Curse of the Cruel and Lovely

Allied Kingdoms Academy #3

by J.M. Kearl

When Astaroth Nightfrost, the Winter Prince, claimed Visteal as his chosen bride, She didn’t expect she’d have to compete for him. Her target, the Winter King, is paranoid and so well guarded he’s hard to get close to, making her task of killing him nearly impossible.

In order to get into the castle and close to the king to fulfill her terms of the bargain, she’ll have to participate in the traditional but deadly contest with other women they call the Chosen, to be the Winter Prince’s first bride. Will she be forced to marry the Winter Prick? Or will Prince Zyacus and Visteal find a way to stop the prophesy’s claim? Will she be able to keep her end of the bargain and kill the most powerful Fae in all the realms?

Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural Romance, Young Adult Fantasy

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2022

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd book is still my favorite, but I enjoyed this one! I feel like a lot of big scenes were cut short and could’ve played out more, which was a little disappointing. Overall, I’m excited to see where this whole series goes in the final book.

[Carlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fantasy series!

I discovered this series through Amazon Prime and have eagerly awaited the release of every book in the series. I love the tension between the characters and the fact the love story isn’t the focus of the book. It’s great fantasy, world building, and character arcs. It’s an easy read as well and fast paced enough that I have read all three books now in under two days. Highly recommend if you love fantasy.

[Brittany O'Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a magical ride!!! I had to mark this review as having spoilers, because I HAVE to talk about my favorite scenes! Okay, when Zyacus was singing to Visteal in the cave, that was like one of my favorite parts!!! It was just so GOOD! I loved how everything came together in the end! I’m excited for the next book- Curse of the Night!🌛

[Melody Kiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dannngggg this book was epic! So much happened that was insane and when u think all is well BAM something happens and to be continued....I  can't wait to see what happens next with Visteal and Zy. I need the next book asap!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good book in this series. The world building is pretty good for a book that slips into a different realm. The history was easy to understand and the battle scene were good, if not short. I felt the final battle scene was a bit abrupt but worth it and it made sense still.

The relationships just continue to grow in this book with even more dynamics added.

I would recommend to anyone that enjoys YA fantasy, anyone who enjoyed Harry Potter and to anyone who who looks for a strong female lead.

[Loulou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hope that this book is where the enemies to lovers part will start. Because there was non in the first and second. The winter and night courts prince shows so much potential to be an enemy and lover, but i know the author won't twist the plot to that, unfortunately for me.
This series is okay but it's more a children's books than a young adults, in my opinion.
It's also too fast paced and it's weird how every problem has a solution one way or another... It's just unrealistic in an odd way... Like in a not so fantasy book way? If that makes sense to anyone.
I'll edit what oi think of this books once i finish it, i hate to not finish series and that honestly is 70% of the reason why I'm finishing it, the other 10% is because im curious about if they'll manage to kill the king and if the princess ( forgot her name smh ) will actually marry the fae prince. And 20% because i like anything with fae in it 😌
Edit : finished the book, the winter-night courts prince or should i say king would've been an amazing love interest, I'd def read a novella about his love story with his lost lover.
This book was my favorite out of the series, i loved them in the faerie realm, i loved seeing them get humbled, taz is such a pitiful guy when it comes to the ladies but he's so brave and loyal to visteal, i can't help but respect him for it. I hardcore-ly ship him with aric 😩 i hope they get together 🥺🥺
It would've been great if there was pov from the night - Winter prince, Aric and sir Gideon i loved hiiiim

[Nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Battle of Her Own

Vis, Taz, Zyacus, and Aric held their own in the fae world. I enjoyed reading about the MC's learning themselves, especially Zyacus. Zyacus learned how to control his newfound wolf and got his own dragon. Vis really grew into herself and became more confident, realizing that the only way to succeed at her task was to stop listening to others and listen to herself.
Once they finished their mission in the fae realm, they returned home only to run into a different world than what they left due to the red moon.
The book ends with the realization of this new world and the news of the alliance possibly about to crumble all topped with the drama of the marriage between the MCs. Ready to read the final book and see how everything is handled.

[Crystalvuletichotmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish these weren't released so far apart from one another because it took a bit for me to fully remember the story line. Book 3 started a bit slow since it starts out in fae. It does pick up but the end battle scene goes by much faster than I anticipated. There was just so much build up to the war with the winter king and getting to the winter king that when it actually happened, it was pretty anticlimactic. I didn't see the shift in things back at the academy at the end though. Looking forward to book 4.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance!!

I love the relationship between Vis and Zyacus. They definitely kicked their relationship up a notch. This book took a little getting into but the ending was well worth it. Looking forward to book #4!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

The least strong book of the series in my opinion, I nearly didn’t finish it. I think I really don’t like the competition trope and the fae part seemed a bit unoriginal. But the last part of the book got more interesting again, so the book started out as a 2 and became a 4 in the end.

[Nicole Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just keeps getting better!!! On to the next….

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems improbable that a seventeen year old is stronger or strong enough to push back at a fae prince but yk what .. idc how unlikely it was still fun to read.

[Marissa Atchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow again

I can’t believe what went down in this story. I can’t wait to read the ending of this series…. I don’t want it to end though

[Georgina Nunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely little read, with a few spelling mistakes however. I also liked that it was PG. Lots of love without the trash writing. Well done.

[Brittany Cavanaugh-Stults · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author and this series! The characters are fun and I never seem to know what is coming next.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall storyline is interesting. Was really disappointed that this person the is supposedly really powerful was easily killed in a chapter and the battle barely lasted that. There was so much lead up into this part in the book.

[Madi Lamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED the new characters, the plot, and the set up for book 4/4!!!!