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The House of Cursed Daughters
Not yet published
Expected 22 Oct 26Three women. One unbreakable curse. One last chance for freedom…They call her the She-Wolf.
France, 1312. Queen Isabella is a new mother. Her baby boy not only secures her ill-starred marriage but her own precarious future. And yet, she is terrified. A thirteen-generation curse hangs over her family. Can she free herself and her child from it?
They call her hysterical.
London, 1865. The corridors of Bedlam Lunatic Asylum move like white serpents around Lois. The women here are all the same – more mad than when they entered its doors. But if sin is the cause of her illness, and her memories are the manifestations of insanity, then who is the little boy who calls her Mama?
They call her selfish.
Brittany, 2026. Emma is preparing to marry Sam, a financier from New York. In the French countryside, they've rented a beautiful old castle for two weeks to unite their transatlantic families. But when her 16-year-old daughter Ivy steals a diamond intended for the wedding from the family archives, a dark force awakens…
France, 1312. Queen Isabella is a new mother. Her baby boy not only secures her ill-starred marriage but her own precarious future. And yet, she is terrified. A thirteen-generation curse hangs over her family. Can she free herself and her child from it?
They call her hysterical.
London, 1865. The corridors of Bedlam Lunatic Asylum move like white serpents around Lois. The women here are all the same – more mad than when they entered its doors. But if sin is the cause of her illness, and her memories are the manifestations of insanity, then who is the little boy who calls her Mama?
They call her selfish.
Brittany, 2026. Emma is preparing to marry Sam, a financier from New York. In the French countryside, they've rented a beautiful old castle for two weeks to unite their transatlantic families. But when her 16-year-old daughter Ivy steals a diamond intended for the wedding from the family archives, a dark force awakens…
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
C.J. Cooke
13 books2,582 followersC.J. (Carolyn) Cooke is an acclaimed, award-winning poet, novelist and academic with numerous publications as Carolyn Jess-Cooke and Caro Carver. Her work has been published in twenty-three languages to date. Born in Belfast, C.J. has a PhD in Literature from Queen’s University, Belfast, and is currently Reader in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, where she also researches the impact of motherhood on women’s writing and creative writing interventions for mental health. Her books have been reviewed in The New York Times, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, and the Daily Mail. She has been nominated for an Edgar Award and an ITW Thriller Award, selected as Waterstones’ Paperback Book of the Year and a BBC 2 Pick, and has had two Book of the Month Club selections in the last year. She lives in Scotland with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 9, 2026
C J Cooke can genuinely do no wrong. Every book is so compelling, so luxuriously haunting and inspires pure feminist rage. This one has gone right up there at the top with my favourites.
I don’t know how to express how much I loved this book without spoilers. The narrative around the curse was EVERYTHING I wanted and more. There is nothing I love more than a story that plays with time. I adore a dual contemporary/ historical timeline so to be treated to three here and a multi generational supernatural curse was a gift. My brain was doing internal fist pumps as the links between the three women started to come together. I loved all the timelines and the chilling gothic horror through the centuries. Isabella’s story was inspiring and CJC just writes (and rewrites) strong women so well. Adding in some institutional asylum horror was a genius move, building dread through an atmosphere of visceral vulnerability.
I had to physically make myself slow down reading this, there’s an urgency in each timeline and my eyes were tripping over the words as I had to remind myself to breathe. This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading, and that makes me mad when every book isn’t this good.
I don’t know how to express how much I loved this book without spoilers. The narrative around the curse was EVERYTHING I wanted and more. There is nothing I love more than a story that plays with time. I adore a dual contemporary/ historical timeline so to be treated to three here and a multi generational supernatural curse was a gift. My brain was doing internal fist pumps as the links between the three women started to come together. I loved all the timelines and the chilling gothic horror through the centuries. Isabella’s story was inspiring and CJC just writes (and rewrites) strong women so well. Adding in some institutional asylum horror was a genius move, building dread through an atmosphere of visceral vulnerability.
I had to physically make myself slow down reading this, there’s an urgency in each timeline and my eyes were tripping over the words as I had to remind myself to breathe. This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love reading, and that makes me mad when every book isn’t this good.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really liked the unusual concept of House of the Cursed Daughters and the idea of a cursed bloodline spanning over 700 years. The story follows 13 women from the same bloodline, although we only get to hear the stories of three of them. I found myself wishing we’d been given a little more insight into the other women and their experiences, as I think that could have added even more depth to the story.
There were definitely some creepy and eerie moments that I enjoyed, and the overall concept kept me interested. However, despite having plenty of potential, I wasn't completely wowed by it.
That said, it was still an enjoyable read and I’m glad I picked it up. A really interesting premise, just not quite the haunting, gripping read I was hoping for.
There were definitely some creepy and eerie moments that I enjoyed, and the overall concept kept me interested. However, despite having plenty of potential, I wasn't completely wowed by it.
That said, it was still an enjoyable read and I’m glad I picked it up. A really interesting premise, just not quite the haunting, gripping read I was hoping for.
July 17, 2026
Absolutely loved this book. A curse spanning seven hundred years starting from the execution of the Templars up to present day. Told from three POV’s, we go right back to Queen Isabella the wife of Edward II through to Emma on the eve of her wedding day. Witchcraft, historical events wove throughout the story and a glimpse of Bedlam in the 1800’s, I couldn’t put this book down. Wonderful and highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
July 27, 2026
First of all, thank you to #NetGalley, #HarperFiction, and, of course, C.J. Cooke for the opportunity to read an ARC of The House of Cursed Daughters.
This is my second novel by C.J. Cooke, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. While it felt different from The Last Witch, it still carried her unmistakable storytelling style. Once again, the historical details were fascinating, well-researched, and woven seamlessly into the narrative. I already knew a little about Queen Isabella before picking up this book and even recognized some of the places mentioned, which made the reading experience even more immersive.
One of the reasons I’ll continue reading Cooke’s books is that they always leave me wanting to learn more. Whenever she introduces a historical figure or event, I find myself researching the real history afterward, and I love when fiction inspires that kind of curiosity.
Stories with multiple points of view and timelines spanning centuries can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Cooke’s writing makes it effortless to follow every character and every era. I never felt lost, despite the complexity of the story.
Cooke also isn’t afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels excessive or included purely for shock value. Instead, it strengthens the haunting atmosphere and serves the story beautifully.
With multiple POVs, I often find myself impatiently waiting to get back to one particular character. Here, however, every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally excited to return to each one. That said, Isabella’s story was definitely my favourite.
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully eerie, time-spanning gothic tale that weaves together history, dread, folklore, and a haunting atmosphere. From the moment a dying knight curses young Isabella’s bloodline in 1307, the novel establishes a dark, sweeping tone that feels ancient, mysterious, and impossible to escape.
That said, it wasn’t quite a five-star read for me. There was just something missing that kept me from loving it completely. I think the ending left me wanting more. I had hoped for a clearer explanation of the curse itself and a more conclusive ending that brought together the stories of all the women connected to Isabella’s bloodline.
