Disappointed! This book did nothing for me. I couldn't connect with the story or the characters. I'm not sure what would have made this book better for me, but it wasn't my cup of tea as they say. However, it could just be me so I suggest you borrow it and read for yourself instead of flat out buying it. If you like it, then I suggest you go a buy it as you wait for the next book in the series. ( )

A daevor named Winx is being punished because she killed five humans. Her wings are taken away, how can a daevor go on without her wings? She is able to stay out of sight until a bandit named Keaton shows up and changes her plans. Keaton's pack is having issues with the Savages. Packs of Savages have been seen more than in the past and Keaton needs her help to save his pack from further attacks. Winx finds out that the lixyn, the highest authority in the supernatural world, have figured out where she has been hiding and want her to do the job she was trained to do.

I greatly enjoyed this new spin on the supernatural world. This is the beginning of a new series. I look forward to the next book. This is a definite 4 stars for me.

Disclaimer: This book was received a member giveaway at LibraryThing. ( )

I received a copy of Cursed by Darkness from a member giveaway from Librarything. Winx is a demon known as a daevor because she's gifted with the abilities of being able to convince people to do her will as well as kill themselves. When her sister is raped and murdered Winx does what any sister would do she sets out for justice against the humans who killed her. However the three don't see it as justice instead they see it as an attack against the humans because Winx used her gift to have them mutilate themselves to death. The three devise a punishment for her that they feel is satisfactory first they remove her wings which will never grow back and drop her into their military boot camp training her to kill Savages (Zombies).

Winx has other plans, she's not the killing type and disapears in L.A. working at Skinned a strip club where she can let the little demon part of herself out. She's content to hide away from the three and live her life as a human until a handsome bandit shows up at the club looking for her. Wanting him to leave she agrees to talk to him if only to find out how he found her. When he tells her of the Savages killing his pack and that she's the only one who can help them, she doesn't bat an eye, it's when he tells her he was sent to find her by a lixyn a higher demon. Winx decides that the three know she's in L.A. and running off with Keaton might be the best choice.

The pair head for Colorado where Keaton’s pack is waiting for them slaying the Savages on their way. Once they arrive in the forest Keaton heads off to find his pack and get clearance to bring Winx into the pack because they keep the location secret. While waiting for Keaton Winx takes a nap but is waken when she hears Savages attacking a lixyn demon that is up a tree, even though she’s not a fan of Lixyn she heads into the forest to save the girl. Only after saving her does she learn that she’s a princess daughter to the queen lixyn and she’s on a secret mission.

I love the cover art it just screams read me so of course I was super excited to win a copy. I really like Winx as a character my heart went out to her when she had her wings brutally removed. She's a strong character but she does have her few and far between fragile spots. I really liked the concept for the book; I found it unique since a demon was hunting zombies in essence. The story is the first in the series so we do have a little bit of building but it does have its action spots as well. I found the chemistry between Winx and Keaton exciting they are two different creatures yet they are finding a common ground and building onto more than just a friendship. I love a good story with a little romance and Cursed by Darkness was exactly what I hoped it would be. Overall I feel the characters are well developed enough that the story flows smoothly along, creating a world I want to know more of as well as what happens next to Winx and Keaton. I look forward to reading more about Winx and her journey to gain her freedom. ( )

I'm so surprise by supernatural element shown in this book. I love that there are so many diverse cultures and traditions that bind supernaturals together. I love Winx's gutsy attitude as well as her vulnerability too. I wanted Keaton to drag Winx into his cause but glad that he didn't get his way immediately. Here are my thoughts:

Winx Rowan, a daevor who managed to kill her sister's murderers, has finally been caught by the lixyn. The lixyn who will serve judgement on Winx are called The Three. They don't think that Winx should have taken justice into her own hands. Winx has only one regret and that is getting caught but not for killing those animals. Winx has lost her wings and being forced to be a private soldier in some lixyn army. Winx will keep herself out of lixyn way and find some peace. Winx's peace is destroyed by Keaton Silver, a bandit, sent to find her to help his cause against the savages. Keaton never expected that Winx would refuse joining his cause yet she has. Keaton is stunned and surprised by meeting lixyn leader after Winx's refusal believes that Winx is the solution required by Keaton. Keaton is unsure of what to do now and he must convince Winx to come to his aid. When savages invade Winx's job Skinned, it's up to Keaton to do as much damage as possible and stay alive at the same time. Winx can't believe that savages trashed Skinned and must see it for herself. Winx reluctantly helps Keaton yet more danger is to come in the coming days. Keaton is becoming attracted to Winx yet unsure what to do about it either. When will the savages attack? Will Keaton admit his feelings? Will Winx be able to stop the attacks? What is the reason behind the attacks? Your answers await you in Cursed by Darkness. ( )

Like most first books in a series, it started out slow to develop the characters. It is really different than other fantasy books and I liked that. I am not normally a zombie fan but this had a good enough mix of other characters to keep reading. The normal terms we are used to in urban fantasy are different in this book and took a bit for me to catch on to (daevors = demons; bandits = shifters; savages = zombies etc).

Once the book got going and I was really into it, it ended too quick ugghhh lol I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.

I appreciate the author giving me the opportunity to read and give my honest review of this book! ( )