Curse The Heart

Mystics of Ashora #2

by Emily Blackwood

For Sinner and Athena, captivity never ends.

After their fight against the ministry ended in capture, the two are forced to move to the barracks, where they’ll live and train with the other claimed mystic pairs.

The only problem?

They never completed the claiming.

As two of the most powerful mystics in the camp, Sinner and Athena try their best to convince everyone their bond is complete, even as the truth seems to slip further and further away.

Only the claimed survive here.

And even that might not be enough.

As the deadly war games approach, their forged connection strains.

But something else simmers beneath the surface… something that connects them beyond the strength of any claiming.

The war games are coming.

Sinner and Athena never imagined claiming with anyone.

But options are running out.

Bond or die.

Unless it’s already too late…

Genres: Fantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Dark Romance, Dark, Romantasy

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2026

Reviews

[Laura Greenhalgh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 Thank you Emily for the early copy!! I absolutely DEVOURED Beg the Night (book one) and did a reread just before diving into this one, and this was a great continuation on from that, another addictive and fast paced read. I really enjoyed the development of the plot, change of setting and I loved getting Margaret’s POV and getting to know her on a deeper level. The ending was crazy 🥲🥲 Emily, please, you can’t leave me like this 😭

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐

This is book 2 in the Mystics of Ashora series by Emily Blackwood. I’ve swallowed book 1, Beg the Night, in 1 go and was very excited when I got the arc for Curse the Heart.

I don’t know why I thought this was a duology, but the last 30 pages made me realize it wasn’t 🤣🙈 Because there was no way everything could be wrapped up that fast. Spoiler: it didn’t.

In Curse the Heart, Sinner and Athena are back with the Ministry. They have to train with the other claimed pairs and prepare for the War Games. These games are essential in the real war against the Earthlies. Or so, Director says.

This whole training and then the War Games felt very much like The Hunger Games. Everybody but your claimed is your rival. Everybody will try to kill you. And then there is the whole Mystics vs Earthlies thingy. The Ministry says the Earthlies want to kill them, but the Resistance doesn’t see it that way. Very The Hunger Games again. I never trust leaders of a resistance so I’m very curious to see what this leader will do in book 3!

Sinner is a man obsessed and I am so here for it. He and Athena aren’t truly claimed but somehow, they can use each other’s magic and sense a whole lot about each other. Whatever this is, or how it’s possible, remains very vague. I was hoping to get more answers but I think they’ll have to wait until the third book. Sinner can deny it all he wants but his possessive behavior isn’t a show at all, which I really enjoyed.

About the claiming… it’s basically a forced mating situation. Sinner and Athena began their claiming in book 1 but never completed it. The book blurb made me feel as if this would get them into trouble and potentially force them to finish their claiming but none of that happened. I also don’t really see where the problem in them not being truly claimed lies. Given the fact that they sense each other as if they were.

There were also other vague or mysterious things that I would’ve liked some answers to. Especially regarding Margaret, Sinner’s sister, and Alexander.

I truly enjoyed Curse the Heart but it didn’t have that same tension and high stakes danger for me as Beg the Night. But knowing this is a sequel, I can see why. I’m still invested enough for book 3, but I did wish we had some more answers in this one.

[Coralie’s library · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystic of Ashora series truly deserves all the love !!♥️✨

I completely devoured book 1 & 2. Book 3 cannot come soon enough !!! The ending had me going like 🤯

No cause I truly did not expect the ending !! I think this cliffhanger was even bigger than book 1’s cliffhanger and I LOVED IT !!

The magic system and world building is super easy to understand and both of these were quick & entertaining reads ☺️

The slowburn is truly burning 🥵 im obsessed 🤭

If you love tropes like this :

Forced proximity
Enemies to lovers ⚔️
Slowburn 🔥
Touch her & 💀
Hidden powers
Magical bonding 🪄

Then you should definitely add it to your tbr ☺️

Thank you so much again @authoremilyblackwood for the early copy !!! 🫶🏼

[Kristen Barger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inhaled this book! This is definitely a 6 star read, IMO.
Sinner and Athena thrown into the Ministry's training arenas to "fight a war". Rebels trying to save them and fight against the Ministry.
Sinner and Athena denying their feelings almost the entire book.
The description of the environment, the other characters, the world building was still present throughout the entire time. It felt like you were there living amongst the characters with them. The powers, the manipulation, the guilt, the fear, the rage. All of it bled through each page perfectly.
I love the way Athena doesn't take shit from Sinner still but yet brings out his obsessive, possessive love for her, even though he's still denying it.
That ending though....what. was. that!
Because now are we going to see Marg look at Athena differently? Is their friendship ruined? Is there any coming back from what Athena and Sinner did? Do they join the rebels or do they still believe it's all not real?
I cannot wait for book 3! Well done, Emily!

[Lex Mak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be my favourite book Emily has written, and that says a lot because I LOVED the golden city duet.

I was literally in such a slump, and this brought me back to life!
There was amazing banter, so much freaking tension, the world and the magic was unreal! This gives vibes of dystopian and everything I love about Romantasy.

What I love so much about Emily’s writing is that you can literally picture the world and the scenes without being removed from the story with so many descriptors. It’s flawless and effortless, you feel what the characters are feeling, and you are rooting for them every step of the way.

With the Beg the Night ending the way it did - starting this one didn’t skip a beat. We still got the enemies to lovers with the two main characters Athena and Sinner. We also got a new POV which I LOVED to be honest it was so refreshing to see another side of the story and their own plot. The banter between Athena and Sinner had me cackling, don’t even get me started on the tension.🤭 oh and the possessiveness. “Mine” always gets me.

The plot was so fast paced and had me so locked in I read this in just over 24 hours, I left no crumbs ok. NONE. The new element brought in was so interesting I couldn’t wait to find out more! Honestly you never knew who to trust in this story, it’s every man and woman for themselves and you experience that until the end when I was left wanting book 3 yesterday. What do you mean I have to wait for the next book 😅

I had such a good time with this and I’m excited for the rest of the story.

Thank you Emily and her team for the eARC copy 🤍

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 picks up right where book 1 left off. I enjoyed getting right back into the story. I found this to be a quick and easy read and I think I liked it a little better than the 1st book. I love Elijah as an MMC, he is so protective and obsessed with Athena.

What honestly had me almost more intrigued was the secondary couple we got in this book…. Something about it has me sooo excited to see where that storyline goes.!!

I found the ending to be a lil anticlimactic but I’m excited we don’t have to wait too long for book 3 and it will likely also jump right back into it which is a positive!!

[Paige Ciemnolonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god. They really did a number on Sinner and Athena's minds. After all the torture and training and mind games... No wonder they don't know what's real and not. It is heartbreaking to see the ministry actually succeeding in getting to them. I don't like it.
Poor Margaret. But also .. I REALLY wanna see what comes of her and Gideon.
I need Elijah and Athena to be shown what is real again. It will be rough for them but necessary.
I have a feeling book 3 will be emotional And difficult for our babies.

[Kathrin-Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need book 3 now. The ending excuse me????? I am speechless

[𐙚 moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t forget who you belong to,” I told her. “I’m not some random man lusting after you, and I’m certainly not someone you can tell to back off.” Her nostrils flared. “You have no control over me. I can do what I want.” A shot of dark amusement coursed through me. “It’s cute that you think that.”

𐙚 Sort of enemies to lovers
𐙚 they hate each other but they're still obsessed with each other
𐙚 Forced proximity
𐙚 Captivity
𐙚 War
𐙚 Touch her and die
𐙚 Found family
𐙚 TW : Past child abuse, implied incest, sexual assault, death of family members, mass murder, indoctrination. (The abuses/sexual assault are not committed by the MCs)

Okay, that book was SO good to me. I already loved the first one, and now i'm loving this one too.

Elijah and Athena's relationship was awesome. The push and pull ? The tension ? The wanting ? Yeah i'm living for it.

Plot wise, it was good to see them captivated again but in another setting. We learn more about the mystics, the war and it is so twisted. Everything was so well written.

As for the plot twist part, I really enjoyed it at first and then it was mind blowing. (For me there's two/three plot twist, and I enjoyed the first while the other was mind blowing) For some maybe predictable, or not that mind blowing, but not for me. I wouldn't have thought about that.
I won't say much because I don't want to spoil anyone, but this sequel really went ahead in the story and gave us much more background on some characters.

I can't wait to read book 3 !!!

— Quotes

“Tell me you’re mine,” he growled. “We may hate each other, but that doesn’t change reality. You. Are. Mine. Not his. Not anyone else’s.”

“Mine, Athena. Nobody else can have you,” I reminded her.

“I’m thinking you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“What?” He stepped closer, taking me in from head to toe. “I said, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, Athena. That’s what I’m thinking.”

His hands roamed my body—my torn, foul dress, my raw, damaged skin. But his touch was like home. He was home.

“If you think I’m going to tell you to stop, Sinner, you’ve really lost your mind.” “Elijah,” I said, some instinct taking over. She smiled, her lips almost brushing mine. “Please kiss me, Elijah.” God have mercy on my fucking soul, I did.

“Are you telling me there are other women out there you like looking at?” she teased, trailing a finger across my chest. I snatched her wrist and squeezed. “How could I possibly even think of other women when you consume my every. Fucking. Thought?”

