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All the Queens' Curses
Kit has been cursed into a body that isn’t her own. Idris has been cursed to dance to death. If they want to break their curses, they’ll need to work together.
Kit and her step-sister Catharine have been close ever since their parents’ royal marriage brought them together. But living under the king’s roof is not safe for Kit, and illness is spreading through her joints. Her mother tells her it is a When a woman in their family is hurt, they fall into a wasting sickness. When an enchantment switches Kit and Catharine’s bodies, Kit must find a way to make things right. But can she really bear to go back to her wasting body?
Idris has learned a dark secret about his family and a crime they committed generations ago against the Hidden Folk. When he gets the chance to atone, he takes it—even though it means he will be danced to death. But it is one thing to agree to be a martyr, and another to watch his choice destroy his family. Can he find a way to bring justice and still live?
If Kit and Idris want to survive, they will need to work together. But lines blur as the two grow closer. There are few ways to break a curse, and there may not be enough magic left to break them all.
Kit and her step-sister Catharine have been close ever since their parents’ royal marriage brought them together. But living under the king’s roof is not safe for Kit, and illness is spreading through her joints. Her mother tells her it is a When a woman in their family is hurt, they fall into a wasting sickness. When an enchantment switches Kit and Catharine’s bodies, Kit must find a way to make things right. But can she really bear to go back to her wasting body?
Idris has learned a dark secret about his family and a crime they committed generations ago against the Hidden Folk. When he gets the chance to atone, he takes it—even though it means he will be danced to death. But it is one thing to agree to be a martyr, and another to watch his choice destroy his family. Can he find a way to bring justice and still live?
If Kit and Idris want to survive, they will need to work together. But lines blur as the two grow closer. There are few ways to break a curse, and there may not be enough magic left to break them all.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Alyssa Hollingsworth
14 books144 followersAlyssa was born in small-town Milton, Florida, but life as a roving military kid soon mellowed her (unintelligibly strong) Southern accent. Wanderlust is in her blood, and she’s always waiting for the wind to change. Stories remain her constant.
Alyssa received her BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Berry College. From Bath Spa University, she received her MA with honors in Writing for Young People and her Ph.D in Creative Writing with her thesis Breaking the Curse: Retelling a Folk Fairy Tale to Explore Trauma and Healing in Novels for Young People.
She is represented by Amber Caraveo at Skylark Literary. Her award-winning debut The Eleventh Trade and her second book The Invisible Boy were published by Roaring Brook/Macmillan (U.S.) and Piccadilly Press (U.K.).
Alyssa loves crafting, cozy video games, and going on adventures with her nerdy husband and mischievous dog.
Alyssa received her BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Berry College. From Bath Spa University, she received her MA with honors in Writing for Young People and her Ph.D in Creative Writing with her thesis Breaking the Curse: Retelling a Folk Fairy Tale to Explore Trauma and Healing in Novels for Young People.
She is represented by Amber Caraveo at Skylark Literary. Her award-winning debut The Eleventh Trade and her second book The Invisible Boy were published by Roaring Brook/Macmillan (U.S.) and Piccadilly Press (U.K.).
Alyssa loves crafting, cozy video games, and going on adventures with her nerdy husband and mischievous dog.
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August 29, 2026⋆˚꩜⌇pre read!⌇꩜˚⋆
the cover art is yummy af im excited for this one
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the cover art is yummy af im excited for this one
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May 18, 2026
Uncompromising, sincere, and kind without losing its teeth - not a combination that comes around easily or often.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.25 ⭐
(+) :
- My favorite part of this book was its focus on its in world folklore and how the lore and mythos that the characters, most specifically Catherine, have grown up hearing tales of and how those tales become truth. I greatly enjoyed hearing Catherine tell her stories and then find Kit discover the real life versions of them in the cove or whatever you would call it.
- The relationship between Kit and Catherine was lovely. They’re not blood sisters but they are still sisters and their sisterhood is so tantamount to the story succeeding and I appreciated their love for each other so much.
- In the same way, I think that Idris’ relationship and the development of his suturing his family back together after years of pushing off a curse on the next unsuspecting victim was well done. The brothers here are also an important relationship.
- Oh this cover. Oh this cover. I could write sonnets on it. It’s so stunning. It’s so beautiful. The composition, the eyes, the colors, the brush style. I love it so much.
- This is a really good title. It is about all the curses. Every single one ha. And then with the the children’s nursery rhyme layer is just really clever.
(-) :
- I think the plot of this story is a bit of a mess. I like the body swap, but that comes in much later and the two of them are kind of…fine with is it many ways (obviously not fully, but I think I needed it to feel a bit more high stakes). Idris’ whole thing is just a mess, and that’s understandable, but I needed it to feel like he was a part of everything whereas it felt more like he was being driven by the plot and by Kit. I also think the wand bit was too convenient.
