The Curse That Binds Us

Fantasy is one of my favourite genre. And I’m such a sucker for a good fantasy book, especially when it’s been quite some time for me to get hooked on to a single one that has hold my attention enough to finish it in a single sitting. I absolutely loved every single second of being in this world; loved the pacing, the characters and the word building. Henceforth, it’s quite an enjoyable read.

This book was amazing. I loved the writing style and the characters. Throughly enjoyed this. Katie brings this world to life, I found it hard to put this down.

LOVED loved loved this book.

The writing had me captivated from the start to finish, and I found myself reading it almost straight through one sitting. I look forward to reading more by this author.

First of all, Virginia Dare inspired book! I love the lore and enjoyed the twists Hayoz make in this book.
I love the pacing and how the author took time to explain the background story/base lore so it's easier for us reader to understand the plot and settings. I also love the world building and characters, especially Chaos :)
The romance felt a bit flat at times, but the chemistry is def there. LOVE the lore and world building and def looking forward to read the next book!

< Review copy received via Netgalley in exchange with an honest review >

Brilliant dark fantasy spin on the tale of the lost colony of Roanoke that all Americans learned about early in our history classes. The colony where the first English child was born on American soil…the colony that simply vanished a few years after being settled. The mystery that has surrounded that colony ever since - what happened to the colonists? Was the carving of “croatoan” a message of assimilation with the native tribes? Questions that have no answers.

Here though we get a spin on the story that is equal parts dark and alluring. I mean who doesn’t love a story with a deliciously dark curse that spans centuries?!

I should mention this story plays out through multiple points of view (3) - which never bothers me personally. I feel like it adds depth to the storyline. Eleanor’s POV is an imagined glimpse into the past; John’s POV spans time/worlds; and Redd’s POV gives the modern spin.

I’m eagerly anticipating the next book already and was thrilled to hear this would be a trilogy that explores issues such as are people born evil or is evil situational; would you choose to take a life to save more lives; what lengths would you go to to save your child?

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion - which is easy to give with this one as I absolutely LOVED it.

I loved this book!! Multiple POV's are my jam, and with the flashbacks to the past from Eleanor, on top of the dual POV in the present, I ate this up!! I was so invested in Redd's story, and the Dare family, and how it all connected, and what the heck was going on in Eden. Definitely a great read!

It was kind of a long read. It started off slow and was kind of confusing with the different POV shifts. Once I got about 8 chapters in, it started to pick up and got fascinating. I love the cover art as well. The plot was really well done. I am interested in seeing what is next.

In 1587, a British ship came to the shores of Roanoke, today's North Carolina, USA. Two years later, the colony vanished. What can tie those events and eighteen-year-old Redd who lives in present with her mother and her secrets?
Why can't Redd have a normal life? Why does she have to move constantly, practice breathing underwater and why her anger does things? Also, there is this 400-year-old artifact that comes as Redd's birthday gift every year, but she only manages to get a hold of it once she turnes 18. At the moment, this seems like an only link to tie it all together. But then this boy appears.
The Curse That Binds Us is the first book in the Devil Of Roanoke Series and it ends with a major cliffhanger. I loved that it was written for three persons' perspective with going back in time and tying those events with the present. The book captivated me completely and there was not one thing I disliked about it. I loved how, although Redd didn't know about her true identity or some other mysteries still hidden in this first book, she was aware of it in part. That's why the transition between normal and unusual or magical didn't feel far-fetched or too sudden. The secrets came undone evenly throughout the book and glued me to my chair with every chapter. But, that's not the end of it! There are so many questions still waiting to be answered later in the series! I also enjoyed the language used in the book because there wasn't just one voice. For each time period, there was an appropriate language and style used which gave the book its authenticity. Of course, there is this Faustian concept that surrounds the story and that gave it this almost gruesome and mysterious note.
Just like Redd is welcomed to Eden, I feel welcomed to enjoy the rest of the series. And just how Redd is deceived entering Eden, I hope to be deceived once again by the author's brilliant mystery crafting just when I think I figured it all out.

The Curse that Binds is is the first of the Devil of Roanoke trilogy where Kayoz reinvents the tale of the lost colony of Roanoke and uses it to explore how far any of us will go for love.

I loved this, it’s fun but also dark and sinister, really looking forward to how this trilogy unfolds.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Going into reading this book I didn’t know what to expect. The first novel of the Devil of Roanoke trilogy. Hayoz reinvents the tale of the lost colony of Roanoke and she has done an amazing job at it. It’s dark and sinister but it also isn’t too serious. I love the concept of split POVs as they really give the audience an understanding of what the characters bring to the table. I could not put this book down it is so wholeheartedly interesting and suspenseful with a slight romantic tone to it, I loved this, Hayoz is a magician of words. I’m really really looking forward to how this trilogy unfolds and getting my hands on a physical copy!

Well, this was just a captivating and unique story!! It combines two of my favorites things: history and fantasy, woven into a tale that grabbed me from the beginning. The past and current threads mirror each other and tell of two very different women connected to a mystical and errie place called Eden. The modern-day thread follows Redd, living in Hidden, Wisconsin with her mother as she turns 18. Each year on her birthday, a mysterious box arrives which her mother won't let her open. Then they pack up and move in an attempt to escape the box. However, Redd has grown frustrated, angry and tired of her mother keeping secrets from her and she doesn't want to move again. So she opens the box. The other thread begins in England in 1577 and follows Eleanor Dare as she, her husband and her father prepare to move to the Colonies. They plan on settling in the Chesapeake Bay area. Unfortunate events force them to settle in Roanoke, where drought and encounters with Native tribes push the settlers to the brink of destruction.

I loved finding out that Eleanor Dare was a real person and that there really was a group of settlers in Roanoke that"vanished". Using this piece of history as a base makes this such an intriguing tale and I was hooked immediately by Redd's story. Also trying to parse out what exactly Eden is and what happens there really ups the spooky/creepy factor, plus how Redd is connected to all of it. I am so looking forward to the rest of this trilogy and how all of this is going to play out!!

4.5/5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! Thank you NetGallery and Katie Hayoz for allowing me to be an ARC for this great book!

