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The Love Curse #1
Arrowheart
The Wattpad Sensation!
Kiss the boys and make them cry...
The gods are gone.
The people have forgotten them.
But sixteen-year-old Rachel Patel can't forget—the gods control her life, or more specifically, her love life.
Being a Hedoness, one of a strong group of women descended from Greek God Eros, makes true love impossible for Rachel. She wields the power of that magical golden arrow, and with it, the promise to take the will of any boy she kisses. But the last thing Rachel wants is to force someone to love her...
When seventeen-year-old Benjamin Blake's disappearance links back to the Hedonesses, Rachel's world collides with his, and her biggest fear becomes a terrifying reality. She's falling for him—a messy, magnetic, arrow-over-feet type of fall.
Rachel distances herself, struggling to resist the growing attraction, but when he gives up his dream to help her evade arrest, distance becomes an insurmountable task. With the police hot on their trail, Rachel soon realizes there are darker forces hunting them—a group of mortals recruited by the gods who will stop at nothing to preserve the power of the Hedonesses—not to mention Eros himself, who is desperate to reverse the curse...
Rachel must learn to do what no Hedoness has done before—to resist her gift—or she'll turn the person she's grown to love into a shadow of himself... forever.
Kiss the boys and make them cry...
The gods are gone.
The people have forgotten them.
But sixteen-year-old Rachel Patel can't forget—the gods control her life, or more specifically, her love life.
Being a Hedoness, one of a strong group of women descended from Greek God Eros, makes true love impossible for Rachel. She wields the power of that magical golden arrow, and with it, the promise to take the will of any boy she kisses. But the last thing Rachel wants is to force someone to love her...
When seventeen-year-old Benjamin Blake's disappearance links back to the Hedonesses, Rachel's world collides with his, and her biggest fear becomes a terrifying reality. She's falling for him—a messy, magnetic, arrow-over-feet type of fall.
Rachel distances herself, struggling to resist the growing attraction, but when he gives up his dream to help her evade arrest, distance becomes an insurmountable task. With the police hot on their trail, Rachel soon realizes there are darker forces hunting them—a group of mortals recruited by the gods who will stop at nothing to preserve the power of the Hedonesses—not to mention Eros himself, who is desperate to reverse the curse...
Rachel must learn to do what no Hedoness has done before—to resist her gift—or she'll turn the person she's grown to love into a shadow of himself... forever.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2018
15 people are currently reading
1277 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Sky
7 books212 followersFat Feminist. Author. Dog Enthusiast.
www.RebeccaSky.com
www.RebeccaSky.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
February 23, 2018
"It's a solid five star book!" -my mom.
Is this a thing, author's reviewing their books? Well, how about I use this area for updates. More to come when I'm done drafting book 2!!! (I'm so close...send caffeine...)
Is this a thing, author's reviewing their books? Well, how about I use this area for updates. More to come when I'm done drafting book 2!!! (I'm so close...send caffeine...)
May 22, 2018
Wow this was such a fun read!! And it ended with a cliffhanger?? I did not expect that! I’ve never read a book about Greek mythology, so this was a new experience for me and I really liked it!! Can’t wait for the sequel ;)
Rachel and Marissa are Hedonesses, which means that they can force any man to love them just by touching them. They are meant to embrace their gift from the gods, except Rachel is having trouble with that. She just wants to be a normal girl who can love someone without forcing him to.
Rachel and Marissa are Hedonesses, which means that they can force any man to love them just by touching them. They are meant to embrace their gift from the gods, except Rachel is having trouble with that. She just wants to be a normal girl who can love someone without forcing him to.
October 1, 2020
Slightly messy in terms of plot and world-building, but I thought this was a refreshing contemporary take on Greek mythology. I had a ton of fun reading!
Review to follow!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
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Review to follow!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
instagram • pinterest • twitter
November 24, 2021
DNF about halfway through
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
I love books about Greek mythology, so I dove into this one without any hesitation. Unfortunately, everything was too unbelievable. Stories like this have to be explained and portrayed in a way that feels real to the reader. The characters in Arrowheart were not very likable, and they accepted the impossible with little very little doubt.
One of the characters was taken captive and he chose to accept it and do whatever they told him to. He didn't try to fight, escape (even though there were plenty of opportunities), and questioned very little. I also didn't understand the romance the author was trying to portray with him and another character. Keeping someone against their will (and actually taking away their will more than once), would hopefully make them look for an escape.
I don't know if the reasons were explained later in the book, because I just couldn't bring myself to continue reading it. The characters were either shallow and spent a lot of time on their looks, or oblivious and let others walk all over them. I barley understood Rachel's thought process most of the time, or why she chose to make certain decisions.
In the end, it wasn't my cup of tea. I'll admit that I'm curious about Eros, because I'm not as familiar with his mythology, but my lack of interest in the story cancelled out my desire to know how it ended.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
I love books about Greek mythology, so I dove into this one without any hesitation. Unfortunately, everything was too unbelievable. Stories like this have to be explained and portrayed in a way that feels real to the reader. The characters in Arrowheart were not very likable, and they accepted the impossible with little very little doubt.
One of the characters was taken captive and he chose to accept it and do whatever they told him to. He didn't try to fight, escape (even though there were plenty of opportunities), and questioned very little. I also didn't understand the romance the author was trying to portray with him and another character. Keeping someone against their will (and actually taking away their will more than once), would hopefully make them look for an escape.
I don't know if the reasons were explained later in the book, because I just couldn't bring myself to continue reading it. The characters were either shallow and spent a lot of time on their looks, or oblivious and let others walk all over them. I barley understood Rachel's thought process most of the time, or why she chose to make certain decisions.
In the end, it wasn't my cup of tea. I'll admit that I'm curious about Eros, because I'm not as familiar with his mythology, but my lack of interest in the story cancelled out my desire to know how it ended.
April 17, 2018
"In that moment my heart shatters all over again, I fall to the ground wishing I never believed Eros."
I went in to Arrowheart completely blind, i'd only seen the pretty cover on the publishers Instagram. Then I was invited to review the book through netgalley. So I thought why not give it a try.
The cover made me think I was getting a cute fluffy contemporary romance but Arrowheart turned out to be a contemporary setting with Greek mythology mixed in and oh boy did this book keep me entertained I was drawn to the characters Rachel and Ben from the get go.
There is a honesty about these two characters whether they're showing it to each other or not. What follows is a look at choices, whether you choose to love someone or your gift is what choices them to love you. Ultimately I think free will is what Rachel is searching for & to make her own decisions free of her parents and the committee.
Also please I need book two now, the last chapter and the epilogue were epic, I need to know what happens next to these characters!!
Rachel sky has written an amazing debut with great mythology and a swoon worthy romance.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for letting me review Arrowheart for my honest opinion and feedback.
I went in to Arrowheart completely blind, i'd only seen the pretty cover on the publishers Instagram. Then I was invited to review the book through netgalley. So I thought why not give it a try.
The cover made me think I was getting a cute fluffy contemporary romance but Arrowheart turned out to be a contemporary setting with Greek mythology mixed in and oh boy did this book keep me entertained I was drawn to the characters Rachel and Ben from the get go.
There is a honesty about these two characters whether they're showing it to each other or not. What follows is a look at choices, whether you choose to love someone or your gift is what choices them to love you. Ultimately I think free will is what Rachel is searching for & to make her own decisions free of her parents and the committee.
Also please I need book two now, the last chapter and the epilogue were epic, I need to know what happens next to these characters!!
Rachel sky has written an amazing debut with great mythology and a swoon worthy romance.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for letting me review Arrowheart for my honest opinion and feedback.
July 21, 2018
dieses Ende ://////
June 11, 2018
First reviewed on Pretty Little Memoirs.
Rachel is such a likeable character from the get-go. I love that despite wielding this immense power to make any boy fall head over heels in love with her, she just wants to be your average girl. To fall in love with ease. To not feel like she's meant for something huge and to live a perfectly normal life. But being a Hedoness, she kinda can't. Her and Marissa, another Hedoness, have this power that centers around the book's first mystery. Boys are going missing and then turning up again, not knowing what happened the entire time. But the girls know all too well what's happening. Rachel doesn't want to make anyone love her - not forcibly, anyway - and when Benjamin, a missing boy, comes into the picture and his absence links back to the Hedonesses, it's a fight or flight reaction.
Forced to try and ignore her feelings for him and focus on the growing suspicion around her, she can't help but fall deeper in love with the boy she can never have love her. But then, the Police get involved and she's thrown into a dilemma. She has to leave, and when Benjamin gives up what he loves to go on the run with her and not get arrested, they're not only being hunted by the Police, but by something much more sinister.
I just...this book BROKE ME and HEALED ME again. I haven't read a book this fast-paced and funny and interesting in such a long time! Not only was the Greek Mythology history and factual spin on YA unique and incredible with the world-building, but the characters were just so normal. So believable. Even though most were descendant from Gods or unlike me at all, I connected with Rachel so much on so many levels (even though we couldn't be lightyears away from each other).
Overall, Arrowheart has struck it's golden arrow right into my heart. I am blown away by this epic-YA that has woven it's way into my favourites. Getting to the ending and that cliffhanger was just so nail-biting! I can't wait for the next book in the series. I NEED IT! Rebecca (name twin!), this is clearly one of my favourite books I've read in such a long time. Five stars isn't enough!
Rachel is such a likeable character from the get-go. I love that despite wielding this immense power to make any boy fall head over heels in love with her, she just wants to be your average girl. To fall in love with ease. To not feel like she's meant for something huge and to live a perfectly normal life. But being a Hedoness, she kinda can't. Her and Marissa, another Hedoness, have this power that centers around the book's first mystery. Boys are going missing and then turning up again, not knowing what happened the entire time. But the girls know all too well what's happening. Rachel doesn't want to make anyone love her - not forcibly, anyway - and when Benjamin, a missing boy, comes into the picture and his absence links back to the Hedonesses, it's a fight or flight reaction.
Forced to try and ignore her feelings for him and focus on the growing suspicion around her, she can't help but fall deeper in love with the boy she can never have love her. But then, the Police get involved and she's thrown into a dilemma. She has to leave, and when Benjamin gives up what he loves to go on the run with her and not get arrested, they're not only being hunted by the Police, but by something much more sinister.
I just...this book BROKE ME and HEALED ME again. I haven't read a book this fast-paced and funny and interesting in such a long time! Not only was the Greek Mythology history and factual spin on YA unique and incredible with the world-building, but the characters were just so normal. So believable. Even though most were descendant from Gods or unlike me at all, I connected with Rachel so much on so many levels (even though we couldn't be lightyears away from each other).
Overall, Arrowheart has struck it's golden arrow right into my heart. I am blown away by this epic-YA that has woven it's way into my favourites. Getting to the ending and that cliffhanger was just so nail-biting! I can't wait for the next book in the series. I NEED IT! Rebecca (name twin!), this is clearly one of my favourite books I've read in such a long time. Five stars isn't enough!
June 12, 2018
From looking at the cover you’d think this book was a cutesy contemporary but it’s more modern contemporary with a bit of Greek mythology thrown in and it works quite well.
I really liked Rachel and Ben and the trials they go through to help her family and the struggles she faces and has to come to terms with being a Hedoness.
And not only that but the epilogue ends in a cliffhanger! Goodness, I’m going to need the next one!
I really liked Rachel and Ben and the trials they go through to help her family and the struggles she faces and has to come to terms with being a Hedoness.
And not only that but the epilogue ends in a cliffhanger! Goodness, I’m going to need the next one!
July 26, 2019
Amor est vitae essentia.
Erschrocken festgestellt, dass es doch kein Einteiler ist...
Ich war erst skeptisch, ich meine... Wattpad und ich haben bisher nicht wirklich Erfolgsgeschichten vorzuweisen. Und dann das Cover... Auch nichts für mich. Mitgenommen habe ich es eigentlich nur, weil es um Sprösslinge einer griechischen Gottheit geht und damit hatte mich das Buch quasi an der Angel. Und Rebecca Sky hat es geschafft, mich positiv zu überraschen.
Rachel ist eine tolle Figur, der man gerne über die Schulter schaut. Und dazu kommt, dass das Buch sich ganz gut liest und eine spannende Geschichte bietet. Allerdings konnte ich mich nicht wirklich auf die Figuren einlassen, nicht wirklich eine Beziehung zu ihnen aufbauen. Zu keiner der Figuren. Und auch Ben bleibt irgendwie eine Randfigur, auch wenn er oft auftaucht und eigentlich eine Hauptfigur ist. Ich hoffe sehr, dass Rachels Mutter und Marissa im Folgeband bekommen, was sie verdienen, denn die beiden sind ja einfach nur schrecklich. Vor allem Marissa. Beste Freundin.. Ja ne, ist klar.
March 8, 2025
I actually loved the sample of this book and cant wait for the full book to be released (14th June).
The book fills my inner mythological history geek with such joy that I haven't experienced in a while, not much a review at this stage but when I do purchase the full book I will update my review.
The book fills my inner mythological history geek with such joy that I haven't experienced in a while, not much a review at this stage but when I do purchase the full book I will update my review.
June 15, 2018
„Es ist deine Gabe.
Es ist mein Fluch.
Du bist ein Kind der Götter.
Ich bin ein Monster.
Und ich bin nicht das einzige …“ S. 5
Eine Liebesgeschichte zwischendurch geht immer, oder? Und wenn dann noch übernatürliche Mächte und Götter mit von der Partie sind, dann kann es nur gut werden. Das Cover, spricht mich persönlich sehr an. Es verspricht eine Liebesgeschichte mit ein wenig Zauber und das Buch wäre mir im Laden definitiv ins Auge gesprungen. Der Klappentext verrät gar nicht so viel über den Inhalt des Buches. Eigentlich hatte ich auch eine ganz andere Geschichte erwartete, da ich nicht gedacht habe, dass die Handlung so sehr in die „richtige“ Welt eingebettet ist. Deshalb war ich sehr erstaunt über den Verlauf der Geschichte und dennoch oder vielleicht gerade deshalb, hat mir gefallen, was ich da gelesen habe. Aber nun erst einmal hier von mir, worum es in Love Curse – Lieben verboten geht:
Rachel ist eine Nachfahrin des Gottes Eros und damit eine Liebesgöttin. Verborgen in der normalen Welt wird Rachel, gemeinsam mit Marissa, die ihr als Partnerin zugeteilt wurde, und tausenden anderen Mädchen überall auf der Welt auf ihr Leben als Liebesgöttin vorbereitet. Wenn jemand von ihnen einen Mann küsst, ist er ihnen auf Gedeih und Verderb verfallen. So lenken sie die Geschicke der Menschheit. Die schöne Marissa ist egoistisch und rücksichtslos und wegen einer ihrer Aktionen wird ein Stein ins Rollen gebracht, der nicht mehr aufzuhalten ist. Mit in die Geschichte wird der süße Ben verwickelt, in den sich Rachel verliebt. Aber sie kann ich ihn nicht küssen, weil er ihr dann verfallen würde und dann könnte er sie nicht mehr aus freien Stücken gern haben. Rachel wünscht sich nichts sehnlicher als diese Gabe loszuwerden. Doch hat sie eine Chance gegen diesen alten Fluch und die Macht der Götter?
In dem Debüt von Rebecca Sky geht es um ein altbekanntes Thema – nämlich die Liebe. Und darum ob man Liebe und die damit verbundenen Gefühle erzwingen kann und sollte. Rachels Antwort darauf ist definitiv nein. Unsere Protagonisten hasst ihre Gabe, wie sie genannt wird. Für sie ist es nur ein Fluch. Dadurch, dass sie Geschichte in der Ich-Perspektive aus Rachels Sicht erzählt wird, bekommt einen sehr guten Einblick in ihre Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt und kann ihren inneren Kampf gut nachvollziehen. Es graust ihr davor, dass ein Mann sie nie aus freien Stücken lieben wird, sondern immer nur, weil er verzaubert wurde. Rachel versteht den Sinn dahinter nicht und sträubt sich gegen dieses System, in dem sie gefangen ist. Damit ist mir Rachel gleich von Anfang an unheimlich sympathisch. Sie steht für ihre Meinung ein und tut alles, damit sie so sein kann, wie sie ist. Sie liebt ihre Familie über alles und tut alles im diejenigen zu beschützen, die ihr wichtig sind. Dabei verliert sie jedoch nicht das große Ganze aus den Augen.
„»Was ist es, das dich antreibt?«, frage ich.
»Ich weiß nicht … Liebe?«, antwortet er halbherzig.“ S. 264
Im Gegensatz dazu steht ihre Partnerin Marissa. Diese geht in ihrer Rolle als Liebesgöttin total auf und verzaubert der Reihe nach immer wieder gerne Männer um sich das zu nehmen, was sie gerade braucht. Es ist bestimmt gewollt, dass man Marissa als Leser nicht sonderlich mag. Das hat Rebecca Sky wirklich gut hinbekommen, denn ich mochte Marissa von der ersten Sekunde an nicht. Sie ist manipulativ und selbstverliebt und niemand, den ich je um mich haben möchte.
Dann bleibt noch Ben, den sich wohl jeder als Freund wünscht. Sei es als festen Freund oder als Kumpel, er ist ein freundlicher und hilfsbereiter Zeitgenosse. Die Gefühle zwischen ihm und Rachel entwickeln sich ganz still und leise und es war schön diese Entwicklung miterleben zu können. Zusammen mit Rachel, Marissa und noch einigen anderen Personen wird Ben in Ereignisse verwickelt, die immer unkontrollierbarer werden, je weiter die Handlung voran schreitet.
„Ben weckt in mir Gefühle, von denen ich immer nur geträumt habe.
Die Art Gefühle, die wegen meiner Gabe zu Albträumen werden.“ S. 222
Alle Charaktere sind glaubwürdig und greifbar gestaltet – jeder hat seine eigene Persönlichkeit bekommen und fügt sich toll in die Handlung ein. Genauso wie die griechische Mythologie. Die Geschichte um Eros und die Götter der Antik wurde wunderbar mit der Handlung verwoben und weiter gesponnen. Ich habe mich schon immer für dieses Thema interessiert und freue mich immer, wenn es in irgendeine Geschichte mit eingebaut wird.
Und dieses Ende! Oh mein Gott! Nach einem kontinuierlichen Spannungsaufbau kommt es zu einem unglaublich spektakulären Ende mit einem Cliffhanger der Extraklasse! Ich dachte eigentlich die ganze Zeit, dass Love Curse – Lieben verboten ein Einzelband wäre, doch nach diesem Ende ist es das definitiv nicht. Über Band zwei konnte ich noch nichts herausfinden, freue mich aber absolut auf ihn.
Fazit:
Eine wunderbare Liebesgeschichte der anderen Art. Das Buch hat Herzschmerz, Action und Spannung, also alles, was ein gutes Buch haben sollte. Ich empfehle dieses Buch von Herzen gerne jedem weiter, der gute Liebesromane mit dem Hauch Magie mag. Dafür gibt es von mir 4 Schmetterlinge und ich freue mich auf (den unerwarteten) Band 2!
*Rezensionsexemplar*
Es ist mein Fluch.
Du bist ein Kind der Götter.
Ich bin ein Monster.
Und ich bin nicht das einzige …“ S. 5
Eine Liebesgeschichte zwischendurch geht immer, oder? Und wenn dann noch übernatürliche Mächte und Götter mit von der Partie sind, dann kann es nur gut werden. Das Cover, spricht mich persönlich sehr an. Es verspricht eine Liebesgeschichte mit ein wenig Zauber und das Buch wäre mir im Laden definitiv ins Auge gesprungen. Der Klappentext verrät gar nicht so viel über den Inhalt des Buches. Eigentlich hatte ich auch eine ganz andere Geschichte erwartete, da ich nicht gedacht habe, dass die Handlung so sehr in die „richtige“ Welt eingebettet ist. Deshalb war ich sehr erstaunt über den Verlauf der Geschichte und dennoch oder vielleicht gerade deshalb, hat mir gefallen, was ich da gelesen habe. Aber nun erst einmal hier von mir, worum es in Love Curse – Lieben verboten geht:
Rachel ist eine Nachfahrin des Gottes Eros und damit eine Liebesgöttin. Verborgen in der normalen Welt wird Rachel, gemeinsam mit Marissa, die ihr als Partnerin zugeteilt wurde, und tausenden anderen Mädchen überall auf der Welt auf ihr Leben als Liebesgöttin vorbereitet. Wenn jemand von ihnen einen Mann küsst, ist er ihnen auf Gedeih und Verderb verfallen. So lenken sie die Geschicke der Menschheit. Die schöne Marissa ist egoistisch und rücksichtslos und wegen einer ihrer Aktionen wird ein Stein ins Rollen gebracht, der nicht mehr aufzuhalten ist. Mit in die Geschichte wird der süße Ben verwickelt, in den sich Rachel verliebt. Aber sie kann ich ihn nicht küssen, weil er ihr dann verfallen würde und dann könnte er sie nicht mehr aus freien Stücken gern haben. Rachel wünscht sich nichts sehnlicher als diese Gabe loszuwerden. Doch hat sie eine Chance gegen diesen alten Fluch und die Macht der Götter?
In dem Debüt von Rebecca Sky geht es um ein altbekanntes Thema – nämlich die Liebe. Und darum ob man Liebe und die damit verbundenen Gefühle erzwingen kann und sollte. Rachels Antwort darauf ist definitiv nein. Unsere Protagonisten hasst ihre Gabe, wie sie genannt wird. Für sie ist es nur ein Fluch. Dadurch, dass sie Geschichte in der Ich-Perspektive aus Rachels Sicht erzählt wird, bekommt einen sehr guten Einblick in ihre Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt und kann ihren inneren Kampf gut nachvollziehen. Es graust ihr davor, dass ein Mann sie nie aus freien Stücken lieben wird, sondern immer nur, weil er verzaubert wurde. Rachel versteht den Sinn dahinter nicht und sträubt sich gegen dieses System, in dem sie gefangen ist. Damit ist mir Rachel gleich von Anfang an unheimlich sympathisch. Sie steht für ihre Meinung ein und tut alles, damit sie so sein kann, wie sie ist. Sie liebt ihre Familie über alles und tut alles im diejenigen zu beschützen, die ihr wichtig sind. Dabei verliert sie jedoch nicht das große Ganze aus den Augen.
„»Was ist es, das dich antreibt?«, frage ich.
»Ich weiß nicht … Liebe?«, antwortet er halbherzig.“ S. 264
Im Gegensatz dazu steht ihre Partnerin Marissa. Diese geht in ihrer Rolle als Liebesgöttin total auf und verzaubert der Reihe nach immer wieder gerne Männer um sich das zu nehmen, was sie gerade braucht. Es ist bestimmt gewollt, dass man Marissa als Leser nicht sonderlich mag. Das hat Rebecca Sky wirklich gut hinbekommen, denn ich mochte Marissa von der ersten Sekunde an nicht. Sie ist manipulativ und selbstverliebt und niemand, den ich je um mich haben möchte.
Dann bleibt noch Ben, den sich wohl jeder als Freund wünscht. Sei es als festen Freund oder als Kumpel, er ist ein freundlicher und hilfsbereiter Zeitgenosse. Die Gefühle zwischen ihm und Rachel entwickeln sich ganz still und leise und es war schön diese Entwicklung miterleben zu können. Zusammen mit Rachel, Marissa und noch einigen anderen Personen wird Ben in Ereignisse verwickelt, die immer unkontrollierbarer werden, je weiter die Handlung voran schreitet.
„Ben weckt in mir Gefühle, von denen ich immer nur geträumt habe.
Die Art Gefühle, die wegen meiner Gabe zu Albträumen werden.“ S. 222
Alle Charaktere sind glaubwürdig und greifbar gestaltet – jeder hat seine eigene Persönlichkeit bekommen und fügt sich toll in die Handlung ein. Genauso wie die griechische Mythologie. Die Geschichte um Eros und die Götter der Antik wurde wunderbar mit der Handlung verwoben und weiter gesponnen. Ich habe mich schon immer für dieses Thema interessiert und freue mich immer, wenn es in irgendeine Geschichte mit eingebaut wird.
Und dieses Ende! Oh mein Gott! Nach einem kontinuierlichen Spannungsaufbau kommt es zu einem unglaublich spektakulären Ende mit einem Cliffhanger der Extraklasse! Ich dachte eigentlich die ganze Zeit, dass Love Curse – Lieben verboten ein Einzelband wäre, doch nach diesem Ende ist es das definitiv nicht. Über Band zwei konnte ich noch nichts herausfinden, freue mich aber absolut auf ihn.
