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Isle of Ever #2
The Curse Breaker
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26The game is far from over. In fact, it's only just begun.
Having finally reached the Isle of Ever, Everly "Benny" Benedict thinks she's won the game of clues her ancestor Evelyn Terry set out for her in her will. Only she can't prove it yet—not until her new friends are safe from the curse that has kept them trapped for centuries!
And now there's a new game. It turns out that Evelyn has more secrets in her diary and another task for to find the lost piece of pirate treasure needed to break the curse once and for all. It won't be easy. One of her best friends has betrayed her; the kids from the island are just discovering twenty-first- century life, and a mysterious stranger mentioned in Evelyn's diary has somehow turned up in present-day Greenport.
Benny has to figure it all out in just a few days. If time runs out, someone else can claim the inheritance, and the Isle of Ever will disappear again for another two hundred years!
Having finally reached the Isle of Ever, Everly "Benny" Benedict thinks she's won the game of clues her ancestor Evelyn Terry set out for her in her will. Only she can't prove it yet—not until her new friends are safe from the curse that has kept them trapped for centuries!
And now there's a new game. It turns out that Evelyn has more secrets in her diary and another task for to find the lost piece of pirate treasure needed to break the curse once and for all. It won't be easy. One of her best friends has betrayed her; the kids from the island are just discovering twenty-first- century life, and a mysterious stranger mentioned in Evelyn's diary has somehow turned up in present-day Greenport.
Benny has to figure it all out in just a few days. If time runs out, someone else can claim the inheritance, and the Isle of Ever will disappear again for another two hundred years!
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 10, 2026
8 people are currently reading
4742 people want to read
About the author
Jen Calonita
69 books3,703 followersHi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).
I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!
I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.
I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.
I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!
xo
Jen
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 17, 2026
Wait, there’s going to be a 3rd book?! 😭 what a cliff hanger. I don’t think anything can top the excitement and newness that book 1 brought. Hence, why this is 4 stars. We still get a great extended scavenger hunt and overarching mystery. The new pieces of the puzzle were interesting. I absolutely loved the additional information regarding Kimble’s storyline. As an adult this is very predictable, but juvenile me would be gasping at all the twists and turns that I would be predicting. Overall, a fun read. My kids are going to love this one day! I hope I remember everything by the time book 3 comes around.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
Another book filled with mystery, clues, secrets, suspense, and villainy. But also another brutal cliffhanger! Ready for the 3rd book already!
September 16, 2025
Continuing the puzzle-solving, time-jumping, villain-filled, Jen Calonita dangles a few answers and many more questions in front of readers as Evelyn from 1825 leads Everly/Benny from 2025 on a quest to restore all the gold coins to a treasure chest to break the immortality curse/blessing for their friends. Yes, there are shades of Pirates of the Caribbean and even a pirate to tie all those similarities together, but there isn’t a Captain Jack Sparrow, a Black Pearl or a Captain Barbossa. Wait, there IS a Sparrow, but she is nothing like the Johnny Dep character.
Book 1 set the stage and left readers hanging and book 2 ends the same cliff-hanger way, but the villains are becoming more clear as Everly/Benny battles against the timetable her many times great grandmother set to find the proof of an island that only appears for 2 weeks every 200 years so she can inherit the estate and vineyard once owned by Evelyn. Family connections also become more solidified and allies begin to coalesce into a team who finds hidden riddles and solves them using their unique talents. While some readers may become frustrated about waiting for book 3, others will anticipate its release and may even reread the first two right before it publishes.
Text for this sequel remains free of profanity, sexual content and any real violence. The matriarch of the wealthy Rudd family plus a mysterious immortal both posture themselves as threatening at times, but neither physically hurts anyone. Target audience: grades 5-8. For readers of older puzzle solving books like the older The Westing Game and the Chasing Vermeer series and the more recent Lemoncello books by Grabenstein and Ponti’s City Spies and Sherlock Society.
Thanks for the print arc, Sourcebooks Kids.
Book 1 set the stage and left readers hanging and book 2 ends the same cliff-hanger way, but the villains are becoming more clear as Everly/Benny battles against the timetable her many times great grandmother set to find the proof of an island that only appears for 2 weeks every 200 years so she can inherit the estate and vineyard once owned by Evelyn. Family connections also become more solidified and allies begin to coalesce into a team who finds hidden riddles and solves them using their unique talents. While some readers may become frustrated about waiting for book 3, others will anticipate its release and may even reread the first two right before it publishes.
Text for this sequel remains free of profanity, sexual content and any real violence. The matriarch of the wealthy Rudd family plus a mysterious immortal both posture themselves as threatening at times, but neither physically hurts anyone. Target audience: grades 5-8. For readers of older puzzle solving books like the older The Westing Game and the Chasing Vermeer series and the more recent Lemoncello books by Grabenstein and Ponti’s City Spies and Sherlock Society.
Thanks for the print arc, Sourcebooks Kids.
January 30, 2026
Thank you so much for the digital arc of The Curse Breaker. I was excited to read this after the cliffhanger ending in book 1. It was worth the wait. This is a really exciting adventure story with loveable characters. The mfc Benny is a quick witted and fearless girl who with the help of her friends is solving a puzzle to ensure her inheritance. Full of twists and turns and swashbuckling pirates, this is a fast paced story. (Beware there is another cliff hanger!!!! Can’t wait for book 3)
#thecursebreaker #netgalley
#thecursebreaker #netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
This series is just so much fun! This one picks up right where the first one left off. Evelyn has left another set of clues for Benny to figure out to help save her friends and Kimble. But there is so much more to Evelyn's story than she first lead Benny to believe. There are more characters involved and some of the previous characters are more involved than they let on initially.
Benny is so smart and I love the friendship she has created with Zara. She's not used to having friends since she moved around a lot with her mom, so to see her be able to continue growing this friendship was so heartwarming. She will stop at nothing to save Evelyn's friends even though she didn't know they existed before coming to Greenport. In this one, Gil comes off the island into 2025. It's so funny to watch him discover things like tv and electricity. He ends up working really well with Benny and Zara and they make a great team.
The plot is so fast moving and exciting. Each of Evelyn's clues and journal entries give us a little more insight into her life in the past and what she did to ensure her friends would be saved in 2025. It was so fun to watch Benny and friends figure these clues out and I was on the edge of my seat wondering if everyone would be saved. The ending was SUCH a cliffhanger I already need the next book!
Thank you to Netgalley and SourceBooks Kids for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This series is just so much fun! This one picks up right where the first one left off. Evelyn has left another set of clues for Benny to figure out to help save her friends and Kimble. But there is so much more to Evelyn's story than she first lead Benny to believe. There are more characters involved and some of the previous characters are more involved than they let on initially.
Benny is so smart and I love the friendship she has created with Zara. She's not used to having friends since she moved around a lot with her mom, so to see her be able to continue growing this friendship was so heartwarming. She will stop at nothing to save Evelyn's friends even though she didn't know they existed before coming to Greenport. In this one, Gil comes off the island into 2025. It's so funny to watch him discover things like tv and electricity. He ends up working really well with Benny and Zara and they make a great team.
The plot is so fast moving and exciting. Each of Evelyn's clues and journal entries give us a little more insight into her life in the past and what she did to ensure her friends would be saved in 2025. It was so fun to watch Benny and friends figure these clues out and I was on the edge of my seat wondering if everyone would be saved. The ending was SUCH a cliffhanger I already need the next book!
Thank you to Netgalley and SourceBooks Kids for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am always looking for sequels that keep the energy high, and The Curse Breaker does exactly that! It jumps right back into the story where the first book ends…the hunt continues!
One of the coolest parts of this book is how it’s put together. There are journal entries and clippings scattered throughout the pages, which makes you feel like you are part of the gang trying to solve the mystery…and who not to trust. The chapters also switch points of view, which is important for getting all sides of the story!
The plot gets a big boost from a new group of rivals who are also hunting for the treasure. This competition is exactly what Benny needs to step up and show what she’s truly capable of.
What I loved most about this book was the focus on family. It’s a great reminder that knowing where you come from is just as important as where you’re going, and that theme of connecting to your roots really gives the adventure a lot of HEART.
In true Calonita fashion, there is (again) one massive surprise near the end that will have you begging for more! This was an easy five star read for me, and I’m already looking forward to how all the twists and turns wrap up in the finale!
One of the coolest parts of this book is how it’s put together. There are journal entries and clippings scattered throughout the pages, which makes you feel like you are part of the gang trying to solve the mystery…and who not to trust. The chapters also switch points of view, which is important for getting all sides of the story!
The plot gets a big boost from a new group of rivals who are also hunting for the treasure. This competition is exactly what Benny needs to step up and show what she’s truly capable of.
What I loved most about this book was the focus on family. It’s a great reminder that knowing where you come from is just as important as where you’re going, and that theme of connecting to your roots really gives the adventure a lot of HEART.
In true Calonita fashion, there is (again) one massive surprise near the end that will have you begging for more! This was an easy five star read for me, and I’m already looking forward to how all the twists and turns wrap up in the finale!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received an advance copy of this book for review.
I read this aloud with my 10 year old and it was really fun to share with her and experience the story for the first time together. We were making guesses and theories of how everything would play out!
