This Cursed Flame

This Curse #1

by Selina J. Eckert

Janan has been on the run for years. But her true nature may just force her to confront the very evil that created her.

Genie Janan is a misfit in two worlds: not human enough to live with humans, but not djinn enough to be a djinn. She’s spent years running from the evil djinn who created her—and from her own magic—until a djinn revolution threatens what little safety she’s managed to find. Even worse, she soon learns her powers are much darker than she’d ever imagined.

Laurelin dreams of being the world’s next great chemist, but a rejection from the college prep program of her dreams sends her into a tailspin. But when Laurelin finds a glass bottle, she uncorks more than a genie. She is thrust into a world of myth and fairy tales… and surrounded by an impending magical war.

Can genie and human work together before time runs out? Or will the djinn conquer them and shroud both their worlds in death and dark magic?

This Cursed Flame is the wished-for first YA urban fantasy novel in the This Curse series. If you like imaginative fantasy, unlikely companions, and fast-paced action, then you'll love Selina J. Eckert’s enchanting book.

Genres: Fantasy

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2019

About the author

Selina is a biologist-by-day, writer-by-night native of Pennsylvania. She lives with her husband, dog, and two cats and spends her time writing, reading, creating art, and dreaming about fictional worlds. She has written two fairy-tale retelling short stories that were both finalists in Rooglewood Press short story contests and a fantasy short story, “Queen of Mist and Fog,” available through her newsletter.

Reviews

[deborah o'carroll (offline during 2026) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome things this book contains:

• Genies and djinn as you've never seen them before
• Elemental magic
• So much fire
• Gorgeous fantasy settings that feel straight off of an epic fantasy art Pinterest board
• A talking ocelot!
• A mix of urban/portal fantasy (including Pennsylvania!)
• Fabulous female friendships
• Intense excitement and coming-of-age

It's a delightful, adventurous YA fantasy that I totally recommend!

(Disclaimer: I was an editor for this book, but my opinions are my own.)

[NanaShauna Joesten · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read. This read will grab you right from the beginning and have you intrigued. I like how this story is also told from different characters point of view. This is a fantastic story with Janan and Laurielin. I love the Authors creativity. And its fast paced as well as keeps you on the edge of your seat. There is never a dull moment. And the cover is fantastic as well. The Author really brings the Characters personallys out. As well as well very well written scenes that you can see vividly in your mind as you read. I was given this read. It is definitely a must read.
Shauna Joesten

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is amazing! The author did such an amazing job with the character development and the story line that I never wanted to stop reading. As she describes scenes, I felt like I could see everything that was happening as if it were already made into a movie. All I can tell you without giving any spoilers is read this book, you will not be disappointed! (That, and, Safiyya is totally my favorite, just saying!) I'm truly excited to see more from this author!

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Cursed Flame by Selina J. Eckert is a wonderful story to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series written by a brand new author for me to read and I can not wait to read the rest of this wonderful series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Cursed Flame is a fast paced unique tale about a world of Djinn and Genies (they’re different beings in this world) and what happens when they overlap into the human realm.

It’s a little hard to keep track of all the different beings at first, but then you get it all straightened out and it moves along.

I enjoyed the action, worldbuilding, and friendships that take place.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing and thrilling debut book! I'm looking forward to all that Selina publishes and may have to start saving money so I can buy all of her books in the future! Now, to get my mom to sit and read this book so I can have someone to talk to about it!

[Justyn Tyme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, fun and exciting, it rivals Robin William's Aladdin Genie for pace, but adds in a touch more adult themes.

Worth adding to your TBR pile.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Krista Albers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest review for ARC.

To be transported to a realm of Djinn...wonderful storyline and character development. Pace slows some in the middle but doesn't dry up. Looking forward to more by this author.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

journeys of power, loss, death and self discovery

magic is revealed in the various djinn and genies- and many have dark and dangerous skills and talents

as struggles for survival and realms gear up, hearts and minds are broken and reshaped

intense drama and action

[Sabrina Wannet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book was pretty good. It took me a long time to finish partly because it could not always keep me contained but also because I was easily distracted. I like the story and originality in the use of both djinn as genies. The cat djinn safiya was my absolute favorite and she saw strange things with laurelin just as janan saw it. but I find it disappointing that they do not speak about it. As reader you know what it is but they do not. It is a bit of a missed oppurtinity I think.
this is why it is 4,5 stars from me.