| 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. Genre: YA Fantasy Release date: February 18, 2025 Click here to get your copy! |  |
My Review
Will her curse be her downfall...or save her?
I picked up Truth Cursed partly because I've really enjoyed the publisher's books in the past, but, even more because the title was just so intriguing. I can tell you that from the outset the story more than lived up to my expectations. Honestly, I wish more books of this quality had been available when I was teenager.
Even as an adult reader Angie Dickinson had me captivated from the start. Her worldbuilding skills are stellar and you immediately feel like you are right there with Cressida as she navigates school, a royal court, world changing secrets, oh, and that pesky little curse she has had for much of her life.
Truth Cursed kept me up into the wee hours of the morning as I just had to know what would happen next. The blend of fantasy and suspense – with the slightest touch of romance – was simply perfect. And the way Angie Dickinson chose to spin to origins of the curse instead of relying on the old standbys was both original and interesting. Cressida herself is such a fun character with strengths and flaws that I couldn't help but like her.
There was honestly nothing to dislike about Truth Cursed. It's a standalone novel so you don't have to wait ages for the next installment and Angie Dickinson has all of the loose ends nicely wrapped up by the end. I truly enjoyed every bit of Truth Cursed and and I will be looking for more from Angie Dickinson in the future. I think she may quickly become one of those authors that I will read as soon as I see their name on the cover. She might already even be there....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson a 5 Bark rating.
I picked up Truth Cursed partly because I've really enjoyed the publisher's books in the past, but, even more because the title was just so intriguing. I can tell you that from the outset the story more than lived up to my expectations. Honestly, I wish more books of this quality had been available when I was teenager.
Even as an adult reader Angie Dickinson had me captivated from the start. Her worldbuilding skills are stellar and you immediately feel like you are right there with Cressida as she navigates school, a royal court, world changing secrets, oh, and that pesky little curse she has had for much of her life.
Truth Cursed kept me up into the wee hours of the morning as I just had to know what would happen next. The blend of fantasy and suspense – with the slightest touch of romance – was simply perfect. And the way Angie Dickinson chose to spin to origins of the curse instead of relying on the old standbys was both original and interesting. Cressida herself is such a fun character with strengths and flaws that I couldn't help but like her.
There was honestly nothing to dislike about Truth Cursed. It's a standalone novel so you don't have to wait ages for the next installment and Angie Dickinson has all of the loose ends nicely wrapped up by the end. I truly enjoyed every bit of Truth Cursed and and I will be looking for more from Angie Dickinson in the future. I think she may quickly become one of those authors that I will read as soon as I see their name on the cover. She might already even be there....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Truth Cursed by Angie Dickinson a 5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
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.
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.
 Angie Dickinson | 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. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Angie is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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
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