Are There Books Similar To Second Hand Curses?

If you loved 'From Bad to Cursed' for its mix of dark humor and supernatural shenanigans, you might wanna check out 'The Ex Hex' by Erin Sterling. It’s got that same vibe of witches messing up spells with hilarious consequences, plus a slow-burn romance that’s just chef’s kiss. The protagonist’s chaotic energy reminded me so much of 'From Bad to Cursed'—like, whoops, my curse accidentally ruined the town, but hey, at least the love interest is hot? Another gem is 'Payback’s a Witch' by Lana Harper. It’s got rival witch families, revenge plots, and enough snark to power a small city. The magic system feels grounded but playful, kinda like how 'From Bad to Cursed' balances absurdity with heart. Also, if you’re into audiobooks, the narrators for both totally nail the sarcasm. I binged them back-to-back last Halloween and zero regrets.

If you loved 'The Winner's Curse' for its blend of political intrigue and slow-burn romance, you might enjoy 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black. Both books have that delicious tension between power and vulnerability, with protagonists who navigate treacherous court dynamics. 'The Cruel Prince' leans more into faerie politics, but Jude’s sharp wit and the enemies-to-lovers vibe gave me the same adrenaline rush. Another great pick is 'An Ember in the Ashes' by Sabaa Tahir. It’s grittier, but the military conquest themes and morally gray characters echo 'The Winner's Curse.' Laia’s struggle against an oppressive empire reminded me of Kestrel’s dilemmas—both heroines use their brains over brawn, which I adore. For something with a lighter tone but similar strategic romance, 'The Belles' by Dhonielle Clayton has gorgeous world-building and high-stakes choices.

If you loved 'The Curse of Sins' for its dark, intricate magic system and morally grey characters, you might dive into 'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang. It’s got that same brutal, unforgiving vibe where power comes at a terrifying cost. The protagonist’s journey from underdog to someone consumed by their own abilities feels eerily similar—like watching a train wreck you can’t look away from. For something with more gothic flair, 'The Ninth House' by Leigh Bardugo blends occult mysteries with elite academia. The way it twists secret societies and forbidden rituals scratches that itch for shadowy, dangerous lore. Both books have that unputdownable quality where every chapter leaves you desperate to know how deep the corruption goes.

If you loved the magical vibes and queer romance in 'The Spells We Cast', you're in for a treat with a few other gems. 'Cemetery Boys' by Aiden Thomas is a fantastic pick—it blends Latinx folklore with a heartwarming LGBTQ+ love story, and the magic system feels just as personal and intricate. Then there's 'The Witch King' by H.E. Edgmon, which has that same fierce, rebellious energy with a nonbinary protagonist navigating a world that wants to control their power. For something with a darker edge, 'The Atlas Six' by Olivie Blake dives into competitive, morally gray magic users, though it’s more adult-leaning. And if you’re after that cozy yet thrilling feel, 'The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches' by Sangu Mandanna is like a warm hug with a side of spellwork. Honestly, any of these could scratch that itch for more enchanting, character-driven stories.

If you're craving more books like 'The Dain Curse,' you're in for a treat because that classic Dashiell Hammett noir vibe is something I've chased down myself. The mix of hard-boiled detective work, psychological twists, and that signature Hammett grit is hard to replicate, but a few titles come close. One that immediately springs to mind is 'Red Harvest,' also by Hammett—it’s got that same chaotic, morally ambiguous world where the protagonist wades through corruption and violence. The Continental Op’s relentless pursuit of justice (or something like it) in a town rotten to the core feels like a sibling to 'The Dain Curse,' just with more bullets and fewer opium dens. Another gem is Raymond Chandler’s 'The Big Sleep.' Philip Marlowe’s sardonic wit and the labyrinthine plot filled with wealthy eccentrics and dark secrets echo the atmospheric dread of 'The Dain Curse.' Chandler’s prose is a bit more polished than Hammett’s, but the sense of unraveling a mystery that’s as much about human frailty as it is about crime hits the same notes. For something slightly off the beaten path, James M. Cain’s 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' delivers that raw, desperate energy—less detective work, more doomed lovers and fatalistic decisions, but it’s dripping with the same kind of fatal charm. If you’re open to modern takes, Paul Auster’s 'New York Trilogy' plays with noir conventions in a meta, existential way. It’s not a straight-up homage, but the way it deconstructs the detective genre while still delivering gripping puzzles feels like a spiritual successor. And for a wildcard pick, 'The Yiddish Policemen’s Union' by Michael Chabon blends noir with alternate history and a dash of Yiddish folklore—it’s weird, wonderful, and somehow captures that same sense of a world teetering on the edge of madness. Honestly, half the fun is seeing how different authors twist those classic noir elements into something fresh while keeping the soul intact.

I absolutely adore 'A Curse of Scales and Flame' for its blend of dark fantasy and intricate character dynamics! If you're craving something similar, you might fall head-over-heels for 'The Priory of the Orange Tree' by Samantha Shannon. It’s got that epic, dragon-infused worldbuilding and a fierce female protagonist who’s wrestling with destiny. The political intrigue is just as thick, and the magic system feels equally weighty. Another gem is 'The Bone Shard Daughter' by Andrea Stewart—it’s got that same vibe of curses and ancient powers, plus a dash of mystery. The way Stewart weaves multiple POVs together reminds me of the layered storytelling in 'A Curse of Scales and Flame.' And if you’re into morally gray characters, 'The Jasmine Throne' by Tasha Suri is a must-read. Its lush prose and themes of rebellion hit all the right notes.

If you loved 'A Cursed Kiss' for its dark romance and fairy-tale vibes, you might want to dive into 'The Shadows Between Us' by Tricia Levenseller. It’s got that same delicious mix of forbidden love and morally grey characters, but with a twist—the protagonist is the one plotting the love interest’s downfall. The banter is sharp, and the stakes feel just as high. Another great pick is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It’s more rooted in Slavic folklore, but the lush prose and the tension between the main characters will scratch that itch. Plus, the magic system feels so tangible, like it could spill off the page. I remember finishing it and immediately wanting to live in that world, even with all its dangers.

If you loved 'Karma's Spell' for its blend of magic and moral dilemmas, you might enjoy 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue'. It's got that same haunting vibe where choices echo across lifetimes, but with a more introspective, lyrical style. The protagonist's deal with a dark entity reminded me of the karmic consequences in 'Karma's Spell', though Addie's curse is more about being forgotten than direct retribution. Another pick is 'The Starless Sea'—it’s layered with myths and hidden stories, much like how 'Karma's Spell' weaves fate into its narrative. The prose is gorgeously dense, and the labyrinthine plot feels like uncovering secrets page by page. If you’re into reincarnation themes, 'The Golem and the Jinni' also explores cyclical destinies, but with a historical twist set in 1899 New York.

If you loved the eerie, atmospheric vibes of 'Cursed Waters', you might want to dive into 'The Drowning Kind' by Jennifer McMahon. It’s got that same blend of supernatural mystery and creeping dread, with a lake that holds dark secrets. McMahon’s writing pulls you in like a riptide—I couldn’t put it down. Another gem is 'The Fisherman' by John Langan, which weaves folklore into a modern horror tale. The way Langan builds tension reminds me of 'Cursed Waters', where the water itself feels like a character. For something more surreal, try 'The Boatman’s Daughter' by Andy Davidson. It’s got that Southern Gothic flavor mixed with watery horrors, and the prose is lush and haunting. I read it during a rainy weekend, and the mood stuck with me for days. If you’re into games, 'SOMA' (though not a book) nails that underwater existential terror. Honestly, after 'Cursed Waters', I’ve been chasing that same feeling of unease—these came close.

If you loved 'Cursed Cocktails' for its mix of fantasy and cozy vibes, you might enjoy 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by TJ Klune. Both books have this warm, almost whimsical feel, where magic feels like a natural part of everyday life. The characters are quirky but deeply lovable, and the stakes are personal rather than world-ending. Another great pick is 'Legends & Lattes' by Travis Baldree—it’s like 'Cursed Cocktails' but with coffee instead of alcohol! The protagonist is an orc who retires from adventuring to open a café, and the story is all about found family and small, heartfelt victories. It’s perfect if you’re craving that same low-stakes, high-charm energy.