Overhanging fog, buildings slick with frost, and an intriguing darkness: Mauditia is a town under a curse, and an unwitting girl is soon to discover its perils.
When Evette wakes up, abandoned with no recollection of the day before, her instinct is to find her way home—but she can't without first venturing into the mysterious town before her. Led onwards by the town's winding streets, she encounters an assortment of strangers who may be more familiar than her mind lets on.
While the day draws to a close, not only does the mystery of Mauditia begin to unravel, but so does her mind; she endures trials of courage, trust, luck, love—and most importantly, memories. As they are the most powerful of all.
But nothing is as it first seems; in her efforts to leave the haunting place behind, she soon realises it may be a feat near impossible.
For Mauditia is a town like no other: nobody has ever left.
Katherine Gray is a corporate writer, indie author, and content creator from the UK. She published her debut, A Silent Curse, in August 2022, and her second novel, Sweet Dreams Don't Lie, followed in October 2025.
june 2022 my lovely kat sent me an arc copy, which I was more than delighted to devour all over again, so I think it's only fitting I give this baby a longer review.
A Silent Curse follows Evette, who is 99.9% sure Mauditia is cursed, or something, meaning she has the common sense everyone else seems to lack. But, being the curious person she is, she decides to do the one thing no one in their right mind would do; walk smack into... I would love to give you a very detailed summary that SparkNotes™️ would be envious of but, I don't want to spoil my darling's cleverly woven plot twists so I'm going to stop right there.
In all its essence, A Silent Curse aligns with the values that make up a good fantasy novel. But, remaining true to our shared love of physics, Kat has backed up her magic system with a bit of slightly-fictional-slightly-not science; essentially dipping her toes into the science fiction genre to test out the waters for possible future works (hint hint) and you guys, the water is perfect.
Something I've noticed (and admired) about Kat was her ability to enthral and enchant her audience with her prosaic writing and this novel doesn't fall too far from the tree; in all its beauty, A Silent Curse can be described as lyrical and rich in tone. However, do not let her innate musicality fool you; it's a tragedy.
And a bloody beautiful one too.
A couple of months ago, Kat emailed me the first draft of A Silent Curse. Today I finished reading the advanced reader's copy and words cannot express how proud I am. I watched her cross out and rewrite lines, pages, chapters, the whole book. I watched her doubt herself but shake the fear off her back and continue writing. I watched her finish the first draft. I watched her go through another draft and then, another until it has come to this. And while all of these incredible accomplishments, I think the world should also know that she is the kindest and most passionate person I know. I'm so proud of the person you've become, Kat. Congratulations, your hard work had paid off ♡
november 2021 I read the first draft of this one and I'm telling you it's fire ❤️🔥
IF YOU ARE READING THIS REVIEW, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO HEAD STRAIGHT TO AMAZON AND BUY A SILENT CURSE BY KATHERINE GRAY. THIS HAS BEEN A PSA PLEASE AND THANK YOU
For most of this book, I was preparing myself to give it 4 stars - the characters were likeable, the worldbuilding was intriguing, the writing was good, but there was nothing to push it into the league of favourite books - and then the ending came upon me. THAT ENDING. Possibly the biggest and most well-executed plot twist I have ever read. It takes so much plotting and foreshadowing to pull off a plot twist like that, but Kat managed it perfectly. The aesthetic was immaculate, the characters were incredible, the detail was amazing and the ending left me absolutely reeling. It's so clever. I won't stop thinking about this book for a long time, and a reread will definitely be happening soon.
For all the girls whose hearts belong to fiction; here is another world for you to endlessly relive.
A Silent Curse is one of those books that you finish reading and immediately go back to the first page and start over again. I was hooked from the first sentence, and I finished this book in about two days, sat there in awe and then started it all over again.
I adored the world building, with Mauditia feeling like my second home, and the setting easy to slip into. Mauditia feels like home, but at the same is that abandoned house that you walk a little quicker to pass. It’s wonderful and eerie at the same time.
The plot is another thing entirely. It feels so simple, but when you get to that part, you’ll want to put the book down and simply try to understand how you could’ve missed all of the hints. This is a book that you read to the end, even if it’s a little slow. You’ll love it.
Evette is such a well written, rounded character, and her friends and foes create a cast that feels as if you’re in the book with them. Not once did I hate a character, except for when I got to the plot twist (see above).
This is a 5 star fantasy that is either going to become a bestseller, be turned into a movie, or both. I know that every fantasy reader is going to want to have this on their shelf, and I am waiting until it releases to add it to mine.
I want to say thank you Katherine for allowing me to read an advanced copy of her debut novel. This was an absolutely amazing read, and I can’t wait to see what you write next.
