Cursed By
Jennifer Armentrout
Expected publication:
September 18th 2012
By Spencer Hill Press
GoodReads † Amazon
Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.
Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she’s more than interested. There’s just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she’s willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?
But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she’s not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.
My Review:
Let me start of by saying, I expected more out of this book. I was really excited about this book and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. But once I picked it up, I had a hard time staying into the story. I found myself putting down and having a hard time to pick it back up. I just didn't buy into the plot at all.
I felt the way Ember ended up with Hayden and his father was poorly constructed. Allow me to explain. I never expected Ember to receive the news of her new residence without taking immediate action to remove herself and her sister from there. Moving along, Ember did keep her guard up but I felt since she has this gift she could have used it to her advantage. But as things became more complicated, she became more weak. Sadly, I can't explain much more of this because I'll be spoiling it.
Putting aside the fact that I'm not buying the whole change of new residence, I feel that Ember tried her best to find out the truth about the accident that changed her life. Armentrout did throw you a little twist that I didn't really expect. So that was good. I did like the relationship between Hayden and Ember. He was the only one there that wasn't attacking her. I also liked Olivia who is Ember's little sister. She's a sweet little girl who doesn't really understand what's going on around her. And it's best it stays that way.
Overall, this book deserves a 3.5 stars because when chaos erupted, I was well intrigued. Armentrout did her job to give us an interesting story to read. I just have my own thoughts about certain aspects of the book. Maybe I expected more from Cursed. And though I didn't like this book as much as I hoped. I'll definitely continue the series and pick up other book of hers.Which I read raving reviews about and I am looking forward to reading her other work. As for Cursed, I recommend this book to fans of X-Men and fans of Shatter Me. Check it out and tell me what you think of it.
Thanks for the review. Kind of sad about this, cause I was excited about this book. I still hope to read it, maybe I'll like it more? We'll see!
ReplyDeleteI did like it but not as much as I thought I would. So I hope you do like it more.
DeleteThanks for the review! I was super excited about this because I loved the Lux and Covenant series, I was hoping this would keep me thinking that JLA is truly a genius. I'll borrow it at the library before I buy it now. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a really intriguing story premise. I really appreciate the honest review, most people are afraid to publish negative reviews so I like that you balances out both the positive and weak point of the story
ReplyDeleteI'll probably pass on this one. I've read Jennifer's adult books, but have not hit up the YA's yet. Thank you for the honest review :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat Review! The book sounds interesting I can't wait to check it out!
ReplyDeletethanks for the honest review!
ReplyDelete*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
Wow! Great review! This is a crazy cool book idea and with all the blurb about JLA I'm gonna have to get it! Fantastical! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! This book did sound intriguing at first, but I think I'll pass on it.
ReplyDeleteAH! You read this? I want to read this soo badly. Thanks for this review!
ReplyDeletethanks for a great review! I haven't read any by this author... yet... definitely keeping an eye on this series :)
ReplyDeleteI love the book cover! Thanks for the review. This book sounds really interesting
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I can't wait for the release.
ReplyDeleteI love Shatter Me and I love JLA, so this one sounds right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteWonderful honest review! I'll have to pass up on this one though. This book synopsis just did not grab any of my interest. This book cover is fabulous though!
ReplyDeleteDeAnna Schultz
Thanks for your honest review. Too bad cause it does sound like an interesting book. Great cover.
ReplyDeleteSue B
I was a little disappointed with some aspects, too. I didn't connect to Ember as much as I would have liked. The ending left me feeling a little empty, and I would like a second novel to complete the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I didn't connect with her too. And I would like for the story to continue so it can feel like something was accomplished.
DeleteIt's such a bummer that this book was slightly disappointing! I think that JLA's previous books have all been so successful, so we all EXPECT this one to be right alongside them. I still want to check it out to see what's going to happen for myself, but I will be entering this book a bit more guarded and with lowered expectations. But at least we know that JLA will always deliver when chaos ensues! lol
ReplyDeleteI've heard such wonderful things about Armentrout's books, and I have yet to read any of them. I'm sorry you didn't love it, but it still sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a thoughtful review. I like Jennifer Armentrout, so I'm going to give Cursed a try. I think I'll like it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, I will be adding to by tbr list.
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
I have been wanting to read this because the synopsis sounded so good, it's disappointing that it sounds like another version of Shatter Me. I mean don't get me wrong I liked Shatter Me but I don't like wishy washy female leads that one second have a backbone but then regress. Thanks for your honest review!
ReplyDeleteThe blurb sounds intriguing, but not sure if I would get it or not.
ReplyDeleteI have realized that it is harder for me to pick up a book that I am not loving if I had high hopes for it and it is not living up to them versus a book that I just pick to read with no preconceived notions. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it.
Thanks for the good, honest review!
ReplyDeleteI think I would still like to read this book. It sounds good and maybe I will like it better. Who knows?
ReplyDeleteI hope you do. Maybe I expected too much from it.
DeleteIt's a little disappointing to hear that Cursed isn't as good as I was anticipating. Jennifer L. Armentrout has delivered some amazing fantasy series, so I was expecting much out of this. Now, I am little hesitant to try this one out, considering the plot never really intrigued me in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I think I'll pass on this one, as I have a lot of books on my tbr list that I'm really looking forward too.
ReplyDeleteI'd been planning on reading this, but I'm questioning that now. Maybe if I go in with lowered expectations it'll be okay :) Great review!
ReplyDeletei love Jennifer's books and i'm so excited to read this one!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Another JLA book!!! I can't wait to read this book. It's a standalone which is AWESOME. I love the Lux series, and I don't mind the whole 5-book thing. I'm not reading the Covenant series until all five books have come out (I haven't read ny, so I start when not even half the series is out yet!?). But this one. It's a standalone. That's awesome. Great review! I can't wait to read it :)
ReplyDeleteYour review helped me with how far down the TBR pile this read is. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you give it a try, thats all that matters.
DeleteThe description sounds interesting but based on your review I probably won't bother reading this book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I don't know if I'll be reading this book. Based on the description and your review, it doesn't sound all that great...
ReplyDeleteI love jennifers other books, I am sad this one wasnt more entertaining for you, I was on the edge whether I wanted this one or not. I hate when I cant get into a book, even if its great the rest of the way, the beginning should grab you. i think i am still going to check it out just because of the author :) thanks for the review
ReplyDeleteI think you should check it out. I definitely would too if I loved the author.
DeleteThis book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review! I read every single book from Jennifer and can't wait to try this one too! I have a little big expectations towards it, I'm a bit worried about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I loved all of Jennifer's others books so hopefully this one will be just as good.
ReplyDeleteVery unique and interesting theme for this story. I am not familiar with this author, but her books sound great. Thank you for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteI love Armintrout's Lux series and was so looking forward to this!
ReplyDeleteWOW! This series sounds great! Adding to my TBR list. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! Added to my tbr list! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for an honest review. I've been noticing the reviews for Cursed, but haven't been paying attention to them. Even though I've been interested in the book and ben going back though them. I'm on the fence. I will probably read it because its JLA and I like her, love the Lux series. We shall see!
ReplyDeleteLyns, you should read it. Since you are a fan of JLA's you shouldn't pass this up.
DeleteI have been seeing Cursed reviews everywhere, but haven't had a chance to read them yet. I'm glad I've read yours. I really enjoy JLA books and have been looking forward to reading Cursed. At least I'm well prepared for it so I know that it's not mind blowingly amazing and won't be disappointed. I still will probably like it though, because I really like X-Men.
ReplyDeleteI truly loved this book and I'm sad it's not a series (although Jen did say she wouldn't mind making it one). This is one I would re-read for sure!
ReplyDelete