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The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan (Kindle Edition) Review: A Gothic YA Adventure with Gargoyles, Mystery, and Forbidden Romance

ByInnoVirtuoso

What if Paris’s stone gargoyles weren’t just rain spouts but living sentinels bound by ancient rules? That’s the spell Page Morgan casts in The Beautiful and the Cursed, Book 1 of The Dispossessed trilogy—a lush blend of historical fantasy, slow-burn romance, and a twisty missing-person mystery. If you loved the shadowhunters of Cassandra Clare or the fallen angels of Lauren Kate, this story threads the same needle: teens navigating secret worlds, messy hearts, and monsters that don’t stay in bedtime stories.

Set in the late 1800s, the novel follows Ingrid Waverly and her sister Gabby as they leave London’s glittering ballrooms for a crumbling Parisian abbey lined with grotesques. Their twin brother, Grayson, has vanished. Society says pause; Ingrid says action. The city’s whispers lead her to Luc, a devastatingly handsome “servant” with far more to hide than he lets on. From that point forward, Morgan spins a dark hunt through alleys, cathedrals, and catacombs—places where gargoyles may not be what they seem. If you’re new to gargoyle lore, it’s rooted in real architecture and myth; the iconic guardians have centuries of history as both waterspouts and symbolic protectors, as explained by Encyclopaedia Britannica and explored in pieces like this Smithsonian look at Notre-Dame’s grotesques.

Why Fans of Mortal Instruments and Fallen Will Feel Right at Home

Morgan’s world sits in that sweet spot between urban fantasy and historical gothic. Like Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters, it’s a hidden-in-plain-sight supernatural ecosystem with rules, factions, and consequences. Like Lauren Kate’s Fallen, there’s yearning, a sense of fate, and a heroine who steps into danger because her love and loyalty leave no room for fear. Yet The Beautiful and the Cursed isn’t a copycat. It trades modern clubs for candlelit chapels, New York’s skyline for Paris’s chimera-crowned rooftops, and angels for stone guardians whose honor is carved into them—literally. It’s a great bridge if you’re moving from contemporary paranormal into historical fantasy, especially the atmospheric kind often called gothic, a tradition traced back to brooding castles and secrets as defined by Britannica’s overview of the Gothic novel. Want to try it yourself? Shop on Amazon.

A No-Spoilers Summary: Disappearance, Secrets, and a City That Watches Back

Ingrid Waverly doesn’t believe in monsters, but she knows when something is wrong—her twin, Grayson, is missing, and the police are barely concerned. Their new home, an abandoned abbey in Paris, has a staff of two, a neighborhood with eyes that don’t blink, and a roofline of grotesques that stare down like judges.

Luc is the first living clue. He’s as steady and enigmatic as the stone guardians overhead. Gabby, Ingrid’s younger sister, is bold where Ingrid is careful, witty where Ingrid is solemn. Together, the sisters push past warnings—some kindly, some not—and follow Grayson’s trail into a tangle of cultish threats, supernatural politics, and rules that bind creatures you’ve never seen move until the moon wants them to.

Along the way, Morgan builds a satisfying sense of place. This is Paris in the Belle Époque—the tension of beauty and decay, champagne for some and shadows for others. If you want a real-world backdrop to visualize, the era is often framed by innovation and opulence, as defined by History.com’s overview of the Belle Époque. The juxtaposition matters, because Ingrid’s journey is about seeing what polite society refuses to see—and acting anyway.

Characters You’ll Root For: Ingrid, Gabby, Grayson, and Luc

  • Ingrid Waverly: She’s the spine of the story—loyal, intuitive, and stubborn in the way you hope a big sister will be. Her arc is about power you don’t expect and courage you claim when it costs you something.
  • Gabby Waverly: Quick-witted and impulsive, Gabby is the spark that keeps the plot from getting too broody. She’s not “the other sister”; she’s a co-hero with her own stakes and bravery.
  • Grayson Waverly: Absent, but not voiceless. His disappearance pulls everyone into motion, and the hints of what he’s facing give the story its darker pulse.
  • Luc: The “servant” who isn’t. If you come for romance, Luc is your reason to stay. Think stoic protector meets internal war, a dynamic that strikes the same chord as many fan‑favorite YA paranormals.

The chemistry is a slow simmer, not a sprint. Every moment between Ingrid and Luc counts because the world says they can’t be together. That forbidden edge keeps pages turning long after the mystery could have stood alone. If this premise grabs you, Check it on Amazon to preview a sample.

