The Curses by Laure Eve (Review #175)

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS FAR IN THE GRACES SERIES, STOP NOW. DO NOT READ. THIS IS BOOK 2. CHECK OUT THE GRACES FOR THE REVIEW OF BOOK 1!

"Picking up the pieces after the chilling events of the previous year isn’t easy, but the Graces are determined to do it. Wolf is back after a mysterious disappearance, and everyone’s eager to return to normal. Except for Summer, the youngest Grace. Summer has a knack for discovering the truth—and something is troubling her. After a trail of clues leads her to what could be the key to both her family’s mysterious past and the secret of Wolf, she’s determined to vanquish yet another curse. But exposing secrets is a dangerous game, and it’s not one Summer can win alone.

At Summer’s behest, the coven comes back together, reluctantly drawing their erstwhile friend River back into the fold. But Wolf’s behavior becomes unpredictable even as Fenrin’s strength fades, and Summer must ask herself whether the friend she so loves is also planning her family’s ultimate, cursed demise.

This riveting sequel to The Graces is saturated with magic, the destructive cost of power, the complications of family, and the nature of forgiveness."

Review:

This was a roller coaster of a read! We left off with River, a witch more powerful than any of the Graces had ever seen. And she had purpose in her. In the first book, we read in the point of view of River, and in this one, we are in the POV of Summer. If you thought the worst had come and gone, then you'd be oh so terribly wrong. 

River is on the outs with the Graces after killing - and then resurrecting - Fenrin's boyfriend Wolf. As with all resurrected people, he didn't come back the same, but to the Graces, they're happy he came back at all. As the story progresses, I get the creepiest feeling that maybe River was the villain of this tale. It wasn't too far fetched, but after spending a whole book in her eyes, it was hard not to root for her despite it all. The truth of the matter was, it was waaay more complicated than that. 

I think I enjoyed reading in River's POV more, maybe because of her wildness and unpredictability, but Summer was still a great narrator. We are able to really see the Graces, not for the mysterious impenetrable witches the world sees them as, but as real tangible people with their own desires and fears. There are quite a few curses at play here if you ask me, and Summer seems to be the only one who isn't willing to just let them consume her. 

In the best way possible, this book has a dark vibe about it. For the series as a whole, I can't help but draw comparisons to the film The Craft & Practical Magic. But these books did them better. Instead of the new witch in town being a 'Sarah' type from the Craft, River was more akin to Nancy. And instead of two sisters fighting a family curse and a resurrection, its two sisters, one brother, the new girl, and an ex-boyfriend. 

Mistake after mistake, this group plunges deeper and deeper into the dark and even though I knew where the ending was heading, it was still just as satisfying. This is an underrated story about the truth about Curses, the real magic in the world, and the darkness within each of us and whether we choose to let it win.

Thank you so much for reading! Whether or not you've read this yet, let me know your thoughts and feels down below in the comments!