Overall, this is another atmospheric and beautifully written novel from C.J. Cooke that blends gothic horror with rich historical fiction. If you enjoy haunting family curses, dual (or multiple) timelines, and stories where history and folklore intertwine, this is definitely one to pick up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
This is my second novel by C.J. Cooke, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. While it felt different from The Last Witch, it still carried her unmistakable storytelling style. Once again, the historical details were fascinating, well-researched, and woven seamlessly into the narrative. I already knew a little about Queen Isabella before picking up this book and even recognized some of the places mentioned, which made the reading experience even more immersive.
One of the reasons I’ll continue reading Cooke’s books is that they always leave me wanting to learn more. Whenever she introduces a historical figure or event, I find myself researching the real history afterward, and I love when fiction inspires that kind of curiosity.
Stories with multiple points of view and timelines spanning centuries can sometimes feel overwhelming, but Cooke’s writing makes it effortless to follow every character and every era. I never felt lost, despite the complexity of the story.
Cooke also isn’t afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels excessive or included purely for shock value. Instead, it strengthens the haunting atmosphere and serves the story beautifully.
With multiple POVs, I often find myself impatiently waiting to get back to one particular character. Here, however, every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally excited to return to each one. That said, Isabella’s story was definitely my favourite.
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully eerie, time-spanning gothic tale that weaves together history, dread, folklore, and a haunting atmosphere. From the moment a dying knight curses young Isabella’s bloodline in 1307, the novel establishes a dark, sweeping tone that feels ancient, mysterious, and impossible to escape.
That said, it wasn’t quite a five-star read for me. There was just something missing that kept me from loving it completely. I think the ending left me wanting more. I had hoped for a clearer explanation of the curse itself and a more conclusive ending that brought together the stories of all the women connected to Isabella’s bloodline.
Overall, this is another atmospheric and beautifully written novel from C.J. Cooke that blends gothic horror with rich historical fiction. If you enjoy haunting family curses, dual (or multiple) timelines, and stories where history and folklore intertwine, this is definitely one to pick up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
September 2, 2026
Absolutely love this book that spans 700 years and 13 women tied to a curse dating back to the 1200’s. The author didn’t leave one stone unturned in bringing their stores together. I honestly thiugh Emma was off her rocker initially when she starts having odd occurrences and sensations after arriving at her wedding location/ art venue. Isabella, Emma, Ivy, and Clara bring their own female rage and fierceness to the story. I couldn’t pick one character I liked more than another. Perfect story to start the fall off with. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publish Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2026
Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
This is my second book by this author and it did not disappoint. Told from the points of view of three different women in different times in history and how they navigate a curse that was put on Isabella of France and her bloodline by the Grand Master of the Knights Templar at his execution . This story is informative, interesting and also had a horror aspect as the curse affects all the women of the bloodline . I love history so for me this ticked all the boxes - absolutely loved it
This is my second book by this author and it did not disappoint. Told from the points of view of three different women in different times in history and how they navigate a curse that was put on Isabella of France and her bloodline by the Grand Master of the Knights Templar at his execution . This story is informative, interesting and also had a horror aspect as the curse affects all the women of the bloodline . I love history so for me this ticked all the boxes - absolutely loved it
August 31, 2026
Thank you to the author, publishers Harper Collins and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.
Isabella, Lois and Emma, three women throughout history, cursed to lose what they love. In the modern day Emma’s life connects with the past in strange and unexpected ways.
I’m usually a fan of this author’s blend of historical fiction and modern discovery. But unfortunately this one didn’t hit the mark for me.
It felt a little too heavy on the historical points, like sharing the results of research were more important than the story. Modern-day Emma also felt quite a distant character and one I didn’t feel I had the chance to know - although she should be more of the focal point.
Equally for a story that link backs through 13 generations of women to only focus on three felt like it was doing a disservice to some of the characters. Probably not helped by the fact that the third main storyline character of Lois never really felt like she made a contribution to the overall plot. Without any spoilers she does have a role in bringing things together, but it’s in a way that doesn’t really pay out on the chapters of her trapped in an asylum.
It’s an interesting idea, but just too disjointed in the delivery.
Isabella, Lois and Emma, three women throughout history, cursed to lose what they love. In the modern day Emma’s life connects with the past in strange and unexpected ways.
I’m usually a fan of this author’s blend of historical fiction and modern discovery. But unfortunately this one didn’t hit the mark for me.
It felt a little too heavy on the historical points, like sharing the results of research were more important than the story. Modern-day Emma also felt quite a distant character and one I didn’t feel I had the chance to know - although she should be more of the focal point.
Equally for a story that link backs through 13 generations of women to only focus on three felt like it was doing a disservice to some of the characters. Probably not helped by the fact that the third main storyline character of Lois never really felt like she made a contribution to the overall plot. Without any spoilers she does have a role in bringing things together, but it’s in a way that doesn’t really pay out on the chapters of her trapped in an asylum.
It’s an interesting idea, but just too disjointed in the delivery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a young child Princess Isabella if France is taken to the public execution of 4 Knights Templars. One of the men,Molay, asks Isabella for mercy. She's torn as he was a friend but she feels she has to support her father, she wishes him mercy in a quick death. His dying words were to issue a curse. Despite her father's intervention this curse follows Isabella as she becomes Queen of England and reaches through her bloodline along 13 generations, concluding in Emma's story as she prepares an art exhibition featuring 13 women each wearing the same dress.
As per CJ Cooke previous novels she weaves a fabulous storyline. The book is atmospheric and blends history and present times perfectly. The women are all strong characters, showcasing women's power. It's a great read
As per CJ Cooke previous novels she weaves a fabulous storyline. The book is atmospheric and blends history and present times perfectly. The women are all strong characters, showcasing women's power. It's a great read
August 19, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I’ve loved many of C.J. Cooke’s previous books and this is no exception. I enjoyed learning about the real life history behind the story as well as the alternating timelines between the three POV’s. The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is the ending, I wanted more I guess and still have some questions regarding the curse. Overall an enjoyable and thrilling read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
To say this feels very much like a C.J. Cooke book is the most succinct praise I can think of. It's a fascinating delve into history with some deliciously dark occult touches and all framed within a modern reflection. Which I guess sound a bit fancy, and rightly so, but also it's just an enjoyable read.
So, our main timelines. Emma, 2026. A Scottish artist who has produced 13 portraits of women through the centuries, going back to Isabella of France... who is the other main timeline. Okay, not a shocking twist there. Anyway, Isabella's story follows her departure from France to her life as queen and then queen regent of England. Emma's story is her exhibition of her paintings and how the history of them all has ended up in her studio.
Isabella's story is the most fascinating to me. In truth, I never knew a thing about her before this. In fact, I think the best I can say is that I knew her husband and son existed, Edward II and Edward III respectively. They're not kings that have made many ripples in my lifetime so I had no preconceived ideas about anyone in this timeline. It was one I found interesting though. I've found myself looking up events to build a fuller picture at times because... well, royal history and politics are far too vast and at times rather dry, so thankfully Cooke made the choice to give enough details to tell her story without overwhelming the narrative. Isabella is an impressive lady, and she is the anchor of the book.
Emma's 2026 plotline is a neat trick I enjoy in Cooke's writing. Yes, everyone does a split narrative these days, to the point I'm feeling it's overdone and a gimmick at times, but I've always found Cooke does it well. There's a purpose. Here, it gives us the circle of Isabella's life. Emma gives us a path from Isabella. She gives us a modern reflection of the themes introduced with Isabella, and through her art traces a thread through generations.
