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carleneslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Incredible. I loved everything about this book - the worldbuilding and magic, Briar and her character arc, the romance and swoon, ARCHER and all he was. Holy cow I had so much fun! I definitely will be reading the rest of the series asap!!
prayerde's review against another edition
4.0
How many times do I notice that the books that are not widely promoted and discussed by everyone are the most interesting for me? Few people praise this book, usually, it is openly criticized and called boring, but that's simply because there is no 18+ rating, no (un)planned sex scenes, and no rudeness, cruelty, and depravity. Instead, there is a strong connection between all the characters. "The Artist of Curses" has a logical and dynamic plot where one event leads to another. There is no spontaneous nonsense like in an Indian soap opera.
The characters are interesting enough, as there is sufficient information in the book to understand and get to know them better. However, readers forget that there are two main characters, two archives - Rose (Briar) - and we gradually learn who they really are. The other characters are secondary and we simply don't need to know more about them than what we have in the book. Personally, I found the information received sufficient, and if someone doesn't understand something, then they are simply inattentive, congratulations. In my opinion, it's good when there are questions left after reading, but at the same time there is a continuation, and there is a desire to wait for it.
What was so difficult for others to understand? That the main heroine Rose (Briar) draws curses, her strength is in paint and brushes, and she is pursued by the people she cursed.
A very interesting and mysterious story with strong young protagonists. It doesn't smell like Robin Hood here, as someone wrote in the reviews. Here they save a girl, not for the sake of banal money, but to save two innocent lives. The author shows so well what real maternal and paternal feelings are and what false, inadequate ones are. The book also explores what real love is, how some enjoy their abilities and power, forgetting reason, while others can think rationally and control their skills, creating real miracles. The author skillfully throws a trap with a hint of what will happen in the continuation, and I am left with a desire to get it as soon as possible.
The characters are interesting enough, as there is sufficient information in the book to understand and get to know them better. However, readers forget that there are two main characters, two archives - Rose (Briar) - and we gradually learn who they really are. The other characters are secondary and we simply don't need to know more about them than what we have in the book. Personally, I found the information received sufficient, and if someone doesn't understand something, then they are simply inattentive, congratulations. In my opinion, it's good when there are questions left after reading, but at the same time there is a continuation, and there is a desire to wait for it.
What was so difficult for others to understand? That the main heroine Rose (Briar) draws curses, her strength is in paint and brushes, and she is pursued by the people she cursed.
A very interesting and mysterious story with strong young protagonists. It doesn't smell like Robin Hood here, as someone wrote in the reviews. Here they save a girl, not for the sake of banal money, but to save two innocent lives. The author shows so well what real maternal and paternal feelings are and what false, inadequate ones are. The book also explores what real love is, how some enjoy their abilities and power, forgetting reason, while others can think rationally and control their skills, creating real miracles. The author skillfully throws a trap with a hint of what will happen in the continuation, and I am left with a desire to get it as soon as possible.
lissajean7's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
callmebritl's review
2.0
A very interesting concept that I never really got into. The idea of a Curse Painter and the lore around it was very interesting and intriguing, and that in itself made this a 2 star rather than a 1.
This was a book I wanted to know the ending to, so I kept myself from DNFing. I felt like it drug on and on in parts and I never really cared much for any of the characters.
And the end of the book just ends. There is no resolution, no ties to the loose strings, they just are left dangling in hopes you care enough to find out what happens in the next book.
I will not be finding out, and I can’t suggest you do either.
This was a book I wanted to know the ending to, so I kept myself from DNFing. I felt like it drug on and on in parts and I never really cared much for any of the characters.
And the end of the book just ends. There is no resolution, no ties to the loose strings, they just are left dangling in hopes you care enough to find out what happens in the next book.
I will not be finding out, and I can’t suggest you do either.
ldd0011's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The ending was satisfying, especially if you only plan to read the first book.
hckilgour's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
So this has all the basic elements of Robin Hood while having its own unique plot line. Which honestly made this story extraordinarily fun.
Archer’s exact relevance/relation to May was hard to figure out. Which I appreciated. And honestly, until the truth came out I was guessing.
The magic system of this world is also one of a kind which made this world so fun to discover throughout the book.
I will say Sheriff (the dog) showing back up at the end is my only gripe. Like… this dog has been gone for weeks, it’s very convenient he makes it back to his own right when he can be useful.
Archer’s exact relevance/relation to May was hard to figure out. Which I appreciated. And honestly, until the truth came out I was guessing.
The magic system of this world is also one of a kind which made this world so fun to discover throughout the book.
I will say Sheriff (the dog) showing back up at the end is my only gripe. Like… this dog has been gone for weeks, it’s very convenient he makes it back to his own right when he can be useful.
licensetoshelbs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eva_meulman's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hilsaa's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
A basic YA fantasy that was easy to read and enjoyable. It wasn't very deep or dark or dramatic, just a light read with interesting magic and a nice twist.
A basic YA fantasy that was easy to read and enjoyable. It wasn't very deep or dark or dramatic, just a light read with interesting magic and a nice twist.