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A Balance of Magic #2
Cursed
Two friends. Two worlds. A selfish desire that threatens them both.
Raijin killed a witch and found himself cursed.
Sandro went to Raijin's aid and became an assassin's target.
Neither expected that they would trigger the biggest upheaval their world had seen in a thousand years.
And that it was the love between them that would lift the curse.
Cursed, the second book in the Balance of Magic series, is a slow-burn m/m fantasy romance featuring friends-to-lovers who become soulmates, irate death gods, curses, inept, narcissistic politicians, curious, compassionate witches, and a found family.
Raijin killed a witch and found himself cursed.
Sandro went to Raijin's aid and became an assassin's target.
Neither expected that they would trigger the biggest upheaval their world had seen in a thousand years.
And that it was the love between them that would lift the curse.
Cursed, the second book in the Balance of Magic series, is a slow-burn m/m fantasy romance featuring friends-to-lovers who become soulmates, irate death gods, curses, inept, narcissistic politicians, curious, compassionate witches, and a found family.
- GenresFantasy
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2022
2 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Keswick
47 books138 followersJackie Keswick writes a mix of suspense, action adventure, fantasy and magical realism. She loves stories with layers, plots with twists and characters with hidden depths. She adores friends to lovers stories, tales of unexpected reunions and second chances, and men who write their own rules. She blogs about English history and food, has a thing for green eyes, and is a great believer in making up soundtracks for everything, including her characters and the cat.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 23, 2022
Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this book does it justice. The characters are beautifully developed, interesting people whose connection to each other is clear and strong. The world building feels immersive and exciting, so not only are there compelling protagonists to root for but their lives unfold against a fascinating backdrop. There are also some intriguing supporting characters and overall, it makes for a really enjoyable, immersive reading experience.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 23, 2022
Once again, I was thoroughly entertained by the second novel from “A Balance of Magic” series by Jackie Keswick. It’s futuristic, fantasy that is amazing with a wonderful romance included!
Commander Tan Hao of the Custodia Clan, cancelled the summer Solstice Council. With a threat, each clan sent a designated hunter to Dimmuborgir to deal with it. None of the twelve hunters returned. What was the truth about this tragic accident? Now, the Elders of the clans meet again to send another twelve designated hunters to fulfill the clans obligation.
With the death of his parents, young Sandro was not accepted by Elder Pietro of the Lugano Clan. He was sent to Commander Tan Hao, of the Custodia Clan. There Sandro grew up always wondering what really happened to his parents and with the feeling of never being accepted by his true clan. The only other clan elder he had felt a connection with was Gedele Perkhon of the Latvian Clan. Sandro studied and trained, he became an expert watcher and skilled hunter. The one thing that he loved and felt the most comfort from was the trees and nature. Sandro has also been requested to replace the lost hunter for the clan.
Raiijin lived in Japan among the Yamakage Clan, with his father Rakurai. He studied and worked hard and possesses magic and abilities beyond belief. He’s also an expert hunter. Rakurai was a great hunter and was sent to Dimmuborgir to deal with a threat and never returned. Six months after the tragedy, Clan Elder Daisuke calls on Raiijin and informs him of his fathers fate and delivers a mysterious missive from Rakurai. Daisuke also requests that he replace his father as a hunter for their clan. With the secrets of the missive Raiijin leaves his home for Italy.
When Raiijin arrives in Italy the first person he meets is Sandro. They become friends and are sent out on some very questionable and dangerous assignments. When a curse is placed upon one of them will they and find a way to survive it?
Jackie Keswick amazed me with “Caught” the first book of “A Balance of Magic” series and she continued to do that with “Cursed”. I truly like how this is written, it’s easily understood and her imagination and descriptions are vivid and amazing. “Cursed” is an adventurous novel with danger, surprises, secrets, warmth and romance.
Just as much as I loved, Rakuari and Tenzen from “Caught”, I loved Raiijin, with all his courage and Sandro with his shyness. They are all fantastic, warm and loving characters. Shinigami Okandi, is interesting, being the eldest death god and her advice to Raiijin and Sandro.
This novel has all types of unique ideas, how the Yuvine age. The damage humans did when they learned of the veil and the transit of souls. Different ethnicities: Japanese, Italian, Irish, Jewish, etc., that each clan was built from and various religions.
History of Yamakage Jumon, the first Yuvine, who came from the Otherworld and founded the Yamakage Clan. Witches and what they believed. Demons: rafeet, krull, souruita, bane and what happens to their souls when they are dead. There’s also political corruption within several of the clans that use the hunters for gain. And so much more that make this an exciting novel.
I highly recommend reading “Caught” first, that introduce Rakuari and Tenzen. I’m excited to see what Jackie Keswick will bring to the next novel in this incredible series!
Commander Tan Hao of the Custodia Clan, cancelled the summer Solstice Council. With a threat, each clan sent a designated hunter to Dimmuborgir to deal with it. None of the twelve hunters returned. What was the truth about this tragic accident? Now, the Elders of the clans meet again to send another twelve designated hunters to fulfill the clans obligation.
With the death of his parents, young Sandro was not accepted by Elder Pietro of the Lugano Clan. He was sent to Commander Tan Hao, of the Custodia Clan. There Sandro grew up always wondering what really happened to his parents and with the feeling of never being accepted by his true clan. The only other clan elder he had felt a connection with was Gedele Perkhon of the Latvian Clan. Sandro studied and trained, he became an expert watcher and skilled hunter. The one thing that he loved and felt the most comfort from was the trees and nature. Sandro has also been requested to replace the lost hunter for the clan.
Raiijin lived in Japan among the Yamakage Clan, with his father Rakurai. He studied and worked hard and possesses magic and abilities beyond belief. He’s also an expert hunter. Rakurai was a great hunter and was sent to Dimmuborgir to deal with a threat and never returned. Six months after the tragedy, Clan Elder Daisuke calls on Raiijin and informs him of his fathers fate and delivers a mysterious missive from Rakurai. Daisuke also requests that he replace his father as a hunter for their clan. With the secrets of the missive Raiijin leaves his home for Italy.
When Raiijin arrives in Italy the first person he meets is Sandro. They become friends and are sent out on some very questionable and dangerous assignments. When a curse is placed upon one of them will they and find a way to survive it?
Jackie Keswick amazed me with “Caught” the first book of “A Balance of Magic” series and she continued to do that with “Cursed”. I truly like how this is written, it’s easily understood and her imagination and descriptions are vivid and amazing. “Cursed” is an adventurous novel with danger, surprises, secrets, warmth and romance.
Just as much as I loved, Rakuari and Tenzen from “Caught”, I loved Raiijin, with all his courage and Sandro with his shyness. They are all fantastic, warm and loving characters. Shinigami Okandi, is interesting, being the eldest death god and her advice to Raiijin and Sandro.
This novel has all types of unique ideas, how the Yuvine age. The damage humans did when they learned of the veil and the transit of souls. Different ethnicities: Japanese, Italian, Irish, Jewish, etc., that each clan was built from and various religions.
History of Yamakage Jumon, the first Yuvine, who came from the Otherworld and founded the Yamakage Clan. Witches and what they believed. Demons: rafeet, krull, souruita, bane and what happens to their souls when they are dead. There’s also political corruption within several of the clans that use the hunters for gain. And so much more that make this an exciting novel.
I highly recommend reading “Caught” first, that introduce Rakuari and Tenzen. I’m excited to see what Jackie Keswick will bring to the next novel in this incredible series!
March 27, 2022
Reviewed for Love Bytes – 4 hearts
Hunters that represent clans from around the world gather at the Custodia to protect humans from demons. The general populous does not know about demons and wish to remain in the dark. Therefore, the hunters are a secret society that travels within the veils of the universe. Raijin and Sandro are two such hunters from very different backgrounds whose journey to happiness is littered with demons, agism, fear, politics, and things unknown. Outcast, feared, and revered, the decades bring Sandro and Raijin together to form a bond no one can break.
Cursed is book two in the Balance of Magic series. I thought book one, Caught, was complex, but this was even more so. Raijin hails from Japan, Sandro from Italy, and when partnered at the Custodia, they are sent on worldwide missions, making this a globetrotting experience.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Raijin and Sandro. However, the odd sneaky voice from a third party also emerges. With events taking place all over the world and via multiple veils, world-building is intricate and extensive. The horrors of war were particularly effective. Inter-Clan politics is a huge feature – this aspect can be messy in the real world, let alone in a fantasy novel. This made for multiple twists and story turns.
Raijin is the son of Rakurai from book one, and the story arc from there merges with the arc from book two, as do some characters. I loved it when Rakurai and Tenzen made an appearance. Time with them was among my favorite scenes. Sandro loves his fashion, but his familial experience was the opposite of Raijin’s, and his story is as dramatic as it is heartbreaking. Their pairing was a lovely dynamic one.
The timeline of this story spans more than a century. And as the tale is a slow burn, this leaves a lot of information to fit in, and despite date-stamps appearing, I found them somewhat of a brain-ache. So, I tended to ignore them, and, as a result, I got on better with the story.
In one respect, Cursed is a magnificent piece of writing. It is an involved read, cleverly put together, covering hurt, comfort, politics, conspiracies, memory manipulation, war, extended senses, magic, injury, love, fantasy, other worlds, and more; almost everything but the kitchen sink was included. Some parts were truly mind-blowing (in a good way). But, there was a bit too much going on for my brain power to comprehend. There were catch-up points, which was helpful, but there were also multiple repetitions of some aspects. Although I appreciated the enthusiasm for each location and situation, I think I’d have enjoyed it more if there was a little less intricacy to the worldbuilding, and more to the end. The final percentage felt like I was running out of pages for this episode of the story to be completed.
As the middle book of what appears to be a trilogy, it was always destined to be a story development phase. Effectively a story within a story. Therefore, I look forward to book three, where there will hopefully be some resolutions. And as much as I liked the pairing of Raijin and Sandro, my top boys remain Rakurai and Tenzen.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
Hunters that represent clans from around the world gather at the Custodia to protect humans from demons. The general populous does not know about demons and wish to remain in the dark. Therefore, the hunters are a secret society that travels within the veils of the universe. Raijin and Sandro are two such hunters from very different backgrounds whose journey to happiness is littered with demons, agism, fear, politics, and things unknown. Outcast, feared, and revered, the decades bring Sandro and Raijin together to form a bond no one can break.
Cursed is book two in the Balance of Magic series. I thought book one, Caught, was complex, but this was even more so. Raijin hails from Japan, Sandro from Italy, and when partnered at the Custodia, they are sent on worldwide missions, making this a globetrotting experience.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Raijin and Sandro. However, the odd sneaky voice from a third party also emerges. With events taking place all over the world and via multiple veils, world-building is intricate and extensive. The horrors of war were particularly effective. Inter-Clan politics is a huge feature – this aspect can be messy in the real world, let alone in a fantasy novel. This made for multiple twists and story turns.
Raijin is the son of Rakurai from book one, and the story arc from there merges with the arc from book two, as do some characters. I loved it when Rakurai and Tenzen made an appearance. Time with them was among my favorite scenes. Sandro loves his fashion, but his familial experience was the opposite of Raijin’s, and his story is as dramatic as it is heartbreaking. Their pairing was a lovely dynamic one.
The timeline of this story spans more than a century. And as the tale is a slow burn, this leaves a lot of information to fit in, and despite date-stamps appearing, I found them somewhat of a brain-ache. So, I tended to ignore them, and, as a result, I got on better with the story.
In one respect, Cursed is a magnificent piece of writing. It is an involved read, cleverly put together, covering hurt, comfort, politics, conspiracies, memory manipulation, war, extended senses, magic, injury, love, fantasy, other worlds, and more; almost everything but the kitchen sink was included. Some parts were truly mind-blowing (in a good way). But, there was a bit too much going on for my brain power to comprehend. There were catch-up points, which was helpful, but there were also multiple repetitions of some aspects. Although I appreciated the enthusiasm for each location and situation, I think I’d have enjoyed it more if there was a little less intricacy to the worldbuilding, and more to the end. The final percentage felt like I was running out of pages for this episode of the story to be completed.
As the middle book of what appears to be a trilogy, it was always destined to be a story development phase. Effectively a story within a story. Therefore, I look forward to book three, where there will hopefully be some resolutions. And as much as I liked the pairing of Raijin and Sandro, my top boys remain Rakurai and Tenzen.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
April 2, 2022
*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
Cursed is the second book in the A Balance of Magic series. Picking up where the first book left off, we find Raijin trying to make sense of the events and their aftermath, as well as being appointed the new hunter for the Yamakage Clan.
Sandro is an orphan born into the Lugano Clan, but ostracised for reasons unknown to him after his parents’ death. Instead, he is raised in the Custodia, always wondering the truth of his past. When Raijin arrives at the Custodia, he is partnered with Sandro and the two quickly form a close friendship, which eventually turns into something more. Together they face demons and witches, whilst both trying to unravel secrets from their pasts.
I really enjoyed reading the second instalment to the series. It expanded greatly on the world created in the first novel. I loved how the author wove different mythologies and cultures together to create something truly unique. The characters of Raijin and Sandro were very different from each other. Raijin’s self-assurance contrasts against Sandro’s inverted nature, but the two just work perfectly together despite being opposites. I was also glad to see the inclusion of Rakurai and Tenzen from book one in the series, and I cannot wait to see what will happen next!
Cursed is the second book in the A Balance of Magic series. Picking up where the first book left off, we find Raijin trying to make sense of the events and their aftermath, as well as being appointed the new hunter for the Yamakage Clan.
Sandro is an orphan born into the Lugano Clan, but ostracised for reasons unknown to him after his parents’ death. Instead, he is raised in the Custodia, always wondering the truth of his past. When Raijin arrives at the Custodia, he is partnered with Sandro and the two quickly form a close friendship, which eventually turns into something more. Together they face demons and witches, whilst both trying to unravel secrets from their pasts.
I really enjoyed reading the second instalment to the series. It expanded greatly on the world created in the first novel. I loved how the author wove different mythologies and cultures together to create something truly unique. The characters of Raijin and Sandro were very different from each other. Raijin’s self-assurance contrasts against Sandro’s inverted nature, but the two just work perfectly together despite being opposites. I was also glad to see the inclusion of Rakurai and Tenzen from book one in the series, and I cannot wait to see what will happen next!
March 24, 2022
This was a great, and somewhat unexpected, story to follow Caught. In Caught, we met Rakurai and Tenzen and watched them fall in love as they battled assassins and uncovered a plot that could destroy the world. In Cursed, we follow Rakurai’s son Raijin’s blossoming friendship with Sandro, and discover that the plot is still alive and well. Raijin and Sandro will have to work together to stay safe and protect everything they love.
I particularly enjoyed watching their relationship develop from the first day, over a hundred years of teasing, working together, and being best friends. The love is there, almost from the beginning, but it’s complicated. There are a few rather funny moments, and more than a few that had me clenching my teeth. I struggled to put the book down when I had to do life things, and I am already desperate for the promised finale. Jackie writes the best fantasy, grounded in real life and so very relatable. I received an advance copy in return for my honest review of this great story.
I particularly enjoyed watching their relationship develop from the first day, over a hundred years of teasing, working together, and being best friends. The love is there, almost from the beginning, but it’s complicated. There are a few rather funny moments, and more than a few that had me clenching my teeth. I struggled to put the book down when I had to do life things, and I am already desperate for the promised finale. Jackie writes the best fantasy, grounded in real life and so very relatable. I received an advance copy in return for my honest review of this great story.
March 19, 2022
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Loved Sandro's greeting on Raijin arrival to the custodia, it's got to be totally friendship at first, if Raijin is anything like his father. A new world for Raijin to learn With Sandro there by each others side they want be alone.
Sandro banishing at a young age, for unknown crime. The elders sneered at him with the exception of a few. After the death of the original hunters, Now of age Tan Hao wishes to rise his legacy to Hunter statics. With the news of the hunters death, Raijin is lead to believe his father Rakurai had followed that same fate. Daisuke's demand that he takes his place at the newest hunter, armed with the knowledge of the corruption of a traitor. Just because it was a fast friendship, with a witch/incubus come between them or even the truth why the curse in in play.
Sandro banishing at a young age, for unknown crime. The elders sneered at him with the exception of a few. After the death of the original hunters, Now of age Tan Hao wishes to rise his legacy to Hunter statics. With the news of the hunters death, Raijin is lead to believe his father Rakurai had followed that same fate. Daisuke's demand that he takes his place at the newest hunter, armed with the knowledge of the corruption of a traitor. Just because it was a fast friendship, with a witch/incubus come between them or even the truth why the curse in in play.
March 30, 2022
Incredible world building! This is the second story in A Balance of Magic series. The first book had fantastic world building that the author played off of and make the story so much better. Complex characters and side characters with fantastic character development. This was an amazing fantasy story!! Overall, fantastic!! The story is really well written story, The pacing flowed beautifully, highly recommend. I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
March 24, 2022
This is the way to write great characters in a friends to lovers story. We don't just have the two main characters to hold the reader's attention, we have interesting side characters including gods and witches and we have a world that was well developed and interesting in the first book, but just gets more complex and interesting in this one. Our heroes and their allies have some dangerous magic wielding adversaries in this one. Can't wait to read book three.
June 18, 2023
In this second book in the wonderful Balance of Magic series, the scope of time and place is broadened for the themes, enmities and plots from book 1 to develop in the love story between Sandro and Raijin.
This is a sweeping and ambitious story which I found to be utterly compelling. The world-building is truly sensational and I really enjoyed the mix of mythology and imagination. I really can't wait for book 3 in this must-read series!
This is a sweeping and ambitious story which I found to be utterly compelling. The world-building is truly sensational and I really enjoyed the mix of mythology and imagination. I really can't wait for book 3 in this must-read series!
March 25, 2022
I love Jackie Keswick's writing, particularly her character development and she did not disappoint. Raijin and Sandro burrowed into my brain and I believe they'll live there for a long while. Great story!
ARC received from author and I thank her for the early opportunity to read this wonderful book. Can't wait for the next one.
ARC received from author and I thank her for the early opportunity to read this wonderful book. Can't wait for the next one.
March 27, 2022
Cursed is an epic story about friendship, family, and romance.
To call this a slow-burn romance would be true, but it is a really slow…slow…slow burn (chuckle). I will give a spoiler, it takes over a hundred years for Sandro and Raijin to get together romantically.
Cursed is a beautiful friends to lovers romance that concentrates on the foundation of a relationship. It may take a hundred years, but the journey is an interesting one.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
To call this a slow-burn romance would be true, but it is a really slow…slow…slow burn (chuckle). I will give a spoiler, it takes over a hundred years for Sandro and Raijin to get together romantically.
Cursed is a beautiful friends to lovers romance that concentrates on the foundation of a relationship. It may take a hundred years, but the journey is an interesting one.
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
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March 31, 2022
Can't wait for this book to be ready! Though editing Raijin and Sandro's story is... scary fun. Mostly, because the original beginning of the story turned out to be the middle!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews