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The Devil of Roanoke #1
The Curse That Binds Us
Some curses can’t be outrun.
The secret to Redd’s past is locked away in a 400-year-old box that mysteriously appears every year on her birthday. For her entire life, her mother has kept them running from whatever lurks inside it. But Redd’s had enough of not knowing who she is. So when the box shows up where only she can find it, she opens it…and awakens a link to the evil her mother fought to keep dormant.
John lives in an old-fashioned village, a place of exquisite beauty and abundance. But such splendor demands that the villagers commit dark and unspeakable acts. When the link with Redd is unlocked, the village council believes they have an alternative. John is sent to find the one girl who could possibly save them…by making the ultimate sacrifice.
Eleanor sets off from England to America in 1587, pregnant and desperate to leave her ties with the devil behind. But when the captain of the ship refuses to take her and the other settlers further than Roanoke Island, what should be the beginning of a better life turns into a horrendous struggle to survive. Eleanor’s desire to see her daughter live at any cost will curse her and everyone around her for centuries to come…
Follow as Redd, John, and Eleanor's stories twine together in a mash-up of dark contemporary and historical fantasy. The Curse That Binds Us delves into the nuances of good and evil, the price of loyalty, and the extremes we will go to for those we love.
The secret to Redd’s past is locked away in a 400-year-old box that mysteriously appears every year on her birthday. For her entire life, her mother has kept them running from whatever lurks inside it. But Redd’s had enough of not knowing who she is. So when the box shows up where only she can find it, she opens it…and awakens a link to the evil her mother fought to keep dormant.
John lives in an old-fashioned village, a place of exquisite beauty and abundance. But such splendor demands that the villagers commit dark and unspeakable acts. When the link with Redd is unlocked, the village council believes they have an alternative. John is sent to find the one girl who could possibly save them…by making the ultimate sacrifice.
Eleanor sets off from England to America in 1587, pregnant and desperate to leave her ties with the devil behind. But when the captain of the ship refuses to take her and the other settlers further than Roanoke Island, what should be the beginning of a better life turns into a horrendous struggle to survive. Eleanor’s desire to see her daughter live at any cost will curse her and everyone around her for centuries to come…
Follow as Redd, John, and Eleanor's stories twine together in a mash-up of dark contemporary and historical fantasy. The Curse That Binds Us delves into the nuances of good and evil, the price of loyalty, and the extremes we will go to for those we love.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2021
63 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
Katie Hayoz
16 books155 followersKatie grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where she acquired an irreversible nasal twang and an addiction for books with a slightly dark edge. She now lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband, two daughters, and a very fuzzy cat. She has been an avid reader of YA fiction for years. While she has a penchant for the paranormal, she devours a range of books -- along with popcorn and black licorice. She consumes all three in large quantities. Luckily, the books don't stay on her hips.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
March 5, 2022
Big thank you to NetGalley for providing this free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What happened to missing colony or Roanoke is something people have been wondering for centuries. The answer: they made a deal with the Devil.
The book starts really slow and I had to stop reading it for a while. The beginning was so boring, I thought I would have to DNF it. However, after some breaks in which I've read other books, I continued.
The author slowly lets us in on what is going on, only giving us snippets at a time. While I usually enjoy the suspense, this time I found it frustrating and rage-inducing. The worst thing of all is that the ending is a cliffhanger. But not just any cliffhanger. Oh, no. There is no real ending. It is almost as if the author wrote a book, decided it was too long and split it in two, publishing it one at a time.
While this topic should be incredibly interesting, I feel like this is one of those books you completely forget about after a while. It is neither amazing, nor atrocious.
What happened to missing colony or Roanoke is something people have been wondering for centuries. The answer: they made a deal with the Devil.
The book starts really slow and I had to stop reading it for a while. The beginning was so boring, I thought I would have to DNF it. However, after some breaks in which I've read other books, I continued.
The author slowly lets us in on what is going on, only giving us snippets at a time. While I usually enjoy the suspense, this time I found it frustrating and rage-inducing. The worst thing of all is that the ending is a cliffhanger. But not just any cliffhanger. Oh, no. There is no real ending. It is almost as if the author wrote a book, decided it was too long and split it in two, publishing it one at a time.
While this topic should be incredibly interesting, I feel like this is one of those books you completely forget about after a while. It is neither amazing, nor atrocious.
November 11, 2021
Lush and dark.
HAYOZ brilliantly reinvents the history of the Roanoke settlers, balancing her tale about the devil with the perfect amount humor and romance.
Reminiscent of ADDIE LARUE.
HAYOZ brilliantly reinvents the history of the Roanoke settlers, balancing her tale about the devil with the perfect amount humor and romance.
Reminiscent of ADDIE LARUE.
January 28, 2022
Hayoz uniquely weaves the mysterious historical events surrounding the lost colony of Roanoke with the Devil himself. What if the desperate survivors made a pact with the devil to sacrifice innocent blood in order to live a life that seems and feels like paradise? Even the place they live given by him is called Eden but guarded with hellhounds and demons.
The story shifts from three first person POVs, Redd – a girl living in the present day who is gifted with a special ability to taste emotions in others and is constantly on the run from a mysterious box thanks to her mother, John – a boy from “Eden” who is torn between doing what he feels is wrong in order to save his people, and Eleanor – a woman from the past who cannot run away from the devil and did not resist Evil and temptation, thus bringing down the curse on the survivors of Roanoke.
Hayoz accurately changes the tone and prose according to the character’s respective time and culture. I felt annoyed with Redd for being rather repetitive in her responses to surprise and shock, as well as my usual problems with the common portrayal of teenage/YA romance and attraction. I was mostly unsure of John until the last third of the book (as he’s struggling with being the “bad guy” since he had to
The best I can say for this is that it’s brutally honest in its portrayal of people, as they are, without the courage and faith to do what is good and right, in the desperate choices of survival.
It’s an intense, sad, and disturbing read. (So disturbing due to the lack of a positive, moral force for good that I stalled out halfway through reading and only finished it because of my agreement as a Netgalley reviewer.) This first book ends on a cliffhanger, but at this point I can only expect a rather humanist conclusion in which John will try to save Redd because he seems to be struggling to choose to do what is right and may have found a way to break their curse. Yet, I cannot but feel that God deserves His place in such a story as this, in which Satan is personified, since it would be only accurate that mere humans cannot defeat evil by their own strength.
Overall, this is an interesting and dark exploration of the sin nature and the consequences of greed and selfishness, but this story - at least in this first book - makes no mention of the true hope for salvation and grace that is found in Christ alone.
If this was a movie, I’d rate it: R for strong language, sexually suggestive content (including a few fade-to-black, but those are not X level, which I was grateful for), disturbing elements, and mature topics
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The story shifts from three first person POVs, Redd – a girl living in the present day who is gifted with a special ability to taste emotions in others and is constantly on the run from a mysterious box thanks to her mother, John – a boy from “Eden” who is torn between doing what he feels is wrong in order to save his people, and Eleanor – a woman from the past who cannot run away from the devil and did not resist Evil and temptation, thus bringing down the curse on the survivors of Roanoke.
Hayoz accurately changes the tone and prose according to the character’s respective time and culture. I felt annoyed with Redd for being rather repetitive in her responses to surprise and shock, as well as my usual problems with the common portrayal of teenage/YA romance and attraction. I was mostly unsure of John until the last third of the book (as he’s struggling with being the “bad guy” since he had to
The best I can say for this is that it’s brutally honest in its portrayal of people, as they are, without the courage and faith to do what is good and right, in the desperate choices of survival.
It’s an intense, sad, and disturbing read. (So disturbing due to the lack of a positive, moral force for good that I stalled out halfway through reading and only finished it because of my agreement as a Netgalley reviewer.) This first book ends on a cliffhanger, but at this point I can only expect a rather humanist conclusion in which John will try to save Redd because he seems to be struggling to choose to do what is right and may have found a way to break their curse. Yet, I cannot but feel that God deserves His place in such a story as this, in which Satan is personified, since it would be only accurate that mere humans cannot defeat evil by their own strength.
Overall, this is an interesting and dark exploration of the sin nature and the consequences of greed and selfishness, but this story - at least in this first book - makes no mention of the true hope for salvation and grace that is found in Christ alone.
If this was a movie, I’d rate it: R for strong language, sexually suggestive content (including a few fade-to-black, but those are not X level, which I was grateful for), disturbing elements, and mature topics
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
November 26, 2021
**Thank you Netgalley and the author for this ARC.
This wasn't entirely my cup of tea, the romance fell a little flat for me. I didn't feel their chemistry at all. However, I was completely engrossed with the plot, the last 30% of the book had me at the edge of my seat.
If you like a page turner, ''i love you but have to kill you" romance, a fantasy with a historical and a contemporary settings then this is right up your alley.
Cons :
Eleanor's pov; I felt completely detached from the story during Eleanor's chapters. It was a struggle reading through those.
Confusing world building
Kinda Insta love!!
Twilight vibes
Pros:
Interesting plot
A fierce heroine
A great female friendship ( sisters before misters 😉)
Twilight vibes. ( Yep, its both con and pro)
I'm still undecided whether I'll be continuing on with the series or not.
This wasn't entirely my cup of tea, the romance fell a little flat for me. I didn't feel their chemistry at all. However, I was completely engrossed with the plot, the last 30% of the book had me at the edge of my seat.
If you like a page turner, ''i love you but have to kill you" romance, a fantasy with a historical and a contemporary settings then this is right up your alley.
Cons :
Eleanor's pov; I felt completely detached from the story during Eleanor's chapters. It was a struggle reading through those.
Confusing world building
Kinda Insta love!!
Twilight vibes
Pros:
Interesting plot
A fierce heroine
A great female friendship ( sisters before misters 😉)
Twilight vibes. ( Yep, its both con and pro)
I'm still undecided whether I'll be continuing on with the series or not.
January 19, 2022
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Curse That Binds Us is a fantasy story inspired by the history of the lost colony of Roanoke.
It is told through the interchanging POV of three characters. Two from the present and one from the past.One of the characters from the present is Redd, our protagonist and special snowflake. She is a teenage girl with an unusual life.
Every year on her birthday, a mysterious box appears at her house and she and her mother are forced to skip town.They have been running for her entire life and she is sick of it. So when the box shows up again this time she opens it. By doing this, she awakens the evil connection her mother had been trying to protect her from. There is more to the story but that's the gist of it because the entire book revolves around Redd.
This was an interesting story. It had me at the edge of my seat especially the last quarter although nothing happened as expected. It ended with a cliffhanger so things will probably get real in book 2.
The only major problem I had with this book was the beginning. It was hard to get into and confusing. The multiple POVs didn't help matters.It only got better around the 40% mark and just at the right time because I was losing the will to continue. The characters were annoying which meant that there was little to motivate me to reach that 40% mark other than plain old curiosity. To top it all off the "romance" was of the insta-love variety and it made no sense.
With that said will I be reading the second book? Absolutely. The general storyline is unique enough to catch my interest. Plus I can't wait for Redd to discover that in her case mother actually knows best.
The Curse That Binds Us is a fantasy story inspired by the history of the lost colony of Roanoke.
It is told through the interchanging POV of three characters. Two from the present and one from the past.One of the characters from the present is Redd, our protagonist and special snowflake. She is a teenage girl with an unusual life.
Every year on her birthday, a mysterious box appears at her house and she and her mother are forced to skip town.They have been running for her entire life and she is sick of it. So when the box shows up again this time she opens it. By doing this, she awakens the evil connection her mother had been trying to protect her from. There is more to the story but that's the gist of it because the entire book revolves around Redd.
This was an interesting story. It had me at the edge of my seat especially the last quarter although nothing happened as expected. It ended with a cliffhanger so things will probably get real in book 2.
The only major problem I had with this book was the beginning. It was hard to get into and confusing. The multiple POVs didn't help matters.It only got better around the 40% mark and just at the right time because I was losing the will to continue. The characters were annoying which meant that there was little to motivate me to reach that 40% mark other than plain old curiosity. To top it all off the "romance" was of the insta-love variety and it made no sense.
With that said will I be reading the second book? Absolutely. The general storyline is unique enough to catch my interest. Plus I can't wait for Redd to discover that in her case mother actually knows best.
December 3, 2021
I received an ARC of The Curse That Binds Us from Net Galley.
I’ve been intrigued with the premise for this book since the author announced it. And it did not disappoint. Let me first say, the multiple POV were done very well. Sometimes multiple POV books can leave me skipping a POV to get another character, but this book did not. I loved the buildup of suspense in this book. Every chapter left me wanting to know more about what was happening in Redd, John, and Eleanor’s life. Each character brought their own story to this book. I loved getting to know each character. The story is unique and well thought out. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
I’ve been intrigued with the premise for this book since the author announced it. And it did not disappoint. Let me first say, the multiple POV were done very well. Sometimes multiple POV books can leave me skipping a POV to get another character, but this book did not. I loved the buildup of suspense in this book. Every chapter left me wanting to know more about what was happening in Redd, John, and Eleanor’s life. Each character brought their own story to this book. I loved getting to know each character. The story is unique and well thought out. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
December 14, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"Evil would never again enter my cottage, but he would forever taint my blood."
Firstly, wow. Secondly, wow. What an original and interesting plot this book has! So many have tackled the mystery of the Roanoke colonists, and their true fate has remained unknown. Theories vary wildly, and the story itself is so strange and eerie that you wonder what new perspective could even be applied to the tale.
This is such an interesting and well-thought out book. Katie Hayoz has taken a well-known unsolved mystery and created this incredibly plausible solution to what really happened - flitting between three POVs slowly reveals the truth behind the Roanoke colony. We have Redd - a girl with extraordinary hidden power - on the eve of her 18th birthday, trying to break free from her controlling mother. We have John, a strangely old-fashioned boy who leaves the sanctuary of Eden - a paradise with a hidden dark side - to scout in the Beyond. And we have Eleanor Dare, one of the Roanoke colonists, speaking from 400 years before. As the book progresses, their stories entangle and weave together to form a strange, haunting tapestry.
"Death would have been too easy."
Sometimes I'm wary of multiple first-person POV books, only because it can get confusing. This is not an issue in The Curse That Binds Us. Each character's voice is so distinctive that there's no trouble discerning one from the other. The story is so fast-paced that I was never bored, and the ending left me with so many questions that I'm now dying for the sequel!
This was a solid 4.5 stars for me and I am absolutely recommending it to everyone!
"Evil would never again enter my cottage, but he would forever taint my blood."
Firstly, wow. Secondly, wow. What an original and interesting plot this book has! So many have tackled the mystery of the Roanoke colonists, and their true fate has remained unknown. Theories vary wildly, and the story itself is so strange and eerie that you wonder what new perspective could even be applied to the tale.
This is such an interesting and well-thought out book. Katie Hayoz has taken a well-known unsolved mystery and created this incredibly plausible solution to what really happened - flitting between three POVs slowly reveals the truth behind the Roanoke colony. We have Redd - a girl with extraordinary hidden power - on the eve of her 18th birthday, trying to break free from her controlling mother. We have John, a strangely old-fashioned boy who leaves the sanctuary of Eden - a paradise with a hidden dark side - to scout in the Beyond. And we have Eleanor Dare, one of the Roanoke colonists, speaking from 400 years before. As the book progresses, their stories entangle and weave together to form a strange, haunting tapestry.
"Death would have been too easy."
Sometimes I'm wary of multiple first-person POV books, only because it can get confusing. This is not an issue in The Curse That Binds Us. Each character's voice is so distinctive that there's no trouble discerning one from the other. The story is so fast-paced that I was never bored, and the ending left me with so many questions that I'm now dying for the sequel!
This was a solid 4.5 stars for me and I am absolutely recommending it to everyone!
March 13, 2022
I loved the idea of this as soon as I read the synopsis I knew a fantasy based on the story of the lost colony of Roanoke. I loved the suspense in this , as you read on each chapter will leave you wanting to know more about what was happening. The book uses multiple POV which were done really well, the pacing, the characters and world building all of it is perfect. The story itself is unique and well thought out and I loved getting to know each character, this is such an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
December 22, 2021
How much evil can we do in the name of good? What lengths will we go to in order to save our own?
___________________________
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement! The Curse That Binds Us is as much a dark Salem-style dance with the devil as it is an early settler-era historical drama and they weave so seamlessly into one another and into the present day that I found myself having to remember that it IS mostly fiction.
The first book in what is set to be a trilogy, it is the perfect start and a very well balanced blend of world/story building and forward momentum. Told from 3 different points of view we first follow Redd, a teenager living in Wisconsin who desperately wants to lead a normal life with her normal friends but who is plagued by an overbearing mother with strict rules and odd “training” that is supposed to be for Redd’s protection. Not to mention a mysterious trunk that shows up every year on her birthday prompting her mother to pack up their things and run year after year.
The second point of view is from John, a teenager from the beautiful idyllic town called Eden. Frozen in time the inhabitants of Eden do not age, suffer no ailments, and cannot sustain their own lives outside of Eden. True to its name in appearance you would wonder why they would ever want to leave, however it does not take long for you to learn the dark undercurrent and secrets of the world they call home.
The third and final point of view was my favorite and that is of Eleanor Dare, the first woman to birth an English child in the New World. Very, very loosely based on the history and mystery surrounding the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island NC we follow Eleanor from childhood in England through motherhood in Roanoke. A part of the Colony that “disappeared” without a trace, we follow her as well as some other key characters from the time they arrive in Roanoke to their mysterious vanishing. Interwoven in Eleanor’s story is a chance encounter with the devil and his pets during her childhood that seals her fate and ultimately sets the entire story in motion.
This book was very easy to follow even with 3 points of view and I was able to start weaving the pieces together rather quickly. The pacing was great, there were not really any “slow” parts. You were given vital bits of information at the perfect times to keep pulling you in while not overwhelming you with too much information at once so as to make it confusing.
Overall the story was captivating, the mystery engrossing, and though its origins were very dark it harkens back to the classic good vs evil fight and prods at deeper questions of morality such as how far WOULD you go out of desperation? And what WOULDN’T you do to care for someone you love? Is it weakness to have a soft heart? Or will a hardened heart only leave you blinded and vulnerable?
I would have loved to have seen a bit more romantic tension/chemistry between Redd and John, I feel like there was a fair bit building up in the beginning but then it kind of became nonexistent once they shared a pretty intense kiss. What was there, however, did both their characters’ personalities justice and laid the groundwork for hopefully more of a deeper connection for them in the story ahead.
Note: This book did leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger right as everything came to a head and I was begging for there to be just a little bit more, but overall it is an excellent read. I cannot wait for the next installment!!
TW: abuse, abduction, racism toward Native Americans, violence, rituals/sacrifice, death, child death.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for sending me a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review!
___________________________
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement! The Curse That Binds Us is as much a dark Salem-style dance with the devil as it is an early settler-era historical drama and they weave so seamlessly into one another and into the present day that I found myself having to remember that it IS mostly fiction.
The first book in what is set to be a trilogy, it is the perfect start and a very well balanced blend of world/story building and forward momentum. Told from 3 different points of view we first follow Redd, a teenager living in Wisconsin who desperately wants to lead a normal life with her normal friends but who is plagued by an overbearing mother with strict rules and odd “training” that is supposed to be for Redd’s protection. Not to mention a mysterious trunk that shows up every year on her birthday prompting her mother to pack up their things and run year after year.
The second point of view is from John, a teenager from the beautiful idyllic town called Eden. Frozen in time the inhabitants of Eden do not age, suffer no ailments, and cannot sustain their own lives outside of Eden. True to its name in appearance you would wonder why they would ever want to leave, however it does not take long for you to learn the dark undercurrent and secrets of the world they call home.
The third and final point of view was my favorite and that is of Eleanor Dare, the first woman to birth an English child in the New World. Very, very loosely based on the history and mystery surrounding the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island NC we follow Eleanor from childhood in England through motherhood in Roanoke. A part of the Colony that “disappeared” without a trace, we follow her as well as some other key characters from the time they arrive in Roanoke to their mysterious vanishing. Interwoven in Eleanor’s story is a chance encounter with the devil and his pets during her childhood that seals her fate and ultimately sets the entire story in motion.
This book was very easy to follow even with 3 points of view and I was able to start weaving the pieces together rather quickly. The pacing was great, there were not really any “slow” parts. You were given vital bits of information at the perfect times to keep pulling you in while not overwhelming you with too much information at once so as to make it confusing.
Overall the story was captivating, the mystery engrossing, and though its origins were very dark it harkens back to the classic good vs evil fight and prods at deeper questions of morality such as how far WOULD you go out of desperation? And what WOULDN’T you do to care for someone you love? Is it weakness to have a soft heart? Or will a hardened heart only leave you blinded and vulnerable?
I would have loved to have seen a bit more romantic tension/chemistry between Redd and John, I feel like there was a fair bit building up in the beginning but then it kind of became nonexistent once they shared a pretty intense kiss. What was there, however, did both their characters’ personalities justice and laid the groundwork for hopefully more of a deeper connection for them in the story ahead.
Note: This book did leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger right as everything came to a head and I was begging for there to be just a little bit more, but overall it is an excellent read. I cannot wait for the next installment!!
TW: abuse, abduction, racism toward Native Americans, violence, rituals/sacrifice, death, child death.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for sending me a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review!
December 14, 2021
Thank you to the publisher BooksGoSocial and the author for letting me read an ARC of this amazing story through NetGalley.
"I' can't read minds - how cool would that be - but o can sense other people's mental states ... In other words, I'm a freak"
"You want me to seduce a girl in the Beyond?"
"The scent of attraction"
This book really surprised me!
I was looking for a book to get me back into fantasy after a bit too much of romance ... I had almost lost the mood until this.
I couldn't put it down!
For every fan of "From Blood and Ash", this story has the whole deception you could find there and so much more!
An incredible combination between past and present , just enough to make you understand why something happens but not enough to spoil the whole plot to the reader.
A sort of enemies to lovers trope that I think will make you bite your tongue, waiting for a final "DO IT NOW", and throughout it all , magic and mystery surrounding an unknown Eden where nothing and everything is what is seems ...
The writing-style makes it so much easier to get into it and follow the story-line while creating empathy with some of the characters' feeling.
This plot and this story has so much potential I can't wait to find out what's going to happen to this characters in the future ... because there's gonna be a future !
"I can't get a sense of him. I can always get a sense of people. How am I supposed to know what to think of him?"
"Oh, Lucifer forgive me, but I want nothing more than to hold her face in my hands and kiss away her fears"
" 'Tis so easy to see in others what we cannot see in ourselves ... We are all human, yet we are not the same in the least"
"I' can't read minds - how cool would that be - but o can sense other people's mental states ... In other words, I'm a freak"
"You want me to seduce a girl in the Beyond?"
"The scent of attraction"
This book really surprised me!
I was looking for a book to get me back into fantasy after a bit too much of romance ... I had almost lost the mood until this.
I couldn't put it down!
For every fan of "From Blood and Ash", this story has the whole deception you could find there and so much more!
An incredible combination between past and present , just enough to make you understand why something happens but not enough to spoil the whole plot to the reader.
A sort of enemies to lovers trope that I think will make you bite your tongue, waiting for a final "DO IT NOW", and throughout it all , magic and mystery surrounding an unknown Eden where nothing and everything is what is seems ...
The writing-style makes it so much easier to get into it and follow the story-line while creating empathy with some of the characters' feeling.
This plot and this story has so much potential I can't wait to find out what's going to happen to this characters in the future ... because there's gonna be a future !
"I can't get a sense of him. I can always get a sense of people. How am I supposed to know what to think of him?"
"Oh, Lucifer forgive me, but I want nothing more than to hold her face in my hands and kiss away her fears"
" 'Tis so easy to see in others what we cannot see in ourselves ... We are all human, yet we are not the same in the least"
December 8, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Katie Hayoz for providing a free copy for an honest review! :)
I'm not gonna lie, I really enjoyed this!
50% update - So far, this story has intrigued me. After doing some research (being from the UK and never hearing of the Roanake colony before) and seeing other reviews mentioning about the ‘Lost Colony of Roanoke’ my intrigue has peaked even more. In terms of the writing, I am liking the consistent changes in the points of view, the historical and modern day aspect is a nice change, and I’m excited to see how these storylines begin to truly link, instead of vague name references here and there. It has a great build up to wanting to know the end so far.
100% update- wow! That was a great cliff-hanger ending. I really enjoyed the story so far, and the build up over the book and suspense at keeping information hidden from Redd with her desperation to get to Eden so high felt truly heart breaking.
The storyline itself has very similar aspects as “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” – don’t get me wrong, its not the same story at all, but there are similarities. The devil intrigue and historical to modern day jumps between perspectives mostly. But this is a good thing. Addie Larue is one of my favourite books, so reading this has brought back good memories as I enjoy a different take on that type of story.
One aspect of the story that I wish had a bit more development was the relationship between Redd and John. It felt very much like physical attraction only, with no actual romantic feelings. And with where the ending of the first book was leading it definitely needed a bit more of romance in my opinion...
The historical side of the book and how Hayoz has included these throughout the story was very cleverly done! I love it when an author successfully collides different aspects of history to make a story line really interesting.
I'm not gonna lie, I really enjoyed this!
50% update - So far, this story has intrigued me. After doing some research (being from the UK and never hearing of the Roanake colony before) and seeing other reviews mentioning about the ‘Lost Colony of Roanoke’ my intrigue has peaked even more. In terms of the writing, I am liking the consistent changes in the points of view, the historical and modern day aspect is a nice change, and I’m excited to see how these storylines begin to truly link, instead of vague name references here and there. It has a great build up to wanting to know the end so far.
100% update- wow! That was a great cliff-hanger ending. I really enjoyed the story so far, and the build up over the book and suspense at keeping information hidden from Redd with her desperation to get to Eden so high felt truly heart breaking.
The storyline itself has very similar aspects as “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” – don’t get me wrong, its not the same story at all, but there are similarities. The devil intrigue and historical to modern day jumps between perspectives mostly. But this is a good thing. Addie Larue is one of my favourite books, so reading this has brought back good memories as I enjoy a different take on that type of story.
One aspect of the story that I wish had a bit more development was the relationship between Redd and John. It felt very much like physical attraction only, with no actual romantic feelings. And with where the ending of the first book was leading it definitely needed a bit more of romance in my opinion...
The historical side of the book and how Hayoz has included these throughout the story was very cleverly done! I love it when an author successfully collides different aspects of history to make a story line really interesting.
December 6, 2021
**I was provided with an ARC by Netgalley for review purposes.
This book is a delightfully dark fantasy that puts its own spin on the mystery surrounding the Roanoke colony. I loved the way the author combined the dark fantasy elements of the story she wanted to tell with the historical facts we know about the lost colony. The plot really melds those two things, historical detail and dark fantasy elements, really well so that it doesn't feel like one is ever being sacrificed or shoe-horned in to serve the other. The plot has plenty of twists and turns along the way, and left me wanting more when the story ended.
The novel's told through three points of view, which works really well for this story because each POV character gives a unique view on the world/events as a whole. Redd provides a modern, "average Jane" perspective, Eleanor provides a historical perspective, and also fills in some of the gaps that might be missing and John gives a perspective that spans both time and space, and adds a bit of nuance to the conflict at the center of the story. The story truly becomes interesting when these POVs entwine.
The beginning of this novel is a bit confusing. The reader comes into the world not having a good idea of what's going on, who the "sides" of the main conflict are or even what the conflict is. As a result, when the inciting incident happens, the reader might still have a lot of questions they need answered before becoming invested in the story. It kept me guessing and invested, but for some readers, it might be a little too much mystery on the outset. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the romance.
This book is a delightfully dark fantasy that puts its own spin on the mystery surrounding the Roanoke colony. I loved the way the author combined the dark fantasy elements of the story she wanted to tell with the historical facts we know about the lost colony. The plot really melds those two things, historical detail and dark fantasy elements, really well so that it doesn't feel like one is ever being sacrificed or shoe-horned in to serve the other. The plot has plenty of twists and turns along the way, and left me wanting more when the story ended.
The novel's told through three points of view, which works really well for this story because each POV character gives a unique view on the world/events as a whole. Redd provides a modern, "average Jane" perspective, Eleanor provides a historical perspective, and also fills in some of the gaps that might be missing and John gives a perspective that spans both time and space, and adds a bit of nuance to the conflict at the center of the story. The story truly becomes interesting when these POVs entwine.
The beginning of this novel is a bit confusing. The reader comes into the world not having a good idea of what's going on, who the "sides" of the main conflict are or even what the conflict is. As a result, when the inciting incident happens, the reader might still have a lot of questions they need answered before becoming invested in the story. It kept me guessing and invested, but for some readers, it might be a little too much mystery on the outset. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the romance.
December 1, 2021
** I received an eARC copy for an honest review. **
This was a pretty cool take on Roanoke and its inhabitants.
There was the present and the past featured throughout the book. It felt like I was solving a puzzle throughout. I really enjoyed that!
The story itself is intriguing. Sometimes it dragged, but the atmosphere throughout pulls you back in. It leaves you pretty unsettled.
Since it's first person pov, the author got creative in giving you a sense of dread. The reader KNOWS something is off and wrong, but our characters don't grasp the danger they're in. We know more details from the reveals in the past.
The romance itself is pretty cute. It's pretty insta love, but with a major betrayal arc coming up. They're enemies to lovers in the making. Especially after everything that's happened towards the end. I doubt Redd will be as forgiving when she finds out the whole truth.
John had moments where he could've come clean, but didn't. Now John and Redd are going to be caught up in a huge mess. I can't wait for the next book. The dread and angst is going to be off the charts!
Overall rating:
3.5/4 out of 5
This was a pretty cool take on Roanoke and its inhabitants.
There was the present and the past featured throughout the book. It felt like I was solving a puzzle throughout. I really enjoyed that!
The story itself is intriguing. Sometimes it dragged, but the atmosphere throughout pulls you back in. It leaves you pretty unsettled.
Since it's first person pov, the author got creative in giving you a sense of dread. The reader KNOWS something is off and wrong, but our characters don't grasp the danger they're in. We know more details from the reveals in the past.
The romance itself is pretty cute. It's pretty insta love, but with a major betrayal arc coming up. They're enemies to lovers in the making. Especially after everything that's happened towards the end. I doubt Redd will be as forgiving when she finds out the whole truth.
John had moments where he could've come clean, but didn't. Now John and Redd are going to be caught up in a huge mess. I can't wait for the next book. The dread and angst is going to be off the charts!
Overall rating:
3.5/4 out of 5
November 29, 2021
Brilliant dark fantasy spin on the tale of the lost colony of Roanoke that all Americans learned about early in our history classes. The colony where the first English child was born on American soil…the colony that simply vanished a few years after being settled. The mystery that has surrounded that colony ever since - what happened to the colonists? Was the carving of “croatoan” a message of assimilation with the native tribes? Questions that have no answers.
Here though we get a spin on the story that is equal parts dark and alluring. I mean who doesn’t love a story with a deliciously dark curse that spans centuries?!
I should mention this story plays out through multiple points of view (3) - which never bothers me personally. I feel like it adds depth to the storyline. Eleanor’s POV is an imagined glimpse into the past; John’s POV spans time/worlds; and Redd’s POV gives the modern spin.
I’m eagerly anticipating the next book already and was thrilled to hear this would be a trilogy that explores issues such as are people born evil or is evil situational; would you choose to take a life to save more lives; what lengths would you go to to save your child?
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion - which is easy to give with this one as I absolutely LOVED it.
Here though we get a spin on the story that is equal parts dark and alluring. I mean who doesn’t love a story with a deliciously dark curse that spans centuries?!
I should mention this story plays out through multiple points of view (3) - which never bothers me personally. I feel like it adds depth to the storyline. Eleanor’s POV is an imagined glimpse into the past; John’s POV spans time/worlds; and Redd’s POV gives the modern spin.
I’m eagerly anticipating the next book already and was thrilled to hear this would be a trilogy that explores issues such as are people born evil or is evil situational; would you choose to take a life to save more lives; what lengths would you go to to save your child?
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion - which is easy to give with this one as I absolutely LOVED it.
November 29, 2021
*** Thank you netgalley for kindly providing an arc of this book to me.
When I first read this synopsis, I was really intrigued by the concept of this book, so I immediately started reading it. I liked reading about our characters as well the the three perspectives we got. However, I found the writing too fast paced to go along properly with the story, and because of that the plot felt very rushed. I didn't really understand why our main character didn't question more things at the beginning, and just seemed to go along with the flow. I also didn't really vibe with the writing in general. It was pretty straightforward at first, which I liked, but then the author seemed to want to be the next erin morgenstern and came up with these incredible flowery descriptions that had nothing to do with the original scheme of the writing and felt kind of out of nowhere.
However, that said, I did enjoy the story overall and thought it was pretty okay.
When I first read this synopsis, I was really intrigued by the concept of this book, so I immediately started reading it. I liked reading about our characters as well the the three perspectives we got. However, I found the writing too fast paced to go along properly with the story, and because of that the plot felt very rushed. I didn't really understand why our main character didn't question more things at the beginning, and just seemed to go along with the flow. I also didn't really vibe with the writing in general. It was pretty straightforward at first, which I liked, but then the author seemed to want to be the next erin morgenstern and came up with these incredible flowery descriptions that had nothing to do with the original scheme of the writing and felt kind of out of nowhere.
However, that said, I did enjoy the story overall and thought it was pretty okay.
December 9, 2021
I received an ARC of #thecursethatbindsus from #netgalley in exchange for a review.
Let. Me. Tell. You.
I spent my entire day doing nothing but read this book!
This is an amazing historical fantasy.
The world building and the characters were amazing.
The entire story was beyond engrossing.
The Curse That Binds Us will be released 12/15/21 and is currently available for pre-order.
I am already excited for book two!!!!!
Let. Me. Tell. You.
I spent my entire day doing nothing but read this book!
This is an amazing historical fantasy.
The world building and the characters were amazing.
The entire story was beyond engrossing.
The Curse That Binds Us will be released 12/15/21 and is currently available for pre-order.
I am already excited for book two!!!!!
November 29, 2021
First of all, Virginia Dare inspired book! I love the lore and enjoyed the twists Hayoz make in this book.
I love the pacing and how the author took time to explain the background story/base lore so it's easier for us reader to understand the plot and settings. I also love the world building and characters, especially Chaos :)
The romance felt a bit flat at times, but the chemistry is def there. LOVE the lore and world building and def looking forward to read the next book!
< Review copy received via Netgalley in exchange with an honest review >
I love the pacing and how the author took time to explain the background story/base lore so it's easier for us reader to understand the plot and settings. I also love the world building and characters, especially Chaos :)
The romance felt a bit flat at times, but the chemistry is def there. LOVE the lore and world building and def looking forward to read the next book!
< Review copy received via Netgalley in exchange with an honest review >
July 8, 2022
Katie Hayoz is an insta-read for me. I have adored her books and this one is no different.
This book is exciting, intriguing, dark, a little scary for me, yet it will keep you on the edge of your seat enough that you're not going to want to put it down!
This book is exciting, intriguing, dark, a little scary for me, yet it will keep you on the edge of your seat enough that you're not going to want to put it down!
December 18, 2021
I really loved the concept of this novel. I’ve always been fascinated by the lost colony of Roanoke.
Although I loved the pace of the novel, the three POVs and the alternating time line at times made the story too choppy for me, but that is a small detail that doesn’t really take away from the book. Overall, this is darker and creepier than most historical fictions and
I’m excited for the next book.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
3 ½ stars.
Although I loved the pace of the novel, the three POVs and the alternating time line at times made the story too choppy for me, but that is a small detail that doesn’t really take away from the book. Overall, this is darker and creepier than most historical fictions and
I’m excited for the next book.
I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
3 ½ stars.
December 8, 2021
Going into reading this book I didn’t know what to expect. The first novel of the Devil of Roanoke trilogy. Hayoz reinvents the tale of the lost colony of Roanoke and she has done an amazing job at it. It’s dark and sinister but it also isn’t too serious. I love the concept of split POVs as they really give the audience an understanding of what the characters bring to the table and the pacing they were able to give the book was absolutely wonderful. I could not put this book down it is so wholeheartedly interesting and suspenseful with a slight romantic tone to it, I loved this, Hayoz is a magician of words. The whole world was so carefully created and the imagery really is beautiful. I’m really really looking forward to how this trilogy unfolds and getting my hands on a physical copy!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this eARC
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this eARC
December 3, 2021
I had better give this five stars, LOL. This book is a mash-up of urban and historical fantasy, with mother-daughter elements and a tiny dab of romance. It's also a mash-up of two very real histories that fascinate me: the Lost Colony of Roanoke in what is now North Carolina, USA, and the Tschäggättä, or masked figures, from the Lötschental valley in Switzerland. My goal throughout this entire series will be to explore the extremes we will go to for those we love...or hate. I wrote the book in three points of view, but I have to admit that I have a special soft spot for Eleanor's dark story. She's such a bad-ass in her own twisted way. Triggers: kidnapping, death, the devil, colonization.
December 12, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
Every year on Redd’s birthday, a box appears, one she knows holds the answers to who she is, the answers her mother keeps from her. Every year, her mother hides the box before Redd can open it—until her 18th birthday.
This book was so incredibly well written, I am in awe. There are three point of views, and all three have such distinct voices; Redd and John and Eleanor all feel so completely their own characters, with even the writing style between the three adopting its own flavor. I’m sometimes iffy about multiple first person POV books, but this is honestly one of the best written ones I have ever read.
Plot wise, the pacing of The Curse That Binds Us is outstanding. The tension increases so fluidly throughout the story, and everything is revealed at a time that makes complete sense and that delivers such a strong punch. Redd trying to find the answers to who she really is drives the story, and John’s moral struggles mixed with Eleanor’s recollection of the past guide this along. I was constantly hooked, reading attentively waiting for the next new juicy detail to come to light.
One issue I have with a lot of books is how often the main character is the last to reach a conclusion that’s long been made clear to the reader; here, though, Redd made the connections quickly enough, and in a timeline that made complete sense with the plot. The only real reason my rating drops a bit is how frustrated I grew with how Redd reacted to these reveals. However!! This is something that is just a downfall of being someone who reviews based on emotions, because no matter how annoyed I could get, I always understood exactly why Redd reacted how she did. It was all consistent with her character, and all an understandable response based on what she’d experienced until that point.
All this to say, even the very few parts that bugged me were incredibly well done. I can’t recommend this book enough; and I can’t wait for the next installment!!!
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
Every year on Redd’s birthday, a box appears, one she knows holds the answers to who she is, the answers her mother keeps from her. Every year, her mother hides the box before Redd can open it—until her 18th birthday.
This book was so incredibly well written, I am in awe. There are three point of views, and all three have such distinct voices; Redd and John and Eleanor all feel so completely their own characters, with even the writing style between the three adopting its own flavor. I’m sometimes iffy about multiple first person POV books, but this is honestly one of the best written ones I have ever read.
Plot wise, the pacing of The Curse That Binds Us is outstanding. The tension increases so fluidly throughout the story, and everything is revealed at a time that makes complete sense and that delivers such a strong punch. Redd trying to find the answers to who she really is drives the story, and John’s moral struggles mixed with Eleanor’s recollection of the past guide this along. I was constantly hooked, reading attentively waiting for the next new juicy detail to come to light.
One issue I have with a lot of books is how often the main character is the last to reach a conclusion that’s long been made clear to the reader; here, though, Redd made the connections quickly enough, and in a timeline that made complete sense with the plot. The only real reason my rating drops a bit is how frustrated I grew with how Redd reacted to these reveals. However!! This is something that is just a downfall of being someone who reviews based on emotions, because no matter how annoyed I could get, I always understood exactly why Redd reacted how she did. It was all consistent with her character, and all an understandable response based on what she’d experienced until that point.
All this to say, even the very few parts that bugged me were incredibly well done. I can’t recommend this book enough; and I can’t wait for the next installment!!!
December 22, 2021
Thank you to Katie Hayoz and BooksGoSocial for granting me a copy of this through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I seem to be the odd man out with my opinion on this novel. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't head over heels in love with it either. I feel like it had amazing potential and I was so excited when I got a copy of it because let's face it I love all things that are even remotely related to Roanoke and the mystery that surrounds it. This book however caused me to struggle through the entire thing.
