The idea of this book had great potential. And initially when I began reading I was enjoying myself. However, I felt that as the book moved past the 20% mark, it started to drag and become a bit convoluted. I started to not care about the plot anymore. I will say that I enjoyed the characters a lot. And the found family aspects were lovely to read. As well as the humor that seemed to lighten the story. Overall, the book was just okay.

I loved this story--it was quite a fun fantasy novel and absolutely full of action, monsters, love, and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait for this author to put out more books!

This just wasn't for me! I'm not the biggest fan of urban fantasy and this just didn't work for me. I can see it working for other people, though, and I think the writing is fine. The setup is interesting and there's a mystery at the heart of the story that I think will keep people engaged. I just wasn't vibing with it.

This just wasn't for me! I'm not the biggest fan of urban fantasy and this just didn't work for me. I can see it working for other people, though, and I think the writing is fine. The setup is interesting and there's a mystery at the heart of the story that I think will keep people engaged. I just wasn't vibing with it.

This novel ticks a lot of my comfort book requirements - potential gay romance, quirky side characters, a bumbling quest, cheeky humour - there’s even an ‘only one bed’ moment!

The story of two men who should have died but mysteriously ‘sparked’ back to life trying to find out why in an alternate sort of Elizabethan historical romp. Aided by a friendly small dragon, a Welsh illegal apothecary with a penchant for lady dock workers, they encounter vampires, zombies, street gangs and a magical little girl…

I really enjoyed this cozy adventure, the leads were just messed up enough, the dialogue was funny, the world intricate enough to support future books and was very cinematic- you could easily imagine this on Netflix.

It won’t be for everyone though, Historical accuracy? No, not hugely. Modern dialogue and jokes, oh yes. I can imagine some people flopping about with their outage like a fish on a tile floor. They’re missing out on a fun romp, and the chance to get to know a promiscuous, bisexual zombie Christopher Marlowe. Because, why not!

Can’t wait for book two!

Cursed Under London was so much funnier than I was expecting! It's great for fans of Good Omens or What We Do In The Shadows - fantasy, humor, whimsy, and great plot. The characters are loveable and hilarious, and the story progresses at a good pace. Amber now holds a special place in my heart. It was a little too cozy and low-stakes for my usual liking, but it'll have great appeal for readers that want a cozy, late-night read that'll make them laugh.

Oh what a fun time I had with this one!
I don't read a lot of fantasy (the label 'romantasy' isn't quite fitting and that's good, in my humble opinion) .anymore,
but I am glad I made an exception with 'Cursed Under London'.
It was a quick, funny, lovely read and I loughed out loud a few times.
I am looking forward to hopefully part 2 and 3!

DNF at 40%
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I had a hard time getting into the book and into the storyline an dhad a hard time liking the characters. I put it to the side and then wanted to continue to read it again but it's been few weeks now and I know that I won't finish it.

This was a funny and cute light-hearted Elizabethan alternative historical fantasy with a solid dose of romance. I enjoyed the various fantasy characters and as someone who loves period romances the setting being Elizabethan London was a lot of fun for me as well. Found family and grumpy sunshine being two of the main troupes was so fun because it brought us some really great supporting characters (looking at you Amber) and it gave us some really fun and hilarious banter between the two MC's as well a the supporting characters. It was a little more YA/NA for me than I traditionally read and enjoy but that didn't stop me from laughing my way through the story.

I loved this book and this review it was hard to write and keep spoiler free. What I would like to type out and leave is “omg I loved this book you need to read it now it’s funny and cute” but let’s dive a little deeper and stay spoiler free.

I fell in love with the concept of this book and loved that it was quick read. This book is full of wit and filled with a chaotic cast of characters you can’t help but love. The characters were likeable, and I thought the worldbuilding was fantastic.

This is one book world I wish I could jump into I would love to jump into an alternative Elizabethan London that is split in two halves above ground where the humans are and below ground, where supernatural creatures live. Although in the above ground London supernatural creatures live amongst humans.

I didn't really like it that much. It didn't really grasp me at the start and it was very hard to get into. It is funny, but not to my taste.

Huge thanks to Farrago Books and NetGalley for letting me crash this fantastical Elizabethan party!

Instead of stuffy nobility, we meet a diverse cast of characters, all immigrants to this hidden world. They bring a unique perspective to Elizabethan London, both above and below ground. The story unfolds at a brisk pace, fueled by witty dialogue and unexpected plot twists. As the adventure progresses, we learn more about each character's motivations and how their paths intertwine.

The story's a laugh riot, with banter sharper than Henry VIII's temper. You'll be racing through the streets (and tunnels!) of "Upper" and "Lower" London, dodging curses and swooning over this mismatched crew. Just when you think you've got a handle on someone, BAM! The author throws in another hilarious quirk to their backstory.

Word to the Wise: Don't Get Hung Up on History

Now, some folks might scoff at the anachronisms (hello, zombie Kit Marlowe!) or the fact that the Queen's guard features more beaks than boots. But listen here – when your royal constabulary is a squad of talking swans, historical accuracy goes out the window with a flamboyant feather boa. Just roll with it and enjoy the ride!

Cliffhanger? More Like Cliff-Diving!

Be warned, though, this wild romp ends with enough unanswered questions to leave you dangling precariously over a plot hole. Don't worry, though – the breadcrumbs are clearly scattered for a sequel, and frankly, I can't wait to see where this delightfully absurd adventure goes next.

So, should you read it? Absolutely! If you're looking for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud fantasy romp with a dash of romance (and a talking swan with a badge, because why not?), then Cursed Under London is your new Elizabethan bestie.

I adored Cursed Under London! We're swept to an alt-Tudor London, where magic and magical creatures co-exist with humans due to a careful peace treaty between Upper (largely human) and Deep (largely magical) London. Except something is threatening that peace. People are dying and coming back - so far so normal, in a city whose inhabitants include vampires and zombies - yet they're coming back not quite right, which is unsettling mortal and magical folk alike. Our heroes, Fang and Lazare are two of these cursed souls, reluctantly brought together by a little dragon as they try to work out what - and who - is behind the curse, and thus we travel with them on a quest across London as they look for answers.

This story is both fun and funny (I spat out my tea a couple of times), with heart and depth too. There's verbal sparring, actual sparring, police swans, undead playwrights, gangs, potions and fish-heads. Fang and Lazare (grumpy / sunshine) have excellent chemistry from the start, and while there is romance, which I very much enjoyed, this book is at least as much about friendship and found family too. I'm so glad to have read it, but also sad - because now I am desperate for the next book in the series, which of course, I'll have to wait for.

I always turn to urban fantasy when I'm in a reading slump and this is a great addition to the genre. When I picked it up last night I expected to read a couple chapters before bed but instead ate the whole thing up in a single sitting. It's creative and funny, with a twist at the end I totally didn't expect. While the setting felt a bit too modern for something supposed to occur during the Tudor era, I enjoyed the appearances of Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Looking forward to learning more about the characters as the series progresses.

I've read and enjoyed Gabby Hutchinson Crouch's 'Darkwood' and 'The Rooks' series, so when I found out - as a lifelong Londoner - that she was publishing a new urban fantasy series set in an alternative Elizabethan London, I was HYPED.

The London in 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 is a London of two parts. Overground, we have a fairly standard historical-fiction version of London - full of cobbled streets and winding alleys and nefarious gangs (and even a recognisable historical figure or two). But then, accessed through what in our world are tube station entrances, is Deep London - a city of vampires, werewolves, dragons, fae and more!

Our main cast is our classic ragtag crew of loveable misfits - Fang and Lazare, who both rose as some new mystery form of undead; Welsh witch, medicine-woman and all-round badass, Nell; and the cutest little dragon you ever did see, Amber.

