Cursebreaker by Carol A. ParkMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was blown away by Banebringer (the first book in The Heretic Gods series), and Cursebreaker continues to amaze me with its deep characters, entertaining dialog, and intriguing plot. Cursebreaker deviates in style from Banebringer; Banebringer focused almost exclusively on Vaughn and Sweetblade, limiting POV to the two protagonists and their missions. Cursebreaker opens things up to feel more like an epic fantasy novel. The narrative is expanded in scope and incorporates a more extensive cast of characters and a more expansive setting, focusing on the larger political structure and further exploring the pantheon and mythology of the Heretic Gods.
Both books check all my boxes for what a good fantasy novel should have, but Cursebreaker’s characters and dialog are most likely what makes this book (and the series) great. The characters are well developed, deeply flawed, and unbelievably raw with their collection of fears, foibles, and vulnerabilities. There are no heroic, shining paragons of good; the protagonists are human, fallible, and carry plenty of physical and mental scars. The relationships presented in the novel are equally realistic, as characters attempt to balance issues of trust, betrayal, love, and lust. The interactions, particularly the interplay and tension between Vaughn and Ivana, are so strained at times that it’s almost unbearable to read.
Eric Bryan Moore narrates the audiobook version of Cursebringer, and his masterful performance may be one of the reasons I like The Heretic Gods series so much. He creates distinct voices for each character and performs both male and female voices well. Moore is able to portray the characters, particularly the primary protagonists, in a way that brings their personalities, imperfections, and emotions to life.
Special thanks to Eric Bryan Moore who provided me with a copy of this book at my request.
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