The Curse: A Graphic Ballad

by Alexander Gabriel Zoderot

They burned his world to silence—and from that silence, something rose.

Drakko returns to a land devoured. His home is ash. His bloodline, erased. The fields that once held laughter now bear only bones and omen. No savior comes. No gods speak. But in the hush between one breath and the next, something ancient stirs—not outside him, but within.

Haunted by visions that twist waking thought into dream, drawn through labyrinths not built by hands but shaped by grief, Drakko walks a path where each step strips away the man he once was. Pain is no longer punishment—it is transformation. Grief no longer wounds—it baptizes.

The Curse is a gothic symphony of annihilation and rebirth, rendered in searing verse and haunting ink. It is a scripture of undoing, where every chapter is a gate, and behind each gate waits the next version of the soul—stranger, darker, truer.

Praised as "a dark masterpiece of haunting visuals and hypnotic storytelling," readers hail The Curse as "dark, raw, and dripping with emotion"—an essential grimdark journey into the human soul. With imagery so visceral it seems carved from nightmare, this grimdark epic haunts—not with ghosts, but with truths too raw to forget.

Perfect for fans of Berserk, The Crow, and grimdark masterpieces by Joe Abercrombie and Mark Lawrence.

PLEASE NOTE:
The paperbacks and hardcovers offered on Amazon are in black & white.
Exclusive full-color hardcover editions with coated pages are available—see the author’s website for details.


Welcome to the Epoch of The Curse!

Embark on an unforgettable journey with The Curse—a story born from a year devoted to the written word, now transformed into a 286-page Graphic Adaptation that breathes vivid life into every scene.

A Word About the Art: This novel is 100% original, written entirely by me. The visual art, while created using AI, was anything but simple or automatic—every image you see took shape through over a year of relentless work, more than 100,000 picture generations, endless manual edits, and obsessive tweaking to capture exactly the atmosphere I envisioned. If anyone thinks AI art is “just a click and done,” let me assure you: it’s not. Every page is a testament to that struggle. I hope that effort shines through.

Dive Deep into the Darkness:


Immerse Yourself: Lose yourself in hauntingly beautiful imagery that brings each scene to life.
Resonate with Truth: Let the powerful words echo within you, revealing profound truths.
Feel Every Emotion: Experience the raw intensity of pain and wrath woven into the story.
Ignite Your Light: Discover the strength within as you navigate through the shadowed pages, emerging enlightened.
Welcome, and enjoy the journey through these dark and captivating realms. Let The Curse illuminate your soul as you turn each page.

— ZoderoT

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2024

Reviews

[emelie!! · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

2nd book I've ever had to mark as DNF. The art is great, but there are signatures on some of the artworks that don't always line up. I'm not sure if the author simply works with multiple artists, but because of this, it has led me to believe that the author is taking art from others and compiling it into a single book with their name on it.

I hope I'm wrong. 🤷‍♀️

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

This was my 1st experience with a graphic novel (that I can recall, anyway). The graphic illustrations/artwork are haunting, horrific, very dark and atmospheric. It's mostly written like poetry, in rhyming prose... mostly.

It's about a man, Drakko, who goes through a dark trial and nightmare in life and death. Suffering does not end, unthinkable horrors surround, abate, and await him.

It was a little confusing, though I got the gist of the story.

[Joanne van der Vlies · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The being that reads these, desire brought in! Grasping his mind, forever deels sin. Found as the one, here born from sheer rage! Revealing my hunger, you shall open your cage..."

The Curse is a Gothic graphic novel, following the story of Drakko. After conflict with his brother, he leaves his family behind to go on a quest, but will he have a family to return to afterwards?

This graphic novel comes with incredibly detailed yet dark and disturbing graphics. The text is written in a mix of prose and poetry, which can make it a bit tricky to read af times, but definitely adds to the experience!

Overall, the plot in combination with the graphics and poetry of the story come together to an amazing reading experience. I would recommend this book to readers of graphic novels looking to challenge themselves a little more!

Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Alexis Hollingsworth · Rating 1 out of 5]

AI generated art that ruined what could have been really cool. I like the concepts and even the art direction was conceptually nice, but it was hard to get through because of the more obvious AI art pages. I️ also struggled with the form of it. I️ don’t mind a ballad in a general sense. I️ just didn’t like the execution here, unfortunately. If it wasn’t short, I️ wouldn’t have even bothered to finish it. (Luckily it cost me no money, to read but please don’t waste your own money on this).

[Kylee Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a haunting read. i honestly feel like the artwork was the main focus and the story helped to better understand the art. the writing could be a little difficult at times, but i still found it enjoyable. i definitely need to know what happens next.
i received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BardLyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly vivid and engaging read. I love the artistic style - owing much to Dave McKean, I feel - and the narrative is equally as immersive. Certainly, this is a poetic and spiritual take on the grimdark genre and, thus, will not be for everyone. But if you enjoy, say, Joe Abercrombie and wished there was a comic form, then what are you waiting for!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is nothing short of amazing. However, Zoderot sometimes has to destroy the grammar rules a little too often to make his rhymes fit what he's trying to say.

[Brent Lindstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visual and poetic

I have never read a graphic novel till now. I did not know what to expect, but it wasn't this. The art was masterful, and the words, very poetic. It's quite a bit darker than most books I would generally consider reading, but wow! I have to hand it to the author, it is truly a work of art. If you're into dark fantasy, this might be up your alley.

[Kai Van · Rating 1 out of 5]

got 25% in before giving up. so glad it was on KU so i didn't actually pay for it.

FULL of AI art that at times is more obvious than others. the style inconsistency, scene & character inconsistencies, and even those tell tale signs of bits melting into others when they shouldn't (one piece in particular had the woman's hand literally half connected with the baby she's holding, are you fucking joking?). I couldn't even focus on the actual words themselves as it was so distracting to me.

shame on AGZ for this entire thing. save yourself the trouble and skip it.

[Sachin Karnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Curse: A Graphic Ballad" by A.G. Zoderot is a visually stunning and narratively rich graphic novel that masterfully blends dark fantasy, spirituality, and horror. The book follows Drakko, an ordinary youth whose encounter with the enigmatic One sets him on a harrowing journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Illustrations: The illustrations in this graphic novel are nothing short of breathtaking. Zoderot's artistry brings the sinister fantasy world to life with vivid dark imagery that captures the essence of the story. The use of shadows and light creates a haunting atmosphere, while the intricate details in the backgrounds add depth and richness to the scenes. The illustrations are not just visually appealing but also serve to enhance the emotional impact of the narrative.

Content: The content of the book is a unique blend of prose and poetry, presented in an old-ballad-style narrative. This format adds a lyrical quality to the storytelling, making it feel like a timeless tale. The story delves into themes of spirituality, inner strength, and the struggle between light and darkness. Drakko's journey is filled with challenges that test his resolve and push him to confront his deepest fears. The plot is engaging and thought-provoking, with twists and turns that keep the reader hooked.

Quality: The overall quality of the book is exceptional. The writing is poetic and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the story. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of introspection and action. The character development is strong, with Drakko's transformation being both believable and compelling. The combination of Zoderot's artistic talent and storytelling prowess makes "The Curse" a standout in the genre of dark fantasy graphic novels.

In conclusion, "The Curse: A Graphic Ballad" is a beautifully crafted work that offers a captivating reading experience. The stunning illustrations, engaging content, and high-quality production make it a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and graphic novels.

#FantasyGraphicNovel #DarkFantasy #BookReview #TheCurse #AGZoderot #GraphicBallad #Fae #Magic #IllustratedBooks #BookLovers #MustRead #HauntinglyBeautiful

[Kenia Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this amazing book, it seriously left me completely awestruck. The book is like a comic, but so much better. It is an amazing book. For starters, it is a unique piece of art that blends beautiful poetry with a captivating story! The blurb: This amazing story is about Drakko, a young man who sets out on a spiritual journey after meeting an inspiring individual. As he undertakes his final task, Drakko faces numerous challenges that put his inner strength to the test and take him to places he never imagined possible. It's an amazing tale of self-discovery and personal growth. I have a lot more to say, but rather not spoil it 🤭 you have to read it for yourself and find out and experience the feelings that I have felt. The ending will make you NEED to know more. Have high or low hopes, you'll be satisfied either way.
The book is filled with suspense, beautiful artwork, and an amazing storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling and unique read. This is my first time reviewing a book like this, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised and had so many mixed (all positive) feelings. The writing was exceptional, and I loved every minute of it. Do yourselves a favor: Like comics? Horrors? Mixed with poetry? This is all included, so read it now! :)

Thank you so much to the author for the chance to review this amazing book! Thanks again for the ARC!

[☽｡⋆ Shells (jlreads_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find the story pretty interesting and captivating, especially since it has these thrilling and mysterious elements that I really enjoy in a horror story.

My only problem with this is the way it's formatted. I wasn't a fan of it and made a major impact on my enjoyment to the story.

[Birgit Hodgson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unusual read. I very much enjoyed the story of Drakko who, after falling out with his brother, goes on a quest, but what is waiting for him when he returns home? Family, betrayal and quests, I wanted to read on and find out what will happen next. It is a graphic novel with hauntingly beautiful illustrations and poetry, which at times I had to re-read to fully understand but it did not hold me back from reading it in one go. Beautifully dark!

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

***Has not only violence but also quite descriptive triggers***

Honestly I cannot tell you the difference between this newish genre & horror but I am game for trying everything at least once.

In The Curse readers are introduced to the formulaic historical fiction formula that is so prevalent in that genre - very moral and loving husband of a usually not so financially prosperous house who needs to dip into the darkness. His devout and equally wife waiting at home as an anchor and normally pregnant or with children. And all too often an enemy who lurks much too close in more ways than one.

This book in its telling basically reads as a much darker version of the film Gladiator and with more changes such as the non-Roman background.

Furthermore the story is provided in conversation that rhymes interspersed with sections that are more lax but as a result of limited space words are left out or put in awkward sentence format than how a reader normally reads. When all of this combines with the specific text font it made for quite a challenging word.

Plus there are portions of the story that doesn't make sense, which adds to the chaos.

And finally the book's illustrations as it is a part of the story medium. Often I found myself wondering if some of them were repeated since they all looked familiar, there were no details to offset some of the lack of details in the story such as character personalities (and in some cases there was a totally different portrayal than before) and if you were reading this outside since of the style as well as color, the illustrations became invisible to view even on very high contrast.

Does the story have merit? I believe so but the package it was delivered in is unfortunately not the right one for me to suggest a recommendation to others. Even so I think the right readers will find it when they are ready for it.

***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

[Julie Grayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Graphic Novel Worth Its Salt


I was captivated by the constant tension in "The Curse,” a graphic novel by A.G. Zoderot, the first book in the Path of None series that kept me engaged throughout. The story fits so much into a relatively short piece, showcasing the author's skill in concise and impactful storytelling.
The narrative’s haunting beauty, as well as its its emotional weight anchored in the delicate interplay between intimacy and ruin. What struck me most was how the story wove personal tragedy into the fabric of a broader, almost mythic struggle: a choice that elevated the stakes beyond mere mortal conflict into something timeless and universal.
But it was Drakko and Lavanya who truly carved themselves into my thoughts. Their relationship, a volatile alloy of tenderness and desperation, transcended the usual tropes of doomed love. Drakko, with his battle-scarred hands and the quiet, corrosive guilt of a man who’d essentially traded his soul for survival, stood in stark contrast to Lavanya’s razor-sharp pragmatism. Their dialogue crackled with subtext: every clipped reassurance, every shared silence heavy with what went unsaid.

While the story was rich and diverse, I did not expect the author to attempt to make the majority of the story rhyme. Further, there were some moments of absurdity and some of the dialogue was downright nonsensical. For example, on page 58, the final speech bubble says, “He boldly releases from his charming mouth, with present pride being in the manner of how articulate and confident his words are. Not with anything regarding my persona...” Try as I might, I simply could not decipher what it was trying to say.

The author goes so far as to provide a teaser of the next book in the series, and even gives a brief meditation lesson. That, coupled with the story's rich and well-woven narrative, complemented by the absolutely stunning graphics earn this book 4 stars.

[Jason Collings · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK. Came to this on a recommendation, let's make that clear. This is not my usual taste, and that was the right instinct. I did not like it. It's dark to the point of masochistically horrible. It's not life-enhancing, not joyful, not enlightening, not-fun, IMHO. I suppose you can look at it and at least no matter how bad your life it, it's not as awful as what you're reading/looking at, but that feels a pretty low bar. I'm just not sure why anyone wants this in their head. But, if you do, fair enough - it takes all sorts.
As a purely aesthetic critique then, the artwork is well done, the black and white (mainly black) is drawn well and consistent, but rather monotone - it rarely tries anything daring or new. It's good at what it does, then does it again, and again and again. It just gets a bit boring, but it's highly competent draftmanship.
The writing should get points for ambition, attempting a ballad in the style of a medieval Galliard - at least I assume that was the intent, but I simply didn't feel it was very well done. The rhymes are often forced, the meter is inconsistent, and most problematic of all, if it didn't have the pictures it wouldn't work at all... An illustrated poem should be enhanced, not carried by the imagery. Here the drawings are making up for descriptive weakness.
Several other reviewers make comparison to certain manga, none of which I'm aware of, but simply because it's better than something else doesn't make it great.
Like I said, not my thing, and if you love it, good for you. No offence meant. Simply not to my taste.

