Title: A Curse of Beasts and Magic
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy, Urban Fantasy, Retelling
Format: Audiobook ALC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5★)
Release Date: May 26, 2026
Synopsis
Raine Stone survived a horrific creature attack years ago, but she didn’t walk away unchanged. Ever since that night, she’s carried a dangerous Beast inside her, one she constantly struggles to control.
By day, she works as an ER nurse. By night, she lets the Beast feed just enough to keep it satisfied and innocent people safe.
But after using the Beast’s power to save and heal an elderly man during an attack, Raine accidentally opens the door to a hidden supernatural world filled with dangerous creatures, political power struggles, and deadly secrets.
And at the center of it all is Remington “Remy” Byrne, the powerful Warden responsible for keeping supernatural creatures under control.
My Thoughts
It’s safe to say that the Night Huntress series is one of my all-time favorites, so the moment I saw Jeaniene Frost was starting a brand-new series? Immediate YES.
And honestly, this book reminded me exactly why I love her writing so much.
Also… THIS is how you do a retelling.
Beauty and the Beast, except Beauty IS the Beast? Add supernatural politics, dragons, basilisks, dangerous magical creatures, and a morally intense urban fantasy atmosphere? YeP, I was obsessed.
As the blurb says, Raine survived a horrific attack years ago that killed members of her family, but she didn’t escape untouched. Ever since then, she’s been living with a Beast inside her, trying to control it while also making sure it doesn’t hurt innocent people.
By day, she works as a nurse. By night, she lets the Beast feed just enough to keep it under control.
Everything changes after she saves an elderly man from an attack and unknowingly throws herself into an entirely new world of danger, secrets and supernatural chaos.
And then… there’s Remy.
Powerful, protective, territorial, and very much in control of the supernatural world around him.
Naturally, their first interactions are not exactly smooth...aheem...
But once they’re forced into an alliance? Ohhh things escalate quickly.
The chemistry between them was one of my favorite parts of the book. The tension, the build-up, the banter… and when the romance finally starts delivering, it DELIVERS.
On top of that, the plot itself stays constantly engaging. Between assassination attempts, kidnappings, shifting alliances, supernatural politics, dragons, basilisks and creatures from other realms, the story genuinely kept me hooked from beginning to end.
I listened to the audiobook and honestly inhaled it in one sitting. Started listening, blinked, and suddenly it was 5am.
My only real complaint? I desperately wish we had dual POV because I NEED to know what Remy was thinking during several moments in this book.
And after that ending? Yeah… I absolutely need book two immediately because I already know things are about to become complete chaos.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this was an incredibly fun, addictive, and fast-paced start to a new series.
If you enjoy urban fantasy with strong supernatural elements, dangerous creatures, intense chemistry, and darker retelling vibes, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Jeaniene Frost did not disappoint.
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
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