bxckysbxxks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
suman100's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
silene's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Some of these stories are fantastic, others are lackluster, and some have some serious underlying issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Body horror
Minor: Rape
bookaholic84's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
phyrre's review
4.0
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to Titan Books for an copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
When I first heard of this anthology, I knew it was clearly written for me. Dark fairy tales? Curses? Subverted expectations? Helloooo. 100% me. Anthologies are hard, because you sort of always have to expect a mixed lot. I’ve never read an anthology where I’ve just loved every single one of the stories. But this one came pretty darn close, I have to say.
Cursed is a masterfully edited book from a list of highly talented authors that delivers on its promise of evil curses, dark fairy tale retellings, and twists that are sure to give you goosebumps.
I definitely didn’t find any part of this terrifying per se. This was a more subtle sort of feeling, a pervasive creepiness as you read that you know something’s not quite right. If there’s one thing you should go into this anthology with it’s this: expect the unexpected.
I have to say, the editors did a fabulous job curating the stories, and the authors brought some interesting new perspectives to fairy tales we all know and love. The stories range from straight up horror to some with a more philosophical bent to even some humorous ones. Because what screams horror more than humor, am I right? But it worked perfectly.
I'll just highlight a couple of my favorites here:
Henry and the Snakewood Box
What I Loved: This is written from the point of view of a snarky demon (and really … is there any other kind?!). The voice is the perfect balance between fun and manipulative, with just a dash of evil. Okay, a healthy dosing of evil. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Listen
What I Loved: This one surprised me by not only being darker than I originally thought it would be, but it took an unforeseen turn that I really enjoyed. This takes its inspiration from the Pied Piper, and I loved how the author took the roots of that story and transformed it to something darker and yet still like an arrow straight to the feels.
Again
What I Loved: Who knew you could have a love story in a book about curses?! That in itself is enough to make this stand out. I loved the blend of horror and romance here. It was both sweet and creepy, poignant and heartbreaking, especially thinking about all the ramifications of it.
Wendy, Darling
What I Loved: I think the idea in this isn’t completely unique (as I’ve heard this “theory” about Peter Pan before) but oh my freaking gosh, the creep factor was cranked up so much. This story was dark and freaky and the writing dragged me along reluctantly, especially after I saw where it was going, but it was just so powerful.
Many thanks to Titan Books for an copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
When I first heard of this anthology, I knew it was clearly written for me. Dark fairy tales? Curses? Subverted expectations? Helloooo. 100% me. Anthologies are hard, because you sort of always have to expect a mixed lot. I’ve never read an anthology where I’ve just loved every single one of the stories. But this one came pretty darn close, I have to say.
Cursed is a masterfully edited book from a list of highly talented authors that delivers on its promise of evil curses, dark fairy tale retellings, and twists that are sure to give you goosebumps.
I definitely didn’t find any part of this terrifying per se. This was a more subtle sort of feeling, a pervasive creepiness as you read that you know something’s not quite right. If there’s one thing you should go into this anthology with it’s this: expect the unexpected.
I have to say, the editors did a fabulous job curating the stories, and the authors brought some interesting new perspectives to fairy tales we all know and love. The stories range from straight up horror to some with a more philosophical bent to even some humorous ones. Because what screams horror more than humor, am I right? But it worked perfectly.
I'll just highlight a couple of my favorites here:
Henry and the Snakewood Box
What I Loved: This is written from the point of view of a snarky demon (and really … is there any other kind?!). The voice is the perfect balance between fun and manipulative, with just a dash of evil. Okay, a healthy dosing of evil. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Listen
What I Loved: This one surprised me by not only being darker than I originally thought it would be, but it took an unforeseen turn that I really enjoyed. This takes its inspiration from the Pied Piper, and I loved how the author took the roots of that story and transformed it to something darker and yet still like an arrow straight to the feels.
Again
What I Loved: Who knew you could have a love story in a book about curses?! That in itself is enough to make this stand out. I loved the blend of horror and romance here. It was both sweet and creepy, poignant and heartbreaking, especially thinking about all the ramifications of it.
Wendy, Darling
What I Loved: I think the idea in this isn’t completely unique (as I’ve heard this “theory” about Peter Pan before) but oh my freaking gosh, the creep factor was cranked up so much. This story was dark and freaky and the writing dragged me along reluctantly, especially after I saw where it was going, but it was just so powerful.
emmacatereads's review
3.0
Me? Reading two dark fairy tale anthologies in a row? How out of character! Not. Jokes aside, I didn't enjoy this as much as other takes on the genre. My personal enjoyment varied more substantially, though I did like how some of the retellings were direct from specific fairy tales while others hovered more interpretively around the theme of curses generally. The latter type I liked more, and found them to be overall more creative and interesting.
Favorites from this collection include:
As Red As Blood, As White As Snow by Christina Henry. A new take on Sleeping Beauty in which the prince is a villainous scumbag and Beauty and the Queen team up.
Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman. A young boy stumbles upon a hungry troll beneath a bridge and is drawn back again and again over the course of his life.
Henry And The Snakewood Box by M.R Carey. A demon tries to outsmart a dim-witted wish-maker and ends up getting the short end of the stick.
Again by Tim Lebbon. A surprisingly tender story in which a woman is cursed to die over and over and wake up in a new body, but always makes her way back to the woman she loves.
Favorites from this collection include:
As Red As Blood, As White As Snow by Christina Henry. A new take on Sleeping Beauty in which the prince is a villainous scumbag and Beauty and the Queen team up.
Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman. A young boy stumbles upon a hungry troll beneath a bridge and is drawn back again and again over the course of his life.
Henry And The Snakewood Box by M.R Carey. A demon tries to outsmart a dim-witted wish-maker and ends up getting the short end of the stick.
Again by Tim Lebbon. A surprisingly tender story in which a woman is cursed to die over and over and wake up in a new body, but always makes her way back to the woman she loves.