The Curse that binds us, is a great dark and twisty story that sets out to explain to the reader what happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoak. As a HUGE history person, I loved this! If you love unexplained mysteries, and history you won't be able to put this book down!

Katie does a great job of giving us different perspectives, from Eleanor, John, and Redd. Redd has powers she doesn't understand. Eleanor is an original colonist who gives us information about what happens leading up to the disappearance. John is asked to bring Redd home when she leaves. He doesn't plan on doing anything more than that, but life has a way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect it!

I really loved everything about this story and highly recommend it to everyone! I can't wait for the next book!

I loved the blend of folklore and historical mystery that came together in this riveting story! I truly did not know what was coming next. I cycled through laughing to needing to cry to screaming at the characters while reading this book and now I NEED to preorder the sequel to get more of Redd and John in my life.

On Redd's 18th birthday, the box appears. It's the same one that has shown itself every birthday as far back as she can remember. Every time it finds Redd, her mom hides it away, and they pack up and move to a new city to escape it. Her mom won't answer her questions about the box or where it came from, so Redd decides the find the answers herself. But opening the box brings a curse from her family's past right to her front door.

One highlight of this novel is how the storyline is laid out. Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective, bouncing between the past and the present. So the tension builds slowly throughout the novel, with the reader getting small pieces of the story and having to put them all together to determine what happened. It's similar to The Empirium Trilogy in how it unfolds. The readers get miniature cliffhangers at the end of several chapters, and it forces us to keep reading to see how it's resolved.

Now that we've discussed the how we have to mention the what. The what in question is the plotline itself. It's so incredibly well written that readers won't know exactly where the plot is headed until well into the novel, past the point of no return. The details in each character's dealings with the curse, how those who live in Eden have come to terms with it, and how it all came to be all combine to create a chilling, heartwrenching, high tension mystery.

Something readers may struggle with is that the story starts very slow. Because of how it's told, the readers need to get through three separate introductions to the world, rather than just one. However, once the stage has been set, it takes off fast. The second is that the romance seems a little underdeveloped. They both feel the instant connection, but it isn't given much time to deepen before they're both acting completely head over heels.

Overall, The Curse that Binds Us gets four out of five stars. The issues stated can easily be overlooked because the plotline and worldbuilding far outweigh them.

Due to the language, mild adult content, and violence, this is a novel for an audience of 18+. But if you're a fan of mysterious curses and headstrong protagonists, The Curse that Binds Us is the perfect read for you. Just be prepared to dangle off the proverbial cliff until the next installment.

Growing up in North Carolina, the mystery surrounding the Roanoke colony has long fascinated me. When I realized that the premise of this book tied into that, I was all in and immediately requested an early review copy.

I thought the storyline that the author created around this was quite clever. It was told from multiple points of view and in different time periods. All of this lent to an efficient way to dispense information as needed, but never too early. It was a good way of handling things in order to keep a bit of the mystery in place. However, I was putting pieces together long before it was all spelled out for us....primarily because I become obsessed with trying to figure out a plot line as quickly as I can. I just can't help myself.

I felt that the author did a good job with character development. It's sometimes difficult when you are trying to keep some of the storyline under wraps. However, I felt as if I had a good sense of who they were and what their motivations were....at least as much as they understood their own motivations themselves.

The setting was eerie and creepy ....completely perfect for the storyline.

I enjoyed the book. The only complaint I have is that it appears the sequel won't be out for roughly another year. I look forward to seeing how the author continues this story. There is so much more I'd like to know.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it. The opinions contained within are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Every year on Redd’s birthday, a box appears, one she knows holds the answers to who she is, the answers her mother keeps from her. Every year, her mother hides the box before Redd can open it—until her 18th birthday.

This book was so incredibly well written, I am in awe. There are three point of views, and all three have such distinct voices; Redd and John and Eleanor all feel so completely their own characters, with even the writing style between the three adopting its own flavor. I’m sometimes iffy about multiple first person POV books, but this is honestly one of the best written ones I have ever read.

Plot wise, the pacing of The Curse That Binds Us is outstanding. The tension increases so fluidly throughout the story, and everything is revealed at a time that makes complete sense and that delivers such a strong punch. Redd trying to find the answers to who she really is drives the story, and John’s moral struggles mixed with Eleanor’s recollection of the past guide this along. I was constantly hooked, reading attentively waiting for the next new juicy detail to come to light.

One issue I have with a lot of books is how often the main character is the last to reach a conclusion that’s long been made clear to the reader; here, though, Redd made the connections quickly enough, and in a timeline that made complete sense with the plot. The only real reason my rating drops a bit is how frustrated I grew with how Redd reacted to these reveals. However!! This is something that is just a downfall of being someone who reviews based on emotions, because no matter how annoyed I could get, I always understood exactly why Redd reacted how she did. It was all consistent with her character, and all an understandable response based on what she’d experienced until that point.

All this to say, even the very few parts that bugged me were incredibly well done. I can’t recommend this book enough; and I can’t wait for the next installment!!!

This was my first book by this author, but I will look to see what other books this author has written.

I enjoyed reading this book a lot, it grabbed my attention from the first page to the last. I couldn't stop reading. The premise of the book was very interesting.

It is told from different POV’s and slowly the pieces of the puzzle fall together. I look forward to reading the second book because I want to know what happens next.

"I' can't read minds - how cool would that be - but o can sense other people's mental states ... In other words, I'm a freak"
"You want me to seduce a girl in the Beyond?"
"The scent of attraction"
This book really surprised me!
I was looking for a book to get me back into fantasy after a bit too much of romance ... I had almost lost the mood until this.
I couldn't put it down!
For every fan of "From Blood and Ash", this story has the whole deception you could find there and so much more!
An incredible combination between past and present , just enough to make you understand why something happens but not enough to spoil the whole plot to the reader.
A sort of enemies to lovers trope that I think will make you bite your tongue, waiting for a final "DO IT NOW", and throughout it all , magic and mystery surrounding an unknown Eden where nothing and everything is what is seems ...
The writing-style makes it so much easier to get into it and follow the story-line while creating empathy with some of the characters' feeling.
This plot and this story has so much potential I can't wait to find out what's going to happen to this characters in the future ... because there's gonna be a future !
"I can't get a sense of him. I can always get a sense of people. How am I supposed to know what to think of him?"
"Oh, Lucifer forgive me, but I want nothing more than to hold her face in my hands and kiss away her fears"
" 'Tis so easy to see in others what we cannot see in ourselves ... We are all human, yet we are not the same in the least"

Nopety nope nah no nope

I’m sorry but this shit is too creepy for me

Okay being completely honest I am a MASSSIVE baby when it comes to creepy paranormal things. I’m talking like pg15 stuff terrifies me. So please dont take the fact that I DNFd I 65% as an actual opinion on the book. If I knew I’d be able to sleep tonight I would have continued.

Star rating is based on what I did read

A fantasyesque historical but also modern day paranormal Thriller - To be honest I don’t know really how to describe it. Basically a mashup of House of Hollow and The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue

We follow three POVs

Redd the “main” character

John the one from Eden

And Eleanor from the 1800s

Redd to be honest didn’t interest me much, though it’s clear she’s different and has led a different life I didn’t really get to the point of understanding her or understanding her motives - which I’d hoped I would having gotten well over half way into the book

John is pretty ditto, though I did enjoy what we learned of Eden through his POV

Eleanor POV Let me tell you I was on the edge of my seat figuring out what happening, I loved the fact there was a warped sense of time between all the POVs and as someone who has been interested in the Roanoke mystery I loved seeing it in this book. Slowing figuring out what and who everyone is is so gripping - and the feeling of nervousness and fear because you don’t actually know what is out there. Sinisters the word, I was never like actively scared but I felt like something was looking over my shoulder.

Massive thanks to Katie Hayoz and BooksGoSocial Publishing for the opportunity to read this amazing book !

I will start by saying the cover of this book is absolutely spectacular. This book is a new take on the Roanoke colony and the mystery surrounding it. The plot of this book kept me immersed in the book till the very end and me being a sucker for multiple POVs I really enjoyed this book. I have never read anything similar and it brings the score for me a lot higher. I definitely have a lot of questions and want to read the rest of the series. A good mix of fantasy and historical fiction, like Outlander but more fantasy-ish.

I absolutely devoured this. The book begins by going straight into the action. I enjoy that that background of present day events is being told alongside that way we find out as our main character finds out what is happening. Throughout the book the juxtaposition of right and wrong, good and evil is constantly challenged. I particularly enjoyed that both our main protagonists are not inherently evil or good but are weighing up the consequences of their choices throughout.
This is an absolutely fascinating take on the events that led to the disappearance of the Roanoke settlers. If you like fantasy and historical fiction then this is right up your street.

Give me a history fantasy, but add to it multiple perspectives, shifting time, and a romance. Top it with action, imagery, and a whole lot of questions, and you have this beautiful book.

We meet Redd—a girl who has spent her entire life in a state of transition, the only constant being packing up and moving. There’s John, a teenager from the questionably imperfect Eden. Finally, there’s Eleanor, the historical thread tying together the tale of The lost colony of Roanoke.

When it comes to atmosphere and ambience, this tale brought it. Darkness. Mystery. Romantic tension. Check, check, and check!

Overall, world building was solid, characters were well-developed and absolutely lovable, and the pace was enough to keep me reading. I’ll definitely be reading books 2 and 3!

It was a wonderful read. The characters and storyline were so compelling. I truly had no idea what to expect when going into this book and fantasy usually is very hit or miss for me but this book sucked me in and i read it very quickly.

**Thank you Netgalley and the author for this ARC.**
         
I’ve been intrigued with the premise of this book since the moment I read its synopsis. And it did not disappoint on the whole. There were still some aspects that I didn't overly enjoy but truly the premise of this book was so so intriguing that although I didn't enjoy everything, I can admit: I could not put the book down.
 Let me first say, Katie Hayoz took a famous mystery and created a new lore around it. Using the multiple POV , we got to follow  Redd --a girl with hidden power  who is trying to break free from her controlling mother. Then, we have John, the old-fashioned boy   who leaves the sanctuary of Eden to scout in the Beyond. The last POV turns out to be Eleanor Dare, one of the Roanoke colonists, who speaks of her journey to resist the devil. Although, I must admit, despite enjoying her POV the most, I still skipped some of her passages because after a while they just became somewhat repetitive. As the book progresses, their stories  weave together to form a strange, compelling narrative.
The story also left me confused for a time and it took me quite a bit connect the dots about the history of the Village. However, I believe that was the author's goal so I won't nit-pick too much on that aspect.
The Curse That Binds Us is as much a dark dance with the devil as it is a historical drama. This first book sets up the trilogy beautifully and I can't wait for the second installment and get to read more about Eleanor!  (and the rest of the characters, of course)
ALSO, I must say Katie Hayoz's prose is truly magnificent.

This was a 3.5 stars for me - rounded up. I had a hard time getting into this one. It’s a slow build, but the second half of the book was great and definitely worth it. The main character was likable. The multiple POVs were easy to follow, but Eleanor’s was a bit boring and I found myself skimming through her sections until it started to explain the creation of Eden. Very creative plot! I especially loved the animals/pets included. Looking forward to reading the second book, as this one ends on a cliffhanger!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this eARC!

I jumped in this book unsure of what to expect… and OH WAS I NOT DISAPOINTED!!!
In this multiple POV book, we get the chance to follow our 3 main characters and unravel all the mysteries around their stories. This book is beautifully crafted, each answer opens the next question. I really enjoyed the multiple POV which in this book was making so much sense and made me want to hurry to the next chapter. The fact that the protagonists are also partly in the unknow makes it even more interesting.
Can’t wait for book 2!

I thought this book was a really interesting take on the mystery surrounding the missing Roanoke colony.

It has some fantastical elements and build well on the whole good vs evil and I like how Evil here is depicted here.

I truly enjoyed the split timelines, and found both Redd and Eleanor to have compelling story lines. I like how it took a while for the two timelines to weave together, but once I started guessing at the culmination I was long since hooked and excited to find out if I had guessed correctly.

Eleanor might not be a character you’re supposed to like or love, but her journey really resonated with me. Being a young, pregnant woman in a colony far from home would be no easy life, and I really cannot blame her for any of the decisions she make.