⭐️3.5 Wow! This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the setting of the story, and the main characters were overall super fun and interesting—I will say that Evette got on my nerves a little, but maybe that’s just me… Anyway, I thought it was super cool how the story not only takes place in the span of a day, but also had the chapters set out as such. I will say the book felt a little short/incomplete. I realize there was limited time as this was, as I said, one single day, but I would’ve liked to see just a little more elaboration in a few areas. But, given the small time frame she had to work with, I thought the author did an incredible job! One final thing to say: maybe it was the limited time, but I just wasn’t feeling the chemistry in the romance. I felt it more towards the end, but everything leading up to that, just didn’t scream romantic interests. Finally, I was so proud of myself: I caught Wyatt’s little slip up right away! Iykyk! But yeah, man that ending! It was crazy and I loved it! Now, for a quick age rating, I honestly found this very true to ya, (12+) there was very little cursing (there was one use of g*dd@mn, which I was not at all a fan of), but other than that, no steam or anything like that.
First of all, thank you so much for choosing me as an ARC reader. It was very fun and I enjoyed it a lot. For those who are reading this review—BUY IT. You will not be disappointed with this book.
The writing is absolutely stunning and the world-building of Mauditia is so cozy. The eerie, but familiar feeling the town gives is so comforting, but at the same time off-putting. It definitely makes the atmosphere of the story so much more compelling.
I was never once bored reading this. It’s a quick-paced and easy read book with a complex plot. At times, I felt like the plot felt very simple, but I must inform you: READ TO THE END. It will make so much more sense when you reach the end.
I loved the characters and their names are so pretty. Evette was such a fun character and I love her so much. As for the others, they felt so human like they were real. The characters, the plot, EVERYTHING—it was amazing.
Also, the PLOT TWIST. That was amazing. I know for a fact you will not see that coming. I didn’t even see that coming and I’m very good at spotting foreshadowing/guessing the ending. I think the plot twists really made me rate it 5/5 stars. The writing and plot were equally great.
I’m not a big fantasy fan, but I am in LOVE with this book. Definitely one of my top reads this year.
Now what are you doing? When the book releases, GO AND READ THIS BOOK!! <33
“If you don’t know something, admire the fact that you can always learn.” That is literally one of my new favorite quotes. You know what else is now my favorite? THIS BOOK. Genuinely I can’t even find the words to express how genius Katherine Gray is. I had questions at the end and was wondering when I was going to get the answers to them, only to get the most insane plot twist of my life as the answer. Each character has such separate and unique traits and personalities, they were so fleshed out and I love them so so much. The last chapter parallel to the first chapter had me SCREAMING I got chills by the end of this book. No matter how many guesses I made, the end of this book shocked me no matter what foreshadowing there had been. Please please please read A Silent Curse because you’re missing out if you haven’t. The plot twist, the unreliable characters, the unknowns, the writing, the setting, EVERYTHING. So full of talent and so genius.
I liked the book for the most part and the mystery around it. The writing was also good but I was disappointed with the ending and thought that it was underwhelming considering the many possibilities that could have happened
It is so difficult coming up with unpredictable plot twists but Katherine did incredible. I didn’t see it coming at all and I was audibly reacting in shock!
The characters were loveable, believable and complex. I just wish I had longer with them. Since the whole story is set over one day, I had trouble shipping the two love interests sometimes.
In terms of the writing style, Katherine had a serious talent. I was truly impressed and I will definitely be reading any of her future books.
A Silent Curse follows the plight of Evette, an intruder in the solitary, forgotten town of Mauditia. With a few unlikely companions, she must devise a way to escape the cruel curse that traps the rest of Mauditia's citizens.
The writing style is so perfectly suited for this book, as haunting and evocative as it is. I wish I could frame it and put it on my wall! It is just as intricate as the worldbuilding. Speaking of the worldbuilding--something I really admired was Katherine's attention to detail throughout the book. Every citizen, distinct as they were, had a thread to contribute to the enigmatic tapestry of Mauditia. This gave the subtle effect of an echo chamber, which I thought it was so masterfully done.
Don't let the quiet horrors of the book fool you, though--it still has plenty of humor and heartfelt emotion. Through the fog and darkness of Mauditia are unexpected lanterns of hope and human connection. Evette and Laurent will forever be some of my favorite characters. It is through them, I think, that the true spirit of the story is channeled.
A Silent Curse is rather like a spool of thread in that the story unravels slowly at first, and then all at once. Though I anticipated some of the plot twists, I couldn't have predicted what happened in the final chapters. Katherine does a wonderful job of making you empathize with the characters! I was drawn so deeply into the book that I stayed up until midnight to finish it (rather fittingly). It's a quick read that nevertheless captivates your full attention.