There are two other perspectives though. Ivy, Emma's daughter, gets a few chapters. Few enough they could be just a narrative aid to tell Emma's story, but that ultimately has a bigger purpose that works well. As the story concludes, her brief cameos earlier help it all feel more flowing and natural.
Then there's Clara, an inmate in Bedlam. Now, this is a tricky timeline as there's a certain limit to the story of an amnesiac inmate in a workhouse/asylum. This really shouldn't work, and it is the slowest part of the book with question marks about what role it plays hanging over it a little. However, by exploring Clara's relationships with other inmates there's a story worth reading and by looking at the power of memories returning we do have a place in the grander scheme of the book. In fact, it somewhat proves a very clever point in connecting all the stories being told and touching on very powerful themes that, well, have cursed women for centuries. Yeah, the part that feels most out of place actually becomes more and more significant with every reflection. This is why I have no fear with Cooke starts jumping around timelines.
So, I'm all in. The storytelling is there. And what Cooke does incredibly well is offering a less common perspective on the past. And yes, some won't like that. For them, history is sacred and no new light may be shed on their version. Some won't like Emma's storyline either because... well, too many people have strong opinions about other people's lives, especially the lives of women. That's... a huge underlying aspect of the whole book in fact. It doesn't preach, it doesn't judge, but it won't be anything but what it is. That would be noble, but in Cooke we have a storyteller who can do it justice. Which is almost like another theme here...
So, our main timelines. Emma, 2026. A Scottish artist who has produced 13 portraits of women through the centuries, going back to Isabella of France... who is the other main timeline. Okay, not a shocking twist there. Anyway, Isabella's story follows her departure from France to her life as queen and then queen regent of England. Emma's story is her exhibition of her paintings and how the history of them all has ended up in her studio.
Isabella's story is the most fascinating to me. In truth, I never knew a thing about her before this. In fact, I think the best I can say is that I knew her husband and son existed, Edward II and Edward III respectively. They're not kings that have made many ripples in my lifetime so I had no preconceived ideas about anyone in this timeline. It was one I found interesting though. I've found myself looking up events to build a fuller picture at times because... well, royal history and politics are far too vast and at times rather dry, so thankfully Cooke made the choice to give enough details to tell her story without overwhelming the narrative. Isabella is an impressive lady, and she is the anchor of the book.
Emma's 2026 plotline is a neat trick I enjoy in Cooke's writing. Yes, everyone does a split narrative these days, to the point I'm feeling it's overdone and a gimmick at times, but I've always found Cooke does it well. There's a purpose. Here, it gives us the circle of Isabella's life. Emma gives us a path from Isabella. She gives us a modern reflection of the themes introduced with Isabella, and through her art traces a thread through generations.
There are two other perspectives though. Ivy, Emma's daughter, gets a few chapters. Few enough they could be just a narrative aid to tell Emma's story, but that ultimately has a bigger purpose that works well. As the story concludes, her brief cameos earlier help it all feel more flowing and natural.
Then there's Clara, an inmate in Bedlam. Now, this is a tricky timeline as there's a certain limit to the story of an amnesiac inmate in a workhouse/asylum. This really shouldn't work, and it is the slowest part of the book with question marks about what role it plays hanging over it a little. However, by exploring Clara's relationships with other inmates there's a story worth reading and by looking at the power of memories returning we do have a place in the grander scheme of the book. In fact, it somewhat proves a very clever point in connecting all the stories being told and touching on very powerful themes that, well, have cursed women for centuries. Yeah, the part that feels most out of place actually becomes more and more significant with every reflection. This is why I have no fear with Cooke starts jumping around timelines.
So, I'm all in. The storytelling is there. And what Cooke does incredibly well is offering a less common perspective on the past. And yes, some won't like that. For them, history is sacred and no new light may be shed on their version. Some won't like Emma's storyline either because... well, too many people have strong opinions about other people's lives, especially the lives of women. That's... a huge underlying aspect of the whole book in fact. It doesn't preach, it doesn't judge, but it won't be anything but what it is. That would be noble, but in Cooke we have a storyteller who can do it justice. Which is almost like another theme here...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 rounded up
Paris 1307. Four heretics are to be burned at the stake and Phillip IV of France requires his daughter Isabella to witness it. One of the condemned souls is Knight Templar Jacques de Moloy, who she has met and when his eyes alight on Isabella, he begs for mercy. Under the cool watchful eye of her father this is something she cannot grant and thus, he curses her house, her lineage and that her bloodline will be tormented.
1865 London, Bedlam. Lois/Clara is confined to Bedlam, waking in a padded cell with no clue how she’s got there or even who she is. She possesses a red garnet that she knows is very significant but not why.
2026. Emma Harris is an artist and plagued by terrible dreams of fires, so vivid the heat seems to be on her face. Currently, she’s at the Château de Kerbelle near Paris for her wedding to Sam and her art exhibition called The Dress, featuring thirteen women through time, wearing versions of the dress.
Seven centuries. Three women. One blood curse.
Wow. CJ Cooke sure knows how to tell a terrific Gothic tale. The supernatural, curses, ghastly ghostly entities, tarot cards, witchcraft – it’s all here. It’s a dark Grimm style fairytale, watched over by the Château from whose walls the curse seems to come alive. Ash and dust, fire and smoke, blood, inheritance and identity. It’s fabulously atmospheric both in the French and English mediaeval courts, the horror of 19th century Bedlam where women’s rights are overridden and ignored, and in the 21st Century the château positively exudes a haunting aura.
The three timelines work really well. As a former history teacher, I find the Isabella storyline especially fascinating, I know her story but CJ Cooke makes me rethink how HIStory has branded her the She-Wolf of France, and she absolutely brings her to life. The impact of Moloy’s curse is vividly witnessed in the other timelines and via Emma‘s art which connects and brings the whole thing together.
However, much as I really love the book, Lois/Clara‘s story does fizzle out and we only meet the other women in the paintings briefly. That being said, I think it’s a terrific novel. It’s unsettling, tense, haunting and chilling, gritty raw and ghostly, but overall it’s a thoughtful and thought-provoking multigenerational novel. It’s vivid and well written. I think the author has another best seller on her hands!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Paris 1307. Four heretics are to be burned at the stake and Phillip IV of France requires his daughter Isabella to witness it. One of the condemned souls is Knight Templar Jacques de Moloy, who she has met and when his eyes alight on Isabella, he begs for mercy. Under the cool watchful eye of her father this is something she cannot grant and thus, he curses her house, her lineage and that her bloodline will be tormented.
1865 London, Bedlam. Lois/Clara is confined to Bedlam, waking in a padded cell with no clue how she’s got there or even who she is. She possesses a red garnet that she knows is very significant but not why.
2026. Emma Harris is an artist and plagued by terrible dreams of fires, so vivid the heat seems to be on her face. Currently, she’s at the Château de Kerbelle near Paris for her wedding to Sam and her art exhibition called The Dress, featuring thirteen women through time, wearing versions of the dress.
Seven centuries. Three women. One blood curse.
Wow. CJ Cooke sure knows how to tell a terrific Gothic tale. The supernatural, curses, ghastly ghostly entities, tarot cards, witchcraft – it’s all here. It’s a dark Grimm style fairytale, watched over by the Château from whose walls the curse seems to come alive. Ash and dust, fire and smoke, blood, inheritance and identity. It’s fabulously atmospheric both in the French and English mediaeval courts, the horror of 19th century Bedlam where women’s rights are overridden and ignored, and in the 21st Century the château positively exudes a haunting aura.
