Thursday, October 2, 2014

*Gizmos Book Reviews* The Curse Defiers (Curse Keepers #3) by Denise Grover Swank

**I received this book for free via NetGalley/47North in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Synopsis*

For centuries the gods have waited--for the betrayal that will release them, for the traitors who will defend them, for the warrior who will challenge them. Now at long last the gate between the human and spirit worlds is open, and with it, an army of vengeful demons poised to swarm the earth. Only the Curse Keepers, Ellie Lancaster and Collin Dailey, can stop it--if they can break free from a tangled web of treachery, jealousy, and lies.

Torn between two men--her heart belongs to David, yet her soul is bound to Collin's--Ellie no longer knows who she can trust. Demons slipping through the gate are leaving a trail of bodies in their wake, each death a chilling reminder of the power of the ancient spirits to bring humanity to its knees. Faced with an unimaginable future, Ellie realizes the time has come to turn her back on prophecy and choose her own destiny--even if it means defying the gods themselves.


*My Thoughts*

"You are the vessel that will determine the fate of the world."

Curse Keeper Ellie Lancaster has faced her fair share of difficult emotional and physical challenges since awakening to her powers a few short months ago. She's been betrayed, discovered Gods and vengeful demons that will sacrifice anyone to get what they want from her. She's unraveled devastating secrets, including her loss of memories, all while gaining courage, determination, and strength to fight the good fight. But that is only the tip of the iceberg for things to come.

In the meantime, she is torn between fellow Curse Keeper Collin Daily whom she is soul bound to but can't fully trust, and British professor David Preston who has opened her eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. Once again, I must repeat my dislike for love triangles. I can't bring myself to fully trusting or liking Collin for what he has done to Ellie in the past. His actions have caused Ellie's world to fundamentally change forever and not necessarily in a good way.

Whereas David came into the picture with his British accent and access to information that Ellie never thought possible, and perhaps gave her an outlet to stand up against difficult odds. I do say that both men are definitely important to Ellie's ability to do her job, and fight the good fight. I like the fact that Ellie now has a team behind her, including her best friend Claire, and a newly introduced character named Tsagasi who has promised an alliance in fighting Ahone and Okeus.

The Curse Keepers series continues to chug along with lots twists and plenty of surprises. The stakes are much higher, and the characters must face their own mortality in order to survive. Ellie hasn't had much time to get acclimated to her new position, or abilities since things happen at incredible speeds. It's not exactly a position that comes with a handbook, nor can see avoid the Gods machinations, including one who wants to use her as a brood mare.

The synopsis is a bit misleading. It claims that The Curse Defiers is the end of the trilogy. Well, yes, but that doesn't mean that the series itself is over. The author apparently has other plans with a new trilogy releasing sometime in 2015. There is no possible way that Swank could ever end a series in this manner and not have dozens of rotten eggs thrown at her. There are way too many questions, enemies are rising quicker than the stock market, and Ellie hasn't discovered the truth behind one of the biggest mysteries this series has: The Ricardo Estate collection.


Author - Denise Grover Swank
Title - The Curse Defiers (Curse Keepers # 3)
Published by 47North
Released: September 30, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: e-Book 382 pages



2 comments:

  1. So there's a spin-off? That's cool esp for fans like yourself.

    What's up Momma?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not necessarily a spin-off, but a continuation of the series with 3 additional stories.

      Delete