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Whomsoever draws the sword from the ancient seat of this land shall rule her, and they shall bring peace and prosperity to her people. For nearly a thousand years, the firstborn son of every Cannamore king has drawn the sword, and the land and her people have indeed prospered. Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon is neither male nor firstborn, but it’s her hand that draws the sword rather than her twin brother’s. Her imprisonment. But a deep darkness now spreads across the kingdom, and her borders are threatened by creatures capable of magic powerful enough to destroy mountains and split the land asunder. Without the true heir to wield the sword, Cannamore risks annihilation. The king and crown prince want nothing more than to be permanently rid of Nyx, but cannot afford her blood on their hands. Instead, they give her to a fractious warlord in the hope he will do what they dare not. Nyx has no intention of letting the warlord get in the way of her thirst for revenge or the need to claim her throne. But it’s a quest that may well destroy the kingdom she loves, because Nyx has been cursed by the god of war. It is her destiny to save Cannamore. Or utterly destroy it.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2018
201 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Keri Arthur
100 books6,002 followersKeri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson, Guardian series, has now written more than 25 books. She's received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and recently won RT's Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives in Melbourne with her daughter and two crazy dogs
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 13, 2020
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
I love that Kingdoms of Earth & Air are each a separate story in its own right but set in the same world. Unlit was a fantastic book, I loved every single page, chapter and emotion that I experienced and then along came Cursed to steal the thunder and glory!
I loved the characters, Nyx and Donal were amazing, not too 'full on' or 'in your face' but definitely strong and both desirable!
This story was full of edge of your seat emotions and OMG nail biting moments! I was thinking and wondering about this book when I wasn't reading - loved every single bit of it!
I had downloaded book 3 long before I even finished book 2, bring on Burn , I am so ready to dive into the pages!!
I love that Kingdoms of Earth & Air are each a separate story in its own right but set in the same world. Unlit was a fantastic book, I loved every single page, chapter and emotion that I experienced and then along came Cursed to steal the thunder and glory!
I loved the characters, Nyx and Donal were amazing, not too 'full on' or 'in your face' but definitely strong and both desirable!
This story was full of edge of your seat emotions and OMG nail biting moments! I was thinking and wondering about this book when I wasn't reading - loved every single bit of it!
I had downloaded book 3 long before I even finished book 2, bring on Burn , I am so ready to dive into the pages!!
December 5, 2018
1.5 stars
I had to force myself to continue reading this book at several points, I was just that bored. The plot went something like this (no real spoilers):
-Interesting abusive family dynamics
-Meet warlord
-Travel somewhere else, this might still be interesting?
-Ok, maybe not. Lots and lots of talk about the earth and wind and bipeds
-A really obvious double-crosser
-More boring earth/wind/bipeds
-Finally getting back to the interesting family dynamics!
-Nope, just kidding, more earth/wind/bipeds
-Relationship drama
-The End
If I read the word 'biped' ever again, it will be too soon. This book had very little secondary character development, the biggest part of the plot almost bored me to death, and the romance was just kind of thrown in there. I can't believe this is the same author of my beloved smutty Riley Jenson series :(
I had to force myself to continue reading this book at several points, I was just that bored. The plot went something like this (no real spoilers):
-Interesting abusive family dynamics
-Meet warlord
-Travel somewhere else, this might still be interesting?
-Ok, maybe not. Lots and lots of talk about the earth and wind and bipeds
-A really obvious double-crosser
-More boring earth/wind/bipeds
-Finally getting back to the interesting family dynamics!
-Nope, just kidding, more earth/wind/bipeds
-Relationship drama
-The End
If I read the word 'biped' ever again, it will be too soon. This book had very little secondary character development, the biggest part of the plot almost bored me to death, and the romance was just kind of thrown in there. I can't believe this is the same author of my beloved smutty Riley Jenson series :(
March 19, 2019
Books seldom make me want to pick the author's brain, but I just have so many questions! In a good way
These books feel so sci.fi. Like people went to a planet, forgot and started anew. It is fantasy with big guns. Now when I have read two books I have started to wonder, do they put all their energy and time into military tech (since they have no phones or well tv ;) They are constantly under attack and have been so for hundreds of years. Of course all they do then is military tech. See, I so want to ask the author these things.
Plus there is magic so why bother making things with tech when you can use magic.
Such a fascinating world. I at once had to check if there is a blurb for book 3, nope, but a cool cover. See all these books takes place on different continents, but what they have in common are freaky things trying to kill and eat them.
I ave not even started with the story! Right, princess Nix, her family are aholes and should die die die! She is given away to a foreign lord and this is the best thing that could happen, cos like I said, her father and brother needs to burn burn BURN! Poor Nix, she bore her scars well.
Donal, the highlander was awesome too. He was witty, and flirty, without coming on too strong, or making her uncomfortable.
This is military fantasy so there is a lot of fighting and trying to find the baddies.
Last thoughts
A really great and fun series! I can not wait for more. I do enjoy these. I also really liked the end of this one, it was so fitting.
Narration
The awesome Justine Eyre! I do love everything she does
Her voice for Earth is so fitting. I also like her other voices and as I am well aware of she does a great highlander brogue.
She brings everything to a narration and it makes for a great listen.
These books feel so sci.fi. Like people went to a planet, forgot and started anew. It is fantasy with big guns. Now when I have read two books I have started to wonder, do they put all their energy and time into military tech (since they have no phones or well tv ;) They are constantly under attack and have been so for hundreds of years. Of course all they do then is military tech. See, I so want to ask the author these things.
Plus there is magic so why bother making things with tech when you can use magic.
Such a fascinating world. I at once had to check if there is a blurb for book 3, nope, but a cool cover. See all these books takes place on different continents, but what they have in common are freaky things trying to kill and eat them.
I ave not even started with the story! Right, princess Nix, her family are aholes and should die die die! She is given away to a foreign lord and this is the best thing that could happen, cos like I said, her father and brother needs to burn burn BURN! Poor Nix, she bore her scars well.
Donal, the highlander was awesome too. He was witty, and flirty, without coming on too strong, or making her uncomfortable.
This is military fantasy so there is a lot of fighting and trying to find the baddies.
Last thoughts
A really great and fun series! I can not wait for more. I do enjoy these. I also really liked the end of this one, it was so fitting.
Narration
The awesome Justine Eyre! I do love everything she does
Her voice for Earth is so fitting. I also like her other voices and as I am well aware of she does a great highlander brogue.
She brings everything to a narration and it makes for a great listen.
Want to read
November 16, 2018I'm confused how this story ties in with the first book of the series. It sounds cool but I'm not getting the connection.
November 30, 2018
The ending was a bit of a letdown.
April 30, 2020
Cursed is the second book in Keri Arthur’s Kingdoms of Earth & Air fantasy series; however, the other than taking place in the same world has the first book, it is a standalone story with no real ties to Unlit. We are introduced to Nyx, the princess and rightful heir of Cannamore. But since a female has never ruled the kingdom, her tyrannical father and sadistic brother have hidden the truth, keeping Nyx as a slave, used by the courtesans and tortured if she tries to speak the truth.
Lord Donnall, realizes Nyx is the one the Wind whispers of, the one who will help win the coming war, so when she is tossed in his prison cell, he makes a bargain to take her off the king’s hands and away from the kingdom. Together, the pair learn of a new threat to the kingdom, honing their skills to try and defeat an unknown foe with unlimited magic.
Overall, I enjoyed Cursed and the world of earth and air magic. One of my favorite aspects is how the magic works: when those with ability pass on, their soul/spirit joins a collective and assists those still living. This wasn’t featured as much as in the first book but still an important factor in Nyx learning how to use and control Earth and how to defeat their new enemy.
Ms. Arthur basically creates another new world in Cursed, and I wish that either there was a stronger connection and more ties to the first book, or if there were some, the author pointed them out more clearly. Yet, I still enjoyed the depth and intricacy of Cannomore, the surrounding lands, and the deadly new foe who is actually an ancient enemy. The characters, most especially Nyx and Donnall, were well developed, and I enjoyed their slow-burn romance as each learned to trust one another.
Narration: Cursed is shared from the first person POV of Nyx. Ms. Eyre has a distinct voice that is soft yet gruff and grizzled around the edges which is perfect for Nyx, who has lived a very hard life. Ms. Eyre’s males are noticeably deeper and masculine. She gives Donnall a delightful and sexy Scottish brogue that distinguishes him from other males. She employs a fitting stern voice with an edge of urgency for both the Wind and Earth spirits.
In the end, I enjoyed Cursed and hope the author gives us more tales from this very interesting world.
My Ratings:
Story: B
Narration: B+
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Lord Donnall, realizes Nyx is the one the Wind whispers of, the one who will help win the coming war, so when she is tossed in his prison cell, he makes a bargain to take her off the king’s hands and away from the kingdom. Together, the pair learn of a new threat to the kingdom, honing their skills to try and defeat an unknown foe with unlimited magic.
Overall, I enjoyed Cursed and the world of earth and air magic. One of my favorite aspects is how the magic works: when those with ability pass on, their soul/spirit joins a collective and assists those still living. This wasn’t featured as much as in the first book but still an important factor in Nyx learning how to use and control Earth and how to defeat their new enemy.
Ms. Arthur basically creates another new world in Cursed, and I wish that either there was a stronger connection and more ties to the first book, or if there were some, the author pointed them out more clearly. Yet, I still enjoyed the depth and intricacy of Cannomore, the surrounding lands, and the deadly new foe who is actually an ancient enemy. The characters, most especially Nyx and Donnall, were well developed, and I enjoyed their slow-burn romance as each learned to trust one another.
Narration: Cursed is shared from the first person POV of Nyx. Ms. Eyre has a distinct voice that is soft yet gruff and grizzled around the edges which is perfect for Nyx, who has lived a very hard life. Ms. Eyre’s males are noticeably deeper and masculine. She gives Donnall a delightful and sexy Scottish brogue that distinguishes him from other males. She employs a fitting stern voice with an edge of urgency for both the Wind and Earth spirits.
In the end, I enjoyed Cursed and hope the author gives us more tales from this very interesting world.
My Ratings:
Story: B
Narration: B+
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
August 25, 2019
This book had such a good start. I really enjoyed the writing and the MC, she wasn't annoying and she got straight to the point.
There are a few thibgs I didn't like about this book, and they are:
1. The tone of the book was confusing. We had Sci Fi (set in the future with advance technology), fantasy (magic) and a vibe for historical fiction (this was due to set in a time where they also have a monarchy instead of a government, rather then historical events ). It is interesting to see all of those over lap but at the same time it felt like there were two separate parts to the book, and this takes us up to point number 2.
2. The plot. We have two plots it would see: reclaim the crown as her own and also stopping those creatures from destroying the earth with their magic staffs. They felt like completely different objectives that again, the book felt like it was broken into two.
3. The love interest was flat. Yes he has a personality: confident, loving , and funny. But at the same time he was a cookie cutter and I felt like he was just there to introduce more interest in the story. It shouldn't feel like that. Granted he wasn't a big part of the book, and that is my point. The love these two felt at the end of the book wasn't justified by their actions throughout the book. I really enjoyed the start, were they were both in the same jail and talking to each other, deep in converstation. Then every other inaction together after that was just them bantering, nothing deep and meaningful. It's only near the end they have a discussion about their feeling, that they don't show thought the book. They were only witty sexual comments. I don't mind the comments, actually enjoyed it, but you have to give me more then just this to convince me that they are a good, connected couple.
4. She didn't actually want the crown. This was the most disappointing, especially since she said she had sent over a decade fighting for the crown only to give it up after six months. It wasn't justified, it was almost like, "ah this is too hard, someone take the crown... " not good enough for me, I'm sorry.
So yes, there were parts I loved and parts I questioned.
There are a few thibgs I didn't like about this book, and they are:
1. The tone of the book was confusing. We had Sci Fi (set in the future with advance technology), fantasy (magic) and a vibe for historical fiction (this was due to set in a time where they also have a monarchy instead of a government, rather then historical events ). It is interesting to see all of those over lap but at the same time it felt like there were two separate parts to the book, and this takes us up to point number 2.
2. The plot. We have two plots it would see: reclaim the crown as her own and also stopping those creatures from destroying the earth with their magic staffs. They felt like completely different objectives that again, the book felt like it was broken into two.
3. The love interest was flat. Yes he has a personality: confident, loving , and funny. But at the same time he was a cookie cutter and I felt like he was just there to introduce more interest in the story. It shouldn't feel like that. Granted he wasn't a big part of the book, and that is my point. The love these two felt at the end of the book wasn't justified by their actions throughout the book. I really enjoyed the start, were they were both in the same jail and talking to each other, deep in converstation. Then every other inaction together after that was just them bantering, nothing deep and meaningful. It's only near the end they have a discussion about their feeling, that they don't show thought the book. They were only witty sexual comments. I don't mind the comments, actually enjoyed it, but you have to give me more then just this to convince me that they are a good, connected couple.
4. She didn't actually want the crown. This was the most disappointing, especially since she said she had sent over a decade fighting for the crown only to give it up after six months. It wasn't justified, it was almost like, "ah this is too hard, someone take the crown... " not good enough for me, I'm sorry.
So yes, there were parts I loved and parts I questioned.
November 23, 2018
Nyx is a very strong person, she needed it with the family she was born into. Her father and brother were horrid. The more that I learned what they did to her the more that I wanted Nyx to get payback. It was great when that happened in the end and boy, did she get her payback in a big way!
I was iffy on Donal at first. But as the book went on he was there for Nyx time and time again. The two of them were able to figure out what was going on, the threat coming to them all and had each other's backs.
I was iffy on Donal at first. But as the book went on he was there for Nyx time and time again. The two of them were able to figure out what was going on, the threat coming to them all and had each other's backs.
December 22, 2018
There was too many parallels between the first and second series.
October 15, 2020
Loved it even more than the first one.
December 10, 2018
What did I not love about this story, it was more like a much more horrible Cinderella story. While Donal and Nyx made a great couple they were more of a partnership to survive than anything else for most of the book.
I have to admit I am a total "revenge junkie" and that is what attracted me to the book and I got some but she had been treated so badly I was more in the camp of "kill'em all and let God sort them out" but our heroine was just a small bit more lucid than I would have been.
The story was addictive but maybe a bit too many brushes with death and like I said the revenge was handled logically when I wanted to see scorched earth LOL. So for a great story and additive reading I give it 4 Stars and maybe if you are not so hungry for revenge on everybody that ever wronged her, maybe you will see it as a 5 Star reading experience
I have to admit I am a total "revenge junkie" and that is what attracted me to the book and I got some but she had been treated so badly I was more in the camp of "kill'em all and let God sort them out" but our heroine was just a small bit more lucid than I would have been.
The story was addictive but maybe a bit too many brushes with death and like I said the revenge was handled logically when I wanted to see scorched earth LOL. So for a great story and additive reading I give it 4 Stars and maybe if you are not so hungry for revenge on everybody that ever wronged her, maybe you will see it as a 5 Star reading experience
January 2, 2019
A different couple from the previous book, but just as good.
September 13, 2019
Good start. Boring middle. Unconvincing ending. And the bipeds! Oh, the bipeds. I still have only a vague idea what they look like. Two legs, though!
November 22, 2023
3.5 stars
Well, I liked the romance better here compared to Unlit - especially since Nyx and Donal spent more time together, also since the beginning (they were pretty much cell-mate), and Donal had this bantering nature on him that Trey (again, from Unlit) didn't have.
BUT, I didn't care much about the "mystery of what was going on in the land" part. It felt rather repetitive with the sudden attack and Nyx/Donal done investigating and then sudden attack again... I got bored and skipped some pages. Plus, Nyx had the "martyrdom" plot just like Neve did in Unlit, and I wasn't to happy with THAT kind of storyline. So, I had to dock stars for it.
Hopefully book #3 didn't have that.
Well, I liked the romance better here compared to Unlit - especially since Nyx and Donal spent more time together, also since the beginning (they were pretty much cell-mate), and Donal had this bantering nature on him that Trey (again, from Unlit) didn't have.
BUT, I didn't care much about the "mystery of what was going on in the land" part. It felt rather repetitive with the sudden attack and Nyx/Donal done investigating and then sudden attack again... I got bored and skipped some pages. Plus, Nyx had the "martyrdom" plot just like Neve did in Unlit, and I wasn't to happy with THAT kind of storyline. So, I had to dock stars for it.
Hopefully book #3 didn't have that.
March 12, 2024
I enjoyed this book. Listened on audiobook. Good narration. The ending reminded me of the ending in book one. I am looking forward to continuing this series and I am a big fan of this author.
March 25, 2019
This one had a bit more romance in it than the first one did, but it was still an engaging read and I enjoyed the narrator.
June 23, 2019
My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Kingdoms of Earth & Air series by Keri Arthur. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Unlit. I liked the world that Arthur had created. I liked the characters. I thought this was an urban fantasy series where we would follow the same character throughout the series. This is actually a paranormal romance where we have a different couple in each book. I don’t mind paranormal romances, it just wasn’t what I was expecting from reading the first book in the series. But, that’s not the first that this has happened to me and it isn’t a bad thing in my book. Here is what through me for a loop. While this story takes place in the same world, it isn’t anywhere close to the location of the first book. The characters are also all completely new. There isn’t much to bridge the gap between books one and two.
So this story follows Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon. Her father is the king, though he has not done what is required of the the ruler of Cannamore. The ruler for over a thousand years has been able to pull a sword from the crystal throne. However, Nyx is the one who pulled the sword, not her father or her brother. So the men covered it up so that she wouldn’t become the ruler. They also put bracelets on her that gave them full control of her and tortured her in several different ways.
Nyx is sent off to fit with other prisoners in what would basically become a suicide mission. Her father and brother want her to die. While we don’t see any of the torture firsthand, we do get some of the details, so beware of people to people who might be triggered by such things (and think of the ways that women are tortured).
It’s not a bad story. The action is pretty good. However, I didn’t really like the characters. Nyx isn’t a bad character. She’s isn’t prissy and has had a hard life. Her father and brother made things very difficult for her. I don’t know what it was that she didn’t click with me. I was also not pulled in by her love interest, Donal. Again, I don’t know why he didn’t click with me. He was a good guy and really stood beside Nyx and let her lead and just supported her when she needed it.
I really wish that I could put a finger why this story wasn’t as good for me as the first book. Like I said, the action wasn’t bad. The story plot was a good story. While the characters aren’t bad, they just didn’t click for me for whatever reason. Maybe it was my mood. I’m not sure. I did enjoy it, just not nearly as much as the first story. I do highly recommend that people give the series a try. I will still try the next book to see if it was just my mood or whatever because I do love this world.
Narration
Justine Eyre is a favorite narrator of mine. I really enjoy the voices that she does. She does a great job with both male and female voices, no matter the size of the cast.
**I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Kingdoms of Earth & Air series by Keri Arthur. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Unlit. I liked the world that Arthur had created. I liked the characters. I thought this was an urban fantasy series where we would follow the same character throughout the series. This is actually a paranormal romance where we have a different couple in each book. I don’t mind paranormal romances, it just wasn’t what I was expecting from reading the first book in the series. But, that’s not the first that this has happened to me and it isn’t a bad thing in my book. Here is what through me for a loop. While this story takes place in the same world, it isn’t anywhere close to the location of the first book. The characters are also all completely new. There isn’t much to bridge the gap between books one and two.
So this story follows Princess Nyx Bel-Hannon. Her father is the king, though he has not done what is required of the the ruler of Cannamore. The ruler for over a thousand years has been able to pull a sword from the crystal throne. However, Nyx is the one who pulled the sword, not her father or her brother. So the men covered it up so that she wouldn’t become the ruler. They also put bracelets on her that gave them full control of her and tortured her in several different ways.
Nyx is sent off to fit with other prisoners in what would basically become a suicide mission. Her father and brother want her to die. While we don’t see any of the torture firsthand, we do get some of the details, so beware of people to people who might be triggered by such things (and think of the ways that women are tortured).
It’s not a bad story. The action is pretty good. However, I didn’t really like the characters. Nyx isn’t a bad character. She’s isn’t prissy and has had a hard life. Her father and brother made things very difficult for her. I don’t know what it was that she didn’t click with me. I was also not pulled in by her love interest, Donal. Again, I don’t know why he didn’t click with me. He was a good guy and really stood beside Nyx and let her lead and just supported her when she needed it.
I really wish that I could put a finger why this story wasn’t as good for me as the first book. Like I said, the action wasn’t bad. The story plot was a good story. While the characters aren’t bad, they just didn’t click for me for whatever reason. Maybe it was my mood. I’m not sure. I did enjoy it, just not nearly as much as the first story. I do highly recommend that people give the series a try. I will still try the next book to see if it was just my mood or whatever because I do love this world.
Narration
Justine Eyre is a favorite narrator of mine. I really enjoy the voices that she does. She does a great job with both male and female voices, no matter the size of the cast.
