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A review by nightowlloft
The Curse that Binds Us by Katie Hayoz
4.0
How much evil can we do in the name of good? What lengths will we go to in order to save our own?
___________________________
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement! The Curse That Binds Us is as much a dark Salem-style dance with the devil as it is an early settler-era historical drama and they weave so seamlessly into one another and into the present day that I found myself having to remember that it IS mostly fiction.
The first book in what is set to be a trilogy, it is the perfect start and a very well balanced blend of world/story building and forward momentum. Told from 3 different points of view we first follow Redd, a teenager living in Wisconsin who desperately wants to lead a normal life with her normal friends but who is plagued by an overbearing mother with strict rules and odd “training” that is supposed to be for Redd’s protection. Not to mention a mysterious trunk that shows up every year on her birthday prompting her mother to pack up their things and run year after year.
The second point of view is from John, a teenager from the beautiful idyllic town called Eden. Frozen in time the inhabitants of Eden do not age, suffer no ailments, and cannot sustain their own lives outside of Eden. True to its name in appearance you would wonder why they would ever want to leave, however it does not take long for you to learn the dark undercurrent and secrets of the world they call home.
The third and final point of view was my favorite and that is of Eleanor Dare, the first woman to birth an English child in the New World. Very, very loosely based on the history and mystery surrounding the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island NC we follow Eleanor from childhood in England through motherhood in Roanoke. A part of the Colony that “disappeared” without a trace, we follow her as well as some other key characters from the time they arrive in Roanoke to their mysterious vanishing. Interwoven in Eleanor’s story is a chance encounter with the devil and his pets during her childhood that seals her fate and ultimately sets the entire story in motion.
This book was very easy to follow even with 3 points of view and I was able to start weaving the pieces together rather quickly. The pacing was great, there were not really any “slow” parts. You were given vital bits of information at the perfect times to keep pulling you in while not overwhelming you with too much information at once so as to make it confusing.
Overall the story was captivating, the mystery engrossing, and though its origins were very dark it harkens back to the classic good vs evil fight and prods at deeper questions of morality such as how far WOULD you go out of desperation? And what WOULDN’T you do to care for someone you love? Is it weakness to have a soft heart? Or will a hardened heart only leave you blinded and vulnerable?
I would have loved to have seen a bit more romantic tension/chemistry between Redd and John, I feel like there was a fair bit building up in the beginning but then it kind of became nonexistent once they shared a pretty intense kiss. What was there, however, did both their characters’ personalities justice and laid the groundwork for hopefully more of a deeper connection for them in the story ahead.
Note: This book did leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger right as everything came to a head and I was begging for there to be just a little bit more, but overall it is an excellent read. I cannot wait for the next installment!!
TW: abuse, abduction, racism toward Native Americans, violence, rituals/sacrifice, death, child death.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for sending me a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review!
___________________________
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement! The Curse That Binds Us is as much a dark Salem-style dance with the devil as it is an early settler-era historical drama and they weave so seamlessly into one another and into the present day that I found myself having to remember that it IS mostly fiction.
The first book in what is set to be a trilogy, it is the perfect start and a very well balanced blend of world/story building and forward momentum. Told from 3 different points of view we first follow Redd, a teenager living in Wisconsin who desperately wants to lead a normal life with her normal friends but who is plagued by an overbearing mother with strict rules and odd “training” that is supposed to be for Redd’s protection. Not to mention a mysterious trunk that shows up every year on her birthday prompting her mother to pack up their things and run year after year.
The second point of view is from John, a teenager from the beautiful idyllic town called Eden. Frozen in time the inhabitants of Eden do not age, suffer no ailments, and cannot sustain their own lives outside of Eden. True to its name in appearance you would wonder why they would ever want to leave, however it does not take long for you to learn the dark undercurrent and secrets of the world they call home.
The third and final point of view was my favorite and that is of Eleanor Dare, the first woman to birth an English child in the New World. Very, very loosely based on the history and mystery surrounding the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island NC we follow Eleanor from childhood in England through motherhood in Roanoke. A part of the Colony that “disappeared” without a trace, we follow her as well as some other key characters from the time they arrive in Roanoke to their mysterious vanishing. Interwoven in Eleanor’s story is a chance encounter with the devil and his pets during her childhood that seals her fate and ultimately sets the entire story in motion.
This book was very easy to follow even with 3 points of view and I was able to start weaving the pieces together rather quickly. The pacing was great, there were not really any “slow” parts. You were given vital bits of information at the perfect times to keep pulling you in while not overwhelming you with too much information at once so as to make it confusing.
Overall the story was captivating, the mystery engrossing, and though its origins were very dark it harkens back to the classic good vs evil fight and prods at deeper questions of morality such as how far WOULD you go out of desperation? And what WOULDN’T you do to care for someone you love? Is it weakness to have a soft heart? Or will a hardened heart only leave you blinded and vulnerable?
I would have loved to have seen a bit more romantic tension/chemistry between Redd and John, I feel like there was a fair bit building up in the beginning but then it kind of became nonexistent once they shared a pretty intense kiss. What was there, however, did both their characters’ personalities justice and laid the groundwork for hopefully more of a deeper connection for them in the story ahead.
Note: This book did leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger right as everything came to a head and I was begging for there to be just a little bit more, but overall it is an excellent read. I cannot wait for the next installment!!
TW: abuse, abduction, racism toward Native Americans, violence, rituals/sacrifice, death, child death.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for sending me a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review!