It should come as no surprise that the Wird sisters, affectionately called “Weird” sisters, don’t always have it easy. Products of a curse gone awry, they possess unique powers that sometimes do more harm than good. And right now, the former is in effect when it turns out that one of the sisters killed a vampire. That’s a big no-no punishable by death unless self-defense can be proven. But the community might have bigger fish to fry as their vampires are becoming rabid, which is definitely not good for PR. So Celia, the eldest of the Wird clan, has to take the lead as they work with them to keep everyone safe.
I started out liking the story. There are a number of funny elements and punchlines, there’s lots of action and eye-candy for those of us with the imagination for it. It’s definitely on the lighter side of urban fantasy which I typically prefer, but overall it didn’t feel very cohesive. It had all of the parts, but the more I read the more it began to fall flat for me and that should be the other way around.
The love-triangle/love-interest set up from Celia to all of her sisters has a very contrived and amateur quality in its execution, and it didn’t really match the level that I think this series could be capable of. I didn’t find myself invested in it at all, and it may have to do with the characters themselves lacking a sense of depth and I’m referring to the cast as a whole. It’s hard to pin down their personalities. Darker urban fantasy series tend to be a little better about that because there’s more emotion involved, but it isn’t an impossible task in the lighter ones. For instance, The Hollows does it very well and I don’t really consider that one dark.
So far I’m on the fence as to if I want to continue this one, but I’m leaning towards no at this time. If the second book is supposedly better I might give it a try, but I’m definitely in no rush.
Great review–you’ve given us readers plenty of tools to determine whether we, too, want to try this book out or not. That’s what a review should offer, and I appreciate it.:)
Thanks! A number of people tend to like it so it could be just me. I’ve certainly read worse, but I thought it would be a lot better so it was a little bit of a let down.
that is discouraging, when you read so many positives–and then the book just doesn’t do it for you-(
Yeah, but it’s certainly not the first time. Just like I know I like some things that other people don’t. I can’t fathom how people don’t like The Hollows, but I understand that it happens, lol.
I think that some books are pumped up so much that maybe our expectations get pushed up with the hype. No book or movie for that matter will ever have everyone agreeing on it. And, I think that is cool since everyone has a right to their opinion and individual tastes. With that segue; I’m actually proud to say that I’m one of all of those people who really loved Sealed With A Curse. Seriously – I LOVED it! I loved the relationship between the sisters, the character development the world building, the humor and the fast pace. It’s not WAR and Peace (thank God). It was however, FUN. So for me, and from what I’ve read–a whole lot of other bloggers and readers, the book clicked, big time. I’m sorry it didn’t click for you, truly. Because I think this is going to a big deal of a series, and I can’t wait till July for the next book. And, I hope that is cool with the other readers here…also, I think I had way too much coffee today:)
-Fang
Glad you loved it, Fang. As I said, I may give the next book a try, it’s not totally off the table. It just depends on where I’m at. Right now I have so many books to read I don’t know what to do, rofl.