The three timelines work really well. As a former history teacher, I find the Isabella storyline especially fascinating, I know her story but CJ Cooke makes me rethink how HIStory has branded her the She-Wolf of France, and she absolutely brings her to life. The impact of Moloy’s curse is vividly witnessed in the other timelines and via Emma‘s art which connects and brings the whole thing together.
However, much as I really love the book, Lois/Clara‘s story does fizzle out and we only meet the other women in the paintings briefly. That being said, I think it’s a terrific novel. It’s unsettling, tense, haunting and chilling, gritty raw and ghostly, but overall it’s a thoughtful and thought-provoking multigenerational novel. It’s vivid and well written. I think the author has another best seller on her hands!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins/HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A gothic, atmospheric story that blends historical fiction, supernatural mystery, and family secrets across three different timelines. At the heart of the story is the fascinating connection between Isabella, Lois, and Emma. Three women separated by centuries but bound together by the same dark family history.
What worked best for me was watching the connection between these three women slowly come into focus. At first, their stories feel separate, but as the pieces begin to fall into place, it becomes clear that what happened in one generation continues to affect the next. Moving between Isabella in the 1300s, Lois in the 1800s, and Emma in the present gives the story a sense of a cycle repeating itself across generations. Each timeline reveals another piece of the puzzle, and I enjoyed having to reconsider what I thought I understood as more of their shared history came to light.
Their connection goes beyond simply being tied together by a family curse. Their stories are linked by the choices, suffering, secrets, and consequences passed from one generation of women to another. I especially liked seeing how Isabella's experiences echoed through Lois's life and eventually reached Emma, making the past feel very much alive in the present.
The atmosphere was another strong point for me. The historical settings, the château, the darkness surrounding the family, and the supernatural elements all created an appropriately unsettling mood. Isabella's storyline was particularly compelling, and I found myself wanting to understand how her experiences would ultimately shape Lois and Emma.
Where the book lost me somewhat was with the supernatural mythology. The curse itself was intriguing, but I wanted more explanation about its origins, its rules, and how all of the pieces ultimately fit together. Some of the mysteries felt intentionally left vague, but I was hoping for a little more resolution by the end.
Still, the central idea of three women separated by centuries but connected by the same legacy kept me invested. I enjoyed watching the threads between Isabella, Lois, and Emma gradually come together and seeing how the choices and experiences of one generation continued to shape the lives of those who followed.
Overall, The House of Cursed Daughters is an atmospheric and imaginative gothic mystery with an interesting multi-generational structure. It wasn't quite as frightening as I expected, but the creepy setting, historical elements, and themes surrounding mothers and daughters made it an enjoyable read.
What worked best for me was watching the connection between these three women slowly come into focus. At first, their stories feel separate, but as the pieces begin to fall into place, it becomes clear that what happened in one generation continues to affect the next. Moving between Isabella in the 1300s, Lois in the 1800s, and Emma in the present gives the story a sense of a cycle repeating itself across generations. Each timeline reveals another piece of the puzzle, and I enjoyed having to reconsider what I thought I understood as more of their shared history came to light.
Their connection goes beyond simply being tied together by a family curse. Their stories are linked by the choices, suffering, secrets, and consequences passed from one generation of women to another. I especially liked seeing how Isabella's experiences echoed through Lois's life and eventually reached Emma, making the past feel very much alive in the present.
The atmosphere was another strong point for me. The historical settings, the château, the darkness surrounding the family, and the supernatural elements all created an appropriately unsettling mood. Isabella's storyline was particularly compelling, and I found myself wanting to understand how her experiences would ultimately shape Lois and Emma.
Where the book lost me somewhat was with the supernatural mythology. The curse itself was intriguing, but I wanted more explanation about its origins, its rules, and how all of the pieces ultimately fit together. Some of the mysteries felt intentionally left vague, but I was hoping for a little more resolution by the end.
Still, the central idea of three women separated by centuries but connected by the same legacy kept me invested. I enjoyed watching the threads between Isabella, Lois, and Emma gradually come together and seeing how the choices and experiences of one generation continued to shape the lives of those who followed.
Overall, The House of Cursed Daughters is an atmospheric and imaginative gothic mystery with an interesting multi-generational structure. It wasn't quite as frightening as I expected, but the creepy setting, historical elements, and themes surrounding mothers and daughters made it an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A young French princess is put on the spot to make a decision that will affect the fate of men accused of being heretics. A decision that she is too young to make, and that decision will bring a curse that will affect generations. C.J. Cooke always delivers the chills and thrills which leave me reeling and wanting more! The House of Cursed Daughters takes place in three timelines and shows how an ancient curse affected three women. I loved the Gothic vibe, the sense of dread, the tension, the characters, the sense of danger, and C.J. Cooke's take on female power.
France, 1312 - Isabella is a princess tasked by her father of making a HUGE decision and finds herself cursed by one of the Heretics. She married off at a young age and finds herself in an 'interesting' marriage. When she becomes a mother, she does all she can to free herself from the curse.
London, 1865 - Lois is in Bedlam Lunatic Asylum who keeps talking about a little boy who calls her Mama.
Brittany, 2026 - Emma is an artist who is not only preparing for her upcoming wedding but her upcoming art exhibit in an old castle in France. Her daughter Ivy will be attending. Emma can't help but feel unsettled and finds that echoes of the past are leaving her feeling unsettled and full of dread.
This was such a wonderful book brimming with atmosphere, a chilling and gothic vibe, history, how women are seen and treated, power, choices, and danger. This book has a supernatural slant surrounding the curse and the women who are cursed. This was a very nice touch and added to the story. I also loved the characters both likeable and unlikeable. I enjoyed reading the three women's POV's and their plights. The House of Cursed Daughters is wonderfully written, well thought out, and progresses at a nice pace. I felt for all the women and rooted for all of them.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Mary Beth! Please read her review of The House of Cursed Daughters to get her thoughts on the book!
Thank you to HarperCollins, Berkley, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
France, 1312 - Isabella is a princess tasked by her father of making a HUGE decision and finds herself cursed by one of the Heretics. She married off at a young age and finds herself in an 'interesting' marriage. When she becomes a mother, she does all she can to free herself from the curse.
London, 1865 - Lois is in Bedlam Lunatic Asylum who keeps talking about a little boy who calls her Mama.
Brittany, 2026 - Emma is an artist who is not only preparing for her upcoming wedding but her upcoming art exhibit in an old castle in France. Her daughter Ivy will be attending. Emma can't help but feel unsettled and finds that echoes of the past are leaving her feeling unsettled and full of dread.
This was such a wonderful book brimming with atmosphere, a chilling and gothic vibe, history, how women are seen and treated, power, choices, and danger. This book has a supernatural slant surrounding the curse and the women who are cursed. This was a very nice touch and added to the story. I also loved the characters both likeable and unlikeable. I enjoyed reading the three women's POV's and their plights. The House of Cursed Daughters is wonderfully written, well thought out, and progresses at a nice pace. I felt for all the women and rooted for all of them.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Mary Beth! Please read her review of The House of Cursed Daughters to get her thoughts on the book!
