There’s a line that perfectly sums it up, “ Our parents have traded our futures to suit their needs.” I fear I must indulge in this thought process as it is a constant theme throughout the novel so bear with me. One thing of interest for me in this particular series was the role of parents, or rather the lack of proper parental guidance. Despite this being a fairy tale retelling, the author still managed to be authentic both in her approach and her characters and I commend her. On the topic of characters, I applaud the author for her inclusivity and representation of not only LGBTQ relationships but also gender binary characters. “Why was it that so many men thought they were the answer to a question no one was asking?” “What’s wrong with you? …… I have a brain…They don’t like that.” Merit yearns for a partnership with an equal and not a man who will control her and I admired how the author showcased the qualms of many women of that age I relished that the female protagonist Merit, despite being previously burned, is still optimistic about falling in love but does not allow this idea to consume her or cloud her judgment. “Merit’s mother raised her to believe powerful ladies should never raise their voice, but she wasn’t a lady, she was a beast and she was going to act like it.”Īnother huge reason I loved this book was due to the unconventional and slightly morally grey characters. The author is teaching a poignant lesson to young people all over the world that only by loving yourself can you love others.

The kind of love that forces you to embrace and accept all your faults, even if you are a beast. This is a book about falling in love, not only in the traditional sense but also with yourself. How ironic that the young girl who should be cursed by love would need it to save her? I will be the first person to admit I am not a fan of retellings but Lish McBride has modernized this beloved tale giving us a refreshing role reversal with a female protagonist cursed by a Godling because she dared to fall in love. Love is the reason for her curse, but it is also her salvation. Curses is a beautiful and heartfelt rendition of the timeless fairy tale classic of Beauty and the Beast but with a contemporary twist.

Pyromantic lish mcbride