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The Faeries of Myrnius #1
Adela's Curse
A curse. A murderous scheme. A choice.
A witch and her master capture a young faery and command her to kill their enemy. Adela has no choice but to obey. If she does not, they will force the location of her people’s mountain home from her and kill her. To make matters even worse, the person she is to kill is only a man struggling to save his dying land and mend a broken heart.
Count Stefan is a man simply trying to forget the woman he loves and save a land crippled by drought. When a mysterious woman arrives at his castle claiming to be a seamstress, he knows she is more than she seems.
Adela enlists the help of Damian, another faery, to try and delay the inevitable. He insists she has a choice. But with the witch controlling her every move, does she?
A witch and her master capture a young faery and command her to kill their enemy. Adela has no choice but to obey. If she does not, they will force the location of her people’s mountain home from her and kill her. To make matters even worse, the person she is to kill is only a man struggling to save his dying land and mend a broken heart.
Count Stefan is a man simply trying to forget the woman he loves and save a land crippled by drought. When a mysterious woman arrives at his castle claiming to be a seamstress, he knows she is more than she seems.
Adela enlists the help of Damian, another faery, to try and delay the inevitable. He insists she has a choice. But with the witch controlling her every move, does she?
148 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2016
6 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Claire M. Banschbach
7 books199 followersClaire M. Banschbach also writes as C.M. Banschbach.
Claire M. Banschbach is a native West Texan. She discovered a deep and abiding love for fantasy and science fiction at a young age, prompting her to begin exploring worlds armed only with an overactive imagination and a pen. She's an overall dork, pizza addict, and fangirl. She enjoys meshing stories of family and faith with healthy doses of action and adventure. She talks to fictional characters more than she should while trying to find time for all their stories.
She currently resides in Arlington, TX where she works as a Pediatric Physical Therapist.
Claire M. Banschbach is a native West Texan. She discovered a deep and abiding love for fantasy and science fiction at a young age, prompting her to begin exploring worlds armed only with an overactive imagination and a pen. She's an overall dork, pizza addict, and fangirl. She enjoys meshing stories of family and faith with healthy doses of action and adventure. She talks to fictional characters more than she should while trying to find time for all their stories.
She currently resides in Arlington, TX where she works as a Pediatric Physical Therapist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 24, 2016
3.5 stars. Adela's Curse was a fun, intriguing fairy tale! I do really enjoy stories about fairies, and Claire Banschbach's take on these fantastical people was great!
This is a fairly short and quick read about a fairy named Adela. She lives with her aunt, and her life is going along normally - with friends and balls and the like - when she encounters a deadly curse and her world is turned upside down.
Will she find a way to protect her people and save a kind count named Stefan? Or will the witch who threatens them all have her way?
So as I mentioned above ... fairies, so fun! And Claire's definitely had their uniqueness! I liked Adela, and Damien, and their friends. The fairies' encounters with humans were interesting. I like that there were griffons and other such fantasy-ish things too! Overall, I found myself quite interested and excited to see where the story would go.
There was some dark magic, only wielded by the villains though. The fairies had some dismal rules they had to abide by. Such as, if they die before getting on the "journey through the stars", they spend an exhausting amount of time wandering dark halls searching for their Creator, or something of the sort. So I wasn't really fond of that aspect.
But overall, it was purely a fairy story, and I enjoyed it. Adela and her friends are quite sweet, and though dealing curses and darkness, Adela's Curse did have a whimsical touch. ^_^
This is a fairly short and quick read about a fairy named Adela. She lives with her aunt, and her life is going along normally - with friends and balls and the like - when she encounters a deadly curse and her world is turned upside down.
Will she find a way to protect her people and save a kind count named Stefan? Or will the witch who threatens them all have her way?
So as I mentioned above ... fairies, so fun! And Claire's definitely had their uniqueness! I liked Adela, and Damien, and their friends. The fairies' encounters with humans were interesting. I like that there were griffons and other such fantasy-ish things too! Overall, I found myself quite interested and excited to see where the story would go.
There was some dark magic, only wielded by the villains though. The fairies had some dismal rules they had to abide by. Such as, if they die before getting on the "journey through the stars", they spend an exhausting amount of time wandering dark halls searching for their Creator, or something of the sort. So I wasn't really fond of that aspect.
But overall, it was purely a fairy story, and I enjoyed it. Adela and her friends are quite sweet, and though dealing curses and darkness, Adela's Curse did have a whimsical touch. ^_^
March 9, 2016
I love fairies, have always been fascinated by magical people with wings, so when when Claire asked me to review Adela's Curse, I naturally jumped at the opportunity to read a new spin on the magical, mysterious folk.
Admittedly, it wasn't until last night that I actually sat down and devoured the book, but it wasn't the story's fault that I delayed so long. I was looking for a block of time that I could fully devote to reading, since it was in PDF format, and I didn't want to loose my place.
Reading this story was like coming home. It wasn't a grand, epic adventure, but a sweet fairy tale that can almost trick your mind into thinking you've read it before, yet still remain completely original. It's not a long story, though longer than your average fairy tale. Personally, I think Claire's writing style suits this sort of story better than the epic.
Adela was a sweet heroine. Considered average at best among the fairies, she prefers to spend her time in the forest, caring for the plants, for that's where her talent lies. However, when an act of kindness traps her in a witch's power, she finds herself forced to act as no self-respecting fairy ever would - lies, schemes, murder even.
There is a bit of a love triangle in the story, but one that made sense. Adela is forced to win the heart of Stefan, but at the same time, she and Damian grow closer as he tries to help her out of the magical entanglement.
The worldbuilding was excellent. I loved Claire's take on fairies, and I just wish I could have seen more of the world.
I'd recommend this story to anyone who enjoys fairy tales and fantasy.
Admittedly, it wasn't until last night that I actually sat down and devoured the book, but it wasn't the story's fault that I delayed so long. I was looking for a block of time that I could fully devote to reading, since it was in PDF format, and I didn't want to loose my place.
Reading this story was like coming home. It wasn't a grand, epic adventure, but a sweet fairy tale that can almost trick your mind into thinking you've read it before, yet still remain completely original. It's not a long story, though longer than your average fairy tale. Personally, I think Claire's writing style suits this sort of story better than the epic.
Adela was a sweet heroine. Considered average at best among the fairies, she prefers to spend her time in the forest, caring for the plants, for that's where her talent lies. However, when an act of kindness traps her in a witch's power, she finds herself forced to act as no self-respecting fairy ever would - lies, schemes, murder even.
There is a bit of a love triangle in the story, but one that made sense. Adela is forced to win the heart of Stefan, but at the same time, she and Damian grow closer as he tries to help her out of the magical entanglement.
The worldbuilding was excellent. I loved Claire's take on fairies, and I just wish I could have seen more of the world.
I'd recommend this story to anyone who enjoys fairy tales and fantasy.
December 20, 2018
Oh my goodness. This almost reminds me the the Ella Enchanted world. It's so bright, sweet and an enchanting little adventure. Besides, I love little critters and there were plenty of those. Rafael and Lydia were my favorite characters, their bantering was quite amusing.
March 15, 2016
Rating: PG (magic and mild violence)
Recommended for: Ages 10 to Adult
I read this book in one day. I enjoyed it very much, the fairy-tale quality of the story, the characters, the tough decisions they had to make...
Writing: 4.5/5
Claire's writing has greatly improved since her last book. She's gotten better at letting the readers in on her characters' thoughts and feelings. I was truly absorbed in the story. There's still some "head-hopping," but it was fairly minor.
Setting: 5/5
Myrnius is a well developed world. Despite having a definite fairy-tale feel, it still managed to feel real. The world of the faeries and the work they do was very interesting. The world of the humans is distinct from where the faeries dwell and just as well developed. It's a world that would be neat to visit.
Plot: 4.5/5
Adela is in a tough situation. She's controlled by a witch who is trying to get her to kill a man, but not only are faeries not allowed to kill humans, Adela naturally doesn't want to. As her target begins to fall in love with her, things only get more complicated, especially as Adela is finding herself to be in love with fellow faery Damian. Things escalate. I was honestly afraid for some of the characters' lives at times, especially since I know Claire is not above killing her characters.
Character Development: 5/5
I really liked these characters. I felt that I could understand Adela and relate to her. I also liked Damian. In the short time I was with them, they became friends, and I was invested in their lives.
I would definitely recommend Adela's Curse.
I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
Recommended for: Ages 10 to Adult
I read this book in one day. I enjoyed it very much, the fairy-tale quality of the story, the characters, the tough decisions they had to make...
Writing: 4.5/5
Claire's writing has greatly improved since her last book. She's gotten better at letting the readers in on her characters' thoughts and feelings. I was truly absorbed in the story. There's still some "head-hopping," but it was fairly minor.
Setting: 5/5
Myrnius is a well developed world. Despite having a definite fairy-tale feel, it still managed to feel real. The world of the faeries and the work they do was very interesting. The world of the humans is distinct from where the faeries dwell and just as well developed. It's a world that would be neat to visit.
Plot: 4.5/5
Adela is in a tough situation. She's controlled by a witch who is trying to get her to kill a man, but not only are faeries not allowed to kill humans, Adela naturally doesn't want to. As her target begins to fall in love with her, things only get more complicated, especially as Adela is finding herself to be in love with fellow faery Damian. Things escalate. I was honestly afraid for some of the characters' lives at times, especially since I know Claire is not above killing her characters.
Character Development: 5/5
I really liked these characters. I felt that I could understand Adela and relate to her. I also liked Damian. In the short time I was with them, they became friends, and I was invested in their lives.
I would definitely recommend Adela's Curse.
I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own.
April 23, 2019
Loved it! I had actually read book 2 in this series first (The Wolf Prince) and loved it. It was super fun to see a few character crossovers and get some more backstory on the world.
The story starts off very soft and simple, but not boring as the main conflict enters soon. From early on I had a pretty good idea of where the story was going to go, but Banschbach orchestrated the story so that what I thought would be the climax was actually just the beginning of the rising action and I was utterly thrilled that a certain other character got his chance to drive the action and make hard choices as he had been sitting on the sidelines for most of the story.
Love the unusual twists this author takes to fantasy. Adela is a gentle sweet angel with more courage than she knows. And Damian is a noble warrior. And they are my friends.
The story starts off very soft and simple, but not boring as the main conflict enters soon. From early on I had a pretty good idea of where the story was going to go, but Banschbach orchestrated the story so that what I thought would be the climax was actually just the beginning of the rising action and I was utterly thrilled that a certain other character got his chance to drive the action and make hard choices as he had been sitting on the sidelines for most of the story.
Love the unusual twists this author takes to fantasy. Adela is a gentle sweet angel with more courage than she knows. And Damian is a noble warrior. And they are my friends.
November 4, 2017
I really enjoyed this book overall! I will say that I’m normally not a big fan of fantasy, but I did like this one. I absolutely loved the story line, it was fun and unique. I thought that the story moved at a good pace and everything feel into place at the right moments. This book is definitely for you if you enjoy fantasy! It’s a fun and intriguing fairy tale!
“ I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest review”
“ I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest review”
February 16, 2016
An endearing tale of friendship, love, the threat of war, and overcoming fears. And yes, there are faeries--my favorite part. :)
(I received a free copy as a beta-reader, before its publication date)
(I received a free copy as a beta-reader, before its publication date)
September 27, 2017
What I thought:
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this book, to be honest. I mean, faeries can range from pixie like things (Tinker Bell), to crazy dark faeries (I can’t think of an example from the top of my head). So, I didn’t know where this stood.
But, I will say, that I was thoroughly impressed. It’s kinda like a happy medium; happy faeries who each have a job and live in harmony; and dark, magic stuff (though nothing inappropriate).
Also, I was kinda nervous when I saw that there were only a little over a hundred pages (especially when the plot got really exciting, and I couldn’t see how things would be resolved that fast!), but I was really impressed with how things were wrapped up!
But I liked it!! It was actually really pretty good! (That sentence has so many things wrong with it…)
The ending, though. I SO WANT THE NEXT BOOK!! (Though, it actually wasn’t a cliff-hanger, I just don’t quite know why…)
Writing/Plot:
Admittingly (that’s TOTALLY a word!), at first I didn’t like the writing. The paragraphs were big, and I just wasn’t really getting into it. But I quickly grew use to it, and I feel that the paragraphs shortened and the writing improved as the book went on.
I also liked that the book started out with a normal day (though there was a bit of time jumping), and then got really exciting, then got wrapped up awesomely!
Characters:
I liked Adela (though not at first. But it’s rare that I like a MC straight away). I also like all of her friends and her aunt (who, honestly, I thought was going to be like Cinderella’s step-mother).
But, since I’m bleeding honesty right now, I didn’t really like Damian until the end (’cause then he was pretty cool, if not a little bit…. well, SPOILERS ;) ). But then I didn’t want him to die. Sooo, that’s good.
I did like Stefan, though. He was probably my favorite. He just … I dunno. I just liked him.
Problems:
I felt like there was a bit of insta-love, and I didn’t really love the guy. And I didn’t really care for Damian.
Also, as I said above, the paragraphs came in large sections, but maybe I’m not use to that.
And I also feel that it could’ve been made a bit longer, but I still thought that it was handled quite nicely!
Lastly, I could guess all of the plot twists, and found the book a little predictable. But, eh! I’m too smart for my own good! :P
Other/Summary:
I feel like this would be fine for upper elementary kids and up.
Stuff it includes: Magic/controlling people, and there’s a witch; sword fighting, though nothing too described; dark faeries who I REALLY want to know more about (*nudges Claire*); there’s romance, but there’s nothing more then a kiss, so not too bad. The last bit definitely had a darker feel, what with all the dark faeries and sword fighting and stuff. And I think that that’s about it!
I read this in one night, and really enjoyed it! It was kinda different that what I was expecting, but good nonetheless! And I was really impressed with how the story was only one hundred pages (I’m usually a four to five hundred paged book person), but managed to get the whole story out and not feel rushed!
Yep, I’d recommend this!
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this book, to be honest. I mean, faeries can range from pixie like things (Tinker Bell), to crazy dark faeries (I can’t think of an example from the top of my head). So, I didn’t know where this stood.
But, I will say, that I was thoroughly impressed. It’s kinda like a happy medium; happy faeries who each have a job and live in harmony; and dark, magic stuff (though nothing inappropriate).
Also, I was kinda nervous when I saw that there were only a little over a hundred pages (especially when the plot got really exciting, and I couldn’t see how things would be resolved that fast!), but I was really impressed with how things were wrapped up!
But I liked it!! It was actually really pretty good! (That sentence has so many things wrong with it…)
The ending, though. I SO WANT THE NEXT BOOK!! (Though, it actually wasn’t a cliff-hanger, I just don’t quite know why…)
Writing/Plot:
Admittingly (that’s TOTALLY a word!), at first I didn’t like the writing. The paragraphs were big, and I just wasn’t really getting into it. But I quickly grew use to it, and I feel that the paragraphs shortened and the writing improved as the book went on.
I also liked that the book started out with a normal day (though there was a bit of time jumping), and then got really exciting, then got wrapped up awesomely!
Characters:
I liked Adela (though not at first. But it’s rare that I like a MC straight away). I also like all of her friends and her aunt (who, honestly, I thought was going to be like Cinderella’s step-mother).
But, since I’m bleeding honesty right now, I didn’t really like Damian until the end (’cause then he was pretty cool, if not a little bit…. well, SPOILERS ;) ). But then I didn’t want him to die. Sooo, that’s good.
I did like Stefan, though. He was probably my favorite. He just … I dunno. I just liked him.
Problems:
I felt like there was a bit of insta-love, and I didn’t really love the guy. And I didn’t really care for Damian.
Also, as I said above, the paragraphs came in large sections, but maybe I’m not use to that.
And I also feel that it could’ve been made a bit longer, but I still thought that it was handled quite nicely!
Lastly, I could guess all of the plot twists, and found the book a little predictable. But, eh! I’m too smart for my own good! :P
Other/Summary:
I feel like this would be fine for upper elementary kids and up.
Stuff it includes: Magic/controlling people, and there’s a witch; sword fighting, though nothing too described; dark faeries who I REALLY want to know more about (*nudges Claire*); there’s romance, but there’s nothing more then a kiss, so not too bad. The last bit definitely had a darker feel, what with all the dark faeries and sword fighting and stuff. And I think that that’s about it!
I read this in one night, and really enjoyed it! It was kinda different that what I was expecting, but good nonetheless! And I was really impressed with how the story was only one hundred pages (I’m usually a four to five hundred paged book person), but managed to get the whole story out and not feel rushed!
Yep, I’d recommend this!
July 20, 2019
This was a nice faery fantasy story, with a likable cast of characters and an interesting plot and universe. Adela was a very likable heroine, and seeing her put into the position she was and struggle with still doing the right thing made me like her even more. I also really loved Damian. He was such a likable character, and his and Adela's relationship was sweet and just felt real and true. Lidia and Rafael, as well as Count Stefan, were enjoyable side characters as well, especially seeing Lidia and Rafael bicker all the time ;-)
I like how the message of this story was about the power of love (how it *should* be written. Take notes Wintersong) and dealt with the lengths people will go to for those they truly care about. I would have liked a little more world building as there were several points that were a little vague about the universe as a whole, but apart from that I very much enjoyed this story!
I like how the message of this story was about the power of love (how it *should* be written. Take notes Wintersong) and dealt with the lengths people will go to for those they truly care about. I would have liked a little more world building as there were several points that were a little vague about the universe as a whole, but apart from that I very much enjoyed this story!
October 8, 2018
Every now and then, you pick up a book, read a few words and instantly realize you've met a new book bestie. For me, my most recent new friend is Adela's Curse by Claire M. Banschbach.
This book holds within its covers faeries galore, magic—both good and evil, action, adventure, intrigue and sacrificial love. Adela faces a seemingly impossible task, one that could rend her very soul if she complies but lead to the death of all she loves if she doesn't. Does she have another choice?
I teared up as I read the Prologue because the author's prose was just that beautiful. I got misty again in Chapter 1 when I fell in love at first read with every single character. Let's just say, I finished the book and added tissues to my shopping list.
I unreservedly recommend this book to readers of all ages who love a well-written faerie tale that will linger on the edges of their mind long after the final page.
This book holds within its covers faeries galore, magic—both good and evil, action, adventure, intrigue and sacrificial love. Adela faces a seemingly impossible task, one that could rend her very soul if she complies but lead to the death of all she loves if she doesn't. Does she have another choice?
I teared up as I read the Prologue because the author's prose was just that beautiful. I got misty again in Chapter 1 when I fell in love at first read with every single character. Let's just say, I finished the book and added tissues to my shopping list.
I unreservedly recommend this book to readers of all ages who love a well-written faerie tale that will linger on the edges of their mind long after the final page.
June 15, 2016
Though I've not read many books about faeries, I found that I really enjoyed "Adela's Curse."
Adela is almost seventy. Old in human years, but young in faery...considering that they live to be six hundred. She cares for the growing things. And she has a tender heart. When she comes across a weeping human child, Adela wants to help. Thus begins her journey. Adela must choose. Will she bend to the will of the one who has control over her? Or will she fight against the curse?
I enjoyed following Adela through her journey. Ooh, Damien! I really like that guy:) Willing to give up anything for the one he loves. And I so enjoyed getting to see a little of Lidia and Rafael's story. There was some dark magic (which is the reason for my lower rating) but it was only used by the evil side and was defeated in the end. The relationship between Adela and Damien was very sweet and I loved watching them get to know each other and grow closer. Overall it was a very lovely faery story.
Adela is almost seventy. Old in human years, but young in faery...considering that they live to be six hundred. She cares for the growing things. And she has a tender heart. When she comes across a weeping human child, Adela wants to help. Thus begins her journey. Adela must choose. Will she bend to the will of the one who has control over her? Or will she fight against the curse?
I enjoyed following Adela through her journey. Ooh, Damien! I really like that guy:) Willing to give up anything for the one he loves. And I so enjoyed getting to see a little of Lidia and Rafael's story. There was some dark magic (which is the reason for my lower rating) but it was only used by the evil side and was defeated in the end. The relationship between Adela and Damien was very sweet and I loved watching them get to know each other and grow closer. Overall it was a very lovely faery story.
December 25, 2018
A very fun "classic" fairy-tale fantasy with all the best, time-honored elements plus a heaping dose of depth. Adela's Curse has engaging protagonists, genuinely creepy and scary villains, and high stakes, and subverts reader expectations in an interesting way as it builds to a conclusion. There's some great stuff here concerning the ethical dilemma of having to kill a genuinely evil person, which leads to an unexpected twist in the arc of one particular character. I love the way this subplot was handled. Ms. Banschbach has a unique talent for writing endings which are satisfying but not without believable and lasting repercussions for the characters. Also, the content is clean, and Christian elements are openly included but not over-done. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a good-old-fashioned fantasy read that doesn't skimp on quality.
June 13, 2025
I've been meaning to try a book by this author for a while, so I decided to rescue this one from the depths of my Kindle. (And I thought it was middle-grade, oops.)
It was much darker than I was expecting, though I enjoyed it more once I adjusted to the genre/age group. The worldbuilding was fun, Adela was an awesome character, and I loved how the magic system worked. I appreciated that there was always a distinction between good magic and bad. Count Stefan was the best character.
I'm not sure I'll read more in this specific series, but I will try more from this author.
It was much darker than I was expecting, though I enjoyed it more once I adjusted to the genre/age group. The worldbuilding was fun, Adela was an awesome character, and I loved how the magic system worked. I appreciated that there was always a distinction between good magic and bad. Count Stefan was the best character.
I'm not sure I'll read more in this specific series, but I will try more from this author.
June 17, 2020
Adela’s Curse was a super cute fairytale-type story where a fairy is cursed to have to kill an innocent person. But she is a kind, sweet girl, and with her friend, they try to figure out a way out of the curse. I enjoyed the world building and the cute characters, and the story, while short, was very enjoyable.
October 24, 2018
Review:
Adela’s Curse was such a delightful read! It’s about a faerie girl who forced to act against her own will, and enlists a faerie friend to help. Many aspects of the story really drew me in- like the setting of the story, the soft but amazingly sweet romance, and especially the clean, safe, and friendly atmosphere (friends, family).
Content:
Very light + sweet romance. There are mentions of barely-described kissing.
Light mentions of magic. Ex: “The faeries used their magic to protect and nurture
Myrnius, as was their purpose on this earth.”
Conclusion:
Overall, one of my favorite reads of the year! Claire Banschbach weaved an amazing tale of faeries, humor, friendship, suspense, and light romance in Adela’s Curse that any fantasy lovers would absolutely love and enjoy. 5 stars.
Recommended to 9+ for mentions of light magic and romance.
Read my full review here.
Adela’s Curse was such a delightful read! It’s about a faerie girl who forced to act against her own will, and enlists a faerie friend to help. Many aspects of the story really drew me in- like the setting of the story, the soft but amazingly sweet romance, and especially the clean, safe, and friendly atmosphere (friends, family).
Content:
Very light + sweet romance. There are mentions of barely-described kissing.
Light mentions of magic. Ex: “The faeries used their magic to protect and nurture
Myrnius, as was their purpose on this earth.”
Conclusion:
Overall, one of my favorite reads of the year! Claire Banschbach weaved an amazing tale of faeries, humor, friendship, suspense, and light romance in Adela’s Curse that any fantasy lovers would absolutely love and enjoy. 5 stars.
Recommended to 9+ for mentions of light magic and romance.
Read my full review here.
January 13, 2020
Eh...this was okay.
Sure, there's a weird version of fairy purgatory and the heroine does nothing to truly get herself out of the horrible situation she's in (as one reviewer pointed out, she could have cut off her arm to get rid of the bracelet, because it's later shown that it can be done). The story also switches MCs in the final chapters, which was a welcome change because Adela's POV was pretty dull, but it was also jarring to suddenly have to care about this guy we don't know much about.
But the final scene, oh the final scene.
We see this guy struggling to deal with his sinful thoughts, thinking about the things he's done. He's in a depressed state of mind, basically. And what cures him?
ADELA HUGGING HIM.
WHAT
As someone who struggles with this, it's absolutely infuriating to see his problem be so easily resolved. After all, this guy's in a pretty depressed state. It's not realistic to see those thoughts go away so easily.
Granted, that's the final scene, so we don't hear if he still struggles with it after the fact. Still though, it annoyed me to no end that the story implied that.
Now, I have read this author's later works (my review is here. Oath of the Outcast), and believe me, they are far better. So if you like fantasy settings, faeries, and such, you may like this. But as for me, I'll stick to The Dragon Keep Chronicles, thank you very much.
Sure, there's a weird version of fairy purgatory and the heroine does nothing to truly get herself out of the horrible situation she's in (as one reviewer pointed out, she could have cut off her arm to get rid of the bracelet, because it's later shown that it can be done). The story also switches MCs in the final chapters, which was a welcome change because Adela's POV was pretty dull, but it was also jarring to suddenly have to care about this guy we don't know much about.
But the final scene, oh the final scene.
We see this guy struggling to deal with his sinful thoughts, thinking about the things he's done. He's in a depressed state of mind, basically. And what cures him?
ADELA HUGGING HIM.
WHAT
As someone who struggles with this, it's absolutely infuriating to see his problem be so easily resolved. After all, this guy's in a pretty depressed state. It's not realistic to see those thoughts go away so easily.
Granted, that's the final scene, so we don't hear if he still struggles with it after the fact. Still though, it annoyed me to no end that the story implied that.
Now, I have read this author's later works (my review is here. Oath of the Outcast), and believe me, they are far better. So if you like fantasy settings, faeries, and such, you may like this. But as for me, I'll stick to The Dragon Keep Chronicles, thank you very much.
