A Curse So Dark and Lonely

I loved this take on “Beauty and the Beast”. Crown Prince Rhen of Emberfall has been cursed to repeat a season -- which ends with him transforming into a deadly monster -- over and over until a girl falls in love with him. Harper, a teenager from Washington D.C., is his last chance.

Harper is fierce, determined and so believable. She’s desperately worried about her family and understandably wary of Rhen and Grey. She’s quick to defend other women in trouble -- and this, rather than Rhen himself, is why she starts to care about Emberfall. Cerebral palsy sometimes slows her down but it doesn’t stop her from trying.

I enjoyed the slow development of trust and understanding between her and Rhen. Rhen completely fails when he tries show more to charm her, but I think Harper charms him without intending to by confidently and unapologetically being herself. Honesty draws them closer together -- but falling in love still takes more than that.

There was an aspect to the ending which made me a bit disappointed that there is going to be a sequel, just because I thought that would have been a really interesting note to end a fairytale retelling on, but there are a couple of other unresolved things which make a sequel seem like a good idea. (And the author says there won’t be a love triangle, phew.)

“I have found that revealing the nature of the task is the quickest way to assure failure.”
“Why? What am I supposed to do?” she says, her expression piercing. “Fall in love with you?”
I almost drop the glass.
“Don’t look so surprised,” she says. “I’ve been trying to think of what could require you to kidnap someone each season, and that’s all that makes sense. Now I understand what Grey meant when he said it’s not something I can consciously do.” show less

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Recommended: I'm not the first to say YES!
For fantastic rep of a character with a disability who is not defined solely by it, for a story that breaks from tropes early on, for situations that are morally grey and grapple with right and wrong

Thoughts:
I was thinking recently about how hard it is to find books with characters who have a disability where the book isn't focused all about how they have a disability. You know, books where they're still just people, rather than "that guy with Autism." And then I picked this up, and lo and behold, here's my answer to that gripe. This isn't even a main part of the story, but I absolutely loved the way Harper's cerebral palsy was worked into the story show more as an aspect of her rather than as defining her entirely.

It was hard not to hear about this book, because so many people were talking about it for so long. And to be honest, that made me steer clear of it, because I don't trust the hype and it will often make the book feel disappointing if my expectations are inflated. I also avoided it because it was largely branded as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Having now read it, I can't believe that's how anyone would describe it, because while there are obvious parallels, there is SO much more to this world and story. Calling it a retelling is misleading, and does it no justice.

The plot takes a sharp left early on, and I was delighted to see that happen. Harper's boldness is a delight, as is the subtle way it's addressed that she's accustomed to being viewed -- by herself as well as the rest of the world -- as someone who can't take care of herself. Watching her take control of things so brilliantly made me feel so proud you would think I was her own mother.

I also appreciate that while love is, in a way, at the center of the story, it is far more than a story of "boy and girl fall in love." It felt more real, in that whispers of love swirl around as the characters live their lives near each other and work towards common goals, as they learn about each other.

So, yes, I was far behind the times on reading this book. But ultimately I feel like I am far luckier than all those who read this early on, because I didn't have to wait to start reading [b:A Heart So Fierce and Broken|42952728|A Heart So Fierce and Broken (Cursebreakers, #2)|Brigid Kemmerer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1559126810l/42952728._SY75_.jpg|66757917]. show less

“I am not broken.”

Oh man, this was such a terrific book! I am a sucker for fairy tale retellings, especially Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this hit all the perfect notes. Harper, a girl from DC, is struggling trying to care for her dying mother, and worried for her brother, when she’s thrust into an otherworldly curse. Wren has been living in a magical kingdom, cursed for hundreds of years as he fails to complete the task the sorceress assigned. These two had SUCH great chemistry. This take on the beast’s curse was both a nod to tradition, but also had its own twists.

But Harper was the one I fell in love with, as well as the fact that Brigid Kemmerer chose to wrote her and other characters with disabilities, and show more stronger for it. She was a kick-ass girl, and as the hardened, hopeless characters in the beast’s world slowly began to come to life, this story just got better and better. A must-read!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader. show less

Really liked this retelling of Beauty and Beast. I'd been hearing about it for awhile, but I was tired of the wave of modernized fairy tale overload.

Loved Harper, the strong female main character whose cerebral palsy advances the plot without feeling like a crutch. She had depth and was interesting - and so was her backstory. Ditto for Rhen and Gray.

One of the best things about this book/author is that the author conveys the potential for relationships to bring out the best in both parties. That's true of the book's romantic pairings as well as friendships, family relationships, etc. A lot of other authors with strong female characters build the woman up while tearing down the man--this one doesn't. Both men and women are treated with show more respect and as complements to each other--each has their own source of power, but not at the expense of the other.

Refreshing and highly recommended. show less

I went into this book knowing this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but I honestly was not prepared for how much I actually enjoyed it. The dynamic between our two main characters was an easy, fun read. I enjoyed the fact that the pacing for their relationship was believable. Even at the end, she wasn't sure if she truly loved him, which I think is an acceptable outcome. The only thing I did not enjoy about this book was the chemistry between Grey and the main character. Grey was absolutely my favorite character in this story, don't get me wrong. His devotion to Rhen and his cause was perfect. I just did not like that there was an almost sort of love triangle between the three instead of a friendship (because males and females CAN show more be friends without romantic feelings!). Other than that, this book was a great, fun read. I hope the next two are as enjoyable. show less

[b:A Curse So Dark and Lonely|43204703|A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers, #1)|Brigid Kemmerer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574179523l/43204703._SY75_.jpg|50519947]

Rereading a Favorite

updated from my 2020 review
"A Curse So Dark and Lonely" by Brigid Kemmerer is a book that captured my heart in 2020, and three years later, it still holds a special place among my favorites. There's something magical about reading a book that feels like it was written just for you, and this story did exactly that.

In the past couple of years, life has been treating me well, and this newfound happiness has amplified my enjoyment of reading. "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is a series that I can't help but share show more with everyone because it left an indelible mark on my literary journey. It was my introduction to Brigid Kemmerer's work, and since that first read, I've eagerly devoured the entire series.

What makes this book truly exceptional is the way it seamlessly melds fantasy and the modern world. The cursed Prince Rhen, who transforms into a beast every winter, is a character who has spent centuries seeking true love to break his curse. The enchantress Lilith grants him one last chance to find love, making this season his final opportunity. Enter Harper, my absolute favorite character in the fantasy genre.

Harper hails from our contemporary world and has faced considerable hardships, including her mother's battle with cancer and her absent father. What's remarkable about Harper is her resilience in the face of adversity, including her diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. She refuses to be defined by her condition and, in order to make ends meet, her brother Jake works for some rather unsavory individuals to settle their father's debts. It's during one of these risky moments that Harper unwittingly crosses over into the fantasy realm, snatched away by Grey.

And so begins a timeless tale of transformation and growth. Harper's initial displeasure at finding herself in this unfamiliar world doesn't sit well with Rhen, who quickly realizes she isn't the typical damsel he expected. Their interactions are complicated, to say the least. However, as expected, over time, they both undergo significant changes. Harper's escape attempts inadvertently lead to her helping others, and this marks the beginning of a remarkable journey.

Without revealing too much of the plot, I must say that Rhen and Harper are the most captivating Beast and Belle duo. The story is brimming with so many elements that you could easily lose yourself in it for an entire day. What struck me most about Harper is that she isn't the archetypal heroine. It's rare to encounter a fantasy heroine with medical issues, and as someone with Cerebral Palsy myself, I found her character to be authentic and relatable. The author's research shines through in Harper's struggles, making her a more well-rounded and inspiring character.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Brigid Kemmerer for delivering the fantasy genre in a way that left me insatiable for more. I eagerly anticipate diving into the rest of the series as soon as life allows. If you're seeking an enchanting journey of love, adventure, and self-discovery, then "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is the perfect choice. Click the link below and embark on this extraordinary adventure yourself. You won't be disappointed. show less

I rarely read YA or anything labeled as romance, and yet this book's premise intrigued me enough to take a chance. I fully admit to stepping in with trepidation.

And then...

The author reached out and slapped me in the face for being so dumb. Well, figuratively speaking, anyway. I didn't care how old the main characters were or whether we were dabbling in romance. This story swept me up and held me captive.

Fantasy and historical fiction are woven together in a way that feels believable. The mood is dark but hopeful. The romance is subtle; an underlying possibility, not a promise, and definitely not an instant love connection.

While aspects of the plot are resolved, we are left with a cliffhanger. Now I have to get book 2, and await book 3, show more which I'll do because I'm hooked and have lost my ability to resist. show less