I got approved for the second book without reading the first, so this was a wild adventure.
First, I needed to read the first one - which has no merit to the second (in a sense, but anyways).

I wasn't very impressed with the story plot with the first book, but decided to give a chance to second book, hoping it would get better. It didn't. I got so confused with what was happening to River - was she a danger to everyone and needed to have her powers bound? Was her past more important? Was her cousin's death? Was the trickster? What is happening?

I think the author wanted to cram as much story plot as possible but didn't find a way to connect everything... which made everything confusing.

I will not be giving feedback on this book as I couldn’t really get into it but I think others may enjoy it.

I didn't have the best experience with the first book, with it both being slow and rambling while also predictable, but something about it was still enough to make me tempted to request and try book 2! I was frustrated where parts of the ending left us, while also a fan of how other things were wrapped up, so I was overall intrigued where this second book would go after that wishy-washy (for me) ending.

The biggest thing I enjoyed about this sequel was that we get a lot more of the magic, and it becomes an even larger part of the story overall. I always really enjoy witches in story, and seeing this take on witch magic was really nice to see. While we got some magic in the first book of course, it really became more central to the story here, and I loved seeing what Laure Eve did with it in this sequel!

The POV switch was also quite interesting, and at times a breath of fresh air, since River was not always the type of narrator I like and that hindered some parts of the first book for me. Getting to read from Summer's point of view was an altogether different experience, and I feel like it really added to the duology overall. However, there were also aspects of her POV that were difficult in other ways, and I wasn't always into how she viewed things.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book more than the first, and I'm overall satisfied by how it all ended up! I can definitely see myself reading more by this author in the future.

Yaasss witchy reads!!! Bravo to the sequel. Although a little sluggish in some parts it was definitely a more magic centered read than the first one, which I enjoyed. I also appreciated accusing everyone of being the bad guy haha! I enjoyed this book so much, I ordered myself a copy. Plus, that cover?! SWOON.

I love a good duology and this did not disappoint, With duologies there is such a thin margin of success because you really have to hit all the points you need to conclude without making it feel skimpy. Too often duologies are written sparsely in the second half and you wonder why it wasn't just a really long one shot instead? This was not the case for The Graces and the Curses. Every beat was used to it's greatest effect and the fluidity of the writing pulled you along and just kept you going. I really enjoyed it and hated to see it end!

"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."

- This was the second book in the Graces series. The books is a total page turner! I love Laure Eve and cant not wait to read more of her work! Awesome read if you are looking for something witchy!

I didn't realize this was book two in the series, The Curses by Laure Eve. I'll have to pick up book one soon so I can get on to book two.

I enjoyed the Graces, so I was looking forward to this sequel. I’ll start off by saying it’s told in Summer’s Point of view, and that really changed the reading journey from me. I could never connect to her the way I had River. Summer’s lifestyle, thoughts, and personality made her seem removed and hard to relate to. Therefore, my ability to emphasize and lose myself in her story was lacking.

We pick up shortly where the first book left off with the aftermath of Wolf’s return. No one said resurrection would be easy, right? I loved that we got a lot more background about the Graces family history, and a bit of insight into their powers, but I wanted more Wolf. He was a fleeting figure, which shocked me considering all he’d been through.

I appreciated the twists Ms. Eve threw in everywhere! They were Whoa inducing. She did an excellent job of leading you in the wrong direction. (Delivers plot twist princess award.) It kept me guessing, and turning the pages, despite the lulls, and at times slow pacing.

In the end, I finished the book, pleased with some of the new things I learned, and the puzzles solved, but longing to feel more engaged with the characters.

I’ll start by saying that I didn’t like the first book of the series. I didn’t think it delivered what it promised, and though it was wonderfully atmospheric, the story was a bit lacking.

This book slightly redeemed the first one, but like its predecessor, the plot was murky and didn’t drive the story. I had no idea what was going to happen; it felt more like a string of events that were mildly intriguing. It did pick up towards the end, but overall it was mostly character-developing scenes and a lot of description. Honestly, that didn’t really change how I felt about the book. It was short enough that it was still a quick read despite the bland plot, and somehow Eve managed to make it a page-turner. The mood of the novel was exactly what I was craving: stormy and magical and sensual. Yet another book to make me wish it were fall. The magic system was a bit wishy-washy, but I like how it relied on instinct and desire rather than a set of rules and spells.

The narration is from Summer’s point of view rather than River’s, which I think is the main factor that made this book so much more enjoyable. She was raw and honest, and I really liked seeing her relationship with her siblings. She was a bit preachy in her train of thought, but I appreciated the sincerity and love for curiosity that she projected into the story.

If you were a little disappointed by the first book, I’d recommend still giving this one a try. The ending of The Graces was definitely hooked me in to reading this one, and while it wasn’t what I was expected, I still found myself enjoying it.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. It had been awhile since I read the first book in this series so it took me a little while to get back into the story line, but we are back with ther Grace siblings. This is magical and witchy read that it was excited to get back to their lives and the adventures they are on. I think I enjoyed the first book better but I enjoyed to read this book.

I was pretty nervous about starting this book, as I always am with sequels. There was so much to love about the first book, I was worried that this one wouldn’t live up.

The Curses starts off pretty much where the first book left off. And it took a good 30ish% for it to pick up. I almost quit because of how boring the beginning was. But I liked Summer as a narrator, and there seemed to be a budding romance between herself and River that was cute. Even if River is the least developed character in the story. So I kept on. The story felt fairly predictable, but the writing made up for any guessing that I did. I really like Laure Eve’s style.

Like the first book, this was a really good story about family and siblings, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved seeing how they learned to talk to each other and become better people together. This is probably the main part of the book that I loved. There’s a lot of character growth in this book.

In the end I gave the book 3 stars. It’s not as good as the first book, but it does have some really good qualities. I felt like it was queerbaiting the relationship between River and Summer and that definitely made me rate the book lower.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this early copy,

A great follow up to The Graces. I would recommend picking up this series.

I remember being on the fence about <u>The Graces</u>, so I went into the sequel with an open mind. Most sequels let me down . . . they just don’t live up to the first in the series.

That was not the case for <u>The Curses</u>.

It started off a little slow, but was quick to pick up the pace. There was a lot of backstory explained with the curse and the Grace family in general, which was nice to learn during the slower moments in the book.

There was plenty of action, some backstabbing and secrets. The twist and the climax of the story was intriguing and I love the way it was played out.

If you love witches, curses that can destroy a family and kill you, and resurrections . . . definitely recommend this book.

I was so excited when I received an advance copy of this book. I read the first book, "The Graces" back in early 2017 and gave it 4 stars. I'm sorry to say that I did not enjoy this second book at all. Maybe it was me.....maybe the craziness of end of year standardized testing wore me down. Maybe I was a different reader back in 2017. But I typically thoroughly enjoy books that deal with magic and witches. This book just didn't do it for me. While there were some moments of intrigue and some well-turned phrases, the characters didn't feel the same at all. I did not feel like I was meeting them again but rather for the first time and it was not an enjoyable meeting. I'm sorry to say that I was just flat out relieved to finish it. I thank netgally for the opportunity to read and review this book. I'm just sorry I don't have anything more positive to say.

I love this book more than I did the first. I think it was an excellent read and I cant wait to own a final copy. This is book two of the series and it was totally better than the first one

Even better than book one and that’s saying something! After the shocking ending of The Graces, I couldn’t wait to continue the story.

I loved the realism incorporated. Beautifully done. I was also thankful to be out of the school.

The absolute best part was the sisters’ love for each and support system.

A story that doesn’t drag, pagan practices, and a sense of closure made this one a fantastic read.

Picking up soon after the events of The Graces, The Curses follows the Grace siblings and their two closest “friends” as they try to recover from the strange events that have occurred (events that will remain vague for the purposes of avoiding spoilers for those who have not read the earlier novel). Laure Eve now changes perspective to that of Summer, the youngest of the Graces and the first to have befriended River, the unreliable narrator of the first novel. Summer’s understanding of previous events and her recollection of them sets her up right away as an honest, straightforward narrator—more so, as one who is determined to get to the truth of many matters, especially that behind the curse that plagues the magical family.


“Truth was not a cure, but it was a damn good start,” Summer tells us. “Something fundamental had been broken, collapsing the fine webbing of secrets and denial that had caught us all like flies. But walls can be rebuilt, and truth is something you constantly had to work at. Luckily, as I kept pointing out just in case no one noticed, I was really, really into the truth. I meant to be a pest about it.” And she is, though she’s an endearing narrator, with a voice vastly different from River’s slippery, strange, but equally interesting one. Wolf, the Grace’s childhood friend and Fenrin’s romantic interest, is “back,” but something isn’t quite right with him. Even so, he and Fenrin have picked up their relationship again, but something isn’t quite right there either. Wolf has an edge to him that he didn’t before, and Fenrin seems more and more exhausted, the more time he spends with him. Everyone seems to have something to hide: “Most people are more screwed up than anyone could possibly imagine. The really normal ones can be the worst—they look normal because they’re no much better at hiding pain than the rest of us…[but] hiding is like a poison…it turns you grim on the inside.”

Meanwhile, Summer stumbles upon a family secret, and when she and Thalia investigate the mysterious death of a family member, they find that there is more to their parents’ version of the story, and to the curse that frightens those of magical abilities away from love with those who have none. As much as The Curses is about the Graces wanting to figure out their family’s past, it’s also about them trying to figure out where things stand with River, with Wolf, and, with a wider lens, with the small community of their coastal town. Something is afoot, and if they’re not responsible for the oddly magical but ominous things happening to the community, then who is? And more importantly, why are these things happening? People have been leaving their wishes in a clearing, and they seem to be answered by someone who can work magic, but the wishes don’t pan out well, and bear negative consequences. Is River the one responsible for them all, as she assumes herself to be? Eve plays with the idea of wishes as curses throughout the novel, not just with River, who, sometimes, “[…] just wants someone to shut up, or go away, and then it happens, but it really happens, in a way that’s totally out of control… with her, a wish can become a curse.”


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With this second novel, we see the Graces from the inside: We see how they are with each other, the loyalty the siblings have for each other, the strength they gain from each other and can share with others they allow into their family. River, who left us so startled at the end of the first book, is now seen from Summer’s perspective, which paints her afresh, and allows her empathy, too. River and Summer’s dynamic has to now be reconsidered entirely by readers of the first novel, which is interesting in itself. The element of mystery in this narrative goes beyond just that surrounding one character—River was the magnet that held the narrative of the first novel together, and while The Curses is told only from Summer’s perspective, it treats us to more from the other Grace siblings, and a larger, tricksy plot that forces the young witches to come together in an unexpected way.

The Graces was a very readable, entertaining book. The Curses is no less. It’s a strong follow up, and it develops further the ideas of what it means to forgive, accept and let go of people we love and call family. Honesty, trust and communication are key to any relationship, as the witches come to realise, no matter what magic is used to bind people to each other.

In the first book, we experienced the Grace family through River’s eyes, an outsider. In this second book, we have an insider’s look at the family through Summer’s eyes. I love having the insight of both of these pivotal characters as the plot takes us deep into the secrets of the Graces.

In addition to River and Summer, the rest of the group from the first book are all back- Thalia, Fenrin, Marcus and Wolf. And they are joined by a new player, Nathaniel. The Grace parents are also more visible in this book than the first.

While in the first book, magic was almost a game at the beginning, this book is serious right from the start, and gets a bit dark before the end. I won’t give out spoilers, but there is some definite intensity to this one.

I loved the characters and the relationships between them. The three Grace siblings and those few they allow in. The bonds between them are strengthened in this book and I liked the direction the plot followed, ultimately reaching the best outcome, in my opinion.

I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first in the series, and look forward to reading more from Laure Eve in the future.

The Curses by Laura Eve - A Graces Novel
Blurb~
“Picking up the pieces after the chilling events of the previous year isn’t easy, but the Grace siblings are determined. Wolf is back after a mysterious disappearance, and everyone’s eager to return to normal. Except Summer, the youngest Grace. Summer has a knack for discovering the truth—and something is troubling her. 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, drawing their erstwhile friend River back into the fold. But as the coven’s powers magnify, Wolf’s behavior becomes unpredictable—and Summer must question the nature of the friend she so loves. This riveting sequel to The Graces is saturated with magic, the destructive cost of power, and the nature of forgiveness.      
 
