I got to read this book a while ago and I gave a five stars this time. This is the audiobook that I got to listen to and it was just as good as the first time. Couldn’t put it down love this book. Love the audio love the characters just could not get enough of this world.

This book was slow and not in a way that provided an interesting story. I struggled to get through it and found myself drifting off while listening to it. Maybe had it been in written form I’d have had an easier time with it but the narration just didn’t hold me. The story itself was also a bit lagging. All in all I just struggled with it and retaining what happened in the story was a bit hard. I found myself 2 hours in and not having a clue as to what happened.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy of this audiobook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rating

Fated mates
Slow burn
Interesting magic
Mythical creatures

I can’t wait to read the second in this series! I loved the narrator of this audiobook. At first I thought I wasn’t going to connect to the FMC through the narrator but she proved me wrong!

What’s the point of hiding the outer scars, when the inner ones are so much deeper? It’s who I am.”

This is a great audiobook. The narrator is clear and engaging throughout. Her tone adds to the storytelling and draws in the reader. Already loved this in the hard copy of the book, and this just added to my love.

If you are looking for a romantasy with some steamy attraction and possibly a new book boyfriend, this might be a good book to add to your TBR.

Astra dreams of a steamy romance even if her real life is not as magical. If magic, romance, and enemies to lover is your thing, this book will most likely grab you from the first few pages and have you hooked through the end.

I don't want to say too much, but the way the writer transitions from enemies to allies is well done and doesn't happen in the blink of an eye or a sudden change of heart. It was an aspect I respected because I feel like in many romantasy books where we see this trope, the change is almost too sudden or doesn't make a great deal of sense.

My one critique would be that the writer does feel a bit unpolished with her wording and the way some scenes play out. They feel a bit out of character for the time, place and setting and would probably do better in "the real world" verses the literary world she is developing.

The book does leave on a cliffhanger which is good there is another book releasing soon.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of ‘A Cursed Son’.

I honestly loved this story, their dynamic together was brilliant. And it was a different take on fae stories. I’ve never come across a story where she was a double for a princess but that wasn’t really the crux of the story.

She’d been made to believe that her magic was a terrible thing all her life on purpose & she was having naughty dreams about a certain fae male… but it’s because they’re mates.

He doesn’t want her, shouldn’t want her… but wait he does. And when he gives in it’s oh so sweet! And that twist at the end really had me believing!! But I loved it! Really hope I get access to the second book as I really did love this story.

Astra & Marlack together were just 👌

Do I like miscommunication trope? No
Did I eat this book up? Absolutely

I feel like if you liked the bridge kingdom this book will be right up your ally

I need the next one immediately

A Cursed Son by Day Leitao completely captivated me—I lost sleep because I just couldn’t stop listening! This book took me by surprise with how much I loved it, from its intriguing world-building to a magic system that’s deeply woven into the romantic plot. Add in political intrigue, dangerous secrets, and a compelling romance, and I was hooked from start to finish.

Astra never expected her path to cross with Marlak, the exiled prince cursed by his own family. But when their fates intertwine, she finds herself caught in a web of magic, deception, and a growing attraction that could either doom them both or change their world forever. With powerful forces working against them and secrets waiting to be uncovered, their journey is as thrilling as it is emotional.

The romance is undeniably the heart of this story, and I loved how the magic system played a crucial role in shaping Astra and Marlak’s relationship. Their chemistry, combined with the high-stakes political intrigue and richly developed world, made for an utterly immersive read.

The audiobook narration by Caitlin Kelly was excellent—her performance added so much depth to the characters and heightened the tension in all the right moments.

If you love fantasy romance with layered world-building, an engaging magic system, and a central romance that keeps you invested, A Cursed Son is must-read. I can’t wait for the next book in the Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom series!

A Cursed Son by Day Leitao – Audiobook Review

A Cursed Son is an exciting enemies to lovers fantasy with magic, betrayal, and a slow burn spicy love story.

The audiobook is a great listen, with strong narration that brings the story to life. The pacing, emotional depth, and immersive magic system make it a must-read (or listen) for fantasy fans.
Will definitely listen to the next book in the series

I cannot tell you how much I loved this story. From the very beginning it sucks you in and doesn’t let go. Both characters are great. While Astra not always confident in herself and I wanted to reach into the book and shake her a few times but she always figures it out. It’s just part of her but I loved her. And Marlak is amazing! So so amazing. And listen when I say this book leaves us on a massive cliffhanger I swear my jaw was dropped.
The Narrator for the audiobook is perfection. I hope they continue to use her for the whole series.

⭐️

I couldn’t connect w/ the FMC’s personality- She was just too irritating. The storyline kinda fell flat for me as well, even though it could’ve had potential & the love connection was meh.
I also wished the side characters were at least memorable, but I can honestly (sadly) say I didn’t really care for any of the characters. The impact just wasn’t there throughout the story.

I received A Cursed Son’s audiobook as an ARC to listen to and let me just say, the hype did not disappoint. Caitlin Kelly made this story easy to engage with. Her range of voices was spectacular and felt natural instead of forced!
The mix of world building amongst two characters born to banter made this such an easy read for me. Normally, I have a hard time following as the world develops but told through the asking of questions and experiences instead of chapters of descriptions made me feel so much more engaged. Like Astra and I were indeed experiencing the story unraveling together.
I loved how the dreams entangled with reality and made it complicated for even me, as the reader, to distinguish between awake and asleep. It added a hint of mystery and curiosity that I don’t normally experience in stories.
The slow burn was honestly the hardest part for me. I felt it drag on in the sweetest way possible and was continuously screaming “I can’t take you two verbally edging each other anymore” several times at my phone. 😂
Now, as for my HeatRay rating, for those that don’t know my scale, this just means that the spice was there. It was sweet, not overly detailed, but very obvious what was going on.
Overall, I highly recommend reading A Cursed Son! I loved every minute of it, had zero problems following along, and I anxiously await book two! 🖤

Astra was raised to lie. She was to be a ready impersonator for the princess and an assassin whenever the need called for it. Except that a random meeting with the Crystal Court’s disgraced prince derails it all as he decides to take her for a bride. Now, Astra has to deal with the fact that the kindred soul she's been dreaming of is that disgraced prince and that everything she thought was true was all lies.

The plot is a little predictable, but Astra and Malark are fascinating characters, and the world they inhabit is as magical as it is dangerous. Leitao created a magical world that somehow feels perfectly logical and believable. Of course, there are fae and magical creatures everywhere, why wouldn't there be? You feel immediately immersed in it and hooked on Astra's story and the little glimpses you get of Malark's. It made it really hard to stop reading when real life got in the way.

Caitlin Kelly is an excellent narrator. You can easily distinguish between Astra, Marlak, and other characters. She's also really good at filling lines with emotion in a way that's great for everything from banter and fights to sweet moments.

If you enjoy a good side of banter and clashing heads along with your romance and adventure, you're going to delight in this twisty romantasy.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Sparkly Wave for the excellent listen!

3.5/5⭐️ - story
5/5⭐️ - narration

I will say, this book is way more enjoyable as an audiobook due to the “stream of consciousness” style the author used for it. I would have found it incredibly annoying if I’d read it as a text book.

The narrator is phenomenal. I really enjoyed her method. I enjoyed the story but had some issues with certain things. Primarily the FMC annoyed me. She’s been fed a lot of lies and essentially been a slave her whole life, so her naivety and at times idiocy, makes sense but because it’s SOOO obvious these things are lies, she irked me.

I have a lot of questions about this kindred souls connection and a deity that (does? Doesn’t?) exist. At this point I have no idea because everyone says something different but the evidence would suggest it does exist.

I also didn’t get the chemistry. While I enjoyed the romance storyline, some parts felt forced.

I will probably listen to or read the next book when it releases this month, but mostly because I’m pretty sure I know exactly what will happen and want to confirm said suspicions.

This book is for those who love a lot of tension and angst between the FMC and MMC

Astra is a royal guard whose job is a decoy (substitute) who is trained to stand in for the Kastel princess when needed. She longs for a life and love of her own but knows it’s impossible, as her duty is to the crown. Astra frequently dreams about a kind man she believes she is in love with.

Astra is assigned to a mission, and it soon goes awry. The banished fae prince attacks the carriage carrying her and the prince. Soon though, Astra realizes the fae prince is the man in her dreams.

The Cursed Son didn’t catch my attention immediately, BUT, it started picking up in the second half, and I did enjoy the remainder of the book! I’m looking forward to the second book, A Traitor Sister, once it is released.

