About the Book
Book: Truth Cursed
Author: Angie Dickinson
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release date: February 18, 2025
Speaking the truth can be a dangerous thing.
Cressida Hoth is alone in the world. Orphaned and unwanted, she is inflicted with a peculiar curse by her mischievous aunts and banished to a finishing school in the secluded kingdom of Dernmont. Students train in every accomplishment suitable for young ladies: music, dancing, etiquette…and strangely, poison-making, fencing, and lock- picking.
The school is a front for a rebel spy ring, and when her training is complete, Cressida is selected to join a mission to infiltrate the kingdom’s royal court. She has been thrown unceremoniously into a world of ball gowns and espionage, but she is still under a curse, and it threatens to expose them all.
Defending her teammates and her secret, Cressida discovers that the kingdom’s buried history and the truth behind her curse run far deeper than she imagined.
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My Truth Cursed Review
I want to say this story is Ella Enchanted meets Mission Impossible but that doesn’t begin to do Truth Cursed justice. While the main character, Cressida, is cursed with telling the truth and the story is set in a fictional medieval-type kingdom, Truth Cursed is more serious than that movie came close to being. Plus, there are spies, lies, and people with hearts set on war, more like Mission Impossible. However, the intrigue and danger are portrayed more subtly than the in-your-face action movie could ever hope to be. And I say that in the best way possible. The author does a great job setting the stage and then giving the reader just the right amount of action in each chapter.
The author also does a good job of portraying the complicated relationships between teen girls, the first buds of romance, and the probable results of putting a group of teen girls in a vital yet deadly position they are no where near prepared for. I really enjoyed the relationships and growth of the characters through the book.
The setting created is given enough detail to clearly picture where the characters are and what they’re dealing with without becoming overwhelming for the reader. Looming war aside, Dernmont is a place that while completely foreign seems real and relatable.
I don’t want to say anything about the plot because spoilers would be hard to avoid. What I will say is that the author was able to keep the story moving and twisting enough to keep the reader engaged. And the contrast of a character who can’t keep from telling the truth who is fighting to find truth is beautifully done.
I give Truth Cursed four stars.
About the Author
Angie Dickinson is a lifelong lover of magical stories that point to truth, hope, and redemption. She received a B.A. in English Literature and is now a fantasy writer, living in the woods of Michigan with her husband and four children. Angie is saved by grace alone and is in awe of her Savior’s unrestrained love. She is blessed by her big, boisterous family and is fond of Earl Grey tea, reading too late at night, and taking every opportunity to share her passion for fantasy and fairy tales.
More from Angie
A few years ago, while I was pregnant with my third child and feeling an itch to write a story, a question popped into my mind. Could I write a relatable main character who is cursed with a peculiar impediment that affects every relationship and interaction? What would that look like and how challenging would it be? This was the beginning of my journey toward creating and learning to know and love Cressida, the main character of Truth Cursed.
This book became an ode to so many of my favorite things: girlhood friendships, mystery, fantasy, ballgowns, hidden weaponry (poisons! blades!!), court intrigue, an epic castle setting, sweet romance, and coming-of-age character growth that is anything but graceful. In many ways this story is old fashioned for this fast-moving publishing world, embracing an amalgam of the story types that I grew up reading and wishing to read.
As I wrote, I discovered my reader, and she was younger me. So I wrote for her, for my own future teens, and for every reader who loves to fall into a cozy, wholesome, and intriguing story. I’ve attempted to present my reader with a mirror and true hope as they unravel the mystery and adventure of Truth Cursed. I will forever be thankful to my Creator for the opportunity to share Cressida’s story.
Blog Stops
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 4
cecereadsandsings, March 4
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, March 5
Allyson Jamison, March 5
Texas Book-aholic, March 6
By the Book, March 7
Lily’s Corner, March 8
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 9
The Lofty Pages, March 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 11
Inspired by Fiction, March 12
Hannahbandanarama, March 12
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 13
Faery Tales Are Real, March 13
Holly’s Book Corner, March 14
Blogging With Carol, March 15
For Him and My Family, March 16
Labor Not in Vain, March 17
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Angie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
The Conversation
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Truth Cursed sounds like an epic read.
It is a very enjoyable story.
Thank you for the review
Sounds great
It was an enjoyable story.
Such a captivating cover.
It is beautiful.
This should be a great novel. Thanks for sharing.