Friday, May 3, 2013

Review: Sealed with a Curse by Cecy Robson

Sealed with a Curse
by Cecy Robson
Series: Weird Girls #1
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: December 21, 2012
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
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Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other twenty-something girls—with one tiny exception: They're the products of a curse that backfired and gave each of them unique powers that make them, well, a little weird… The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region—until one of them blows up a vampire in self-defense. Everyone knows vampires aren't aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust-fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders if the vampires of Tahoe are plague-ridden. Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha's family to keep the area safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and—oh, yeah—not lose her heart to the wrong guy or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, he's coming for her and her sisters.  This Wird girl has never had it so tough.
Reviews from peers led me to purchase Sealed with a Curse the first book in the Weird Sisters Urban Fantasy series and I finally read it during the Take Control of your TBR pile challenge in March. Robson presented three sisters with special abilities she added some smexy weres, a master vampire and a suspenseful mystery. From the first page I knew I was in for one heck of a ride. With loveable, snarky characters and troubles galore I quickly consumed this and wanted more.

We first meet the Wird sisters as they enter vampire court charged with murdering a vampire. Celia is a shifter with a tigress living inside her. Emme can heal and has telekinetic abilities. Taran can work magic and Shayna’s ability is to turn anything with a point into a deadly weapon. From the first pages their individual personalities and unique voices are present as they try to keep themselves from being vampire food. When it becomes apparent that bloodlust was to blame the girls are cleared but now Misha the master vampire who wanted them dead is asking for help. Add in some smexy Weres and the tale that unfolds is fast paced, action packed with suspense, mystery and a little romantic heat.

I quickly formed an attachment to the Wird sisters. They are all quite close due to tragic events in their past and we quickly learn why one family has so many unique and different supernatural abilities. Apparently they were cursed and  are supernatural freaks; not quite human and not quite a classifiable supernatural creature. They live in a lovely Victorian that backs up to the lake in Tahoe and work at the local hospital. Until recently they have kept a low profile but the cats out of the bag so to speak. Celia is the responsible one, kind of the mother hen. She doesn’t see herself as beautiful or even pretty but she protects her sisters like a mama lion and she gets involved in everything going down because she cares how it will affect the humans. This tale really centers on Celia and we slowly get to know her siblings. Ari is an pureblood werewolf who just may be strong enough to handle Celia and her tigress. The interaction between all of the species was interesting and at times intense. I love Were mentality when it comes to their woman and at times I giggled. Misha oozes smexy but cannot hold a candle to Ari, at least for this chick. All of the secondary characters had unique voices and whether you love them or hate them you will find them memorable.

The world-building was unique especially as it deals with the girls and their abilities. It is really hard to classify them and I found it quite clever. While we know about the tragedy and the curse I am hoping we will learn the how and why in future books. The author slowly revealed the girls abilities and they were cool, quirky and at times hilarious. The author’s descriptive voice gave me a stunning visual of the characters and the world around them. The overall mystery was suspenseful and the reveal of the villain took me by surprise. Events unfold at a blurring pace and I completely immersed myself in the world Robson created. The only shift occurred during some of the intense battle scenes as I tripped up a few times and found myself re-reading. I am hoping it was just me and I quickly feel back into the story. The romance was sweet, despite some bumpy moments and communication issues.

Sealed with a Curse was a clever start to this urban fantasy series. A Cursed Embrace book two will release in July and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. With a unique storyline, developed characters and tons of supernatural creatures this series is sure to please.

Four and half cups of coffee from the Dam Café in Lake Tahoe
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba The Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

This weekends Clean Sweep Challenge Schedule
Clean Sweep ARC Challenge


 Saturday May 4th
9am (EST) Barbara @ Basia's BookShelf
4pm (EST) Thuy @ Nite Lite

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40 Comments:

At July 17, 2013 at 10:09 PM , Anonymous Tonyalee said...

This sounds like so much fun! Great review! Adding it now :)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:12 PM , Anonymous Aurian said...

Yeah, I also loved this book very much! She went to autobuy immediately.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:13 PM , Anonymous Proserpine Craving said...

I really enjoyed the unique and magical world that Cecy Robson has made in this story! Can't wait to read the sequel! One of the best Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Romance I've read this year!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:32 PM , Anonymous Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Ah so glad you reviewed this one!! Can't wait to dive into it!! The world and the character really sound like a fun UF... and I love UF!! You have me wanting the next one and I haven't even cracked open the first book! LOL

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:54 PM , Anonymous Trish Hannon said...

I like the sound of this one, love snarky characters. And you pointed out the world building is good too, definitely interested.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous Jennifer Bielman said...

Now this sounds like a book for me. Love me some supernatural characters. I love the sisterly bond thing too. I don't have sisters and I always felt like I missed something growing up.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I had two younger sisters..its a mixed bag nuts

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous Kristin Clifton said...

YAY!!!! She liked it!!! I'm so glad you read this and liked it!! Just a fun no-brainer every once in a while is good! Oh, I sooooo agree with you on Ari, too!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I did it was fun and I am looking forward to the next one, I like that they were different.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous Sam @ Realm of Fiction said...

At the moment, I am seriously craving something with paranormal creatures in it. I keep thinking I never want to read about vampires and weres again, but then I get through a batch of terrible sci-fi/dystopian books and I do a complete 180. Love the sound of this one. :) So glad you enjoyed it, Kimba!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ooh you got burn-out I feel you, i did that with HFR, but after five years I can do one or two a month and enjoy them all over again. If you like snark, and different this is a good one since the Wird sisters are anything but normal and cliche.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous Anna@herding cats said...

I've got this one on the shopping list. One day I swear I'll make time for it. It really does sound great. And yeah I love that were mentality towards their women too. And yup it's made me giggle a time or two. They're so my favorite paranormals.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:59 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Ooh you should see my wishlist..it needs it's own room. This was fun and smexy and caused me to giggle.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous Lauren said...

This is the third review now that has me convinced I need to get this book ASAP. I love snarky, entertaining characters and I also love hearing that the sisters' supernatural powers aren't the run of the mill kind. Also a Tahoe setting sounds fabulous! I don't think I've ever read any books set there. Glad you enjoyed this! Great review :-)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ooh yes Lauren you need to read this!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous Judy-ree said...

Oh, I am so glad you reviewed this before I started reading it. Now I am 99% sure that I will enjoy it. :)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Enjoy, would love to hear what you think:)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

It is and I am anxious to learn more!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

yes, it was recommended to me, and I am delighted I read it!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I remember your review and ooh book two will be here in July!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

So agree! Have a wonderful weekend:)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous Jenny Zemanek said...

YAY KIMBA!!! I'm so glad this got such a high rating from you! I just won a copy and can't wait to start it. I love a good snarky heroine:) Plus, I never say no to some smexy weres. Bring them on!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

eep..such fun and yum!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous brandileigh2003 said...

Lovable and snarky are just how I love my characters. Glad you enjoyed it

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

me too Brandi, have an awesome weekend!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kindlemom1 said...

Ha! I knew you were going to love this, plus, I was pretty sure Christy was going to hunt you down and hurt you if you didn't read it soon! :P


I LOVE this series. I have the second book to read and it has taken everything I have not to start it yet!!! I really really want to but I have a couple of other reads I need to get to first.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ooh I cannot wait to read it!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I feel your pain..we need Hermione's clock!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous Lily B said...

wonderful review. I been just as curious about this one due to the review I read as well. Glad it didn't disappoint you, it sounds terrific and the characters well done.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

It was fun and I am looking forward to book two!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Enjoy Lisa it was a fun read!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I love to mix it up, and go back and forth between YA, NA and Adult then I mix in all types of genres..LOL

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

It was a fun, action packed read and book two comes out in July, so excited I got the ARC..eep!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I think you will like this, and book two releases in July!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous Christy (Love of Books) said...

Woot! I knew you'd love this book. I love me some Bren!! Oh how I love him. I think Cecy mentioned a novella in the works for him. Can't wait!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous Sharon - Obsession with Books said...

This one sounds great & has gone straight on to my wishlist :-) I love a good UF and you have me curious about these sisters and their abilities.

Thanks for sharing Kimba! A wonderful review..

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ooh me either cupcake!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

This was good, and book two is out soon :)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM , Anonymous Turning the Pages said...

I haven't read an UF book in awhile so I think I'll give this one a try especially since you mentioned the detailed battle scenes. I really hope my library has this one :) Awesome review and so glad you enjoyed this one and are looking forward to the next book in the series.

 

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