- The romance was weak and was just kind of insta-love on Idris’ part and then is just all tied up tidy by the end.
- Idris was far less developed in my opinion and as the book progressed I found his chapters a bit dull. I really liked his POV early on and his thoughts on protecting his brother, but I think it really was always Kit’s story.
- I don’t think the assault aspect of this book was handled well. I think that Kit’s trauma and PTSD and discomfort was understandable and definitely made me empathize with her…but it all felt very contrived for the plot and not based in truth. King = evil, King = hurt Kit in all the most terrible ways. I appreciated that it added a layer of tension to Kit’s relationship with her sister, but I think having Kit’s mother also be basically evil and abusive to Catherine kind of downplayed how much more awful the King was. Maybe this is just my own biases from my own experiences coloring my opinion here.
- I have some frustrations with the chronic illness aspect. I do love that there is no quick fix or real closure to it because chronic pain doesn’t always or usually work like that. However, it keeps being called “the wasting” and being treated like it is some known thing or that it’s tied to Kit’s genetics or her abuse from the king. But I found myself more confused by what was happening with it than commiserating with Kit. I just think it needed a bit more nuance.
WILL I READ THE NEXT ONE? : I don’t know. I liked the world here, but the characters and plot were not my favorite. I also couldn’t escape the feeling of some of the, hm, Christian undertones to the story that weren’t my cup of tea. So I’m unsure.
*Thank you to Page Street YA & Netgalley for providing this ARC!
SIMILAR BOOKS :
- 'Break Wide the Sea' by Sara Holland
- 'Sing Me to Sleep' by Gabi Burton
- 'One Dark Window' by Rachel Gillig
(+) :
- My favorite part of this book was its focus on its in world folklore and how the lore and mythos that the characters, most specifically Catherine, have grown up hearing tales of and how those tales become truth. I greatly enjoyed hearing Catherine tell her stories and then find Kit discover the real life versions of them in the cove or whatever you would call it.
- The relationship between Kit and Catherine was lovely. They’re not blood sisters but they are still sisters and their sisterhood is so tantamount to the story succeeding and I appreciated their love for each other so much.
- In the same way, I think that Idris’ relationship and the development of his suturing his family back together after years of pushing off a curse on the next unsuspecting victim was well done. The brothers here are also an important relationship.
- Oh this cover. Oh this cover. I could write sonnets on it. It’s so stunning. It’s so beautiful. The composition, the eyes, the colors, the brush style. I love it so much.
- This is a really good title. It is about all the curses. Every single one ha. And then with the the children’s nursery rhyme layer is just really clever.
(-) :
- I think the plot of this story is a bit of a mess. I like the body swap, but that comes in much later and the two of them are kind of…fine with is it many ways (obviously not fully, but I think I needed it to feel a bit more high stakes). Idris’ whole thing is just a mess, and that’s understandable, but I needed it to feel like he was a part of everything whereas it felt more like he was being driven by the plot and by Kit. I also think the wand bit was too convenient.
- The romance was weak and was just kind of insta-love on Idris’ part and then is just all tied up tidy by the end.
- Idris was far less developed in my opinion and as the book progressed I found his chapters a bit dull. I really liked his POV early on and his thoughts on protecting his brother, but I think it really was always Kit’s story.
- I don’t think the assault aspect of this book was handled well. I think that Kit’s trauma and PTSD and discomfort was understandable and definitely made me empathize with her…but it all felt very contrived for the plot and not based in truth. King = evil, King = hurt Kit in all the most terrible ways. I appreciated that it added a layer of tension to Kit’s relationship with her sister, but I think having Kit’s mother also be basically evil and abusive to Catherine kind of downplayed how much more awful the King was. Maybe this is just my own biases from my own experiences coloring my opinion here.
- I have some frustrations with the chronic illness aspect. I do love that there is no quick fix or real closure to it because chronic pain doesn’t always or usually work like that. However, it keeps being called “the wasting” and being treated like it is some known thing or that it’s tied to Kit’s genetics or her abuse from the king. But I found myself more confused by what was happening with it than commiserating with Kit. I just think it needed a bit more nuance.
WILL I READ THE NEXT ONE? : I don’t know. I liked the world here, but the characters and plot were not my favorite. I also couldn’t escape the feeling of some of the, hm, Christian undertones to the story that weren’t my cup of tea. So I’m unsure.
*Thank you to Page Street YA & Netgalley for providing this ARC!
SIMILAR BOOKS :
- 'Break Wide the Sea' by Sara Holland
- 'Sing Me to Sleep' by Gabi Burton
- 'One Dark Window' by Rachel Gillig
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for access to an e-ARC for review purposes.
Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me. I really hate that I wasn’t able to finish, but the story did not grip me in any way. I just wasn’t interested in continuing and I’m not happy about it. I’ve tried to reflect on why I would want to DNF this after getting halfway through and I think I found some legitimate reasons.
First – The plot:
The plot sounded interesting from the blurb, but I think the delivery just didn’t match what I expected. I expected this to be fast moving and high stakes. I expected the body switch to cause some complications and drama. I was disappointed when Idris found out Kit was in her sister’s body right away. I was hoping the drama surrounding that would be a main theme in this book, but it was resolved so quickly and felt anticlimactic. I feel like this book would get there eventually, but unfortunately after giving it a go to halfway through, I wasn’t hooked enough to continue.
Second – The characters:
I didn’t particularly like any of the characters. Yes, I felt bad for them and their circumstances, of course, but I didn’t feel any connection to them. While reading I didn’t feel any concern that they wouldn’t get their happy endings and that just kind of ruined any drama for me. I usually don’t have an issue with a book with lower stakes – but I feel like I went into this book expecting high stakes and drama and got more of a cozy fantasy feel.
I really wish I could have loved this as much as I thought I would and therefore finish it, but I just lost all my interest by halfway in. I really need books to grip me before then or I’m libel to discontinue reading.
With that being said, I’m giving this 3 stars because I don’t think what I read was bad by any means, just not interesting enough for me to continue reading. I do not wish to discourage others who want to give this a go, just know that this leans more into the cozy fantasy vibe (to me) than a high stakes romantasy.
Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me. I really hate that I wasn’t able to finish, but the story did not grip me in any way. I just wasn’t interested in continuing and I’m not happy about it. I’ve tried to reflect on why I would want to DNF this after getting halfway through and I think I found some legitimate reasons.
First – The plot:
The plot sounded interesting from the blurb, but I think the delivery just didn’t match what I expected. I expected this to be fast moving and high stakes. I expected the body switch to cause some complications and drama. I was disappointed when Idris found out Kit was in her sister’s body right away. I was hoping the drama surrounding that would be a main theme in this book, but it was resolved so quickly and felt anticlimactic. I feel like this book would get there eventually, but unfortunately after giving it a go to halfway through, I wasn’t hooked enough to continue.
Second – The characters:
I didn’t particularly like any of the characters. Yes, I felt bad for them and their circumstances, of course, but I didn’t feel any connection to them. While reading I didn’t feel any concern that they wouldn’t get their happy endings and that just kind of ruined any drama for me. I usually don’t have an issue with a book with lower stakes – but I feel like I went into this book expecting high stakes and drama and got more of a cozy fantasy feel.
I really wish I could have loved this as much as I thought I would and therefore finish it, but I just lost all my interest by halfway in. I really need books to grip me before then or I’m libel to discontinue reading.
With that being said, I’m giving this 3 stars because I don’t think what I read was bad by any means, just not interesting enough for me to continue reading. I do not wish to discourage others who want to give this a go, just know that this leans more into the cozy fantasy vibe (to me) than a high stakes romantasy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Two cursed people - and a chance to save each other. Kit is afflicted with a wasting sickness. When an enchantment switches her into her stepsister’s body, Kit must find a way to make things right…but can she really bear to return to the illness? Idris has learned a dark secret about his family, and is cursed to dance to death. If Kit and Idris want to survive, they will need to work together. But lines blur as the two grow closer. There are few ways to break a curse, and there may not be enough magic left to break them all.
The chronic illness rep here is so well done. I have health conditions and hyper mobility, so reading the descriptions of Kit’s symptoms really made me wince! I am no stranger to cracking joints and old injuries, so from literally page 1 I was so sympathetic to what Kit was experiencing - I know how draining it is when something affects you every day. The author draws on her own lived experience, and it is so effective. Idris had a strong moral compass and real compassion for his family, which made him easy to root for. I particularly loved his bond with his dog, True.
The king was absolutely vile and I was simmering with rage throughout. His abuse of Kit is spiteful and cruel, and he was a true villain! I loved the inclusion of other fairytales and folklore, which really built up the world and made it feel rich and full.
This book dives right in, and some of the descriptions are pretty stomach-churning. The story generally moved at a good pace, although I wish we had seen more of Catharine in Kit’s body - the ending felt very quickly wrapped up compared to earlier chapters, and we got very little of Catharine’s perspective and reactions.
Overall this was a great read and one I’d highly recommend to fans of Labyrinth, Thistlemarsh, or The Cruel Prince!
Thank you Rock the Boat for a proof!
The chronic illness rep here is so well done. I have health conditions and hyper mobility, so reading the descriptions of Kit’s symptoms really made me wince! I am no stranger to cracking joints and old injuries, so from literally page 1 I was so sympathetic to what Kit was experiencing - I know how draining it is when something affects you every day. The author draws on her own lived experience, and it is so effective. Idris had a strong moral compass and real compassion for his family, which made him easy to root for. I particularly loved his bond with his dog, True.
The king was absolutely vile and I was simmering with rage throughout. His abuse of Kit is spiteful and cruel, and he was a true villain! I loved the inclusion of other fairytales and folklore, which really built up the world and made it feel rich and full.
This book dives right in, and some of the descriptions are pretty stomach-churning. The story generally moved at a good pace, although I wish we had seen more of Catharine in Kit’s body - the ending felt very quickly wrapped up compared to earlier chapters, and we got very little of Catharine’s perspective and reactions.
Overall this was a great read and one I’d highly recommend to fans of Labyrinth, Thistlemarsh, or The Cruel Prince!
Thank you Rock the Boat for a proof!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Characters: 3.75⭐️
Setting: 4.00⭐️
Plot: 3.75⭐️
Themes: 3.75⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.75⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.75⭐️
Overall rating: 3.75⭐️
All the Queen's Curses is a Scottish fairytale retelling with darker themes. Kit is the stepdaughter to the king who has a wasting disease that causes pain in her joints and bones. Catharine is intended to wed a prince of the Northern Isles. But when Kit's mother, the queen, bargains with the fae, she body swaps Kit and Catharine so Kit can be free. Horrified, Kit and Catharine travel north to confront the fae who made the bargain with their mother.
Please check your triggers when reading this book. There are talks of abuse (though not explicitly on page), but it is there. This is story about sisterhood and what one would d to save the ones you love. I loved the mystery and magic that is woven throughout this story and then tie into Scottish folklore. However, I will say that it was a little confusing between Kit and Catharine since Kit is actually a nickname for Catharine. I also think there was a lot going on with different curses in this story since not only is the reader trying to navigate Kit and Catharines curse, the princes in the story, Idris and Abram, are also trying to navigate the curses on their family as well.
There are really great themes in this book overall, and it was nice story. I wanted the flow of the story to fit a little better. But overall, I did enjoy the story.
Would I recommend this book? Yes if you like retellings of fairytales.
Thank you to Page Street YA for sending me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Setting: 4.00⭐️
Plot: 3.75⭐️
Themes: 3.75⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.75⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.75⭐️
Overall rating: 3.75⭐️
All the Queen's Curses is a Scottish fairytale retelling with darker themes. Kit is the stepdaughter to the king who has a wasting disease that causes pain in her joints and bones. Catharine is intended to wed a prince of the Northern Isles. But when Kit's mother, the queen, bargains with the fae, she body swaps Kit and Catharine so Kit can be free. Horrified, Kit and Catharine travel north to confront the fae who made the bargain with their mother.
Please check your triggers when reading this book. There are talks of abuse (though not explicitly on page), but it is there. This is story about sisterhood and what one would d to save the ones you love. I loved the mystery and magic that is woven throughout this story and then tie into Scottish folklore. However, I will say that it was a little confusing between Kit and Catharine since Kit is actually a nickname for Catharine. I also think there was a lot going on with different curses in this story since not only is the reader trying to navigate Kit and Catharines curse, the princes in the story, Idris and Abram, are also trying to navigate the curses on their family as well.
There are really great themes in this book overall, and it was nice story. I wanted the flow of the story to fit a little better. But overall, I did enjoy the story.
Would I recommend this book? Yes if you like retellings of fairytales.
Thank you to Page Street YA for sending me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All the Queens’ Curses by Alyssa Hollingsworth was such a beautiful, atmospheric fairytale retelling. ✨
Inspired by the Orcadian folktale Kate Crackernuts, this story combines Scottish folklore, fae magic, curses, sisterhood, and a gentle romance in a way that felt both magical and deeply emotional.
My favourite part was Kit and Catharine’s relationship. Their bond is at the heart of the story, and I loved seeing two stepsisters who genuinely love and protect each other rather than falling into the usual rivalry. 💕
I also really appreciated the way Kit’s chronic illness and pain were handled. Her story isn’t about being magically “fixed” to become whole—it’s about identity, healing, resilience, and learning to accept yourself.
And then there’s the romance with Idris. 🥹 Their relationship was sweet, tender, and built on genuine respect, which made it especially lovely to read.
The Scottish folklore and windswept fairytale atmosphere were another huge highlight for me. If you enjoy YA fantasy, dark fairytale retellings, fae magic, strong sisterly bonds, and heartfelt romance, I definitely recommend this one!
4.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Inspired by the Orcadian folktale Kate Crackernuts, this story combines Scottish folklore, fae magic, curses, sisterhood, and a gentle romance in a way that felt both magical and deeply emotional.
