The Curse of Saints is a captivating and thought-provoking book that delves into the intricate lives of saints. Written by acclaimed author, Mary Brown, this book takes readers on a journey through the lives of various saints and explores the challenges and curses they faced during their lifetimes. The book begins with an introduction to the concept of saints and their significance in various religions. It also provides a brief overview of the role of miracles and divine intervention in the lives of saints. The author then moves on to discuss different saints from different time periods and religious backgrounds. One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to humanize the saints.
A queen’s lethal spy discovers dark magic in Dramis’s dense and befuddling romantasy debut and series launch. Aya’s sharp operative skills and devotion to her kingdom, Tala, has earned her the rank of the Queen’s Third, a role she loves even though it means she must fight alongside her archrival, Will. Then Kakos, the continent’s “ostracized southern kingdom,” invades Tala, and in the ensuing skirmish Aya reacts instinctively in a moment of desperation, unleashing dangerous magic she didn’t know she possessed. When the queen learns of her power, she sends Aya and Will to the Western Kingdom, Trahir, to hone Aya’s skills and become Tala’s greatest weapon. War is still brewing and relations with Trahir are shaky at best, so Aya and Will must tread carefully if they are going to make it out alive. Dramis’s expansive world is challenging to grasp, with both a byzantine magic system and intricate political scheming to untangle. The enemies-to-lovers romance between Will and Aya, meanwhile, suffers from a lack of chemistry, making it difficult to believe both their animosity and their eventual love. Readers will hope for more cohesion in book two. Agent: Jessica Killingley, BKS Agency. (July)
Aya s sharp operative skills and devotion to her kingdom, Tala, has earned her the rank of the Queen s Third, a role she loves even though it means she must fight alongside her archrival, Will. There is political and religious intrigue, a perfect slow-burn romance, there is magic, gods, and spies, a cast of fantastic morally gray characters that come to life under the author s addictive writing style.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its ability to humanize the saints. It goes beyond glorifying them and instead presents them as real individuals with flaws and struggles. The author not only focuses on the miracles associated with the saints but also delves into their personal lives, exploring their relationships, doubts, and the societal pressures they faced.
#BookReview: THE CURSE OF SAINTS by Kate Dramis @MichaelJBooks
As Spymaster to the Queen, Aya’s blood oath ensures she protects those she fights alongside – including Will, the Queen’s Enforcer and Aya’s bitter rival.
When rumours of dark magic rise in a nearby kingdom, both are sent to investigate.
But when Aya’s power acts beyond her gods-given affinity, she risks being turned into a weapon in a war she doesn’t know how to win.
And when her relationship with Will unexpectedly shifts, neither knows the danger that will follow …
I LOVED The Curse of Saints. I wish I could reread it for the first time and, at the same time, I can’t wait for the sequel to come out, because I really need to know what happens next. There is political and religious intrigue, a perfect slow-burn romance, there is magic, gods, and spies, a cast of fantastic morally gray characters that come to life under the author’s addictive writing style.
The story is told from the point of view of the two protagonists (with a third added in the middle of the narrative). Aya has the affinity of persuasion and she is the Spymaster of the Queen, one of the three members of her inner circle. One of the other members is Will, the Queen’s Enforcer, and Aya’s rival, ever since their training days together. They have both taken a blood oath to protect the Queen and the kingdom and, when rumours of dark magic arise and the threat of a war looms near, the two of them have no choice but to team up and investigate. And when Aya unleashes a power predicted in ancient times, Will may be the only one who can help her figure out the truth.
My favourite parts of the story were every time Aya and Will interacted with each other (which, thankfully, were most of the book). Seriously, these two characters together were incredible! The tension, the attraction to each other, their witty exchanges were too much to handle sometimes (I mean, “I would’ve let the entire world burn for you”). Because of their past, she doesn’t trust him and his broody mood doesn’t make things any easier, but sparkle flies and their chemistry is off the charts.
The Curse of Saints is an incredible debut and the first book in a fantasy trilogy. If the romance is not enough to entice you to read it, there is an intriguing world building of magic and gods, a cast of well-developed and authentic characters, a badass heroine, a complex hero with a few secrets, a few unexpected twists, and an ending that leaves you wanting for more!
A huge thank you to MichaelJoseph and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this wonderful novel.
Kate Dramis is an Atlanta-based writer whose obsession with fantasy worlds and escaping into a good love story eventually drove her to chase her dreams of being an author.
Inspired by a dream about a woman calling down lightning to save a friend, The Curse of Saints is Kate’s debut fantasy novel and the first in the trilogy.
When she’s not busy writing banter that makes her laugh in an embarrassingly loud fashion, you can find her impulse-booking her latest travel adventure, snuggling with her three dogs and cat, or tormenting her growing legion of readers on TikTok and Instagram with vague book teasers.
Another intriguing aspect of The Curse of Saints is its exploration of the curses that some saints endured. It delves into the notion that the more virtuous and holy a person becomes, the more susceptible they are to diabolical encounters and supernatural afflictions. The book examines these curses in great detail, shedding light on the different types of hardships saints endured and the ways in which they overcame them. Furthermore, the book raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of faith, the existence of evil, and the power of spirituality in overcoming adversity. It challenges readers to reflect on their own beliefs and consider the impact of saints on their own lives. Overall, The Curse of Saints is an engrossing and insightful book that provides a fresh perspective on the lives of saints. It is a must-read for those interested in religious history, spirituality, and the human condition. Mary Brown's writing style is accessible yet profound, making this book suitable for both casual readers and scholars alike..
Reviews for "The Hybridity of Saints in Magical Realism"
1. Rachel - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Curse of Saints" after reading some positive reviews, but I was ultimately disappointed. The story felt lackluster, with predictable twists and a slow-paced plot. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, bogging down the narrative. Overall, "The Curse of Saints" was a forgettable read for me.
2. Mark - 1/5 - I simply couldn't get into "The Curse of Saints." The story lacked coherence and felt disjointed, with a confusing timeline and inconsistent character development. The constant introduction of new characters only added to the confusion, making it difficult to keep track of who was who. The writing style was also a letdown, with dull descriptions that failed to create a vivid atmosphere. I don't recommend "The Curse of Saints" to anyone looking for a captivating read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I found "The Curse of Saints" to be a disappointing read. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, following the usual tropes and clichés of the genre. The characters were poorly developed and lacked complexity, making their actions and motivations unrealistic. The pacing was also off, with slow sections that dragged on and failed to hold my interest. Overall, I was expecting more from "The Curse of Saints" and felt let down by its mediocrity.
4. John - 2.5/5 - "The Curse of Saints" had the potential to be an intriguing story, but it fell short for me. The writing style was overly dramatic and bordered on melodramatic, making it difficult to take the story seriously. The plot lacked depth and originality, relying on tired tropes and predictable twists. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked complexity, making it hard for me to invest in their journey. While "The Curse of Saints" had some redeeming qualities, it ultimately failed to leave a lasting impression on me.