Fazit:
Eine wunderbare Liebesgeschichte der anderen Art. Das Buch hat Herzschmerz, Action und Spannung, also alles, was ein gutes Buch haben sollte. Ich empfehle dieses Buch von Herzen gerne jedem weiter, der gute Liebesromane mit dem Hauch Magie mag. Dafür gibt es von mir 4 Schmetterlinge und ich freue mich auf (den unerwarteten) Band 2!
*Rezensionsexemplar*
August 20, 2018
3 stelle!
Credo che avrei preferito il libro se lo avessi letto cinque anni fa.
È una storia carina, che ti intrattiene, anche se le ultime cinquanta pagine hanno smorzato un po' il tono.
Lo avrei preferito cinque anni fa, perché ero ancora all'inizio della mia carriera letteraria e tutti questi cliché non mi avrebbero così infastidito come hanno fatto adesso. Dai non si possono più vedere due ragazze (che dichiarano di essere amiche) litigare per un ragazzo!
Nessuno dei personaggi mi ha fatto innamorare, la trama carina ma niente di più e l'epilogo poteva anche non metterlo.
In conclusione una storia carina da leggere sotto l'ombrellone.
Credo che avrei preferito il libro se lo avessi letto cinque anni fa.
È una storia carina, che ti intrattiene, anche se le ultime cinquanta pagine hanno smorzato un po' il tono.
Lo avrei preferito cinque anni fa, perché ero ancora all'inizio della mia carriera letteraria e tutti questi cliché non mi avrebbero così infastidito come hanno fatto adesso. Dai non si possono più vedere due ragazze (che dichiarano di essere amiche) litigare per un ragazzo!
Nessuno dei personaggi mi ha fatto innamorare, la trama carina ma niente di più e l'epilogo poteva anche non metterlo.
In conclusione una storia carina da leggere sotto l'ombrellone.
July 24, 2018
I love it. I want to read more but the “To be continued...” in the end tells me to relax for a while and wait out until the next book’s done.
August 14, 2018
Rating: 3/5 Stars
**HUGE thank you to Rockstar Book Tours for including me on the Arrowheart tour last month and to Rebecca Sky for providing me with an ARC of this one to review! All opinions are my own.**
More reviews like this one can be found on my blog!
---
Review
First, a HUGE thank you to Rockstar Book Tours and Rebecca Sky for providing me with a copy of this book as a part of your blog tour and in exchange for an honest review!
So, I have some seriously conflicting thoughts about this book. I really wanted to love it, but it was just missing that something special for me.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book.
I LOVE mythology and I loved the idea of following the decedents of Eros. I honestly felt like this book was a mix of Xanadu and Rick Riordan…and I’m still not sure how I feel about that.
I’m not sure if it was me going in with too high of expectations, reading too much Rick Riordan, or poor execution, but I feel like this book had a lot of untapped potentials.
This is a story centered around Greek mythology, but we didn’t meet many characters from mythology, which kind of disappointed me.
I also didn’t like how cookie cutter some parts of the plot were. There are several books targeted to this demographic that center around people trying to avoid a certain situation or life they were born into, losing a family member in the process, and meeting a love interest that’s willing to help until they learn the TRUTH. Sadly, this is a large part of the plot and I just felt like we could have done a bit more with this one.
Also, there was this running bit about alien vampires…yeah that did nothing for me. It made me raise my eyebrows at first, but by the third mention, it got a bit old.
All of that being said, it wasn’t the worst thing I ever read. The cookie-cutter plot was predictable but the part about being able to control people added an interesting layer.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this was a unique take on a YA mythology story, but not a super original YA story. There is definitely an audience for this book (especially those who like romance and are not overly familiar with Greek mythology). I don’t think I’ll continue with this series, but I don’t feel like I wasted my time reading it.
**HUGE thank you to Rockstar Book Tours for including me on the Arrowheart tour last month and to Rebecca Sky for providing me with an ARC of this one to review! All opinions are my own.**
More reviews like this one can be found on my blog!
---
Review
First, a HUGE thank you to Rockstar Book Tours and Rebecca Sky for providing me with a copy of this book as a part of your blog tour and in exchange for an honest review!
So, I have some seriously conflicting thoughts about this book. I really wanted to love it, but it was just missing that something special for me.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book.
I LOVE mythology and I loved the idea of following the decedents of Eros. I honestly felt like this book was a mix of Xanadu and Rick Riordan…and I’m still not sure how I feel about that.
I’m not sure if it was me going in with too high of expectations, reading too much Rick Riordan, or poor execution, but I feel like this book had a lot of untapped potentials.
This is a story centered around Greek mythology, but we didn’t meet many characters from mythology, which kind of disappointed me.
I also didn’t like how cookie cutter some parts of the plot were. There are several books targeted to this demographic that center around people trying to avoid a certain situation or life they were born into, losing a family member in the process, and meeting a love interest that’s willing to help until they learn the TRUTH. Sadly, this is a large part of the plot and I just felt like we could have done a bit more with this one.
Also, there was this running bit about alien vampires…yeah that did nothing for me. It made me raise my eyebrows at first, but by the third mention, it got a bit old.
All of that being said, it wasn’t the worst thing I ever read. The cookie-cutter plot was predictable but the part about being able to control people added an interesting layer.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this was a unique take on a YA mythology story, but not a super original YA story. There is definitely an audience for this book (especially those who like romance and are not overly familiar with Greek mythology). I don’t think I’ll continue with this series, but I don’t feel like I wasted my time reading it.
June 27, 2018
Really enjoyable read, with an original storyline. Looking forward to reading book 2.
April 18, 2018
Read the NetGalley excerpt. It was clever, witty, romantic, mesmerizing. Couldn’t put it down. Will do a longer review when the book is released. Very excited about it!
August 25, 2020
Vampire aliens? ✅
Road trip? ✅
Forbidden love? ✅
Greek mythology? ✅
Evil nuns? ✅
Bitchy best friend? ✅
An unmarked grave? ✅
Get ready for reading the most unpredictable story ever written.
Road trip? ✅
Forbidden love? ✅
Greek mythology? ✅
Evil nuns? ✅
Bitchy best friend? ✅
An unmarked grave? ✅
Get ready for reading the most unpredictable story ever written.
December 15, 2018
Nachdem ich gelesen habe, dass es einen zweiten Teil hab ich mir gedacht das ich es vorher unbedingt lesen will. War wirklich gut zu lesen, hätte ich ehrlich gesagt nicht gedacht.
4 Sterne
4 Sterne
June 19, 2018
Viegla vasaras lasāmviela. Būtu daudz labāk, ja nebeigtos ar cliff-hanger un būtu zināms, kad nākamā grāmata iznāks.
August 24, 2018
There are sometimes when I wonder if I, a 20-something who is several years out of university, am told old for Young Adult novels. I no longer have to deal with the struggles of coming of age – it came and went already. But then I read a YA and get to reminisce about how young and hopeful I was – how naive I still am. It’s interesting, approaching high school stories from the other side; I remember what it was like and yet, I find myself yelling at the pages, begging the characters to make better choices. Sadly, they never do – because they're young and hopeful and naive – and I find myself turning to the next chapter only to start the process over again.
I say this because Arrowheart by Rebecca Sky is one of those times when I started the novel yelling and screaming at the young adults and ended up falling, quite ironically, in love with them.
Cliffnotes Version: Rachel Patel is a Hedoness, a girl descended from the Greek God Eros who has the ability – or the obligation according to some – to turn men into their love slave with only a kiss. Rachel is wholly against it but trouble starts when she ends up on the run with her best friend, and a boy who’s recently been turned: Ben. She falls head over heels but knows that she can’t do anything about it; and if running from the police, hiding your secrets, and generally breaking all the Hedoness rules isn’t complicated enough, they throw in a tragically hot cousin, piles of sexual tension, and vampire aliens to round out the adventure. And then a God shows up and I can’t wait for Book 2 (coming in 2019).
First of all, I love the concept. Anything that reinterprets or represents mythology in a present setting is my favourite thing in the entire world - especially Greek mythology. The idea of girls with the power to remove a man's will is an interesting moral dilemma to present to teenagers and I think Rebecca did an amazing job of laying out the world and its rules. Plus Eros is not a very common God represented in contemporary fiction so I was happy to see an entire mythos based around his exploits.
I have so many questions I want to ask Rebecca about the world she's created because it's inspired me. But it didn't start out that way.
As I said, I came in with a bit of a grumpy attitude. A lot of my Random Notes While Reading are a bit on the snarky side because I didn’t understand who Rachel was. It took a while to get to know these characters and for me to properly invest in their journey but once I did, I actually had a magical moment.
Stop me if I’m completely alone but sometimes when I’m reading, I get so into the story that I start re-enacting moments and talking to the characters as though they were sitting beside me. I caught myself playing Rachel as she tried to hide her attraction to Ben or fought with Marissa – I had more than one embarrassing encounter on the bus because of it.
Good books take you away; if you’re open to it.
I guess you could say, I had to willingly give my heart to this book.
Amid my grumpy, grown-up reading in the early chapters, I noticed something and kept it in the back of my mind throughout the journey. Rachel – and all of the girls, really – never back down. They stick to their beliefs thoroughly, causing quite a bit of conflict. I sat there, yelling at Rachel and Marissa to just express their feelings and compromise in even a small way. But they don’t – not really. In fact, our protagonist sticks to her guns so much that the Gods literally have to come down and intervene so that she can have what will hopefuly be a happy ending (come on, Untitled Book 2!). In a way, watching our characters stay put was frustrating and, yet, I admire it. These teenage girls have a strong resolve and refused to give up their beliefs for the sake of complacency or group harmony. Some days, you just want a morally corrupt villain and instead you get a diverse group of teenagers with varying ideals. What are you going to do?
My Random Notes While Reading were a bit all over the place on this one. Check it out:
Wait, did you pay him?
No pressure
But you do because you wrote it
That sounds very dirty
I’m glad we’re learning about this but why are they?
Why can’t she do both?
How often do you think about him that he has nickname? :P
There is so much wrong with what just happened
I like the contrast between our cursed and uncursed boy. Makes it a moral dilemma
I appreciate that her mom is trying despite their differences
Me neither
No. I still blame you, Marissa
There’s a lot of off-stage action
To be fair, you kind of haven’t
I appreciate the cultural diversity
He is literally your cousin
…I guess it’s okay then
Finally
Just punch her. It’ll make you feel better
Well, it’ll make me feel better
You actually don’t know that
I suspected, but this little victory makes me happy
No!!!
Just tell him
No! *kicks chair like a child*
He’s gonna be so mad when he sees the bill
No ☹
That hurts my heart. Why would you hurt my heart?
It’s so cheesy and yet so perfect
I don’t know how else to explain my feelings except: giddy punches
What? You can’t end it like that!
Good stories make you throw the book and flop on the bed in giddiness.
My only other contention is the resolution and how there isn’t one (at lease not one that I liked). I was confused for two whole pages before I understood what was happening and then it all happened so quickly. I need to know what happens next. Like now.
This is my problem with reading (relatively) new releases. I need the next part of the story right away even though I understand that writing a novel is a very stressful and intricate process that takes time, money, and energy to produce for a commercial audience and I can’t expect instant gratification from a product I had no hand in creating.
Knowing all that, I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the Love Curse series.
Here’s my hot take on Arrowheart: I may not be the target audience who directly identifies with the struggles of being a teenager dealing with romance and drama, but I enjoyed my time in this world and I became unexpectedly immersed. Really, that’s all I want. To become invested in my fiction.
And remember kids: good books make you throw things.
I say this because Arrowheart by Rebecca Sky is one of those times when I started the novel yelling and screaming at the young adults and ended up falling, quite ironically, in love with them.
Cliffnotes Version: Rachel Patel is a Hedoness, a girl descended from the Greek God Eros who has the ability – or the obligation according to some – to turn men into their love slave with only a kiss. Rachel is wholly against it but trouble starts when she ends up on the run with her best friend, and a boy who’s recently been turned: Ben. She falls head over heels but knows that she can’t do anything about it; and if running from the police, hiding your secrets, and generally breaking all the Hedoness rules isn’t complicated enough, they throw in a tragically hot cousin, piles of sexual tension, and vampire aliens to round out the adventure. And then a God shows up and I can’t wait for Book 2 (coming in 2019).
First of all, I love the concept. Anything that reinterprets or represents mythology in a present setting is my favourite thing in the entire world - especially Greek mythology. The idea of girls with the power to remove a man's will is an interesting moral dilemma to present to teenagers and I think Rebecca did an amazing job of laying out the world and its rules. Plus Eros is not a very common God represented in contemporary fiction so I was happy to see an entire mythos based around his exploits.
I have so many questions I want to ask Rebecca about the world she's created because it's inspired me. But it didn't start out that way.
As I said, I came in with a bit of a grumpy attitude. A lot of my Random Notes While Reading are a bit on the snarky side because I didn’t understand who Rachel was. It took a while to get to know these characters and for me to properly invest in their journey but once I did, I actually had a magical moment.
Stop me if I’m completely alone but sometimes when I’m reading, I get so into the story that I start re-enacting moments and talking to the characters as though they were sitting beside me. I caught myself playing Rachel as she tried to hide her attraction to Ben or fought with Marissa – I had more than one embarrassing encounter on the bus because of it.
Good books take you away; if you’re open to it.
I guess you could say, I had to willingly give my heart to this book.
Amid my grumpy, grown-up reading in the early chapters, I noticed something and kept it in the back of my mind throughout the journey. Rachel – and all of the girls, really – never back down. They stick to their beliefs thoroughly, causing quite a bit of conflict. I sat there, yelling at Rachel and Marissa to just express their feelings and compromise in even a small way. But they don’t – not really. In fact, our protagonist sticks to her guns so much that the Gods literally have to come down and intervene so that she can have what will hopefuly be a happy ending (come on, Untitled Book 2!). In a way, watching our characters stay put was frustrating and, yet, I admire it. These teenage girls have a strong resolve and refused to give up their beliefs for the sake of complacency or group harmony. Some days, you just want a morally corrupt villain and instead you get a diverse group of teenagers with varying ideals. What are you going to do?
My Random Notes While Reading were a bit all over the place on this one. Check it out:
Wait, did you pay him?
No pressure
But you do because you wrote it
That sounds very dirty
I’m glad we’re learning about this but why are they?
Why can’t she do both?
How often do you think about him that he has nickname? :P
There is so much wrong with what just happened
I like the contrast between our cursed and uncursed boy. Makes it a moral dilemma
I appreciate that her mom is trying despite their differences
Me neither
No. I still blame you, Marissa
There’s a lot of off-stage action
To be fair, you kind of haven’t
I appreciate the cultural diversity
He is literally your cousin
…I guess it’s okay then
Finally
Just punch her. It’ll make you feel better
Well, it’ll make me feel better
You actually don’t know that
I suspected, but this little victory makes me happy
No!!!
Just tell him
No! *kicks chair like a child*
He’s gonna be so mad when he sees the bill
No ☹
That hurts my heart. Why would you hurt my heart?
It’s so cheesy and yet so perfect
I don’t know how else to explain my feelings except: giddy punches
What? You can’t end it like that!
Good stories make you throw the book and flop on the bed in giddiness.
My only other contention is the resolution and how there isn’t one (at lease not one that I liked). I was confused for two whole pages before I understood what was happening and then it all happened so quickly. I need to know what happens next. Like now.
This is my problem with reading (relatively) new releases. I need the next part of the story right away even though I understand that writing a novel is a very stressful and intricate process that takes time, money, and energy to produce for a commercial audience and I can’t expect instant gratification from a product I had no hand in creating.
Knowing all that, I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the Love Curse series.
Here’s my hot take on Arrowheart: I may not be the target audience who directly identifies with the struggles of being a teenager dealing with romance and drama, but I enjoyed my time in this world and I became unexpectedly immersed. Really, that’s all I want. To become invested in my fiction.
And remember kids: good books make you throw things.
April 30, 2018
"Love is a most powerful magic."
Agree with the other review that says Hedoness's are the new vampires. Can book 2 come now please, that ending had me both happy crying and sad crying that i can't read the sequel yet. I've nver read mythology like this, it's so original. And i like the contemporary setting.
Agree with the other review that says Hedoness's are the new vampires. Can book 2 come now please, that ending had me both happy crying and sad crying that i can't read the sequel yet. I've nver read mythology like this, it's so original. And i like the contemporary setting.
April 26, 2019
Das Buch fand ich ganz Okay. Dass es um Götter geht, fand ich soo spannend, aber es kam mir in der Geschichte viel zu kurz. Man hat einfach fast nur die Flucht miterlebt. Den Anfang und das Ende fand ich gut. Den Rest dazwischen so lala. Ich bin sehr gut in das Buch reingekommen und fand den Anfang der Geschichte auch richtig gelungen. Genau wie das Ende. Es wurde richtig spannend und das Buch endet mit einem Cliff Hanger, sodass ich am liebsten sofort mit dem nächsten Buch anfangen würde. Dazwischen war das irgendwie komisch. Angefangen damit, dass es relativ viele spannende Stellen gab, die aber mit dem Kapitelende auch zu Ende waren. Es wurde spannend, dann war das Kapitel zu Ende und die Spannung war weg. Sie ist nicht wieder langsam abgeflaut oder so, ne sie war von jetzt auf gleich weg. Dann haben sich in einer Szene die Zufälle regelrecht gestapelt, sodass es einfach unrealistisch wurde. Beispielsweise kommen drei Leute mit Waffen auf sie zu und der eine Typ kann die überwältigen. Alleine. Drei Personen. Ja, ne, ist klar… . Am Ende gab es auch so kleine Ungereimtheiten, aber ich fand es trotzdem gut. An den Kapitelanfängen hatte das Buch immer wieder so „kurze“ Längen, wodurch es etwas langweilig war, bevor es wieder spannend wurde.
Die Charaktere fand ich eigentlich ganz symphatisch. Bis auf Marissa. Die konnte ich auf den Tod nicht ausstehen. Wie kann man nur so Oberflächlich sein?! Aber das hat gut zu ihrer Rolle und das Buch gepasst. Schließlich muss es ja immer jemanden geben den man nicht mag. Rachel mag ich sehr gerne. Sie steht zu ihrer Meinung und macht auch keinen Hehl draus. Das finde ich gut und ich kann ihren Standpunkt auch sehr gut nachvollziehen. Ben ist mir auch symphatisch. Er ist mitfühlend und absolut immer Ehrlich. Das schätze ich an ihm wirklich sehr. Auch finde ich es toll das ihre Liebesgeschichte sich langsam aufbaut und nicht auf Taten sondern auf Worten basiert. Und doch hat mir einfach ein Funke gefehlt. Die Liebesgeschichte war die ganze Zeit oberflächlich und ist nie in die Tiefe gegangen. Das hätte die Autorin viel mehr vertiefen können, vor allem, da diese Liebesgeschichte zwischen den beiden sehr gut zu den Fact mit den Liebesgöttern passen würde.
Den Schreibstil fand ich auch toll. Die Autorin schreibt klar und ohne Umschweife und das Buch lässt sich, trotz der paar negativen Dinge, sehr schnell lesen. Die Kapitel waren am Anfang und am Ende sehr kurz. Im Mittelteil wären sie länger, sodass dort dann leicht Längen entstehen könnten. Trotz alledem bin ich sehr schnell durchgekommen.
Die Charaktere fand ich eigentlich ganz symphatisch. Bis auf Marissa. Die konnte ich auf den Tod nicht ausstehen. Wie kann man nur so Oberflächlich sein?! Aber das hat gut zu ihrer Rolle und das Buch gepasst. Schließlich muss es ja immer jemanden geben den man nicht mag. Rachel mag ich sehr gerne. Sie steht zu ihrer Meinung und macht auch keinen Hehl draus. Das finde ich gut und ich kann ihren Standpunkt auch sehr gut nachvollziehen. Ben ist mir auch symphatisch. Er ist mitfühlend und absolut immer Ehrlich. Das schätze ich an ihm wirklich sehr. Auch finde ich es toll das ihre Liebesgeschichte sich langsam aufbaut und nicht auf Taten sondern auf Worten basiert. Und doch hat mir einfach ein Funke gefehlt. Die Liebesgeschichte war die ganze Zeit oberflächlich und ist nie in die Tiefe gegangen. Das hätte die Autorin viel mehr vertiefen können, vor allem, da diese Liebesgeschichte zwischen den beiden sehr gut zu den Fact mit den Liebesgöttern passen würde.
Den Schreibstil fand ich auch toll. Die Autorin schreibt klar und ohne Umschweife und das Buch lässt sich, trotz der paar negativen Dinge, sehr schnell lesen. Die Kapitel waren am Anfang und am Ende sehr kurz. Im Mittelteil wären sie länger, sodass dort dann leicht Längen entstehen könnten. Trotz alledem bin ich sehr schnell durchgekommen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2018
I requested Arrowheart by Rebecca Sky based on the really cute cover and after briefly scheming the premise which sounded quite intriguing. I didn’t have too many expectations going into this novel, but I surely didn’t imagine the story to be so strange and chaotic… but in a charmingly good way. I found myself tangled up in all the mess, surprises and twists, and had such a great time.
I thought concept was creative, witty and fun. The writing style was a bit choppy at times, but still engaging and easy to read. The plot was fast-paced and full of so much ridiculousness that I was delightfully entertained. Sure, there were some moments that had me thinking “What in the world is going on here?” but I was also very intrigued to find out what would happen next. The characters weren’t all very likable, especially in the beginning…BUT, I didn’t think they were horrible. Given that whole idea of the story is about Hedonesses, women descended from Greek God Eros, having the ability to take the will of men, I thought the characters played their parts really well. So yes, they can be overly dramatic and preposterous at times, but also so wonderfully amusing that I had a few good laughs. The story wrapped up nicely only to drop a wicked cliffhanger in the epilogue so I’m excited for the next installment.
“If women really wanted that, they would get a dog. Nobody wants to be followed blindly by a boy. They want someone to see their worst qualities and still choose to love them.”
I adored Rachel from the very beginning. She’s the odd one in her world who despised her gift and wanted nothing to do with being a Hedoness. She was constantly trying to fight for what she wanted to do so I really enjoyed her character development as she struggled to find her place and follow her heart. On the other hand, Marissa annoyed me with her unpleasant personality. She was selfish, condescending, and at times even downright cruel. However, over the course of the story, she managed to slowly thaw my heart… a little. Then there’s Benjamin… I honestly wasn’t too sure about him at first, but he slowly made me fall for him. I can say that yes, he’s most definitely book boyfriend material. And Kyle, he was a really nice surprise and fun addition to the gang. I’m really interested to see what role he’s going to play in the sequel.
Romance wise, I’m still not that crazy about it. I wasn’t a fan for most of the story. It was kind of awkward and not very believable… at least not right away. I was reading what was going on, but I just couldn’t connect with the words and feel… I didn’t feel the intense pull or the delicious swoons I love in romance books. Thank goodness Rachel and Ben had some adorable scenes that made me more invested in their love story and I’m definitey glad I kept an open mind and just went with it. So what if I didn’t swoon over and over and get those crazy butterflies… I did have some fun, and in the end I was happy… well up until the epilogue…
“Maybe it’s because I’ve spent every day since my family died looking for something more in this world. Or maybe it’s that I gave you my heart before you ever took it.”
Overall, I thought this was a unique, humorous and delightful story. I wouldn’t say Arrowheart completely struck my heart with all the feels, but it was lighthearted, enjoyable, and a ton of fun… in its own ridiculous messy kind of way. I’m definitely looking forward to reading what happens next cause that ending is just cray cray!!!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher and Rock Star Book Tours in exchange for an honest and fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I thought concept was creative, witty and fun. The writing style was a bit choppy at times, but still engaging and easy to read. The plot was fast-paced and full of so much ridiculousness that I was delightfully entertained. Sure, there were some moments that had me thinking “What in the world is going on here?” but I was also very intrigued to find out what would happen next. The characters weren’t all very likable, especially in the beginning…BUT, I didn’t think they were horrible. Given that whole idea of the story is about Hedonesses, women descended from Greek God Eros, having the ability to take the will of men, I thought the characters played their parts really well. So yes, they can be overly dramatic and preposterous at times, but also so wonderfully amusing that I had a few good laughs. The story wrapped up nicely only to drop a wicked cliffhanger in the epilogue so I’m excited for the next installment.
“If women really wanted that, they would get a dog. Nobody wants to be followed blindly by a boy. They want someone to see their worst qualities and still choose to love them.”
I adored Rachel from the very beginning. She’s the odd one in her world who despised her gift and wanted nothing to do with being a Hedoness. She was constantly trying to fight for what she wanted to do so I really enjoyed her character development as she struggled to find her place and follow her heart. On the other hand, Marissa annoyed me with her unpleasant personality. She was selfish, condescending, and at times even downright cruel. However, over the course of the story, she managed to slowly thaw my heart… a little. Then there’s Benjamin… I honestly wasn’t too sure about him at first, but he slowly made me fall for him. I can say that yes, he’s most definitely book boyfriend material. And Kyle, he was a really nice surprise and fun addition to the gang. I’m really interested to see what role he’s going to play in the sequel.
Romance wise, I’m still not that crazy about it. I wasn’t a fan for most of the story. It was kind of awkward and not very believable… at least not right away. I was reading what was going on, but I just couldn’t connect with the words and feel… I didn’t feel the intense pull or the delicious swoons I love in romance books. Thank goodness Rachel and Ben had some adorable scenes that made me more invested in their love story and I’m definitey glad I kept an open mind and just went with it. So what if I didn’t swoon over and over and get those crazy butterflies… I did have some fun, and in the end I was happy… well up until the epilogue…
“Maybe it’s because I’ve spent every day since my family died looking for something more in this world. Or maybe it’s that I gave you my heart before you ever took it.”
Overall, I thought this was a unique, humorous and delightful story. I wouldn’t say Arrowheart completely struck my heart with all the feels, but it was lighthearted, enjoyable, and a ton of fun… in its own ridiculous messy kind of way. I’m definitely looking forward to reading what happens next cause that ending is just cray cray!!!
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher and Rock Star Book Tours in exchange for an honest and fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 3, 2019
“Fearing what I am has kept me from too many things. If only my ability could control fear, it would be a lot more helpful than the stupid love curse.”
Arrowheart transports you to a world where hedonesses roam the earth. One, in particular, Rachel, doesn't see her 'gift' as a blessing from the gods but a curse she'd rather having nothing to do with. When Benjamin Blake enters her life through her friend's reckless behaviour, her attraction for him blooms just as her world starts falling apart. While evading local law enforcement and the people responsible for all Hedonesses, losing all that made her imperfect world perfect, she's faced with the reality of being a hedoness and just how strong her power is.
I don't read a lot of young adult - I only ever pick up a book if the plot isn't typical. Imagine my joy when I dove into Arrowheart and discovered just how good it was, how it had an ability to make me reconsider the whole genre. Also, mythology is something new for me but I've been loving it recently. Like this novel, it covers Greek mythology but it isn't an info dumps of the history of the gods and everything you'd expect mythology to be.
The fact that it's set in the modern-day made it more enjoyable for me most definitely. It isn't so heavy on the romance either - love is at the centre of it and Rachel's sadness over the fact that she can't ever have true love is portrayed from start to finish without all the steaminess and longing of a romance novel. It took a while to pick up though but once it did, I turned page after page taking in the story as fast as I could because it's that good. It's not predictable, I couldn't even guess how it would end and that Rachel would get a certain resolution from a certain someone so extra points to the author for that one.
“Gift feels like a sick term for what it is we really do.
Steal.
Forcing a man to love me is not something I want.”
Rachel is easy to like. I tend to be drawn to strong female characters that fight for what they believe in even though it is typical to have such a character as a lead for books like Arrowheart. Still, she didn't disappoint. I loved that the author chose a diverse lead as well - she's Indian (mixed-race actually). The rest of the characters were all distinct in their own way too. I loved that they were from different backgrounds and I had no trouble visualizing them because they were all introduced with clarity and not a myriad of physical descriptions.
Ben is everything you want in a male character. He's sweet, caring, good on the eyes but a little tortured. I didn't trust him for part of the story though, he just seemed to have some hidden agenda and tended to be too nice at times. But things changed along the way and he proved himself. In the end, he's responsible for what Rachel was able to do not only for herself but future Hedonesses.
Now, I'm super excited to read Heartstruck and find out what happened to Rachel (it ended on such a good note, I was seriously excited by the end for book 2) and everyone else! This book is lovely, I can't believe it took me so long to read it but now that I have, Sky is one of my favourites.
Arrowheart transports you to a world where hedonesses roam the earth. One, in particular, Rachel, doesn't see her 'gift' as a blessing from the gods but a curse she'd rather having nothing to do with. When Benjamin Blake enters her life through her friend's reckless behaviour, her attraction for him blooms just as her world starts falling apart. While evading local law enforcement and the people responsible for all Hedonesses, losing all that made her imperfect world perfect, she's faced with the reality of being a hedoness and just how strong her power is.
I don't read a lot of young adult - I only ever pick up a book if the plot isn't typical. Imagine my joy when I dove into Arrowheart and discovered just how good it was, how it had an ability to make me reconsider the whole genre. Also, mythology is something new for me but I've been loving it recently. Like this novel, it covers Greek mythology but it isn't an info dumps of the history of the gods and everything you'd expect mythology to be.
The fact that it's set in the modern-day made it more enjoyable for me most definitely. It isn't so heavy on the romance either - love is at the centre of it and Rachel's sadness over the fact that she can't ever have true love is portrayed from start to finish without all the steaminess and longing of a romance novel. It took a while to pick up though but once it did, I turned page after page taking in the story as fast as I could because it's that good. It's not predictable, I couldn't even guess how it would end and that Rachel would get a certain resolution from a certain someone so extra points to the author for that one.
“Gift feels like a sick term for what it is we really do.
Steal.
Forcing a man to love me is not something I want.”
Rachel is easy to like. I tend to be drawn to strong female characters that fight for what they believe in even though it is typical to have such a character as a lead for books like Arrowheart. Still, she didn't disappoint. I loved that the author chose a diverse lead as well - she's Indian (mixed-race actually). The rest of the characters were all distinct in their own way too. I loved that they were from different backgrounds and I had no trouble visualizing them because they were all introduced with clarity and not a myriad of physical descriptions.
Ben is everything you want in a male character. He's sweet, caring, good on the eyes but a little tortured. I didn't trust him for part of the story though, he just seemed to have some hidden agenda and tended to be too nice at times. But things changed along the way and he proved himself. In the end, he's responsible for what Rachel was able to do not only for herself but future Hedonesses.
Now, I'm super excited to read Heartstruck and find out what happened to Rachel (it ended on such a good note, I was seriously excited by the end for book 2) and everyone else! This book is lovely, I can't believe it took me so long to read it but now that I have, Sky is one of my favourites.
March 10, 2019
Klappentext: Stell dir vor, du kannst jeden Jungen, jeden Mann mit nur einem Kuss dazu bringen, sich Hals über Kopf in dich zu verlieben. Von der ersten Berührung an wird er alles für dich tun. Alles. Nur ein Traum? O nein, verborgen vor der Welt existiert seit Jahrhunderten eine Gruppe mächtiger Mädchen und Frauen, die als Nachfahrinnen des Liebesgottes Eros genau diese Gabe besitzen. Und sie nutzen, um die Geschicke der Menschen zu lenken.
Love Curse – Lieben verboten ist der erste Teil dieser Reihe. Teil 2 wird wohl nächstes Jahr erscheinen.
In dieser Geschichte geht es um Rachel. Rachel ist die Nachfahrin des Liebesgottes Eros. Sie besitzt die Gabe durch einen Kuss jeden Jungen dazu zwingen, sich in sie zu verlieben. Doch im Gegensatz zu den anderen Nachfahrerinnen sieht Rachel dies nicht als eine Gabe an, sondern als einen Fluch und versucht zu rebellieren. Sie möchte, dass ein Junge sich in sie verliebt, weil er sie mag und nicht weil sie ihm ihren Willen aufgezwungen hat.
Um ihre Gabe richtig zu erlernen und einsetzen zu können, geht Rachel auf eine spezielle Schule, die sie u.a. darin unterrichtet den Männern ihren freien Willen zu nehmen.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und angenehm zu lesen. Die Idee der Autorin gefällt mir im Prinzip, nur die Umsetzung hat mich nicht ganz für sich einnehmen können. Vielleicht lag es daran, dass mich manche Charaktere nicht von sich überzeugen konnten. Ansich ist die Grundidee der Geschichte nicht schlecht aber ich würde mal sagen, ausbaufähig.
Love Curse – Lieben verboten ist der erste Teil dieser Reihe. Teil 2 wird wohl nächstes Jahr erscheinen.
In dieser Geschichte geht es um Rachel. Rachel ist die Nachfahrin des Liebesgottes Eros. Sie besitzt die Gabe durch einen Kuss jeden Jungen dazu zwingen, sich in sie zu verlieben. Doch im Gegensatz zu den anderen Nachfahrerinnen sieht Rachel dies nicht als eine Gabe an, sondern als einen Fluch und versucht zu rebellieren. Sie möchte, dass ein Junge sich in sie verliebt, weil er sie mag und nicht weil sie ihm ihren Willen aufgezwungen hat.
Um ihre Gabe richtig zu erlernen und einsetzen zu können, geht Rachel auf eine spezielle Schule, die sie u.a. darin unterrichtet den Männern ihren freien Willen zu nehmen.
Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und angenehm zu lesen. Die Idee der Autorin gefällt mir im Prinzip, nur die Umsetzung hat mich nicht ganz für sich einnehmen können. Vielleicht lag es daran, dass mich manche Charaktere nicht von sich überzeugen konnten. Ansich ist die Grundidee der Geschichte nicht schlecht aber ich würde mal sagen, ausbaufähig.
August 30, 2018
Never judge a book by it's cover! I went into this thinking it would be a bit lighthearted with a good adventure plot. Luckily, I absolutely in the mood for the book I got instead. This was such a beautiful commentary on consent and free will, showing Rachel as one of the few Hedonesses to see what their "gift" really was. My stomach was turned as much as her was while reading it!
This was also less of an adventure and more of a resistance. This book was so dark with secret underground societies of Hedonesses running the world. It was amazingly addictive and suspenseful, the characters in danger at pretty much all times. Though there was the fact that I wasn't really sure what would happen to the characters if they were caught, it was more the boys and the world at large that I was worried for.
The ending was really great and left a big wide opening for a sequel so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!
This was also less of an adventure and more of a resistance. This book was so dark with secret underground societies of Hedonesses running the world. It was amazingly addictive and suspenseful, the characters in danger at pretty much all times. Though there was the fact that I wasn't really sure what would happen to the characters if they were caught, it was more the boys and the world at large that I was worried for.
The ending was really great and left a big wide opening for a sequel so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!
June 21, 2019
Meine Meinung:
Zu Beginn, ich habe Love Curse - Liebe verboten vom Bloggerportal als Ebook zur Verfügung gestellt bekommen. Vielen vielen Dank. Dies wird meine Rezension nicht beeinflussen!
Love Curse hat mich die ersten Seiten etwas an Gold & Schatten von Kira Licht errinnert. Jedoch ist Love Curse nicht so 'Götter' lastig wie Gold und Schatten. Genau das war auch ein Punkt welcher mich viel leichter in die Geschickte hat eintauchen lassen.
Der flüssige Schreibtstil von Rebecca hat sein übriges dazu beigetragen.
Ab dem ersten Satz an bin ich wirklich super in die Geschichte rein gekommen.
Ich wurde auch durch die Abwechslungsreichen Ereignisse so an das Buch gefesselt das ich zum Schluss gar nicht mehr weglegen wollte.
Die Geschichte zwischen Rachel und Ben ist wirklich so schön geschrieben.
Zum Ende des Buches wurde es nochmal so Action reich und gleichzeitig auch traurig das ich auch ein paar Tränchen nicht unterdrücken konnte.
Zu Beginn, ich habe Love Curse - Liebe verboten vom Bloggerportal als Ebook zur Verfügung gestellt bekommen. Vielen vielen Dank. Dies wird meine Rezension nicht beeinflussen!
Love Curse hat mich die ersten Seiten etwas an Gold & Schatten von Kira Licht errinnert. Jedoch ist Love Curse nicht so 'Götter' lastig wie Gold und Schatten. Genau das war auch ein Punkt welcher mich viel leichter in die Geschickte hat eintauchen lassen.
Der flüssige Schreibtstil von Rebecca hat sein übriges dazu beigetragen.
Ab dem ersten Satz an bin ich wirklich super in die Geschichte rein gekommen.
Ich wurde auch durch die Abwechslungsreichen Ereignisse so an das Buch gefesselt das ich zum Schluss gar nicht mehr weglegen wollte.
Die Geschichte zwischen Rachel und Ben ist wirklich so schön geschrieben.
Zum Ende des Buches wurde es nochmal so Action reich und gleichzeitig auch traurig das ich auch ein paar Tränchen nicht unterdrücken konnte.
September 8, 2019
I absolutely loved this book!! Devoured it in two days!! Would have been sooner but I was forced to put it down for a wedding and other wedding related activities this weekend!
Arrowheart is a beautiful mythological fantasy set mainly in modern day New York. Filled with girl power, teenage angst, and of course no Greek mythology is complete without a little romance... or a lot of it!
Rachel is such a genuine and relatable character. Being a teenage girl is hard. Being a teenage who is a Hedoness with special mythological powers in modern day times is even harder.
The author, Rebecca, takes us on a roller coaster of an adventure with Rachel and her friends. Rachel has to overcome very real and dangerous situations along the way. All while simultaneously trying to overcome the inner turmoil she’s facing with who she is and what she’s capable of.
I’m so happy this is a series!! On to book number two now 😊❤️
Arrowheart is a beautiful mythological fantasy set mainly in modern day New York. Filled with girl power, teenage angst, and of course no Greek mythology is complete without a little romance... or a lot of it!
Rachel is such a genuine and relatable character. Being a teenage girl is hard. Being a teenage who is a Hedoness with special mythological powers in modern day times is even harder.
The author, Rebecca, takes us on a roller coaster of an adventure with Rachel and her friends. Rachel has to overcome very real and dangerous situations along the way. All while simultaneously trying to overcome the inner turmoil she’s facing with who she is and what she’s capable of.
I’m so happy this is a series!! On to book number two now 😊❤️
August 30, 2018
So eine schöne urban Fantasy Geschichte! Rachel ist wirklich eine tolle Figur.
Rachel ist eine Nachfahrin von Eros und besitzt die "Gabe" Männern ihrem Willen zu unterwerfen. Sie empfindet sich jedoch nicht als Liebesgöttin, sondern als Monster, dass Männern ihren Willen nimmt. Sie weigert sich Männer zu küssen und damit zu verwandeln. Ganz anders ist ihre "beste Freundin" die regelrecht Spaß am verwandeln hat und jede Gelegenheit nutzt. Ich hätte sie am liebsten geschüttelt und versucht ihr gesunden Menschenverstand einzutrichtern. Daran mangelt es ihr nämlich gewaltig. Trotzdem passt sie in die Geschichte und macht eine tolle Entwicklung, die sich im nächsten Band hoffentlich nicht zurück entwickelt.
Rachel ist eine Nachfahrin von Eros und besitzt die "Gabe" Männern ihrem Willen zu unterwerfen. Sie empfindet sich jedoch nicht als Liebesgöttin, sondern als Monster, dass Männern ihren Willen nimmt. Sie weigert sich Männer zu küssen und damit zu verwandeln. Ganz anders ist ihre "beste Freundin" die regelrecht Spaß am verwandeln hat und jede Gelegenheit nutzt. Ich hätte sie am liebsten geschüttelt und versucht ihr gesunden Menschenverstand einzutrichtern. Daran mangelt es ihr nämlich gewaltig. Trotzdem passt sie in die Geschichte und macht eine tolle Entwicklung, die sich im nächsten Band hoffentlich nicht zurück entwickelt.
March 7, 2019
Talk about a awesome cliff hanger at the end. Let me tell ya this book had so much action in it I loved every minute of it. The romantic parts were still steamy even though she could not touch him. If your reading this review go give this book a try it starts off alittle slow at first but trust me it picks up and the chapters are not that long. I can not wait for the next book.
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