My favourite part was Kit and Catharine’s relationship. Their bond is at the heart of the story, and I loved seeing two stepsisters who genuinely love and protect each other rather than falling into the usual rivalry. 💕
I also really appreciated the way Kit’s chronic illness and pain were handled. Her story isn’t about being magically “fixed” to become whole—it’s about identity, healing, resilience, and learning to accept yourself.
And then there’s the romance with Idris. 🥹 Their relationship was sweet, tender, and built on genuine respect, which made it especially lovely to read.
The Scottish folklore and windswept fairytale atmosphere were another huge highlight for me. If you enjoy YA fantasy, dark fairytale retellings, fae magic, strong sisterly bonds, and heartfelt romance, I definitely recommend this one!
4.5/5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All the Queen’s Curses was such an interesting and enjoyable read! One of my favourite parts was the Scottish folklore woven throughout the story. I knew very little about creatures like selkies and Finfolk before reading this, so I genuinely loved discovering their stories and legends through the book.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Kit and her sister and, of course, all the romantic complications involving the two sisters and the two princes. And I have to give a special mention to True, Prince Idris’s loyal little dog. 🥹
But what gave this story a deeper meaning for me was learning about Alyssa Hollingsworth’s personal connection to it. She drew from her own experience living with rheumatoid arthritis when portraying chronic illness and the physical effects of one of the curses. When an author’s personal story can be felt through the pages of their book, the story takes on a deeper meaning, it stops being just fiction and becomes a form of art.
Overall, I really enjoyed the sisterhood, romance and Scottish folklore, and it definitely left me wanting to learn more about some of the legends that inspired it. 🦭🧜♀️
Thanks to Insta Books Tours, the publisher Rock the boat and the author for having me as part of the book tour.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Kit and her sister and, of course, all the romantic complications involving the two sisters and the two princes. And I have to give a special mention to True, Prince Idris’s loyal little dog. 🥹
But what gave this story a deeper meaning for me was learning about Alyssa Hollingsworth’s personal connection to it. She drew from her own experience living with rheumatoid arthritis when portraying chronic illness and the physical effects of one of the curses. When an author’s personal story can be felt through the pages of their book, the story takes on a deeper meaning, it stops being just fiction and becomes a form of art.
Overall, I really enjoyed the sisterhood, romance and Scottish folklore, and it definitely left me wanting to learn more about some of the legends that inspired it. 🦭🧜♀️
Thanks to Insta Books Tours, the publisher Rock the boat and the author for having me as part of the book tour.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A fresh take on a non-traditional princess story.
Kit is chronically ill, sick with the "wasting sickness", and step daughter to the (abusive, check for trigger warnings) King. Her best friend and step sister, also called Catherine, is about to be married off until Kits mother makes a deal with the fae and body swaps the two.
Here we also meet the mmc Prince Idris. His family have a curse of their own and Kit now has three curses to contend with, and her treachous heart.
Overall, I liked Kit and Idris. They were very selfless characters who were very driven by protecting others, so it made sense it's what drew them together.
The world building was like a fairytale and you could see the influences, like the literal inclusion of Gelert and other tales I was less familiar with. For me the imagery about what these looked like was a little wishy washy and I couldn't feel immersed but that was my biggest gripe.
I greatly enjoyed the ending and the plot twists but agree with other reviews that there should have been greater trigger warnings for the assault aspect - especially for the YA rating.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers
Kit is chronically ill, sick with the "wasting sickness", and step daughter to the (abusive, check for trigger warnings) King. Her best friend and step sister, also called Catherine, is about to be married off until Kits mother makes a deal with the fae and body swaps the two.
Here we also meet the mmc Prince Idris. His family have a curse of their own and Kit now has three curses to contend with, and her treachous heart.
Overall, I liked Kit and Idris. They were very selfless characters who were very driven by protecting others, so it made sense it's what drew them together.
The world building was like a fairytale and you could see the influences, like the literal inclusion of Gelert and other tales I was less familiar with. For me the imagery about what these looked like was a little wishy washy and I couldn't feel immersed but that was my biggest gripe.
I greatly enjoyed the ending and the plot twists but agree with other reviews that there should have been greater trigger warnings for the assault aspect - especially for the YA rating.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very solid fantasy book, it was full of emotion, mystery and folklore and I had no trouble finishing it in one day!
Thanks to the Publisher Page Street YA for the advanced copy through Netgalley, this did not impact my opinion of the book.
I loved the representation of chronic illness and all the characters. I do wish we could've spent more time with them and been able to experience Catherine's journey as well, but I did love Idris and Kit and their romance and how they came to grow.
The plot itself was not fast-paced, but I felt it really suited the story; it felt like a cozy fantasy but still had some tension and stakes, which made it easy to fly through the book
I also loved the elements of Scottish folklore weaved in the story!
I really enjoyed this one, you get what your given from the blurb and it is told in such an enchanting way. If you love a good heartwarming YA fantasy that's short but packed with folkore, mystery and emotion I recommend you pick this one up!
Thanks to the Publisher Page Street YA for the advanced copy through Netgalley, this did not impact my opinion of the book.
I loved the representation of chronic illness and all the characters. I do wish we could've spent more time with them and been able to experience Catherine's journey as well, but I did love Idris and Kit and their romance and how they came to grow.
The plot itself was not fast-paced, but I felt it really suited the story; it felt like a cozy fantasy but still had some tension and stakes, which made it easy to fly through the book
I also loved the elements of Scottish folklore weaved in the story!
I really enjoyed this one, you get what your given from the blurb and it is told in such an enchanting way. If you love a good heartwarming YA fantasy that's short but packed with folkore, mystery and emotion I recommend you pick this one up!
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC of All the Queens' Curses and stayed up way too late finishing it. Alyssa Hollingsworth has written something rare: a fantasy that never forgets the body. Kit lives with chronic illness a "wasting sickness" that her mother says is a curse passed down through women in their family. When an enchantment swaps her body with her stepsister Catharine's, she has to decide: go back to the body that hurts, or stay in one that works? Meanwhile, Prince Idris has his own curse danced to death unless he can atone for his ancestor's crime against the Hidden Folk. The two stories weave together with such care. What moved me most was how Hollingsworth handles disability: not as something to be cured, but as something to live with, to navigate, to choose. The body swap isn't a magic fix. It's a question. Can Kit bear to go back? The answer surprised me. For readers 12 and up who want fantasy with real weight.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I liked All the Queen's Curses!
It's a retelling of a Scottish fairytale and was an enjoyable YA read that i finished quickly in two sittings.
Also look at that cover, isn't it amazing! It's definitely what first caught my eye when I saw this book!
The author also has a lovely writing style that i enjoyed, and I'm excited to see what they will write next.
One of the strongest parts of the book was the sibling relationship between Kit and Catharine! It was amazing and they were both good characters!
I also liked the other characters, especially Idris! I liked his romance with Kit as well.
I really loved the representation of chronic illness and felt so much for Kit and for what she was experiencing.
I was surprised to find that the story was not as fast paced as I had expected, and actually had a cozy fantasy feel to it that I liked!
All in all this was a book that i enjoyed and i definitely recommend checking it out, especially if you are a fan of fairytale retellings!
It's a retelling of a Scottish fairytale and was an enjoyable YA read that i finished quickly in two sittings.
Also look at that cover, isn't it amazing! It's definitely what first caught my eye when I saw this book!
The author also has a lovely writing style that i enjoyed, and I'm excited to see what they will write next.
One of the strongest parts of the book was the sibling relationship between Kit and Catharine! It was amazing and they were both good characters!
I also liked the other characters, especially Idris! I liked his romance with Kit as well.
I really loved the representation of chronic illness and felt so much for Kit and for what she was experiencing.
I was surprised to find that the story was not as fast paced as I had expected, and actually had a cozy fantasy feel to it that I liked!
All in all this was a book that i enjoyed and i definitely recommend checking it out, especially if you are a fan of fairytale retellings!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All the Queens’ Curses was a captivating, whimsical retelling of folklore that blended magic, adventure and world-building with a range of complex characters!
The book touched upon themes of identity, particularly surrounding family and expectations of the royals, while being woven naturally into the magical and fantastical elements of the story.
I loved the switches between Kit and Prince Idris’ POVs each chapter, with the curses unfolding from their contrasting perspectives. Their unique bond was a stand-out and made their journey of helping one another break the curses all the more beautiful 😖
Kit and Catherine’s sisterly relationship was the sweetest! It was definitely unexpected but added such a lovely emotional layer to the story, with their dynamic bringing the cutest and most heartwarming moments to the book 🥹
If you’re looking for a whimsical, magical retelling filled with adventure, enchanting world-building, and unforgettable characters…
Check out All the Queens’ Curses, releasing 27th August!
The book touched upon themes of identity, particularly surrounding family and expectations of the royals, while being woven naturally into the magical and fantastical elements of the story.
I loved the switches between Kit and Prince Idris’ POVs each chapter, with the curses unfolding from their contrasting perspectives. Their unique bond was a stand-out and made their journey of helping one another break the curses all the more beautiful 😖
Kit and Catherine’s sisterly relationship was the sweetest! It was definitely unexpected but added such a lovely emotional layer to the story, with their dynamic bringing the cutest and most heartwarming moments to the book 🥹
If you’re looking for a whimsical, magical retelling filled with adventure, enchanting world-building, and unforgettable characters…
Check out All the Queens’ Curses, releasing 27th August!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All the Queen's Curses was such an enjoyable read from beginning to end. The pacing stayed steady throughout, which made it so easy to sink into the story without ever feeling like it dragged or rushed.
I really admired Kit - the FMC. She was brave, resilient, and continued to push forward despite the inner turmoil she carried. While I liked Idris, I did find myself wishing he had a bit more of a commanding, masculine presence - especially when his younger brother, Abram, often came across as the stronger of the two.
One of my favourite parts was the family dynamics. The bond between King Hugh and his sons felt genuine, but it was Catharine and Kit's relationship that completely stole my heart. Combined with the author's beautiful writing style, this was a story I genuinely loved, and I'll definitely be picking up more of Alyssa's books in the future.
I really admired Kit - the FMC. She was brave, resilient, and continued to push forward despite the inner turmoil she carried. While I liked Idris, I did find myself wishing he had a bit more of a commanding, masculine presence - especially when his younger brother, Abram, often came across as the stronger of the two.
One of my favourite parts was the family dynamics. The bond between King Hugh and his sons felt genuine, but it was Catharine and Kit's relationship that completely stole my heart. Combined with the author's beautiful writing style, this was a story I genuinely loved, and I'll definitely be picking up more of Alyssa's books in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Maybe I’m too sensitive, but I don’t enjoy YA books—especially YA fantasy—that gloss over or lightly handle sexual assault. I didn’t see a trigger warning, and I think one is definitely needed, particularly for a book aimed at a younger audience.
The story itself was fine. I appreciated the touches of Scottish folklore, but I felt it needed more backstory and stronger world-building. I also didn’t fully understand elements like the work, the kings, the land, or even the hotel—those details felt underdeveloped and left me a bit confused.
The cover is beautiful, but it doesn’t really match the story. Overall, the book felt like it was missing some key details that could have made it more cohesive and enjoyable.
The story itself was fine. I appreciated the touches of Scottish folklore, but I felt it needed more backstory and stronger world-building. I also didn’t fully understand elements like the work, the kings, the land, or even the hotel—those details felt underdeveloped and left me a bit confused.
The cover is beautiful, but it doesn’t really match the story. Overall, the book felt like it was missing some key details that could have made it more cohesive and enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Toppling Stacks Tours for an ARC of this novel. All The Queen's Curses follows chronically ill Princess Kit and her stepsister Princess Catherine as Kit's mother works with the fae to body swap the two girls. We also follow Prince Idris as he deals with a family curse that has fallen on him. I loved the lore of this book; there is so much about the fae and how they behave that was so interesting. I loved the relationship between Kit and Catherine, they might be stepsisters, but they had such a lovely sibling bond even as Kit limits how much she tells Catherine about her struggles. I also liked the bond between Idris and his brother Abram. I would have liked more backstory on the characters, I felt like things were very abrupt for Kit, her mother and her stepfather.
August 26, 2026
all the queens’ curses is a fantasy fairytale retelling following Kit and Idris, who are bound by their curses, and in the fae realm, to break them always demands a price...
i absolutely adored this and i simply couldn’t put it down!! the folklore was so interesting and i could truly feel the magic within the pages.
the dual pov was one of my favourite things as i loved getting to know Kit and Idris within their own povs but also from each others perspectives, which added so much depth in my opinion!!
thank you so much to insta book tours and rock the boat for having me on the tour and sending this stunning paperback♡
i absolutely adored this and i simply couldn’t put it down!! the folklore was so interesting and i could truly feel the magic within the pages.
the dual pov was one of my favourite things as i loved getting to know Kit and Idris within their own povs but also from each others perspectives, which added so much depth in my opinion!!
thank you so much to insta book tours and rock the boat for having me on the tour and sending this stunning paperback♡
Review of advance copy
Chronically ill Princess Kit, who is being abused by her stepfather, the King, swaps bodies with her able-bodied stepsister Catharine, engaged to a prince that Kit secretly covets. The two sisters flee home to find a remedy, and Kit soon discovers that the prince is also contending with a curse of his own. She learns how to break the curse--but the curse-breaking magic will only work once.
Based on a fairy tale, this is an engrossing story about intergenerational trauma and healing.
Based on a fairy tale, this is an engrossing story about intergenerational trauma and healing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
All the Queen’s Curses completely pulled me in from the first few chapters. The atmosphere was magical, emotional, and slightly haunting in the best way possible. I loved how the story balanced fantasy, mystery, and emotion without ever feeling overwhelming. I think chemistry should be build and put more between the fmc and mmc.
This is one of those books that reminds me why I love reading fantasy so much. Absolutely a 5⭐ read for me.