Thank you to HarperCollins, Berkley, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I've only read two of Cooke's books before (this makes 3) and I own one other, but she's already become a must-read author.
Maybe it wasn't the ideal book to choose to read at night when you're alone in the house and your dog keeps making noises that sound like someone's trying to break down your door but hey! I mean, it's not a horror, but there are some pretty freaky scenes.
It reminded me slightly of Emilia Hart's Weyward (which was a brilliant book) in regards to following different generations of women caught up in some sort of magic.
I like multiple timeline/POV stories, especially if they're characters who are related or linked in some way, which is what this is, and I loved that. And she's chosen three very different periods - 1300s, 1800s, and 2026.
It's slow to get going, but that's not a negative. It allows you time to get to trips with the multiple timelines, the different characters, the emotions that are coming through. And then it gets more fast paced as it goes through.
I might be wrong but from what I've googled, it appears that Princess Isabella was actually a real person, although not everything in this book is true to face. I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the story.
I thought I'd prefer the 1300s scenes more because I like that ancient history stuff and I suppose I did to a degree, but I found myself enjoying the 2026 scenes more than I expected to. And the 1800s scenes gives me the best of both worlds - something that feels ancient but also has a certain level of familiarity.
I wasn't very well when I was reading this and was struggling to focus (I even went one day without reading at all and the last time I did that was before I was born), so it took me a little longer to read than normal but I was glad in a way because it meant I got to savour it.
It's a story told by three women. It's rare to get a novel (that isn't a rom-com) from the POV of women. But it never felt like a gimmick or something to tick a box. It felt natural and right.
There was history, romance, friendships, mother/child family, dysfunctional families, peril, chaos, murder, fear, curses, drama, thrill - it just had everything and it's her expertise in storytelling that ensure it doesn't feel too overwhelming.
I think it's her best one yet.
I've only read two of Cooke's books before (this makes 3) and I own one other, but she's already become a must-read author.
Maybe it wasn't the ideal book to choose to read at night when you're alone in the house and your dog keeps making noises that sound like someone's trying to break down your door but hey! I mean, it's not a horror, but there are some pretty freaky scenes.
It reminded me slightly of Emilia Hart's Weyward (which was a brilliant book) in regards to following different generations of women caught up in some sort of magic.
I like multiple timeline/POV stories, especially if they're characters who are related or linked in some way, which is what this is, and I loved that. And she's chosen three very different periods - 1300s, 1800s, and 2026.
It's slow to get going, but that's not a negative. It allows you time to get to trips with the multiple timelines, the different characters, the emotions that are coming through. And then it gets more fast paced as it goes through.
I might be wrong but from what I've googled, it appears that Princess Isabella was actually a real person, although not everything in this book is true to face. I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the story.
I thought I'd prefer the 1300s scenes more because I like that ancient history stuff and I suppose I did to a degree, but I found myself enjoying the 2026 scenes more than I expected to. And the 1800s scenes gives me the best of both worlds - something that feels ancient but also has a certain level of familiarity.
I wasn't very well when I was reading this and was struggling to focus (I even went one day without reading at all and the last time I did that was before I was born), so it took me a little longer to read than normal but I was glad in a way because it meant I got to savour it.
It's a story told by three women. It's rare to get a novel (that isn't a rom-com) from the POV of women. But it never felt like a gimmick or something to tick a box. It felt natural and right.
There was history, romance, friendships, mother/child family, dysfunctional families, peril, chaos, murder, fear, curses, drama, thrill - it just had everything and it's her expertise in storytelling that ensure it doesn't feel too overwhelming.
I think it's her best one yet.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully eerie, time‑spanning gothic tale that weaves dread, history, and haunting atmosphere into one compelling thread. From the moment a dying knight curses young Isabella’s bloodline in 1307, the story sets its tone: dark, sweeping, and steeped in the kind of myth that feels almost too old to question.
What makes this book so captivating is how it moves through centuries while keeping the curse at its core. Each woman’s story feels distinct yet connected — Isabella witnessing horror that shapes her future, Lois waking in Bedlam with no memory and a sense of something ancient stalking her, and Emma arriving at a crumbling château where the walls seem to breathe with old secrets. The transitions between eras are seamless, and each timeline has its own flavour of fear.
The atmosphere is stunning. Paris in flames, the claustrophobic madness of Bedlam, and the present‑day château with its creeping unease all feel vividly alive. There’s a sense that the curse isn’t just following these women — it’s watching, waiting, choosing its moment.
I loved how the book blends gothic horror with emotional depth. It’s not just about a curse; it’s about inheritance, identity, and the weight of history pressing down on the present. The tension builds quietly but steadily, and by the final chapters, the story feels like it’s been tightening its grip for centuries.
A haunting, imaginative, and beautifully crafted novel that delivers both chills and heart. Perfect for readers who love multi‑generational mysteries, gothic settings, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
With thanks to CJ Cooke, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
What makes this book so captivating is how it moves through centuries while keeping the curse at its core. Each woman’s story feels distinct yet connected — Isabella witnessing horror that shapes her future, Lois waking in Bedlam with no memory and a sense of something ancient stalking her, and Emma arriving at a crumbling château where the walls seem to breathe with old secrets. The transitions between eras are seamless, and each timeline has its own flavour of fear.
The atmosphere is stunning. Paris in flames, the claustrophobic madness of Bedlam, and the present‑day château with its creeping unease all feel vividly alive. There’s a sense that the curse isn’t just following these women — it’s watching, waiting, choosing its moment.
I loved how the book blends gothic horror with emotional depth. It’s not just about a curse; it’s about inheritance, identity, and the weight of history pressing down on the present. The tension builds quietly but steadily, and by the final chapters, the story feels like it’s been tightening its grip for centuries.
A haunting, imaginative, and beautifully crafted novel that delivers both chills and heart. Perfect for readers who love multi‑generational mysteries, gothic settings, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.
With thanks to CJ Cooke, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
C.J. Cooke never disappoints with her magical writing style that always sends me back in time. Learning something about history and being completely entombed within the confines of the cover. I find myself finishing one book and ready to crack open her next. Who needs to read about a 700-year-old curse that is linked through thirteen different women? I know that grabs my attention and it did. I ignored my family and threw snacks at them when they asked. I needed to get to the end and find out what happens. This story is told through multiple points of view. I loved Isabella and Emma. The two anchors of time. The book is atmospheric, dark, and can be at times heart wrenching. Trust me you need this book in your life!
In 1312, Isabella of France was made to watch the Execution of the Templars. One knight, Jacques de Molay, asks one request of her to let him live. As her father watches on she denies this request, leading to a horrifying curse. That is always in the back of her mind. Come back to present day and Emma has been working on her latest painting of thirteen different women wearing one dress. She is ecstatic to be heading to France to marry her love, Sam. Emma is having an exhibition the day after her wedding of her Dress series. When she arrives at the Chateau de Kerbellec the castle rocks her world. It is gorgeous inside and out. Yet Emma is having strange nightmares and she feels like she has been here before. Voices are filling her head and she hopes that she will make it through the wedding and exhibition without breaking.
I do not want to go into too much detail and give the book away. Just know that it is phenomenally written, the layers are peeled back over the seven hundred years. Secrets that were long buried come back to life. Make sure to add this to your reading pile. It is an amazing tale. Thank you to C.J. Cooke and Berkley for my gifted copy.
In 1312, Isabella of France was made to watch the Execution of the Templars. One knight, Jacques de Molay, asks one request of her to let him live. As her father watches on she denies this request, leading to a horrifying curse. That is always in the back of her mind. Come back to present day and Emma has been working on her latest painting of thirteen different women wearing one dress. She is ecstatic to be heading to France to marry her love, Sam. Emma is having an exhibition the day after her wedding of her Dress series. When she arrives at the Chateau de Kerbellec the castle rocks her world. It is gorgeous inside and out. Yet Emma is having strange nightmares and she feels like she has been here before. Voices are filling her head and she hopes that she will make it through the wedding and exhibition without breaking.
I do not want to go into too much detail and give the book away. Just know that it is phenomenally written, the layers are peeled back over the seven hundred years. Secrets that were long buried come back to life. Make sure to add this to your reading pile. It is an amazing tale. Thank you to C.J. Cooke and Berkley for my gifted copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 rounded into 4 stars
The intention to upheld the unheard, underrated voices for Queens of England are highly appreciated. Amplified their contributions, characters, stories and more where they should be very welcomed. I really think mainstream history doesn’t give enough credit for Queens if she wasn’t the reigning one like Elizabeth or Victoria.
Isabella of France was one of QoE that I rarely come across and she ofc was subjected under misogyny much duh during medieval era.
I honestly don’t cared much on other POV like Emma or Clare. They are necessary but I’m more thrilled with Isabella’s POV. What’s next for Isabella to take action and such. I was so invested but didn’t realized that the plot actually pulled off a gothic genre. I only get it after I read other ppl’s review. Shame on me.
However I really really hate the historical inaccuracy where it’s abusive and vague. I understand this is historical fiction but when author promised to try her best to adopt from historical facts, please kindly deliver as exactly.
Looking into the curses, well I enjoyed but I wasn’t impressed much. I also wonder why the little girl has to shoulder a burden. She’s just a child. Shocking value isn’t there, and I still think The Lighthouse is better.
Overall, it’s a beautiful unsettling story that uplifting the story of an infamous queen woven with generational stories. Highlighting women’s life as it should be and deserved whereas mainstream history won’t do so.
The intention to upheld the unheard, underrated voices for Queens of England are highly appreciated. Amplified their contributions, characters, stories and more where they should be very welcomed. I really think mainstream history doesn’t give enough credit for Queens if she wasn’t the reigning one like Elizabeth or Victoria.
Isabella of France was one of QoE that I rarely come across and she ofc was subjected under misogyny much duh during medieval era.
I honestly don’t cared much on other POV like Emma or Clare. They are necessary but I’m more thrilled with Isabella’s POV. What’s next for Isabella to take action and such. I was so invested but didn’t realized that the plot actually pulled off a gothic genre. I only get it after I read other ppl’s review. Shame on me.
However I really really hate the historical inaccuracy where it’s abusive and vague. I understand this is historical fiction but when author promised to try her best to adopt from historical facts, please kindly deliver as exactly.
Looking into the curses, well I enjoyed but I wasn’t impressed much. I also wonder why the little girl has to shoulder a burden. She’s just a child. Shocking value isn’t there, and I still think The Lighthouse is better.
Overall, it’s a beautiful unsettling story that uplifting the story of an infamous queen woven with generational stories. Highlighting women’s life as it should be and deserved whereas mainstream history won’t do so.
August 28, 2026
Emma is preparing for her wedding at a castle in the French countryside, where she is set to marry Sam. She’s also hosting an art exhibition featuring thirteen mysterious women she has painted, women who first came to her in dreams. Excited to finally share her work, Emma hopes to show her teenage daughter, Ivy, what she’s been creating.
As guests begin filling the castle, Emma becomes increasingly anxious. Seeking solitude, she wanders into one of the castle’s hidden corridors. When she touches the ancient engravings carved into the stone, she is overcome with the unsettling feeling that she has been there before. But how could that be possible?
France, 1312. Queen Isabella fears for both her child and her own life after a curse is cast over her family. Desperate to break the curse and secure a safer future, she is willing to do whatever it takes, but escaping fate may come at a terrible cost.
London, 1865. Clara has been locked away and forgotten inside the Bedlam Lunatic Asylum. With no memory of who she is or how she ended up there, she is terrified that no one is coming to save her.
Spanning seven centuries and connecting thirteen women bound by a devastating curse, The House of Cursed Daughters explores female power, survival, motherhood, and the darkness women have endured throughout history.
C.J. Cooke weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives to create a haunting, atmospheric story filled with mystery and gothic elements. While it took me a little time to fully connect all the threads, I was fascinated by the stories of these women and the curse linking them together.
Dark, eerie, and beautifully layered, this is a story about women surviving when darkness threatens to consume them and the power they discover within themselves along the way.
As guests begin filling the castle, Emma becomes increasingly anxious. Seeking solitude, she wanders into one of the castle’s hidden corridors. When she touches the ancient engravings carved into the stone, she is overcome with the unsettling feeling that she has been there before. But how could that be possible?
France, 1312. Queen Isabella fears for both her child and her own life after a curse is cast over her family. Desperate to break the curse and secure a safer future, she is willing to do whatever it takes, but escaping fate may come at a terrible cost.
London, 1865. Clara has been locked away and forgotten inside the Bedlam Lunatic Asylum. With no memory of who she is or how she ended up there, she is terrified that no one is coming to save her.
Spanning seven centuries and connecting thirteen women bound by a devastating curse, The House of Cursed Daughters explores female power, survival, motherhood, and the darkness women have endured throughout history.
C.J. Cooke weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives to create a haunting, atmospheric story filled with mystery and gothic elements. While it took me a little time to fully connect all the threads, I was fascinated by the stories of these women and the curse linking them together.
Dark, eerie, and beautifully layered, this is a story about women surviving when darkness threatens to consume them and the power they discover within themselves along the way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The House of Cursed Daughters is a haunting gothic mystery that weaves together witchcraft, family secrets, and Scottish folklore across dual timelines. Rich in atmosphere and emotion, it's a story about the women history forgets, the power of sisterhood, and the darkness that can linger through generations.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
C.J. Cooke has done it again. The House of Cursed Daughters is everything I want in gothic fiction: haunting, beautifully written, atmospheric, and impossible to put down.
The dual timelines are seamlessly woven together, gradually revealing a story full of family secrets, folklore, and women whose voices refuse to be forgotten. The Scottish setting is vivid and immersive, adding an eerie beauty that lingers long after the final page.
What impressed me most was how effortlessly the novel balanced mystery, historical fiction, and supernatural elements while remaining deeply emotional. Every revelation felt earned, and the ending was both satisfying and unforgettable.
If you love gothic fiction with witches, ancient folklore, atmospheric settings, and layered family mysteries, this is an absolute must read. Without a doubt, one of my favourite books of the year.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
C.J. Cooke has done it again. The House of Cursed Daughters is everything I want in gothic fiction: haunting, beautifully written, atmospheric, and impossible to put down.
The dual timelines are seamlessly woven together, gradually revealing a story full of family secrets, folklore, and women whose voices refuse to be forgotten. The Scottish setting is vivid and immersive, adding an eerie beauty that lingers long after the final page.
