Lizzy Ford did it again! Her new book "
Cursed" is out and it is awesome! Number 1 in YA Voodoo Nights Series, it is intriguing, dark and creepy. Throw some romance in a voodoo-curses-family secrets-mix and you will have an entertaining, keeping you on your toes and simply amazing novel.
The Red Man is coming …
Five years after her sister disappeared, seventeen-year-old Adrienne finds the strength to return to her father’s home in New Orleans. But soon after she arrives, the mark of a curse appears on her, leaving her worried. Will she be the next victim of a four-hundred-year old family curse … the next to be claimed by a serial killer roaming the back alleys of the city?
The day before his senior year begins, Jayden is given a skeleton key passed down through his family for generations — a gruesome reminder of how his ancestors betrayed their own people and sold them into slavery. He doesn’t believe in the curse the key allegedly bears and puts it away with the intention of forgetting about its message. Until he meets Adrienne, a girl he’s compelled to for more reasons than her beauty.
He’s not the only one who notices her. A man in a skeleton mask and a voodoo gang member are also drawn to Adrienne. One is determined to protect her. The other intends to mislead her. Haunted by the mythical Red Man, all are connected to the ancient curse.
Can they overcome their misgivings about one another and prevent the dark prophecy looming over them? Or will they be lured away from each other by evil’s siren song?
I don't know much about voodoo, but Lizzy managed to make it pretty easy to understand. At some points it was a bit creepy and really dark, especially with all blood and death magic going on. Jax and Therese are those villains that make your skin crawl. On the other hand, despite all the negativity, I kind of felt sorry for the voodoo gang leader, Jax. The idea of family legends and 400-year-old curse is intriguing. One of the best notions in this book.
I liked the main characters. Adrienne is really sweet and kind-hearted. She radiates goodness and can't see the darkness in her own sister. She is strong in her beliefs but at the same time doesn't impose those on non-believers. Poor Jayden doesn't believe in voodoo, curses and other fairy tales. So when thrown in the world he doesn't think exists, he is overwhelmed and makes some bad decisions, but his attraction to Adrienne gives him strength to accept his role. Besides, Jayden is not simply attractive but also very caring and sweet, being the parent to his sisters. Rene is the brother of the voodoo gang leader. He is also filled with goodness but at the same time he has done some bad stuff since the life in the streets is not an easy one. Same as Jayden, he is compelled by Adrienne. This developing love triangle is one of the things I didn't like about "Cursed". I don't like when the heroine is torn between two love interests, especially when I have already taken a liking to a particular one. Here it is Jayden ;) He is simply better. *le_sigh*
I had the honor to read the first version of the story, and I liked the original one better, because it was scarier, more terrifying and filled with more angst. This March-version is different in this sense, and simpler, so it is easier to understand the whole voodoo stuff, even though the creepy factor was taken down a bit.
I am definitely hooked and looking forward to the next installment!