Redd is more of a hurdle for me to feel for, but I end up rooting for her when she finally grows some backbone. (Kind of) I want to see where the next book takes her story. I am hoping for some character growth and maybe an enemies-to-lovers arc with our dear Jack.

Will definitely be back for the sequel!

Un libro que no prometia pero que tiene un final abierto??? YAS
Si me tengo que mudar todos mis cumpleaños, yo no tendría vida social, like, empezar todo de nuevo? Not my thing.
Redd es un personaje de caracter bastante fuerte y amo que sus poderes esten relacionados con eso.
John es medio rari, pero me encantan sus old vibes jsjsj como que al no saber ciertas cosas o no conocer ciertas comidas, lo hacían un personaje bastante divertido. Pero el romance que se presenta es medio odd.
Agnes, mi amor, si pasa algo, lo mejor es comunicarlo, NO GUARDÁRTELO.
Me gustaron los distintos povs, en especial el de Eleonor que prácticamente te contaba como empezó todo.
Un historia que te deja al borde de la silla.

This book did not disappoint. First off, the multiple POVs were done very well, sometimes I find that multiple POV books can leave me skimming certain POVs of characters I'm not so fond of, but this book did not. I loved the buildup of suspense in this book. Every chapter left me wanting to know more about what was happening in Redd, John, and Eleanor’s life. Each character brought their own story to this book. I loved getting to know each character. The story is unique and well thought out. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.

4.25/5 Stars

A fantasy book centered around the lost colony of Roanoke? Count me in. I love history and I love reading alternate takes on history. So, once I read the description, I knew I needed to give The Curse That Binds Us a read. The pacing of this was brilliant, the characters and world building were wonderful and I found myself devouring this story. The only downside here is having to wait for the next book as this one did end with a pretty big cliffhanger. This was such an enjoyable read. I definitely recommend checking it out!

The Curse That Binds Us by Katie Hayoz

History and magic intertwine in this fantastical debut in a new series that had me hooked.

Redd travels around the US with her mother, constantly moving, never putting down roots and always followed by a mysterious box. No one knows where it comes from, only that it shows up every year on Redds birthday and that she is not allowed to touch it. Ever.

Mysterious things happen around Redd when she gets angry and on her 18th, she loses it. Fed up of moving every year, never managing to keep a friendship or relationship and the allure of this box... Redd demands that they stay where they are and of course, her mum agrees. On the condition the mysterious box does not appear.

In 1587 Eleanor travels from England to America and lands in Roanoke. A land hostile to her and her people. With no one to greet them, no food and no water Eleanor and her people try and make a living off a land that doesn't seem to want them. While the devil watches from a distance...

*

This was such a easy read about a box, temptation, generational curses and the lengths people will go for their loved ones. I really enjoyed Redds character and her growth in this book, i genuinely don't know what direction she will go in the next book and I love that. The writing was very easy and sort of addicting, I just wanted to know what happened next! The romantic lead was very sweet but I think needed a little more development for me to really care about him but as the book wasn't about him I am not really as bothered by this.

Overall a fun YA, easy to read with interesting story, and I'm excited to see what happens next.

Really loved this book. Beautifully written, twisty and turn-y and the interlinking of past and present stories was really well done. Fascinating story, can’t wait to see what happens next. Eagerly awaiting the next instalment. Have set it for book club. Fab book, wholeheartedly recommend.

This book was incredible! A definite page turner! The amount of intrigue and mystery in every chapter made the book be one that I could not put down. I cannot wait for the continuation of this story! I loved this book from start to finish.

Picking up this book, I didn't know what to expect. A young girl receives a strange box every birthday that she's told not to open? What a strange concept. And I was completely expecting some sort of stereotypical "there's a crown in there cause she's actually a princess" or "here's some magic powers". What I got was not only unexpected, but downright fantastic and original.

Weaving in horror elements perfectly, the story opens on Redd, a girl who is very good at playing card games because she knows if you're lying. Her mother has raised her on some strange plans including being able to hold her breath for 5 minutes and having to touch a mysterious flower every morning which her mother later makes into a tea.

John is also a major player, coming from a place called Eden. He is trying to find her to bring her home. However, he knows his home isn't all rainbows and picnics. In fact, he has pets that are personifications of Chaos, Evil and many more. Eden isn't exactly the Eden from the Bible. Or is it?

And finally we look at Eleanor and the history of Roanoke. This thrilled me to the gills! Using such a wonderful mystery and in such an unexpected way! I loved that the author didn't shy away from showing the sexism and racism of the time. The fact that she was judged more harshly for doing the exact same thing her husband did, or that the Native Americans were still called 'savages' despite saving their lives many times.

What an absolutely incredible book and I can't wait to get my hands on the next part of the story!

I love it because it is unique, the masks, flowers, fur babies and, the other story elements. One thing I love most is how history is told, tangled with the authors creative imagination.

I want to know more of Eden and how will the author take the story from book one to the next.

One thing that i don't fancy much, not really that big of a deal and i understand why the author chose to name him such, is the name John Smith. I totally understand Shay's reaction after learning his name hahahahahaa.

Overall, I can safely say - the author knew what she was doing, with the characters and the story itself.

The Curse the Binds Us caught my attention by the title. It took me a bit of time to ge through it. At first I thought it wasn’t for me, and it got confusing at points but the more I kept reading, the better it got! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Definitely recommend!

The Curse That Binds Us by Katie Hayoz tells the story of Redd, who has a mysterious box that appears every year on her birthday, which her mother refuses to allow her to open!  But this year, she's going to open it, and starts a chain of events!

John lives in a village that is both lovely and has a dark secret.  He's sent to find Redd.

Eleanor leaves England in 1587, pregnant, and ready to become a settler, but there are a number of horrible decisions that she has to make along the way.

These three stories go along together, with flashbacks to Eleanor making the current events make more sense.

This was the first in a series, and so sets up a number of questions that I'm sure will be answered in later books.  It was entertaining, with darkness that becomes more apparent the further on in the book you go.

The Curse That Binds Us was published on 15th December 2021, and is available from Amazon and Waterstones.

You can follow Katie Hayoz on Facebook, Instagram and her website.

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to BooksGoSocial.

