Title: The Blood Curse (Spell Weaver #3)
Author: Annette Marie
Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.
Release Date: March 30th, 2018
Standalone/Series: Trilogy
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy
Goodreads link
My rating in stars: 4 stars
My rating in words: LOVED IT!
WHAT IT’S ABOUT:
When Clio conned her way into the Underworld to steal magic from the notorious spell weavers of Chrysalis, she thought she was helping protect her homeland.
Instead, she exposed Lyre’s most calamitous spell, and now her half-brother Bastian plans to wield it against the powerful Ra family. Clio and Lyre have to stop him before he can unleash it, but Bastian isn’t their only adversary.
Chrysalis wants the shadow weave—and they want Lyre dead. And this time, they aren’t trusting mercenaries to get the job done. Lyre’s father is coming for him, and no magic can defeat the most lethal weaver in the three realms.
From the scorching deserts of Ra to the darkest corner of the Underworld, Clio and Lyre must chase the shadow weave as both the hunters and the hunted. To make it out alive, they’ll need magic more devious and dangerous than either of them alone possesses, and if they fail, the realms will pay the price.
MY THOUGHTS (SPOILER-FREE):
Well, I’m back with another Annette Marie review. I’m calling it a review, but let’s be real: you’ll probably all be expecting another gushfest and truthfully… it totally is. It’s no surprise to anyone how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Annette Marie’s writing. I think she’s an amazing author who deserves so much more love and hype than she’s getting right now. But no worries, I’m here to love and hype her as much as I humanly can!
Let’s recap quickly, shall we? The Blood Curse is the final book in the Spell Weaver trilogy, which is a prequel trilogy to the Steel and Stone series. This prequel trilogy focuses on Lyre, the alluring yet mysterious incubus from the Steel and Stone series, and tells about the events that happen to him and set him on his path ten years earlier. The story starts when he meets Clio, a nymph and the other main character and POV in this trilogy, when she’s on a secret mission in his home in the Underworld, trying to steal some dangerous magic.
Since this is the third and final book in the trilogy, I won’t go too far into the plot to avoid major spoilers, but suffice it to say this book has everything I have come to know and expect from an Annette Marie book. The worldbuilding is so deep and complex and after nine books set in this world, we still learn something new every book AND still want more. It’s a world that I just can’t get enough off (so really, my favorite kind). The characters are not only so well-written, layered and complex, they are also super lovable and unforgettable. The action is paced perfectly thoughout the book with tons of fight scenes that are so brilliantly written they play out like a movie in front of your eyes. There’s never a dull moment in sight, but still plenty of time for some quiet character moments. The romance… is one of my favorite parts about Annette Marie books, I’m not even going to deny it. The chemistry is sizzling, the banter is amazing, the feelings are real and deliciously slow-burn. Really, all the elements that make up an amazing book are here and they are woven together expertly.
Should you read this one first or should you start with Steel and Stone? I read them in publication order, meaning first the Steel and Stone series and then the Spell Weaver series. But honestly, I think you can do either. They are each their own story and you will not feel incredibly lost or confused either way. The Spell Weaver trilogy does have some nice little Easter eggs concerning the Steel and Stone series, so it was fun reading this with the knowledge of that series to experience them fully. That said, those Easter eggs kind of made me want to re-read the entire six-book Steel and Stone series, so I might just do that!
For those of you who already are a bit familiar with these characters and this world, rest assured that The Blood Curse is a satisfying ending that will provide you not only with a lot of feelings, but also answers. We learn so much more about Lyre and it is as eye-opening and powerful as it is sad. We glimpse the beginning of the strong friendship between Lyre and Ash and it is everything I ever wanted. We even get more insight into the character of Miysis, who was not really a friend, but also not really an enemy to the Steel and Stone trio, and I mostly want to re-read Steel and Stone now for him.
Overall, The Blood Curse was a satisfying ending to an amazing trilogy. Though I say ending, I’m personally already counting down the days for the sequel bringing all the characters from the Spell Weaver and Steel and Stone series together. So if you’re tired of me gushing about Annette Marie books, I’m sorry, but I predict a LOT more gushing in the future!
FAVORITE QUOTES:
“My heart is yours. No other woman has touched it, and no one but you ever will.”
“Ash’s power. Lyre’s weaving. Clio’s magic. Maybe, together, they stood a chance to fix this before his worst nightmare became a reality.”
“Lyre”, she whispered. “I know you didn’t want me to say it, but-” “No,” Ash snarled. “Spare me the final declarations of love. Fuck.” “We have nothing better to do,” Lyre snapped furiously. “Since we’re just hanging here prior to imminent death, we might as well-”