A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY was so enjoyable from start to finish! I've been struggling with some YA reads lately so I was afraid that like many others I've read recently that this would fall into a pit of tropes, but this book soared beyond my expectations! Right off the bat, I loved the tone of the book and I think the crossover/connection between the modern world in Washington DC and the fantasy world of Emberfall really made a difference. The readers are able to get a unique twist on this fantasy concept with a modern voice from Harper and that old-world, medieval-type feel from Rhen.
You may have heard that A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY is a Beauty and the Beast adaptation and I thought that was done brilliantly! Concepts are taking from the classic fairy tale but still given their own twist. Not every piece of Beauty and the Beast was made to fit this novel and A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY also goes along its own paths, not needing to stick to the concept 100%. What I loved even more was seeing the book's originality lead back to the fairy tale adaptation without realizing we were on that road and I was so impressed seeing things circle back around to the adaption in their own way. I've read a lot of retellings over the years and some stories stick too religiously to the original work so I was really happy to see how expertly the author's original concepts were woven in with the inspiration from Beauty and the Beast.
The characters here were just wonderful and they really made this story what it is in so many ways. Harper is strong and fierce but the way that Brigid Kemmerer chose to craft this character was really special. There are so many badass YA heroines out there that get too cocky or are just magically perfect, but Harper felt more like a real person to me than most of those other leading ladies. I loved that Brigid Kemmerer included Harper's cerebral palsy and how it was portrayed as the way that Harper was born and not as a disadvantage or weakness. It was also great to see Harper grow into her boldness, from being a little sheltered by her brother to being thrown into this fantasy world and having to make a name for herself, quite literally. She didn't change in personality but merely let that side of her grow in the proper atmosphere and situation. The reader was able to see that potential in Harper and with her situation in Emberfall and the other people by which she was surrounded, Harper was able to really grow into her confidence and it really felt so natural.
Rhen was another fantastic character in so many ways. Harper originally felt that he was a cocky prince but really he had so many levels that unfolded as the book progressed. Readers learn of his remorse for everything that's happened to the kingdom and how much he really took it all to heart. Rhen's challenge in the book seemed to be with his emotions and feelings, having to trust in his heart and let go of some of his overthinking. Being forced to repeat so many scenarios due to his curse, he essentially has ages to plan without growing older and somewhat replaying the opportunity to fall in love to break the curse, he employs different strategies, none of which work, of course, because love can't be won by strategy. Harper and Grey, Rhen's commander, help Rhen learn how to trust his heart and not feel so forced to fall in love. He has to let go before he can really latch on.
One of my favorite things about the book was the romance, which doesn't happen often these days. So many people get excited over big love scenes, passionate kisses, and fiery romances. I was all about this gorgeous slow burn romance that took its time and really established those deep emotions! It's not quite a hate-to-love situation but since neither Harper nor Rhen trust each other (naturally), there's quite a spark of mistrust and Harper's brashness also leads to a few spats that have these two at odds in the beginning. I really loved that as well because it's so much more rewarding seeing the two soften towards each other and really piques that curiosity if the two can manage to fall in love. That's the whole point of the book so you assume it's coming and yet there's still the question if that really is what will happen and how they'll both come to believe it. It's so expertly crafted and those quiet, stolen moments were absolutely everything in this book! I love those moments more than anything in books and I think they're some of the most special scenes to read.
Finally, there's the fact that this book delivers something of its own with a few unique twists that I did not see coming! I loved the set up for the next book and reading something like this actually made me glad that it's a series whereas usually I'm wishing for more stand-alones. I do think that this book could have been made into a stand-alone if that's what the author had wanted and it would have been beautiful, but I'm also glad that I get to keep reading about these characters, this world, and this beautiful writing for a little bit longer!
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Popular Highlights in this book
“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”Highlighted by 429 Kindle readers- “My father once said we are all dealt a hand at birth. A good hand can ultimately lose—just as a poor hand can win—but we must all play the cards fate deals. The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.”Highlighted by 324 Kindle readers
- “Failure isn’t absolute. Just because you couldn’t save everyone doesn’t mean you didn’t save anyone.”Highlighted by 296 Kindle readers
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| A Heart So Fierce and Broken | A Vow So Bold and Deadly | Call It What You Want | Defy the Night | Letters to the Lost | |
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| Also from New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer: | The Cursebreaker trilogy continues in this sequel, which follows former guard commander Grey and Syhl Shallow princess Lia Mara as they trek towards a safe haven. | Four royals. Two thrones. One Deadly Curse. Read the final installment in Brigid Kemmerer’s New York Times bestselling Cursebreaker series now! | In this emotionally compelling story, two teenagers paired for a calculus project find they have more in common than they could have imagined | A blockbuster new fantasy series about a kingdom divided by corruption, the prince desperately holding it together, and the girl who will risk everything to bring it crashing down. | This companion to More Than We Can Tell follows Juliet and Declan. When they start exchanging anonymous letters, it sparks an unlikely connection. But neither realize they know each other in real life - or that bigger secrets may tear them apart. |
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A Darker, Deeper Beauty and the Beast Retelling
I had this book recommended to me so many times, yet I kept putting off reading it because … I’m silly?Also because:Romance tends to be completely hit or miss for me.I’ve never been a huge fan of Beauty & the Beast in the first place.Is it really even a story if you obviously know how it’s going to go?Guys, don’t be like me. Don’t be silly. Read the dang book.A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that’s darker and gives us the damsel in distress we’ve always deserved. Namely, one who’s willing to hit her attacker with a tire iron and will tolerate none of their nonsense, thank you very much.The inspiration from Beauty and the Beast was clear and obvious, but this book was so much more that I was easily pulled into the world and the struggle. I went in thinking I’d probably hate it, and I ended up loving it, and that right there is the best sort of surprise.My Thoughts:- Despite being a “damsel in distress,” Harper is waiting for exactly no prince charmings, and I absolutely love it. Instead of sitting back and waiting to be saved, Harper takes it into her own hands. Even though she has cerebral palsy. Even though she’s not the biggest or strongest.- This book is so much darker than the original Beauty and the Beast, and I freaking LOVED it. If you enjoy dark fantasy, this book will deliver. The curse isn’t just inconvenient and whimsical, it’s downright terrifying and comes with so many repercussions. The world is brutal and ugly, but also beautiful in its own way.- The banter between Harper and Rhen is fun, flirty, and yet still sometimes cringey … in the best way. Neither of them is trying to fall in love, and it shows. I really enjoyed the dynamic here and the way this was at least kept from Beauty and the Beast, but also morphed into something more. Despite being at odds, they both challenge the other to grow, and it was a real winning dynamic for me.- Despite this being a romance, this isn’t quite a romance … and that’s sort of the point. I went in expecting this would be heavy on the romance, but I was pleasantly surprised that there was a lot more to this book than the will they/won’t they aspect. Better than the enemies-to-lovers trope, this book seems to follow a little bit of a murkier romance, where you never quite know where everyone stands.- Are you a fan of the mysterious, strong, loyal type? Never fear, Grey is here! And my gosh, he was so easy to love. The more you learn his story, the more heartbreaking it is, but the stronger he seems.Sticking Points:- The hints of a love triangle felt shoehorned into the storyline and unnecessary. Harper is a strong enough character on her own to create enough conflict without adding a possible second person for her to fall in love with. Not every story needs a love triangle, guys.- The pacing felt a little off in some places, particular towards the end.
Top reviews from other countries
Meaghan
Feels like a beauty and the beast retelling
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2023
Julie Portillo
Excelente historia
Reviewed in Mexico on June 2, 2021
Julie Portillo
Reviewed in Mexico on June 2, 2021
Se lee rápido y se disfruta mucho, lo recomiendo ampliamente si se busca aventura, acción y romance.
El producto llegó antes del día previsto y en buenas condiciones, está muy bonito, solo con el inconveniente de que las primeras y últimas páginas no están totalmente bien pegadas y la goma de las demás hojas podría desprenderse al abrirlo mucho.
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