This was intriguing, I'll give it that. In this first book of a historical fantasy series, it follows three different perspectives, but focuses primarily on Redd Winter, an eighteen year old girl longing to know the mystery of her past, with a temper and a sixth sense that collides with the relative safety her mother fights to provide her with.

I went into this not knowing what event in history this book references to, but as I got deeper into the story, I wanted to know more. For other readers unfamiliar with this history, pausing the story to do more research is as interactive as it gets. And I like that in a book, that wanting to know more beyond the story, particularly when it deals with history.

Redd, the main character, takes some getting used to. Younger readers (teenagers, specifically) could relate more to her and her struggles. I found that I preferred the other characters' perspectives.

I give this 4 stars.

The Curse That Binds Us: Book One of Devil of Roanoke Series by Katie Hayoz

9782970151135

371 Pages
Publisher: Books Go Social
Release Date: December 15, 2021

Fiction, New Adult, Sci Fi, Fantasy

Every year Redd and her mother, Eleanor, must move to avoid the mysterious box from finding them. This year is different and they cannot find the box. Unknown to her mother, Redd has found the box down by the river and opens it. This one small act will cause chaos for them. John suddenly appears in town and wants to get to know Redd. Is his appearance associated with the mysterious box and the secrets it holds?

This book was fast paced, the characters were well developed, and it was written in first person point of view based on multiple viewpoints. I loved this story and the characters. Redd is tired of listening to her overbearing mother and wants to escape. The author does a great job incorporating the Roanoke Colony story. It is a sci-fi book with a hint of mystery and a bit of American history. I recommend this book and cannot wait for the next book in the series, “The Vows That Break Us” coming in the spring/summer of 2022.

I enjoyed every bit of this story! The writing was so good, I couldn't put this book down. Can't wait to know what's going to happen next especially with the cliffhanger at the end of the story. Recommended for lovers of dark fantasy genre.

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion of the novel.
I was very interested in the premise of this book, which is why I decided to read it. The world is well constructed and I really liked the ending, where the reasons behind many aspects of the novel are revealed. I also liked the main characters, both Redd and John. Although it is true that the romance is not one of my all-time favorites, I overall enjoyed it. I think the motivations of the characters were clear and I liked them separately. Still, by the end of the novel, I wish there had been more. Not necessarily because I was dying to keep reading, but because I felt there were some very repetitive and superficial parts. I think this novel leaves a lot of potential open for the next one. I recommend it if you want to read a somewhat dark YA fantasy with an easy level of English.

Wow, I didn't think id enjoy this as much! While fantasy is my go-to, I just wasn't sure in the beginning. Took me a while to let the book guide me, to let the story unravel without expectations. Such a brilliant blend of different timelines, that was wonderfully distinctive, Characters, story and worldbuilding were captivating, dark and kept me going! Highly recommend this!

A good read, this book hooked me in with a good premise and strong characters. While not being a big fan of American Colonial History or Small Town American life, this book kept me hooked and I still very much enjoyed it despite those things being the main themes. I can imagine it being a huge hit for many readers and I would say it would be a good pick for a book club.

This was the most fantastic “what the heck did I just read” novels ever. The beginning of the book was weird and dark and I had a moment where I had to go back to the synopsis to remember what I had gotten myself into. Oh man though, after getting my bearings back this tale unfolded into the most amazing story. There are three narratives going which alternate between Redd, John, and Eleanor in the 1500s. All are crafted beautifully and in a way that there is an ease when switching between them. The characters are complex and well rounded, I loved how relatable they were even in their respective lives and circumstances. I’m not a religious person but I find religious beliefs and practices fascinating and was deeply immersed in the conflict of morals that each of the main characters battled through out the entire book. The world building was great, I found myself having no issue being able to picture both Roanoke and Eden in my mind and letting the story transport me there. This novel deserves every one of my 5 stars for originality, creativity, depth of characters, and tangible settings. I am fully invested in this tale surrounding one of the greatest mysteries of early colonists in North America, and I cannot wait to see where books two and three take Redd and John.

This dark and mysterious tale captivated me from the start. The different perspectives added intensity to the story. Can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future.

3.5, but rounding up because I enjoyed the writing style a lot!

This was a really interesting book! I've always been fascinated by Roanoke, so it was cool to read an alternate history with a magical twist.

The multiple POVs were well used here, although John was my least favorite if I had to pick. It very much feels like the first book in a series, as a lot of it is a slow burn set up of the world and its more supernatural elements. I would've been annoyed by this if I wasn't so fond of the writing style and intrigued by the world. I'm definitely interested in picking up the sequel when it comes out to find out what happens!

Anything about the lost colony of Roanoke has always interested me so when I heard about The Curse That Binds Us I was anxious to dig in! Author Katie Hayoz tells this story from 3 POV's and they come together in such unexpected ways. How does the story of Roanoke and the power of evil combine to show us just how far you would go to protect the people you love? And this is the first book in a series so there will be more to this story!

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a long read. Normally long reads don't bother me, but it also started out slow so i felt like I was slogging through it to get to the meat of the story.Maybe it was the different points of view? It did pick up and redeem itself towards the middle for me. Can't see what comes next.

Full review to be posted soonish. I'll update review with links to socials.
I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Katie has written another amazing book. This was my first novel that she wrote, but i love it just as much as I loved The Quartrefoil Chronicles. I cannot wait for book2 and follow more of the story of Redd, John and Eden. This book is complicated but in a way that keeps you on your toes as the mystery of Redd's family history and the history of Eden begin to unfold. Loved it. Already anxiously waiting for what happens next!

This dark and mysterious tale captivated was not what i was ready for but damn it was so good. i am a brit and so didnt know much about the main theme of this book. but it was so well researched and written if i was to look in to Roanoke Island i would find most of the information in this book matches.

but i am glad i was picked to read this book as it is one that will keep me going back as i loved how creepy it was and its the perfect read of those night were you want to fear scared. .

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the E-ARC copy of this book. The rating of this book is entirely of my own opinion.

Today I’m here to discuss the book that got me out of the said horrible reading slump- The Curse That Binds Us by Katie Hayoz, the first in the Devil of Roanoke trilogy. Simply put, it is a perfect example of a historical fiction meets paranormal fantasy genre mix up. The trilogy is inspired by an amalgamation of two real historical incidents- one being the Lost Colony of Roanoke, which was the first permanent English colony in the New World, famous to have witnessed the disappearances of the settlers, making the incident to be one of the many speculative mysteries in American history. There are rumours that the settlers died because of starvation or because of some other natural calamity but nobody knows what really happened.

The second historical reference was from the legend of Tschäggättä mask figures of Switzerland. These were traditionally dressed men in skins and masks to frighten others. Some believe that tribes would wear these masks to ward of evil spirits or to steal things from other localities but their origin is unclear.

The author, Katie Hayoz did a wonderful job putting the two historical legends together and modifying it to cultivate this beautifully addicting fantasy trilogy! If I were you, I’d already be interested in the book and add this to my tbr but just for the sake of being professional, let me give you a gist of the book we’re talking about and my personal experience reading it.

The story follows three main characters- Redd, John and Eleanor- the first two based in the present timeline while the third’s story dates back to the history.

Redd lives with her mother and there’s nothing normal about either of them. Redd can taste emotions and her anger does things, horrible things. She doesn’t know why. Her mom never tells her anything. Not about why she’s supposed to duck her head underwater every morning and practice staying there as long as possible. Neither about the reasons why they keep moving places, every year. Not about the strange flower that grows only where they live that they must protect at all costs, and certainly not about the box that keeps appearing every year on Redd’s birthday.

All she knows is that she can’t trust people (not even her mother because she often senses lies in whatever her mother tells her) and the reason why they keep moving is because someone might be looking for them. Someone really, really bad. And, that she must never open the box she gets sent every birthday.

So, she does exactly that. She opens the box and soon enough, a sexy, mysterious tourist, John Smith comes in town. He speaks funny and she can never sense his emotions like she can do for others. This intrigues her and when she finally line the dots together, she realises that John Smith maybe the someone her mother had warned her against. But Redd has questions that only John can answer; questions that she knows her mother have always been lying about; answers she had been hiding.

And that’s the only reason she chooses to go along John Smith to the place that he tells is where her true home is. But the question still lingers in her head- should she really be trusting John Smith? Is wherever he’s taking her really the bad place that her mother had kept her safe from?

Read the book and find out, my friend. It’s worth it!

Now coming to my opinion, at first, I was a little lost because I had no idea what was happening. Like I was totally immersed in Redd’s point of view and could understand everything that was happening but John and Eleanor’s story was a little tough to get into. I guess, it was when John was finally sent on the mission to find Redd was when it all started making sense together. The prose is good, easy to understand. It was the right amount of everything, not too descriptive but descriptive enough to visualize everything.

The plot was nicely structured. Right things happened at the right time. The timing and the worldbuilding was on point. The worldbuilding specifically was done exceptionally well, unlike many other fantasy books where there’s paragraphs and paragraphs just filled with exposition, making sense of the world and the fantasy magic system.

I really loved Redd’s character because you get to sense the confusion she’s facing and the questions she has- like should she trust her mom or this stranger called John Smith who is willing to give her the answers she’s wanted to know since so long. She was also the most relatable character out of all three of them, if that counts! There is also insta-love thing happening between Redd and John, which to be honest, I didn’t buy because it just felt too rushed and pushed and very unrealistic. There should have been more bonding and more emotional progress before their very first kiss, in my opinion. It just felt very abrupt and out of the blue.

There’s another thing that I absolutely hated but also loved about this book and it was the fact that the book ended with a cliffhanger……and the second book isn’t even out yet (It comes out at the end of this year).

AAAAAAAAAAA….I literally screamed when the book ended. I was like, “What do you mean, end of book 1?????”

Anyway, overall, this book in my opinion centers around morals mostly. It’s about choosing to do the right thing and how evil just begets more evil. It’s about having regrets, feeling guilty but still choosing the easy way to steer clear from the cost you’re supposed to pay for all the wrong. If you like my-life-was-a-lie trope to go together with paranormal mythical beings like satan and it-was-all-a-trap trope, then you shouldn’t wait any longer and just go buy the book. It’s already available on amazon. Just go. RIGHT NOW.

I would like to thank Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and the author, Katie Hayoz for giving me the wonderful opportunity to read this book as an ARC and review it. I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend this book to anyone. It’s fast paced, it has a good story, it has satan in it. Need I say more? I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. It could have been an easy 5, had it not ended with a freaking cliffhanger, but oh, well…

Thank you so much for reading!

Firstly, I would love to comment on the storyline, the author Katie Hayoz's writing, and world-building.

In finishing the novel, I learned that it was loosely based or inspired by an actual occurrence that happened years back. I believe that the author's way to creatively turn a historical mystery into a killer dark fantasy with such a twist and turn of events, that I was constantly entranced by both the writing style and in the unveiling of events, was wonderfully and so eloquently done. Thus, I would say the first book I have read by this author did not disappoint.

I am not one for such dark novels, and I would classify this novel as a dark, sinister, and mysterious fantasy, which I only found out as I read further into the novel. However, it is a book that kept me latching onto every word. Therefore, if you can't stomach gruesome storylines, evil, murder, kidnapping and so much more then this novel may be a bit much for you. It almost was for me though the storyline kept me going.

Every character had a distinct personality, point of view, and battled with their demons in different ways. There is the storytelling of Eleanor in the past. There are also present time points of view from both Redd and John. Even though there are multiple POVs it is an easy-to-follow type read. The overall story was told in a very well-paced manner and that I can appreciate.


The story is mainly focused on Redd who lives with her mother and there’s nothing normal about either of them. Redd can taste emotions and her anger does things, horrible things. Yet she doesn’t know why. Her mom is very secretive and shares little about her past. They are a family of two, according to her mom, who constantly flee every year on Redd's birthday to a different neighborhood as they run away from this box that always appears on Redd's birthday. All Redd knows is to never open the box she gets sent every year on her birthday and to trust no one. However, on her 18th birthday, she does exactly that and opens the box, and soon enough, a sexy, mysterious tourist, John Smith comes into town. Is his presence a blessing or a curse, will John finally have answers to all her questions, can she even trust John?

