Published: September 29, 2026
Series: Harker Academy #2
Genres: Adult // Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Open Door)
Quick Thoughts: Half City was one of my top reads from earlier this year, so I was looking forward to picking up Cursed City. While it has some slow stretches plot-wise, I thought the reveals and twists sprinkled throughout, along with getting to know some of the minor characters from the first book, made up for it.
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What is Cursed Cityabout?
Welcome back to Harker Academy for Deviant Defense, where the line between hunter and hunted has never been thinner.
To rescue someone close to her, Viv must team up with Reid’s violent, unpredictable older brother, Deacon. Her uneasy truce with him offers Viv something Reid never could: the chance to embrace her darkness.
Viv’s mission takes her to the center of Astera's seedy underbelly with none other than the White Stag as her guide. But when a bounty on Viv's head puts those she cares about in danger, Viv will be forced to go to lengths she never dreamed in order to protect them.
With enemies closing in from all sides and a ticking clock on her life, Viv must save the Half City from destruction while surviving a betrayal that strikes at the heart of everything she’s fighting for. Because in a world where monsters wear familiar faces and temptation cuts deeper than any blade, making it through her second semester at Harker will take more than skill—it will take everything Viv has left to give. Who can she really trust in a city that thrives on lies?
Cursed City Review
Setting & World
Half City was one of my top reads from earlier this year, so I was looking forward to picking up Cursed City. While it has some slow stretches plot-wise, I thought the reveals and twists sprinkled throughout, along with getting to know some of the minor characters from the first book, made up for it.
Plot
The book picks up right where the first one left off, with Reid captured and Viv going to his older brother, Deacon, for help. We spend a lot of time getting to know Deacon, uncovering his backstory, and building his relationship with Viv as they work together to save Reid. If you prefer a plot-heavy story, the book may drag for you, but the entertaining banter between Deacon and Viv filled that void for me.
Characters & Romance
Deacon becomes the driving force behind Viv’s growth as a character. The self-loathing that defined her in book one carries over into book two, but Deacon, dark and morally gray as he is, is unapologetically himself and pushes Viv to accept who she is. Her growth makes her much easier to root for this time around. The endgame for the romance is still up in the air, so if love triangles or falling for your boyfriend’s brother aren’t your thing, you may not love the direction it’s heading in.
The story also expands a bit in its cast of characters and setting. Penny gets a lot more page time and Deacon’s crew fits right in with Viv’s friends. We also spend much less time at Harker and more time in Astera.
Cliffhanger Ending
Lastly, if you don’t like cliffhangers, you may want to wait until book three is out. The ending here is way more brutal than Half City’s.
So, should you read Cursed City?
Definitely pick this up if you liked Half City, especially if you’re ok with more character-driven action and don’t mind love triangles.
Check out this review on Goodreads or Storygraph.
Happy reading!
Kim
Cursed City FAQs
Some of the answers may be spoilers if you haven’t read it already. Proceed with caution!
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Potential spoilers ahead ⚠️
Violence and Gore
Death and Murder, including character death and death of parent
Mental Health and Distress, including suicidal thoughts and grief.
Toxic relationships and coercion
Torture scenes and detailed injuries
Fantasy drug use
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Potential spoilers ahead ⚠️
Urban fantasy with a dark academia setting
Demon hunter x demon romance
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity and a reluctant alliance
Slow burn
Love triangle
Morally gray love interest
Found family
Black cat FMC
Hurt/comfort
Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes
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Yes! Cursed City is the second book in Kate Golden’s Harker Academy series and the sequel to Half City. It was released on September 29, 2026, and picks up right where Half City left off, so you’ll want to read the books in order.
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No, Cursed City isn’t the last book. The Harker Academy series is a planned trilogy, and book three, Infernal City, is expected sometime in 2027. Just a heads-up that Cursed City ends on a major cliffhanger, so if you’d rather not wait, you may want to hold off until book three is out.
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Yes, Cursed City leans into a love triangle between Viv, Reid, and Reid’s older brother, Deacon. Deacon plays a much bigger role in this sequel, and the tension between him and Viv is a big part of what makes the book so addictive. I won’t spoil where the romance ends up, but if love triangles aren’t your thing, it’s worth knowing before you start.
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Cursed City is a slow-burn romantasy, so the spice takes a while to build. I’d rate it a 3 out of 5 on the spice scale or Open Door. This means readers are in the room for spice scenes but they aren’t told in overly explicit detail, often using euphemistic language for act and body parts.
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There are two short spice scenes in Cursed City:
Chapter 8 (not between characters)
Chapter 46