**I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2018
Princess Nyx is my kind of heroine, smart, driven, brave despite her fears, and out for revenge on those who’ve wronged her. She’s been held captive by restraint bracelets and abused by her father the king, all because she had the temerity to go after what she deserved, by pulling the King’s Sword out of the Glass Throne. That should have made her the king’s heir, but heaven forbid a woman take the throne. No it had to be her twin brother Vin, and the king and her brother used deception to make Vin the heir in her place. When Nyx thought she couldn’t get any lower, after being thrown in a dank prison, she meets her cellmate Donal, a highland lord and wind mage. The wind has whispered that a great evil is coming, and he’ll need Nyx’s earth magic to fight it, if he can convince her to help. The king doesn’t think he’s doing her any favor by giving her over to Donal’s control, but it’s just what they needed for his plans to move forward. What follows is a quest by Nyx and Donal to discover who and what their enemy is, a fight against evil adversaries with hard-won allies, and a determination to make things right and save their people, no matter what it takes. This second in the Kingdoms of Earth and Air series was just as awesome as the first, and I look forward to more to come.
December 31, 2018
This was a totally confusing book at the start. The characters from book 1 don't seem to be here. I'm uncertain about the connection to the first book. Either I need to go back and read the first book or the connection at this point is tenuous.
Once I got past the first 15% of trying to find some connection, other than the types of magic, I got into the story and it was very good. (I even went back to Unlit and searched character names on the Kindle version- nada.)
I love Nyx our heroine. This series has excellent strong, smart female characters and actually some great male characters as well. The bad guys seem pretty all bad but since we are not in their heads, it's hard to say. But the sorta bad guys and the rest of the folks are real characters with ups and downs, strengths and flaws.
So kick-ass women, strong, smart characters, mysteries, plot, action, a touch of humor and romance. Totally my kind of read.
Once I got past the first 15% of trying to find some connection, other than the types of magic, I got into the story and it was very good. (I even went back to Unlit and searched character names on the Kindle version- nada.)
I love Nyx our heroine. This series has excellent strong, smart female characters and actually some great male characters as well. The bad guys seem pretty all bad but since we are not in their heads, it's hard to say. But the sorta bad guys and the rest of the folks are real characters with ups and downs, strengths and flaws.
So kick-ass women, strong, smart characters, mysteries, plot, action, a touch of humor and romance. Totally my kind of read.
January 5, 2019
The second book in the series, Cursed opens with a gut wrenching bang and it does not let up until the last page. Though set in the same world as the first book, it features a new main character and is on a different continent. Nyx is the despised princess of Cannamore, forced into that position by her ruthless father and brother to hide the fact she is the true heir to the glass throne. The depths of her suffering over the past twelve years is slowly revealed, as is the strength of her desire for both freedom and revenge. Her chance comes when she is given to a highland lord and sent to serve as a soldier at the garrison defending Cannamore from the brutish Skaran. But once there she discovers that the savage Skaran are the least of her worries.
Nyx’s strengths come to the fore when she is reconnected with her earth powers and sent on reconnaissance to see what is the dark force that the wind had warned the highland lord about. I connected with Nyx, right from the start, and with the highlander, Donal, as well. They are such rich and interesting characters, brimming with so much life it was hard to remember that they were fictional. As they uncover the true nature of the threat Cannamore faces, they go above and beyond to prevent the destruction of everything they hold dear. But for Nyx, the chains of her past weight heavy, and she is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice to free herself from them.
This was the kind of story where you can’t help but cheer for the underdog as Nyx faces adversity after adversity, to reclaim her stolen heritage and save her people, while maintaining her sense of self and personal integrity. The action is thick and fast, the dangerous nature of the threat they face breathtaking, and it was engrossing to see Nyx overcoming the years of abuse she had endured to become a true warrior. It was equally wonderful to see those around her recognise her for who she truly was, even as I wanted to punch those that still refused to look past her father’s lies and manipulations. It made for a page turning read that I did not want to end. I really hope there are more stories to come in this series, even if I don’t get to catch up with familiar characters again.
Nyx’s strengths come to the fore when she is reconnected with her earth powers and sent on reconnaissance to see what is the dark force that the wind had warned the highland lord about. I connected with Nyx, right from the start, and with the highlander, Donal, as well. They are such rich and interesting characters, brimming with so much life it was hard to remember that they were fictional. As they uncover the true nature of the threat Cannamore faces, they go above and beyond to prevent the destruction of everything they hold dear. But for Nyx, the chains of her past weight heavy, and she is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice to free herself from them.
This was the kind of story where you can’t help but cheer for the underdog as Nyx faces adversity after adversity, to reclaim her stolen heritage and save her people, while maintaining her sense of self and personal integrity. The action is thick and fast, the dangerous nature of the threat they face breathtaking, and it was engrossing to see Nyx overcoming the years of abuse she had endured to become a true warrior. It was equally wonderful to see those around her recognise her for who she truly was, even as I wanted to punch those that still refused to look past her father’s lies and manipulations. It made for a page turning read that I did not want to end. I really hope there are more stories to come in this series, even if I don’t get to catch up with familiar characters again.
October 6, 2019
Nyx is the rightful heir to the throne but reasons not explained her father and twin bind her in controlling shackles and make everyone believe that her twin pulled the sword from the throne. Her mother is dead, her brother and father have been trying to kill her for twelve years. When her father finally devises a plan to send her to deadly border service.
What her father didn't plan on was Donal, an honorable highlander taking her side, freeing her from her command bracelets and becoming her partner. Nyx learns to survive, avoid assassination attempts, learn her earth mage gifts and uncover the true danger that threatens them all.
This story often felt like a mash up of several fairytales with a bit of sci-fi. Sword and the Stone, Cinderella and Aladdin to name a few. I often got a sense of déja vu from the previous book scenes and it was interesting how the author blended an old world magic feeling with new world tech. I liked this couple and I enjoyed the majority of their story, there was just some disjointedness in some spots that made the ride a little bumpy for me.
More of my reviews can be found at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
What her father didn't plan on was Donal, an honorable highlander taking her side, freeing her from her command bracelets and becoming her partner. Nyx learns to survive, avoid assassination attempts, learn her earth mage gifts and uncover the true danger that threatens them all.
This story often felt like a mash up of several fairytales with a bit of sci-fi. Sword and the Stone, Cinderella and Aladdin to name a few. I often got a sense of déja vu from the previous book scenes and it was interesting how the author blended an old world magic feeling with new world tech. I liked this couple and I enjoyed the majority of their story, there was just some disjointedness in some spots that made the ride a little bumpy for me.
More of my reviews can be found at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2019
I started this book with some trepidation. I'm not sure why. I guess I thought I might not like it. Well, I loved it. It drew me in and kept my interest throughout. I hated Nyx's father and brother and wanted them to die. I was so angry for her! The only thing that keeps this book from 5 stars is the level of detail in these books. Sometimes there is SO much, it is difficult to understand what is going on.
November 13, 2022
Keri Arthur is one of those authors that can write about anything and I'll read it. I have only found a couple books/series that she has written that I didn't really enjoy. Unfortunately, Cursed, falls in to the lukewarm category for me. I enjoyed the first book, Unlit, but I never really got in to this one. It doesn't help that this book is just set in the same world as Unlit, instead of being a true sequel. I would have liked to continue that story.
November 25, 2018
This basically reads as a spin-off series from the first book. New country, new characters, no cross overs or meet ups. It was an amazing fantasy book, but beyond the bad guys everything was new. I missed the old crew, but loved this book on its own too. Don’t go in expecting a continuation of the first book.
March 16, 2019
A threat waits in a land that's already been corrupted from within. A Princess is scorned when fate chooses her over her brother. Magic wanes, withdrawing from the King as he leads his kingdom away from the law that has protected them all these years. Murder in the past, pain in the future. Is there any chance for happiness even if the oncoming hoard is defeated? Only the Wind knows.
April 6, 2022
I liked this one even more than the first. Trey and Neve were great characters, but I loved Donal, and watching how much Nyx grew once she got her freedom. I also kind of like the stand alone feel of the series, with new characters each book. Usually tend to prefer the series, but she does a great job of making the story complete in and of itself.
January 7, 2019
Mi è piaciuto, molto veloce, molto dinamico, si legge in fretta, ma ho preferito il primo libro, l'ho trovato leggermente più approfondito riguardo all'ambientazione e ai personaggi. Comunque serie molto bella. Keri Arthur è una certezza
October 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this. Interesting world building, strong female character with a nicely matched partner, evil foes within and without. Magic. Fighting. Political intrigue.
Nyx was a sympathetic character, and I love a locked away magic story.
Nyx was a sympathetic character, and I love a locked away magic story.
July 8, 2025
Another book by Keri Arthur that keeps you turning the page as fast as you can. The MFC is kick ass. She never quit even after 12 years of hell her father did to her. Add in a handsome highlander and you have a story. The two are trying to save their people.
September 30, 2025
Pacing was super weird, world building was cool, this book had lots of plot holes/ things that happened too conveniently but the first third was really interesting and held a lot of promise that didn’t end up paying off
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