Review: Cursed (Voodoo Nights #1) by Lizzy Ford



Five years after her sister disappeared, seventeen-year-old Adrienne finds the strength to return to her father’s home in New Orleans. But soon after she arrives, the mark of a curse appears on her, leaving her worried. Will she be the next victim of a four-hundred-year old family curse ... the next to be claimed by a serial killer roaming the back alleys of the city?
The day before his senior year begins, Jayden is given a skeleton key passed down through his family for generations -- a gruesome reminder of how his ancestors betrayed their own people and sold them into slavery. He doesn’t believe in the curse the key allegedly bears and puts it away with the intention of forgetting about its message. Until he meets Adrienne, a girl he’s compelled to for more reasons than her beauty.
He’s not the only one who notices her. A man in a skeleton mask and a voodoo gang member are also drawn to Adrienne. One is determined to protect her. The other intends to mislead her. Haunted by the mythical Red Man, all are connected to the ancient curse.
Can they overcome their misgivings about one another and prevent the dark prophecy looming over them? Or will they be lured away from each other by evil’s siren song?

Review

*I received an Arc copy of this book for a honest review.

I must firstly say I am totally addicted to Lizzy Fords books, she has a magical style of writing that pulls you in from the first page, and leaves you shouting at your kindle for more by the last. I knew this first book in the Voodoo Nights series would be no different!!  If you have never read a book from Lizzy before you will not know the feeling you get when you start that first page. Your mind slips away from your surroundings to transporting you to a new world that she has created, its like watching a movie inside your head, as the characters and setting start to take form!! I must also mention that Lizzy is the queen of amazing covers for her books, and this cover is absolutely stunning, makes me want to read it on that alone. I so want to delve into that awesome head of Lizzy Ford and stay there forever.

This story is a lot more darker than other books I have read from Lizzy and also was a little slower paced, but loved the introduction to each character, while the story started to take on its eerie form.

The Red Man is coming ...

This first book in this series takes us into the world revolved around voodoo, their culture, the traditions, and legends. An urban gang named Loa Ogoun, after the god, formed after Hurricane Katrina to help protect and preserve the families of voodoo. There are four original families, three of whom still reside in New Orleans: Dubois, Touissant, and Igbos. This is now where the story starts, the return of the fourth family is prophesied and with that return can come great evil and destruction.



This is when we are introduced to Adrienne who bares the mark of the curse shortly after arrives back to New Orleans. Even though I did find her a bit whiney at times I found her toughening up as the story carried on wanting to protect her family and friends, while trying to find a way to stop the curse. Adrienne embraces her family's voodoo beliefs and also reads peoples card as a side line as she has a gift to ask old spirits to help read people's futures. Jayden is the complete opposite, he has no interest in his mum's side of the family, he distances himself from them and their voodoo beliefs. He want to concentrate on school while having fun at the same time. This is until he hears a voice of an angel with a face to match, this is when he is drawn into a world he wants no part off, but is pulled into by his desire to get to know Adrienne. 

Jayden is not the only one who fixes his sights on Adrienne, Rene is a gang member who finds out he is Adrienne's protector. While Jayden is very sweet, good looking and thoughtful, Rene is mean, mad and moody and damn sexy! To be honest Rene appealed to me more, as he was ready to fight and protect Adrienne and seemed mentally and physically strong!! (my kinda man).  I love that every character in this story has a part to play, so like all of Lizzy Ford books make sure you pay attention to each character, or you could find yourself getting confused and lost, as Lizzy's stories always have unexpected twists and turns this one is no exception.  

Cursed sets firm foundations to this series, which I would expect nothing less from Lizzy Ford!! I soooo want this book in paperback as I have fallen in love with the cover. Oh and one more thing this book ends on a major CLIFFHANGER!!! Typical Lizzy style!!!! So as always I'm left hanging with so many unanswered questions and wanting to know more about the story and characters. Hurry up Lizzy don't leave me hanging to long!! 

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