The Curse by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love – a Review

Description:

Overwhelming odds mean nothing when everything you love is on the line.

With the freedom of an entire race hanging in the balance, Evalle has two days to make good on a promise that she suddenly has no hope of fulfilling when demonic Svart Trolls invade Atlanta. She takes a leap of faith, seeking help from the one man who recently put Evalle in his cross hairs–Black Ops specialist Isak Nyght. While trying to stop the bloody troll-led gang wars, Evalle unwittingly exposes a secret that endangers all she holds dear, and complicates her already tumultuous love life with the mysterious Skinwalker, Storm. But when Evalle discovers she’s the number one target in the Medb coven’s ruthless plan to destroy all Beladors, the deadly Alterant is forced to make a game-changing decision with no time left on the clock.

Review:

The Curse is the third book in Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love’s Belador series, which is Urban Fantasy.

For those who may not have read this series, here is a little background: 
The Belador series is set in a futuristic alternate Atlanta. The world building in this series is awesome with warriors, gods, goddesses, tribunals, and magic, as well as powerful villains.  The Belador’s have various magical powers, such as teleportation, kinetic powers, mind control, enhanced fighting,  and mental telepathy.  They work in conjunction with VIPER, as protectors of the human race, against other supernatural creatures.  Evalle Kincaid, our heroine throughout this series, is an Alterant, whom are not recognized as an acceptable race. Alterants are part Belador, but it’s the other unkown part that is feared, as they are able to shift into monstrous beasts, which they usually cannot control.  But Evalle, who is a powerful warrior, has been allowed to work with the Belador team; thanks to her friendships with Tzader and Quinn, two powerful Beladors. Of course, they do not know that Evalle has already shifted once, and if they knew, the Tribunal would lock Evalle away forever, as they constantly threaten her with.

The Curse picks up almost immediately after Alterant left off.  Evalle must find Tristan, as the goddess Macha has given her a few days to bring her Tristan and other Alterants. If the Alterants can prove their loyalty to Macha, and prove their ability to control their beast, she will recognize them as a legitimate race, allowing them freedom.  But Evalle has to find Tristan.  Storm, the skinwalker, who had helped save Evalle and expressed his feelings for her, was badly injured at the end of Alterant. Did he survive?  Medb are the evil bad guys in this story, and their Queen is plotting to kill the Belador Queen, Brina and take over Treoir.  What will happen, and will they be able to save Brina? 

Since this is an early review, I will try give you a look into this wonderful story, and make this spoiler free, so not to ruin it for you.

From the start, the action in this story was non-stop, as I could not put the book down.  Atlanta is under attack by Svart Trolls, who are almost impossible to kill.  The Beladors and Evalle, are trying desperately to find out who has brought in the Svarts, and why are they even more powerful then most trolls.  Early on, during a battle, Evalle almost loses her life, but she is saved by a jaquar, and manages to kill the Svart. But there are so many more Svarts still to come.

The Curse has so many stories within, showcasing some of the main characters.  In many cases going between characters can tend to be distracting, but not so here.  Each chapter was so well done, and kept the flow of the story moving nicely, adding to the element. 

Some major points in this book:

            Evalle – her relationship with Storm continues to sizzle; but there is also Isak, who is also hot, and despite his own issues, he cannot let go of his obsession with Evalle. Even though you know the chemistry is there with Isak, I am totally on Team Storm. As my friend would say, he is…Swoonworthy…ummm ok so is Isak.

            Brina – who loves Tzader, but must follow Macha’s demand to let him go and have a child from someone else.  Her determination to win this battle, but possibly lose Tzader along the way, is very tense.  This part of the story is emotional for me. I feel so bad for Brina and Tzader, who truly do love one another, and it is painful to watch both of them suffer.  Kudos to Kenyon/Love for pulling those emotions out of you.

            Quinn – his fixation with Kziera could kill them all.  But somewhere, somehow, you begin to wonder if there is any possibility of a future for them.  Especially, if Kziera is truly not as evil as she is often displayed. Is she evil or does she truly love Quinn? 

            Kziera’s mother Queen Flaevynn is truly evil, and she is desperate, knowing her days are dwindling.  Cathbad, Kziera’s  father comes into play more, but the jury is still out if he is as bad as Flaevynn, and he is the one who truly knows about the true secrets of the Alterants.

We are also introduced to some new and interesting characters, whom I’m sure we will see more of in the future.   Such as Lanna, Quinn’s young cousin, who has powers of her own.  Kit, Isak’s very interesting mother, who is the power behind his operation.  There are also so many people we love to hate..Macha, Sen, Queen Flaevynn, and others.

The story, as I have said is very exciting and tense.  Every step of the way, they have to fight off the Svarts, whom we learn early, have been hired by MedB to destroy the Beladors, and they all want Evalle. The big question here is why do they want Evalle alive?

When Evalle does find Tristan, just when she sees a chance to save herself from Macha and imprisonment, another trick and betrayal causes her to lose him again. Will Evalle ever become totally free?

The last third of the book was so exciting, filled with constant action, a major battle to try to save Brina, and some revelations, which will bring more questions to be answered. 

Through all that, Evalle, continues to be one of my favorite female warriors in paranormal/urban fantasy.  In The Curse, she becomes more vulnerable, and an even more of an awesome heroine.  I am so vested into this series, that it is beginning to get to me that Evalle, who gives her life and loyalty to Belador/VIPER, and endangers herself often to save humans…yet, she must still be threatened with her freedom. 

As I have said before, for those who have not read this series, I suggest you read this in order.  Otherwise, you would lose a major understanding of each character.  But each story does have somewhat of an ending, as you learn more, and yet there is still so much more left open.  I loved The Curse, and love the duo of Kenyon/Love.  This was a great story from start to finish, super fun, lots of action, couples to root for, and a fantastic heroine. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author