for that as I love beauty and beast. I was sucked into this story and i couldn't put down this story. I love one part of the story is where he taught her to read which made me have butterflies.
May 16, 2025
Cursed Embrace is the perfect book for the people who were disappointed when the beast transformed back into a prince at the end of Beauty and the Beast. This dark romantasy combines elements of The Last Unicorn and Beauty and the Beast into a decadently spicy tale. Be sure to peruse the content warnings before diving into this book!
May 18, 2025
ARC REVIEW
So I haven't seen whatever The Last Unicorn is so I can't speak to those similarities, BUT there are a lot of similarities including some lines straight from Beauty & the Beast.
However, I did eat this right up and loved Mavros but was expecting him to do more with his...tail 👀🫣
So I haven't seen whatever The Last Unicorn is so I can't speak to those similarities, BUT there are a lot of similarities including some lines straight from Beauty & the Beast.
However, I did eat this right up and loved Mavros but was expecting him to do more with his...tail 👀🫣
May 22, 2025
3 stars
This book was really interesting! I loved that the main character was a unicorn, so fun and unique! I liked the storyline, it had a little bit of a fairytale retelling vibe. It was a fun, quick read!
Thank you so much for letting me read an ARC!
This book was really interesting! I loved that the main character was a unicorn, so fun and unique! I liked the storyline, it had a little bit of a fairytale retelling vibe. It was a fun, quick read!
Thank you so much for letting me read an ARC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews