Book Review: The Blood Curse by Emily Gee

The Blood Curse (The Cursed Kingdoms #3)
Author:  Emily Gee
Publisher:  Solaris, 447 pages
Expected Publication Date:  June 24, 2015
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
Those who drink the water shall thirst for blood. They shall be as wild beasts.

A blood curse is ravaging the Seven Kingdoms. Fugitive Osgaardan prince, Harkeld, is the one person who can destroy it. Guarded by Sentinel mages, pursued by Fithian assassins, he begins the final—and most dangerous—stage of his quest: entering the cursed kingdom of Sault, where drinking even one drop of water means madness and death.

But the mages aren’t the only travellers heading east. Princess Brigitta, abducted by Fithian assassins, is also bound for Sault—unless she can escape. And in close pursuit is her loyal armsman, Karel.

Young orphan, Jaumé, is also headed for Sault—where he will be forced to make decisions that will change the fate of the Seven Kingdoms forever.

Review:

Why You Should Read This Series:

1.  A curse sweeping across kingdoms, turning people into blood-thirsty monsters.  A curse that turns people into monsters?  Love that.

2.  Harkeld, a prince who hates mages who finds out he is a mage and that he's the only one who can save the world.  Harkeld is a reluctant hero, to say the least.  He's a jerk for a long time because of his prejudices against mages (or witches, as he calls them).  To Harkeld, all witches should die.  No matter what.  Even when he finds out he's a mage, he still has this irrational hatred toward them.  But Harkeld shows a lot of character growth over the course of the series.

3.  A group of mages, including healers, shape shifters, fire and water mages, who are tasked with protecting the prince as he travels to stop the curse.  Love this amazing cast of characters.

4.  Innis, a shapeshifter who falls in love with the prince.  Innis is young, quiet, and shy.  However, she has to pretend to be someone else in order to guard and protect Harkeld, so she pretends to be a guy.  She becomes more confident, but also, as she gets to know Harkeld better and becomes friends with him, she falls in love with him.  Really enjoyed the romance, but I wanted MORE.  I know, I know, they're on the run and there's a lot of fighting and dying, but still.  Just a little more. There was so much anticipation for them to be together and then…just a little disappointed.  And in the third book, I missed the fact that there were only a few chapters from Innis's POV.  

5.  A group of assassins who are on their trail and determined to kill the prince.  They encounter a boy, Jaume, who is fleeing from the curse, and they take him in.  Assassins!

6.  Britta, a princess who endures horrific things, including being kidnapped by assassins so she can be used to trap her brother, the prince.  And she's pursued by her armsman, Karel, who's in love with her.  Britta goes from a sheltered and naive princess to a strong woman who fights her kidnappers at every turn.  

Epic in scope, filled with action and adventure and a long journey fraught with peril, I absolutely loved this final book.  If you love fantasy, you will enjoy this series.  

Posted by:  Pam