[Nikki's Dragon Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a 9 book series shows the origin story for how Drako becomes No One. There isn’t a whole lot of fantasy in this book, simply because the strange mystical mask remains dormant until the very end, but it does have a good bit of world building, a good character driven plot, and it feels like it's leading up to something intriguing.

⚡️ Graphic novel written as a ballad
⚡️ Unique way of reading fantasy
⚡️ A Dark and gritty world
⚡️ Origin story
⚡️ Shows potential

This is a really intriguing read. It’s written in primarily in narrative poetry with the 4 line structure (quatrains) that most ballads are known for, but even though i really enjoyed the poetic nature, I felt like a lot of the narrative felt forced. It used odd words and improper wording just so that it could rhyme, while other parts used completely different structure. With some basic editing, it's flow and rhythm would drastically improve and it could be a fantastic novel!

Another thing is, I would like more consistency in the illustration. Faces would change slightly, as did world elements, and since imagery is half of the story it made it feel choppy and disconnected. It almost felt like there were 2 or 3 artists, swapping scene to scene.

Overall I did enjoy reading this, if only for attempting a new way of reading, and if it was edited and became more cohesive, I could see this book being absolutely fantastic!

[Andrea Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows of the Cursed

This book is quite unique, unlike anything I’ve read before. It is a hauntingly poetic fusion of dark fantasy, philosophy, and visual storytelling. The author weaves a tale that blurs the boundary between myth and introspection, following a protagonist, Drako, who is cursed not just by external forces, but by the burdens of thought, fate, and existence itself.

The writing, which has an almost haunting quality, reads like a lyrical lament—metaphorical, intense, and contemplative—while the graphic imagery deepens the emotional resonance. There is a sense of mystery which actually adds to the experience; there is never a dull moment, it seems. The weight of betrayal, suffering, and loss is vividly evident. The book is rather more like a ballad or a dream than a traditional story, but amid all the gruesome images there’s still enough plot to keep you tuned in. I am drawn into a world where beauty and tragedy coexist, where questions about destiny, freedom, and the human soul linger long after the final page.

People like me who love literary fantasy, allegory, and illustrated poetry will find this book very different from mainstream storytelling. It challenges the mind and demands reflection rather than mere reading. I am not keen on the font used – makes it hard to read. You’ll either love it or loathe it, this highly original and philosophical rendering.

[Celine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and artist and BookSirens for this ARC!

After reading the series's additional story before starting this one, I was expecting more of the same. It is not the same.

This story was longer than I expected, but the artwork is just as beautiful. Though, I felt it repeated itself a bit. There were several works that were the same man in the same position/setting, only it was clear it had been done again. But they were all beautiful and I found myself stopping to admire them sometimes.

For my, some parts of the story seemed a little bit unclear given how they were delivered. More with poetic words than with the story in mind. But the whole thing has clearly been crafted with this interesting idea in mind. I did really enjoy the poetic words and feel to the story.

It felt dream-like and surreal.

I did also enjoy the story. It felt like one slowly descending into madness. But it was different than the addition to the series book felt. It felt slower, like it was creeping up on our protagonist. And that it wasn't his fault it happened. He was an unfortunate side effect of fate. Because of the choices of others.

I really loved this story and I can't wait to continue the series and see what happens next.

If you love artwork, this series is perfect to enjoy.

[Damir Salkovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Curse: A Graphic Ballad reads like a black metal album transformed into images and words. The artwork captures a dark, moody aesthetic that perfectly suits its gothic tone. The plot remains opaque throughout, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The author seems to be going for a more abstract, nightmarish feel, incorporating his own spiritual and philosophical views, rather than a conventional, coherent storyline. An intriguing concept – but I found the execution uneven and a touch frustrating at times. I believe a clearer narrative structure would have delivered the story with more impact.

While the novel is visually stunning overall, the illustrations are inconsistent. All male characters are drawn vaguely the same, making it difficult to distinguish them. In a couple of instances, the opposite is true – the same character looks different from panel to panel. The ambitious attempt at rhyming dialogue produces mixed results. Some verses flow naturally, while others feel forced and awkward. Despite these limitations, “Curse” remains fully committed to its macabre vision. A worthwhile experience for fans of unconventional storytelling.

[A. King · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am not the best with rhyming stories (perhaps I should have understood that's what it meant by 'ballad' in the title?) I still found this intriguing. The graphics within are pretty good, though on my device they were still fairly blurry (again, perhaps intentional but I don't know for sure.) but they fit the story and if I understood it as a whole, then this curse can't be worth the reward to gain!

I found it hard to follow, and had to reread a few times (just my fault for not being as well-versed as I thought I was) but it felt like a realm of nightmares was brought to life by the curse. No spoilers, because that's not what I do. I will say that I still enjoyed the book, though I might have enjoyed it more if it were written more in language I'd understand better. Sadly the art of poetry/ballads is a slightly dying breed unless it's in music, and even then (most times) people don't know what's being said even while they sing along. 4 out of 5 stars, because while I couldn't fully understand all of it, I could still see how well-written it was and definite props for the story line contained! I'd recommend for anyone who can get into the rhyming :)

[Sergei · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curse: A Graphic Ballad feels like the beginning of a much larger story. The first book shows the making of its hero, his inner death, and his rebirth into something darker and more mysterious. It doesn’t feel like an ending, but more like the first step of a journey — and by the last page, you really want to know what happens next.

The artwork is rough and powerful, done in a distinctive dark style. It feels alive and expressive, full of movement and mood. Every frame carries energy, atmosphere, and a clear attention to detail.

The story is told in a poetic way. Sometimes it’s not immediately clear who’s speaking or what exactly is happening, but that’s part of its charm — the book builds emotion and mystery rather than explaining everything. It reads like a dark fantasy with touches of spiritual epic, where personal tragedy blends with mysticism and the search for meaning.

It’s a dark, beautiful, and emotionally strong work. You don’t read it just for the plot, but for the mood, the imagery, and the symbols that reveal themselves over time. A haunting and stylish piece of art — and I’ll definitely be reading the next one.

[Steve Posner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is spectacular: dark, atmospheric, detailed, facially expressive, and sometimes visionary (if a bit repetitive, with too many similar closeups of the same characters). My biggest problem with the visual presentation is that on my desktop, I could not view the bottoms of the pages, no matter how I adjusted the Kindle app, and so I had trouble following the dialog from panel to panel. I also had trouble with the writing I that could see. Sometimes it rhymed, sometimes not. Sometimes the dialog was in sing-song meter, sometimes not. The sentence structure leaned toward the Germanic and archaic and required effort to decipher. Some of the word choices in inappropriate or anachronistic. Between all that, and the inability to know what was said at the bottom of each page, I found it so hard to follow I had to give up on the verbal parts of the story about a third of the way through, and so I never understood the plot subtleties, or the contexts of the more fantastic illustrations. But the art was good enough that I wanted to see it all, and I followed it through to the end. I'm going to assume that my problem seeing the bottom of each page was due to my own ineptitude or an attribute of my hardware, and so I'll give this four stars.

[Mae Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Curse was my first graphic novel, and this one was darker than pitch. There is a heartbreaking betrayal that was neither unexpected nor easy to take. However, Drakko’s loss was gut-wrenching.

While the graphic results were remarkable, the fact that it was AI-generated was hard to ignore. That said, the artwork is captivating. I kept reading the words on the pages over and over because the artwork kept pulling me back. Every page is stunning, beautiful bleakness.

The main character, Drakko, longs for a life with the woman he loves and their unborn child. When he is forced to find work to get through the winter, the story takes an even darker turn. Drakko is destined to go down a path he did not choose. The story explores how his survival depends on both his physical resilience and his spiritual growth. Nothing was chosen. Everything was fated in this grim tale that, oftentimes, made me dread the next page, which betrays the power of the work.

It is a unique journey into fantasy and horror, with stunning graphics that are truly the stuff of nightmares.

[David Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grim Symphony of Art and Verse.

Dark, gothic, and visually arresting, The Curse is a graphic novel that rewards patience and immersion. It takes a few pages to fully grasp the distinction between the narrative panels and the rhyming dialogue, but once that clicks, the speech bubbles begin to generate a rhythm that propels the story relentlessly forward.

That momentum, however, is deliberately checked by the artwork itself. The imagery is phenomenally detailed – dense with dread, shadow, and menace – forcing the reader to slow down and absorb the unfolding terror faced by Drakko, our brooding protagonist. The balance between word and image is finely judged.

A standout sequence around two-thirds in, depicting a crowd of faces in grotesque transformation, is genuinely unsettling: raw, evocative, and quietly horrifying if you’ve properly invested yourself.
The Curse was an all-new graphic novel experience for me – dark, demanding, and beautifully crafted. I’m very keen to see where the next instalment leads.

[I'mogén]

Dnf @ 30%. 1st dnf of 2026.


I don't know if it was the font, the dark imagery or a combination of both, but everything was moving on the page. I really struggled to keep it still, it made me so dizzy. At first I thought maybe it was a cool animation thing, but I think it's just my eyes not meshing with what's on the page.  


Someone had mentioned that there was lots of different art signatures and at first this didn't bother me because I didn't notice them, but oh boy, when I did, it really stuck out and I began to realize how slightly inconsistent the illustrations were. They all had the same idea and impression, but we're just different enough that characters didn't stay as a solid one person. The illustrations were really cool but that's all the whole thing brought.


I didn't understand the story and it read sort of Shakespearean in tone. I wasn't a fan and it made concepts difficult for me to clasp.


Unfortunately I decided to stop reading this one and don't intend on trying it again.


Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!

[Amber_Missy]

"The visual art, while created using AI, was anything but simple or automatic—every image you see took shape through over a year of relentless work, more than 100,000 picture generations."

No-one said it was "simple of automatic" - however, every one of those 100,000 picture generations was art stolen from other people, mashed together, and goodness knows how much energy, water, and other environmental resources were used for it. I don't believe that art-theft (including other people's copywrite info, if some of the other reviews are correct!) should ever be celebrated.

Congratulations on actually doing SOME of the work yourself - but if you'd found a genuine artist, maybe they could have done them from scratch, and once you paid them, you'd actually own the art. Instead, you sold your soul to an AI programme, who can now use YOUR generated images, to make even more stolen art!

I had downloaded this from BookFunnel, but as soon as I found out about the source of the images used, I've deleted it! I don't want it on my e-book reader.

[Cameron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure what to think about this. I loved the prequel novel to this graphic novel but can’t say the same about the graphic novel itself.

Let me start by saying that graphic novels are not something I typically read or enjoy regardless of writing, art or content. Once in a while, I will read one that I enjoy. Unfortunately, that was not the case with this one.

I felt like the art, even though amazing at times, had a lot of filler art that did not add to the story but bogged it down. Also, I appreciate poetry and read some, but I did not care for the ballad style of this. The author writes amazingly as shown in the previous novel I read. The lyrical prose in this simply did not match that writing, so I was a little surprised.

I wanted to like this but did not. I will definitely read more of the author’s novels but will not continue with the graphic novels.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Vikstar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and mysterious journey

The Curse is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s part graphic novel, part poetic journey—and somehow it all works. The artwork is moody and atmospheric, matching the tone of the writing perfectly. You can feel the weight of the story of betrayal, suffering, and loss as the main protagonist, Drakko, goes on a nightmarish journey, pulling you into a dark, broken and mysterious world.

The writing has a lyrical, almost haunting quality. It feels more like a ballad or a dream than a traditional story, but there’s still enough plot to keep you turning the pages. Drakko becomes marked by a curse, and even though not everything is explained outright, that sense of mystery actually adds to the experience.

This book won’t be for everyone—it’s more emotional and abstract than action-packed—but if you like dark fantasy, you’ll probably love it. I’m definitely curious to see where The Path of None goes next.

[JM Saner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I don't read many graphic novels and never a graphic ballad, but I couldn't put this one down! The hauntingly dark yet beautiful images drew me from page to page with anticipation and appreciation. Mesmerizing and graphically detailed, each illustration meticulously handcrafted by a master artist could be sold as an individual work of art. Although the prose was a little strained in places, it flowed along quickly, and I was pleasantly surprised by Zoderot's dedication to rhyme. The work stands alone in quality and creative genius. Zoderot is simply a master in his artistry and storytelling through illustration. Although the text added additional depth, I believe an illiterate person would still understand what is happening through the brilliant illustrations alone. A dark, sensual, beautifully illustrated graphic ballad.