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The Hardest Beginning: The Prequel
Life is not fair. Make a mistake, get cursed. Stand up, get cursed. Fight for what's right, get cursed. Life's not fair, especially for these twelve souls.
Makes sense, right? If you lie, cheat, and steal, you could be cursed. But what happens when you protect your family, are born to a bitter family, stand up for yourself, or are too young to realize that your circumstance is no fault of your own?
Perception is reality, and the reality for these twelve is a life lived cursed.
Cursed - Each for their own unique circumstances throughout history.
Life is not fair. But just maybe for these 12 souls, they can find redemption, love, and break their individual curses.
Makes sense, right? If you lie, cheat, and steal, you could be cursed. But what happens when you protect your family, are born to a bitter family, stand up for yourself, or are too young to realize that your circumstance is no fault of your own?
Perception is reality, and the reality for these twelve is a life lived cursed.
Cursed - Each for their own unique circumstances throughout history.
Life is not fair. But just maybe for these 12 souls, they can find redemption, love, and break their individual curses.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2022
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 2, 2023
This book is a prequel to The Brethren of the Cathedral Series. This book does an amazing job at giving you a first look at the 12 souls who will be featured in the following books. Each of their own stories is outlined and a background given. Will they break their curses? I can’t wait to continue reading the series to find out and you shouldn’t wait either!
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review which I’ve done.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review which I’ve done.
May 3, 2022
REVIEW: I have to say that I didn't understand the book, I didn't understand why some of the characters were being punished, or why someone could put a curse in others.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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RESEÑA: Tengo que decir que no he entendido el libro. No he entendido por qué algunos de los personajes eran castigados, o por qué algunas personas podían poner maldiciones sobre otros.
Gracias a Netgalley y a la editorial por facilitarme el libro a cambio de una honesta opinión.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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RESEÑA: Tengo que decir que no he entendido el libro. No he entendido por qué algunos de los personajes eran castigados, o por qué algunas personas podían poner maldiciones sobre otros.
Gracias a Netgalley y a la editorial por facilitarme el libro a cambio de una honesta opinión.
March 10, 2023
Cursed humans turned into Gargoyles that live on or around Cathedrals that have to atone for their past mistakes. What a brilliant concept. It is easy to visually picture this as many buildings worldwide have concrete statues of Gargoyles. This is a storyline that I had yet to read about myself. The imagination and story created by Catherine Corry is so unique it piques the reader's interest.
The novella's beginning had quite a bit of repetition while explaining the various characters and their backstories. Why and how they turned to stone/Gargoyles and what they needed for atonement. With so many characters introduced, I found it hard to keep track of who was who.
When the story's narrative presented itself in Present Day with Jericho, I felt drawn in and wanted to understand more, read more, and see where the story led. Will the cursed cure themselves by the atonement? What have they been up to all these years? This led me to the next Novella, The Brethren of the Cathedral ~ The Hardest Blessing.
This story is created to be short, interesting, and deliver an unusual concept. Very unique and intriguing. If you are a fan of Gargoyles and uncommon storylines (from what I have personally read and encountered,) then this novella and series is a must-read for you.
The novella's beginning had quite a bit of repetition while explaining the various characters and their backstories. Why and how they turned to stone/Gargoyles and what they needed for atonement. With so many characters introduced, I found it hard to keep track of who was who.
When the story's narrative presented itself in Present Day with Jericho, I felt drawn in and wanted to understand more, read more, and see where the story led. Will the cursed cure themselves by the atonement? What have they been up to all these years? This led me to the next Novella, The Brethren of the Cathedral ~ The Hardest Blessing.
This story is created to be short, interesting, and deliver an unusual concept. Very unique and intriguing. If you are a fan of Gargoyles and uncommon storylines (from what I have personally read and encountered,) then this novella and series is a must-read for you.
June 7, 2022
Her body was one of stone and her voice silenced forever.< i>
Twelve short stories give a quick background on how the characters in this series, well ended up who they are, cursed people who must atone for their sins before they can find escape in death.
He would be forced to walk the earth for centuries to come until he’d atoned for his crimes
May 6, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read from this author, and I’m very pleasantly surprised with how much intrigue it has. The Hardest Beginning is novella length and takes no time to read. Catherine Corry does something pretty unique and, for the most part, pulls it off.
You meet and follow 12 different characters throughout the history of the world as they are cursed for various reasons. I can’t really go too much further into that without diving into spoiler territory. But The Hardest Beginning is the prequel to an upcoming trilogy I will very likely be checking out.
The pacing felt rushed at first, but once you’ve met everyone, it starts to make sense. My one complaint is that there might be too many characters to follow - which is why it felt rushed. It feels like an anthology of short stories at the beginning since you’re following each of these characters as they’re afflicted by the same curse, but these stories converge towards the end. All in all, the prose was interesting and the story far more intriguing. I’m looking forward to reading more from Corry.
You meet and follow 12 different characters throughout the history of the world as they are cursed for various reasons. I can’t really go too much further into that without diving into spoiler territory. But The Hardest Beginning is the prequel to an upcoming trilogy I will very likely be checking out.
The pacing felt rushed at first, but once you’ve met everyone, it starts to make sense. My one complaint is that there might be too many characters to follow - which is why it felt rushed. It feels like an anthology of short stories at the beginning since you’re following each of these characters as they’re afflicted by the same curse, but these stories converge towards the end. All in all, the prose was interesting and the story far more intriguing. I’m looking forward to reading more from Corry.
March 10, 2023
Interesting read! It took me a while to figure out what I was reading. The chapters were so short that just as I started getting invested in a character, it would switch to a whole new scene with all new characters. The good news is it made me really excited to read the full story because I want to know if and how they all break their curses!!
It also took a while for me to realize they were cursed gargoyles. I wish that was made obvious earlier in the book. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I actually read the main story before the prequel so I would have had a bit more context.
The writing throughout was wonderful. Even when I was confused, I was enjoying myself. I loved the author’s writing style and their descriptions were full of detail.
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
It also took a while for me to realize they were cursed gargoyles. I wish that was made obvious earlier in the book. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I actually read the main story before the prequel so I would have had a bit more context.
The writing throughout was wonderful. Even when I was confused, I was enjoying myself. I loved the author’s writing style and their descriptions were full of detail.
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2022
Quick Summary: Intriguing
My Review: The Hardest Beginning: The Prequel was intriguing, to say the least. The numerous characters stories spanned across the ages (from ancient times to modern times) and culminated in the present in a dramatic way. The epilogue served as a beginning of sorts, introducing two dark people of interest. It ended somewhat abruptly before I could get a sense of what was to be. Still, the author wrote enough to make me want to give book one a chance.
Rating: 3+/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have expressed are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.
My Review: The Hardest Beginning: The Prequel was intriguing, to say the least. The numerous characters stories spanned across the ages (from ancient times to modern times) and culminated in the present in a dramatic way. The epilogue served as a beginning of sorts, introducing two dark people of interest. It ended somewhat abruptly before I could get a sense of what was to be. Still, the author wrote enough to make me want to give book one a chance.
Rating: 3+/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have expressed are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.
December 22, 2022
Right
This is a fairly short novel which I’m a big fan of ! The books gives a series of short stories on the characters and their motivations on going forward, getting a taste of why they are the way they are, flawed, broken, driven and useful! I really enjoy the writing style, I love the dialogue, it feels right and genuine, there isn’t too much drowning in detail which is a bonus.
Not a big fan of the length of the stories, I would have liked a little bit more time with the characters individually. Also the curse is a little confusing in what was going on for some time, I didn’t know it was gargoyles they were turning into BUT when I found my footing I was good again.
I am looking forward to moving on with the series!
This is a fairly short novel which I’m a big fan of ! The books gives a series of short stories on the characters and their motivations on going forward, getting a taste of why they are the way they are, flawed, broken, driven and useful! I really enjoy the writing style, I love the dialogue, it feels right and genuine, there isn’t too much drowning in detail which is a bonus.
Not a big fan of the length of the stories, I would have liked a little bit more time with the characters individually. Also the curse is a little confusing in what was going on for some time, I didn’t know it was gargoyles they were turning into BUT when I found my footing I was good again.
I am looking forward to moving on with the series!
April 25, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review and here it goes. I have never read anything by Catherine Corry, but the Prequel made me want to start! What an original idea, I will try not to give any spoilers, but I dove right in seeing a snippet from each characters past. I felt immersed when it came to reading how our characters were cursed and the emotions that they felt in becoming less than human, for some more power and other less control on their own lives. I cannot wait to get my hands on The Brethern of The Cathedral and feel more of a prolonged connection to the characters and see if they can conquer themselves.
November 19, 2022
Started off a little stunted, the sentence structure short and slightly stuttered but as I carried on I started to notice this less as I got engrossed in the idea of the story.
Finished it quickly (within a couple of hours) and found it intriguing; got me hooked! I like the premise and the background that's been set down. I'm now looking forward to reading the next two in the series!
I received this book as a free copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.
Finished it quickly (within a couple of hours) and found it intriguing; got me hooked! I like the premise and the background that's been set down. I'm now looking forward to reading the next two in the series!
I received this book as a free copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.
May 21, 2022
I love this concept! There aren’t really any other books out there with this concept. The intrigue through the characters keeps you wanting more. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!
March 10, 2023
⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶 2/5
.
Interesting read! It took me a while to figure out what I was reading. The chapters were so short that just as I started getting invested in a character, it would switch to a whole new scene with all new characters. The good news is it made me excited to read the full story because I want to know if and how they all break their curses!
It also took me a while to realize they were cursed gargoyles. I wish that it was made obvious earlier in the book. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I actually read the main story before the prequel so I would shave had a bit more context.
The writing throughout was wonderful. Even when I was confused, I was enjoying myself. I loved the author's writing style and their descriptions were full of detail.
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
🌶 2/5
.
Interesting read! It took me a while to figure out what I was reading. The chapters were so short that just as I started getting invested in a character, it would switch to a whole new scene with all new characters. The good news is it made me excited to read the full story because I want to know if and how they all break their curses!
It also took me a while to realize they were cursed gargoyles. I wish that it was made obvious earlier in the book. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I actually read the main story before the prequel so I would shave had a bit more context.
The writing throughout was wonderful. Even when I was confused, I was enjoying myself. I loved the author's writing style and their descriptions were full of detail.
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2023
I realize it's a Prequal...was shorter than I wanted. I wanted so much more! As a starter into the series I plan to pick up the others as it's got me wanting to learn more about each character and their curses and seeing if they ever grow or adapt!
It does great to draw you in, short sweet and to the point can be read quickly to give you an idea of the type of writing!
Can't wait to read more!
It does great to draw you in, short sweet and to the point can be read quickly to give you an idea of the type of writing!
Can't wait to read more!
October 10, 2023
Introduction
In this prequel, you meet the characters that will come in the series and find out how they became cursed to begin with. It is a lot of information to take in but very worthwhile to know what's going on with each later
In this prequel, you meet the characters that will come in the series and find out how they became cursed to begin with. It is a lot of information to take in but very worthwhile to know what's going on with each later
January 20, 2024
I have read a few of this series all short stories but yea love them
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews