Thank you to NetGalley and to Gabby Hutchinson Crouch for the ARC of Cursed Under London. It was truly a pleasure to read.

To start off, this book is going to be one people either love or hate. It takes place in Elizabethan London, but anachronistic language is used. I know some readers find that incredibly off-putting to the point they will not read fantasy books with modern dialogue. If that is the case, this book isn't for you.

To me, this book was not "high fantasy," so it did not bother me. To me, the dialogue and the way the characters spoke to one another worked. Cursed Under London, in my opinion, does well what Assistant to the Villain failed at. It manages to be somewhat whimsical, comical, and slightly romantic without the clunky plot or dialogue that the aforementioned book has.

The villain that is introduced near the end feels as though he comes from nowhere, until you reflect on previous events in the book. I somewhat predicted what would happen to said villain, but still found the end of the novel satisfying. It set up what I hope ends up being a fantastic series.

This queer, semi-historical, rom-com fantasy stands as my favorite ARC of the year thus far.

Comparable titles would include the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer, and The Immortal Empire by Kate Locke.

Where do I begin?

The synopsis of the book grabbed my attention, so I was really looking forward to reading it. The writing style and plot had my attention, at first, and then slowly lost me along the way. There were multiple times where I thought about DNF-ing it, but wanted to see where it went and I kinda wish I had.

I think the main problem for me was that this is touted as Romantasy and there just wasn't a whole lot of romance. It's not the main theme. They really only have a few scenes where it's just the two of them and by the second one, love is discussed. I didn't even get much connection between them, so love didn't feel fully developed. I would say this was more "Cozy Fantasy" than "Romatasy". Especially with not a real HEA.

Apparently, this is the first in a series, and although there's no cliffhanger, it just ends. I doubt I'll read any more in this series. The book left me confused quite a bit. I didn't feel there was much resolution to anything that was going on, but at the same time, don't know where they'd go in the next book. It just wasn't for me at all.

Thank you to Farrago Book and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

2 1/2 stars, rounded to 3.

Two strangers.

Two Londons.

Two hearts that won’t stop beating…

In an alternative Elizabethan London, Fang awakes from his death to discover he is not quite human anymore. In fact, despite having somehow acquired the power of immortality, he’s also not quite vampire, zombie, werewolf or any of the other supernatural beings who roam the twin cities of Upper London and its underground counterpart, Deep London.

A jaded traveller from the Ming Empire, Fang is desperate to find a way to reverse the spell and get on with being dead when he stumbles upon Lazare de Quitte-Beuf, a theatrical Frenchman who is afflicted with the same mysterious condition. Thrown together by the curse they share, the two men set out to undo the strange magic that binds them. As they are drawn further into the shadowy world of Deep London, they unearth a dangerous plot which they appear to be right in the middle of…

And, surely, when in grave danger, the worst thing they could do would be to fall in love, wouldn’t it?

Now I really enjoyed the world building of the deep side and the upper side- there were good themes of racism and xenophobia that were explored really well. The prejudice that Fang got from the gang members was done really cleverly. I think the imagery was really good and descriptive and the abundance of characters and species were super fun and added something extra to the book.

The plot read like a comedic action film which I know some people will absolutely love. Personally, I struggle to understand or relate to comedic values and scenes in literature and film and I don’t often find the slapstick comedy funny. The first 25-30% was super interesting and a cool concept and I was invested but then I lost interest up until around 70% where the stakes were higher and I was more invested.

I think this book was well written and will be a fan favourite for sure, I just don’t think it’s the book for me. I rated it 3.5 stars.

I originally picked up this book because I recognised the author from BBC Radio 4 shows the News Quiz and The Now Show. I liked those, so I figured I’d like the book.

Set in an Alternative Elizabethan England, there is and Upper London where the non magical live, and a Deep London, where the Magical live. United by a curse that leaves them not quite living, but not quite dead, Lazare and Fang end up working together to try and figure out what has happened to them and what, if anything, they can do about it. Add in some street gangs, a Welsh Apothecary who keeps having to sew Lazare and Fang back together, a mysterious child, and a tiny dragon, and this band of misfits is ready for action. Maybe. But probably not.

While billed as a “rom-com” that aspect didn’t come through particularly strongly for me, but that was a strength in the story telling, and any more romance would have felt out of place. For me, the charm of this story lies in its blend of historical fantasy and world building. I really found the vibe very similar to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. The world-building is intricate, creative, and occasionally downright ludicrous, reminiscent of Pratchett’s whimsical touch. But the romance is the least significant of the relationships built over the course of the story. The balance of tension is just right. It keeps you engaged without causing anxiety overload.

If you are looking for a cozy, inclusive, and humorous romp through a fantastical version of Elizabethan London, this is well worth a read.

I really enjoyed the found family aspect of Cursed Under London. The characters are lovable and I found myself rooting for them. This book has such an interesting premise. Unfortunately, the plot fell a little flat. I think some of the disappointment for me came from the disconnect from what I was expecting and what the book actually was. I wouldn’t consider it a historical fantasy, despite being set in AU Elizabethan London. I found the descriptions and language to be very modern, and the time period didn’t seem to serve any purpose other than allowing for a couple cameos of famous historical figures. I also felt the mystery was solved too quickly and it didn’t leave me wanting more considering it is the first in a series. I think this book would be best for those looking for a fun, whimsical, and lighthearted fantasy.

Sadly this was a DNF for me :( I was so excited for it and loved the concept but I found the writing style, especially the say the POV was third person but kept suddenly switching, really jarring. I also struggled to connect with the world / the alternative Elizabethan setting because it just didn’t feel like I think it was meNt to :(

What an odd, but interesting book!

It was very fast and easy read, I basically finished it in 2 days, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Story follows a group of strange and unusual friends that have been thrown in a centre of conspiracy that they had no wish to be part of. We have Fang, who is just miserable and loves self-sabotage. Lazare is a tad delusional, but have a kind heart. Nell is horny, yet loyal to the core. And Amber is... well, a dragon with great manners (she won't eat you without you dying first)! Together, they embarked on a mission to undo this mysterious curse that brought Fang and Lazare from death. Yet, not everyone in the story seeks the same outcome, and someone is having a blast watching all this chaos being unleashed.

There are more characters that we meet and have important roles, but I don't want to spoil anything for you. But I do have to say that the beginning of chapter 13 made my day. I just couldn't stop laughing! Prude vampires, that was a new one for me, and I absolutely loved it.

What I loved the most was how inclusive the story is. There is no such thing as straight or gay or any other label. It's just creatures attracted to creatures or not. I can't even say humans, as the story has so many types of different creatures that mingle together.

However, I felt like the story lacked some depth. It was interesting and the world building was unique, but all the descriptions felt just glanced over. I do understand that going into deep explanations wasn't the focus of the story, but I would have loved to understand this historical fantasy world better.

But like I said, it was a fast and easy read. It doesn't make you question everything and anything, and there were a few plot twists that left me surprised. If you want fantasy but want light and not overly complicated plotline - this is the book for you 🖤

I enjoyed the quirky humour and the eclectic cast of characters, but was a bit let down by the ending. The tonal shift came out of the blue, and I got whiplash when the story went from irreverent/nothing to worry about/we're just having a fun time to some really dark traumatic revelations, which then themselves were brushed off quite quickly, The romance between Fang and Lazare also lacked substance and felt a bit forced. Loved Amber and Nell though.
I'm sad that I didn't fall in love with this world, but I'm sure this book will find its audience nevertheless.

Cosy, romantic and funny. And one hell of an adventure.

First of all, I would like to thank Farrago for providing me with an ARC for Cursed Under London by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch.

There are more novels depicting an Upper and a Deep London, and some of them are a hard act to follow. Cosy, and with a diverse cast, Cursed Under London does not disappoint. The balance between dark, light-heartedness and pulling heartstrings is just right.
Fang and Lazare, the two main characters, carry the plot perfectly. Together with apothecary Nell, tiny dragon Amber and young Tem, they take on gangs of living and undead thugs in Upper and Deep London. And then there is a surprising villain, who you can’t help but despise.

So yes, cosy, romantic, funny, one hell of an adventure, it’s all there. I’d have no hesitation buying Cursed Under London 2, if and when it is published.

Read from June 27th, 2024 to July 3rd, 2024. Written on July 4th, 2024

NEW BOOK RELEASE ALERT!!

A trip down a fantastic Elizabethan London from the 17th century that will surely get you deep inside an adventure to remember.

With multiple POV's, unique characters, twists and turns and an ending to crave more, the author takes us to a London filled with vampires, zombies, fae, and other creatures from folklore.

I do have to say, I felt like the romance between the two main characters was a little bit forced, since there is almost no build up to it, or so I felt it.

I'm not sure what else to say though, I do hope there is a sequel because I am interesting in how the story can evolve.
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Signing off,
B.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Farrago Books that I chose to review after reading)

Dark, witty, funny and adventurous, anything you could want in a dark fantasy with a pinch of romance!

Follow weirdly immortals, ghoul but not ghoul, vampire but not vampire, Fang and lazare, with the help of Nell the apothecary and Amber, the little fiery but sassy dragon, on a quest to find out why Fang and Lazare died but didn’t die.

On their journey they encounter many many otherworldly beings, and maybe find some answers to their many questions.


This was easily a five star read for me, the witty responses, the fight or flight behavior (so relatable), the little romance snippets, the tension and obviously AMBER!! I love her to bits!
I can’t wait for everyone else to fall in love with these characters as I did!

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5/5
This was a really fun fantasy, set in a uniquely imagined version of Elizabethan London. It was funny at times and also sweet. The characters are somewhat odd at times but it all adds to the unusual tone of this queer romcom fantasy mish mash.

The pacing was good and held my interest, I enjoyed the plot and while I would have like to see a little more character development and depth I did really enjoy the characters. I particularly enjoyed the back and forth banter between the main characters, written in a way that was easy to follow it was a quirky fun quick read.

Really really enjoyed this. It had a fun and interesting plot, some fantastic characters and a brilliant sense of humour throughout. I loved Fang, and can’t wait to learn more, especially about the budding friendship with Lazare and their unusual affliction. Nell and Amber were equally as fun, and I’m already eager for the second instalment.

Cursed Under London is a funny and endearing tale of the adventures and misfortunes of two characters with very opposite personalities. Perfect for fans of Good Omens (both the show and the novel) and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy.

Gabby Hutchinson’s style is incredibly fluid, combining both humor and action effortlessly. The pace doesn’t lag at any point and still the novel is fairly easy to put down and pick up again. The world she has built is rich and colorful, filled with creatures and the perfect amount of description to let the reader understand without being to overwhelming. It was fairly easy to fall into the politics and what-nots of both London without missing a beat.

The characters are a little underdeveloped and one dimensional, but it works for the tone of the book. My only complaint is that I felt the romance got a little bit lost among the action and was too rushed and at times hard to believe. I would have preferred if it went slower and we actually got to see the the attraction develop over time. That being said, I did enjoyed very much, especially their banter.

The secondary characters were mostly used as comedic support, but I found them adorable and hilarious in equal parts.

Overall it was a relaxing and enjoyable read. I would recommend if you love fantasy and are looking for an easy and laugh-out kind of book.

I did not finish this book because it did not hold my interest at all. I just couldn't get into the plot or connect with the characters. This story wasn't for me.

This is written by one of the writers for Horrible Histories, and that’s a pretty accurate representation of the tone of this book. This story is like random, quirky, 2010 humor on steroids. It’s quirky and pithy and just plain odd in many places, a historical fantasy queer romance that’s written in quite a modern tone, and yet it kind of works? I do wish the romance had been developed a bit more - the deep feelings kind of sprung out of nowhere. Feel like this is one I’ll have to process for a bit longer, but it’s definitely one of the more original stories I’ve read this year. A solid 3⭐️ read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Farrago Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fun and witty historical romantasy series with a range of unique features. Cannot wait to see what the rest of the series has to offer. Charming and cosy all the way through. Will definitely recommend to my friends.

This was an amazingly unique kooky paranormal story of mystery and found family set in the depths of both upper and lower london.
In a world where humans live above ground and there is a below ground equivalent of london for the paranormal so they can survive side by side in peace, we have a collective of characters who dont quite fit the norm of paranormal but also dont seem to be human fully anymore.

With gangs as our villains, we see our squad of main characters go against them to save Tem, a child who is half fae and half human and being used as a weapon. I loved how Tem and Fang one of our MC's bonded in this book and how our main gang ultimately became a close found family dynamic. This tale was unique and unlike any other id read and a great shelf filler at only 220 ish pages as an ebook. Overall, I would definitely reccomend it to fans of the paranormal and found family who want a bit of a mystery set in old england. From paranormal counterparts of Kit Marlowe and Shakespeare, to all our characters being a bit fruity, theres nothing more you could desire from such a tale.

Headlines:
Identity changes
Capers
Banter

This was a historical paranormal romp that was fast-paced and lively. At the centre were two men, Fang and Lazare alongside a dragon called Amber who was just so endearing. There were few serious moments, lots of peril, a bit of chemistry and a mystery about how Lazare and Fang had evolved.

Set in London, I did get a feel for the grim, dirty streets of London and the danger they held. The world was an odd place full of different paranormal creatures that kept to their own ends of London (supposedly). What had happened to Fang and Lazare was out of the norm, they hadn't been turned into the usual paranormal creatures, they were different and that was the puzzle of this story.

The banter was full-on in this book. Most lines brimming with wit and after a while, I wanted that pace of banter to settle. The connecting moments between Lazare and Fang were hampered a little by the fast pace, so that I didn't quite feel their chemistry.

I'm not sure what comes next in this series, but things aren't neatly tied up and I might read on.

Thank you to Farrago Books for the review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this will be a neutral review as I did not finish it. While the idea itself is fun and Amber the dragon and Nell the apothecary seem like intriguing characters, the rest…. Fell flat.

The moment ‘Bill and Kit’ were introduced, I knew I wouldn’t be finishing the title but I simply couldn’t persevere.

This book may be for someone, but it wasn’t for me.