Curse Undone

Gold Spun #2

by Brandie June

Two crowns. Two kingdoms. One chance to rule.

Nor and King Casper are captured by the fay army and forced to face the indomitable Faerie Queen, Marasina. At her command, Casper is thrown into a mysterious prison while an even sinister fate is in store for Nor—a deadly fay poison that reveals Nor’s true nature. She’s not only half-fay. She is Queen Marasina’s heir.

Revealed to be like the very creatures she despises, Nor must not only find a way to free Casper but also navigate a court that is as deadly as it is beautiful. Her allies are few, and though Pel claims to want friendship, Nor finds she cannot forgive his betrayal. As tensions mount and war looms between the kingdoms, Nor must choose a side, before it’s too late.

In this epic conclusion to the Gold Spun duology, Nor discovers that a glamour and a curse may be two sides of the same coin.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Audiobook, Young Adult, Fairy Tale Retellings, Romance, High Fantasy

386 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2022

About the author

Brandie June loves storytelling in all sorts of formats, whether she is marketing animated movies or writing fantasy novels. Most of her early life she was on stage or at least as close to the front row as she could get. Initially an actor, she got her B.A. in Theatre from UCLA and branched out into costume design and playwriting, eventually getting her M.B.A. Her first stand-alone play, a dark comedy about Oscar Wilde, premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival to a sold-out run and won the Encore Producers Award. As a writer, she is especially passionate about fantasy and mythology, has published several pieces in anthology, and is a recent finalist with The Writers of the Future Award.

Her debut novel, Gold Spun, is a fresh retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin tale through the miller daughter’s POV. Except now the miller’s daughter is a con artist and Rumpelstiltskin is a mysterious faerie with a dark secret.

You can find out more about Brandie at www.brandiejune.com and follow her @brandiejune.

Reviews

[Brandie June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so delighted to share the conclusion of the GOLD SPUN duology.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the land of Fae. In book two Elenora and Casper are mostly in the fairy realm. This book is almost nothing like book one but it's even more intriguing.

Like book one, this book also deals with themes of death, self-harm, torture, lgbtq+, and love triangles. Theses are themes I like to initially know about, especially for purposes of gifting. There should be hashtags or category labels so that we know what we're about to read, recommend, and/or gift...perhaps even have disclaimers for younger readers.

The story picks up directly after the events of book one. Elenora and Casper are trying to make their way back to Reynallis from the fairy encampment they previously sabotaged. If you need a recap, read my review for book 1.


Illustration by l-bunny-l

As the book's synopsis states, Nor's true nature is revealed...painfully so. =) I really don't want to spoil anything more than what's already in the synopsis. Read below for spoilers, likes, and rants.

Book 2 spoilers/recap-
Loose ends-


I really don't like loose ends:
-I don't like how the Faerie queen never found out that she had a granddaughter die because of the poor but avoidable position her granddaughter was in. We don't get much satisfaction in regards to the Faerie Queen and her faerie kin.
-The powerful Faerie Queen never found out about Soren's other children until Nor revealed them. Pel and Elrik couldn't have been the Queen's only spies.
-It is hard to ignore that the Queen allows a challenge towards Nor, while not truly preparing her for the dual (to the more-than-likely-death).
-Also, people knowing Nor's true name is a risk to the kingdoms. Yet, it is known, it has been spoken, it's likely in official papers.
-We don't see Nor or her siblings get to know their aunts and uncles. And the icy Queen of the Faeries really never does crack. For someone who loves her son with such a passion, she shows little passion for everyone else.
-We don't know if Nor has a elongated lifespan and is going to outlive Casper by being half-fae. sigh.
-We don't see Casper and Nor's wedding. So enjoy the gif below and pretend that's their wedding.



