My heart hasn’t beat in a thousand years. I haven’t uttered a word in prison, and the guards keep their distance. If they get too close, they die–until at last, my magic binds my soul to another.
Unfortunately, the person destined to save me is a Night Elf–the enemy of my kind. And yet, when I see her in the cell across from mine, an ember starts to burn in my chest. When we escape together … escape together down the palace walls, it’s almost like I can feel again.
As we journey to find the magic that will save us both, attraction simmers between us. But I keep my secrets close. Because if she finds out what I am, she will find a way to kill me–even if it means sacrificing herself to do it.
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I loved this book and the storyline. Characters were great and written well in to the story, it had some brilliant twists to it that had me turning the page wanting more. I have read a great deal of books by this author and just love reading the books they bring out. Roll on the next book, I cant wait to see how this trilogy carries on and ends. Buy it, download it and read, you will not be disappointed.
I sat up shocked looked around and said ” What the he@# did I just read” I can not get enough of this duo
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the storyline was very good. The characters were well written, it had several twists to it that had me on the edge of my seat. I’m a big fan of the author, I am collecting all of her books. This is definitely worth reading, now I’m just trying to patiently wait for the second book in this trilogy.
This book is beyond addicting. I picked it up and put it down several hours later because I couldn’t stop reading it. The characters are amazing and engrossing and the world that has been created is interesting and keeps you wanting more. Marroc is amazing and I absolutely adore Ali. She is willing to do anything possible for those she loves and to try to save her people. I love the integration of Norse mythology and am curious to see where the rest of the series takes us.
A pretty good book. I enjoyed reading it and I’m definitely reading the next one. It was predictable but still an amazing story.
This book was amazing! The characters were interesting and I was generally interested in not just the dialogue but also what was going on inside their heads. I loved the blend of fantasy, real-world, and Norse mythology. It was an amazing blend that kept me intrigued. I sat down and read it in one shot and I will likely do the same with the second and then impatiently wait for the third.
As a fan of fantasy and especially elves, I downloaded this book. Immediately, I was caught up in the story. To me, it is a unique telling in a dystopian, modern manner. Both main characters are well developed and engaging. There is subtle humor. The world-building is exceptional. There is some minor cursing, and no explicit sex scenes, which I appreciate. I read this book in two days on a camping trip and thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is my genre – Fantasy and adventure
I stumbled across this book in KU and I am hooked
Let me start with the world-building –
Crawford blended Norse mythology (primary) with a few other mythological creatures and beliefs creating a unique universe for this series.
In this first in series, we don’t get a lot of details regarding Topside (?) more a rough imagery of that section of the world. We don’t really spend a whole lot of time there though so that could be it
Now when we venture below?
I had no problem seeing the imagery as though I was there
The cast –
Marroc – I want to keep him! He was such an enigma constantly battling with what should be and what is – His current form caused by a curse left him a soulless cold-hearted entity until a certain little someone shook everything up.
Ali – little spitfire of an assassin. Her attitude, the way she processed the events (for lack of a better word) that kept upending her quest – She is my heroine. Quick to process and takes the initiative. She was calculating and fearless but at the same time she has a softer side – I truly am excited to see how she deals with the truths she revealed during this first episode.
These two are polar opposites and just like their magnetic counterparts there is a lot of push and pull between them.
Cursed Prince is a solid start for the series with a compelling story line that kept me engaged and entertained from the opening scene to the closing. I enjoyed the easy connection I found with the characters and the way I was able to get lost in their story.
I did wish there was a bit more background when it came to the ‘topside’ and supporting cast there. Though honestly a lot was revealed as the story progressed and some of it was some pretty big OMG revelations.
Many of the events and characters introduced both ‘topside’ and in Hel were more introductions and foundation builders – IMO
I know I can’t have it all at once – I can’t help that I am a bit greedy when it comes to books I enjoy
I am not sure when the next in series comes out – I went to grab book two as soon as I had finished this and was unable to locate any information.
Soon I hope
Cursed Prince is epic to the core!! I love the use of myth and lore thrown into post-apocalyptic Earth. This story was well put together, fast-paced and imaginative — truly an awesome read.
After reading the first page I was ready for the next book to be in my hands/Kindle so I’d be on it as soon as I’d read the final word of book 1. It is SOOO DARN INCREDIBLE!!!! I was sucked into the Prince’s world and my emotions were taken on a whirlwind ride through the amazing world the author invented. What an amazing imagination the author has too!!! He blended Norse mythology with some incredibly lifelike characters that you will LOVE, HATE, FEAR and LOVE TO HATE. There are too many incredible vista’s to describe here not that I could do them justice anyway, you’ve got to read it to experience it for yourself. It was an amazing adventure and I am anxiously awaiting the next book and hoping the series NEVER ends.
Rather than the usual vague post-apocalyptic circumstances, this book is post-Ragnarok and I loved it! I am an absolute sucker for books that include Norse mythology and this one did an amazing job blending it into our familiar world setting. The gods are dead, high elves have taken over the surface, and dark elves are fighting to regain their freedom from the underground caves they’ve been locked into since Ragnarok. Best story setup I’ve read in a long time! Astrid, called Ali, is our dark elf assassin heroine and she is determined to free her people through any dangers. Marroc is the dark, broody, very mysterious captive of the high elves who becomes an integral part of Ali’s mission, as much as she is a part of his. This story was dark, it was gritty, it felt so real! I loved every second of it and I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
This is just WOW! Totally lost in this incredible story from the very first chapter it’s got action and adventure as we delve into the Norse world! Keeping you on the edge of your seat as you fall into this awesome world created by the author, the storyline is gripping and the characters awesome and I for one cannot wait to read what happens next!
1000+ years since Rahnarok.. the cursed prince is an amazing account of what happens to the god and the fall out after.. Ali and Marroc are two superbly written MC’s and with the whole story being told from both their POV’s you get to see how they both grow as characters.. and all their individual and joint struggles to deal with the prophecy’s, curses, high fae and even their own instincts. I love that the whole book is action packed, full of brilliant twists and fast paste. An absolute brilliant read that I would highly recommend.. I can’t wait for more from this series.
Marroc has been locked away in prison for thousand years in a loop of endless solitude. They fear him as He feasts on the souls of others.
Marroc has been cursed and has no soul. His soul is locked away safe from others, the soul is waiting for it’s match. Marroc Due to his curse, he
doesn’t remember much of his life before, he doesn’t feel anything and he can’t die.
Ali is a very important job with her brother that will help free her people. The job is going well until she gets inside. She doesn’t know what
she is looking. She was just given what box it was in. She starts to grab everything she can that she thinks might be it. Ali finds a gold ring
she decides to wear it. It feels like her mind is broken in to pieces and she passes out.When she comes to, she is in serious danger. They
capture her, take her to prison. Ali finds that there is anothe person in the prison with her, the others are afraid of him.
When the High Elves to take her to her sentencing, she finds out the cut the ring off and they know more about her. When they are trying to kill her,
she finds the man from the cell looking right at her. When all chaos starts, Ali realizes he is protecting her and she doesn’t know what he is
and what he wants. She just knows she is safe with him
That is just the beginning of a wonderfully written story, you will go on journey with Marroc and Ali. They will learn to lean on another as
they face danger and trials in the their mission to restore his soul. There are some really wonderful moments with some great twists and turns.
I highly recommmend you reading this, you will not regret it.
I received an ARC copy of this book, this is my honest review of book.
I have been waiting for a new instalment from husband and wife writing duo – C. N. Crawford ever since I finished Rising Queen
As soon as I heard the new series would be inspired by Ragnarok and contained elves, I knew I would have to read it as soon as I could get my hands on it!
This story was fast paced, funny and a total binge read. I finished it within a few hours of starting!
The opening chapters were extremely energised and I couldn’t stop laughing at the part where Ali said she gets tears in her eyes thinking of the Rick Astley Never Gonna Give You Up song. I think we can all say we’ve had tears in our eyes over that song – especially if played on repeat!!
For a while though, it felt like the world building was at the character development expense. It was a struggle to connect with either Marroc or Ali as I just wanted to know more about the world they lived in. It wasn’t until the half way point that I really started to click with the two main characters. This is why I wish the book were longer (as I do with all their previous books) as things were really starting to get going and I just needed more!
There was plenty of sexual chemistry between Ali and Marroc, though at this point I feel like Ali is holding back – the next book might be steamier especially if Marroc gets his way.
The character I related to most in this book was the ‘draugr’ that killed her husband and plucked out his eyeballs for eating his food too loudly. I felt that.
Most memorable scene for me – was the scene with the needle. Honestly had me checking my hand and rubbing my fingers whilst I read it. It gave me the heebie jeebies.
As usual the tension building up to the climax was filled with adrenaline and a bittersweet twist.
I’m so excited about the potential of this series, the conclusion promises a wild ride for the next instalment.
Favourite Quotes:
Because when something terrible happens, there’s only one way to make it right, isn’t there? Make something worse happen to someone else.
It wasn’t like I’d joked with anyone in the past thousand years. I’d just eaten them.
I am always happy when this author duo has a new book out, and I happily dived in. Marroc has been in prison for over a thousand years, and when our heroine is caught stealing she’s thrown in the cell across from his. I really liked Ali from the start. She was a little plucky, and I liked that. It took me longer to like Marroc, and it didn’t take too long for me to figure out (no spoilers) some things about him. There were some surprises though. This was an interesting world, and I am looking forward to what happens next especially with the end. I hope we get to see more of Ali’s world, too. I’m intrigued. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.