Cover Image: A Curse So Dark and Lonely

A Curse So Dark and Lonely

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Member Reviews

For some reason this book has been sitting in my shelf to read for a while why did I waste so much time.

Reading a Curse so Dark and Lonely has taken me on a huge action packed adventure (I love that reading a good book can literally whisk you away to another world). I loved every minute of this book.

Although it's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast (a favourite of mine anyway) it's done so with a modern twist. Not only does the protagonist come from our modern world, she has a disability (albeit it one that clearly does not stop her in any way) and Kemmerer also manages to keep the fairy tale, olden day setting.

I loved pretty much the characters in this book even Lilith who I loved to hate, Grey is my favourite and I'm desperate to know more about, Rhen is Rhen and Harper is amazing.

This is a book I will definatley be re-reading and sharing with my daughter when she's a bit older.

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WOW! Such an amazing and new take on the much loved Beauty and Beast fairytale. I loved the characters, the diversity and of course romance.

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Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with a copy for review last year.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast that tells the story of Harper, a girl who ends up trapped in the kingdom of Emberfall where Prince Rhen is cursed to repeat the same period over and over again before turning into a beast then starting again. Harper arrives as Prince Rhen enters his final repetition of the curse as he is losing all hope of ever breaking it.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite Disney movies and this is the first retelling of it that I've read and it has definitely got me excited to read some more. It was a really magical story and I felt so engrossed in the world and it's characters each time I picked it up. I especially liked the character of Grey and I'm excited that the author has said his POV will be heavily featured in the sequel.

One of my favourite things about it was also the fact that the protagonist has cerebral palsy. Characters with disabilities are not often present in novels, especially those in the fantasy genre, so it was very refreshing and important to have inclusion in this way.

Overall, I love how it combined the contemporary and fantasy elements, almost similar to the set up of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. It was so elegant and well-written and definitely reminiscent of the fairy-tale aspects of the story.

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Have you ever read a book that you seriously can't put down?

Or do you love fairytales retellings?

This is really a great book that I have recently read. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for giving me an opportunity to read this wonderful work. 

This book is seriously a beautifully written Beauty and the Beast retelling which I finished in one sitting. I started it around 11pm and couldn't stop reading until I finished it. What is sleep anyway? It's not that important. Haha. 
I literally ordered the book straight after I finish reading it on my Kindle because I want a copy of it so badly I woke my husband up and told him that he has to get me one as my Valentine's Day present. (He was not impressed, of course). 

Characters:

Rhen, a prince who was cursed by an enchantress, turns into a beast for one season every year and he needs a girl to fall in love with him in order to break the curse otherwise the seasons will keep repeating and he will be stuck forever 18 years old. 

Harper, a girl from DC who got caught up in the drama and got transported to Rhen's world because of Grey, Rhen's commander, is a girl with cerebral palsy but who is such a badass. She stood up to Grey and Rhen and seriously fought Grey with a crowbar. 

Grey, Rhen's commander and the only one in his castle alive after everyone was killed by Rhen when he turned into a monster. 

Plot: 

There was so many twists and turns that just kept you in your seat and you sitting there blaming your eyes being unable to read as fast as you want to. There was no boring part at all, it just kept going on with interesting things happening. 

I loved how it was written in different POV of Harper and Rhen which makes me connect to the characters. Although, I was actually shipping Grey and Harper instead of Rhen and Harper. I wish there was more on Grey so hopefully we will get that in the next book!!!

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When I heard that A Curse so Dark and Lonely is a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I knew I would fall in love with it. Despite of my high expectations I wasn’t let down even the slightest bit; the story stays true to Beauty and the Beast without turning predictable or cheezy. It was dark, twisted and unputdownable.

I am usually cold as a snow-heaped mountain when it comes characters, but something about a Curse so Dark and Lonely warmed up my heart made of stone. The pacing wasn’t too slow but the perfect amount of careful and patient for me to warm up to the characters and their relationships. Harper is a badass who loves her family above all else. Her disability is in no way an obstacle and she has a witty remark for everyone who dares to step out of line. But, most importantly to me, she didn’t leave her vulnerability behind. Way too often in books we are told about heroines who fight with confidence and run towards dangers without hesitation, but often these characters lack depth and human-stuff. Like stress, anxiety and exhaustion. Harper was a fresh breath of air because she was relatable. She was angry when she was whisked away to Rhen’s world, and her anger doesn’t dissipate within a couple pages and a few sweet words from the ah-so-handsome prince.

