Curse Queen

Forbidden Forest #4

by Amber Argyle

A warrior enchantress. An unrequited love. A brand new fairytale...

The path of a warrior enchantress is bathed in blood and magic.

Born to one of the most powerful families in the kingdom, Eiryss lives a life of luxury and magic. Until her father commits the ultimate act of treason.

Treason that sparks a war.

The life Eiryss knew is over. Her one-time friends are gone. All but Ramass. And if he would just look at her - touch her - the way she longs for, she might be able to bear it. But his heart belongs to another. There is only one path for Eiryss now: become a warrior enchantress and fight for what's rightfully hers. And if the powers that be deny her, well...

If they won't give Eiryss magic, she'll steal it.

CURSE QUEEN is a new fairy tale with hints of Snow White and Mulan. Though it fits best as the final book in the Forbidden Forest Series, it can be read as a stand alone.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Ebooks

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2021

About the author

Amber Argyle is the bestselling fantasy & romance author of the Forbidden Forest, Fairy Queens, Witch Song, & Wild Heart Ranch Romance series. Her award-winning books have been translated into several languages and praised by such authors as NYT bestsellers David Farland and Jennifer A. Nielsen.

Amber grew up on a cattle ranch and spent her formative years in the rodeo circuit and on the basketball court. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University. She’s delightfully sarcastic, loves all things outdoors, and believes spiders should be relegated to horror novels where they belong.

She has completed three series and is working on a fourth.

To receive her starter library of four free books, simply tell her where to send it: http://amberargyle.com/freebooks/

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, okay. So, this book is the fourth book in this series and really should be read in order. Even though this story is set in time before the rest of the books, it will have spoilers and trust me when I say you don't want that. Nope, better to read this series in order and be spoiler free.

I took me a quick minute to remember what this book was. I didn't realize (or remember) that this book was set back, back, back in time, before the other books in this series. I was a bit confused at first, thinking I had missed something. Only one character name was etched into my memory (Ramass) but it all came back to me quickly.

This is the story that started it all. Good versus evil, light versus darkness. There was literally a battle through the whole book. This author is so good at crafting characters who are complex and flawed but have such a gravitational pull to them. I literally couldn't look away. I became invested in the story quickly. It is on the darker side. There is heartbreak, pain and devastation throughout but there is also a tiny thread of hope, friendship and strength. Eiryss is definitely a strong woman who keeps getting thrown down (stomped on, lied to, beaten) but keeps getting up. She just doesn't ever give up. How can you not admire that?

I'll admit that here, at the end, I am a bit sad. This part of the tale isn't happy. Engaging, interesting, yes. Happy, no. Happy comes later in the story but wow, what a journey. I've been reading books by author Amber Argyle for a long time because she is so good at this dark fantasy type of book. It's different from most things I read and I really like that.

Content: violence, peril. Kissing. Intimate relations behind closed doors.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, enchanting, intriguing. As with any book from this author, the characters are strong and well-written and I was immediately pulled into the story. I always enjoy books I read from Amber Argyle. Her stories are always an adventure, with a story well told.

[T.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

You certainly can't skip this one if you've read the rest of the series, but it is darker, sadder, and has more sexual content than the other books. And since it's a prequel, you already know how it's going to end, but it's an upsetting road getting there. I wouldn't recommend reading this first.

[Lene Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most intense book I have read in a year.
My heart is bleeding and breaking for the forsaken love and young people condemned to suffering worse than death. There are hints and essential details of this story already in the main trilogy, as well as the closure, but this story reveals so much more. About Eiryss and Ramass, Ture, Hagath, and Vicil. About one king whose greed condemned whole kingdoms and brought darkness into the world. About skillful manipulation and change of character.
It was brilliantly written, there weren't lately many books that would've managed to surprise me with plot twists. Here? One after another. Especially towards the end I felt like Eiryss, not able to say friend from foe anymore. A lot was revealed in the last few chapters, showing the true characters and the real forces behind all the events that happened.
My heart was aching for Eiryss, barely an adult when her life turned into disaster and kept falling apart. The spoiled, snobbish, reckless girl grew up rapidly, and though it's sad, the war and loss brought up the best in her, polishing her into a shining diamond willing to sacrifice everything for those she loved, willing to bring justice and protect her people instead of herself. She was the queen Valynthia needed but never got.
But the one person for whom my heart bleeds the most is Ramass. Because while Eiryss' life turned into chaos and grief, his fate was much worse. Learning that the person you loved and looked up to is not the one you thought, being forced to do things he would never do otherwise and helplessly watch, watching people you love die, murdered, used, executed, locked by magic like a puppet.. it takes a heroic will not to break and go mad. To endure so much grief and pain and no even lose his temper. His last words spoken to Eiryss before the shadows took him away were probably the most intense and emotional moment in the whole story. Simple words carrying such a strong message.
I absolutely loved it, and given enough time, will go back and reread the whole series again. The whole story. Because the author was right in her note, even though never planned, Eiryss and Ramass deserved to have their story told.

[Frida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curse Queen is the fourth book in the Forbidden Forest series, following lady Eiryss and the events leading up to the unbreakable curse and the beginning of the original trilogy. It is a prequel story and can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading them in order since Curse Queen includes some spoilers you might not want before diving into Stolen Enchantress.

I have loved every book in the Forbidden Forest series and Curse Queen is not an exception. Prequel stories can be tricky, and they sometimes feel unnecessary, but I never felt that way with Curse Queen. Eiryss' story was one that just needed to be told and I'm happy we got the chance to follow her journey and growth. She's a complex character. Having lived her whole life in luxury as part of one of the most powerful families in the kingdom, she's extremely entitled and self-absorbed, totally oblivious to the struggles and pain of the people not born into royalty and nobility. However, throughout the story she confronts her privileges and slowly begins to listen, learn and grow. She's a strong and determined woman who perseveres despite being confronted with the more harrowing event after the other.

The complexity of the characters is one of the things I love the most with Argyle's books. The characters are always interesting and well-written, no matter how big or small part they play in the bigger story. The supporting and minor characters get as much love as the main character.

Curse Queen is an intense read and I was so immersed in the story that I read it all in one sitting. It's definitely the darkest in the series - it's a constant battle from beginning to end with so much heartbreak and pain. The stakes are high, and you never know who to trust - betrayal is lurking in every corner. The plot is fast paced, filled with intrigue, action and suspense. I did see some of the twists coming, but it did not make them any less enjoyable. Sometimes it can be just as rewarding to see your suspicions come true as being surprised by an unexpected twist.

The book is not all darkness though. As always, Argyle sprinkle just enough hope, love and happiness for me not to end up as a pool of tears and despair at the end. I do love books that are bittersweet though, so I have nothing to complain about. It's perfect. I'm very happy Argyle gave us this one last adventure in the world I've grown to love so much. The setting is so magical and vivid, drawing me in and making me feel part of the story. Curse Queen may be the end of the series, but I know I will come back to it many, many times. I’ve already started a re-read of the first book, Stolen Enchantress, and it is, if possible, even better the second time around. Knowing what has been and what is to come somehow enhance the story and what I already love, rather than spoiling it.

If you haven’t started the Forbidden Forest series yet and you want a magical, fairytale inspired fantasy with intrigue, adventure, love and complex characters, I really recommend you pick up Stolen Enchantress. And if you have already read the original trilogy, you do not want to miss the amazing prequel that is Curse Queen. However, if you don’t mind spoilers there’s nothing stopping you from reading Curse Queen right away. It is a great story, both as a standalone and part of the series.

[Tiffany Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warrior enchantress and an unrequited love lead to a brand new fairy tale.
"You are the granddaughter of a Queen." Eiryss has heard this her entire life and got used to the power that just seemed to be her birthright as a member of one of the most powerful families in the Kingdom. Eiryss is used to living a life of luxury and magic until, in one moment, everything falls apart. Her father commits the ultimate act of treason, and sparks a war between Valynthia and the Alamant. All of a sudden, the influence she's always had is gone, her powerful friends are gone. All she has left is the Prince, Ramass, only his heart belongs to another. There is only one path that is available to Eiryss, to become a warrior enchantress and fight for what's rightfully hers and clear her family name. And, if the powers that be will deny her the magic that should be hers, she'll steal it.

In this Forbidden Forest prequel, Amber Argyle answers all the lingering questions I had after the rest of the series. This is the story that tells how it all began: how the wraiths and the curse began, how the Valynthians and Alamantians became enemies, the story of how the great tree became ill, the story behind their sigils. Amber truly has a incredible talent at creating characters that are so incredibly complex and inherently flawed that you can't help but feel exactly what they are. She even had my feelings wavering on Ramass. After reading the first books, I wanted to hate him and I did, for parts of this book, but she had me seeing his point of view, too. Amber also has a knack for world building and making you see this amazingly beautiful land that she's created and written an entire history for. I'm simultaneously happy to have answers to questions and sad to see my time in the Forbidden Forest come to an end.

[Ashley Desmarair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Argyle done did it again!!! What an amazing and intriguing story of betrayal and unexpected twists that you didn't see coming! We get to see how the curse started and Eiryss and Ramass love came to be and blossom.

"I may be only one girl. But given the chance, one girl can change everything"

Wow just wow! That line stood out to me the most! Miss Argyle has this amazing style in which we do not only see our heroine fall in love, we see her grow, develop as a person and most importantly develop their own sense of self-a Woman, a QUEEN!!! . We see our first Queen Eiryss do what must be done to save her loved ones and her people. We see her turn into a true sense of a Queen and I am HERE FOR IT!! If you haven't already SNATCH THE BOOK ALREADY!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!! :D

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Amber’s Fairy Queen’s series, I was quick to sign up for her newest book, Curse Queen, book four in her Forbidden Forest series. This book captivated the fantasy lover in me from the beginning until the very end. This is the story of how the battle for Good vs Evil began with Queen Eiryss after her father is killed and she takes his place on the throne. As Eiryss grows from the spoiled little girl into the queen Valynthia deserved but never got to have, we watch her grow and do everything she can to save her people and her loved ones from suffering. A lot of pain and struggle eventually lead to a little happiness, and an ending to a beautiful fantasy series. I am really looking forward to the next world this author creates.

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kings, Queens, Princesses, Lords and Lady's is the story behind this book. The trials of the Alamantians and Valynthians fighting over what? Eiryss was going to school to be an enchanted when chaos broke out and her father was killed as was lots of other people. Easy to blame the Alamantians as they were the enemy, but Eiryss lost her standing and everything was taken from her and the family. A lovely tree was the center of life as everyone knew it, the Silver Tree that had thorns, good and bad. Eiryss stole some thorns and became a strong enchantress. The story is sad and happy and with a little love,of course. Great storytelling! A good read.

[Angelic C Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good finishing

This book was a good finish to the Forbbin Forest. It answers a lot of questions in the series. The author did not rush this book and put a lot of detail into the story. The series blended very well.

[Sandy Dubois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the complete series: First off.... the writing is lovely and flows well. Possible spoiler alert.
I've come to love the characters, even Larkin. Although, she is absolutely annoying with what she says at times, and her naivety is frustrating. It truly shows her youth. I get why they choose teenage girls, but honestly, they shouldn't be marrying them until they're in their early 20s, as these "girls" are dumb!
Denan's age isn't really provided, but I assume he's in his 20s. He already has so much more knowledge and such control of his emotions, I just wish Larkin had some, along with a strong dose of common sense.
Otherwise, the story itself is awesome. I love the good versus evil aspect.

[Revka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another outstanding book by Amber Argyle

[『Jackeline 』 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐

De mis mejores lecturas del año

[Mhor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did love this, but it left me with some serious questions. Maybe if it had been longer, or there had been 2 books it might have answered some questions.

Also makes me want to read Wraith King again in case that helps answer some of my questions.

All that aside, it was a great emotional story, beautifully told with flawed and complex characters that you hold dearly in your heart.