“I’m obsessed with you. You think I would lie about that?” The thought alone made me laugh. “How many times have I told you that you’re mine?” “I thought that was just you being possessive. Your phantoms wanting to own me and my power.” I brought my face closer to hers. Close enough that I could feel her breath on my lips. “I am possessive,” I gritted out. “I’m also outrageously obsessed with you, and I will never look at another woman.”

[Desi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I refuse to spoil this for anyone who hasn't read it, but I just... my mind was blown so many times reading this ARC.

This book is a masterclass of why I LOVE dual POV books. Sinner's internal commentary and struggles when it comes to his feelings (or the fact that has feelings) was amazing. I loved being able to have a front row seat to the developments in Athena and Sinner's relationship, but also their internal struggles they really wanted to keep private while they sorted through it all.

I also loved being able to witness the character development of Mags, Katherine, and Benedict. At first, I wasn't sure how it'd all tie back together, but when I got to the final pages, I realized it was going to be another "WAIT WHAT" moment like when I read Onyx Storm.

Emily, why did you do this to us? And why do I have to wait so long for book three? Absolutely loved this book and am so grateful to have received an ARC. Romantasy folks, absolutely add this series to your list, but beware IT IS INCOMPLETE (as of June when I'm writing this review).

[Valerie | Vanelena.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curse the Heart is a fast paced and exciting sequel in the Mystics of Ashora series.

After the events of book 1 - Beg the Night - I knew that Curse the Heart would be an exciting ride, and Emily has absolutely delivered. Book 2 picks up right where we left off, with Sinner and Athena captured by the Ministry, still not claiming each other, but somehow connected. There are War Games, which expand the world a bit and add some excitement to the plot. We also get a new POV with Margaret, who adds such a rich layer to the story. Sinner and Athena are still enemies, but also need each other to survive. Their banter is top tier, and Sinner's possessiveness and yearning is so good. They are struggling with their feelings for each other - not sure if it is related to their partial claim, or something more. I was truly sucked into this book, and am so ready for book 3!

Thank you so much to Emily Blackwood for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own!

[Meg Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

what do you mean it ended like that….???????????????

I’m traumatized. genuinely. I don’t know how we’re going to move on from that ending.. 😀 if I am being honest, I was gooped and gagged this whole book. The addition of Margaret’s POV was genius, she is hilarious and I need more of her- there’s also still so much to unpack and unravel with her!!!!! I love the way Emily is building this world and planting seeds of things to come, I truly will be thinking of this book until the very second the next one is in my hands.

[Cassie Jo Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is literally so great. Even better than the first one! The yearning and banter in this book is PEAK enemy’s to lovers. The new characters in this book also have gained a part of my heart too! I could not put this book down and when I did was only to sleep and eat. As per usual it wouldn’t be an Emily Blackwood book if it didn’t end on a cliffhanger. SO READY FOR BOOK 3!!!!

[ℛℰ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

Read it during my exams and honestly it felt like a filler. NGL the twists were solid but I was confused idk is this because my brain was fried from my exams or it it really was unnecessarily complicated. Like it felt we were moving in circles with out reaching a certain point or adding a new or different element

[Frances Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genuinely really liking this plot line! Reads like a fantasy and dystopian wrapped in one. I definitely think the author could have spent more time developing the plot because there is so much potential there and I feel really teased with the whole “claiming thing” like get to it already. Excited for book 3 tho!

[Kayleigh Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[jadeee · Rating 4 out of 5]

great dual pov!

[Ebba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bättre än vad jag förväntade mig

[Hastogy]

This book done piss me off.

1 - a relação inteira deles ter começado do zero was annoying as fuck
2 - hunger games copy cat looking ah-
3 - eles no fim irritaram-me profundamente porque HOW DUMB CAN YOU BE BRO WHAT THE FUCK
4 - Basicamente nenhuma cena deles juntos like? That was the only reason I was here
5 - A revelação dos poderes dele foi LAME like como assim os poderes não são dele? What are you an unemployed looser?

Ugh whatever ao menos a química da irmã com o outro gajo was serving

estes livros lembra-me bué do shatter me ainda por cima também são curtinhos. Whatever ainda bem que ainda não há um terceiro porque assim não vou continuar a ler

[Kendall Olsen]

Don't piss me off. What the actual fuck was that ending? Actually, no, what was that entire book. The ending of the first book left off with so much potential, where did all of that go?

[minnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was so tragic

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Radhika · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the main characters don’t have critical thinking skills or independent thought.

Let’s just believe whatever some random sus boy from the historically corrupt government has to say and slaughter a whole town after you were told it was a “war game” (dumb title). Mind you, you were kidnapped by them and you actually questioned it when you first got there and they didn’t answer any of your questions.

