Castle of The Cursed

by Romina Garber

A deliciously dark gothic romance from New York Times bestselling author Romina Garber! Perfect for readers of MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

I see his shadowy form taking shape. He could be a teen or in his early twenties; and yet, the starry galaxies of his eyes contain universes.

After a mysterious attack kills both of her parents, Estela Bralaga is forced to accept an invitation to live with an estranged aunt at their ancestral Spanish castle, la Sombra.

Beneath its gothic façade, la Sombra harbours a trove of family secrets, and Estela begins to suspect that the answer to her parents’ deaths may be found in the twisting corridors of the castle.

When Estela crosses paths with a silver-eyed vampire called Sebastian, the pair soon realise they are bound by unknown forces, as well as an intense attraction, and must work together to discover the truth that lies at the dark heart of la Sombra.

‘Deliciously atmospheric and darkly romantic, Castle of the Cursed was one of my favourite novels of the year. I absolutely loved it’ Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author

‘A brooding romance with a compelling, gothic setting’ Kirkus Reviews

• ISBN10: 0241701589
• ISBN13: 9780241701584
• Publish Date: 1 August 2024 (first published 30 July 2024)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

After a sudden and horrifying attack, Estela is left all alone in the world. Or so she thought. Months later, she receives a mysterious letter summoning her home to a Spanish castle where he aunt lives.

It’s safe to say that this is no ordinary castle, as something dark lingers under the crumbling foundation. Estela will have to get to the bottom of it if she hopes to survive, but doing so has a price.

My Review:

Oh, how I love diving into a gothic fantasy. Castle of the Cursed certainly meets that bill, with an added dash of horror and romance. This book is for you if you love a story full of folklore, familial secrets, vampires, and blood.

I really enjoyed this book because it kept me on my toes. Every time I thought that I had a feel for it and thought I knew what would happen next, BAM! It hit me with another twist. It wasn’t afraid to take risks and had a bit of fun along the way.

Part of me wishes we could have seen more of the world (worlds?) and the magical structures, but I usually walk away from fantasy books wanting more. This book weaves a rich amount of lore (and pain) into its pages, making it the perfect foundation for Estela’s story.

The romantic subplot felt a little young, but it was a nice balance for all the darkness in this book. On that note, be sure to check out the trigger warnings before diving into Castle of the Cursed.

Highlights:
Gothic Fantasy
Romantasy
Vampires & Blood
Haunted House

Trigger Warnings:
Death of a parent
Suicidal Ideation

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