We’re SO back! Prepare yourselves for the number of book releases this month because THP’s book team have been booked and busy. For today, we want to highlight Melissa de la Cruz’s new YA fantasy, The Encanto’s Curse.
The Encanto’s Curse is the sequel to The Encanto’s Daughter and the conclusion to this duology. We pick up several months after MJ Rodriguez’s coronation as Queen of Biringan. There have been reported attacks at night from a vampire-like monster called a manananggal. But what happens when that monster might be MJ herself?
We’ve been obsessing over Melissa de la Cruz’s new book for weeks, and we finally get to share our review with you all. Here are three things we love about The Encanto’s Curse!
Book Overview: The Encanto’s Curse
Content warnings: death, violence, gore, animal death, animal violence, animal bones, war, weapons (Read at your discretion!)
Summary: A curse has befallen Biringan. Stalking the night sky and sinking sharp teeth in its prey, a vampire-like creature—a manananggal—is terrorizing the kingdom. Now MJ Robertson-Rodriguez must fulfill her duties as the newly crowned queen and restore peace. Except . . . when MJ wakes up in tattered clothes stained with blood, she quickly realizes the monster lives within her.
To prevent more destruction, MJ flees to Mount Makiling with select members of her court, all while keeping her curse secret. By her side is Lucas, the talented knight who broke her heart by giving his own to another. And there’s Prince Qian, the devilishly handsome monster hunter from the Jade Empire who’s visiting on a diplomatic mission.
In the mountains, MJ is charmed by Qian’s valiant spirit. Could he be the one to finally mend her broken heart, which still beats for Lucas? But as the manananggal fills MJ with bloodthirst, she must set love aside and break the curse before it consumes her forever.
When a neighboring kingdom threatens to wage war on Biringan, can the young queen regain control of herself before she loses control of the crown?
Philippine-Inspired Lore
You already know we had to shout out the diversity of The Encanto’s Curse. Melissa de la Cruz incorporates magical beings called encantos, as well as mythical creatures from Philippine folklore. The vampire-like manananggal separates from the lower part of its body, using its batlike wings to travel. A wakwak is a vampiric bird that snatches people at night. Dwende include goblins, dwarves, and elves. A mambabarang is a witch who uses insects to do their bidding. The list goes on, and we live for it!
MJ’s Love Triangle
If you remember our discussion of The Encanto’s Daughter, then you may remember how torn we felt about MJ and Lucas’s romance at the end of book one. And let us tell you that the love triangle in The Encanto’s Curse held out on us until the very end! MJ remains heartbroken and conflicted when it comes to Sir Lucas. There’s more to Lucas and Amador’s betrothal than he’s telling her. But his secrets and actions aren’t helping the mixed signals. Prince Qian is a welcome new love interest for MJ, with his charming and reliable personality. MJ can open up and be authentic around Qian, and vice versa.
The Ending
Now for the ending of The Encanto’s Curse with minimal spoilers. MJ’s secret becomes known to her kingdom and the delegation from Jade Mountain. We’re surprised she contained it for so long. Then just as MJ fears she might become a manananggal forever, she figures out what caused it in the first place. She read that true love can help break the curse, but it’s much more than the love MJ might have with a partner. It’s about the love she has for herself and her willingness to change and be better. And everyone clapped!
Melissa de la Cruz’s new sequel, The Encanto’s Curse, kept us glued to the page with Philippine-inspired characters, a love triangle full of secrets, and a protagonist trying to break the cycle of self-hate.
The Encanto’s Curse by Melissa de la Cruz comes out March 4th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of Melissa de la Cruz’s new YA fantasy, The Encanto’s Curse? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MELISSA DE LA CRUZ:
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