This is one of those books that reminds me why I love reading fantasy so much. Absolutely a 5⭐ read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This should have its trigger warnings, how are we not putting them on a book with sexual assault to a basically minor baffles me, and more if this is a book marketed for young adults
A rich and unique premise and adventure, but I found it hard to care about any other character that wasn't Kit.
It certainly needed more world building, it's a pity since it uses Scottish culture but it's all undeveloped.
A rich and unique premise and adventure, but I found it hard to care about any other character that wasn't Kit.
It certainly needed more world building, it's a pity since it uses Scottish culture but it's all undeveloped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All the Queen’s Curses is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and sisterhood. If you’re looking for a story that’s more than just magic, this book delivers an emotional journey filled with strong female relationships, high stakes, and unforgettable characters. Beautifully written with an immersive world, it’s the perfect pick for readers who love character-driven fantasy with plenty of heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two characters cursed for things not their fault, having to work together to fix the wrongs. The writing in this was really good, and I enjoyed the characters and their motives. It feels great in the payoff by the end of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
10/10 an easy read with some serious topics touched upon in a sensitive way. It's got Queens, fae, curses, freaky Friday vibes, a strong FMC and the cutest ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really beautiful fairytale read! Trigger/content warnings for physical/sexual abuse.
Full review:
Happy Disability Pride Month! I’m thrilled to kick off my celebrations with a review of one of my MOST anticipated disability reads of 2026: ALL THE QUEENS’ CURSES, releasing August 11th! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my early copy!
Chronically ill and abused by her new stepfather, Princess Kit finds solace in her kind stepsister Catharine, until Kit’s mother, the queen, strikes a bargain with the fae. They swap Kit’s ailing body for Catharine’s to change their fates. Kit and Catharine embark on a quest to break the curse that takes them north to another kingdom where they meet a prince whose also under his own fae curse…
This book is near and dear to my heart as Alyssa Hollingsworth was one of the first chronically ill bloggers I read as a teen. Seeing someone with a similar chronic illness was so, so special to me and was one of my first introductions to the disability community.
When I heard she was finally publishing a YA fantasy based on her experience with rheumatoid arthritis, I was over the moon! I’m relieved to say that ALL THE QUEENS’ CURSES completely delivered on my high hopes!
This book made me cry and clutch my heart more than once. It’s a beautiful interpretation of Scottish fairytales with a lovely Regency fantasy setting. At times, I was nervous how the portrayal of chronic illness would come across as for most of the book Kit believes it’s a curse. However, the way the plot threads came together in the end was simply stunning.
I was obsessed with Kit’s character journey, the fairy tales elements, and the sweet romance. Family ties and romance carry equal weight here and it makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Fair warning, however, this book contains discussion and descriptions of abuse, mutilation, PTSD flashbacks, and panic attacks.
ALL THE QUEENS’ CURSES gave me all the emotions and deserves all the stars. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to start reading it again to dig deeper into the plot and savor the characters. This is definitely going on my all time favorites list!
Full review:
Happy Disability Pride Month! I’m thrilled to kick off my celebrations with a review of one of my MOST anticipated disability reads of 2026: ALL THE QUEENS’ CURSES, releasing August 11th! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my early copy!
Chronically ill and abused by her new stepfather, Princess Kit finds solace in her kind stepsister Catharine, until Kit’s mother, the queen, strikes a bargain with the fae. They swap Kit’s ailing body for Catharine’s to change their fates. Kit and Catharine embark on a quest to break the curse that takes them north to another kingdom where they meet a prince whose also under his own fae curse…
This book is near and dear to my heart as Alyssa Hollingsworth was one of the first chronically ill bloggers I read as a teen. Seeing someone with a similar chronic illness was so, so special to me and was one of my first introductions to the disability community.
When I heard she was finally publishing a YA fantasy based on her experience with rheumatoid arthritis, I was over the moon! I’m relieved to say that ALL THE QUEENS’ CURSES completely delivered on my high hopes!
This book made me cry and clutch my heart more than once. It’s a beautiful interpretation of Scottish fairytales with a lovely Regency fantasy setting. At times, I was nervous how the portrayal of chronic illness would come across as for most of the book Kit believes it’s a curse. However, the way the plot threads came together in the end was simply stunning.
I was obsessed with Kit’s character journey, the fairy tales elements, and the sweet romance. Family ties and romance carry equal weight here and it makes for a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Fair warning, however, this book contains discussion and descriptions of abuse, mutilation, PTSD flashbacks, and panic attacks.
ALL THE QUEENS’ CURSES gave me all the emotions and deserves all the stars. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to start reading it again to dig deeper into the plot and savor the characters. This is definitely going on my all time favorites list!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Hollingworth's YA debut shimmers with magic! All the Queens' Curses combines the much-loved whimsy of a fairytale with darker themes that are handled with care. A beautiful story of sisterhood, love and finding a home within.
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