My Review~
“Ok, The Curses is not a stand-alone. Once again, I requested a book because the cover was so awesome! Not realizing it was part of a trilogy, I had to check out The Graces from the library before I could read this. JIC you’ve not read it already, I think the following review by: rhapsodyinbooks provides a good synopsis of The Graces without giving away spoilers, so I’ve included it here (with permission) so you can get the gist before reading my review of The Curses.
From: rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com~
 
“The Grapes are a family with rumored magical powers who draw everyone into their orbit and punish those they don’t like. Despite the risk however, “everyone in this town was in love with a Grace.” Summer Grace is 15, and twins Fenrin and Thalia are 17. All the girls at school try (unsuccessfully) to imitate the ethereal beauty of Thalia, and all of them are in love with Fenrin, “more creature than boy.” When River Page, 15, transfers into their school, she becomes fascinated with the Graces along with everyone else. She manages to become friends with Summer, who is in her grade. Through Summer, River also gets to know Fenrin and Thalia as well, even getting invited to the Grace house and to Grace parties, something no one else has managed to do. But River has secrets of her own, and soon the four of them get entangled in a situation that it seems even magic can’t fix. Or can it?
Evaluation: This is a book about magic, witches, coming of age, first love, and even the biggest hellscape of all: The High School Cafeteria! But in my opinion, the two biggest draws to this book are the fae aspect of the Grace family, and the excellent set of twists the author has woven into the plot. It reminded me in that way of the book We Were Liars. I think this will be very successful in the young adult market.”
 
Kinda get it now, right?
    
Okay, on with MY review of The Curses. This is pretty much a new favorite series for me. I was excited to read this one. Eve is a very good writer and lucky me- I got to read them back to back. The third is already on Amazon so YAY! I feel like Eve really captures the sense of Pagan witches in modern society and how they are so harshly judged, and outsiders are suspicious of them. She put a twist on this book by changing the character POV to Summer, the youngest Grace sibling. This allowed you to see things through a different lens, so to speak. Eve has a special talent for drawing you in to the story. It has magical and fantasy elements of course, but also gives a bit of mystery and suspense.
 
The story is fast paced, to me, for this type of novel. Things happen like waves, fast and almost drowning, but then the group uses powers to afront any wrongs or difficulties.  I couldn’t quite figure out exactly WHO was the “bad guy.”
 
This book is a page turner. Entrancing and engaging, I found it hard to put down and was engrossed in the story from the beginning of The Graces. I really like the family history aspect of the story. It adds dimension and gives a unique facet to the narrative.
 
The character development was solid. The siblings have a strong bond and stick together through thick and thin. And they go through a LOT in this book. Eve has written them to be resourceful and resilient, however, and you are pulled in by them as well. You get a better sense of their personalities in this book, especially Summer’s. Providing some background to the family in general, the reader feels a realistic dynamic between the brother and sisters.  The author has created characters that the reader can sympathize with.
 
The Curses was an easy and enjoyable read. There was a bit of a shocker ending, and though somewhat sad, the reader is left hopeful. I will be glad to read the third in this trilogy and have everything tied up in a nice little bow.  I rate this book a 5/5 stars and am looking forward to adding the physical copies to my bookshelf.
 
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This review, or portions thereof, will be posted (when able) on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, Kobo, IG, FB, Pinterest, Litsy, and my own blog.
Unfortunately, I am unable to provide links to all sites as I am using my phone.

The Curses is a dynamic follow-up novel to The Graces by Laure Eve. Having been a fan of the first novel, I was excited to dive back into this magical world. (Note - it would be difficult to pick up this book without having read The Graces, as it ended with a cliffhanger). With this second novel, Eve switches narrators successfully. It's intriguing to go from an outsider's perspective to that of an insider with this tight-knit family. It's a fun YA novel with a side of magical realism. I always appreciate a sequel that improves upon the original, and this one does.