Viv Abbot will do whatever it takes to rescue Reid Graveheart, the reformed Brood demon she loves—even if it means teaming up with his violent, unpredictable older brother, Deacon. Her uneasy truce with him offers Viv something Reid never could: the chance to embrace her darkness.
As the search for Reid intensifies, Viv and her friends must maintain appearances on Harker grounds while wading into Astera’s seedy underbelly with none other than the White Stag as their guide. But when a bounty on Viv’s head puts those she cares about most in danger, Viv will be forced to go to lengths she never dreamed in order to protect them.
With enemies closing in from all sides and a ticking clock on her life, Viv must save the Half City from destruction while surviving a betrayal that strikes at the heart of everything she’s fighting for. Because in a world where monsters wear familiar faces and temptation cuts deeper than any blade, making it through her second semester at Harker will take more than skill—it will take everything Viv has left to give. Who can she really trust in a city that thrives on lies?
Cursed City by Kate Golden has complicated heroes, messy relationships and an ending with a twist so surprising that I never saw it coming. In this continuation of the Harker Academy series, Cursed City is the second book, picking up almost immediately from where the first book left off. Not only does it jump immediately back into the action and story but it’s non-stop action throughout the book as Viv attempts to find Reid and discover the truth about Half City and the deviants.
I love how believable the character reactions are, I like the dynamic between Viv and Deacon as they become reluctant allies and then friends. In the end, the build on her relationships with her friends and her relationships is what makes the story riveting. The drive to save Half City is compelling and the unexpected twists especially at the end, are brilliantly handled. No spoilers but it made for a dynamic ending.
If you like paranormal stories with romantic relationships and found family, this novel is perfect for you. I like the worldbuilding, how deviants are explained and the set up with Half City being open to Hell. I love the messy relationships and complicated heroes. Viv isn’t perfect, Viv is struggling but as she learns to accept herself, it allows her to see who really is there for her and who is holding her back. The growth of Viv’s character is the most compelling aspect and made me fall in love with the novel even with some expected elements.
Rating: 4.5 rings out of 5.
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