It isn’t easy being the girl who feels the world… Isolation is all nineteen-year-old Terra Materson has known for the last six years. Hiding from the cruel whispers and judgmental stares of society, she suffers the pain of the world around her in silence. The air that moves … the water that flows …the fire that burns … the earth that grounds, Terra feels it all. Despite her grandmother’s … all. Despite her grandmother’s insistence it’s a gift, she knows it is nothing more than a curse in disguise.
When her grandmother dies, leaving her alone and guideless, she is forced to step out of the shadows and into the light. Atchison College is the perfect place for Terra to learn to live again. Until she meets four guys with strange connections to the elements that torment her.
Together they lead her on a journey to the answer she’s always craved: Who is she? But as Terra quickly realizes, the truth is far more than her head, and heart is prepared for…
Cursed is the first book in an urban fantasy reverse harem series from Grace White, recommended for readers 17+
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I really felt for Terra, she has had a lot of loss, but she has a core of strength and keeps moving forward. She is relatable and likeable. I liked the guys too, but I didn’t really like the push/pull they did that led to Terra feeling hurt. I am really intrigued by the mix of mythology and creation. Most of this book is really just meeting the characters and understanding them, so I am looking forward to seeing their relationships deepen and to see what is happening to the world. I’m happy to see book 2 comes out soon!
What a very interesting story. This is my first story by Grace White and I am throughly hooked. I love Reverse Harem as it shows so many sides of the characters in the stories. This one has pulled me in and I just have to see how the series plays out. I need to know the who, the why, and the what. This is extremely well written with beautifully developed characters. It has drama, mystery, suspense, and a development of love. It is a must read!!!!
The narrator kept everything going at the perfect pace, adding the right emotions to each voice. She really brought the story to life. The main characters are easy to love. Each of the guys had a great quality that would draw in anyone. This must be a slow burn because we didn’t get any hanky panky. The story has quite the mystery going on that we find out more about at the end. So I am anxious to get to book 2! Enjoyed the whole audiobook!
Audio Review:
Cursed: The Gaia Chronicles #1 is a slow burning reverse harem urban fantasy romance. Elements air, earth, fire, and water are preeminent & all play a crucial role in assisting Terra in discovering her gift. World building descriptions & settings in this alternate universe are well detailed. Character’s are well seasoned with complex personalities as well as complex relationships. With mystery & intrigue interlaced throughout the narrative as secrets & revelations bring to light a new future. Looking forward to listening to the next audio in this series when available.
Narator Sarah Puckett did a flawless performance. Tone and pace flows through smoothly. Always a pleasure to listen to. Voices used take on appropriate ya tones.
I’m going to admit, more often than not I pick up a book to read without ever looking at what it’s about or who it’s written by. This was one of those times. I just liked the cover, remembered seeing it around the FB book groups I’m a part of and thought why the hell not. So glad I did, this was an extremely well written book with great well developed characters that had distinct personalities, and it has an original storyline. I’m so excited to finish reading this series, because let’s face it that last chapter left me with more questions and a huge desire to get them answered! Grace White had me sucked in from the very start and kept me engaged and curious throughout the entire story. Can’t wait to find out what happens next for Terra and her guys, and how the whole elements thing plays out!
This is the first book I have read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last. I loved it and am hanging out for book 2 to see what becomes of Terra and her friends. Just from this book, I can tell I am going to love this series.
I think I might go check out what else this author has written.
What great writing! This book is just full of little nuggets of world building on each and every page. I honestly had no clue what was coming next and stayed hooked the whole time. Incredible world building, great characters, and story that will keep you wanting more. If you are looking for a great slow burn paranormal reverse harem romance novel then this is the book for you. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
I think this read is exactly that, an introduction. Nothing much has happened plot-wise but I can admit that I’m interested at what, where and how it intended to go from here on.
Again, since this is pretty much and intro, I still haven’t made up my mind regarding the heroine, Terra. Before meeting the guys, I can say that I like her. But I got wary of her at the last few chapters. (Maybe 80% onwards)
She got…a little wishy-washy. She couldn’t decide for herself if she wanted space or wanted to barge through the guys head-on. Though, there was indeed a time when she wanted to know more. I would have liked for her to continue that line.
The guys. I have a lot of questions and frustrations directed at them as a group. I wasn’t really sure why there was a need to distance themselves with Terra. The hot and cold behavior from them and push and pull treatment they have going on. And they keep telling Terra she’s not ready or she wouldn’t understand or it wasn’t like that. Um, why did they all approached her in the first place if those guys didn’t want to ease things on her? And even when they ‘tried’ to answer Terra’s questions, they pretty much gave her non-answers or incorrect answers. Smh.
But anyway, as I’ve said before, I am interested to know what happens next. The concept seemed really interesting. Hopefully, the characters will grow out of this funk.
A mythical read!
It isn’t easy being the girl who feels the world…
Finding out the truth is never easy…
Right away, without getting into the heart of the story and without any answers, I already became emotionally invested in this read – I knew that I would not be able to stop reading once I started. And here I am up way past midnight because I just finished this magnificent book and now I am writing my review but it was and indeed it was worth it.
Reveals were made. Truths came out. Connections were made. So many things happened in this a short time that my head is spinning. I cannot wait for the next book because I need to know what will happen next – I have so many questions that need answers to.
Full of secrets, mystery, elements, witches, goddesses, tension, lies, betrayal, truths and love.
Perfect for readers of reverse harem urban fantasy romances.
Terra Materson grew up knowing she was different. She feels things she shouldn’t . . .like the feelings of the natural elements that surround her and make up the world. Ostracized as a child by others due to what they felt were odd behaviors, she was all too happy to move to her grandmother’s remote home when her parents died where she isolated herself from society as she basked in her grandmother’s love and acceptance of her gift.
When her grandmother dies, she gives Terra one last gift . . . admission into Atchison College. She’s ready to learn to live in society again on her terms and from the moment Terra steps on campus, it feels familiar to her in ways she can’t understand. She also finds herself drawn to four separate guys with personalities as different as possible. They seem to call to her and she senses their personalities match the four elements that her gift has had her in tune with her entire life.
The more Terra explores, the more she begins to learn the answers she has sought her entire life. But is she truly ready to know the truth of who she really is? Terra finds herself on the cusp of an incredible journey with Ross, Cael, Sol and Endo that while it begins to make sense to her, is also beyond anything she ever could have imagined.
I found Cursed to be absolutely unique and spellbinding! I couldn’t wait for Terra to begin learning more about her gift as she was fed clues by the four guys she met when she arrived on campus. There is so much going on and happening in her life and it is such a time of transition for this character that I immediately felt invested in what was happening with her and wanted to know more about how she fits with Sol, Endo, Cael and Ross and how the four of them work together as well.
This book is only the tip of the iceberg and sets up what I can only hope is a phenomenal young adult fantasy and adventure series. The ending is not a cliffhanger, but definitely left me wanting the next book right now! 5 stars!
This book is a must read. this book had me drawn in from the first page tell the end. This will be the first book that I’ve read by this author in a different story line. I can’t wait for the next book as this book keeps you on edge as it is getting intense as to what is to happen with the males and their life that they need to keep perform on earth property..
Terra is a quiet, introverted & shy 19yr old. We first meet her at her beloved Grandmothers Wake. She had taken Terra in after her Parents died when she was 13yrs old. She had always been singled out, bullied & stared at for being different, even her own Parents had tried to get her ‘Fixed’!! Terra ‘feels’ the earth beneath her feet, the plants, flowers & especially trees, they show her their pasts & while she ‘watches’ their stories she goes into a trance!! Her Grandmother just excepted her, loved her & told her they were gifts, she didn’t discourage her, more like encouraged & nurtured her
After the Wake a stranger arrives, he has her Grandmothers last wish for her. To go out into the world & start living, to attend her dream college of Atchison.
She arrives at Atchison & over time meets four different guys that she feels some sort of déjà vu & connection with … Sol, Cael, Endo & Ross. She feels the same deep connection to the College that she feels with them, She can’t explain it & doesn’t understand it. She feels like things are changing for her but has no idea how or why!!
Her Dorm Advisor, Amalia, it turns out is a witch & she tells Terra she thinks she is one too. She introduces her to the group. Terra isn’t that comfortable with it but does show a lot of potential
This story is fascinating, I really like the subject matter & am interested in finding out who really is on her side & who isn’t!! It seems straightforward but I doubt it will be that simple!! The premise of Goddesses & her Chosen coming to save the Earth has real potential & has set the scene up for the RH I was expecting to develop in this book!!!
I look forward to book 2 with anticipation. A solid 3.5/4 star start to this series
Debbie, 1970, UK