"Cursed Ever After" by Andy C. Naranjo

 

Cursed Ever After by Andy C. Naranjo is a charming YA fantasy debut where assassins run rampant, curses abound, and adventure awaits.

Risa Porto was born on a Bad Day—the worst day of the year—and is believed by all in Barrow, including herself, to be cursed with bad luck. She is lonely, friendless, an outcast, and can’t wait to leave a village where every calamity is blamed on her. On her seventeenth birthday, her wish is granted. The witch Brunhilda comes to collect a debt and sends her on a quest: to escort Prince Javi—the seventh prince and a known flirt—through the haunted Bosque to his wedding in the neighboring kingdom of Madros.

Brunhilda has promised the prince that Risa will be his good luck charm so he will accept her, much to Risa’s unease. Alas, the journey does not go smoothly. From the start, there are assassination attempts on their lives, intrigue, and deadly trials. There are many adventures and mishaps along the way, as well as new companions—a mysterious girl called “wolf” and a cat familiar—who make the journey even more exciting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical fairytale. With themes of self-discovery, self-worth, acceptance, perseverance, the tension between choice and fate, and, ultimately, love, the author has woven a lovely tale. Though Risa and Javi seem like opposites at first, they have more in common than they realize. I liked the buildup to their relationship and the gradual bond between them. The side storyline of the “wolf” was excellently woven into the main plot. Risa is a more well-rounded protagonist than the others—I loved her growth—but the supporting characters are developed enough to feel real. At times, the two main characters could be a bit thick-headed, and I wanted to shake some sense into them.

Good fairytales rely on world-building, and this book has it in spades. The pace was just right, and the tone strikes a nice balance between lighthearted and perilous moments. The humor adds charm without overshadowing the stakes. I loved the characters, the world, the magic, and the book! Even though it is YA, the plot is quite intricate. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a feel-good story with no steam. The book stands on its own, but I would love to read more set in this world. Cursed or not, I’m all in!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book:  "Cursed Ever After" by Andy C. Naranjo