Thursday, March 6, 2025

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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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.

MY REVIEW

I’m not much on fantasy books but there are a few that really grab my attention. This book intrigued me so much that I couldn’t put it down. Cressida is a young girl who has been sent by her aunts to a finishing school. I had to laugh because Cressida does not fit this place at all. Her aunts wanted her out of the way and convinced the school to take her. She has been cursed with always telling the truth. This makes for some unpleasant moments when the other girls ask her questions.

The author slowly reveals that the school has a secret. Cressida is there also to become a spy. Now how is she suppose to spy when she can’t lie? Everyone knows that being a spy entails you to be conniving, sneaky and secretive. Cressida will learn many skills that will help her on her journey but will she be able to complete her mission?

Uncovering why many of the girls family members were murdered are at the center of this operation. The king has fooled many and now must be exposed. I liked the suspense the author creates as we watch Cressida become confident, brave and focused. It was nice to see that she did have an admirer. This part of the story is nice and adds a bit of fun to the story.

Get ready for adventure, intrigue and secrets that make this book a must read. The characters are good and the author delivers a storyline that captures our imagination.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.