Review: Castle of the Cursed

Author: Romina Garber

Genre: Gothic Mystery, Paranormal Romance, YA

Rating: 3.5 / 4

Features:

• Blend of gothic mystery and paranormal normal

• Main character struggling with severe trauma and mental health issues

• Setting that feels like a character 

• Uncovering family secrets that go back generations

One moment, Estela was riding the subway with her parents. The next, 25 people were dead leaving Estela the only passenger alive. As the investigation causes Estela to question everything she thought she knew, she finds herself in a downward spiral she can’t seem to stop. However, an invitation to live with a long-lost aunt in Spain might be a chance for a new start gives Estela the opportunity to find the answers she so desperately seeks. But the secrets held by Castillo Brálaga go as deep as its long history and threaten to consume the little Estela has left. 

Castle of the Cursed really delivers on the gothic vibe and there are a lot of interesting plot threads to follow as the mystery unravels. Garber does a wonderful job describing Estela’s mental health struggles, particularly at the beginning of the book. Estela’s journey to reconnect with herself feels honest and realistic despite the severity of her condition. However, there are some weird pacing choices throughout that undermines some of the great details in this book. I never really ‘questioned’ Estela’s experiences in the way I think I was meant to and the book lost its steam for me as it went on. Overall, this was a solid and enjoyable read I would recommend to readers who enjoy a more paranormal-forward take on a gothic tale.

Doesn’t shy away from difficult topics

It is not unusual to see a YA book start with a traumatic event. However, they rarely take the time to actually explore the toll that trauma takes on the characters in a realistic way unless it is the central focus of the story. Garber does an admirable job showing Estela’s mental/emotional spiral and the complicated journey to climb back out of that dark place. Despite the severity of these experiences, Estela never felt overly dramatic or simplified. Her brutally honest journey would definitely speak to many even though it somewhat takes a back seat in the later parts of the story. 

Loses itself a little

This story has a powerful beginning, but it slowly loses some of its narrative impact as the story unfolds. For a number of reasons, the build up feels a bit disjointed in an unintentional way. This book really excels in the quieter moments, so it is a bit jarring when odd stylistic choices start appearing in the effort to build tension. There is quite a bit of repetitiveness throughout, but it definitely increases in the tenser sections. While not unusual in YA writing, it felt like a little too much and took me out of the story a number of times. I liked a lot of what  this book was doing narratively, I just wish that it had taken its time a little more in a number of sections to give them more of an impact. 

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Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!