Rant about the ending- Again, very disappointed the book ends with the wedding of Constance & Flora but not of Casper and Nor. Reading that chapter is annoying!!!! After everything Casper and Nor have gone through, why couldn't they have the beautiful wedding scene? Constance is a super annoying character too. She is rotten from the beginning and even has Nor burned at the stake. It would have been infinitely better to have read about Casper and Nor's magical wedding. It would have been splendid! With both human and fae in attendance...a true happily ever after...They are the whole point of the book. Instead we got the wedding of the side characters we had no interest in when we picked up these books to read. Also, I noticed that practically everyone is blonde except for Constance and Flora. I can't help but feel like Brandie June did this in order to make the perfectly overused token character(s). If you're a brunette and you intake a lot of media, you know exactly what I mean.


Recap- Nor and Casper are captured by Elrik and Pel before they can reach Reynallis. The fairy queen is about to send them to the dungeon when Elrik tells her that Nor may be the lost heir, her granddaughter. As a boom to Elrik, she has Nor drink a potion that will burn away anything that is not fae. And so Nor becomes Fae but has that poison coursing through her body, possibly forever. Casper is sent to the prison under the lake. Nor forms a reluctant alliance with Elrik in order to survive the court but mostly to wait for a chance to Free Casper. Nor's uncle Valente is not at all happy to have Nor be the next in line to the throne (though technically Nor has an older brother they don't know about). He is going to challenge her for position and the rabble. Little does Nor know that Elrik is playing Nor. Elrik had her door bugged with a bomb he disabled in order to be her hero. And he did take her to see Casper after he himself went to see him and threatened Nor's life if Casper didn't dissuade her. In the end, Nor was challenged by Valente but because she was challenged, she got to pick the type of challenge. She decided on a riddle...leading on that the answer was love by acting like a love sick fool. Valente took the bait. But the answer was not love, it was a faerie's true name. So she had him pledge loyal to her and that he would never cause harm to her in form (by the magic in his blood, he vowed to never allow her harm by his hand nor by his knowledge). Later, she goes with Pel and Lorella to free Casper. Elrik and a traitor fairy Corine, went as well. Elrik used Nor's name to compel her to kiss him. She did so...Casper slit Elrik's throat. Elrik cursed Nor before he died. Then they left to Reynallis. Nor has a glamour to look human. Then, at night Casper turned into a swan as part of Nor's curse. She got the help of her friends Pel and Lorella to help with the curse. She had to make a cape to turn Casper back to a human but she couldn't speak once her work started. Finn found out and helped her. Her other brothers confronted Nor because she kept her distance for days. When Devon said her full name and a command that she should be ashamed of herself, her faerie self was exposed and they had her locked in a dungeon awaiting execution because they thought she was a faerie spy. Constance has the pyre lit and Nor almost dies but Casper flew there as a swan and freed her at the same time that Finn covered Casper with the cape Nor made. He rescued her. Everyone was very sorry. Nor and Casper are going to get married to make an alliance between the fae and humans but Nor wants to tell her grandmother the faerie queen herself. Constance is also going to marry the other girl from a neighboring kingdom Flora, for peace. A little to simple if you ask me. Like, in this world, why couldn't they do that to begin with? Corine never came back but was exiled officially anyway. Finn is going to remove his human glamour when he turns 16. Constance and Flora married. Nor learned to fly and is going to be touring the lands with Casper in order to meet their subjects, help people, and have people remove their fae prejudice. Casper and Nor are going to marry before traveling but we don't get to read their wedding scene.

Likes- As you can probably tell from my rating, I really like the entire story overall. I like that Nor has a mysterious past. The author wrote it in very well. I wish Nor had learned to fly sooner but I'm glad we got to read at least a little of it. Although "troubled," Elrik is a fun character. He gave the story depth. I really like that Casper started off scary and slowly fell for Nor. I wish they had been together more throughout the story (book one and two). I like the triangle or square between Nor, Pel, Casper, and Elrik. And I really like the friendships Nor made.

[Valeriane]

Update: DNF.
—-
Yessss, sequel!! I look forward to reading this!!!

[Cassandra Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curse Undone by Brandie June
4/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•••Spoiler free review below•••

I really enjoyed book 1 in this Rumpelstiltskin retelling duology and was very excited to pick up book 2! Curse Undone starts right where Gold Spun left off and has even more adventure, magic, and twists than book 1! I loved learning more about this faerie world and the magic system. Nor still remains our stubborn, con-artist - just in a new land - and I love Casper. I definitely recommend this fantasy duology for fans of retellings and those looking for an easy fantasy world to be absorbed into.

Read this book if you like:
- unconventional fairytale retellings
- secret powers
- storybook happily ever afters

Curse Undone is OUT NOW and if it's not already on your tbr, it should be!
.
.
.
Special thanks to CamCat Books for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Review on Instagram

[Célia Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for sending me a physical ARC of Curse Undone to review on a tour stop!

"'This is going to be dangerous.'
'I live for danger.'
'You live for apple tarts and libraries.'
'Yes, first apple tarts and libraries, but the danger.'"

*3.5 stars*

I usually don't give such a short review, but there's not much to say about Curse Undone other than it was an enjoyable, fast read. I loved that the story took up right where Gold Spun left off (though I did have to reread the first book to jog my memory) and that June gave us more time with Nor's family. I laughed out loud many times while reading this book, and Finn, Nor's little brother, was legitimately my favorite character. I also enjoyed that June explored the fae side of things in the story.

That being said, the story was quite predictable, and sometimes the worldbuilding was too descriptive. I literally skimmed whole paragraphs because I just wanted to get to the action. It read like a middle-grade book, although I'm certain it's YA, and the characters also never grew at all and were flat, even Finn :(

However, this duology is a must-read for anyone who loves retellings (it's a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin)!

"'Of course, I'm alive you fool. I haven't been the one locked in some unnatural prison all these weeks. I believe it's rotted your brain.'"

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

I must say this has been an enjoyable retake on the classic Rumpelstiltskin story. This book picks up right where book one left off and takes us along with plenty of twists and turns as the story evolves. The action doesn't stop all the way until the very end leading us to a satisfying conclusion making for quite the fun read. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.

[Alison James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great end to the duology. This book neatly tied up the story that started in book 1.

This series is so great because it depicts so many topics that I wish were talked about more, but in such a well-crafted way. Brandie included a lesbian couple, but made it feel natural and normal (the way it should be). It didn't feel like she was forcing the relationship the way that some authors do to include queer characters into their stories. She also handled family dynamics so well.

I do wish the synopsis of the book did not give away so much about what happens in the book. It kind of takes some of the mystery away from when Elrik gives Nor the Sitano because we already knew the answer.

I was heartbroken during the first scene in the underwater prison when Casper seemed revolted by Not's transformation. At that moment, I wasn't sure if their relationship could be repaired. But it was such a clever plot point in the book to add some drama.

I really liked the Swan Princess inspiration for the curse towards the end of the book, it was very different and added interesting aspect to the story. When Elrik cursed Nor, I was really worried about what it would do to her. And yes the curse being placed on Casper was horrible, but it proved Nor's love to him. Their relationship started off with so many lies, so now he knows one thing about her he will never doubt.

One thing that was kind of confusing was the fact that they never mentioned Devon being the new fae heir. Hes the older brother and would be the next in line for the throne, but that is never even mentioned.

I wonder if Brandie will write other books in this world, because it feels like there are still a lot of stories to be told. What happens with Devon and Ilana, prequel story with Flora and Constance, prequel story of Nor's parents, Pel and Lorella's story...

[Sheri Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Curse Undone” is a satisfying sequel to the modern reimagining of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale. This book takes it to the next level with fresh new worlds, elaborate environments, and unexpected twists and turns. I was delighted to read an ARC and felt like it fulfilled the promise of adventure and double-crossery from the first book. This book kept me guessing and exceeded my expectations.

[Jordan Bartlett]

Curse Undone answers questions you didn't even know you had from the first novel. We follow Nor through her world-shattering transformation and get front row seats to the fallout her poisoning causes.

I found I definitely had to recalibrate my opinions of characters from the first one as we learn more about their pasts, motives, and since Nor is forced to switch sides in the Fae/Human feud, we really get to see the other side of the coin.

June will have you questioning whose side you're on, and whether or not the sides are so clear cut as we originally believed.

[Holly Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the "Rumpelstiltskin" fairy tale and read it many times when I was a kid. I had a big, fat book of children’s fairy tales and read it over and over. I am ashamed to say it didn’t occur to me as a child that “the miller’s daughter” in the tale didn’t even have a name! But when Gold Spun came out last year and I saw that the author was not only giving our heroine a name (Nor) but also giving her agency and allowing her to tell her own story, I couldn’t wait to read it (I even bought a special edition of it from someone online). But I hadn’t yet gotten to it, so when I saw the tour opportunity for Curse Undone, I thought this would be the perfect time. I prefer bingeing a series if I can, anyway, and since this is a duology, it was perfect!

I’m going to be a little vague here, because I don’t want to spoil anything for those who haven’t read book one yet, but I *can* say that I really loved this series and so enjoyed getting lost in this world for a few days. I ended up listening to Gold Spun on audio, so naturally I flew through that one, but I was a little surprised at how I flew through the print ARC of Curse Undone -- because I couldn’t put it down! I finished it in two sittings, and stayed up WAY too late the first night/early morning. I just loved all the characters, even the villains, and so enjoyed watching Nor really come into her own in Curse Undone -- growing into her own skin and learning to love herself as she was, owning her confidence and power, and rising to meet the moment, no matter what was thrown at her. I loved Pel (Rumpelstiltskin), and Casper, and Nor’s brothers, as well as the new fae characters we meet in Magnomel in the second book. I thought the villains were also well-done, particularly Queen Marasina and Pel’s brother, Elrik. Sure, there was a little bit of insta-love in book one and a hint at a love triangle in the series, which are two of my not-so-favorite tropes, but it really didn’t bother me here. I chalk that up to great characters that I was really rooting for and a well-crafted world that I enjoyed imagining and getting lost in as I read.
Overall, I think this is a great duology, and if you’re a fan of fairytale retellings or stories about the fae, it’s really a no-brainer that you should pick up Gold Spun and Curse Undone. I can’t wait to see what Brandie June has in store for us next!

Rating: 4 stars!

**Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for purposes of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book via Rockstar Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Amazing conclusion to the series! Curse Undone by Brandie June is the final book in the Gold Spun duology, a YA fantasy that takes the Rumpelstiltskin classic and turns it on its head. Please note that this review may have spoilers to the first book in the series. Read at your own risk. Curse Undone picks up where book one left off with Casper and Nor running from their fae captors. Casper no longer knows if he can trust Nor, but he is left with little choice as they run for freedom. However their freedom is brief, and they find themselves in even dire straits than they began with.

The events of this book are breathtaking. I loved the world building in book one and the subtle foreshadowing to what was coming in this book. It is well done, fully integrated into the plot without having large info-dumps. Nor is faced with heartbreaking truths about her family and their origins. These truths affect how she views herself and all she’s ever known. Now in the heart of the fae court she finds herself in more danger than she realizes and family she never knew she had. With hard choices to make, Nor must decide what she will do for those she loves.

I do not envy Nor and the position she is placed in. I loved seeing the story unfold from her perspective. It added urgency to her plight. I found myself rooting for her and even disappointed at times with her choices. As cunning as Nor is, she is also too trusting. This trust gets her in SO much trouble.

As much as I like Nor, I love the new characters as well. Lorella is a fae princess who cares for Nor as she recovers in the court. She is a wonderful addition to the cast, providing a fae character that you can like and grow to love. Pel is also back, and I loved seeing him here. While he didn’t know much about him in book one, we learn more about his choices and feelings for Nor.

Overall, I really enjoyed Curse Undone. The pace of the plot is unrelenting which means I read this one in almost one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed Nor’s adventure as well as how she handles all that she learns about herself and her family. Fans of YA fantasy and retellings will delight in this unique spin on the Rumpelstiltskin classic.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review…Curse Undone by Brandie June

Nor and King Casper are captured by the fay army and forced to face the indomitable Faerie Queen, Marasina. At her command, Casper is thrown into a mysterious prison while an even sinister fate is in store for Nor, a deadly fay poison that reveals Nor’s true nature. She’s not only half-fay. She is Queen Marasina’s heir. Revealed to be like the very creatures she despises, Nor must not only find a way to free Casper but also navigate a court that is as deadly as it is beautiful.

This is the second book in the Gold Spun duology and it picks up right where it left off in book one. It was enjoyable and a quick read. There were some interesting twists and turns of events. The world building was one of my favorite things about this series and this book just added to my enjoyment. I read Gold Spun when it first came out and I went back and reread it before I started this one and I'm glad I did so I definitely recommend reading it in order. If you enjoy romance, fay, court drama and magic you'll enjoy this series! Thank TBR and Beyond Tours and Brandie June for sharing this book with me!

[Bee Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently I really enjoyed the first part of this duology. I say apparently, because I have only the barest memory of it, and as always there's no recap either in or out of the story. We just plunge straight into the action. I know I say this a lot - all three of us do - but it's tough, when there's a year or more between releases, to remember even the highlights, never mind the details.

Without remembering the relationships, it was difficult to get into this story, although I did love the language used and the imagination obvious here. Brandie folds in other fairytales, most notably the Raven Princess, and the resulting tapestry is intricate and lovely. The relationships are believable and the characters, even the boo hiss ones, are great.

I did enjoy this, but I would have enjoyed it much more if I'd remembered what was going on. Do yourself a favour and reread the first one before tackling this one.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio of Gold Spun last year and loved it. The narrator captured Nor perfectly. I was very excited to check out the audiobook of the sequel, Curse Undone.

Curse Undone picks up where Gold Spun left off, with Casper and Nor in the woods, trying to escape the fairy realm. After an unsuccessful attempt at escape, Nor tries to free Casper from the prison, making unexpected alliances and learning more about herself in the process.

I really enjoyed this book. The author writes the Fae and fantasy in such a whimsical way that is enrapturing. This story just flows on and before you realize it, it’s over. There were so many twists and turns as Nor navigates her new life and still tries to escape, then to help Casper. Every time I thought it was over, more dropped in my lap.

I really loved Gold Spun and I think if you are looking for a YA fantasy retelling of Rumplestiltskin and a princess who can save herself, you should check out this duology.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curse Undone by Brandie June, was a spellbinding sequel to Gold Spun, providing a fun escapist moment for me. Narrated by Kathleen McInernery, takes you on an exciting journey of magic, intrigue, and self-discovery, bringing the characters to life, and infusing each moment with emotion and depth.

The story plunges us back into a world of spun gold and tangled fates, weaving a tapestry of adventure and romance. The chemistry between characters was subtle, but there were some unexpected twists in this re-imagined fairy tale, that I didn't see coming. Curse Undone is an audiobook that wraps you in its golden threads, leaving you captivated by sweetness and strong women, wrapped up in a happily ever after.

Thank you to CamCat Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks via NetGalley for the advanced audio copy for a fair and honest review. Bring on the re-told fairy tales.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little apprehensive starting this audiobook. When I requested it from netgalley I didn't realise it was the second book on the series. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to follow the story having missed out on the first part.

To a certain degree this was true. It lacked a lot of the world and character building that is associated with fantasy but I'm sure if I had read Gold Spun first I would have found it easier to follow.

In this book Nor discovers she is not a human miller's daughter but is half fey. Not only that but that her father, and now she, is the heir to a fairy kingdom. A kingdom which she hates for their treatment of humans.

I really enjoyed this unique retelling of the fairytale Rumplestiltskin. There are so many likeable and relatable characters. Once I was a few chapters in I was completely invested in Nor and her journey. If I was to read it again I would definetly read Gold Spun first though.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first novel in this series, so I couldn't wait to pick up the sequel. I also adore Brandie June!

On this novel, Nor and Casper are finally able to catch a moment to catch up and talk... until their brief moment of respite is taken from them in a hostage situation. They are spirited away to the fae realm and into the custody of the fae queen, Marasina. A series of twists and turns ensue and revelations are made that I didn't see coming. It's really intense and really good, but I don't want to ruin anything with spoilers. If you loved Gold Spun, you'll love this one too!

What I loved most: Finn, he is the favorite of Nor's brothers because he's impish, clever, loyal AND he has a healthy LOVE of libraries and books; I loved the swan princess twist; we find out more about Nor's family; and the political intrigue between the two courts!

[Jade Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
This was just as entertaining as book one. I would personally recommend listening to it. I think I may not have liked this series as much if I physically read it. However, it was such a good time. I was devouring this. I think I listened to nine hours of it in one day.
I will admit that it started off strong and so good. But then for a while it got a tad mundane. I understand that we were in a new world and the stuff they were doing should’ve been eventful, but it was falling a little short. I also think it could’ve ended sooner.
However, I would still recommend this audiobook to any fan of fairytale retellings or for anyone who want more faerie books. It was a fun, entertaining listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and its publisher for providing an advance reader copy of this audiobook for my honest review.

[Shia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The narrator did a good job telling this story and giving enough emotion for its voice. I really enjoyed the swan tale part of this as I’ve always been fascinated with that legend.

However, I didn’t like several things of this story:

1) I get that the is young, but I was peeve with how little she matures through this especially after what happens to her and to Casper. I expected a lot more growth and felt I was shorted.

2) where was Casper and Nor’s wedding???? Yea ok they sort of get a happy ever after but the wedding at the end wasn’t theirs so it felt a bit anticlimactic. And I was VERY disappointed with this.

3) I felt that there wasn’t really a true HEA for our couple either. Lots of unanswered questions for me especially the one about Nor possibly outliving for YEARS if not centuries Casper because she’s part Fae.

[Bianca Labrador · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed “Gold Spun” and I was blown away by “Curse Undone.” It begins right where “Gold Spun” left off, and there’s no lag time in the adventure. If it’s been a while since you read the first, you might want to refresh yourself. I love that she doesn’t waste any time with a recap. It’s straight into the action.

Brandie June is masterful at world building. While reading, you feel like you’re in the story with the fae. She also does a great job setting the characters apart from each other, giving each their own voice. My favorite was definitely Elrik, he’s perfectly written for who he is. I don’t want to say too much and give any spoilers, but this book was a pleasure to read. There so many twists and surprises that I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading.

[Jan farnworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked:
Curse Undone is the sequel to Gold Spun, an excellent Rumpelstiltskin retelling that introduced us to Nor and Casper. They are an unlikely duo who will go through thick and thin in this tale. The creative imagining of adding Fae into the mix and how it is revealed in this second book is fantastic. The emotion pours from these characters as Nor battles the heartbreaking truths about her family and her origins. Nor must she decide how much she will sacrifice for the family she now has and the man she is falling in love with.
Final Verdict:
The plot for Curse Undone is unrelenting in its pace, so much so that it is hard to put it down; you want to gobble the whole story up in one sitting. However, fans of Ya Fantasy and retelling will delight in this unique spin on the Rumpelstiltskin retelling.

[spanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I liked this sequel more than the first book. Not that the first book was bad, but I think the problems in this book were just more interesting and less "cat fightey". The weirdest thing for me was the fact that she had wings. I personally didn't like it, and it also felt like the author was looking for every possible way to make her keep her wings. I don't know, the whole thing just felt really weird to me. I liked how the author slyly crept in another fairy tale into this one. It took me by surprise but actually made a lot of sense with the thread, so it all combined together nicely. Overall, it was a pretty decent story. Some parts of it were more interesting to me then others, but it was still enjoyable.

[nat ✧˖° · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not crying, you’re crying! Now that I’ve finished Curse Undone, I’ve decided I’m going to become a fairy princess. Well, I’ll try my hardest at least. Brandie June yet again provided a beautiful story that I will remember and cherish in my heart.
I never would have thought it would be just as wonderful as the first book; Gold Spun. I’m happy Nor was able to overcome the hardships she experienced. In the end, I truly loved the world of Magnomal and the adventure Nor had to go on. I am deeply saddened that we didn’t get to experience Nor’s wedding! I was looking forward to that, but now I’ll never get that.
*cries internally*
I would have given it five stars, but because the wedding didn’t happen, it gets four.

[Bruce Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curse Undone is the sequel to Brandie June's excellent Gold Spun, and lives up to the high standard she set in that novel.

Nor finds herself in the middle of a looming war between the humans and the faeries--and every outcome is bad for Nor. And as the title implies, Nor and her friends must deal with a curse that threatens everything. This story offers fantasy adventure, some great twists, and a heaping helping of romance--but above all, likable characters. I hope Brandie revisits Nor & company in a future book!

Reading these two books was a conscious effort on my part to read more independent press novels (particularly in YA fantasy). Indie publishers like CamCat Publishing give talented but lesser known writers the chance to share some great stories.

[cdbest · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrator did a fabulous job with this book and really enhanced the great story through her voicing. Because of her excellent work, the story came alive and flowed beautifully. The story line was intense with lots of action and adventure. . Though the story itself was loosely based (in my opinion ) on several fairytales, it was a unique and intricately detailed story by itself. The characters were deep and real with strong relationships that plsyed well with the storyline. This was one of those stories where I wanted to hop into the pages and view the world described while meeting the characters and participating in their lives!!

[Autumn Brimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw Curse Undone on netgalley I knew I had to read it. I really enjoyed Gold Spun by Brandie June so I had high expectations for this one. I loved diving back into a familiar world filled with dangerous fae. The plot picked up right where the previous book left off. It was okay paced and full of twists I love the character growth Nor showed in this book. This was just such a satisfying sequel. I highly recommend for fans of Rumpelstiltskin retellings and fae bargains.

Thank you to the author, publishers, and netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Dani Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kind of hate that this was the second book of my 2025 reading challenge.

This plot was even more annoying than the first book which is saying something. The curse in this one was just stupid. And the obstacles to break the curse were too unbelievable. I honestly could not stop rolling my eyes by the end of the book.

And everything turned out way too cozy and neat. Queen Marasina is completely ruthless and terrifying but then suddenly decides she wants to be a good grandmother by the end? And everyone is just happy to be friends?

A hard no from me.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms June finally drops the other shoe is this second installment of the Gold Spun duology. She deftly weaves the tale of the Swan Brothers with that of Rumpelstilzchen. Far more romance blooms in this second installment, though the romance scenes stay very chaste. New drama is exposed as Nor learns more about her family history. Entertaining dialogue throughout with believable character development and further world building.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms June finally drops the other shoe is this second installment of the Gold Spun duology. She deftly weaves the tale of the Swan Brothers with that of Rumpelstilzchen. Far more romance blooms in this second installment, though the romance scenes stay very chaste. New drama is exposed as Nor learns more about her family history. Entertaining dialogue throughout with believable character development and further world building.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we get parts of "The Six Swans" mixed into this Rumpelstiltskin retelling. Its a good choice for true conflict, given that nor is all about talking herself out of trouble, and now talking is the one thing she can't do. A great second half to this duology with plenty of curses, magic, spells, enchantment as well as action, love, betrayal and a damsel who manages to save herself and others.