The Curse of Shadows is a supernatural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of many. It is believed to be a curse that brings darkness and despair to those who encounter it. The origins of this curse are shrouded in mystery, with some scholars attributing it to ancient rituals and others suggesting it is a result of a malevolent force. Regardless of its origins, the Curse of Shadows has garnered much attention due to its destructive nature. One of the most notable instances of the Curse of Shadows is the Queen of Blood Dragons (QBD) curse. QBD, also known as the Shadow Queen, is said to be a vengeful spirit that haunts those who cross her path.
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.NOTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE Secretly trained, swordsmith Sage Blackwell steps up to run her family’s forge when her father falls ill. Sage desires to help the neglected Aermians but is bound by duty to provide for her own… Until, that is, she's offered a chance to make a difference.
When the man with flashing violet eyes whisks her through a portal into a world beyond her imagination, a world vicious in its beauty and wicked in its lies, Brea begins to wonder if she was ever crazy at all. From the acclaimed author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns comes a fantastical new tale of darkness and love, in which magical bonds are stronger than blood.
QBD, also known as the Shadow Queen, is said to be a vengeful spirit that haunts those who cross her path. It is believed that her curse brings forth thorns that slowly consume and drain the life force of her victims. This form of the Curse of Shadows is particularly feared due to its prolonged and excruciating effects.
Review – A Curse of Thorns by Nicole Mainardi
In order to repay her father’s debt to the Regime and save her sisters from a terrible fate, Belle Fairfax—an eighteen-year-old girl with a love for forbidden books and the thrill of the hunt—must risk everything to find the reclusive Beast and steal the ring that cursed him.
But the Beast is not what she expects.
A young king cursed by a witch and forgotten by his village, all Bastian wants is to win the heart of the forest girl with the silver scars. But he’s a hideous Beast that abandoned his people for the sake of vanity, and he knows it won’t be easy to earn her affection.
But there’s more to the girl than he thought.
Belle only has one purpose once she makes it to the Beast’s castle: find the ring, take it, and leave the Beast to rot. But as she comes to know about the Beast, she realizes that she has more to fight for than just her family. Bastian knows he’s left his people in the hands of the corrupt Regime, and the guilt of their suffering gnaws at him. The more time he spends with Belle, though, the less he hates what he’s become.
With Briar on the brink of falling completely under the control of the Regime, Belle and Bastian find that, together, they may be the key to freeing their home from the reaching grasp of the tyrannical Emperor.
Initial Thoughts
I was super excited to have been chosen for this review tour by Read and Review Book Tours. Since I am new to the bookish community, I am eager to meet new book lovers and connect with authors. Being chosen allowed me to chat directly with Nicole Mainardi via email (and that was so exciting!). Anyway, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I absolutely love fairy tale retellings. Needless to say, this story sounded amazing.
Cover Art
Although I have this as an e-book, and shelf appeal doesn’t really apply here, I really like the cover. Classic imagery that comes to mind when I think of Beauty and the Beast includes the Beast’s castle, books, roses, teapots, candelabras, etc.. I loved that this cover strays from the conventional. Rose petals (instead of roses), the castle in the background, and, most importantly, Belle featuring her silver scars. The cover immediately evokes the feeling of Beauty and the Beast without being cliché.
The Setting
I can’t express in words how much I loved the setting of this story. Unlike the original story, this telling of Beauty and the Beast is set in a version of the real world. I really enjoyed the references to Pride and Prejudice, Hamlet, and France in general. It grounded the story in a way that I found incredibly refreshing.
Additonally, I thought the introduction of the Regime was a great plot element. It is something that can transcend this book and continue into more books in a series.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and the Regime gave me World War I/World War II Germany feels. Not sure if that was specifically the author’s intention, but I loved the dystopian/historical fiction vibe that it created.
Series Value
I loved all of the references to other fairy tales in this story. I think Nicole Mainardi has set up a fantastic setting that could easily be spun into other stories. I would read any other stories she writes that are set in this world.
Final Thoughts
I loved this book! I read it all in one sitting (always a good sign). I think this series has so much potential and I can’t wait to see what else Nicole Mainardi comes up with. This was a fantastic Beauty and the Beast retelling with elements of so much more sprinkled throughout it.
Recommendtions for Further Reading
- Thief of Cahramanby Lucy Tempest – this is another fairy tale retelling where several tales are spun into one setting. There is a Beauty and the Beast sub plot featured in book 4 of this series.
- Frostblood (and the entire series) by Elly Blake – although the main plots are quite different, both A Curse of Thorns and Frostblood feature a Beauty and the Beast romance theme. Definitely give this series a try if you liked A Curse of Thorns.
- Fawkes by Nadine Brandes – I absoutely love Nadine Brandes’s writing style (for many of the same reasons I fell in love with Nicole Mainardi’s). Fawkes has another Beauty and the Beast vibe to it with a magical/historical fiction backdrop.
Eight years have passed since the young Princess Bitterblue, and her country, were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on.
The thorns that emerge as a result of the QBD curse are said to be ethereal and razor-sharp. They penetrate the flesh of the cursed individual, lodging themselves deep within their body. Once the thorns are embedded, they spread throughout the victim's system, corrupting and draining their life force. The process is agonizing and can last for months or even years, depending on the strength of the curse and the resilience of the individual. The effects of the Curse of Shadows QBD thorns are not just physical. The cursed individual experiences a deep sense of despair, hopelessness, and darkness that engulfs their soul. They may suffer from hallucinations, nightmares, and a constant feeling of being watched. The combination of physical and mental torment makes the Curse of Shadows QBD thorns one of the most feared curses in folklore and legend. Various methods have been proposed to counteract the Curse of Shadows QBD thorns. These range from intricate rituals to seek the aid of powerful deities, to the use of enchanted artifacts and charms. However, it is widely believed that the curse is particularly potent and challenging to overcome. Many who have fallen victim to the Curse of Shadows QBD thorns have resigned themselves to their fate, knowing that escape may be impossible. In conclusion, the Curse of Shadows and its manifestation as the QBD thorns is a terrifying phenomenon that has captivated the imagination of many. The dark and destructive nature of this curse makes it one of the most feared in folklore and legend. The physical and mental torment endured by those affected by the curse is harrowing, and the methods to counteract it are often elusive. The Curse of Shadows QBD thorns serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the power of darkness and the consequences of meddling with supernatural forces..
Reviews for "Tangled in Shadows: The Curse of Qbd Thorns' Dark Energy"
1. Jessica - 2 stars
I found "Curse of Shadows QBD Thorns" to be quite disappointing. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary subplots and characters that were never fully developed. The pacing was also slow, and it took forever for anything significant to happen. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I finished the book feeling unsatisfied and confused, and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Matthew - 1 star
I have never been so bored while reading a book. "Curse of Shadows QBD Thorns" lacked any engaging or intriguing aspects. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The pacing was painfully slow, and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The world-building was also lacking, and I never felt fully immersed in the setting. Overall, this book was a complete miss for me, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and captivating read.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Curse of Shadows QBD Thorns" based on the hype surrounding it, but unfortunately, it fell short. The story felt predictable and cliché, with no real surprises or twists. The characters were also quite bland, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The writing style was average at best, lacking any unique or memorable elements. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and would not read anything else by this author in the future.
4. Robert - 2 stars
"Curse of Shadows QBD Thorns" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was inconsistent, dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, leaving me confused and disinterested in the outcome. The romance subplot was forced and lacked chemistry between the characters. Overall, the book had potential but didn't live up to it, making it a forgettable and underwhelming read for me.