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The Fairy Tale Enchantress #2
Curse of Magic
Evariste is gone.
When he sacrificed himself to save Angelique, he was taken in her place. Now everything has gone horribly wrong.
The magic council is too tied up in its bureaucracy to launch a real search effort. And though they have chased every clue, the other enchanters have failed to locate even a hint of him.
With time ticking away, Angelique decides to do what no apprentice should ever do: set out on her own.
As her search for Evariste leads her across the continent, she uncovers magic being used in dark and evil ways that hasn’t been seen in centuries: a prince cursed to live as a beast, a land ruled by an evil ogre, and a selkie enslaved by a sea witch.
None of these things should be happening. But they are.
Fighting these dark powers will require magic Angelique has never attempted before, and demand more from her than she’s ever been able to give.
In the growing darkness, can Angelique harness her deadly magic without harming others? And how will the magic council punish her for her unsupervised spells?
When he sacrificed himself to save Angelique, he was taken in her place. Now everything has gone horribly wrong.
The magic council is too tied up in its bureaucracy to launch a real search effort. And though they have chased every clue, the other enchanters have failed to locate even a hint of him.
With time ticking away, Angelique decides to do what no apprentice should ever do: set out on her own.
As her search for Evariste leads her across the continent, she uncovers magic being used in dark and evil ways that hasn’t been seen in centuries: a prince cursed to live as a beast, a land ruled by an evil ogre, and a selkie enslaved by a sea witch.
None of these things should be happening. But they are.
Fighting these dark powers will require magic Angelique has never attempted before, and demand more from her than she’s ever been able to give.
In the growing darkness, can Angelique harness her deadly magic without harming others? And how will the magic council punish her for her unsupervised spells?
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2019
1183 people are currently reading
828 people want to read
About the author
K.M. Shea
118 books4,764 followersMy pen name is K. M. Shea, but my readers—I prefer to call them Champions—call me Kitty.
I love to write funny, clean stories with strong characters. Books like that are among my favorite to read so naturally I love writing stories like that as well. My philosophy is that life is tough, so books should be something that makes you relax and laugh!
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VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
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VISIT MY WEBSITE
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I love to write funny, clean stories with strong characters. Books like that are among my favorite to read so naturally I love writing stories like that as well. My philosophy is that life is tough, so books should be something that makes you relax and laugh!
VISIT MY FACEBOOK GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/27090...
VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
https://www.amazon.com/K-M-Shea/e/B00...
VISIT MY WEBSITE
https://kmshea.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
June 16, 2019
Cliff Hanger Ending
This book deserves a high rating except it ends in a cliff hanger. A big no no. There was no need to end this book open ended. Still, if the finale is fast paced guns blazing, level your enemies with Angelique leading the charge, then I will forgive this infraction. For now.
Screw cliff hangers. Ms. Shea you are going to work for my respect after this lame trick.
This book deserves a high rating except it ends in a cliff hanger. A big no no. There was no need to end this book open ended. Still, if the finale is fast paced guns blazing, level your enemies with Angelique leading the charge, then I will forgive this infraction. For now.
Screw cliff hangers. Ms. Shea you are going to work for my respect after this lame trick.
March 7, 2020
Amazing writing and storytelling of Angelique's POV during the events that occured from books 1-8 in the Timeless Fairytale Series.
It was refreshing to hear the thoughts going through Angel's mind as she is modifying a curse or helping those in need. It was great see her fears, her desires and her inner conflicts, it made her real and understandable why she hides behin her facade.
Also loved how we have a few moments of what is happening to Evariste when he is captured.
Cannot wait to read book 3, but also dreading it as after book 3, there are still 3 more books to be released!
It was refreshing to hear the thoughts going through Angel's mind as she is modifying a curse or helping those in need. It was great see her fears, her desires and her inner conflicts, it made her real and understandable why she hides behin her facade.
Also loved how we have a few moments of what is happening to Evariste when he is captured.
Cannot wait to read book 3, but also dreading it as after book 3, there are still 3 more books to be released!
April 16, 2019
I was worried about how much I would like this book. The author said that it was going to follow Angelique through the events of the Timeless Fairy Tale series, and I wasn't sure how I would like the book since I already knew everything that would happen.
Except that, I didn't. Yes, there are a lot of the plots and big battles that readers of the Timeless Fairy Tale series know going in, but there is A LOT that Angelique does behind the scenes that the characters of the previous series didn't know she was doing. There were whole battles that were cut out of the those books. And this book really helped me get a sense of the timeline of the Timeless Fairy Tale Books in a way I hadn't before with each of the standalone books in that series.
I love Angelique's hidden levels of snark and the inner thoughts she has going through her head. She seems just a reserved, put together character on the outside and it is so much fun to be in her head for these books.
Overall, I don't think I liked it quite as much as the first book since that book was mostly new stuff and this was a lot review. And the plot wasn't as connected in this book vs. the previous book.
Still, I'm super excited to continue the series, and I can't, can't, can't wait until July for the next book!
Except that, I didn't. Yes, there are a lot of the plots and big battles that readers of the Timeless Fairy Tale series know going in, but there is A LOT that Angelique does behind the scenes that the characters of the previous series didn't know she was doing. There were whole battles that were cut out of the those books. And this book really helped me get a sense of the timeline of the Timeless Fairy Tale Books in a way I hadn't before with each of the standalone books in that series.
I love Angelique's hidden levels of snark and the inner thoughts she has going through her head. She seems just a reserved, put together character on the outside and it is so much fun to be in her head for these books.
Overall, I don't think I liked it quite as much as the first book since that book was mostly new stuff and this was a lot review. And the plot wasn't as connected in this book vs. the previous book.
Still, I'm super excited to continue the series, and I can't, can't, can't wait until July for the next book!
April 15, 2019
This series so far reads a lot like fan fiction rather than a novel. Mostly because we are traveling through decades of time, revisiting beloved characters, and touching on old storylines from a new perspective. I’ve heard some complaints about the fanfic characteristics of Angelique’s first two books. I think if these books had been marketed as a collection of short stories rather than as novels, those complaints would dissipate. Angelique’s first two books do not fit the typical novel mold. So think of them as a collection of chronological short stories, get over your novel expectations, and enjoy the ride ;)
We are slowly getting answers to our most cherished fan theories! Is Angelique the key to breaking Evariste’s magic seal? Is Clovicus a cleverly placed Chosen spy? How did Angelique and Pegasus become friends?
And most importantly, we discover Evariste’s deepest darkest desire! *laughing uncontrollably* Let me just say that Evariste is too pure for this world.
We are slowly getting answers to our most cherished fan theories! Is Angelique the key to breaking Evariste’s magic seal? Is Clovicus a cleverly placed Chosen spy? How did Angelique and Pegasus become friends?
And most importantly, we discover Evariste’s deepest darkest desire! *laughing uncontrollably* Let me just say that Evariste is too pure for this world.
April 7, 2020
I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy this one. I missed Evariste and Angelique by herself is no fun. She's boring and . I mean, I know that as a practitioner of serious magic she'll be long-lived. But the glacial pace of change in her story arc is boring me silly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2023
Wow I am in love with this book!!!
Fantastic! Amazing! The 3 month wait for the next book might just kill me. I love all the timeless fairy tale books but Angelique is my favourite! Fantastic series for any age of reader!!! Ugh I'm going to have to re read it right now. I cannot say enough good things wish I could give it a 10 star rating!!!!
Fantastic! Amazing! The 3 month wait for the next book might just kill me. I love all the timeless fairy tale books but Angelique is my favourite! Fantastic series for any age of reader!!! Ugh I'm going to have to re read it right now. I cannot say enough good things wish I could give it a 10 star rating!!!!
January 25, 2022
Better than the first.
July 19, 2021
This is the book series that really is best to be read in tandem with this author's Timeless Fairy Tales series. I think there are some important things that will be missed otherwise as evidenced by reviews. For instance, Enchanters and Enchantresses age more like elves, I.e. slowly. Therefore it stands to reason that their emotional growth will be slower than humans. A lot of people dinged the main character Angelique in the first book of the series for not having enough growth over the 12 years it presented. However, I think those 12 years would be more comparable to a couple of years in a regular human's life. There are other subtleties and whatnot that will go by you as well without having read the other series. You'll miss a lot if you don't start with the other series before reading this one.
The second thing to know about this book is that it doesn't have standard pacing. It reads more like a serial novel that has been compiled into one book. It makes sense because this book covers some of the same time and stories that took place in several of the companion series. However, we see new perspectives because we are following new characters and they know much more. It will slow down the pace. It also means that we don't have a typical build, climax and resolution movel. Not everyone likes serial novels and those that don't probably won't like the pacing of this one. It also repeats events of last book. Some people don't enjoy this kind of repeating but it's a necessary part of this series. I enjoyed getting to see a deeper look into things that happened in the other series. However, I do think this book works better read a little a a time versus a big one or two night binge. The structure doesn't hold up to binging quite as well as a typical book does.
I am enjoying getting to know Angelique better and her arc. I am glad that she found some steel by the end. She still has a lot of growth left to do and we've seen snippets of it in the other series as we see changes in her in the short snippets we see of her there (barring the Snow White book where she shows up a lot). I can't wait to read the rest of her story. I love books where heroines come into their own. Angelique will be quite the force when she finally embraces her core magic and learns to wield it with practice.
The second thing to know about this book is that it doesn't have standard pacing. It reads more like a serial novel that has been compiled into one book. It makes sense because this book covers some of the same time and stories that took place in several of the companion series. However, we see new perspectives because we are following new characters and they know much more. It will slow down the pace. It also means that we don't have a typical build, climax and resolution movel. Not everyone likes serial novels and those that don't probably won't like the pacing of this one. It also repeats events of last book. Some people don't enjoy this kind of repeating but it's a necessary part of this series. I enjoyed getting to see a deeper look into things that happened in the other series. However, I do think this book works better read a little a a time versus a big one or two night binge. The structure doesn't hold up to binging quite as well as a typical book does.
I am enjoying getting to know Angelique better and her arc. I am glad that she found some steel by the end. She still has a lot of growth left to do and we've seen snippets of it in the other series as we see changes in her in the short snippets we see of her there (barring the Snow White book where she shows up a lot). I can't wait to read the rest of her story. I love books where heroines come into their own. Angelique will be quite the force when she finally embraces her core magic and learns to wield it with practice.
June 7, 2019
Beautifully told!
KM Shea has some of the best fairy tale retellings. They are clever and interesting. I loved reading them. And I'm loving Angelique's series just as much. We are getting some of the back story from the fairy tales in the series but also Angelique's full story. Even though I know the "end" I know there has to be more and I just can't wait to read it! Give me more!!!!! Thanks for suck beautiful books!!!
KM Shea has some of the best fairy tale retellings. They are clever and interesting. I loved reading them. And I'm loving Angelique's series just as much. We are getting some of the back story from the fairy tales in the series but also Angelique's full story. Even though I know the "end" I know there has to be more and I just can't wait to read it! Give me more!!!!! Thanks for suck beautiful books!!!
April 24, 2020
(I'm writing this review after I read the 3rd book, so it has the benefit of hindsight and seeing this part of the series as a whole)
When I first finished this book, I thought it was good, but as I look back, I can see some major flaws. Most importantly, there was no plot. It was a rehashing what Angelique did in the separate fairytale series, with some other events added in. But because of this, there was really no climax. I thought Shea had just fallen into the trap that I think a lot of trilogy authors fall into, (how to have an engaging 2nd book with a meaningful plot that still leaves room for a 3rd book), so I was willing to overlook it, since the book was interesting enough to keep me reading. But, that was before I knew the series will actually have 6 books, which changes things. In that case, I don't think this book is necessary. We already have a series with most of the events of this book, so Shea could have just shortened the first book (which was also unnecessarily long), taken out at least 50% of this book and put the new and necessary parts at the end of the first. As it is, the story is dragging, Angelique is hardly growing as a character, and I have no idea how Shea can stretch this story through 6 books.
When I first finished this book, I thought it was good, but as I look back, I can see some major flaws. Most importantly, there was no plot. It was a rehashing what Angelique did in the separate fairytale series, with some other events added in. But because of this, there was really no climax. I thought Shea had just fallen into the trap that I think a lot of trilogy authors fall into, (how to have an engaging 2nd book with a meaningful plot that still leaves room for a 3rd book), so I was willing to overlook it, since the book was interesting enough to keep me reading. But, that was before I knew the series will actually have 6 books, which changes things. In that case, I don't think this book is necessary. We already have a series with most of the events of this book, so Shea could have just shortened the first book (which was also unnecessarily long), taken out at least 50% of this book and put the new and necessary parts at the end of the first. As it is, the story is dragging, Angelique is hardly growing as a character, and I have no idea how Shea can stretch this story through 6 books.
