The Phantom's Curse Published by BHC Press by Shelley Wilson
on June 11, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, YA
Pages: 208
Source: Netgalley
Format: eBook, ARC
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Goodreads
Reading Challenges: COYER2021
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Rating:
An old evil threatens to rise from the depths of the warded city…Sixteen-year-old Marianne lives a simple life as a healer in the Link, looking after her younger brother since their parents’ exile. Little does she know how everything will change after attending the blessing in the city of Obanac. After her brother is wrongfully imprisoned, Marianne seeks his release from Crawford Reign, the Lord of Obanac. But she’s faced with an impossible choice—the lord wants her in exchange. To save her brother she turns to the daring outlaw Robbie and his friends for help. Along with the help of Theo, the holy man’s son, a daring rescue soon uncovers rumors of an old sorcerer who may still live and whispers of the phantom’s curse—an evil that requires a host and seeks to destroy the world—threatening to resurface. With the threat of an old evil rising in Obanac and the attacks of the Black Riders throughout the realm, nowhere seems safe. To save the people of the land and everyone she cares about, Marianne must unlock the secret to who she really is and embrace the mage magic that stirs within her.
Oh, boy, this one seemed so promising! Unfortunately, however, there were just too many issues with this one for me.
Admittedly, it was a quick read–despite the fact that I just didn’t love it.
The writing on this one is what I struggled with the most. There were whole sections that I felt myself skimming because the tone was just off. It almost felt as if this could’ve been fleshed out more, edited to mature that voice, and given just a bit more believability.
I will concede that had these things been done, with all the potential, I could’ve loved it. The characters weren’t half bad, and the premise was so interesting!
About Shelley Wilson
She's published six non-fiction self-help books including her bestseller - How I Changed My Life in a Year - as well as five young adult (YA) fantasy novels. Book one of her werewolf series was a finalist in the RONE YA Book of the Year Awards and has been combined and re-released with book two under the new title - Hood Academy.
Shelley lives in the West Midlands, UK, with her three children. She has a crazy black cat called Luna and is obsessed with vampires, Tudor and Viking history, and exploring castles.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER2021
It always sucks when the premise of a book sounds interesting but then the book falls flat. Sadly enough it happens. Great review, though!
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Yes! That’ how I feel! I was really looking forward to it. :/