April 12, 2016
[Read and reviewed as part of a book exchange with the author! Free digital copies of our books were swapped in return for honest reviews.]
An original story of love, conflict, adventure, and chock-full of mythical creatures, Adela's Curse has to be one of the cleanest YA fantasy novels I've read in a while. Adela, a happy young faery, is tricked by a pair of conniving "mortals," who bind her to them with dark sorcery and force her to use her magical powers to suit their twisted agendas. She is forced to do whatever they tell her - or die. And every faery fears death above all nasty fates! (To borrow another science fiction franchise's terminology, faeries typically "ascend to a higher plane of existence" when their material bodies expire, instead of dying the way people do.) Adela is a clever faery, and finds creative ways to resist and delay her captors' machinations, but can she find a way overcome her curse completely before it's too late?
Claire Banschbach is true a master of world building and fantasy storytelling. There's a certain light, airy, jovial tone to her writing that makes me (as a reader) feel like I'm being carried through the fantasy world on my own pair of faery wings.
The supporting characters are endearing and complex - my favorite has to be Estella, Adela's caring but meddlesome cousin and guardian. At times, we are offered a peek into the story from their perspectives, which in turn provides explanations to several things our heroine wouldn't otherwise know - a convenience that only the third-person narration (and the wit of a clever author) can offer.
I'll be honest, I'm a little wary of books categorized as religious fiction, especially for a religion I don't practice. Religious fiction in general is still not my cup of tea, but having read this book from cover to cover, I feel like Adela's Curse is more of a regular fantasy book that happens to appeal to a religious audience, because its content wouldn't conflict with traditional values and sensitivities.
I've started making a list of books that I hope to someday read with my children before bedtime, a chapter at a time. These books need to have positive messages, gripping plots, and minimal to no content that needs to be skipped over. This book is for sure going to be on that list. Adela's Curse is a thrilling original fairy tale that I would recommend to fantasy-loving readers of any religion, ages 12 and up.
An original story of love, conflict, adventure, and chock-full of mythical creatures, Adela's Curse has to be one of the cleanest YA fantasy novels I've read in a while. Adela, a happy young faery, is tricked by a pair of conniving "mortals," who bind her to them with dark sorcery and force her to use her magical powers to suit their twisted agendas. She is forced to do whatever they tell her - or die. And every faery fears death above all nasty fates! (To borrow another science fiction franchise's terminology, faeries typically "ascend to a higher plane of existence" when their material bodies expire, instead of dying the way people do.) Adela is a clever faery, and finds creative ways to resist and delay her captors' machinations, but can she find a way overcome her curse completely before it's too late?
Claire Banschbach is true a master of world building and fantasy storytelling. There's a certain light, airy, jovial tone to her writing that makes me (as a reader) feel like I'm being carried through the fantasy world on my own pair of faery wings.
The supporting characters are endearing and complex - my favorite has to be Estella, Adela's caring but meddlesome cousin and guardian. At times, we are offered a peek into the story from their perspectives, which in turn provides explanations to several things our heroine wouldn't otherwise know - a convenience that only the third-person narration (and the wit of a clever author) can offer.
I'll be honest, I'm a little wary of books categorized as religious fiction, especially for a religion I don't practice. Religious fiction in general is still not my cup of tea, but having read this book from cover to cover, I feel like Adela's Curse is more of a regular fantasy book that happens to appeal to a religious audience, because its content wouldn't conflict with traditional values and sensitivities.
I've started making a list of books that I hope to someday read with my children before bedtime, a chapter at a time. These books need to have positive messages, gripping plots, and minimal to no content that needs to be skipped over. This book is for sure going to be on that list. Adela's Curse is a thrilling original fairy tale that I would recommend to fantasy-loving readers of any religion, ages 12 and up.
April 2, 2017
This was a charming story that was filled with magic, fairies, battles against evil and selfless acts of friendship and love. I like books with all those things and so I really enjoyed it! I particularly liked the secondary characters Rafael and Lydia (whose banter was fun to read), and the plot was exciting.
I would have liked to learn more about Adela and Damian, two of the main characters who are fairies, and would have liked to have seen more dialogue between them. I loved the setting, though- the author did a wonderful job describing the fairy world that the characters lived in.
If you like books by Gail Carson Levine, you may like this one!
I would have liked to learn more about Adela and Damian, two of the main characters who are fairies, and would have liked to have seen more dialogue between them. I loved the setting, though- the author did a wonderful job describing the fairy world that the characters lived in.
If you like books by Gail Carson Levine, you may like this one!
April 20, 2016
Completely clean, but it wasn't my type of book really.
July 14, 2016
A MUST OWN for any fan of the faerie world!
This novel was written by someone who clearly has a love of faerie.
Would definitely recommend!
This novel was written by someone who clearly has a love of faerie.
Would definitely recommend!
August 13, 2018
This is quite an entertaining story that is set in a very fine world. Now in some ways, I would definitely give it more than three stars; the setting, characters, and concepts got along with me very well. It took me a couple minutes to get into the flow of the writing, but, once I did, it flowed nicely enough, so that's no problem, really. Also, I don't think the plot is the sort that I generally like best, but that's not the book's fault, being purely due to my subjective opinions. But I'm too busy sleeping to write as I write this, soo...bye. At the end of the octopus arm (or day—whichever you prefer), this is a very good book indeed. Did I mention before that I don't like writing reviews on tablets?
January 27, 2020
Riveting Faerytale With So Much to Offer
A riveting YA faerytale about a nieve faery who finds herself with a big dilemma. I loved Adela’s sweet and innocent nature, her kindness, and willing desire to help people. I also loved Damian’s personality: strong and compassionate, yet harboring a fear of rejection.
I don’t read a lot of faerytales but I loved the simplicity and suspense of the story and the emotional conclusion. The content is clean and well edited. I only noticed a few small typos. I loved the diverse personalities of the characters, the descriptive writing, the magical elements, and the cute little animal friends. This story has so much to offer and is perfect for youth and adults alike! I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
A riveting YA faerytale about a nieve faery who finds herself with a big dilemma. I loved Adela’s sweet and innocent nature, her kindness, and willing desire to help people. I also loved Damian’s personality: strong and compassionate, yet harboring a fear of rejection.
I don’t read a lot of faerytales but I loved the simplicity and suspense of the story and the emotional conclusion. The content is clean and well edited. I only noticed a few small typos. I loved the diverse personalities of the characters, the descriptive writing, the magical elements, and the cute little animal friends. This story has so much to offer and is perfect for youth and adults alike! I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
December 21, 2018
A terrible curse
A witch binds Adela, ordering her to betray and kill a human-an unthinkable act for a fairy. A sweet fantasy story set in a world I'd like to read more about.
A witch binds Adela, ordering her to betray and kill a human-an unthinkable act for a fairy. A sweet fantasy story set in a world I'd like to read more about.
April 24, 2022
A delightful little fairy tale ❤️
August 24, 2023
Beautiful short story that read exactly like a fairytale! It makes me want to read the rest of the series.
Want to read
June 26, 2025SM
March 13, 2017
This was a fun easy read. I'll be giving it to my kids. I think they will like it, too. I'm looking forward to the next one.
July 17, 2016
I quite liked this book and I'm giving it 3'5 stars. It was cute and well written and I liked the characters and the story, and although it was generally for younger readers, it still kept me interested.
It was pretty quick to read and still the perfect length for the story. I would recommend it for any younger readers (especially early teens) who enjoy reading about magic and romance.
My only criticism is that the cover doesn't look very professional, however, it definitely represents the story well. I would keep the elements of the cover but try to make it more attractive for the public.
It was pretty quick to read and still the perfect length for the story. I would recommend it for any younger readers (especially early teens) who enjoy reading about magic and romance.
My only criticism is that the cover doesn't look very professional, however, it definitely represents the story well. I would keep the elements of the cover but try to make it more attractive for the public.
April 14, 2016
I actually finished this a while ago, but thanks to edits, I've gotten a little behind on updating Goodreads.
Overall, I thought this was a good Middle Grade fairy tale. An easy, short, quick, and pleasant read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to kids as young as 8 or 9. It has some violence, but none of it is too graphic. There is some subtle romance, but nothing that is too in depth. The world building is good, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
Overall, I thought this was a good Middle Grade fairy tale. An easy, short, quick, and pleasant read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to kids as young as 8 or 9. It has some violence, but none of it is too graphic. There is some subtle romance, but nothing that is too in depth. The world building is good, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
October 8, 2016
A great story for pre-teens about a big bad witch and kind little “faeries”. I loved how the author described the faerie lifestyle and living conditions from the very beginning, which painted a nice picture and allowed the reader to understand their culture before jumping right into the plot. The fight between good and evil... who will win? Friendship, a little love and romance, some fighting, but mostly a very positive read.
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