This is a sequel, and while I promise not to spoil this book, there maybe some for the first book. Sorry, it can’t be helped but you have been warned.
The Curses by Laure Eve
Publication Date: December 31, 2018
Summary from NetGalley:
Picking up the pieces after the chilling events of the previous year isn’t easy, but the Graces are determined to do it. Wolf is back after a mysterious disappearance, and everyone’s eager to return to normal. Except for Summer, the youngest Grace. Summer has a knack for discovering the truth—and something is troubling her. After a trail of clues leads her to what could be the key to both her family’s mysterious past and the secret of Wolf, she’s determined to vanquish yet another curse. But exposing secrets is a dangerous game, and it’s not one Summer can win alone.
At Summer’s behest, the coven comes back together, reluctantly drawing their erstwhile friend River back into the fold. But Wolf’s behavior becomes unpredictable even as Fenrin’s strength fades, and Summer must ask herself whether the friend she so loves is also planning her family’s ultimate, cursed demise.
This riveting sequel to The Graces is saturated with magic, the destructive cost of power, the complications of family, and the nature of forgiveness.
ARC provided by the ABRAMS Kids/Amulet Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
Confession:
I read the first book, The Graces, last January and it is still one of my favorite reads of the year. This book also did not disappoint. I could have read it in one sitting, and probably would have if I had read it over the weekend.
This book is told through Summer’s perspective. She is the youngest of the Grace siblings. She is a great narrator, she is perceptive and honest about what is going on in the story. She realizes that something is not quite right with Wolf and she is determined to get to the bottom of it. Her relationships with her siblings is and interesting one. She loves them but they do frustrate her, and she often doesn’t get why they do what they do. But they will defend and protect each other to the end. Her relationship to River is complicated and she is the first one to admit that. But I still like the two of them together as friends, even when they seem to be on a destructive path.
It was very interesting to see River through Summer’s eyes. Even with everything she put them all through in the first book, Summer is still drawn to her, and it is explained better in this book as to why. The Graces need River as well as needing to help her control her powers. I liked River a bit better in this book, she ends up being stronger and a better person as she comes to terms with who she is. She still makes some pretty stupid mistakes, but she realizes that she does and tries to do something about it.
The plot is pretty fast moving and this is a really hard book to put down. I loved some of the spell work they do. There is also an underlying theme of how people perceive witches as all bad and the damage that can do. The Graces do more good than harm for the most part. The curse, is an interesting one and I’m not sure if they were able to break it or not. I’m hoping for another book with one of the twins as narrator so that we can see how that all works out.
This duology is very high on my list of rereads. There is a lot of subtleties woven throughout the stories, that need a closer look. It will also be good to read them back to back to catch the two different perspectives on the relationships that develop between the many different characters.
If you like witch stories that are character driven and have many plot twists with stunning endings then I recommend that you pick up these two book immediately.
Confessions of a Serial Reader 