Her radiant curse permeated every aspect of her life, casting an ethereal glow upon her existence. It was a curse that she had grown accustomed to, a blessing in disguise that had become her identity. She was cursed with a beauty so captivating that it impaired her ability to connect with others on a deeper level. Her radiant curse became both a source of admiration and envy, leaving her feeling isolated and misunderstood. From a young age, she had been taught that her appearance was a gift that should be cherished and celebrated. Those around her were in awe of her radiant beauty, showering her with compliments and longing glances.
Those around her were in awe of her radiant beauty, showering her with compliments and longing glances. But behind the enchanting facade, she longed for something more. She craved genuine connections, ones that transcended the superficiality of physical attraction.
Elizabeth Lim
From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.
One sister must fall for the other to rise.
Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts.
Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point.
Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.
Available now from Penguin Random House
Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood.
However, her radiant curse acted as a barrier to these deeper connections. People were mesmerized by her outward appearance but failed to see the person beneath the surface. They were drawn to her like moths to a flame, but their interest often fizzled out as they realized that beauty alone could not sustain a meaningful bond. As she grew older, her radiant curse morphed into a paradox. It brought her attention and admiration, yet left her feeling empty. She yearned for someone who could see beyond the glamour and truly see her for who she was. She longed for a love that was not based on appearances alone. Her curse had taught her to be cautious with her heart. She had learned to protect herself from those who saw her as an object of desire rather than a person deserving of love. It was a lonely existence, but she refused to settle for anything less than authentic connection. Despite the challenges her radiant curse presented, she refused to let it define her. She used her beauty as a platform to advocate for inner beauty and the importance of cherishing one's own worth beyond physical appearance. She became an inspiration to others, a symbol of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Through her struggle, she discovered her own worth and realized that true beauty lies within. She learned to appreciate the outer beauty that she possessed but understood that it was only one aspect of who she was. She embraced her curse with grace and humility, using it as a catalyst for personal growth and self-acceptance. Her radiant curse may have hindered her ability to form deep connections, but it also propelled her to be a catalyst for change. She became a beacon of hope to those who felt trapped by societal expectations and reminded them that beauty is not the determining factor of one's worth. In the end, her curse became her greatest blessing. It taught her the importance of authenticity, self-love, and the power of inner beauty. She no longer saw her radiant curse as a burden, but rather as a unique part of her identity that set her apart from the world. And in embracing her curse, she was able to find the connection and fulfillment that she had always longed for..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Her Radiant Curse: From Curse to Gift"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - "I found 'Her Radiant Curse' to be incredibly boring and predictable. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The plot seemed to drag on and I struggled to stay engaged. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to the hype for me."
2. Alex - 1/5 stars - "I was highly disappointed by 'Her Radiant Curse'. The writing style was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the story. The romance between the main characters felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, the book lacked substance and failed to captivate me."
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "I was expecting 'Her Radiant Curse' to be a thrilling fantasy novel, but I found it to be quite underwhelming. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with more questions than answers. The pacing was slow, and the action scenes were unimpressive. I'm sad to say that I couldn't connect with this book."
4. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "The premise of 'Her Radiant Curse' sounded interesting, but the execution fell flat for me. The dialogue felt unnatural, and the character development was lacking. The twists in the plot were predictable and didn't have the impact I was hoping for. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book."