The Beautiful and the Cursed

The Beautiful and the Cursed transports readers to 1899 Paris, where the Waverly family relocates after a mysterious incident in London. Twin sisters Ingrid and Gabby, along with their brother Grayson, arrive at their mother's new art gallery housed in an ancient former abbey. The sisters discover they possess supernatural abilities tied to the gargoyles that guard their new home. As young women vanish across Paris, Ingrid and Gabby become entangled in a hidden world of demons, angels, and ancient creatures that exist in the shadows of the City of Light. The story combines elements of Gothic romance, paranormal fantasy, and historical fiction while following multiple narrative threads. The complex mythology of gargoyles serves as the foundation for the supernatural elements of the tale. This first installment in the Dispossessed series explores themes of family loyalty, forbidden love, and the price of protection in a dark yet enchanting version of Belle Époque Paris.

Readers describe the book as a Gothic YA romance with gargoyles, set in 1899 Paris. The plot combines paranormal elements with historical fiction. Readers appreciated: - Fresh take on gargoyle mythology - Victorian Paris atmosphere and setting details - Complex sibling relationships - Balance of romance and supernatural action Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Love triangle feels forced - Some found main character Ingrid passive - Historical accuracy issues noted by some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (120+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (40+ ratings) "The gargoyle mythology was unique and well-developed" appears in multiple reviews. Several readers cited "beautiful atmospheric writing" while others found it "too descriptive and slow." Some DNF reviews mentioned struggling to connect with characters in early chapters.

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🗝️ The novel is set in 1899 Paris, weaving gothic elements with historical details of the City of Light during the Belle Époque period. 🗿 Gargoyles in the story are based on actual architectural elements found throughout Paris, particularly those on Notre-Dame Cathedral, though Morgan reimagines them as supernatural guardians. 📚 This book is the first installment in The Dispossessed trilogy, followed by "The Lovely and the Lost" and "The Wondrous and the Wicked." 💫 Author Page Morgan was inspired to write about gargoyles after seeing them on churches during a trip to Europe, particularly struck by their dual nature as both protectors and frightening creatures. 🎭 The story features a unique blend of multiple genres: historical fiction, paranormal romance, and gothic horror, making it stand out in the young adult fantasy category.