The Desert Cursed Series Boxset, Books 1-3

By: Shannon Mayer

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

The Desert Cursed Series should be listened to by people who can root for an underdog, have a good sense of humor, a love for high-paced action, and a taste for a blend of magic that even a Muggle could love. With over half a million copies sold, when you indulge in the Desert Cursed series, you’re in good company.

Witch's Reign (Book 1)

They think her an underdog against impossible odds.... And she will fight tooth and nail to prove them wrong.

The Witch’s Reign...a land of eternal, unnatural winter ruled by the Ice Witch. In turn, she is guarded by three supernatural creatures who wander her lands hunting for unwary souls, killing any who cross their paths.

To get to the Witch’s Reign, you first must pass through the Dragon’s Ground. Full of dragons who, for the record, do not like trespassers.

This is where I am headed, though my mentor has forbidden me.

My best friend was sent with a team into the Witch’s Reign to recover a powerful jewel that belongs to our mentor, and they are long overdue to come back.

That leaves me, Zamira “Reckless” Wilson, to go after my friend. Forbidden or not.

Somehow, I get saddled with a human male tagging along for the ride. A human that is as weak and useless as my own shifting abilities.

Throw in a sentient magical weapon that tries to kill me every time I touch it, and a small dragon that has a penchant for Shakespearean insults, and you’ve got my journey in a nutshell.

May the sands of the desert swallow me whole, because this is going to be a damn bumpy ride.

Dragon's Ground (Book 2)

Dragons and danger and magic collide.... And it's only Monday.

We survived the land of the Witch’s Reign, that much is true. But our arrival home is far from welcome.

My idiot brother has taken it upon himself to ride off in search of a mythical healer, someone who might help him walk again. Assuming she doesn’t eat him first. Because said healer is a dragon and happens to reside in the deepest reaches of the Dragon’s Ground. Like I said, idiot.

I’d go after him myself, but his leave-taking is not the only problem I face. My mentor has yet again forbidden me to leave the safety of the Stockyards. Her reasoning?

That I am too weak to weather the coming storms.

With my pride wounded in more ways than one, I must gather the few allies’ I have left. My ex-husband's new girlfriend at the top of the list and a goat bleating, oversexed Satyr.

FML.

If I’m lucky I’ll find a small dragon and a Jinn whose blue eyes still haunt my dreams along the way.

Buckle up, buttercup, this ride is about to take a seriously unforeseen twist.

Jinn's Dominion (Book 3)

There was nothing that could have prepared me for Dragon’s Ground. And I thought that nothing could be worse than what I faced there.

Just my black cat bad luck, the world is set to prove me wrong.

South lies the Jinn’s Dominion and within it the members of my Pride who need my help. The further south we go, the more danger comes not only from outside our group but from within.

Ishtar’s new hunters.

Marsum leader of the Jinn.

And the Emperor himself.

All three want something from me. All three claim they can give me the world on a silver platter, to give me my deepest desires.

©2019, 2020, 2021 Hijinks Ink Ltd (P)2019, 2020, 2021 Hijinks Ink Ltd

Cliffhanger Alert!

I really liked the story. The world, characters, background, everything!
But, I just can't get on board with cliffhangers.
I should have known when books 1 and 2 ended the same way but with this being a box set it didn't really dawn on me.

Worth the Credit

Thoroughly enjoyed everything about this boxed set of the first three books in the series.

love the other worldly setting with reminders of our world.

Great storyline. can't wait the listen to the next books in the series. plot is constantly twisting and turning.

really enjoyable.

This series so far has been pretty enjoyable. I like the style of writing. the character development is nice. and of course the action and story line is right on target. will definitely be continuing the series.

CUSS WORD ALERT!

I like the story and everything, but honestly, it should warn you that it has curse words. If I had known, I wouldn’t have bought it with my credit.

Fantastic series that just gets better!!!

Witch's Reign
Witch's Reign (Desert Cursed, #1) is my first Shannon Mayer read ever and I must say I have been missing out! She writes in my favorite way, with sass, class, humor, heart, fight and a strong female lead, reminiscent of one of my favorite authors, K.F. Breene!

I could not put this book down! She had me from page one all the way to the last page! This new exciting world that Shannon created is full of threats that must be overcome and we, the readers, are lucky enough to get to tag along.