Gargoyle Lore, Reimagined: How the Worldbuilding Works

Most YA paranormals lean on angels, vampires, witches, or fae. Morgan dares you to look up. Her gargoyles—bound guardians who blur the line between myth and sentience—feel fresh because they are anchored in real architectural traditions. In medieval Europe, gargoyles were practical waterspouts; chimeras (often confused with gargoyles) were purely decorative. Morgan blends these ideas into a coherent system: stone by day, duty by design, oaths that outlast love. It’s the kind of reimagining that makes you reexamine landmarks. To get a taste of the real thing, scan the creatures peering from Notre‑Dame’s heights in Paris; a primer on their meaning and mislabeling is covered by Smithsonian Magazine.

The story’s supernatural ecosystem has rules—and those rules matter. Powers have costs. Choices have chains. That clarity is why the action feels satisfying; we aren’t just watching chaos, but a tightly woven dance inside a believable system. If you love fantasy that respects cause and effect, you’ll appreciate how every reveal snaps into place like ironwork along a cathedral balcony.

Themes That Land: Sisterhood, Agency, and the Cost of Protection

Beyond the romance and action, this is a book about family and the grey areas of protection. Ingrid believes in Grayson because she knows him; she doesn’t need proof to act. Gabby pushes back against being sidelined. Luc’s duty clashes with his desire, and that conflict forces everyone else to decide who they’re willing to become.

  • Sisterhood over spectacle: The sisters’ bond is the engine. When the plot darkens, it’s their loyalty that provides light.
  • Agency in a rigid world: 1890s society offers women little room. Ingrid and Gabby make their own.
  • The ethics of guardianship: If your job is to protect, what happens when protection hurts? The book asks without sermonizing.

Here’s why that matters: themes are what make a fantasy stay with you when the monsters fade. The Beautiful and the Cursed gives you stakes that aren’t just life-or-death but who-are-you-now.

Pacing, Tone, and Genre Blend

Expect motion. The mystery of Grayson’s disappearance moves the narrative forward at a steady clip, while the romance and worldbuilding add depth in alternating beats. The tone is moody but not bleak, with candlelight and cold stone offset by banter and stolen warmth. Readers who prefer more atmosphere than quips will be pleased; those who want big laughs may find the humor secondary to the mood.

Violence exists, but it’s framed within YA boundaries, and the horror skews suggestive rather than graphic. The gothic perfume is strong—think creaking floorboards, whispered warnings, and rooftops that watch. Curious if the romance-to-action ratio fits your taste, See price on Amazon and peek at the Look Inside.

Who Will Love It (And Content Notes)

You’ll likely enjoy this if you: – Crave historical fantasy with a gothic edge. – Want romance that burns slow and forbidden. – Enjoy sister-led stories and found-family dynamics. – Loved series like The Mortal Instruments or Fallen and want a fresh creature myth.

Content notes to help you decide: – Violence: Creature battles, peril, and some injuries; not splatter. – Romance: Kissing and “we shouldn’t” tension; no explicit scenes. – Fear factor: Creepy, not nightmare fuel. – Setting authenticity: Paris’s underground plays a role, and if you’re curious about the real catacombs, the city’s official site is a great resource: Catacombs of Paris.

Kindle Edition, Formats, and Buying Tips

If you’re reading on Kindle, this edition is a smooth entry point. Most copies include X-Ray for Characters, which is helpful in a multi-faction world, and Whispersync if you like to swap between reading and audio. Check for the “Look Inside” sample to get a feel for the prose before you buy, and peek at the series order so you’re prepared for the arc to continue (Book 2: The Lovely and the Lost; Book 3: The Wondrous and the Wicked). Pro tip: create a “Gothic YA” collection on your device so sequels don’t vanish into your library’s back shelf—future‑you will thank you. For formats, pricing, and the easiest way to start the trilogy on your device, Buy on Amazon.

What about print vs. digital? The Kindle edition shines for quick lookup and highlighting, but if you’re a scene‑annotator who loves ambiance, a physical copy pairs well with late‑night reading and a cup of tea. Either way, Page Morgan’s prose is accessible without being simple—clean sentences, vivid images, and just enough French flavor to feel transported.

How It Stacks Up to Similar Series

  • Compared to Cassandra Clare: Less quip-heavy, more solemn; similar secret-world mechanics and family-as-purpose energy. For more on Clare’s worldbuilding and why it hooks teen readers, see the author’s official site at CassandraClare.com.
  • Compared to Lauren Kate’s Fallen: Trades angels for gargoyles; romantic longing remains a core driver. Learn more about Kate’s series at LaurenKateBooks.com.
  • Compared to other gothic YA: This one is notable for its creature choice and Parisian setting. The urban‑historical blend feels distinct in a market heavy on angels and fae.

If you’re mapping your TBR, place this alongside titles that favor atmosphere and mythic rules over snark and modern slang.

Pros and Cons (No Spoilers)

Pros: – Fresh supernatural twist with gargoyles as oath‑bound guardians. – Strong sister relationship alongside the romance. – Parisian gothic setting that feels textured and lived‑in. – Pacing that balances action, lore, and emotion.

Cons: – Some readers may want more humor to puncture the gloom. – The slow-burn romance might feel too restrained if you prefer fast payoff. – Series-first setup means certain answers arrive in later books.

When you’re ready to dive in, View on Amazon and add it to your reading queue.

Craft Notes: Why Page Morgan’s Approach Works

Morgan’s prose hits a tone many YA fantasies aim for and miss: clear without being thin, romantic without becoming purple. Scenes end at moments that pull you forward, and reveals are seeded early enough to feel earned. The city reads like a character; rooftops and alleys aren’t just places but pressures. That’s a hallmark of strong gothic fiction—setting as shaper, not backdrop. If you’re curious about the genre’s roots, Britannica’s Gothic novel explainer is a solid primer.

What also stands out is character motivation. Even the side players feel legible: people believe what they do for reasons tied to fear, duty, or love. That clarity gives the supernatural stakes real-world weight.

If you’d like to hear from the author herself or explore her other works, Page Morgan maintains updates and extras at PageMorganBooks.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is The Beautiful and the Cursed suitable for younger teens? A: Most libraries place it in YA for ages 13+, thanks to moderate peril and romantic tension but no explicit content. Parents of sensitive readers may want to preview the creepier scenes.

Q: Do I need to read the entire Dispossessed trilogy to get closure? A: Book 1 resolves its central action arc but opens doors for the larger myth and relationships. If you connect with the characters, you’ll likely want to continue with Books 2 and 3.

Q: How accurate is the Paris setting? A: It’s historically flavored rather than documentary-precise. You’ll feel the Belle Époque mood—cathedrals, salons, and shadows—more than you’ll track dates and street names. For context, learn more about the era via History.com’s Belle Époque.

Q: Is there a love triangle? A: Romance threads include tension and complexity, but the core pairing is clearly signaled. The drama leans on forbidden dynamics and duty rather than a revolving door of suitors.

Q: Are the gargoyles like the ones at Notre‑Dame? A: Morgan blends inspiration from real gargoyles and chimeras into a fantasy system. Real gargoyles are functional waterspouts; many of Notre‑Dame’s famous figures are decorative chimeras. For a quick explainer, see Britannica’s gargoyle entry.

Q: What books should I read if I loved this? A: Try gothic-tinged YA like Renee Ahdieh’s The Beautiful (vampiric New Orleans), or Kerri Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper (Victorian murder mystery). If you want more secret societies, revisit Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments.

Q: Is there an audiobook, and is it good? A: Yes, most editions have an audiobook release. Narration style suits the gothic mood—measured, atmospheric, and clear on character voices. If you enjoy audio for worldbuilding-heavy books, it’s a strong pick.

Q: Does the book get too dark? A: It’s suspenseful and moody but not gratuitous. Think candlelit dread with bursts of action, not horror for horror’s sake.

The Final Word

The Beautiful and the Cursed is a confident opener: a richly atmospheric YA that makes gargoyles feel both new and inevitable. Come for the Parisian rooftops and whispered vows; stay for sisters who refuse to wait for rescue and a romance carved into impossible stone. If you’re building a gothic fantasy shelf—digital or otherwise—this belongs on it. Keep exploring books that surprise you, and if you want more reviews like this, consider subscribing so you never miss the next great story.

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InnoVirtuoso

Hello there! I'm passionate content writer navigating the digital landscape. With a deep love for words and an insatiable curiosity about technology.

With 10 years of experience in IT field, I write mostly about emerging tech, sharing news, informational articles and covering other topics I find interesting.

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