To me, the beginning moved very fast, and I was left wanting more of a backstory for Astra, MFC, which we could see in a future book. A lot is happening with Marlak, the MMC. He’s got a slew of secrets about himself and his family that we’ve just scratched the surface with. The first book ended on a MAJOR cliffhanger, which I hope will be resolved quickly in the second book!

The narrator of the audiobook did a great job creating a voice for every character and helped move the book along!

Thank you NetGalley, Day Leitao, and the publisher for the audio ARC! All opinions are my own.

I am so happy I got the opportunity to read this book! I enjoyed the main characters and the world! I also enjoyed the narrator, as i think she was perfect for the FMC

Astra is raised to be a body double for a princess, with her closest friends being the other substitute princesses. An encounter in the woods on the way to an event as the princess finds her shuffled off in marriage to a man she doesn’t know. Cliffhanger ending, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
The world building isn’t comprehensive enough and a number of elements are under explained, or presented piecemeal, as if things are added on the fly.

Caitlin Kelly is one of my favorite narrators, and she sis a fantastic job.

A quirky story about Astra, one of three elite guards to the Krastel Kingdom’s princess. She has spent her life training to protect the princess, play the decoy at celebrations, even take her place in a marriage alliance if need be. Having no life or future to truly call her own, she yearns to find love and connection. Astra has found that connection in the warm embrace of a mystery man found only in her dreams…*cough, cough* steamy dreams.
When Astra finally gets a chance to travel in place of the princess to a foreign court, her carriage is attacked by the disgraced prince of a neighboring kingdom. Marlak is a wicked man that murdered his family, save for the brother he now battles for a crown. Astra has never met the disgraced prince before, but she recognizes him almost immediately as the man who holds her in her dreams every night.

I had the opportunity to listen to and review the audiobook for A Cursed Son via NetGalley thanks to Sparkly Wave publishing. All opinions shared are my own.

Caitlin Kelly did an amazing job with the narration of this story. Her voice was captivating and truly breathed life into the characters. Her pacing was great (even though I’m always a 1.5x speed listener) and her change in voice for different characters didn’t feel forced or awkward.

Overall I enjoyed the story, but did find the writing to be clunky at times. I would be immersed in the story and suddenly the way a sentence was worded would pull me out of the story because it felt awkward or forced. In those moments I would think of a more natural way for the sentence to be spoken in my mind and briefly lose track of where the story was going.

If not for the quality of the audiobook narration, I may have had difficulty sticking with this book if I was reading it on my own. It was slow in the beginning of the story and there wasn’t a lot of character development, making it hard to connect with them. There is a lot of illusion to the characters because they have secrets to hide, not an uncommon storyline in fantasy books. However, it resulted in characters having the same arguments and miscommunications repeatedly throughout the book. I was hoping the miscommunication trope would start to ease up a lot earlier than it did in the story.

There were a lot of different directions the story would go in that would abruptly change as well. This felt intentional in some situations when a character was confused or switching between consciousness and dreams, but it could be hard to follow with an audiobook vs. reading a physical book. Other times the story would start down a new journey that changed quickly and felt irrelevant to the plot. Maybe these moments feel unnecessary now but will be important later in the series?

I started to grow fonder for the characters later in the book as they start opening up to each other and to themselves. I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers story with a morally gray MMC, so my curiosity is peaked. I was intrigued by Astra’s story and Caitlin Kelly’s narrating skills and plan to pick up the audiobook for book two when it releases. A Cursed Son was predictable, but satisfying and easy to consume. The cliffhanger at the end of this book has me intrigued to see what will happen next!

A Cursed Son- Day Leitao
Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

This was quite the journey. I really enjoyed the world building and character building. I love that Astra isn’t really much of a damsel in distress and can hold her own. And I clocked Marlak from the beginning with his broody attitude and snarky tone that he was actually enchanted by Astra. I love that there’s a unicorn named Cherry Cake, how cute is that? I cannot wait for the next book to see where this journey continues.

Caitlin did amazing with this solo narration. There were quite a few different voices and she did an amazing job making each one different.

The plot of A Cursed Son was interesting but early on I needed to rewind some parts for clarity. The beginning was hard to follow at parts and the main character’s inner monologue of questions gave me more questions.

This read more like a YA with immature writing (intentionally?) because the characters were immature. I had to push past 20% to keep going; however, I truly enjoyed the narrator as her voice fits the young persona of Astra.

Once I hit about 50% it was much more enjoyable and exciting. I’m glad I hung on and am looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.