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Wretched Curse #1
The Curse of the Wretched
Not yet published
Expected 9 Sep 26Five hundred years ago, the Legendary Balfour vanquished the evil witch Ophesia, saving Genad Kingdom from her heinous curse. So when that same witch crashes his father's coronation and revives the curse, Prince Thom is charged with finishing what Balfour started.
Thom is more diplomat than warrior, and if a throne room of soldiers can't kill the shadow wielding menace, he has little hope of success. Armed with Balfour's ancient journals, Thom hopes to convince Ophesia to free his people with charm instead of steel. But his plan goes sideways when the beautiful and mysterious woman imprisons him, vowing he'll never leave her magical castle hidden in the mountains.
Thom's new prison is much friendlier than he'd expected, with a quartet of enchanted housewares at his beck and call. As Thom learns more about his mysterious captor, he discovers Ophesia's not just an evil witch, but a woman who sacrificed everything for the man she loved once upon a time. And saving his kingdom might just mean mending her broken heart first.
The Curse of the Wretched is the first book in the Wretched Curse series.
Thom is more diplomat than warrior, and if a throne room of soldiers can't kill the shadow wielding menace, he has little hope of success. Armed with Balfour's ancient journals, Thom hopes to convince Ophesia to free his people with charm instead of steel. But his plan goes sideways when the beautiful and mysterious woman imprisons him, vowing he'll never leave her magical castle hidden in the mountains.
Thom's new prison is much friendlier than he'd expected, with a quartet of enchanted housewares at his beck and call. As Thom learns more about his mysterious captor, he discovers Ophesia's not just an evil witch, but a woman who sacrificed everything for the man she loved once upon a time. And saving his kingdom might just mean mending her broken heart first.
The Curse of the Wretched is the first book in the Wretched Curse series.
ebook
Expected publication September 9, 2026
About the author
S. Usher Evans
72 books529 followersS. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a "real job" as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 12, 2025
Have you ever though "man, I'd love a Beauty and the Beast retelling but gender swapped and much sexier?" Boy, do I have great news for you!
I love a good fairy tale retelling with a twist. The twist here is not that it's gender swapped, but the introduction of shadow magic. And not JUST shadow magic, but a little twist on mirror magic as well! How fun, right? Probably not super fun for the characters, but I was having fun I promise.
I think the strong point for this book is all the characters. You have the adorable bff, the evil witch, the talking objects, the ex lover (to put it nicely) all on top of our two MCs. I loved all the relationships between everyone and I'm really looking forward to how they progress at the series goes on.
If the term "shadow mommy" has ever popped up in your head as something you want to read about, then this is a good option for you.
Disclaimer: I am blessed to be on this author's ARC team so I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book early.
I love a good fairy tale retelling with a twist. The twist here is not that it's gender swapped, but the introduction of shadow magic. And not JUST shadow magic, but a little twist on mirror magic as well! How fun, right? Probably not super fun for the characters, but I was having fun I promise.
I think the strong point for this book is all the characters. You have the adorable bff, the evil witch, the talking objects, the ex lover (to put it nicely) all on top of our two MCs. I loved all the relationships between everyone and I'm really looking forward to how they progress at the series goes on.
If the term "shadow mommy" has ever popped up in your head as something you want to read about, then this is a good option for you.
Disclaimer: I am blessed to be on this author's ARC team so I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book early.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There is very little I like more than a good fairytale retelling or Beauty and the Beast. To get both of these in one book, gender swapped? Amazing. With a mentally tortured but sexy Shadow Mommy who is also a very relatable bookworm? Perfection. This story was so fun to read, the characters were delightful (particularly Jamie; the next book Needs More Jamie please), & had a cliffhanger that left me wanting more asap. There was even a cameo that made my heart so happy 💚 I tried my best to savor it & read slower, but it was far too easy to get sucked into Thom & Ella’s world & not want to leave. I cannot recommend this book enough (tbh, I haven’t been able to stop talking about it since I finished it), & am looking forward to seeing where the story goes next 🖤
Disclaimer: I am on the author’s arc team & was lucky enough to get the chance to read a copy early 🥰
Disclaimer: I am on the author’s arc team & was lucky enough to get the chance to read a copy early 🥰
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ms. Evans has written an amazing novel here! This is a twisted retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but it is not just a rehash. The story is fresh, susepnseful, and interesting. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Ophesia is a fascinating character with many secrets. Thom is a great guy who just wants to save his kingdom and his friend.
As someone who has read all of Bev, Lillie, and PJ books by Ms. Evans, this was a darker, more suspenseful tale. It is still full of hope, though, so it will still resonate with fans of those stories.
I truly enjoyed the journey!
(I obtained my copy of this book at a book festival.)
Ophesia is a fascinating character with many secrets. Thom is a great guy who just wants to save his kingdom and his friend.
As someone who has read all of Bev, Lillie, and PJ books by Ms. Evans, this was a darker, more suspenseful tale. It is still full of hope, though, so it will still resonate with fans of those stories.
I truly enjoyed the journey!
(I obtained my copy of this book at a book festival.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so thrilled to have been given an advanced copy of this book to read. Beauty and the Beast has been my favorite fairy tale since the animated Disney movie came out when I was four. I have since read retellings and been so disappointed. But not this time! No, this retelling with its gender swap and fresh backstory and book-loving friends to…well no spoilers but you know…had me hooked from the first chapter. Now I must wait impatiently for the next book. I love having a good series to look forward to ❤️
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews