BookCompleted2022

Cursed

by Marissa Meyer

Book 2 in Gilded

The duology lands its big emotional promises here: curses answered, mythology snapped into place, and a love story that stays tender even when the castle gets vicious.

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goodreads 3.96/5 26,756 ratings

storykind_community 3/5 1 rating

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A decision-first view of the reading experience.

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Content warnings: Violence, Graphic violence, Murder, Death, Child death, Parental death, Pregnancy, Pregnancy / childbirth, Captivity, Imprisonment, Forced marriage, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Animal abuse, Animal death, Injury detail, Fire, Manipulation

Length496 pages

Series statusCompleted series · 2 books

Spice1/5 · Closed door / fade to black

PacingMedium

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

Established relationship
Male/female pairing (M/F)
Low
Closed door / fade to black
Closure
Cursed

Forbidden love
Sweet / tender
Earned hope
Secretly soft
Star-crossed
Tension / anticipation
Romantic fulfillment
Damaged survivor
Protective love interest
Cathartic release
Hurt/comfort
Only one who understands them

Fantasy promise

Ya fantasy
Fairytale retelling
Castle / fortress
High fantasy
Ghosts
Cursed love interest

Underground / underworld
Gothic
Undead
Forest / wilderness
Mythological
Gods/deities
Magic bond
Small town / village
Underworld / death realm
Monsters
Sacrifice/martyrdom
Demons
Star-crossed lovers
Hellhounds / Cerberus
Forced proximity
Basilisk
Pregnancy romance
Unicorns / pegasi
Wyverns

Reading experience

Third person
Medium
Dark
Atmospheric
Heavy
Storyteller

Teen MC (under 20)
Eerie
Survivor
Romantic
Dramatic
Protector
Magical
Character-driven
Reluctant chosen one
Suspenseful
Hopeful
Tense
Cursed bloodline
Bargain with consequences
Haunted castle
Sacrifice for love
Series binge material

Similar in ways that matter

Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

400 pages Completed

The Neon Sky

Alyssa Villaire

Similar because

Established relationship · Ghosts · Cursed love interest

Different because

Fast pacing rather than Medium.

384 pages Completed

Lakesedge

Lyndall Clipstone

Similar because

Ya fantasy · Fairytale retelling · Haunted castle

Different because

A shorter read (384 vs 496 pages).

448 pages Completed

Bone Crier's Dawn

Kathryn Purdie

Similar because

Hopeful · Underground / underworld · Underworld / death realm

Different because

Fast pacing rather than Medium.

Book details

Length: 496 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Language: English
Format: Book