Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: The Cursebreaker Countess
AUTHOR: Sasha L. Miller
PUBLISHER: Less Than Three Press
LENGTH: 106 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 15, 2018
BLURB:
Kas is a wanderer, exploring the country and keeping out of the reach of her stepfather’s plots to marry her off and steal her fortune. When she stumbles across a field of towers one stormy night, she promptly takes shelter in the sturdiest-looking of the bunch, only to find a woman trapped in a bespelled sleep.
Breaking the curse takes seconds, but dealing with the aftermath may force Kas to return to the home she’s been avoiding—and right into the sights of the mage who cursed the princess sleeping in the tower…
REVIEW:
At first glance, this story seems like a fairy tale. After all, within the first few pages, a beautiful, long-lost princess is awoken from a 60-year slumber from the mere touch of a curious wanderer. But this story eschews fairy tale tropes and favors a fantasy/mystery slant with two characters on the opposite side of the magical spectrum working together. I liked how fresh it eventually felt, but by the end, it failed to make a lasting impression.
I enjoyed Kas and Anika right away—as both separate characters and a partnership. Neither character felt like fantasy stereotypes or tropes, which is hard to pull off within such a short, succinct work. They have an easy chemistry with each other while still occasionally butting heads and working together to solve a problem. I also like how they are both highborn women who have strayed from their privileged lot in life in different ways—Anika by curse, Kas by choice. Their attitudes towards their positions differ, but they are both easy to sympathize with.
This story is very lady-centric, which I love. Female family members (aunts, nieces, etc.) play a strong supporting role in both assisting and liberating Anika and Kas from their problems, whether it be a magical curse or an unwanted arranged marriage. All the female characters (Isabelle and Bianka, especially) have distinct voices and points of view that shine bright on every page.
But by the time we really got to know the characters and get a feel for their bonds with each other, the story comes to an end—and the plot never seemed to reach a good climax. It’s all thoroughly readable, but there’s nothing very memorable about this story. The magic systems don’t stand out, the characters never reach their full potential, and the heart of the mystery isn’t even that interesting.
It’s a quick read with some great dialogue, fine female characters, and a lovely flirtation between two very different women, but if you’re looking for something that will wow you, it isn’t a must-read of the genre.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: