Title: A Curse So Dark and Lonely
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publication Date: January 29, 2019
Series: Cursebreaker #1
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: Kindle
Fall in love, break the curse.
Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s pulled into a magical world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.
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.
I’m obviously a silly onion, because this book was amazing. I’ve already recommended it to several people. This was one of the last books I read in 2019, and what a way to end the year.
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.
❧ 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. She learns how to be her own hero.
I absolutely adored Harper’s character and her story arc, because not only is she not trying to fall in love, but she’s more than happy to point out all the problematic things going on that the reader is thinking.
The stakes feel so much higher than the original Disney version, and Harper’s heart is so guarded and unsure as it is. I appreciated that she wasn’t some wilting flower, even though there definitely were times when she was vulnerable or needed help.
❧ 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. There was so much to love about it, even though, in this case, I for sure wouldn’t want to live there. And how often does that happen? Unheard of, I know.
❧ The banter between Harper and Rhen is fun, flirty, and yet still sometimes cringey … in the best way.
Because first and foremost, they’re both teens. Well, ish. And neither of them is trying to fall in love, and it shows. They’ve obviously got the whole sarcasm thing going on, and they’re just two strong characters repeatedly butting heads and getting in each others way. So … obviously love interests?
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.
It isn’t just his attitude and personality Harper challenges Rhen on. It’s also the way he perceives himself and what he does for his kingdom. Despite being at odds, they both challenge the other to grow, and it was a real winning dynamic for me.
“Would you stop calling me that?”
“It is meant as a mark of respect. When you travel with me, people will assume you are a lady, a servant, or a whore.” His eyebrows go up. “Would you prefer one of the latter?”
Now I want to punch him. “Get off the horse, Rhen.”
❧ Despite this being a romance, this isn’t quite a romance … and that’s sort of the point.
The book never once shies away from the fact that what Rhen and Grey do is creepy and wrong and Harper isn’t thrilled about it. Also, what sort of nonsense is “love me or my kingdom will suffer?” Pffft. That’s not how it works.
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.
I mean, sure, it’s still there … obviously. And it’s a lot less set in stone than in Beauty and the Beast, and I LOVE that. 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.
“Such sweet words of affection, my lady.” I play a ten of hearts. “You honor me.”
❧ This book has a rather interesting dynamic of straddling two worlds: both the real world and Emberfell.
Which means Harper, too, has to straddle these two lines, and it was a unique way to introduce the world. The reader gets to see it through the more familiar eyes of a contemporary and learn about it as Harper does.
Emberfell is so much more than a cursed castle and a suffering prince, and Kemmerer does a good job of bringing it to life … both the good and the bad aspects of it.
I wouldn’t say the world seemed large in this book, per se, but it definitely felt full, with a history and culture and much more going on than it first seems.
❧ 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. He’s not perfect, obviously, but he’s loyal and determined and operates with his own moral compass, as much as he can, while still fulfilling his oath. He was an easy character to fall in love with and admire.
“Ah. Yes. The doctor says if I do it again, he will do me the honor of removing my arm.”
“So he probably wouldn’t be happy you’re standing out here armed.”
“Likely not.”
❧ 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. Women aren’t predisposed to fall for every man that stumbles into their path and therefore need to choose a partner in this Triangle of Confusion. Rhombus of Terror? Parabola of Mystery! (If you get this reference … I love you.)
❧ The pacing felt a little off in some places.
It would become unbearably slow for no reason, and in other places, it would just rush forward, even as I keep screaming, “Wait, no, go back. I feel like I missed something.” I think the rushing felt like it happened more towards the end and closer to the climax, where it felt a little fast for me.
A great and fair review, I know most people love this but I’m still not sure about Beauty and the Beast adaptations after reading a completely off the wall one I think it will take a long time to get over!!
There are a LOT of adaptations, which is why I didn’t pick this up for so long. Like you said, some of them are craaaazy. xD You should read the preview on Amazon, and if that catches you, you know you should be good. 😉 That’s what I try to do when I’m not sure lol.
I just picked this up on kindle and I can’t wait to read it! I’ve never read a Beauty and the Beast adaptation, so I won’t have anything to compare it to, but it sounds like just the right book to pull me back into ya fantasy. 🙂
I hope you love it!
I need to start this series, everyone seems to love it, and your 5 star review is sealing the deal for me😁
I hope you do and love it! I took a really long time to pick it up myself, and it was only because Leelynn was so excited about it all the time, honestly haha.
Gahhhh I’m wishing I saw this review earlier because I’m heading back to college in a day, but I will have to add it to me to read list.
– Avalon from http://www.simplyavalon.com
Oh, that’s right, college is starting up again, too. Bummer. I hope you get a chance to read it!
Fantastic review, Sammie! I agree with pretty much everything you said about the characters and world building. I found the castle equal parts magical and creepy AF. I can just imagine how eerie it would feel like actually being there. I loved Harper’s character too although tbh, I really liked the chemistry between Harper and Grey more and I kinda shipped them…? But yeah, I’m team Grey all the way! I was big fan. 🤣 Haha I know you said you were a little disappointed by AHSFAB but I’m so keen to learn more about him!
I thought Harper and Grey had chemistry, too, but I liked the fact that they would never be a thing due to Grey’s loyalty, etc. Honestly, I hoped they wouldn’t, because I liked the dynamic Grey and Rhen had, and I wouldn’t want that ruined by some woman, even if it is Harper, as fabulous as she is.
My opinion seems to be a less popular one as far as AHSFAB is concerned, so you might just love it. Who knows? 😉
[…] Brigid KemmererPublication Date: January 7, 2020Series: Cursebreaker #2Previous Reviews: A Curse So Dark and LonelyPublisher: Bloomsbury YAFormat: Edelweiss […]
Oh man, this has jumped right to the top of my TBR now! I have read a couple of adaptations of Beauty and the Beast but this one sounds so fresh I know I won’t be able to resist for long. Amazing review!
I hope you’re able to read it and enjoy it! I definitely liked the way it approached the retelling, while still being its own thing.