Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Cursed is the Worst
SERIES: Mythmatched
AUTHOR: E.J. Russell
PUBLISHER: Reality Optional Press
LENGTH: 126 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 25, 2023
BLURB:
An awkward swan shifter walks into a barre…
…after he’s already walked into the door, two people on the street, and a rack full of tiny pink tutus. While bumping into the handsome dance instructor—multiple times—is no hardship, it’ll take a miracle to overcome Kiran’s clumsiness curse and get him dance-floor ready in time to partner his ballerina sister at her wedding without knocking her on her ass.
Miracles? Hardly ex-minion demon Taj Sekani’s scene. But with Kiran in his arms, the perfect pas de deux might finally be within his grasp.
But then Taj’s old master demands a favor. And Kiran takes a decidedly sketchy shortcut to terpsichorean competency. Without that unlikely miracle, their first dance could very well be their last.
REVIEW:
Kiran is a swan shifter who is cursed with terminal clumsiness. But his beloved sister is getting married and has asked her to dance with him at her wedding. He decides to take some dance lessons so as not to completely embarrass himself or her at the reception. He finds a coupon and shows up to take lessons. it turns out his clumsiness is actually caused by a curse. One that has plagued him most of his life.
Taj Sekani is a demon who has been let out of Sheol but has to make it in the upper world. He was made by a demon who used him to do his dirty work for year and now he has opened a dance studio and hopes to make a life for himself. Of course his progeniture, Naberius, is doing what he can to keep him from succeeding. He wants to make sure that Taj does one more job for him and then when his school fails, he’ll be sent back to Sheol where he can be tortured by Naberius forever 🙁
Taj is at first not aware that Kiran is a supernatural being also. He’s made aware by Naberius. Turns out maybe Taj and Kiran’s past are intertwined. The attraction they feel for each other is just one more thing that Naberius can use against Taj. But Taj is determined to not let Kiran be hurt again and he really does not want to go back to Sheol!
This is a super cute story that feels right at home in the Mythmatched universe. While it can work as a standalone, I was happy that I’d read the previous books so I understood who some of the supporting characters were and why they could be so helpful to Tak and Kiran. I was surprised by the baddie behind the curse and that they were the ones poised to strike again! Kiran’s sister Annemiek was so sweet and caring about her brother. She was not aware of what he’d done for her, but loved him all the same. There is some humor and fun along the way as Taj and Kiran get their happy ending. If anything, I would have liked more time with Kiran and Taj. They are adorable together and I really enjoy this whole world EJ Russell has created. Particularly for fans of this series, I think you’ll enjoy another fun story in this universe. Recommended.
RATING: 
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