Cursed

This is the first stand-alone I have read by JLA, and I will say, I'm disappointed she hasn't decided to make this into a series. There were plenty of questions left unanswered so that she will have the opportunity to do so, but I will find myself disappointed if it just ends there and I am left not knowing.

I enjoyed the story, it was a quick and fun read; but I felt like the characters were too similar to Tahereh Mafi's characters in Shatter Me. But that just means there's one more book out there filled with sexy men! Hehehe.

Hayden, while not as striking a personality as Daemon or Aiden, will still steal your breath away. He's sexy, protective, and charming--and he's got this sweetness to him that will just make you say, "Awwwww." The romance is innocent--I wouldn't have any issues with my teenage daughter (if I had one) reading this as it doesn't get nearly as steamy as the romances in the Half-Blood or Lux series.

While not on the same level as her other two series, Cursed was still enjoyable and held my interest easily. It was predictable, but my heart still sped up when the climax was nearing because I just had to know how it ended--even if I already figured out the who.

Jennifer L. Armentrout always creates the most strongest and unique characters that always stay with me. The story starts out wonderfully and within the first few chapters, really builds up and takes off with a great ending that was quite satisfying but definitely has the potential to turn into a series - I really love that!

Ember's 5 year old little sister has the ability to bring people and animals back to life. And after a horrible car accident that kills Ember and her father, little Olivia was able to get to Ember, touch her, and bring her back to life. Ever since then, Ember has been "cursed" with the the ability to kill all living things with the slightest touch - whether she touches you or you accidentally bump into her, there is absolutely nothing that can save you. Imagine being a teen that not only has to cope with everything that she has lost, but keep on a brave face and have to force herself to move on for her little sisters well-being and safe-keeping? I was amazed on how well rounded Armentrout created Ember's character - we were able to see her at her most vulnerable typical teen state, to how she is coping with her new responsibilities and loss, how she deals with her "curse" and then eventually, her interest in Hayden.

Armentrout definitely knows how to create the most swoon-worthy love interests. Hayden is, of course, another strong male character who is genuinely caring and over-protective of his "family" and with Ember too. He may come off a bit creepy at first, but definitely likable. His abilities took me by surprise and are amazing. He is definitely one to keep your eye on. His family dynamic is unique and their abilities, although not surprising and a bit predictable, their personalities were right on target.

Although the story has somewhat been done before and was a bit predictable too, it did grab and hold my attention and I ended up reading the whole book within a day. There is a mystery going on, I just couldn't put it down. And it did help that the relationship growing between Ember and Hayden was different and very moving. We definitely need more Hayden's in this world...

Overall, I loved the entire story - it definitely gave me a 'X-Men' vibe with a contemporary mix and I really enjoyed all of the characters! I am definitely hoping that there will be a second book!... and soon!

ISBN: 9780983157274
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 312

Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she’s more than interested. There’s just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she’s willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?

But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she’s not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

I received an ARC copy of Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout for review from Spencer Hill Press, which on the whole, I liked but didn’t exactly love, like I thought I might have. Although I found the plot of Cursed to be a mixture of The Immortals series by Alyson Noel and X-Men, (which I have enjoying reading & watching), the writing style let the book down. Unfortunately, Cursed was written quite simplistically, and at times quite predictably. I didn’t really get attached to any of the characters as such because most of the descriptions within the book didn’t include the characters, or didn’t give much of an insight into their lives & personalities. It felt like more emphasis had been put on describing the scenery in detail, rather than on the characters, their actions & their emotions! I’m not very fond of the cover for Cursed. I feel that cover image of the model representing Ember, should have been the “right way up”, instead of upside down. Ember being laid upside-down probably represents the fact that her lie was turned upside down by the car accident; however, I believe that, Ember being laid back in the grass, upside down, with her eyes closed, could also be construed as her giving up, which isn’t inkeeping with Cursed.

I love the plot and the characters!