Cursed by Lizzy Ford

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy

Release Date: March 6, 2014

Publisher: Evatopia Press

Format: ebook                       Pages: 246

Series: Voodoo Nights #1    Sources: Netgalley

Goodreads Synopsis:

 The Red Man is coming ...

Five years after her sister disappeared, seventeen-year-old Adrienne finds the strength to return to her father’s home in New Orleans. But soon after she arrives, the mark of a curse appears on her, leaving her worried. Will she be the next victim of a four-hundred-year old family curse ... the next to be claimed by a serial killer roaming the back alleys of the city?

The day before his senior year begins, Jayden is given a skeleton key passed down through his family for generations -- a gruesome reminder of how his ancestors betrayed their own people and sold them into slavery. He doesn’t believe in the curse the key allegedly bears and puts it away with the intention of forgetting about its message. Until he meets Adrienne, a girl he’s compelled to for more reasons than her beauty. 

He’s not the only one who notices her. A man in a skeleton mask and a voodoo gang member are also drawn to Adrienne. One is determined to protect her. The other intends to mislead her. Haunted by the mythical Red Man, all are connected to the ancient curse.

Can they overcome their misgivings about one another and prevent the dark prophecy looming over them? Or will they be lured away from each other by evil’s siren song?

My Thoughts:

The Cover: When I saw the cover of Cursed, I immediately wanted to read it. The plot synopsis sealed the deal. I love anything about New Orleans, it’s history, and the old beliefs that are still so strong there.

The Plot and Characters: Cursed did not disappoint. The story line was amazing and kept me reading late into the night. I actually finished this book in 2 ½ days. I did find it a little heavy on the teenage angst, but mystery, suspense, drama, danger and romance kept me interested.

I loved watching Jayden and Adrienne get to know each other and fall in love. And I enjoyed how carefully the curse was constructed so long ago to entrap the families. All of the characters were well developed and fit together perfectly to support the history and enable the curse. But some things you have to leave to fate. Like Jayden and Adrienne; nothing guaranteed that they would meet and fall in love. Or be strong enough to see the curse through to the end.

Is it Worth Reading?: For sure!! I definitely recommend Cursed to readers of YA fantasy, mystery, and romance and give it 4/5 cursed crossbows! Don’t touch!!