At a glance
Cursed
Young Adult Dark Fantasy
Cursed
Book 2 of the Gilded series
496 pages · First published 2024
Trapped in the Erlking's haunted castle, Serilda must navigate a dangerous web of lies while the immortal king prepares to unleash an ancient evil upon the mortal world. With the Endless Moon approaching, she and Gild race to uncover the truth behind his forgotten past, free his imprisoned sister, and break the curses binding them to the castle. But the Erlking's ambitions extend far beyond resurrecting his lost love, and his plans threaten the fragile boundary separating mortals from the terrifying Dark Ones. As Serilda struggles to protect those she loves, including her unborn child, she must discover whether her gift for storytelling can become the key to defeating an enemy who seems impossible to outwit. Darkly romantic and steeped in sinister folklore, this Rumpelstiltskin-inspired finale suits readers who enjoy courageous heroines, haunted castles, dangerous bargains, devoted romance, and fairy tales where happily-ever-after comes at a considerable cost.
Paired for this story
Jump to the pours ↓Raspberry Cordial + Stormy Chapter
Choose your bookseller
Find the Book
Print retailers offer a search when an exact edition is unavailable. Kindle links open a specific edition. Audiobook links may open an edition or a search.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Book Bartender earns from qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org links also earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. Your price is not affected. Read the full affiliate disclosure.
No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Graphic fantasy violence and gore, including stabbing deaths, beheading, bloodied corpses, and mass casualties; attacks on villages and the deaths of innocent people; disturbing ghosts, undead creatures, and supernatural horror imagery; capture, torture, and mutilation of magical creatures; forced marriage, captivity, coercion, and repeated death threats; pregnancy, childbirth, and threats against an unborn child; references to murdered children and other atrocities from the preceding book; grief, family separation, and parental loss; romantic kissing and references to prior consensual sexual activity resulting in pregnancy, without on-page sex scenes; occasional mild profanity and alcohol consumption.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Raspberry Cordial
Tart raspberries and a ruby-red pour bring a little sweetness to Serilda's perilous world of curses and haunted halls.
What you'll need
- 1/4 cup raspberries ↗
- 1 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice ↗
- 3/4 oz sugar ↗
- 5 oz cold water
- Ice
How to mix it
- Muddle raspberries with sugar. Add lemon juice and cold water, stir until dissolved, strain if desired, and serve over ice.
- Garnish: Raspberries and lemon wheel.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Highball glass ↗Muddler ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Stormy Chapter
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Dark rum and fiery ginger capture the dangerous magic and gathering darkness surrounding Adalheid Castle.
What you'll need
- 2 oz dark rum
- 4 oz ginger beer ↗
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice ↗
- Ice
Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.
How to mix it
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Add rum and lime juice, top with ginger beer, and stir gently.
- Garnish: Lime wedge.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
Shop glassware & tools
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases through these Amazon links, at no extra cost to you.
Highball glass ↗Set up the bar cart
Shop the Barware
Find the glasses and tools for your next pour.