From Bad to Cursed: A Disheartening Detour in the Witches of Thistle Grove
When I first cracked open From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper, I was armed with some hefty expectations after absolutely loving Payback’s a Witch. That book transported me to the whimsical world of Thistle Grove and introduced me to characters I genuinely cared about. Unfortunately, this sequel felt less like a continuation and more like a stilted, cringey spinoff. If I had to summarize my feelings in a word, it would be—unfortunately—cringey.
The plot centers around Issa and Rowan, but unlike the engaging emotional growth I found in Emmy’s journey, this one flounders in predictability and forced dialogue. From the beginning, the mystery was as clear as day. The book opened with a demon summoning scene that foreshadowed the predictable twists to come, making my reading experience feel more like a chore than an adventure. With lines like "holy fucking spaceballs Batman!" littering the dialogue, it became painfully clear that the witty banter was just trying too hard to be clever, often missing the mark entirely.
One aspect that particularly irked me was the depiction of Issa’s character. While the conversation aimed to draw contrasts between her and the "rich cishet white men" she rants against, the irony felt thick enough to slice. Issa herself is a privileged white woman, so her attempts at social commentary came off as hypocritical and oddly tone-deaf. I found myself questioning the multiple references to her “normie” status, especially when it felt like a convenient scapegoat for any criticism she faced. The discussion of social issues, like judging people by their family name and tying it to racist sentiments, felt clumsy and disconnected.
The quick pacing of Issa and Rowan’s relationship bothered me too; their chemistry felt forced, with Issa drooling over his muscles from the get-go instead of establishing a meaningful connection. The abrupt nature of their third-act "breakup," resolved in mere minutes, only added to the sense of contrived drama. And don’t get me started on that laughably ridiculous explanation for their “enemy” status—it just didn’t hold up.
On a slightly more positive note, there were moments where Harper’s world-building shone through. The descriptions of the Beltane Festival were enchantingly vivid, allowing me to savor the magical elements of Thistle Grove that I adored in the first book. However, the social commentary felt mishandled, and the absence of diversity among the founding members felt like a glaring oversight in a supposedly progressive world.
While I can’t recommend this book wholeheartedly—especially for readers who loved the essence of Payback’s a Witch—there may be those who appreciate Harper’s whimsical writing style and the inventive setting. For fans of cozy paranormal romances with slightly less depth, this could still be a fun read. Personally, though, after this lackluster installment, I’m hesitant about diving into more of Thistle Grove unless there’s a promising shift back to the rich character development and heartfelt conflicts that first drew me in.
In the end, reading From Bad to Cursed left me with a bittersweet taste. I wanted to love it, but, alas, it appears we’ve taken a detour in this witchy journey. Here’s hoping that the next book might cast a better spell!
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