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The Curse Catcher
An ancient beast’s cravings have awoken, and now they must be fed.
Locked away in a prison meant to hold an immortal, a creature’s inhuman screams pierce the air. It batters against the walls of its cage, denting them from the inside out.
Through an unlucky twist of fate, Skylar Curiel is chosen as a sacrifice to slake the creature’s enduring hunger. She knows nothing about what waits for her, save for one simple truth: death to all that pass into the beast’s lair. Only, she’s not planning on dying.
And the beast’s not planning on letting her go.
The Complex Book Series.
A Lone Planet. One Complex.
Unlimited Chaos.
*** This is a 20,000 word novella. ***
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2016
178 people are currently reading
1310 people want to read
About the author
Laura Thalassa
40 books25.7k followersFound in the forest when she was young, Laura Thalassa was raised by fairies, kidnapped by werewolves, and given over to vampires as repayment for a hundred year debt. She’s been brought back to life twice, and, with a single kiss, she woke her true love from eternal sleep. She now lives happily ever after with her undead prince in a castle in the woods.
… or something like that anyway.
When not writing, Laura can be found scarfing down guacamole, hoarding chocolate for the apocalypse, or curled up on the couch with a good book.
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… or something like that anyway.
When not writing, Laura can be found scarfing down guacamole, hoarding chocolate for the apocalypse, or curled up on the couch with a good book.
Never want to miss a release? Sign up for my newsletter HERE
Like to discuss my books? Join my Facebook fan page HERE
Official Site: http://www.laurathalassa.com/
Newsletter:
https://laurathalassa.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraThalassa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraThalassa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurathalassa/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurathalassa/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+LauraThalassa/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Thalassa/e/B00DN9YA3S/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/LauraThalassa
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 16, 2017
For such a short book, it packed a whole lot of FANTASTIC!!! The story was filled with action and magic. Skylar was a great, brave heroine. She wasn't just going to lay down and forfeit her life after being thrown to the beast. Speaking of the 'Beast', I loved him. He had such an interesting back story. I don't want to write too much and give anything away because I loved finding out new things throughout the book. Very interested in reading the other stories in series.
September 28, 2024
I heard Merphy Napier briefly mention this book in one of her videos and I immediately picked it up. Yep, I'm that easily influenced :D
Anyway, it's an okay retelling of the beauty and the beast mixed up with the myth of the Minotaur in a sci-fi romance.
Anyway, it's an okay retelling of the beauty and the beast mixed up with the myth of the Minotaur in a sci-fi romance.
May 15, 2020
Short and cute
February 4, 2017
I enjoyed this book and I just want to read more from Laura Thalassa because her words always hooked me. I wish there were more interactions between the beast and Skylar and I know that the reason why that's not possible is perfectly explained in the book, but I missed the building up towards a relationship. I believe that a sequel or just making the story longer would fix the little things that I wasn't into.
Being totally honest it pained me to spend 2.99 dollars for such a short novella but hey ! It's Laura and this brief story was okay. I might go and read one of the series by her that I haven't read yet.
Being totally honest it pained me to spend 2.99 dollars for such a short novella but hey ! It's Laura and this brief story was okay. I might go and read one of the series by her that I haven't read yet.
August 31, 2017
The Curse Catcher was one of those books with only two characters (let's not count those few ones at the beginning/end) and no room for errors. And it was a truly captivating read.
But I have to admit I was disappointed the author decided to strip the hero off his Minotaur looks and make him look human. That was a pure waste of original idea!
But I have to admit I was disappointed the author decided to strip the hero off his Minotaur looks and make him look human. That was a pure waste of original idea!
December 26, 2016
Short and amazing!
June 28, 2020
I love Laura Thalassa's writing and grabbed The Curse Catcher as soon as I knew it existed. The Curse Catcher is a meta off-world Beauty and the Beast with a Greek Mythology twist retelling. Lol So much in that sentence. The Curse Catcher is part of a 100 book/story collection each by a different author. Short, but good read.
June 18, 2020
I personally think it's really hard to write a solid novella. There's not a whole lot of time to develop a plot, characters and a world. But LT did this extremely well. And she even managed to throw in a couple of twists.
For those people who don't love the syfy genre, this book isn't all laser blasters and star ships, and it has connections to the Minotaur, which I loved. It's on KU and it'll take and hour to read so I would definitely say give it a try.
For those people who don't love the syfy genre, this book isn't all laser blasters and star ships, and it has connections to the Minotaur, which I loved. It's on KU and it'll take and hour to read so I would definitely say give it a try.
October 6, 2023
A bit like beauty and the beast type of thing..the guy has been cursed into a monster (an angry Minotaur)..it was too boring for me..but I carried on reading it to see how it ended…which is a happy ending,but still boring 🫤
December 12, 2016
Loved it!
What a unique mix of science fiction and fantasy in this novella. The world building and emotions were clear. The romance was sweet and the curse terrible.
I noticed only one typo.
Sexual content
Present tense
What a unique mix of science fiction and fantasy in this novella. The world building and emotions were clear. The romance was sweet and the curse terrible.
I noticed only one typo.
Sexual content
Present tense
May 2, 2018
2.5-3 stars
December 8, 2019
Interesting premise, absolutely loved the beginning.
April 6, 2017
Short, simple, and sweet
February 1, 2017
Wasn't what I was expecting! But decent~ Maybe I'll read the other books in the series/anthology by the other authors, not sure yet!
April 9, 2018
I've already read one of the books out of The Complex series and I found the pre-history of it all rather interesting. So, of course I had to come back for more. I mean, duh.
Skylar is a curse catcher. She draws the curse out of a person and inside herself, and then she transfers it into a neutralizing vials. All in all, it's a very strait forward process. Except, this time she forgot her vials, so the curse stayed inside her. And that is how she became a sacrifice.
I liked this one. The whole story reminded me of a fairytale and it was very well written. But, just like with the other book that I've read (it was Blade of Forever and I loved it), I wish The Curse Catcher was longer.
Skylar is a curse catcher. She draws the curse out of a person and inside herself, and then she transfers it into a neutralizing vials. All in all, it's a very strait forward process. Except, this time she forgot her vials, so the curse stayed inside her. And that is how she became a sacrifice.
I liked this one. The whole story reminded me of a fairytale and it was very well written. But, just like with the other book that I've read (it was Blade of Forever and I loved it), I wish The Curse Catcher was longer.
February 7, 2017
It's funny how the only supernatural/paranormal/sci-fi books I ever read are Laura Thalassa's. It's because there is always so much more to her stories. I loved this beauty and beast novella, how the author mixed the ways of Greek mythology with science fiction and added the biggest, hottest, sweetest touch of star-crossed love to the pot. I usually fall asleep reading in bed--I'm talking ten minutes, max--but with The Curse Catcher I read until I had finished it, which was at three a.m. Very engaging.
December 17, 2016
3.5 stars
A very short and sweet story. As always, Laura Thalassa writes amazing love stoires.
If you liked what she wrote until now, you'll like this one too.
A very short and sweet story. As always, Laura Thalassa writes amazing love stoires.
If you liked what she wrote until now, you'll like this one too.
Read
October 27, 2019Far off in the distant future, humans and metas fight for territorial rights over seven inhabitable planets. In the end they each take three and cohabit the last. Lorn is the planet where the unlucky, selected via lottery, get sent for two years in a last stitch effort to bridge the bloody divide between the two races.
**SPOILERS**
Skylar, a meta who can relieve victims of their curses is in for waaaay more than she bargains for when she assists in the removal of a curse rooted within Sher, her latest client. The most important thing curse catchers need to remember is to bring along their enchanted vials to hold the extracted curse. Guess what Skylar forgets? Yep, her vials, and now she is forced to harbor the curse within herself, at least until she makes it back to her apartment. Only she never gets there. You see Sher had the misfortune of being cursed as the next sacrifice to the monster legended to be living underneath her apartment complex. When corrupt officials come to collect her, they nab Skylar instead.
Skylar is thrown into an inescapable labyrinth and once she gets her bearings- as much as one can in such situations- prepares to fight for her life against the roaring, ferocious, man eating beast......who bakes her cookies??
You read that right. The Minotaur with the torso and face of a human male, complete with horns, hooves, and fangs, is a pretty nice guy at heart. His problem? Well, as it turns out, he’s been cursed to remain a beast until the end of time, and Skylar becomes determined to break the curses hold over him. Sound familiar?
Laura Thalassa does a pretty good job retelling a classic, infusing it with Greek mythology, and executing a complete genre swap all in one go.
As engaging as this fast paced novella is, it does end quite abruptly, and there is opportunity for characters to be delved into more. Also the reader will have to ignore the 10+ typos/grammatical errors, but I do believe they will enjoy the read none the less, especially if they enjoy the writing styles of Jennifer L. Armentrout and J.R. Ward.
Two things in particular struck me as odd.
One, Skylar’s plight centers on the fact that she forgot her vials and has to hold the curse within herself marking her as the sacrifice. However, when she is extracting Asterion’s curse, it seems that she can enchant any old container to hold the curse. The reader may wonder why she didn’t just ask for a container from Sher.
Two, Asterion mentions that Circe, the woman who cursed him couldn’t force love from him. However, the worst aspect of Asterion’s particular curse is that it causes him and a third party to “fall in love”, so it seems that Circe could have forced love from him and does so. Several times. Just not towards her?
I do like how Thalassa sidesteps the insta love trope, turning it into something more plausible.
I also appreciate the protagonist being proactively instrumental in ridding the beast of his curse and not just the object of a ‘cause for change within him and, boom, he’s cured’.
Thalassa gives us a lot to savor in this tasty morsel of a read with engaging dialogue and lines such as ‘It shouldn’t hurt to look at someone, but it does. Happiness shouldn’t be painful, but right now, it is.’
If you like sci-fi romance, are in the mood for something with non-stop pacing, or have an affinity for Minotaurs, then I would recommend The Curse Catcher with a 3.8/5 star rating.
Until next time, keep reading!
-Michaela Shaquille
Indepthbookreview.wordpress.com
**SPOILERS**
Skylar, a meta who can relieve victims of their curses is in for waaaay more than she bargains for when she assists in the removal of a curse rooted within Sher, her latest client. The most important thing curse catchers need to remember is to bring along their enchanted vials to hold the extracted curse. Guess what Skylar forgets? Yep, her vials, and now she is forced to harbor the curse within herself, at least until she makes it back to her apartment. Only she never gets there. You see Sher had the misfortune of being cursed as the next sacrifice to the monster legended to be living underneath her apartment complex. When corrupt officials come to collect her, they nab Skylar instead.
Skylar is thrown into an inescapable labyrinth and once she gets her bearings- as much as one can in such situations- prepares to fight for her life against the roaring, ferocious, man eating beast......who bakes her cookies??
You read that right. The Minotaur with the torso and face of a human male, complete with horns, hooves, and fangs, is a pretty nice guy at heart. His problem? Well, as it turns out, he’s been cursed to remain a beast until the end of time, and Skylar becomes determined to break the curses hold over him. Sound familiar?
Laura Thalassa does a pretty good job retelling a classic, infusing it with Greek mythology, and executing a complete genre swap all in one go.
As engaging as this fast paced novella is, it does end quite abruptly, and there is opportunity for characters to be delved into more. Also the reader will have to ignore the 10+ typos/grammatical errors, but I do believe they will enjoy the read none the less, especially if they enjoy the writing styles of Jennifer L. Armentrout and J.R. Ward.
Two things in particular struck me as odd.
One, Skylar’s plight centers on the fact that she forgot her vials and has to hold the curse within herself marking her as the sacrifice. However, when she is extracting Asterion’s curse, it seems that she can enchant any old container to hold the curse. The reader may wonder why she didn’t just ask for a container from Sher.
Two, Asterion mentions that Circe, the woman who cursed him couldn’t force love from him. However, the worst aspect of Asterion’s particular curse is that it causes him and a third party to “fall in love”, so it seems that Circe could have forced love from him and does so. Several times. Just not towards her?
I do like how Thalassa sidesteps the insta love trope, turning it into something more plausible.
I also appreciate the protagonist being proactively instrumental in ridding the beast of his curse and not just the object of a ‘cause for change within him and, boom, he’s cured’.
Thalassa gives us a lot to savor in this tasty morsel of a read with engaging dialogue and lines such as ‘It shouldn’t hurt to look at someone, but it does. Happiness shouldn’t be painful, but right now, it is.’
If you like sci-fi romance, are in the mood for something with non-stop pacing, or have an affinity for Minotaurs, then I would recommend The Curse Catcher with a 3.8/5 star rating.
Until next time, keep reading!
-Michaela Shaquille
Indepthbookreview.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2018
5 stars
This little novella is the reason I wait until January to do my top reads of the year because this has made it into my favorites of 2017 and I read it in on December 30th.
This novella is one of the many that compose The Complex series that's been going on since 2016. All of them take place in the same planet, a place in where Humans and Metas (aliens) live together to try and reconcile the war that took place during years and years between these two species.
This sets a fantastic world full of possibilities and potential to explore and each novella in the series tells the story of different characters living in this strange planet
The Curse Catcher is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast in which Skyler finds herself trapped in a laberynth beneath the surface of the city she lives in with a monster that wants to devour her.
This was phenomenal. I loved every single thing about it. Knowing this is a story with only two characters (not counting the very minor ones that appear on 10% of the novella) they have to be developed, they have to be interesting, they have to be appealing and entertaining and their story convincing. Laura Thalassa does not disappoint. They are all of those things and more.
Not only that, but the writing was amazing with perfect pacing which is rather difficult considering how short this story is.
As for the plot, it was a retelling of a story I already loved so I loved it, very VERY much.
What an amazing way to end my reading year.
Totally, one hundred percent recommend to everyone. This is one I'll be rereading and thinking about for a while.
---------------------------------------------------
I woke up at 6:00 am and couldn't fall back to sleep so I started this AND I'VE JUST FINISHED IT AND HOLLY MOTHER THIS WAS PHENOMENAL
This little novella is the reason I wait until January to do my top reads of the year because this has made it into my favorites of 2017 and I read it in on December 30th.
This novella is one of the many that compose The Complex series that's been going on since 2016. All of them take place in the same planet, a place in where Humans and Metas (aliens) live together to try and reconcile the war that took place during years and years between these two species.
This sets a fantastic world full of possibilities and potential to explore and each novella in the series tells the story of different characters living in this strange planet
The Curse Catcher is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast in which Skyler finds herself trapped in a laberynth beneath the surface of the city she lives in with a monster that wants to devour her.
This was phenomenal. I loved every single thing about it. Knowing this is a story with only two characters (not counting the very minor ones that appear on 10% of the novella) they have to be developed, they have to be interesting, they have to be appealing and entertaining and their story convincing. Laura Thalassa does not disappoint. They are all of those things and more.
Not only that, but the writing was amazing with perfect pacing which is rather difficult considering how short this story is.
As for the plot, it was a retelling of a story I already loved so I loved it, very VERY much.
What an amazing way to end my reading year.
Totally, one hundred percent recommend to everyone. This is one I'll be rereading and thinking about for a while.
---------------------------------------------------
I woke up at 6:00 am and couldn't fall back to sleep so I started this AND I'VE JUST FINISHED IT AND HOLLY MOTHER THIS WAS PHENOMENAL
May 15, 2017
Taking into consideration that this book consists of only ~20.000 words it is great. The storybuilding is fantastic and you are really drawn into it. While other books need about 100 pages to bring you to symphathize with the protagonist this one speeds the whole thing up until you are drawn into it from the first page.
I do know there are better books from Laura Thalassa. BUT I don't see it competing with these, it's just something different. Not a full book, but quite nice for the time you spend waiting for her next real book, when the craving for something new written by her is overwhelming.
I do know there are better books from Laura Thalassa. BUT I don't see it competing with these, it's just something different. Not a full book, but quite nice for the time you spend waiting for her next real book, when the craving for something new written by her is overwhelming.
October 17, 2017
I was so disappointed that this wasn't the beginning of a new Laura Thalassa series! An updated and unique take on "Beauty and the Beast", this novella had me hooked from the start - and by the end, I was eagerly looking to see whether there were more books in the series. Alas, it's a kind of anthology series with stories from many different authors - some of which I've enjoyed more than others. It's a quick read, but well worth it - great if you don't have a ton of time or attention to devote to a full novel (especially a novel of Thalassa epic proportions), but equally great if you just want a great story.
February 10, 2019
Everything Happens Too Quickly
From beginning to end of the book, all of it is on fast forward. Feelings, emotions, action, and conclusion go by so quickly and the story is over. I'd liked to have had more time to learn about and understand Asterion and Skylar but the book doesn't give the time. There are questions left unanswered, why did the Intra not know about the sacrifices, what does the world look like, how do the meta and humans interact, what are the causes of the tensions, how did the Intra that rescued Skylar find out about the sacrifices, etc.
From beginning to end of the book, all of it is on fast forward. Feelings, emotions, action, and conclusion go by so quickly and the story is over. I'd liked to have had more time to learn about and understand Asterion and Skylar but the book doesn't give the time. There are questions left unanswered, why did the Intra not know about the sacrifices, what does the world look like, how do the meta and humans interact, what are the causes of the tensions, how did the Intra that rescued Skylar find out about the sacrifices, etc.
June 2, 2019
I love this author so thought I would give this novella a go. There hasn’t been a book of hers that I haven’t liked and so I was a bit disappointed with this one.
There’s potential for the story however it all seems very rushed. There’s no real build up between the characters and that’s where I stumbled. The world building is great as well as the setting, however Asterions character seems slightly forced.
I was left unsatisfied with the ending, simply because it was so predictable. However it was good for a light read between series.
There’s potential for the story however it all seems very rushed. There’s no real build up between the characters and that’s where I stumbled. The world building is great as well as the setting, however Asterions character seems slightly forced.
I was left unsatisfied with the ending, simply because it was so predictable. However it was good for a light read between series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2018
A fun and spellbinding retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Fantastic mix of fantasy and unexpected romance.
Skylar is a female protagonist I was rooting for from the beginning. I enjoy how she had her strengths but the author didn’t make her “perfect” - author is great at making relatable characters, even though they’re fantasy.
The twists and turns were also compelling. Much more so than in most other novellas so I was happily surprised. Overall, I do highly recommend this book.
Skylar is a female protagonist I was rooting for from the beginning. I enjoy how she had her strengths but the author didn’t make her “perfect” - author is great at making relatable characters, even though they’re fantasy.
The twists and turns were also compelling. Much more so than in most other novellas so I was happily surprised. Overall, I do highly recommend this book.
September 8, 2019
French & English reviews
Une petite nouvelle bien sympa avec un mélange du mythe du minotaure et du conte de la Belle et la Bête version science fiction =D
J'ai bien aimé l'univers mais c'était trop court et la fin m'a un peu laissé sur ma faim ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A nice little short-story with the science fiction version of the myth of the minotaur and the tale of Beauty and the Beast = D
I liked the universe but it was too short and the end left me a little dissatisfied ...
Une petite nouvelle bien sympa avec un mélange du mythe du minotaure et du conte de la Belle et la Bête version science fiction =D
J'ai bien aimé l'univers mais c'était trop court et la fin m'a un peu laissé sur ma faim ...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A nice little short-story with the science fiction version of the myth of the minotaur and the tale of Beauty and the Beast = D
I liked the universe but it was too short and the end left me a little dissatisfied ...
April 29, 2023
2.5 Stars
—————————
I’m working through Thalassa’s backlist as she is one of my favorite authors.
This was okay. It is hard to write in a overarching series that isn’t entirely your own and where you don’t have complete creative control over it so I understand that she was more limited in what she could do. Novellas are also hard to fully flesh out. For what is was, it was okay! I’m excited to move on to the rest of her work!
—————————
I’m working through Thalassa’s backlist as she is one of my favorite authors.
This was okay. It is hard to write in a overarching series that isn’t entirely your own and where you don’t have complete creative control over it so I understand that she was more limited in what she could do. Novellas are also hard to fully flesh out. For what is was, it was okay! I’m excited to move on to the rest of her work!
January 9, 2017
Good, fast read
Seemed like a Beauty & the Beast retelling at first, but has a few differences. It's a good short story. I thought it was strange that the characters would fall in love so quickly, and though that was explained, still didn't feel normal. Anyway, it's a fast read, good for a novella. Don't expect the characters to be too well-developed.
Seemed like a Beauty & the Beast retelling at first, but has a few differences. It's a good short story. I thought it was strange that the characters would fall in love so quickly, and though that was explained, still didn't feel normal. Anyway, it's a fast read, good for a novella. Don't expect the characters to be too well-developed.
June 30, 2017
3 STARS
Ok this is the 3rd book of this series I've read and so far they started great and each consecutive book has gotten less interesting. This story is a cross between Beauty & the Beast and The Minotaur of ancient Mythology. So the characters seem familiar and lovable but really not the best played out scenario of this I've ever read. So 3 stars was kinda stretching it for me.
Ok this is the 3rd book of this series I've read and so far they started great and each consecutive book has gotten less interesting. This story is a cross between Beauty & the Beast and The Minotaur of ancient Mythology. So the characters seem familiar and lovable but really not the best played out scenario of this I've ever read. So 3 stars was kinda stretching it for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews