A Curse of Beasts and Magic by Jeaniene Frost

“Age teaches that weeks, months, and even years can blend together, but what’s unforgettable are the moments. Some break you, some heal you, some scar you, and some” -his voice deepened- “contain lifetimes within them.”

-A Curse of Beasts and Magic

Jeaniene Frost has been an author I have been wanting to try out for such a long time. Her Night Huntress series has been one that I really want to read, and I own the first few. After reading A Curse of Beasts and Magic, I am even more eager to jump into her other books. This was such a unique and enthralling fantasy novel, and I am so eager to read the next book.

Eleven years ago, Raine was cursed to have a beast live inside her after she watched it kill her family. The Beast feeds on the violence of others, and Raine has managed to keep it at bay, away from killing anyone all this time. She works as a nurse in a hospital and moonlights as a vigilante, using her curse to try and keep the people of her city safe. One night, when she sees an elderly man being kidnapped, she intervenes, saving his life and immediately flees so she isn’t discovered. But the man’s grandson, Remy, tracks her down quickly and is more powerful than she will ever anticipate.

Remy is a Warden. It’s his job to keep the human world safe from other creatures that coexist among humans. When he discovers Raine’s powers, he knows that she needs help, but he needs her too. Remy agrees to help Raine keep the Beast inside her contained and she agrees to try and help him heal his grandfather’s mind. But the cost is high. In order to give Raine some of his power, Raine must agree to be his céile, his romantic partner. For it is the only way to keep her power safe, and Raine agrees, though she has no intention of being drawn into any kind of relationship with Remy.

When attacks begin to occur on Remy’s territory, the two soon realize someone is making a play for his lands and his title as Warden. They both will have to work together to stop it, no matter what it may cost their feelings on the way.

This book is an incredible mix of fantasy, romance and world-building. I absolutely adored seeing all the different creatures that existed, the realms we only got a peek at, and all of the powers the characters could wield. I’m so glad this is book one of a series because it seems like there is going to be so much more to come, and I am here for it!! Massive thank you to Bramble for sending me an early copy. A Curse of Beasts and Magic releases 5/26!