[sophie :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

currently contemplating if i read the 3rd book bc i was so not hooked by the end of this one and the main characters are kind of stupid? like interlectually so the there? don’t know, guys

[Lauren Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

So drawn out for no reason and the ending annoyed me. Won’t be carrying on

[sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

are they fucking stupid

[Jule · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ich checke nicht ganz wie sie von 0 auf 100 ein killer Maschine wurde und sorry aber das Ende SO dumm, erstmal die komplette Stadt killen weil ist ja alles nicht echt und sie muss ja dem Ministerium beweisen dass sie Trust worthy ist (was sie ja eig die ganze Zeit nicht machen wollte)

Und die ganzen Kapitel in der es um die Schwester geht Margarete? Oder wie auch immer sie heißt haben mich wirklich gar nicht gejuckt wirklich i couldnt care less

[Stacey_Read_That · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️I’m not sure what possessed me to read this since I didn’t really like book 1 but here we are. It was ok. Did anyone keep a tally of how many times Sinner said “mine”. It was like every other sentence.

[KZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★½☆ (4.5/5)

Going into Curse the Heart, I was honestly a little apprehensive. After finishing book one, I wasn’t entirely sure where the story would go, and by the end of this book, I was genuinely struggling to decide on a rating. But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that despite a few flaws in the writing itself, I had an absolute blast reading this story.

This book gave me everything I love in a dark dystopian romance. Training camps? Trials? A brewing rebellion? Fated mates? Sign me up. Every new plot point only made me more invested, and the stakes felt higher than ever. The world continued to expand in exciting ways, and there was never a moment where I felt bored.

One of my favourite additions was the multiple POVs. Getting chapters from Sinner, Athena, and Margaret added so much depth to the story and helped flesh out the wider conflict. Seeing events unfold from different perspectives made the twists, secrets, and betrayals hit even harder.

And can we talk about the romances?

Not only do we have Athena and Sinner’s relationship continuing to develop, but we also get another romance beginning to bloom, and I was absolutely swooning. Gideon had my attention from the moment he entered to page. Sinner aka Elijah had me in a chokehold. He is the king of denial but also I’m worried for his sanity by the end of the book.

This book is packed with surprises, deception, emotional moments, and reveals that genuinely caught me off guard. There were multiple times where my jaw was on the floor, and more than a few moments that had me close to tears. It’s the kind of story that keeps throwing things at you when you think you’ve figured it all out.

What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the ending. It leaves readers in suspense, but unlike the cliffhanger in book one, this ending feels purposeful. We know exactly what’s coming next, and it’s clear that book three is going to launch straight into the action without hesitation.

This delivered everything I wanted from a sequel and then some. The writing may not be perfect, but the characters, relationships, plot twists, and emotional impact completely overshadowed any shortcomings. I was entertained from beginning to end, and I cannot wait to jump into the next book. Can it release now pls?

[Karina's Magical Reads ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curse the Heart begins right were Beg the Night ended, where Sinner & Athena have been captured and being transported into the grips of The Ministry...AGAIN. This book takes you on an emotional ride of just how far you will go for someone you care for. We get 3 POV's in this book; Sinner, Athena & Margaret (Margaret is Sinner's Sister). I appreciated Margaret's POV because it really helped build the story and enhance the world beyond The Ministry walls. Sinner & Athena are thrust into what we are told are War Games. They are grouped with other Mystics to begin training for these games that The Ministry states is preparation to for the future battle with the Earthlies. Earthlies are said to be dangerous and the enemies of the Mystics. Sinner and Athena want nothing to do with The Ministry or their War Games, but the situation they find themselves in doesn't allow for any other choices. Sinner remains as possessive and protective of Athena as ever, but Athena is a bada$$ in her own right. In their time at the barracks camps, you really get to dive more into both of their characters and watch as they both struggle with understanding if the feelings they have are real or a product of their "half claiming". This is a secret they have to keep for their own protection from the people that hold them captive or it could jeopardize everything.

The author does an amazing job of world building, character development and magic systems. I have been hooked by this series from the very first chapter of book 1. The pacing and plot keep you heavily engaged, along with the attraction, tension and yearning between our MC's. The story also takes it a step further and introduces some well loved side characters and Found Family moments.
I highly recommend this series for those who love Dystopian Dark Fantasy Romance novels with: Great Plot, Magic Systems, Shadow Daddy, an FMC who is more powerful than the MMC and doesn't know it yet, Found Family, Plenty of heart stopping moments, Slow Burn, tension and mystery.

Thank you, Emily, for this early e-ARC copy. I genuinely love this series and cannot wait for the next book, because that cliffhanger left me staring at the wall.