Review: Of Werewolves and Curses by Emma Hamm
“You are the other half of my soul, Freya. My heart beats for you and you alone.”
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The Basics
Title: Of Werewolves and Curses (Of Goblin Kings #4)
Author: Emma Hamm
Published: 2021
Publisher: Emma Hamm
Pages: 201
Format: Hardcover, omnibus edition
Genres: Fiction — Fantasy, Romance, New adult, Fantasy Romance, High Fantasy
Book Synopsis
Having long believed her father dead, Freya is relieved to discover that he is alive, but she can’t celebrate quite yet. He might not be dead, but he isn’t exactly living either. Cursed by a werewolf’s bite, he has been trapped inside the body of a monster, wreaking havoc upon the realm. Freya, however, knows that her father’s humanity is not wholly gone; she has looked into the eyes of the beast and seen a glimmer of the man he once was. She is determined to track him down and free him from his curse.
Finding him proves to be the easy bit. Saving him proves to be something altogether more, for his fate is tied to a much larger problem, something that threatens the very existence of the Summer Court.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: A disappointing addition to what has been a captivating series.
The Of Goblin Kings series avoided second-book and even third-book slump only to be hit with fourth-book slump. From characters to plot and pacing, Of Werewolves and Curses is an inferior book across the board. Whereas the preceding three installments had me glued to the pages, Of Werewolves and Curses only just held my attention.
The story’s greatest flaw pertains to its protagonist, Freya. Namely, she devolves from a multifaceted, nuanced character into a green-eyed monster, distrustful of a man who has been the very embodiment of devotion. Her unwarranted jealousy is not only tiresome but also childish, and it casts a dark cloud over the entire book, limiting one’s ability to find enjoyment within its pages.
Unfortunately, the plot cannot make up for Freya’s shortcomings. It, too, leaves a lot to be desired. With minimal world exploration and practically no inherent danger, it lacks the sense of adventure that permeated the previous three books. Moreover, the entire story feels rushed, with conflicts resolving in short order before one can even begin to ponder how they will be overcome. Take Freya’s missing father, for instance. She does not have to wander the courts looking for him; no, he is found for her. By the end of chapter five, Freya not only knows where her father is but also how to cure him. Suspense and struggle: what are those?
The Good
While Of Werewolves and Curses fails to stand on its own as a standalone, as part of a series, it is still worthwhile. It continues Freya and Eldridge’s story, setting the stage for the next and final book in the series, which, based on the ending of this book, has the potential to be a more intriguing tale.
Another positive aspect of this book is its relatively short length. At just over 200 pages, it is a quick read. So, if you, like me, find yourself struggling to get into the story, the good news is that you need not slog through hundreds upon hundreds of pages in order to be done with it and move on to the next book. One good day’s worth of reading should see you through it.
Overall
There is no kind way to say this: Of Werewolves and Curses is a letdown. I went into this book with high expectations, and they were not met by a long shot. That said, I will be continuing the series because, based on this book’s ending, I am hopeful that Of Fairytales and Magic will be a return to form.
Have you read Of Werewolves and Curses? If so, let me know what you thought of it in the comments section below.
-Julia
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