While Marissa Meyer's does MANY things well, perhaps my favorite part of this excerpt is the pacing. I caught myself turning pages faster when action picked up and having more time for little nuisances when there were plot lines being laid.

I'm always impressed by the way that Meyer is able to construct her characters, each one decidedly unique and important to the plot while still bringing a familiar recognition to their role. Serilda and Gild are star-crossed lovers while Erlking is the imposing villain. The kids have their own dark stories, yet maintain their naivety and innocence. Each character adds depth and dimension through their own personalities and their interactions with others.

I was so sad to have this cut off after the first 50ish pages, but I'm excited to get to the final copy!


**Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the free ARC prior to publication. All opinions
expressed are my own.**

A huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a sampler of this book! I’m already invested in this story after reading the first book, but the sampler definitely got me excited for the sequel. I’m especially fascinated by the character of the Erlkönig and what will become of the vows he made.

Ahhhhhhhh!! I wish I had a full review copy of this book because I am just so insanely excited for the whole thing and this was not enough to satiate my needs.

It's no secret that I'm in love with Marissa Meyer's work and her story, Gilded, is no exception to that (I already own three different copies of the book). I've preordered multiple different copies of Cursed and I am truly just dying to learn how this story ends. This book could not come out fast enough!

I received a sample ARC of Cursed by Marissa Meyer.

Woah. Reading the first few chapters was not enough. I want more! This story is very different than the Lunar Chronicles or Heartless. I LOVE it though.

Serilda is pregnant but the Erlking thinks it’s HIS baby. The baby has been promised to Gild. Serilda must marry the Erlking but she cares for another. She must protect the children in her care and pull off her plot to help free the curse… will she? Eeeeek the sample wasn’t enough!!

Do you like action, adventure, romance, overcoming a curse and the love of a mother? This book will be for you. It feels a lot darker - but in a good way. I didn’t feel depressed after reading the first few chapters, it’s just an older YA/ adult novel. I can’t wait to read the entire book when it comes out in November.

My feedback:
I WANT MORE!!

I haven't read Gilded yet but I've really enjoyed Marissa Meyer's writing in the past and this sampler was no different. She really sucks you into the story and I love that this is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. I think I need to get my hands on a copy of GIlded so I can come back and finish this one!

I love Marissa Meyer's writing and I am so excited for this sequel! Gilded is a Rumpelstilkstin retelling, which honestly I have not seen many of, and I have no doubts that it will be a stellar duology!

This story's detailed, immersive descriptions and mythology are so easy to fall into. I can't wait to continue with the story after reading the sample chapters provided.

Beyond excited to read the rest of Cursed! Marissa Meyer has an incredible talent for writing fairy tale retellings and I have high hopes for the finale of this duology.

I cannot wait for the full book to release!!!! Gilded left me in such an emotional state, so of course I snapped up this teaser the moment I saw it. Once again, Marissa Meyer does not disappoint and this really just picks up and starts running right from where it left off. November can't come soon enough!!!

This was so much fun and I’m so excited to read the rest of it. I need Gild to know that the baby is his.

I absolutely loveddddd this sampler and seriously need the full book now! Gilded was my favorite book if last year and I can already tell this will be my favorite of this year!

I am so happy to have had a chance to read a sampler of this book. I am a big fan of Marissa Meyer! She is a legend when it comes to turning fairy tales into these engaging, enchanting reads! I cannot wait to read the full book!

Marissa Meyer does it again!
If you are a voracious reader, you've probably read a few Marissa Meyer books in your time. Meyer is an expert in world building. Her characters have incredible nuance. She is just an amazing writer. "Cursed" will be no exception. I read only a sample, but I am very much looking forward to the close of the Gilded duology with this book. The 65 pages I was allowed to read only left me hungry for the rest of the book and aching for both Gild and Serilda. If you haven't read any of Meyer's book, go pick them up right now. There's absolutely no reason to wait.
This book was provided to me for review purposes by Netgalley. I am not affiliated with the publisher.

I LOVED it! The story line is so interesting and I didn't want to stop reading it. I love the relationship with Serilda and Gild, but I am so intrigued with how Serilda and the Erlking relationship will shape throughout the book. Especially after the wedding, those vows had me shook. If your looking for a unique book that keeps you on your toes, this is for sure the book for you!

As expected, Meyer immediately pulls me back into the world of Gilded and continues right where things last left off. I’m curious to see how Serilda and Gild’s relationship progresses and what all will be uncovered as they continue to look into the past. Perfect teaser to remind me of why Cursed is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and anxiously awaiting the rest!

This was a sample of the book Cursed but that did not take away from the creepy and suspenseful story it holds. From the get-go this story starts off strong. Setting the foundation and reminding the reader where book one, Gilded ended. I do like when a series takes you back to the ending of the book before. Gives you a moment to let your brain remember what was happening. This sample was more than enough to keep me on my toes and wanting more.

I will need to update my review once I have read the entire book.
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC for my honest opinions.

Since this is just a sample, I don't have too many thoughts (yet). Overall, the first few chapters feel expository - setting the stage, reminding the reader where the first book left off, and the important information that they need to remember before plunging into the rest of the book. We get the recap of the Erlking, Serilda's godparent and history with stories, her unborn child, and the stakes - avoid getting murdered and having her baby stolen. Unfortunately, I'm honestly just not feeling as captivated by the intro to Cursed as I was with Gilded. This is likely also a function of thinking that Gilded was a stand-alone novel rather than a duology, but I just wish that the pacing were a bit quicker. The writing is strong and focused, and I think the characters are well developed, but it's just not hooking me the way I want it to. 2.5/5 stars for now, and we'll see if that changes once I've read the whole book!

This dark tale by Marissa Meyer is all at once creepy, imaginative, and suspenseful. I can't wait to read the full book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the sampler of Cursed, which included the first 6 chapters of the upcoming book.

I'm so excited to see where this book goes with the Rumpelstiltskin story. The first few chapters pick up directly after where the first book, Gilded, left off. The Erlking is a terrible guy, but I'm also very intrigued by his character. I also can't wait to find out how all the pieces come together for the family name reveal, and what actually happened that terrible night. Gil and Serilda have my whole heart.

I'll updated my rating and review accordingly after I get the book on the release day.

This is not a full review as it was just a sampler of the book, but it has definitely reinforced my wish to read this book! The writing is excellent and the storytelling superb!