John Smith is from a village called Eden. It sounds like a wonderful place, filled with hope, peace, beauty, and abundance, however, there is a sinister evil that lurks in Eden, something terrible that one must do to be able to keep living peacefully in Eden. A sacrifice of sorts to the land. A life to save the lives of others.

Then there is Eleanor, her story is told in the past, her life's story is what started the curse, in her issues with her family, her marriage, dealing with deception, anger, and frustration, she makes a deal with the Devil. Ain't no other thing scarier than that. Her actions are the driving force of the novel. You as a reader want to emphasize with her but can you know what she did?

Read the book and find out. It’s worth it! It is a book in my opinion that centers around morals mainly. Choosing to do the right thing and how evil just begets more evil, having regrets, feeling guilty, anger towards others, sacrifice and so much more.

This book has so many elements that you as the reader try to grasp in a way that keeps you on your toes as the mystery of Redd's family history and the history of Eden gradually unravels. It ended on such a cliffhanger so I am anxiously waiting for what happens in book 2.

Thank you, NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC. These are my honest thoughts.

I originally DNF'd this book at 30% simply because I didn't realise just how dark of a read this would be, and it was a little too much for my taste. Even when I did give up on this book, I could admit the writing and weaving of the historical aspect of this world was done so impeccably well. I just was unable to relax into this world as a reader. I have since slowly taken my time to complete this book and look into the mystery around Roanoke Island, and I have come away from reading this in awe at Katie Hayoz' attempt of creating a world where everything makes sense in the narrative of what we know about the mysteries of the colony.

Whilst it is still too dark for me to truly have enjoyed it, the author's attention to detail and fleshing out three very distinct characters, especially through the story telling of Eleanor in the past, was executed so well. You can see the effort Hayoz has gone to with each character. This story is told from multiple POVs, yet it's never confusing, which I truly appreciated. The curse, along with the evilness in this book, was paced well and the storyline interesting enough, even if it made me uncomfortable a few times (down to this genre, not the author). I loved learning more about the Dare family line and the mask itself. I also found John's village intriguing, to have such a place exist that heralds over evil and demonic acts and yet is darker than what you ever expected of Eden to begin with.

It's unfortunate that I was unable to enjoy this as much as I had hoped to when I read the synopsis, but I can still appreciate a well written attempt at offering a plausible answer to the mysteries that happened on Roanoke Island.

Loved the characters, was a very Enjoyable read, fun story line, lots happening to keep you gripped to the story wanting to know more but I felt like I had already read this or something very similar to it but was still a very enjoyable read

Thank you to the publisher and author as well as netgalley for allowing me access to this eARC of this book and allowing me to give feedback and read books in exchange for a review.

This is a new adult fantasy book, I have never read anything from Katie Hayoz before so I was interested and I was not disappointed. I liked the writing style of this book and I loved the stye so much I will be looking into the backlog of books from this author and order some offline as it is beautiful and it connected well with me.

I haven’t been doing so well with YA lately but this one really worked for me. The author uses elements of horror and the legend of the lost colony of Roanoke to examine human nature in all its gritty detail. This is a look at what evil truly is and how the only way to fight it is to recognise it in yourself and make better choices. And it’s a rollicking good dark fantasy to boot. Highly recommend.

A dark and sinister tale. The POVs were split between three characters, two in the present and one in the past giving background. The book was a bit slow for me to start but really picked up during the last 1/3 and I had to know what happened. It does end on a cliffhanger. Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved the concept of this book, and the mix of historical and contemporary with little fantasy elements was super fun. The mystery surrounding that box hooked me from the beginning, and I flew through this book. I wish the love story had been developed a little bit more. It was too close to insta-love for my taste, but I did enjoy the story as a whole and do hope to read the rest of the series.

I loved the idea of this as soon as I read the synopsis I knew a fantasy based on the story of the lost colony of Roanoke. I loved the suspense in this , as you read on each chapter will leave you wanting to know more about what was happening. The book uses multiple POV which were done really well, the pacing, the characters and world building all of it is perfect. The story itself is unique and well thought out and I loved getting to know each character, this is such an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be! I loved it. I will make sure to check out other books by this author. When I requested this I was just intrigued by the concept of it and I loved how it turned out. This story had a great plot and if you have read this and enjoyed it, This was so much. It was such a great story. I would say give this one a try. I will continue to follow this author. Way to go to this author for not letting me down.

Yup, I highly enjoyed this novel. The fresh take on the Roanoke mystery, the love story, family connections, demons and devils. I found myself drawn in completely to this story.

There are times I felt things moved slower than I would've liked but I can't deny that even during those moments I was itching to know the outcome.

Told in three POVs with well done world building and plot depth. The past and present timelines was an excellent touch, as well as the taste of lingering evil that existed in the background of each character. Speaking of characters, I was equally drawn to Redd and Eleanor. John took a little getting used too but in the end I enjoyed how he meshed with Redd.

You may notice that I'm glossing over a lot of things. This is a book that has little nuances and big reveals that in-depth reviews could ruin. Going in blind and enjoying the ride is the best way to enjoy this one. True rating 4.5/5.

I always love historical fiction and fantasy. So, when I read the blurb, I’m instantly in love with it. To sum it with a single sentence, it’s a historical-fantasy-mixed-with-present-time book with dark-evil-magic and scary masks, based on the story of Lost Colony of Roanoke mixed with Tschaggata (scary masked figures) from Switzerland. Just google those two stories and you’ll know the dark vibes this book will give you.

The narrative itself is so engaging. It’s a page-turner from the very start until the very end, down to the Author’s Notes (which I enjoy the most because it tells about the real histories that form the base of the story). Almost all the characters were portrayed so strongly that I can feel connected to each one of them. Like I said before, it’s fascinating for me to know in the Author’s Notes that the most character name here is a real person in the Roanoke’s history.

One thing that seems off for me is the relationship between Redd and Shay (her bestfriend). Other than that, I have no complaints. I really can’t wait to read the sequels.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing a free copy of The Curse That Binds Us in exchange for an honest review.

Full review to follow but this is definitely a positive. The worldbuilding and myth is incredible and the writing style well suited to this. Overall an enjoyable read.