I'll start with the cons of the book. I usually love multiple POV books because I feel like it gives you the story from every perspective, however with this book the different POV and the switch between past and present caused a huge disconnect for me. I really felt like we could have completely done without Elanore's POV altogether because every single time it came back to Elanore and the past I didn't want to read those chapters. The romance also fell a bit flat for me. I'm not opposed to instalove in the slightest because sometimes it's needed when things happen quickly in a book but I just didn't feel a genuine connection between Redd and John.
As for the Pros I really did like Redd. I thought that she was a great main character and she's really the only thing that kept me interested in the book. I did love the plot and I felt like it would have been a five-star read had the switching back and forth not taken place and the focus was solely on the present and the plot. I also felt like Katie Hayoz did an amazing job at building up the suspense of the book. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next and caused me to not give up.
All in all, while I didn't exactly love the book I do plan on reading the rest of the series as it is published.
I seem to be the odd man out with my opinion on this novel. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't head over heels in love with it either. I feel like it had amazing potential and I was so excited when I got a copy of it because let's face it I love all things that are even remotely related to Roanoke and the mystery that surrounds it. This book however caused me to struggle through the entire thing.
I'll start with the cons of the book. I usually love multiple POV books because I feel like it gives you the story from every perspective, however with this book the different POV and the switch between past and present caused a huge disconnect for me. I really felt like we could have completely done without Elanore's POV altogether because every single time it came back to Elanore and the past I didn't want to read those chapters. The romance also fell a bit flat for me. I'm not opposed to instalove in the slightest because sometimes it's needed when things happen quickly in a book but I just didn't feel a genuine connection between Redd and John.
As for the Pros I really did like Redd. I thought that she was a great main character and she's really the only thing that kept me interested in the book. I did love the plot and I felt like it would have been a five-star read had the switching back and forth not taken place and the focus was solely on the present and the plot. I also felt like Katie Hayoz did an amazing job at building up the suspense of the book. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next and caused me to not give up.
All in all, while I didn't exactly love the book I do plan on reading the rest of the series as it is published.
January 19, 2022
Note: I received an arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As long as she can remember, Redd and her mom have constantly moved from town to town, trying to escape-something or someone--that what Redd does not know. On her birthday, Redd stumbles upon a clue that will lead her to some answers as to what is going on and whom she really is.
This book is told from multiple viewpoints, which does help move along the plot point. I did, however, find myself losing interest whenever it was one particular character's (Eleanor) chapter, though I understand the reason for the inclusion to help set the foundation. However, I felt there was so much of Eleanor's point of view that it left me wanting more for Redd and John's chapters, as they flowed so much better.
The book started off slow for me and took a while for me to really be able to get into that momentum with the storyline. There's a bunch of different worlds tied into one from different time points, and it just personally took me a minute to connect with each of them and how they connected with one another.
In terms of character development, I found Redd being somewhat strongheaded-which may lead to her own downfall. What she struggles to find may be the ticket to what her mother has tried to hide her from all long. John seems innocent enough to Redd, but there were some red flags as to why she didnt notice these and even when she did discover more about him, why she didnt stop trusting him.
I think its an interesting premise, but not sure if it hooked me deeply enough to continued onto the next book.
As long as she can remember, Redd and her mom have constantly moved from town to town, trying to escape-something or someone--that what Redd does not know. On her birthday, Redd stumbles upon a clue that will lead her to some answers as to what is going on and whom she really is.
This book is told from multiple viewpoints, which does help move along the plot point. I did, however, find myself losing interest whenever it was one particular character's (Eleanor) chapter, though I understand the reason for the inclusion to help set the foundation. However, I felt there was so much of Eleanor's point of view that it left me wanting more for Redd and John's chapters, as they flowed so much better.
The book started off slow for me and took a while for me to really be able to get into that momentum with the storyline. There's a bunch of different worlds tied into one from different time points, and it just personally took me a minute to connect with each of them and how they connected with one another.
In terms of character development, I found Redd being somewhat strongheaded-which may lead to her own downfall. What she struggles to find may be the ticket to what her mother has tried to hide her from all long. John seems innocent enough to Redd, but there were some red flags as to why she didnt notice these and even when she did discover more about him, why she didnt stop trusting him.
I think its an interesting premise, but not sure if it hooked me deeply enough to continued onto the next book.
January 2, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Katie Hayoz for my arc of The Curse That Binds Us in exchange for an honest review.
Out now!
Redd’s life has always been a bit unusual. Every year on her birthday a mysterious box turns up at their house and every year her mum takes it from her without letting her open it. Then they move house. That is until her 18th birthday when the box doesn’t seem to have appeared and her mum finally agrees that they can stay. But the box has shown up, just in a place where only Redd can find it. But when she opens it, her life changes forever. John lives in a beautiful, old fashioned village where the villagers need not worry as everything is provided for them. That is until they are asked to commit unspeakable acts in order to keep their health and youth. In 1587 Eleanor travels from England to America determined to start a new life but as they land in Roanoke things begin to go drastically wrong and a bargain is struck that will change all of their lives forever.
This book is really difficult to review. It both intrigued me and didn’t pull me in all at once. the storyline is interesting and unique and I love the historical fantasy elements but I didn’t buy into the romance so much. I’ll definitely be interested in reading the second book / the rest of the series as the concept is really fascinating.
Out now!
Redd’s life has always been a bit unusual. Every year on her birthday a mysterious box turns up at their house and every year her mum takes it from her without letting her open it. Then they move house. That is until her 18th birthday when the box doesn’t seem to have appeared and her mum finally agrees that they can stay. But the box has shown up, just in a place where only Redd can find it. But when she opens it, her life changes forever. John lives in a beautiful, old fashioned village where the villagers need not worry as everything is provided for them. That is until they are asked to commit unspeakable acts in order to keep their health and youth. In 1587 Eleanor travels from England to America determined to start a new life but as they land in Roanoke things begin to go drastically wrong and a bargain is struck that will change all of their lives forever.
This book is really difficult to review. It both intrigued me and didn’t pull me in all at once. the storyline is interesting and unique and I love the historical fantasy elements but I didn’t buy into the romance so much. I’ll definitely be interested in reading the second book / the rest of the series as the concept is really fascinating.
December 15, 2021
I've accidently chosen a few Roanoke books lately, and I've enjoyed reading the very different ways the authors have chosen to explain what happened. In The Curse That Binds Us, the explanation is quite evil...
The story is told through three perspectives: Redd, John, and Elinor. Redd is a teen with a mom who has odd, overbearing rules and is constantly running from a creepy box that shows up every year on Redd's birthday. John is a mysterious teen who shows up in Redd's life with a goal of bringing Redd back to his hometown. Then there is Elinor. Her story is the historical view of what happened at Roanoke. These three characters' stories intertwine in such a surprising, interesting, and terrifying way.
I really enjoyed the way this entire story unfolded. It was dark and creepy at times. There are wooden masks that come to life, hell hounds that create havoc, and decisions that cost people their lives. There was a lot of world building needed, and the author did a great job of bringing everything to life.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction mixed with fantasy.
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
The story is told through three perspectives: Redd, John, and Elinor. Redd is a teen with a mom who has odd, overbearing rules and is constantly running from a creepy box that shows up every year on Redd's birthday. John is a mysterious teen who shows up in Redd's life with a goal of bringing Redd back to his hometown. Then there is Elinor. Her story is the historical view of what happened at Roanoke. These three characters' stories intertwine in such a surprising, interesting, and terrifying way.
I really enjoyed the way this entire story unfolded. It was dark and creepy at times. There are wooden masks that come to life, hell hounds that create havoc, and decisions that cost people their lives. There was a lot of world building needed, and the author did a great job of bringing everything to life.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction mixed with fantasy.
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
January 30, 2022
This was the most fantastic “what the heck did I just read” novels ever. The beginning of the book was weird and dark and I had a moment where I had to go back to the synopsis to remember what I had gotten myself into. Oh man though, after getting my bearings back this tale unfolded into the most amazing story. There are three narratives going which alternate between Redd, John, and Eleanor in the 1500s. All are crafted beautifully and in a way that there is an ease when switching between them. The characters are complex and well rounded, I loved how relatable they were even in their respective lives and circumstances. I’m not a religious person but I find religious beliefs and practices fascinating and was deeply immersed in the conflict of morals that each of the main characters battled through out the entire book. The world building was great, I found myself having no issue being able to picture both Roanoke and Eden in my mind and letting the story transport me there. This novel deserves every one of my 5 stars for originality, creativity, depth of characters, and tangible settings. I am fully invested in this tale surrounding one of the greatest mysteries of early colonists in North America, and I cannot wait to see where books two and three take Redd and John.
December 8, 2021
“Immediately, I was surrounded by the devil’s scent. It was midsummer, but the cool odor of autumn leaves, woodsmoke, and winter floated above the odor of the men. I reached out and steadied myself against the wall, my heart pounding.” - Katie Hayoz, The Curse that Binds Us
The Curse that Binds Us is the perfect mixture of dark, historical, and contemporary fantasy. Told from 3 different POVs this book delves into the nuances of good and evil, the price of loyalty, and the extremes we will go to for those we love.
The author pulls so much rich history about the lost colony of Roanoke but it doesn’t feel old and over done. It feels new and exciting. If you are unaware of this story then be prepared to do some additional reading because your curiosity will be peaked!
It's a dark story but unlike anything I've read before. You are constantly kept on your toes and wondering where it's going. I truly enjoyed how the past and present were building towards each other -- to finally give us answers.
And the ending - oof! This is part of a series to expect the cliffhanger. It ends in a perfect spot to keep you wanting more.
The Curse that Binds Us is the perfect mixture of dark, historical, and contemporary fantasy. Told from 3 different POVs this book delves into the nuances of good and evil, the price of loyalty, and the extremes we will go to for those we love.
The author pulls so much rich history about the lost colony of Roanoke but it doesn’t feel old and over done. It feels new and exciting. If you are unaware of this story then be prepared to do some additional reading because your curiosity will be peaked!
It's a dark story but unlike anything I've read before. You are constantly kept on your toes and wondering where it's going. I truly enjoyed how the past and present were building towards each other -- to finally give us answers.
And the ending - oof! This is part of a series to expect the cliffhanger. It ends in a perfect spot to keep you wanting more.
December 16, 2021
I'm not sure how to begin with this book. I enjoyed the story but at the same time it fell a little flat for me.
This is a book with some romance, past and present, good vs. evil, supernatural abilities, and a major moral dilemma to save people.
I loved this reinvention of the Roanoke settlers and the moral dilemma they were faced with in order to save themselves and future generations. It was interesting to see how the Devil was portrayed in the book as well. The settlers in his paradise weren't necessarily evil but did make some poor life choices. It almost raises the question of what does it mean to be good or evil.
Books with multiple POVs are some of my favorite because I love to see what is going on in the character's heads. However, Eleanor's story was not needed half of the time. It was interesting to read her experience, what she went through, and the choices made that impacted her people, but to have her presence throughout the entire book was too much. Her story was valuable to the overall understanding of the book, but I think it could have been shortened.
I still enjoyed reading the book and would love to see what happens next with Redd and John. The book ended on a good note in that it leaves readers wanting more.
This book was provided by NetGalley for my honest review.
This is a book with some romance, past and present, good vs. evil, supernatural abilities, and a major moral dilemma to save people.
I loved this reinvention of the Roanoke settlers and the moral dilemma they were faced with in order to save themselves and future generations. It was interesting to see how the Devil was portrayed in the book as well. The settlers in his paradise weren't necessarily evil but did make some poor life choices. It almost raises the question of what does it mean to be good or evil.
Books with multiple POVs are some of my favorite because I love to see what is going on in the character's heads. However, Eleanor's story was not needed half of the time. It was interesting to read her experience, what she went through, and the choices made that impacted her people, but to have her presence throughout the entire book was too much. Her story was valuable to the overall understanding of the book, but I think it could have been shortened.
I still enjoyed reading the book and would love to see what happens next with Redd and John. The book ended on a good note in that it leaves readers wanting more.
This book was provided by NetGalley for my honest review.
December 31, 2021
Well, I absolutely loved this :O I'm never sure with anything historical fantasy, but the historical aspects of this weren't the main focus so I didn't mind.
The history of the plot did have a large part to play though. I *love* multiple POVs when done well, and Hayoz did it expertly. Two of those take place today, the other in the past when the events that kick off the plot first begin. I loved that part and couldn't wait to see how it would all come together.
I also loved the take on the devil (this book doesn't feel religious in any way should you be worried about that!) and his hell hounds. I love how the curse came about and how Hayoz weaved it and Eden into everything. And you know I love a cliffhanger ending ^-^
The date range on here doesn't reflect it very well since I didn't read every day, but I read this in three sittings. I consider myself a slow reader, so that should tell you everything :)
So, basically, I loved everything about this book. I've already pre-ordered the next one and can't wait to see how this story continues.
(also, the cover is stunning, so it's a crime I don't have the hardback on my shelf.)
The history of the plot did have a large part to play though. I *love* multiple POVs when done well, and Hayoz did it expertly. Two of those take place today, the other in the past when the events that kick off the plot first begin. I loved that part and couldn't wait to see how it would all come together.
I also loved the take on the devil (this book doesn't feel religious in any way should you be worried about that!) and his hell hounds. I love how the curse came about and how Hayoz weaved it and Eden into everything. And you know I love a cliffhanger ending ^-^
The date range on here doesn't reflect it very well since I didn't read every day, but I read this in three sittings. I consider myself a slow reader, so that should tell you everything :)
So, basically, I loved everything about this book. I've already pre-ordered the next one and can't wait to see how this story continues.
(also, the cover is stunning, so it's a crime I don't have the hardback on my shelf.)
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