This is pretty cute. I am not the intended audience for this series. I thoroughly admit that. This skews toward the younger YA audience, in my opinion. I appreciate the fact that the author is using cultural elements to create her own fantasy world. As this is the second in the series, I don't want to give a lot of detail in case of spoilers in the first book. I will say that this is quite a cute friend adventure with some romance thrown in. Once this got going, I basically devoured the second half of the book.

The second and final book in this duology picks up pretty much where its predecessor left off, with our leading lady MJ adjusting to her new role as queen. I read the first book about a year ago so I don't remember every detail, but the drama was pretty unforgettable. It was easy to slip back into that, and the stakes were even higher here.

As she figures out how to rule, MJ begins to experience strange symptoms that point to her being cured: she is becoming the manananggal (a vampire-type creature) that is terrorizing the kingdom at night. I really liked the way de la Cruz leaned more into the Filipino mythology in this sequel and how it's presented in such a way that it's accessible to anybody (like how explicit connections between the manananggal and vampire legends are made). Many of the supporting characters are presented in different lights here too which was interesting. I also appreciated the way that de la Cruz handled MJ and Lucas's tentative romance from the first book, making their relationship far from perfect but also providing a good sense of closure. It was realistic and made it feel like a true teenage love story.

I really enjoyed this sequel to The Encanto’s Daughter. It was an engaging and easy read, and I flew through the pages. While it could potentially be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with book one for the full experience. The story includes a bit of mystery that keeps you hooked until the satisfying resolution at the end.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Wow. What a great read. This book had magic and curses, mystery and suspense, tenderness and brutality, failures and successes, diversity and love. It was unpredictable. I was so wrong about who had cast the curse. And it was emotional. I was repeatedly in tears towards the end.

Tight and clean with a compelling plot that kept me riveted.

The second installment of this fantasy series for fans of ya. I loved this book and the character growth and relationships featured. Our Mc has a journey of finding herself and saving her kingdom with the help of old and new friends. A great read for all fantasy readers.

I was dying to get my hands on this sequel! This is one of my new favorite series, complete with all the fairytale magic that de la Cruz is famous for. If you love her worldbuilding and are fans of her previous works, check this out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this exciting book.

I won't give anything away, but this book was fast moving, captivating, and the characters are incredible

Recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinons are my own.

Melissa always has a way of pulling me in and never letting me go and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. Thankfully, I was able to get an e-ARC and I am so thankful that I did. I love this series so much. It's been such a journey and I enjoyed each page. I was excited to get back into it and we picked up right where we left off. It took me a second to get myself back into it, but once I remembered where we were (which is on me), I kept flipping the pages. I loved this one! It's such a good series. I highly recommend it.

"The vampire queen must break her curse in this YA romantasy inspired by Filipino folklore, a sequel to The Encanto's Daughter by #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz!

A curse has befallen Biringan. Stalking the night sky and sinking sharp teeth in its prey, a vampire-like creature - a manananggal - is terrorizing the kingdom. Now MJ Robertson-Rodriguez must fulfill her duties as the newly crowned queen and restore peace. Except...when MJ wakes up in tattered clothes stained with blood, she quickly realizes the monster lives within her.

To prevent more destruction, MJ flees to Mount Makiling with select members of her court, all while keeping her curse secret. By her side is Lucas, the talented knight who broke her heart by giving his own to another. And there's Prince Qian, the devilishly handsome monster hunter from the Jade Empire who's visiting on a diplomatic mission.

In the mountains, MJ is charmed by Qian's valiant spirit. Could he be the one to finally mend her broken heart, which still beats for Lucas? But as the manananggal fills MJ with bloodthirst, she must set love aside and break the curse before it consumes her forever.

When a neighboring kingdom threatens to wage war on Biringan, can the young queen regain control of herself before she loses control of the crown?"

Or can the young queen just kill all the enemies now that she's a manananggal?

The Encanto's Curse is the 2nd book in the The Encanto's Daughter duology and takes place a few months after the first book left off. I found this story had a similar feel to the first one, though it had more romance involved. I'm not sure if I was completely a fan of the love triangle aspect, but it added a bit of mystery about how who she would end up with (though I had a pretty good idea of how that would go). I thought the ties to Filipino folklore were interesting, with the manananggal sounding downright terrifying. The book definitely didn't lack in action and excitement, so it kept me engaged and interested in the story. I was happy with how this series ended and liked that there were some directions the plot went that I didn't see coming.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the advance review copy of The Encanto's Curse! All opinions are completely my own and voluntary.

Genre: YA Fantasy

Conclusion of a duology where the new queen is cursed and becomes a monster at night. She tries to hide the curse from everyone as she figures out a way to break it.

Fast paced, easy to read YA book. It had a little romance, where as the first book did not. The focus is on MJ figuring out how to break the curse and a few different budding relationships. The writing style was very easy to follow and her pacing is always really well done. Cute, HEA conclusion to the series.

✨Read if you like:
Curses, magic, political courts, YA romance, vampires, HEA, Filipino folklore

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Though I enjoyed the first book in the duology, I can't say that I enjoyed this one quite as much. MJ is reeling from heartbreak and spiraling. Even worse? She's plagued by horrible dreams of her as monster attacking people. Except maybe they aren't dreams at all. I liked the ending sentiment of the book, but my overwhelming thought was....this all happened because of a boy? A boy she hadn't even known that long? This book felt extremely adolescent in a way the first didn't. There wasn't that taut pull of tension the first one had.

I enjoyed the magic and intrigue of book one, The Encanto's Daughter, and was excited for the next in the series. Book two picks up right where the first one ends. You may think that MJ will now have to fight to maintain her position in the kingdom, but this is a much more personal fight for her.
MJ must learn about her family's history in order to understand the internal struggle that she is undergoing and find a way to break the curse. Where book one was more boots-on-the-ground action, book two is a psychological battle (also has physical aspects, of course). The author's magical creatures, curses and ghosts will keep you on the edge of your seat. And now I anxiously await book three!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Encanto's Curse by Melissa de la Cruz is the first person-POV YA fantasy romance sequel to The Encanto's Daughter. Picking up several months where the previous book left off, MJ is still pining for Lucas who is now formally engaged to his childhood friend Amador. When a manananggal starts attacking MJ’s kingdom and she loses her magic, she has a lot more to reckon with than jealousy.

While the previous book was more of a romantic fantasy, this was a fantasy romance building off of what the previous book has established. As such, it doesn't quite follow the beats of the romance genre but the romance between MJ and Lucas and the love triangle between them and Qian, Nix’s older brother, are the drivers of the plot. MJ is attracted to Qian and she does try to move on with him while still being very much in love with Lucas mostly because of Lucas being trapped by his own engagement. I thought it was reasonable for her to try to find love elsewhere since she can't have who she wants, but I know some readers of romance like fairly strict monogamy.

Amador is a lot more fleshed out in this book than in the previous one. In the first story, she was a mean girl who didn't have a whole lot of nuance to her character because of her possessiveness of Lucas and the limited page time that we had. Here, we see her difficult home life, particularly with her mother, and her motivations for wanting to marry Lucas which touch on issues a lot of teens are facing in the world (having their true selves being rejected by a parent). While not every bully character or villain needs a redemption arc or a grand reason for why they're mean, I appreciated the difficult situation Amador is in and how she is going to have to unlearn attitudes picked up from her parents.

The pacing here is quite fast but I never felt lost. There is a very clear throughline on the page that is easy to follow even when we're going at a breakneck pace. Melissa de la Cruz knows when to slow down, what details to flesh out, and what can be glossed over without sacrificing legibility. I'd argue that the book is somewhat voice-driven and if the voice works for you and keeps you engaged, it's a lot easier to keep track of those various threads.

I would recommend this to fans of The Encanto's Daughter who wanted to know what happened between MJ, Lucas, and Amador, fans of YA fantasy who want a less strict adherence to the romance genre conventions, and those looking for a YA with Filipino folklore

Melissa de la Cruz delivers a thrilling sequel in The Encanto’s Curse, blending Filipino folklore, dark fantasy, and a touch of romance into a captivating YA story. Picking up where The Encanto’s Daughter left off, MJ must grapple with her newfound responsibilities as queen—while also hiding a terrifying secret. The manananggal stalking her kingdom isn’t just a monster terrorizing the night—it’s her.

This installment expands on the world-building, introducing new kingdoms, political intrigue, and a fresh romantic dynamic with Prince Qian, the charming and enigmatic monster hunter. MJ’s struggle with her curse adds a layer of tension and emotional depth, making her journey of self-acceptance and leadership compelling. While the love triangle between MJ, Lucas, and Qian had its moments, the real strength of this book lies in MJ’s personal growth and the high stakes of her curse.

The pacing is quick, and the folklore elements shine, making this a unique addition to the YA fantasy genre. While some plot points felt predictable, the lush setting and supernatural intrigue kept me hooked. If you enjoyed The Encanto’s Daughter, this sequel is a satisfying and exciting conclusion to MJ’s story. Fans of folklore-infused fantasy with strong heroines and hints of romance will love this duology!

Part 2 will their be a 3rd? There is a HUGE twist! It's a quick and fast read and definitely worth it! Hands up to her!

"Encanto's Curse" weaves a captivating tale of duty, love, and self-discovery. De la Cruz masterfully blends Filipino folklore with contemporary themes, creating a unique and enchanting world.

The story follows MJ, a newly crowned queen battling a terrifying curse that transforms her into a manananggal at night. This internal struggle adds a layer of complexity to her character, forcing her to confront her fears and embrace her true self.

The romance is well-developed, with a compelling love triangle that keeps readers guessing. MJ's relationships with Lucas, her childhood sweetheart, and Qian, the enigmatic monster hunter, are both poignant and passionate.

What makes this book stand out:

Unique World-Building: De la Cruz seamlessly incorporates Filipino mythology and culture, creating a richly imagined world that feels both familiar and fantastical.
Strong Female Protagonist: MJ is a relatable and empowering character. She's not just a damsel in distress; she's a strong leader who must overcome her inner demons and fight for her kingdom.
Intriguing Plot: The story is filled with suspense and action, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end. The mystery surrounding the curse and the identity of the true villain adds another layer of intrigue.
Minor Criticisms:

Some readers may find the pacing slightly uneven in the middle of the book.
The resolution of the love triangle might feel somewhat predictable to some.
Overall:

"Encanto's Curse" is a thrilling and engaging read that will appeal to fans of fantasy and romance. De la Cruz's skillful storytelling and vivid world-building make this a truly unforgettable experience.

Recommendation:

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy YA fantasy with strong female leads, unique world-building, and a touch of forbidden romance.

Wow! As a Melissa De La Cruz fan from childhood, I enjoyed this one just as much as her other books! I fell in love with the first book and was still recovering from the major twist in the ending! The Encanto's Curse was filled with beautiful friendships, adventure, and a perfect balance of romance and fantasy! As as someone who comes from a Filipino background, it was so amazing to see the representation in this book. There was a lot of relatability, such as the names of the dishes the characters feast on throughout the book (which made me hungry multiple times while reading)! The characters were all thoroughly crafted and the fantasy aspect was on point. I cannot wait to see more from Melissa De La Cruz! I highly recommend this book for all romantasy lovers! 4/5 stars!

Checkout my Instagram for more: @pastelbookshelf!

“The Encanto’s Curse,” by Melissa De La Cruz

This was a solid read if you like the first one. It follows the same vibe and feel, and the characters play their parts exactly how I thought they would because of their personalities. I liked the relationship aspect in this book more than the last one for sure. It’s a perfect YA fantasy for readers who like plots driven more for self-growth of MC’s than heavy romance or tons of action and deep issues. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Magic
-Filippino Folklore

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

This book is the second book in the series. And it was a great conclusion to the series! I would highly recommend this series!