A Curse So Cruel

Fated Mates of Shadowbone Academy, Book 1

De: Mia Hartson

Narrado por: Bridget Bordeaux, Tor Thom, Brent Billings

Enter Shadowbone Academy, where shadows come alive, the professors are dark gods, and humans battle for immortality.

When I get locked in my local library overnight, I look on the bright side: I'm surrounded by smutty books, my backpack is full of snacks, and a cushion fort is calling my name. What I don't account for is the four powerful, breathtakingly beautiful, and lethally dangerous shadow warriors who crash my impromptu slumber party.

Professors from Shadowbone Academy, an elite war college in the shadow realm where students train to become ruthless shadow warriors, are here for me. Unfortunately, my strengths include stubbing my big toe, dreaming about book boyfriends, and enjoying chocolate like my life depends on it. I'm not cut out for fighting shadow monsters, but enrollment isn't negotiable, and I'm not ready to die just yet.

To make matters worse? Yeah, I'm pretty sure these four professors are my fated mates, no matter how they try to deny it. I swear, someone is definitely having a laugh, and it's not just me.

Let the fun times begin.

A Curse So Cruel is a fun but dark(ish) why choose fantasy romance novel, and the first book in the Fated Mates of Shadowbone Academy series. It features a clumsy, relatable heroine, and her droolworthy, reluctant mates who will do anything to possess her. The story is in first person, present tense, and note that while the main focus is on our leading lady, there is also MM in the harem.

This series is connected to the Game of Psychos series, but can easily be enjoyed as a standalone series.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2025 Mia Hartson (P)2026 Podium Audio

Shade and her Shadow daddies.

Bravo to whomever chose Bridget Bordeaux to voice Shade. Bridget’s voice brought Mia Hartson’s words to life. She sounds exactly how I imaged Shade would!


One of my favorite sidekicks is back, with a story of her own.

Shade is back, but her memories, not so much. Thanks to a tattoo on her back, she has been selected to attend Shadowbone Academy. With the help of four shadow daddies…I mean professors, she may just survive long enough to get those memories back.

Shade has a voice!

I read this story before the audiobook came out, and I was so happy that Shade got her own series! Back when she was a crow in the 'Game of Psychos' series, Shade was Blake's hilarious friend, sidekick, and inner voice of snark. Until a major battle freed her of that form and she became human. Now, the poor girl has to maneuver clumsily on legs instead of flying, as well as try to regain her pre-crow memories. And now she has been given a voice!

I must say the narration style threw me at first. In Shade's chapters, Bridget Bordeaux gives voice to Shade and the male characters as well. Tor Thom and Brent Billings voice the male characters in their chapters but also give Shade a voice. This means they sound different depending on who is narrating the chapter. After a bit, I got used to the flow and it was easier to follow. I must admit that Bridget Bordeaux's Shade voice and Tor Thom's Raith voice felt closest to how my mind heard them as I read the story before hearing the audio version. Some of Shade's inflections in certain situations actually remind me of what her voice may have sounded like when she was a crow and spoke in Blake's mind. I love it!

And Tor Thom's version of Raith's voice? So deep and sexy...made my toes curl!

As for the story itself...

So, as I said, Shade is trying to become accustomed to her new form and regain her memories. She stumbles upon a confrontation of Shadow people/creatures, is suddenly thrust into another realm and enters an academy that trains shadow warriors. Yeah, right! She's a tiny, clumsy new-to- being-on-two-legs-again human with plenty of snark but not much muscle, stamina or fighting skills and they expect her to fight the Xalgrith dark warriors who are trying to take over the realm?! Well, there is an offer of immortality and extra strength and magic, so...better than being a mortal? What the heck, she's going to give it a try...especially since she believes that the four gorgeous shadow men she spied on are her fated mates!

This is a slow burn (since the guys don't believe she could be their Fated Mate even though they are drawn to her) start but with plenty of action, intrigue, and 2 hysterical shadows, Tarlaz and Elgen, who everyone at the academy can see, but for some reason, Shade is the only one who can hear them as well! While the descriptions of Raith, Galen, Knox, and Thane really do them justice in my mind's eye, I am hoping to get more depth and background on them in the next installment to round out their characters more.

**Be aware that there are some darker scenes that could be triggers for some readers...but the author does put in a warning.

Overall, I found this to have a well written, catchy storyline that grabs the attention and won't let go. There is a cliff hanger but expected and makes sense at this point. I can't wait to follow Shade on this journey of discovering more about her past...I have a feeling she is a dynamo!





I voluntarily read/listened to and reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook.

Love the book but the audio not so much

I read this book and was excited about the audiobook but the narrators ruined it. I tried I really did but I had to turn it off and reread the book.