This is the second book in a planned trilogy and it brought back all the great things about the first book (clue chasing, mysteries from the past interwoven with the present, and a mysterious inheritance) but also expanded in new ways, upped the stakes, and explored the magical realism elements more.
I don’t want to say much more about the plot than that to avoid any spoilers! This was a strong sequel and brought plenty of new revelations while also setting things up for an epic conclusion in book 3! I definitely recommend this series to middle grade lovers who enjoy adventure, intrigue, riddles, and strong and smart girls!
I read this aloud with my 10 year old and it was really fun to share with her and experience the story for the first time together. We were making guesses and theories of how everything would play out!
This is the second book in a planned trilogy and it brought back all the great things about the first book (clue chasing, mysteries from the past interwoven with the present, and a mysterious inheritance) but also expanded in new ways, upped the stakes, and explored the magical realism elements more.
I don’t want to say much more about the plot than that to avoid any spoilers! This was a strong sequel and brought plenty of new revelations while also setting things up for an epic conclusion in book 3! I definitely recommend this series to middle grade lovers who enjoy adventure, intrigue, riddles, and strong and smart girls!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an electronic ARC from SOURCEBOOKS Kids through NetGalley.
Readers come back to the mysterious island with Everly (Benny) and her friends as they face the challenge of rescuing Evelyn Terry's friends before time runs out. Evelyn provides clues hidden two hundred years in the past bur relevant to the current time. They add one more to their team when Gil leaves the island with them to help break the curse. Calonita spins a high energy tale full of betrayals, problem solving, action and surprises. By the end, they manage to retrieve more of the treasure and one special ring. As the book ends, we see the start of the next riddle to be solved in book three.
Readers come back to the mysterious island with Everly (Benny) and her friends as they face the challenge of rescuing Evelyn Terry's friends before time runs out. Evelyn provides clues hidden two hundred years in the past bur relevant to the current time. They add one more to their team when Gil leaves the island with them to help break the curse. Calonita spins a high energy tale full of betrayals, problem solving, action and surprises. By the end, they manage to retrieve more of the treasure and one special ring. As the book ends, we see the start of the next riddle to be solved in book three.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. This was an ARC from NetGalley. The second book in the series picks up right where the cliffhanger in the first book ended. This book was a good continuation of the series, but it wasn't at the same level as the first. This is a very quick read, and for picking up in the middle of the story, the first half felt a bit slow and repetitive. It felt there was a bit of wasted real estate. This did set up a third book, and I will continue with the series, just ended a bit underwhelming on this one, with the first one being so great.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Curse Breaker starts off where the first book ended which is nice, It is a nice adventure book with a pirate theme. The author shows us more character development so we learn more about them and their relationships. with each other past and present. I really enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next in the series.
July 22, 2025
This is book 2 of this series. You probably want to start with the first book. I didn't and it was a bit confusing to start with. once I caught in, it was a magical mystery that young adult readers would enjoy. I think middle grade would work best.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The world of the Isle of Ever feels richer and more layered this time, with stronger emotional depth and some genuinely surprising twists. I especially loved how the friendships were tested and strengthened as the danger grew.
December 10, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
At least one book more is needed to finish this story.
At least one book more is needed to finish this story.
August 14, 2025
While this still retains a lot of the fun of its predecessor, it feels very much like a transitional book. A number of extra complications are introduced, but little is resolved, and we are clearly heading towards a big final confrontation.
Benny has a lot on her plate trying to preserve her inheritance for the sake of her family, break the island curse, and dealing with betrayal, and her job just got a lot harder. There are threats to the island about to reveal themselves--new to Benny but ones Kimble is all too familiar with--and that's not the only big reveal. Benny is about to learn why she plays such a key role--and just how dangerous that is.
I'm genuinely looking forward to what comes next, but this did falter just a bit. With so many characters to juggle, a few just kind of drop altogether in service of the new ones, which I was sorry to see.
Benny has a lot on her plate trying to preserve her inheritance for the sake of her family, break the island curse, and dealing with betrayal, and her job just got a lot harder. There are threats to the island about to reveal themselves--new to Benny but ones Kimble is all too familiar with--and that's not the only big reveal. Benny is about to learn why she plays such a key role--and just how dangerous that is.
I'm genuinely looking forward to what comes next, but this did falter just a bit. With so many characters to juggle, a few just kind of drop altogether in service of the new ones, which I was sorry to see.
November 26, 2025
The plot and the mysteries become more tangled in this second series entry. There are a lot of betrayals and secrets. Disney-esque, but better. Unfortunately, the next in the series is not yet available. (Sigh. I do not like cliff-hanger endings.) Definitely recommended - but you might want to wait until the series is complete to start reading!
Review based on DRCs received through Edelweiss+/NetGalley.
Review based on DRCs received through Edelweiss+/NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews