Rating: 4.75 out of 5

I honestly did not expect to get this attached to a story about feelings, but The Empath's Curse completely wrecked me in the best way possible. I usually avoid stories that sound too depressing, but the way the author wrote the main character's struggle with her powers was so relatable? Like, we all feel overwhelmed sometimes, but she literally feels everyone's pain, and that concept was executed perfectly.

The first few chapters where she is isolating herself because the "noise" of other people's emotions is too loud were heartbreaking. You just want to give her a hug, but you know that would probably hurt her more. It established the stakes so well. The author really made you feel how lonely her life was, living in that tower away from everyone. It wasn't just angst for the sake of angst; it felt necessary for her survival.

Then the romance comes in and saves the day. When she meets the one person whose mind is "quiet" - total silence - the relief she felt was palpable. I was screaming! It is the perfect soulmate trope. The scene in the garden where they accidentally touch for the first time and she realizes she doesn't feel pain? Chills. Literal chills. Their chemistry is insane because he is the only safe place she has in the entire world. It makes their bond feel so much deeper than just "oh, he is hot."

The suspense ramped up in the middle when the villain tried to weaponize her curse against her. Chapter 35 - The Breaking Point had me stressing out so bad. I was terrified she was going to lose control and hurt the people she finally started to trust. The way she turned the curse around and projected her own pain onto the villain? Iconic behavior. It was such a satisfying "girlboss" moment.

The ending was everything I wanted. It wasn't a magic fix where the curse just vanished; she learned to control it. That message about accepting your sensitivity as a strength instead of a weakness really hit home for me. 4.75/5 because I need a sequel about how they navigate the kingdom now!