Zamira is a supernatural on a mission to steal back jewels. She is crafty, cunning and highly underestimated. She also has the nasty task of working with her ex who only cares about himself and getting leadership that he has not earned. When her best friend is taken she goes off on a deadly, unapproved journey to save her and is saddled with a human male, Maks. Their adventure introduces them to and undersized dragon who is extremely similar to Zamira. Lila is snarky, small and her power is also underestimated. These three together make a powerful team and their expedition is not one you will want to miss!

Dragon's Ground
This series has so many layers and each one is revealed in the most interesting ways leading to more mysteries, adventure and fights!

Lila is so similar to Zam. They are both so fierce beyond their size. Max is becoming more and more to Zam and it scares and amazes Zam in unexpected ways! And as the journey continues Zam realizes that there is more to Bryce than she ever could have imagined! Through it all Zam is forming her own family, the family of her heart and gaining power. It is very exciting!

Jinn's Dominion
Zam's curse has changed and no one knows what it has become. Maks is no longer himself. Lila is the sister of Zam's heart. As all of these things collide we get answers and more questions. Zam is Alpha now. Her Pride is number one and she needs to rescue them. It is growing and she is trying to concentrate on them but her heart breaks and so did mine! I am crushed! Of course that doesn't make me love this story any less!

non stop action

A journey that just keeps groing filled w life lessons about loyalty,trust,friendship and above all else LOVE! IN KICK ASS FORMAT!

I just can’t get enough!

Great book for cat lovers, of all shapes and sizes! Brilliantly described world that exists right next to our world of humans. Close enough that a horse can be named Batman. If language is an issue for you this might not be your series. If you like your heroines rough and tumble, yet up for snuggles and purring; then Zamara is the gal for you. Just don’t call her “kitten.”

Interesting & Compelling

Shannon Mayer writes action-filled fantasy and paranormal romance novels – and she’s really good at it.

Mayer novels feature detailed world building, relentless action, badass leading ladies, and slow-burn romance. Her lead heroine’s typically struggle, suffer, sacrifice, and lose, all for their home, their friends, family, and lovers. Along the way, they develop steadfast friends, mortal enemies, and a trail of mind-bending twists along the path to the greater goal.

Mayer’s most popular series is her Rylee Adamson series (with a significant Elemental series crossover) but her best series to date is her recent Forty Proof series which just wrapped up in 2024.

The Desert Cursed series is a nine-novel arc which commenced with Witch’s Reign published in 2018. This review encompasses the first 3 novels which add Dragon’s Ground & Jinn’s Dominion.

Zamira Reckless Wilson is an accomplish thief in the current-day supernatural realm located in Eastern Europe. She has been offered a trade: secure magical gems for her goddess foster mother in exchange for her curing Zam’s crippled lion-shifter brother, who could then rise and challenge her ex-boyfriend for alpha of her pack.

Of course, in Shannon Mayer style, little goes right along the path to the next burglary, and along the way, Zamira makes some new friends, finds a potential love interest, overcomes foes and evil monsters, and experiences peril and betrayal, including the unraveling of almost all of her lifelong beliefs and assumptions. Books 1-3 introduce us to the lead character and her allies, the power players in the Supernatural World, and lead us through the collection of more magical gems while building the stakes towards the conclusion in Book 6.

High points include discovering a new friend & familiar – a petite dragon who enjoys quoting obscure Shakespeare quotes as much as Zamira. The action is varied and relentless. The thought and detail behind the world building and the long list of novel – and sometimes familiar - characters stuck in the supernatural world is clever and thorough. The relationships aren’t just black & white either: friends and foe alike have complicated relations with Zamira and each other that aren’t just resolved with a potion, a favor, or a kiss (my favorite character? The White Raven, a gigantic crow who serves the enemy Ice Queen, but seems to show up randomly to lend Zamira a hand – but won’t admit to it).

The romance is truly slow burn but for fans who were hoping to get some serious fireworks like Mayer’s good friend KF Breene pens? Well, you’ll have to wait for books 4-6 for that….

On the short list of downsides, the long endless list of enemies, challenges, and setbacks sometimes feels a little absurd at times. Like many Mayer series, the male characters are ALL flawed somehow – even Zamira’s potential love interest often behaves like a jerk and hides way too many secrets which of course, upon revelation, erupt into arguments and ill feelings. And the lead character is foul mouthed to the point of making a trucker blush – not so good if you’re listening to the books on audio.

Still, the first six books are an enjoyable ride through the Eastern Deserts with plenty of action, plot twists, interesting worlds, and a satisfying conclusion. Another fine effort from Shannon Mayer.

very good read

wow, I got the box set with the first three books of this series. loved every single one of them. so many twist and turns. lots of action.