Until All Curses Are Lifted

I LOVED this book—and I don't say that very often! Until All Curses Are Lifted, by Tim Frankovich, is about magic—and society—gone horribly wrong. The magic system is incredible, unusual, and mangled. That is to say that the magic has been twisted in an effort to make life "fair," but (as with nearly all good things) people have contrived a way to abuse the system. How does one get around a system that curses the innocent and punishes good deeds? Worse, this broken magic is breaking the world…

I really enjoyed the character development; no cardboard figures here! The world-building was good, but not great, though the characters and fast-paced plot were so strong that it was not problematic. We're introduced to various countries, societies, religions, and history without being deluged by information. The author weaves some serious and unexpectedly deep issues into the adventures.

There are a few places where the prose is weak, but they are few—and the worst part about the book was reading the last page. I want more. Right now!

Anyone who likes good old-fashioned fantasy reads and complicated characters is sure to love this.