(ENGLISH REVIEW BELOW)

Bien que je lise peu de romans historiques, j’aime énormément ceux où il y a une double temporalité. Mais j’aime beaucoup les romans de fantasy. Avec l’histoire de Redd, John et Eleanor, l’autrice réunit ces deux derniers éléments que j’aime et offre une chouette lecture.
¤
Dans ce roman, l’autrice alterne entre deux temporalités. Nous suivons l’intrigue au présent mais nous avons aussi une vue sur le passé, et plus particulièrement l’époque de la colonisation de Roanoke.
J’ai beaucoup aimé ma lecture et voir les connections entre le passé d’Eleanor et le présent de John et Redd. L’autrice nous plonge dans un bel univers et instaure une ambiance pleine de mystères, où le suspens est présent. J’ai bien aimé aussi l’aspect fantastique avec le côté malédiction.
J’étais curieuse d’arriver jusqu’à la fin de ce premier tome.
Si le rythme du récit était assez lent au début, il s’accélérait doucement au fil des pages et les événements s’enchaînaient. J’aurais peut-être voulu en savoir plus sur les personnages et leurs interactions entre eux.
En bref, c’était une chouette lecture de fantasy historique.

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ENGLISH REVIEW:
Although I read few historical novels, I really like those where there's a double temporality. But I really like fantasy books. With the story of Redd, John and Eleanor, the author brings together these last two elements that I love and offers a great read.
¤
In this book, the author alternates between two temporalities. We follow the plot in the present but we also have a view of the past, and more particularly the era of the colonization of Roanoke.
I really enjoyed my reading and seeing the connections between Eleanor's past and John and Redd's present. The author immerses us in a beautiful universe and creates an atmosphere full of mysteries, where suspense is present. I also liked the fantastic aspect with the curse side.
I was curious to get to the end of this first volume.
If the pace of the story was quite slow at the beginning, it accelerated slowly over the pages and the events followed one another. I might have wanted to know more about the characters and their interactions with each other.
In short, it was a great historical fantasy read.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Sexy and imaginative this book will have you on the edge of your seat in no time.

Extremely atmospheric, eerie and a writing style that will transport you into this world.
Told from three different perspectives, you get introduced to three characters:

Redd who recently turned 18 and since she can remember have been receiving strange boxes on her birthday.

John who is tasked to bring Redd back to his home in Eden willingly, where through out the book you as the reader are kept in the dark as to why this quest is so important..

And lastly Eleanor who is told in past tense, where she lived in England in the 1500 and meets the devil who whispers dark instructions into her ear… and the consequences later lead her to have to move to an Island to start a new life.

Throughout the book the switching of POV’s are done perfectly and each character distinguished easily from another. I found myself constantly speed reading to understand how these 3 characters intertwine, and when the mystery of their connection is revealed I was pleasantly shook because I did not see that coming at all. Extremely clever.

Very enjoyable, atmospheric and will keep you glued to the pages.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

This was so, so good. I loved the characters, and the changing time lines and perspectives was very well done. Some moments felt a little slow, but overall the pacing was good and kept me hooked. I would definitely recommend giving this a go, and will be eagerly awaiting the next one!

A great story with and interesting plot. At times it was a bit slow, but overall I was immersed in the book. I definitely wanted to know how it ended and couldn’t put it down during the last third of the story.

Loved the premise of this! A very gripping story and I liked the characters a lot. The time jumps are so interesting, and the idea of what really happened to Roanoke is super interesting. Overall I think this is a really cool YA novel.

This is such an incredible and well written book and I really enjoyed it.
I usually struggle with multiple POVs, but the different perspectives were very individual and it made the different POVs an enjoyable experience. The plot and the pacing were both awesome and keep me invested in the progression of the story. I also found that I gravitated towards Redd's character. I have a lot of problems with willy-nilly protagonists and that was not a problem during this book. Redd is intelligent and it was refreshing.

The cliffhanger at the end was a bit frustrating but I understand the idea behind it, looking forward to the second installment.

A very interesting and unique perspective on the early American settlers. Not what I expected, but I enjoyed the story thoroughly.

This is my first Roanoke retelling. It was so interesting. I loved the different point of views. I also loved going back into the past to find out what happened. Redd is a fierce heroine. I was a little suspicious of John. I wanted them together but knew he was hiding something. I feel like there are so many things I still want to know. I need to read the next book right now! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Earc in exchange for my honest review.

The book grips you right from the start in a cascade of astonishment. Prepare for a double take because the plot isn't just a masterpiece; it's a symphony of ingenuity orchestrating a unique and captivating tale. Countless have ventured into the enigma of the Roanoke colonists, yet their ultimate destiny has eluded comprehension like a mischievous wisp. Theories dance across the spectrum, and this perplexing narrative's very fabric begs the question: can a fresh lens truly rekindle this mystique?

Dive into the riveting world of literary craftsmanship. Katie Hayoz, a maestro of imagination, deftly seizes a familiar enigma and unfurls a dazzlingly plausible solution that beckons credence. Through the prism of three distinct viewpoints, the tapestry of truth behind the Roanoke colony slowly unfurls. Enter Redd, an extraordinary young woman cloaked in concealed potency, poised on the precipice of her 18th year, yearning to rupture the chains of maternal dominion. Meet John, an anachronistic lad emancipating himself from the sanctuary of Eden, a seemingly paradisiacal realm shrouding a cryptic underbelly, all for the perilous reconnaissance of the Beyond. And then there's Eleanor Dare, a timeworn voice echoing from the annals of four centuries past. These threads intricately weave and interlace, knitting a tableau that is not just beguiling but hauntingly surreal.

Each character's voice resounds so clearly that differentiation requires no effort, a testament to the narrative craftsmanship. The tale's tempo races with such fervor that monotony finds no foothold, and as the crescendo beckons, the denouement tantalizingly leaves a trail of unanswered enigmas, igniting an insatiable appetite for the impending sequel. Prepare to be lured into a literary waltz that's as cerebral as it is enchanting, for this book is nothing short of a mind-bending adventure that beckons you for a thrilling encore.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for the ARC to review.

Honestly, a really interesting premise. I found it to be really fascinating for the first half. The second half got a little annoying with the FMC for me. I would definitely read the next one because I’m dying to know what happens next after that ending!