Kai reviewed Hagen's Curse by James Emmi
Review of "Hagen's Curse" on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
At first, Hargen's Curse seems like a lighthearted read, but as the story develops, it becomes darker, a struggle for power between those that want to hold onto it and those that want (and can) make a change. While I cannot say how historically accurate the town is, the twist of how they almost worship baked goods is interesting, well-woven into the story, showing how it affects life here and there, and essential to the plot. Hagen itself felt alive.
The characters are well-developed and round, read like real people with their own flaws and difficulties. However, it's hard to sympathize with them - Anika and Jonathan's relationship, while essential to the plot, was not one I cheered on for, and I'd find it refreshing if they had simply stayed friends. Taking the part of the main villain, Hans's thirst to keep the power he had achieved through his family …
At first, Hargen's Curse seems like a lighthearted read, but as the story develops, it becomes darker, a struggle for power between those that want to hold onto it and those that want (and can) make a change. While I cannot say how historically accurate the town is, the twist of how they almost worship baked goods is interesting, well-woven into the story, showing how it affects life here and there, and essential to the plot. Hagen itself felt alive.
The characters are well-developed and round, read like real people with their own flaws and difficulties. However, it's hard to sympathize with them - Anika and Jonathan's relationship, while essential to the plot, was not one I cheered on for, and I'd find it refreshing if they had simply stayed friends. Taking the part of the main villain, Hans's thirst to keep the power he had achieved through his family line makes him go to great lengths that twist him beyond recognition of his self past.
Secondary characters feel real in their own way, and they read like the protagonists of their own history. Their actions seem to be motivated by their own goals instead of having everything to do with the main characters. While they aren't really likeable people either, support the narrative in meaningful ways, making each of them seem essential.
There's one scene of nudity that feels gratuitous. It kickstarts Jon's actions, but there were other ways to approach that. There's some back and forth between current situations and flashbacks that can be hard to follow sometimes. Nevertheless, the plot is developed and tied together.
Surprisingly, due to the book's lightheaded start, the ending is bleak and harsh. Still, it often portrays the reality of the world we live in, and it fits the narrative well.
All in all, it's worth the read. It has some different elements that make it enjoyable - mainly how the love for food influences the town's life. While the characters aren't people I would want to meet, they are well developed, add to the story, and give the plot life.
"[...] what effect do you think it will have on the people of Hagen if they come to believe that achievement has nothing to do with one's blood?"