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!

What a good way to end a duology! The Encanto’s Curse follows where we left off in the Encanto’s Daughter. But there’s a huge twist this time, MJ realizes that she may be the manananggal that is terrorizing her own kingdom and she’s also dealing with the fact her boyfriend is engaged to someone else. I loved this entire book and MJ’s character got more appealing to me especially in this book, the little love triangle between her, Lucas and Qian was interesting to read and I would’ve never expected to learn more about Nix. Watching MJ try to break her curse was enjoyable and I’m sad to know that this is the end of this series because I love watching this world unfold. But I’m glad it ended the way it did.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group, Penguin Young Readers for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is an ARC from NetGalley. The 2nd book in the series allowed readers to revisit characters and wrap up the storyline in a HEA. The overall plot wasn't anything critical to the narrative of the first book, but it was a quick, cute read. #netgalley #encantoscurse #selfempowerment

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. This was an excellent follow-up to The Encanto's Daughter, and I really enjoyed reading it. I actually liked it better than the first book which I didn't expect! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

This book was so good! I loved the mystery in this one of the monster and I loved the magic and lore. We got to hear more about other kingdoms in this one which was really cool. I love the characters and I do wish some romance decisions went a different way since I just love a character that was introduced in this one. Overall, this duology was so much fun and I just love this author!

I love the cover it's absolutely gorgeous! But this book picks up after book one and you're dropped right back into the madness. It was just as good if not better and honestly I think I might have enjoyed this one more.