Cursed Prince

Night Elves Trilogy, Book 1

By: C.N. Crawford

Narrated by: Amanda Dolan

My heart hasn't beat in a 1,000 years. I haven't uttered a word in prison, and the guards keep their distance. If they get too close, they die - until at last, my magic binds my soul to another.

Unfortunately, the person destined to save me is a night elf - the enemy of my kind. And yet, when I see her in the cell across from mine, an ember starts to burn in my chest. When we escape together down the palace walls, it’s almost like I can feel again.

As we journey to find the magic that will save us both, attraction simmers between us. But I keep my secrets close. Because, if she finds out what I am, she will find a way to kill me, even if it means sacrificing herself to do it.

©2020 Corey Press (P)2020 Corey Press

A really nice surprise

I was rather desperate for a story, and took a chance on this one. And I was very happily surprised overall. I was soon caught up in the story. There are some great creative touches that caught me by surprise, and maybe best of all, some real, actually funny, humor.
Some of the writing is “under-written” or simplistic?, while at other times the writing is breathtaking and very well-done.
The concept, to me, was unique and intriguing. I found myself quite happily entertained, and naturally able to root for and sympathize with both protagonists. I liked how the cursed prince is forced to gradually re-acclimate himself to the world after 1000 years of imprisoned darkness. It’s perfect for the story and makes sense. Actually after reading the next two books in series, the entire plot of this first book makes all kinds of sense and is very well done. I liked it the best of whole series, I think.
Maybe I’ve just stumbled upon a genre I’m unfamiliar with. Or maybe it’s just this author, but to me, it’s disconcerting to have modern day memes thrown in, such as referring to 80s singer Rick Astley as “RickRoll”. My nieces used that phrase a few days ago and it was SO very weird to find out it wasn’t fictional. Not sure I like that. It jolts a reader from the “suspension of disbelief” necessary for reading fiction. Some elements are familiar from basic folklore though. Just broken apart, mixed up and reassembled into something new.
All in all, definitely worth the credit and very glad I stumbled upon it.
As for narration, I can’t say much. I’ve become spoiled by narrators who have serious pitch range and can give males a deeper voice. I definitely prefer that, but as long as I can differentiate the characters I don’t criticize. Often written books don’t give enough clues to speaker changes, they just make a new paragraph, so it’s critical in audiobooks that narrators somehow signal the change. I’ve been so confused at times. Apparently this narrator did a good job since I don’t remember that happening.

Very Rare

This book was an accidental find. I was looking for my next book & passed ready to pass it over. That was until I accidentally played the sample. The narrator hooked me from the 1st sentence. The main characters live & breath. I just love the concept & idea - very creative. The story is very well written with wonderful word choices. The author has a wonderful grasp of Norse mythology. I can't wait to read the 2nd book.

Good story, not great narration.

The narration is really off putting. All I could focus on was the strange emphasis on every third or fourth word. I’ll be checking a sample of the next book and probably switching to the kindle version to continue the story.

Action packed adventure

This book was quite a ride: no moment that things are too slow.

Auhors have build a very interesting world mixing reality, fantasy and norsk folklore. This book takes place 1000 years from now, arter the ragnarök. Main issue in this book is conflict between two races of elves: high elves and night elves. Night elves have been imprisoned under ground for 1000 years and they are trying to break the spell that keeps them confined.

Our journey starts here, Heroine Alley is a night elf assasin that tries to free her people. Hero Marroc aka cursed prince who has been imprisoned whole time and made into undead creature who can’t feel anything. They’re paths collide and the adventure begins.

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was light action packed story. But after saying that, there was a lot of lack in the romance storyline. Expecially heroine Ally didint seen to feel anything towards the Marroc, while he started to feel feelings towars h even without his soul. Alley seemed also otherwise little one dimentional character, even if she was not passive character.

Narration was fluent and good. Would have liked it even more if there would have been male reader to Marroc parts.

Exactly what I wanted!

I really love fantasy romance/ paranormal romance and this book hit the nail on the head. It had the usual tropes of assassins and Princes but it still had an original story and plot that was wonderfully done.