If you love The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber, let me just say…you’ll love this book. I was spellbound to the end. If I could give it 10/5 stars, I would.
A charming adventure with an exhilarating twist, and a hint of love in more ways than you might expect! A Silent Curse is the wild story of a young girl getting to grips with a whole new world, haunted by magic, and yet filled with friendly, almost too friendly, companions. Initially I found this book an easy read and a solid four stars, but the ending was superb and took me completely by surprise. I want to reread it, but with no experience of the ending so it can surprise me once again - as if I've just woken up in Mauditia for the first time...
This book was very enjoyable and an easy read. I got weird vibes from Wyatt as soon as he was introduced so I wasn’t really surprised when he was revealed to be evil but I never could have predicted the everyday is the same twist. Anyways, 4 stars and can’t wait to read more from this author!
"You have no choice. You are very much in the reins of a silent curse, even if it is not the curse you first thought. To you, it is wicked. To me, it is beautiful. But to all, it is inescapable.”
Ohhh the plot twist...did not see that coming. But damn, that was crazy especially when Tristan says the title of the book out loud. Ohhh it quite literally gives what I personally call "Bookgasm". In Gen-Z slang, the author slayed. 💅🏼✨️💙
2.25/5 I want to say I enjoyed this book but it wouldn’t be true I got this book recommended by her YouTube channel which btw still great videos but this book was SO BORING Also btw I didn’t know you could rate your own book sooooo like first of all the insta love was killing me like I know it’s like “they fall in love in every lifetime but I just didn’t see the chemistry The only thing that brought up the .25 was the “plot twist” I semi enjoyed it but also why did he like her during the course of the book she was so annoying I don’t remember her name but first of all she RIPPED A LIBRARY BOOK PAGE OUT which is like yeah I don’t like you And you the she was like ok Laurence let’s lay out all your insecurities and that’ll be fun won’t it? (It wasn’t) So yeah I probably would have rated it higher if 1. The book had more interesting parts in other books the filler is somewhat enjoyable not this one 2. I felt the chemistry There was nothing to be found in the “love interest” and this book had a horrible case of insta love 3. The book had more time to evolve the characters I felt nothing for any of the characters in except for mc who was so annoying 4. Better characters not gonna infer cause I spent to long on this already So yeah maybe I didn’t like this but hey you might 😃👍 Also if the author is reading this: still like your videos and might read others but nothing again you just your books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
An easy 4.25☆ read from me, especially as it nears Christmas and all I want is cosy wintery vibes and mugs of herbal tea over a frozen lake. What started as me wanting to support other small authors, especially in the UK, led to the most wonderful, twisty reading experience, and I'm very excited to tell absolutely EVERYONE that they need to read this book.
ASC is Katherine Gray's debut, and is sort of a mix between fantasy and sci-fi, in this world which only becomes a dystopia once certain elements are revealed. It twists the boundaries between trust and lies and makes you question everything you once thought about elements of the plot and certain characters. There were points at the start where I thought plot-holes danced with a general lack of information about our main character, Evette, but everything made so much sense as the last few chapters drew the plot together.
I could definitely see Katherine's writing style improving and flowing so much better as the book progressed, which makes me so excited for her next books. I loved the gorgeous descriptions throughout and the most perfect romantic sub-plot that was built slowly and subtly, in the most incredibly tentative, beautiful way.
Read this book, especially in winter, curled up with a mug of tea and a blanket.
I cannot even begin to describe how incredible it was. My mind is reeling. THE ENDING-
My lack of words should be enough to convince you to read it. This book is like a breath of fresh air and I’m so so so convinced it will live rent free in my head for quite a while.
So now I’m begging you to read it!!
5/5⭐️
Quotes: (Include semi-spoilers)
- “I think you should know: I was never really worried about you leaving—I was just searching for a reason for you to stay.” - “to you, it is wicked. To me, it is beautiful. But to all, it is inescapable.”
Given in exchange for feedback as a post-publication ARC.
I need part two of this like now! This was incredible - and I am not a fantasy reader. Everything was so detailed and the description was vivid. The chapter length was perfect and the ending. Oh my god! I had no idea what was going to happen. My jaw is on the floor.
A brilliant first novel from an inspiring young author. A Silent Curse is no ordinary read but an exceptional one. Full of intrigue with beautiful imagery of Evette’s journey through Mauditia. An excellent read.
This was a great read and I was happy to support a fellow kdp author! I was able to knock it out in a day which was really pleasant and enjoyable on my day off from work. The pacing was great, it had some interesting characters and most of all the ending truly shocked me! If you’re looking for a book you can’t put down look no farther than this one!