Cursed was my second Arthurian Legend retelling this year and all I can say is CAN I HAVE THE NETFLIX ADAPTATION NOW? I need. I. NEED.





As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.

It took me a little while to get into Cursed. For a moment, I was concerned by its bleakness and the subtle beginnings it held. I thought, for a minute, that the novel itself wasn't going to work for me. I was wrong. Once things really kicked into gear, I found myself lost to the gloriously dark and bleak retelling--and it was so, so good. As you can imagine, the series of illustrations sparks the imagination further and ties into the atmospheric prose beautifully.

Cursed wouldn't be half as brilliant if Frank Miller and Thomas Wheeler's images didn't blend so beautifully together. There is something seamless about the way that Wheeler's words and Miller's art come together and captivated me from the very start. The artwork tied into the story in a way that was chilling and terrifying, which was the perfect addition.

If you find yourself struggling with the first quarter of Cursed, stick to it. This is the type of story that takes time to set itself on the course for action. Once it does? You're left with no choice but to devour it as quickly as possible. In all its vividness, Cursed feels like something unforgettable and plays out in a way that compels you to keep reading.

I couldn't help but think: I know these characters. I know Arthur. I know Merlin. I know, I know, I know. At the same time, I didn't.  I knew straightaway, when realizing this retelling was centered around the Lady of the Lake, that this book was going to be for me. It was going to feel familiar, but not. And it was.

To take characters that have been around for so very long, for our entire lives, is a risk--but Thomas Wheeler was more than up for the task. Sometimes, literature is like life in this regard--big risks can pay off. Cursed is an example of that. I loved his interpretation of all that is familiar--he made them his own.

So, it goes without saying, I absolutely adored these characters and this spin on such a classic tale. I loved Nimue and the fact that this was her story. She is the perfect heroine and Cursed would feel, well, cursed, without her leading the way. She is flawed, maybe a little naive and slow, but I found I really loved watching her throughout the course of Cursed.

As for other characters, I found the spin of Arthur and Merlin's archetypes to be fairly interesting. I won't say too much, as to not spoil the central storyline, other than they weren't what I expected from a retelling. I loved Morgan, perhaps, most of all? Although, I didn't genuinely enjoy getting to know this variation of familiar faces.

Cursed is much more than your ordinary retelling. Lusciously told and utterly unique, the darkness beneath the surface of Cursed makes the experience all the more heart-pounding and breathless. If you are familiar with the legend, you know the basics of this tale. But, you don't wholly know what to expect--as in all good retellings; Cursed becomes something entirely its own and keeps its readers on the edges of their seats.

I cannot recommend this one enough. It was the perfect read to usher in the autumn--and I'm more than excited for the Netflix adaptation of the same name. And I'm going to need it... like, yesterday.

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