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darkest_faerie's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved Lyre and Clio’s trilogy! The ending was truly bittersweet. The character development was fantastically done. Seeing Ash and Lyre friendship develop filled in so many questions from steel & stone. Along with Lyre’s backstory and family. Some things I would have never guessed seeing as how in steel & stone nothing is given away- looking back now it was hinted at repeatedly. Well done Annette Marie I’d never pieced it together. I honestly couldn’t tell you which couple I love more. Piper and Ash or Lyre and Clio. They’re are both so different. The action in the book and descriptions where amazing! I always fall into Annette Marie’s addictive worlds. I can’t wait for the steel & stone sequel to see all four together.
sabrena's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Lots of good things plus a few parts I really loved. It was really fun to see a different side of Lyre through this trilogy. Although I still don't really like Clio that much, she got better after the first book and Lyre makes everything worth it anyway. The twist in this book got me! Even though I knew there had to be a solution, I was still like, "no way!" I really liked seeing (minor spoiler if you haven't read the original steel & Stone books) how Ash and Lyre became friends, but I also was wishing to see more of them together! I also have decided I love Miysis.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
Hoo-boy what a ride. Just so you know, this review also encompasses the epilogue Annette Marie sends to those who sign up for her mailing list. If you haven't read it, I would highly suggest it because, not only is it free, but it also ties up some loose ends for this book as well as for Unleash the Storm while also setting up the next series, Blackfire.
As for this book as a whole, though, damn. I mean, damn. I'd like to formally retract and strike from the record that I ever shipped Lyre and Piper during Steel & Stone, first of all, because it's been clear since the beginning of The Night Realm that Lyre and Clio have always been meant for one another. It was horribly cute in the epilogue when Clio was teasing him about his sex life while they'd been apart; if that isn't perfect I don't know what is. Plus, the only reason they've been apart is because Lyre cared about Clio's social standing enough to wait for her for ten fucking years. Commitment! Heartbreak! Fuck yes!
I loved all the different settings this book (as well as the second book) took us to, seeing more of the Overworld, seeing that crazy tower Ash, Clio, and Lyre had to break into and fight their way through. Fuck, it was cool, man.
I dug the hell out of these books, all the Steel & Stone books, it was a nonstop fun train and I can't wait for Blackfire to start so the fun train can keep on going. Just like I said about Steel & Stone, I'm not going to go and recommend this to all my literary buddies, but it's a fun time. Not sophisticated, but who cares, nobody even likes sophistication half the time anyway.
As for this book as a whole, though, damn. I mean, damn. I'd like to formally retract and strike from the record that I ever shipped Lyre and Piper during Steel & Stone, first of all, because it's been clear since the beginning of The Night Realm that Lyre and Clio have always been meant for one another. It was horribly cute in the epilogue when Clio was teasing him about his sex life while they'd been apart; if that isn't perfect I don't know what is. Plus, the only reason they've been apart is because Lyre cared about Clio's social standing enough to wait for her for ten fucking years. Commitment! Heartbreak! Fuck yes!
I loved all the different settings this book (as well as the second book) took us to, seeing more of the Overworld, seeing that crazy tower Ash, Clio, and Lyre had to break into and fight their way through. Fuck, it was cool, man.
I dug the hell out of these books, all the Steel & Stone books, it was a nonstop fun train and I can't wait for Blackfire to start so the fun train can keep on going. Just like I said about Steel & Stone, I'm not going to go and recommend this to all my literary buddies, but it's a fun time. Not sophisticated, but who cares, nobody even likes sophistication half the time anyway.
magikspells's review against another edition
4.0
A really fun end to a fun series, lots of things happening, multiple villains, new and old friends. I'm not disappointed about how it ended, I don't think a mushy riding off into the sunset is right for every story.
jessdone's review against another edition
3.0
I got through the whole series, do I get a prize? The book wasn't bad. Annette Marie is a wonderful writer, this series just didn't work for me. I've spent weeks evaluating what I think of this series and I'm still very conflicted.
The writing is solid and the description of these magical worlds and ideas is solid. Action scenes are exciting and blocked well. The plot of the story and the stakes seem underwhelming. Clio as a character does not work. I can't get too far into all the ways she doesn't work without spoiling the books, but the "innocence, wide eyed" girl just doesn't work in these circumstances. Beyond her character not fitting the story and situation she's in, her skills don't line up. Her fighting and magic skills are too sophisticated for her to be so sheltered. Most disappointing, is pairing an inadequate character with Lyre, who was such a cool character in the Steel & Stone series. I know the Steel $ Stone series happens years after this one, but it's disheartening for Ash to be badass and noble in both with Lyre sucks in this one (and THIS is supposed to be the book where he's the badass lead).
As a whole it's not good or bad, just "meh".
The writing is solid and the description of these magical worlds and ideas is solid. Action scenes are exciting and blocked well. The plot of the story and the stakes seem underwhelming. Clio as a character does not work. I can't get too far into all the ways she doesn't work without spoiling the books, but the "innocence, wide eyed" girl just doesn't work in these circumstances. Beyond her character not fitting the story and situation she's in, her skills don't line up. Her fighting and magic skills are too sophisticated for her to be so sheltered. Most disappointing, is pairing an inadequate character with Lyre, who was such a cool character in the Steel & Stone series. I know the Steel $ Stone series happens years after this one, but it's disheartening for Ash to be badass and noble in both with Lyre sucks in this one (and THIS is supposed to be the book where he's the badass lead).
As a whole it's not good or bad, just "meh".
steffi_au_penguinbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I a just going to hide in a corner and cry for the next hours until my heart stops hurting.
Another masterpiece by Annette Marie.
Another masterpiece by Annette Marie.
rlstrayer1's review against another edition
5.0
**I received an eARC from the author in exchange for my honest review**
5 Master Weaver stars
GUYS
I CAN'T
JUST....WOW....
The Blood Curse is the final book in the Spell Weaver trilogy, and the bridge to the next series: Steel and Stone. A per the usual Annette Marie guarantee, The Blood Curse DELIVERS. Action, romance, feels, plot twists....it has everything and it is done so well!
I won't go into plot stuff, since this is the third book. It does pick up right where book 2 left off, so there's no time gaps between books.
The character development throughout this series is amazing. I loved seeing how much Clio grew through the trilogy. I loved how she still had her weaknesses and limits, but she still strove to overcome and ended up being such a badass. Lyre....I just want to hold him because throughout the entire series (and the next) he is my favorite. His snark and charm and brilliance is magnetic, and why can't he just be a real person already?
Steel and Stone was released before this series, and as this is a prequel series I knew how certain things were going to turn out. I feel like knowing certain events ahead of time made the reading experience that much richer; however, for new readers I would recommend reading this series first before delving into Steel and Stone. I feel like it would tie together some loose ends that were a bit confusing in Steel and Stone, plus it would give the reader a much deeper look into Lyre and his character. He is very mysterious in Steel and Stone, but his character is so rich in personality that knowing the events in this prequel series will help readers gain a better appreciation for him (and his friendship with Ash).
Annette Marie is one of the most underrated authors today. Her books are absolutely incredible and full of detail and life. Her stories are unique, and her characters are so life-like that I'm shocked they don't actually exist. I am GREATLY looking forward to the Steel and Stone sequel series!
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AHHHHHH I'M A WRECK IT'S HERE IT'S HERE
5 Master Weaver stars
GUYS
I CAN'T
JUST....WOW....
The Blood Curse is the final book in the Spell Weaver trilogy, and the bridge to the next series: Steel and Stone. A per the usual Annette Marie guarantee, The Blood Curse DELIVERS. Action, romance, feels, plot twists....it has everything and it is done so well!
I won't go into plot stuff, since this is the third book. It does pick up right where book 2 left off, so there's no time gaps between books.
The character development throughout this series is amazing. I loved seeing how much Clio grew through the trilogy. I loved how she still had her weaknesses and limits, but she still strove to overcome and ended up being such a badass. Lyre....I just want to hold him because throughout the entire series (and the next) he is my favorite. His snark and charm and brilliance is magnetic, and why can't he just be a real person already?
Steel and Stone was released before this series, and as this is a prequel series I knew how certain things were going to turn out
Spoiler
like why Clio wasn't in any of the Steel and Stone booksAnnette Marie is one of the most underrated authors today. Her books are absolutely incredible and full of detail and life. Her stories are unique, and her characters are so life-like that I'm shocked they don't actually exist. I am GREATLY looking forward to the Steel and Stone sequel series!
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AHHHHHH I'M A WRECK IT'S HERE IT'S HERE
Spoiler
I'M SO SCAREDgypsydawn's review against another edition
5.0
This is the stunning, and fantastic end to this series - or at least THIS PART of the story. Lyre and Clio aren't done, thankfully - and it explains some of the events that happen in Steel & Stone. There is another series set to come out, probably in 2021, Blackfire. It picks up a few years after Steel & Stone, and features all the characters we've grown to love, or so the brief descriptions I've heard imply.
After falling even MORE in love with Lyre here, in his own origin story, and still harboring deep emotions surround Ash from the next series... well, let's just say I can't wait to see them, along with Piper and Clio, again.
As for this series, like most of Annette Marie's work, it's well done. Deep, interwoven and a bit brutal, it's a shiny bow atop a messed up situation - and it's perfect.
After falling even MORE in love with Lyre here, in his own origin story, and still harboring deep emotions surround Ash from the next series... well, let's just say I can't wait to see them, along with Piper and Clio, again.
As for this series, like most of Annette Marie's work, it's well done. Deep, interwoven and a bit brutal, it's a shiny bow atop a messed up situation - and it's perfect.