What impressed me most was how effortlessly the novel balanced mystery, historical fiction, and supernatural elements while remaining deeply emotional. Every revelation felt earned, and the ending was both satisfying and unforgettable.
If you love gothic fiction with witches, ancient folklore, atmospheric settings, and layered family mysteries, this is an absolute must read. Without a doubt, one of my favourite books of the year.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If CJ Cooke writes it, I’ll read it. Not sure what spell she’s cast on me, but I’m fine with it.
The House of Cursed Daughters is an epic, atmospheric tale that sits on points between time, journeying from a cursed young princess in the 13th century, and down the family line until we find Emma, a girl whose bloodline has been darkened because of one mistake centuries ago. The setup was immaculate — dark, tense, so vivid in the fear and pressure our young princess felt, why she wasn’t able to save a man from a pyre, a decision that would ripple throughout time.
Emma was a delight — mixing the real life anxieties of neurodivergence, modern life and relationships with the looming threat of a generational curse. She tells the story smoothly, thoughtfully with plenty of inner rambling that let us into her mindset. And then of course, the young Isabella, a princess but just a child — facing a world of witch hunts, heretics and burnings that offer frightening parallels to modern mob mentality and political corruption on top of the supernatural frights. More voices eventually join the story, a rich tapestry of women throughout time — and Cooke manages to achieve that rare, delicate balance where both narratives shine on their own.
Cw; medical incarceration/bedlam, child marriage, mental illness, animal sacrifice,
The House of Cursed Daughters is an epic, atmospheric tale that sits on points between time, journeying from a cursed young princess in the 13th century, and down the family line until we find Emma, a girl whose bloodline has been darkened because of one mistake centuries ago. The setup was immaculate — dark, tense, so vivid in the fear and pressure our young princess felt, why she wasn’t able to save a man from a pyre, a decision that would ripple throughout time.
Emma was a delight — mixing the real life anxieties of neurodivergence, modern life and relationships with the looming threat of a generational curse. She tells the story smoothly, thoughtfully with plenty of inner rambling that let us into her mindset. And then of course, the young Isabella, a princess but just a child — facing a world of witch hunts, heretics and burnings that offer frightening parallels to modern mob mentality and political corruption on top of the supernatural frights. More voices eventually join the story, a rich tapestry of women throughout time — and Cooke manages to achieve that rare, delicate balance where both narratives shine on their own.
Cw; medical incarceration/bedlam, child marriage, mental illness, animal sacrifice,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a phenomenal read! Not only was I fully invested with the captivating storyline, but the vivid, atmospheric prose resonated with me in a way that made me feel like I was personally experiencing each and every scene myself. The author navigated me on this dark journey that starts with a curse and follows with the threat of a formidable revenge that spans across seven centuries. A genre mashup of paranormal fantasy and women's fiction. So cool! I really enjoyed having the POVs from three different timelines. I'd have to say that Isabella's was my favorite. I found her story extremely endearing and her ferocity inspirational. Having the courage to stand up and fight against the patriarchy has come a long way since the dark ages. I applaud these women for their tenacity when the consequences of their actions would have been undoubtedly severe. Girl power all the way! I've only read one other book by Cooke and it in no way compares to how much I enjoyed this one. Safe to say that I will now be scouring Amazon to add all of her other novels to my TBR list. I absolutely loved it! I can see this being one of the top reads of 2027. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Having read C.J. Cooke before, I was quietly optimistic that The House of Cursed Daughters would be a book written for me.
Strong female characters? Tick.
Women supporting women? Tick.
A story spanning generations? Tick.
A dark, gothic setting? Absolutely.
Stories with multiple POVs and timelines stretching across different centuries can sometimes feel intimidating, but Cooke's writing makes it effortless to keep track of each character in every timeline.
Cooke isn't afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels included simply for shock value. Instead, it deepens the atmosphere and horror in a way that feels purposeful and beautifully executed.
With multiple POVs, I usually find myself impatient to get back to one particular character but every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally eager to return to each of them.
This is a beautifully unsettling gothic novel that blends mystery, horror, and generational secrets. Without a doubt, it's one of my favourite books of the year so far.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Strong female characters? Tick.
Women supporting women? Tick.
A story spanning generations? Tick.
A dark, gothic setting? Absolutely.
Stories with multiple POVs and timelines stretching across different centuries can sometimes feel intimidating, but Cooke's writing makes it effortless to keep track of each character in every timeline.
Cooke isn't afraid to use disturbing imagery or moments of gore to heighten the unease, but it never feels included simply for shock value. Instead, it deepens the atmosphere and horror in a way that feels purposeful and beautifully executed.
With multiple POVs, I usually find myself impatient to get back to one particular character but every storyline had me completely invested, and I was equally eager to return to each of them.
This is a beautifully unsettling gothic novel that blends mystery, horror, and generational secrets. Without a doubt, it's one of my favourite books of the year so far.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The House of Cursed Daughters is the second book I’ve read by C. J. Cooke, so I was looking forward to it, and I wasn’t disappointed.
The story follows three timelines: Queen Isabella in 14th century France, Emma, an artist in the present day, and Clara in 19th century Bedlam. I found Isabella’s story the most compelling. Cooke’s writing really brings Isabella and the time period vividly to life, and I became very invested in her story.
I was less convinced by the Clara/Bedlam timeline. I found the shift away from the other two stories distracting. For me, it didn’t add enough to the overall story to justify having a third timeline.
The idea of a curse spanning centuries was intriguing, and I enjoyed seeing how the different strands of the story came together. As always with C. J. Cooke’s novels, the historical elements are well researched, and she creates a wonderful sense of place.
Overall, although one of the timelines didn’t quite work for me, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys gothic, historical fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The story follows three timelines: Queen Isabella in 14th century France, Emma, an artist in the present day, and Clara in 19th century Bedlam. I found Isabella’s story the most compelling. Cooke’s writing really brings Isabella and the time period vividly to life, and I became very invested in her story.
I was less convinced by the Clara/Bedlam timeline. I found the shift away from the other two stories distracting. For me, it didn’t add enough to the overall story to justify having a third timeline.
The idea of a curse spanning centuries was intriguing, and I enjoyed seeing how the different strands of the story came together. As always with C. J. Cooke’s novels, the historical elements are well researched, and she creates a wonderful sense of place.
Overall, although one of the timelines didn’t quite work for me, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys gothic, historical fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
August 6, 2026
Thank You to NetGalley, Harper Fiction and CJ Cooke for the advanced reader copy of The House of Cursed Daughters.
C. J. Cooke has done it again, created a book I could not put down.
I look forward to C. J . Cooke’s books, and I always thoroughly enjoy them, and The House of Cursed Daughters is no exception!
Based on the history of Isabella of France, whose life is decided for her at a very young age,Isabella realises a decision she made as a child will impact her life and that of her descendants. Isabella is then shipped off to England to become Edward II’s wife and Queen of England at the age of 12!
As well as Isabella, the story follows Lois and Emma, and how Isabella’s childhood decision affects them too. I really enjoy different timelines in a book and C.J. Cooke does this brilliantly.
A feminine led book, with excellent characters, it’s well written and just kept me hooked. I did find the middle section slowed in pace slightly, but the last quarter of the book is excellent. And I loved the ending!
#NetGalley #TheHouseofCursedDaughters
C. J. Cooke has done it again, created a book I could not put down.
I look forward to C. J . Cooke’s books, and I always thoroughly enjoy them, and The House of Cursed Daughters is no exception!
Based on the history of Isabella of France, whose life is decided for her at a very young age,Isabella realises a decision she made as a child will impact her life and that of her descendants. Isabella is then shipped off to England to become Edward II’s wife and Queen of England at the age of 12!
As well as Isabella, the story follows Lois and Emma, and how Isabella’s childhood decision affects them too. I really enjoy different timelines in a book and C.J. Cooke does this brilliantly.
A feminine led book, with excellent characters, it’s well written and just kept me hooked. I did find the middle section slowed in pace slightly, but the last quarter of the book is excellent. And I loved the ending!
#NetGalley #TheHouseofCursedDaughters
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★★★★☆ (4/5)
I want to start this review by highlighting the fact that the publication date of this book is absolutely perfect, as this is the ideal autumnal read!
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction. The three narratives kept me invested, and I particularly enjoyed how the story moved across different periods
This is the first C.J. Cooke book I’ve read, and I’ve found that she is especially talented in world building and the historical elements throughout added real depth to the story.
While I found the overall story compelling, there were a few moments where I wanted more detail and a little more exploration of certain plot points and lore.
Overall, this is an immersive, haunting read that I would happily recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction with gothic themes. If you’re looking for an atmospheric novel to curl up with this autumn, this is well worth picking up.
I want to start this review by highlighting the fact that the publication date of this book is absolutely perfect, as this is the ideal autumnal read!
The House of Cursed Daughters is a beautifully atmospheric historical fiction. The three narratives kept me invested, and I particularly enjoyed how the story moved across different periods
This is the first C.J. Cooke book I’ve read, and I’ve found that she is especially talented in world building and the historical elements throughout added real depth to the story.
While I found the overall story compelling, there were a few moments where I wanted more detail and a little more exploration of certain plot points and lore.
Overall, this is an immersive, haunting read that I would happily recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction with gothic themes. If you’re looking for an atmospheric novel to curl up with this autumn, this is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book. C.J. Cooke has fast become one of those authors where I'll happily pick up anything she writes and this is yet another book I've loved.
It had everything I love in a story—gothic atmosphere, family secrets, strong female characters, and with beautiful storytelling through the centuries.
I absolutely love a story that involves multiple timelines and I loved following the twists and turns. The characters were beautiful in their flaws and so relatable.
The atmosphere was beautiful. I found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn't reading it. The beauty in the storytelling had me feeling like I was in France and could visually see each timeline.
More than anything, I loved how real it was. It is a story about women, family and the generational trauma that can haunt us.
As always I love everything written by C.J Cooke and cannot wait to read the next thing!
It had everything I love in a story—gothic atmosphere, family secrets, strong female characters, and with beautiful storytelling through the centuries.
I absolutely love a story that involves multiple timelines and I loved following the twists and turns. The characters were beautiful in their flaws and so relatable.
The atmosphere was beautiful. I found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn't reading it. The beauty in the storytelling had me feeling like I was in France and could visually see each timeline.
More than anything, I loved how real it was. It is a story about women, family and the generational trauma that can haunt us.
As always I love everything written by C.J Cooke and cannot wait to read the next thing!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and C.J. Cooke for an advanced copy of The House of Cursed Daughters.
The House of Cursed Daughters is a historical fantasy novel that spans three different timelines and POVs. The novel tells the story of three girls, Isabella, Lois, and Emma.
As you read, you'll discover dark secrets and an ancient curse that transcends time itself. The novel immerses you completely with its gothic and chilling vibe, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
The author does a good job of blending history with fiction and seamlessly connecting each of the girls' POV. Sometimes books with multiple POVs and timelines can get confusing, everything getting muddled together but fortunately that's not the case with this one.
The end of the book left me wanting something more, but overall a very enjoyable read.
The House of Cursed Daughters is a historical fantasy novel that spans three different timelines and POVs. The novel tells the story of three girls, Isabella, Lois, and Emma.
As you read, you'll discover dark secrets and an ancient curse that transcends time itself. The novel immerses you completely with its gothic and chilling vibe, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
The author does a good job of blending history with fiction and seamlessly connecting each of the girls' POV. Sometimes books with multiple POVs and timelines can get confusing, everything getting muddled together but fortunately that's not the case with this one.
The end of the book left me wanting something more, but overall a very enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What is there to say about this book other than it is absolutely amazing! I loved everything about it. The historical elements, especially those concerning the life of Queen Isabella had me spellbound. I had Google open beside me the whole time looking up the side characters! The whole concept of a curse lasting through thirteen generations was great and how the author worked through that in the narrative captivating. I loved the characters although Emma irritated me initially. However it became clear as the story progressed that she had more than enough reason for being the confused, disturbed personality she was. I am happy to recommend The House of Cursed Daughters to anyone with an interest in history. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
September 12, 2026
Let me make this clear. I love the writing of CJ Cooke. This is my third novel of hers I’ve read this year after discovering here via The Lighthouse Witches.
I love how she mixes history, and atmosphere and makes the unbelievable seem believable. But I wasn’t expecting the ending of this to make me shed tears. This is a beautiful and powerful story.
It for me has the perfect mixture of a medieval setting (at times) actual historical people who existed, and again her incredible story telling abilities.
The story of three women told over 7 centuries. Their trials and trauma at the hands of others tie them all together as the story builds towards its powerful and for me poignant climax.
CJ Cooke is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I have two more of her books on my shelf, and I can’t wait to get to them, and everything else she has written.
Buy. This. Book.
I love how she mixes history, and atmosphere and makes the unbelievable seem believable. But I wasn’t expecting the ending of this to make me shed tears. This is a beautiful and powerful story.
It for me has the perfect mixture of a medieval setting (at times) actual historical people who existed, and again her incredible story telling abilities.
The story of three women told over 7 centuries. Their trials and trauma at the hands of others tie them all together as the story builds towards its powerful and for me poignant climax.
CJ Cooke is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I have two more of her books on my shelf, and I can’t wait to get to them, and everything else she has written.
Buy. This. Book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I am such a fan of C J Cooke's books but my absolute favourite of hers are when historical fiction blends with the modern day contemporary storylines, and this is right up there with the best. It is going to be incredibly hard to do this one justice in a review without spoilers, but here goes!
The story explores the idea of a bloodline cursed across generations of women, and seven hundred years. It takes the real history of Isabella of France, and weaves it into a fictional story-line that crosses with modern day women.
Told through various narrations and timelines, the underlying tension is un-matched throughout, this is a tense and dark read, and some of the factual events blending with fiction were shocking.
C J Cooke tells history how it is.. how it was... with sensitivity but no holds barred. I'm only sorry that the book ended.
The story explores the idea of a bloodline cursed across generations of women, and seven hundred years. It takes the real history of Isabella of France, and weaves it into a fictional story-line that crosses with modern day women.
Told through various narrations and timelines, the underlying tension is un-matched throughout, this is a tense and dark read, and some of the factual events blending with fiction were shocking.
C J Cooke tells history how it is.. how it was... with sensitivity but no holds barred. I'm only sorry that the book ended.
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