September 3, 2019
If this book was half the length I would have liked it a lot better. Following Angelique through the her side of the story while she tries to counter curses and help the characters we're already familiar with is fun, but it has seemed too detailed and slow moving. I'd rather find out what happens next than revisit the old stories for a number of books.
May 20, 2019
Story line lacks
The book is long and drawn out and becomes boring and repetitive. At least at the end Angelique finally stands up for herself.
The book is long and drawn out and becomes boring and repetitive. At least at the end Angelique finally stands up for herself.
January 3, 2023
I always love discovering new authors, new writing styles and new story telling techniques. Although some fairytale retellings by K.M. Shea worked better for me than others, it was love at first sight with the way she writes her books. I was therefore really excited to continue with the series focussing on Angelique, who had quickly become one of my favorite characters anyway. Even before I started this series. And today it was finally time for the second book!
In this book we follow Angelique on her search to find her teacher. She's traveling through all the different kingdoms and her search and travels intertwine with the stories we read in the Timeless Fairytales. Although we already know what's going on and how Angelique and all the characters are defeating the darkness slowly taking over I was never bored or losing interest. It was amazing to see Angelique's side of the story.
It was mostly amazing because we finally saw why it takes so incredibly long for everyone else to do something, to notice that this is not an incident but a pattern. We basically got a glimpse of the politics. And those politics are eventually forcing Angelique to grow. She starts as a slightly timid girl, realizing that she has this dangerous power people are afraid of, but the more good she does with it, the more she realizes that she is not the problem here.
I assume it won't take long before we will reach the end of the known path. The next book is quite big, although I guess that might have something to do with the fact that the entire story of Snow White still needs to make an appearance, but although I'm already looking forward to read that story from Angelique's point of view I'm also really looking forward to read what comes after. Because I have the feeling that only then everything can really begin.
In this book we follow Angelique on her search to find her teacher. She's traveling through all the different kingdoms and her search and travels intertwine with the stories we read in the Timeless Fairytales. Although we already know what's going on and how Angelique and all the characters are defeating the darkness slowly taking over I was never bored or losing interest. It was amazing to see Angelique's side of the story.
It was mostly amazing because we finally saw why it takes so incredibly long for everyone else to do something, to notice that this is not an incident but a pattern. We basically got a glimpse of the politics. And those politics are eventually forcing Angelique to grow. She starts as a slightly timid girl, realizing that she has this dangerous power people are afraid of, but the more good she does with it, the more she realizes that she is not the problem here.
I assume it won't take long before we will reach the end of the known path. The next book is quite big, although I guess that might have something to do with the fact that the entire story of Snow White still needs to make an appearance, but although I'm already looking forward to read that story from Angelique's point of view I'm also really looking forward to read what comes after. Because I have the feeling that only then everything can really begin.
August 22, 2024
Boring, so very boring. I only read this because the first book ended in cliffhanger. The main girls teacher/ love interest gets kidnapped in first one. I thought this book would at least end with her saving him. Does she no? Does she find where he is , nope? Does she find who took him , another no.
Also main character has a power that she won't use , because she was taught that it was too dangerous. You would think losing someone , because you didn't use your magic, would change you. But sadly it doesn't. She continues throughout the book to still be scared of using it. She only does so like two times.
Also main character has a power that she won't use , because she was taught that it was too dangerous. You would think losing someone , because you didn't use your magic, would change you. But sadly it doesn't. She continues throughout the book to still be scared of using it. She only does so like two times.
August 21, 2019
Shea once again gets me with her writing. I just adore it! I’m eager, BEYOND EAGER, to see what will happen in book 3. I have a wishlist that may effect my views on the series as a whole. Shaky ground!
I read this book straight through, straining to keep my eyes open, desperately waiting for this one thing to happen....
Emotions ran high in this sequel and I’m beyond myself that it ended in a cliff-hanger. It felt more like Book 2, part 1.
I’m dying for the third that is slated to be released “late August”... it’s August 21st! Come on, Shea🤕❤️
I read this book straight through, straining to keep my eyes open, desperately waiting for this one thing to happen....
Emotions ran high in this sequel and I’m beyond myself that it ended in a cliff-hanger. It felt more like Book 2, part 1.
I’m dying for the third that is slated to be released “late August”... it’s August 21st! Come on, Shea🤕❤️
April 16, 2019
This was so much fun. The series is progressing really well. Very much looking forward to more of Angelique and her world.
June 20, 2024
4.5 🌟.
November 23, 2024
frustrating
I want to love this series, but I cannot do the time skips. Like YEARS, years have went by and there is no real plot, and I really don’t like the use of Disney books to write. I don’t know, I just want to skip to see Everiste be saved!
I want to love this series, but I cannot do the time skips. Like YEARS, years have went by and there is no real plot, and I really don’t like the use of Disney books to write. I don’t know, I just want to skip to see Everiste be saved!
February 11, 2022
I remember having a love/hate relationship with the first book in this series, and now having just a hate relationship with this series. Why do there have to be 6 books?? Or is it 5? I don’t know. Nothing actually happens in this book, she still doesn’t find her teacher, she still is terrified of her magic and there are probably other things that drove me nuts but I just don’t care and I am tired. And I’ve forgotten everyone’s name again.
May 1, 2021
Continuing from the first book...
Enchantress-in-Training, Angelique wanders the whole continent looking for her missing master. Her journey takes her to unusual places, making interesting acquaintances, learning from mistakes and becoming a Lady Enchantress (in-training) in general.
This books documents Angelique's growing up from a novice apprentice to a respected Lady Enchantress (in-training, of course) in her own right.
She fights some hard fights, saves people, and is stretched thin between running from place to place and looking for her master. The intertextualities and allusions to the Timeless Fairy tales by Shea specifically and fairy tales in general abound in this part.
At the end of the book, I am not sure whether I like this book better than the last one, especially because I am still waiting for the same things I looked forward to in the beginning of this book.
There is SOME development and I look forward to the next part.
Still very much invested in the series.
Enchantress-in-Training, Angelique wanders the whole continent looking for her missing master. Her journey takes her to unusual places, making interesting acquaintances, learning from mistakes and becoming a Lady Enchantress (in-training) in general.
This books documents Angelique's growing up from a novice apprentice to a respected Lady Enchantress (in-training, of course) in her own right.
She fights some hard fights, saves people, and is stretched thin between running from place to place and looking for her master. The intertextualities and allusions to the Timeless Fairy tales by Shea specifically and fairy tales in general abound in this part.
At the end of the book, I am not sure whether I like this book better than the last one, especially because I am still waiting for the same things I looked forward to in the beginning of this book.
There is SOME development and I look forward to the next part.
Still very much invested in the series.
August 3, 2021
This book was so good I don't think I can wait for the next one! I loved being able to see Angelique's perspective on the events of the TFT books. I found it really interesting to see how people's perceptions of who she is and what she's done differs from how she views herself and the situations she finds herself in. Seeing Angelique growing and changing throughout this book was so rewarding (particularly during her interactions with the conclave) and I can't wait for the next book to see how her story continues to play out!
May 22, 2019
Good but frustrating
I was hoping for more of the storyline about the main characters. I can understand weaving in some of her other stories to give a timeline reference maybe, but to give so much attention to them was frustrating to say the least. I hope the last book doesn't continue in the same vein but tells a little more of Angelique and Everest (there were such possibilities there) giving the reader a story worth reading. Ms Shea is a gifted writer even if a little wordy in description at times. I will hope for better.
I was hoping for more of the storyline about the main characters. I can understand weaving in some of her other stories to give a timeline reference maybe, but to give so much attention to them was frustrating to say the least. I hope the last book doesn't continue in the same vein but tells a little more of Angelique and Everest (there were such possibilities there) giving the reader a story worth reading. Ms Shea is a gifted writer even if a little wordy in description at times. I will hope for better.
November 4, 2020
Not Quite What I Expected...
A little disappointed in the way the book took a turn. As to not accidentally include any spoilers, I’ll just say that I was a little disappointed when a main character wasn’t included as prominently as before.
I will also add that from reading O’Shea’s works in the past, I do have faith they will be back in the final if this trilogy.
Looking forward to book 3 and am off to read it now.
A little disappointed in the way the book took a turn. As to not accidentally include any spoilers, I’ll just say that I was a little disappointed when a main character wasn’t included as prominently as before.
I will also add that from reading O’Shea’s works in the past, I do have faith they will be back in the final if this trilogy.
Looking forward to book 3 and am off to read it now.
February 28, 2021
Just keeps getting better
Like most people, I read other reviews before purchasing a book. Others spoke of how frustrating it is that Angelique continues to doubt herself and that at times her inner dialogue sounds like a broken record. I disagree. Yes she is still hesitant to use her magic, but there is still growth and, in my opinion, great character development occuring. I look forward to seeing how this series unfolds in the last book!
Like most people, I read other reviews before purchasing a book. Others spoke of how frustrating it is that Angelique continues to doubt herself and that at times her inner dialogue sounds like a broken record. I disagree. Yes she is still hesitant to use her magic, but there is still growth and, in my opinion, great character development occuring. I look forward to seeing how this series unfolds in the last book!
January 10, 2023
I love this book! Maybe my favorite book in the series - Beauty and the Beast spin-off finally! I love it; would recommend it to anyone who like fantasy, fairy tales, clean romance, or sarcastic girl bosses. Lots of strong female characters who are not afraid to take charge. Love these books!
April 14, 2019
Great book
I fully enjoyed this book and it was great fun to see everything from Angelique's point of view! Can't wait for the next one!
I fully enjoyed this book and it was great fun to see everything from Angelique's point of view! Can't wait for the next one!
April 13, 2019
Oh. My. Goodness. This book was everything I thought it would be and more! Readers of Kitty's Timeless Fairy Tale series will recognize many of the scenes that appear in this book (it has spoilers for Beauty and the Beast, Wild Swans, Cinderella and the Colonel, Puss in Boots, and Sleeping Beauty, and there's a scene from the beginning of The Little Selkie, too), but rest assured that this book is not a cut-and-paste story of what we already know. Getting to see it all from Angelique's perspective adds so many new layers! There was a lot more happening behind the scenes of (and in between) those fairytales that I didn't realize, like Angel's dealings with the Conclave, and her search for Evariste shows some solid depth and sense of progression. I worried that her search would be haphazard and blind at best, and while Angel feels that way herself sometimes, she actually makes a fair amount of progress, and there's a definite method to her madness.
Speaking of Evariste, can I reach into this book and give him a hug and deny the world any access to him? No? Drat. You do get a few scenes from Evariste's point of view, but only a few, which is probably for the best, because each one will break your heart. This book covers a solid four (maybe a little more?) years, and Evariste gets put through mental, emotional, and physical torture throughout all of it. That being said, there's no gore, and his scenes don't last long enough / come frequently enough to make the story drag. It's more like Kitty punches you in the gut and then moves on. Four times. *hugs Evariste close*
I enjoyed seeing development for so many of the other characters, too! We get to watch Angel's friendship develop with Elle (from Beauty and the Beast) and Gabi (from Puss in Boots and Wild Swans) in ways that those individual books didn't get the chance to show. We see more character development for Puss/Roland and how he and Gabi strengthen one another, but he still cares for Angel. We see Pegasus provide some much-needed moral support for our ragged and lonely heroine. We watch Clovicus take on a larger role in support of Angel. We get to see Stil again and how his relationship with Angel has grown. And this amazing supporting cast shows off a different part of Angel and her development as a character, and ugh, it's so beautiful!
This book is one of Kitty's longest (if not *the* longest) to date, and I was on the edge of my seat for every second of it. I can't wait for Reign of Magic! Curse of Magic is a clean read, full of action and adventure but no gore, no cursing, and no sex. I will now be hiding in a cave, rereading the entire Timeless Fairy Tales series in preparation for Reign of Magic's release in July. *squeal*
Speaking of Evariste, can I reach into this book and give him a hug and deny the world any access to him? No? Drat. You do get a few scenes from Evariste's point of view, but only a few, which is probably for the best, because each one will break your heart. This book covers a solid four (maybe a little more?) years, and Evariste gets put through mental, emotional, and physical torture throughout all of it. That being said, there's no gore, and his scenes don't last long enough / come frequently enough to make the story drag. It's more like Kitty punches you in the gut and then moves on. Four times. *hugs Evariste close*
I enjoyed seeing development for so many of the other characters, too! We get to watch Angel's friendship develop with Elle (from Beauty and the Beast) and Gabi (from Puss in Boots and Wild Swans) in ways that those individual books didn't get the chance to show. We see more character development for Puss/Roland and how he and Gabi strengthen one another, but he still cares for Angel. We see Pegasus provide some much-needed moral support for our ragged and lonely heroine. We watch Clovicus take on a larger role in support of Angel. We get to see Stil again and how his relationship with Angel has grown. And this amazing supporting cast shows off a different part of Angel and her development as a character, and ugh, it's so beautiful!
This book is one of Kitty's longest (if not *the* longest) to date, and I was on the edge of my seat for every second of it. I can't wait for Reign of Magic! Curse of Magic is a clean read, full of action and adventure but no gore, no cursing, and no sex. I will now be hiding in a cave, rereading the entire Timeless Fairy Tales series in preparation for Reign of Magic's release in July. *squeal*
June 4, 2019
I really liked this behind-the-scenes look at what was going on with Enchantress-in-Training Angelique during the early Timeless Fairy Tales books (Beauty and the Beast, The Wild Swans, Cinderella and the Colonel, Puss in Boots, and The Little Selkie, and we see the setup for Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin and The Twelve Dancing Princesses). How K.M. Shea managed to keep all of this straight and set up everything really is astounding.
For those worried, this book isn't a rehash of anything that happened in the individual Timeless Fairy Tale books. Rather, it concerns what Angelique, who flits in and out acting as magical help when things get too dire, was doing during that time. You don't have to have read all the books to enjoy this one, either, though it helps to at least have a general idea of who the characters are and what's going on--of the books mentioned above, I've only read Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Little Selkie, and I was fine. You also don't have to have read Apprentice of Magic, either; I skipped right to this one and had no trouble.
It was very interesting to see how insecure Angelique was in reality, behind the cool and in-control front that she presents to the non-magical characters. Without her teacher Evariste, Angelique is not only adrift, unable to take her exam to become a full enchantress, but she is also hounded by the council that governs magical affairs. They fear her sheer raw power, and the fact that her powers are based in war magic, and no matter how hard Angelique tries to follow their rules they always find fault. She's found a second mentor in Clovicus, Evariste's teacher, but she is largely on her own. However, she's determined to do the most good possible for others while searching for Evariste. Despite the fact that she's not sure herself whether she's the monster the council believes her to be, she reveals that at her center is an inner fire of goodness, proving that choosing what to do with power is far more important than having it.
I'm not sure how I feel about Evariste's feelings for Angelique, given that not only is he her teacher but she seems kind of down on romantic love in general. She acknowledges it as a powerful force and it's one of the few things she knows is strong enough to break a curse--which is why she uses it as a trigger so often--but seems not interested in it for herself. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out in future books.
For those worried, this book isn't a rehash of anything that happened in the individual Timeless Fairy Tale books. Rather, it concerns what Angelique, who flits in and out acting as magical help when things get too dire, was doing during that time. You don't have to have read all the books to enjoy this one, either, though it helps to at least have a general idea of who the characters are and what's going on--of the books mentioned above, I've only read Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Little Selkie, and I was fine. You also don't have to have read Apprentice of Magic, either; I skipped right to this one and had no trouble.
It was very interesting to see how insecure Angelique was in reality, behind the cool and in-control front that she presents to the non-magical characters. Without her teacher Evariste, Angelique is not only adrift, unable to take her exam to become a full enchantress, but she is also hounded by the council that governs magical affairs. They fear her sheer raw power, and the fact that her powers are based in war magic, and no matter how hard Angelique tries to follow their rules they always find fault. She's found a second mentor in Clovicus, Evariste's teacher, but she is largely on her own. However, she's determined to do the most good possible for others while searching for Evariste. Despite the fact that she's not sure herself whether she's the monster the council believes her to be, she reveals that at her center is an inner fire of goodness, proving that choosing what to do with power is far more important than having it.
I'm not sure how I feel about Evariste's feelings for Angelique, given that not only is he her teacher but she seems kind of down on romantic love in general. She acknowledges it as a powerful force and it's one of the few things she knows is strong enough to break a curse--which is why she uses it as a trigger so often--but seems not interested in it for herself. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out in future books.
April 25, 2021
A light, fun read set in an awesome fairy tale world.
Curse of Magic is the 2nd book in the Fairy Tale Enchantress series, and takes place at the same time as the Timeless Fairy Tales(with the exception of The Snow Queen), from a different point of view.
The world building gets 5 stars from me, I love the continent she's created and all the factions within. This series has been building up for so many books, so I'm completely invested in what's going to happen and can't wait to find out more.
The characters get 3 stars from me. They're likeable, but one-dimensional. They're defined so often by one trait that it feels repetitive to read about. (i.e., Angelique and her war magic, Evariste and his feelings for Angelique, etc.) Subtlety is not the style of these books- if there is anything to be known about a character, you will get the information thrown at you like a pile of bricks. Repeatedly.
The romance is barely there but the little that's there is sweet and cliche and predictable and only a little bit cringy. Not my favorite of K. M. Shea's romances (probably the Snow Queen wins that one, with the whole bad to good thing), but not the worst either (looking at you, Sleeping Beauty. Isaiah was THE WORST.)
But overall, I like this series and I'm a fan of K. M. Shea's work. Her books are fun, light, enjoyable reads and I love the overarching story of it all. I also appreciate that her retellings are more than just the overdone "fairy tale but make it dark" cliche. 4/5 stars, good for comfort/easy/relaxing reading.
Curse of Magic is the 2nd book in the Fairy Tale Enchantress series, and takes place at the same time as the Timeless Fairy Tales(with the exception of The Snow Queen), from a different point of view.
The world building gets 5 stars from me, I love the continent she's created and all the factions within. This series has been building up for so many books, so I'm completely invested in what's going to happen and can't wait to find out more.
The characters get 3 stars from me. They're likeable, but one-dimensional. They're defined so often by one trait that it feels repetitive to read about. (i.e., Angelique and her war magic, Evariste and his feelings for Angelique, etc.) Subtlety is not the style of these books- if there is anything to be known about a character, you will get the information thrown at you like a pile of bricks. Repeatedly.
The romance is barely there but the little that's there is sweet and cliche and predictable and only a little bit cringy. Not my favorite of K. M. Shea's romances (probably the Snow Queen wins that one, with the whole bad to good thing), but not the worst either (looking at you, Sleeping Beauty. Isaiah was THE WORST.)
But overall, I like this series and I'm a fan of K. M. Shea's work. Her books are fun, light, enjoyable reads and I love the overarching story of it all. I also appreciate that her retellings are more than just the overdone "fairy tale but make it dark" cliche. 4/5 stars, good for comfort/easy/relaxing reading.
July 5, 2019
In this, the second of the Fairy Tale Enchantress series, centered upon Angelique, Enchantress-in-training, we find Angelique seemingly no closer to finding her Master, Lord Enchanter Evariste. She is doggedly searching the countries of this world, breaking or modifying curses (so that they can be broken) that are affecting the royal families. This is a very well-written, well edited series. It's definitely clean enough for teens and pre-teens. Angelique is a bit frustrating, there are times I want to reach into the book and shake her! She has the power and ability to do more than she does, but is insecure and is afraid of her core magic. Her growing power and confidence is a big part of the story though, and it's interesting to read a series with a heroine that is a, for lack of a better word, an anti-heroine.
You can read this series stand alone, put please read the Timeless Fairy Tales first. Also on KU, they're excellent, engrossing, and give the background stories that go hand in hand with the Fairy Tale Enchantress series. Simply wonderful writing with so many great stories and characters linked together with the Fairy Tale Enchantress. I normally don't get started on series that go on as long as the Timeless Fairy Tales with spin-offs, but I've enjoyed every one of these books and haven't tired of it at all. I will enjoy this series again!
You can read this series stand alone, put please read the Timeless Fairy Tales first. Also on KU, they're excellent, engrossing, and give the background stories that go hand in hand with the Fairy Tale Enchantress series. Simply wonderful writing with so many great stories and characters linked together with the Fairy Tale Enchantress. I normally don't get started on series that go on as long as the Timeless Fairy Tales with spin-offs, but I've enjoyed every one of these books and haven't tired of it at all. I will enjoy this series again!
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