While investing the cause of Fang and Lazare's curse, the little gang find themselves custodians of a missing fae child, and have to journey into Deep London to return her to her family.

Is it the deepest thing ever? No, but it's 300 pages of found family goodness, with a fun urban fantasy setting, and a solid dose of humour throughout. If you've read any Gabby Hutchinson Crouch before you'll have a fair sense of what to expect - with some romance thrown in for good measure - and if not, I'd recommend for fans of the 'Rivers of London' series, 'A Market of Dreams and Destiny', and the Umbrella Academy TV show.

Firstly, a huge thank you to NetGalley, the author Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, and the publisher for sharing this ARC with me.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cursed Under London! The story is a witty, funny, and unique romp through an alternative Elizabethan London that kept me enthralled from start to finish. The premise of Fang and Lazare awakening in Upper London only to find themselves cursed and navigating the supernatural depths of Deep London is both imaginative and engaging.

The characters are incredibly likeable and interesting. Fang and Lazare’s journey, filled with their banter and growing connection, is both heartwarming and humorous. The chemistry between them feels natural and compelling, never forced. Their quest to reverse the curse that binds them together while unearthing a dangerous plot in Deep London is a delightful adventure.

The plotline is fun and well-paced, keeping me consistently interested. The humour throughout the book is spot on, adding a lighthearted touch to the otherwise dark and mysterious setting. I never felt like the jokes were out of place or overdone; instead, they enhanced the overall reading experience.

I'm delighted to know that Cursed Under London is the first novel in a series. This book was the exact kind of read I needed to get me out of my reading slump, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next instalment.

My final rating is 4.5 stars. Cursed Under London is a fantastic start to what promises to be a cozy and inclusive historical romantasy series. If you enjoy a blend of humour, adventure, and supernatural intrigue, this book is definitely for you!

So much fun, hilarious, a great world of vamps, werewolves, dragons and fae. I loved Wulfric and Lazare and Amber. Cursed Under London is original, refreshing, cosy. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

'Cursed Under London' is a delightful romp/cozy mystery set in an alternative London where mortals live in the Upper world (ruled by swans) and the fae, vampires, zombies and other creatures of the dark world live underground. Fang and Lazare were both mortals who were killed and, well, did not die. They are not one of the established undead and yet they both have new powers and seem to be immortal. They join forces, along with Amber, the mediocore-sized dragon, and Nell, the apothocary, to find the source of their curse. Along the way, they stumble into a bigger mystery and find themselves in scraps and a fight to safely deliver a stolen fae item home.

I am usually skeptical when a book is described as "hilarious" but I really enjoyed this. It's fun read and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Duckworth Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this book and the blurb sounded really good, but as I was reading it I couldn't work out if it was supposed to be funny or not. I laughed at one scene. For a short book it took me ages to read it, which for me shows I didn't enjoy it as much. I found the main characters a bit annoying especially when they were together. For the me the only character I was invested in was Amber, the little dragon
Will I carry on the series, I do not know

FINALLY I get to share my excitement over this great fantasy read with you. I had the opportunity to meet the author at a recent book signing.
I loved this one!! Like absolutely EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! Read this now 5 star read loved it!!

TOTALLY cool world building - Alternate underground London for the paranormal beings (zombies, Fae vamps, werewolves, dragons etc) A curse. Magic.

What could be better!

Plus two CUTE grumpy / sunshine characters and sweet queer romance vibes

The character banter between, well everyone, the MMCs, Nel, Amber (OMG I adored Amber the tiny dragon) was just hilarious, sweet and cute.

And a cool plot that had the crew travelling into Deep London, rescuing, adventuring, romancing, hiding, fighting and generally avoiding danger at every turn.

CUL was a brilliant page turner of a read that had me.wantimf more. And I'm so glad its book one in a new fantasy romcom / historical romantasy series!

Can't wait to read more! All the stars for this one.