Rhen is the handsome prince, but he is also a big ball of depression. He tries his best to hold up his defenses but underneath it all is both tragedy and angst. I honestly don’t know if a Curse so Dark and Lonely had magnificient character development on Rhen’s part, or, if the book changed me in the course of reading it. At first I had an intense dislike of Rhen but over time he grew on me and turned out to be one of the most memorable characters even when he was matched with the pretty awesome Harper.

I don’t usually give such detailed character descriptions but I reaallly have to mention Grey as well. He is Rhen’s commander and got mixed up in the mess of the curse at the very beginning. Since then he has served Rhen as he best can as his only servant/soldier. Grey is not a simple forgettable side character though. He is kind but stern, somewhat grumpy and 100% lovable for being such an honest person.

Although a Curse so Dark and Lonely is clearly recognisable as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, it still managed to pull the rug from under my feet. I made a bunch of theories about what was going to happen next, but either I am very poor at guessing (I am) or the plot had pretty clever twists throughout (it did). That also made the book unputdownable and I spent quite a few mornings bleary-eyed because I couldn’t put the book down to get a decent amount of sleep.

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A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a unique twist. The curse is enacted much differently with the beast not being a ‘beast’ all the time – but with much higher stakes when he is the beast. The beauty ‘Harper’ also finds her way free of the ‘damsel in distress’ trope and is a strong character that whilst having cerebral palsy does not let her situation get the better of her.

Speaking of Harper – I know this is a retelling so there is a bit of a set format, but she’s from our world?? With technology and phones and proper medicine… and she seems to accept this new land and magic a little bit too easily. I mean, If this was me, I would be freaking out as I find instruments playing themselves. And I’d want to see more and more magic, but I would also probably have a meltdown without technology. I don’t know, I think this is an issue with many books that transport you to a different world, that the characters accept it easily.

We also get a different POV with Rhyn, which is how we explore the curse and exactly how the curse has affected him. We see ups and downs, and that Rhyn feels like giving up because of how the curse affects him and those around him. I found that this gave a bit of depth that you don’t get in the Disney version. The ‘beast’ isn’t just angry and sulking because of the curse, he’s actively tried to break it over and over again, which is slowly breaking him. Another unique-ness that I could get on board with.

The world is great though. In the original, we’re trapped in a castle, but the unique twist of the curse means Harper and co are able to leave the castle. This means we get to explore Emberfall and meet different characters. Seeing the people and the political tensions as this country is straining under the Prince’s curse, without fully knowing what is going on was interesting. It was a bit of added information which you forget about in the original tale! Because of course the ruling family being cursed would affect their country.

Whilst we do see more characters in A Curse So Dark and Lonely, there’s some which I think we could have had seen more of. I think the Enchantress could have been a larger part of the story, and she captured attention in every scene she was in. I also found that Harper’s brother could have been a bigger part of the book (but I don’t know if that’s just me?). I loved the addition of Grey and his dynamic with both our POVs. He’s also a great way to introduce how this curse has affected not just the beast, but his subjects too.

Overall I enjoyed the book, and found that there were a few twists and turns that are different to the original. I also found out that there will be a second book which continues this tale! There’s a slight cliffhanger, but not one that’s too frustrating.

POSITIVES
Original Retelling
Interesting world
NEGATIVES
Some characters could have been used more?

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I received an e-arc of A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer from Bloomsbury Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book. 

I've been really excited about A Curse So Dark and Lonely for quite some time now. I've really enjoyed reading Brigid Kemmerer books in the past and this one was calling out to me. And then I found out it featured a protagonist with a disability, I knew I needed to read it. And I am so glad that I did. This has to be one of my favourite YA fantasy novels. It's got everything that I love and I literally could not put it down. 

A Curse So Dark and Lonely follows Rhen who has been cursed to repeat autumn the year he turned eighteen over and over again. He thought that if he only had to repeat those months it was fine, but what he didn't expect was to turn into a monster - a monster that kills anything and anyone in its path. And the only way to break the curse - is to fall in love.

Then Harper arrives. She has no idea where she is or how she even got there. All she wants to do is get back home, to her sick mother and her brother that's in trouble. But the more time that she spends with Rhen, the more she realises everything isn't what meets the eye. Harper isn't like other girls, but Rhen isn't like anyone else Harper has met. Just as Rhen sees a little hope, powerful forces not only stand against Rhen but the hope of Harper and his people. 

If you haven't thought about picking this one up yet - do! This story influenced by the beauty and the beast is heartbreaking, to say the least. But it is also captivating, enchanting and I just couldn't put it down. Both Harper and Rhen are both fascinating and tantalising characters. The plot captured me from the very first chapter and just kept me going and going. 

Harper has to be one of my favouriote female protagonists ever. Her voice seized me from the very start. I was able to connect with not only Harper's voice but also the worries that she has throughout A Curse So Dark and Lonely. Harper has no idea what is going on when she falls into Emberfall but makes the most of it. She stands up not only for herself but what she believes in. While at first, the idea of Emberfall flabagasts her, she slowly falls into the world like a pro. I adored that she was quick on her feet and didn't let anyone stop her. Harper just took everything and went with it. One of the things that I loved about Harper, was that she didn't like her disability define her. It wasn't brushed aside and it didn't let it stop her.

Rhen, oh my gosh, my heart could not handle him. I could feel all his pain and gosh it was a lot. I am not going to lie, I cried a bit throughout the book. And a lot of it was because of all the pain that Rhen felt. It just broke me. I wanted to just hug him. Rhen feels so guilty about everything that happened, that it tore him apart. He didn't believe that he deserved to be happy, let alone a life. And that is what really got to me. He tries to be this Prince, a King. But deep down he is in so much pain. He tries to hide behind a persona, but throughout A Curse So Dark and Lonely it's broken down and the reader is able to see how much Rhen is hurting. 

The romance - holy - I think Rhen and Harper are climbing up my favourite OTP list. These two together, just yes, please. This has to be one of my favourite slow burn romances - ever. Rhen and Harper don't particularly like each other at the start of A Curse So Dark and Lonely. But as the novel goes on, they start to confide in each and really understand who the other is. One thing I have noticed about Bridge Kemmerer knows how to write a beautiful and perfect slow burn romance. And it shows again in this novel. At first, Rhen doesn't know what to think of Harper, but like Harper herself, as the novel goes on, he gets to really know her. Nevertheless, I cannot wait to see what more happens between these two and gosh I need it. 

One of the main pulls for me towards A Curse So Dark and Lonely was the fact that there was a protagonist with a disability. I don't have cerebral palsy, so I am not going to comment on if the representation was perfect. But from what I know and understand about it, I think it was a great start. Like I said before, I really enjoyed that while Harper did have cerebral palsy, it didn't stop her. It might slow her down, but she found ways to do things. It just made me happy to have this badass female disabled protagonist, that didn't really need a male to save her. 

Another thing I loved about A Curse So Dark and Lonely was the relationship between Rhen and Grey. These two warmed my heart. The reader knows that Rhen doesn't want to get close to anyone. He has hurt people and that has really played with his mind. But Grey has started the whole time. Grey has been with Rhen through thick and thin and it really came across on how much he did care. He wasn't just there because it was required to.

I also liked the budding relationship between Grey and Harper. It could go one way - and while I hope it doesn't. I liked that Grey helped Harper get through all the changes that happened, as well as showing her how to live in this world.  Grey was also really well written and seeing him grow throughout the novel was something I loved. And I know there is going to be way more install for him in the next book. 

Taking about the next book, umm how about that ending. While A Curse So Dark and Lonely was quite intense, the last 50 pages or so blew my mind. Everything was just taken to another level and it just worked. There were some things that were resolved, but then more things came about and I am so not ready for it. Something else that Brigid Kemmerer did with  A Curse So Dark and Lonely was really stick with the roots and base of the Beauty and the Beast story, but it such a way that it was fresh, new and was able to draw the reader in. 

Overall, I adored A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. I was captivated by the characters, world, and the plot from the very first chapter. Rhen and Harper are fantastic characters on their own, with brilliant character arcs. But together they are like fire and it's one that I want to keep on spreading. I loved that Harper's disability wasn't shoved aside, the reader is also able to see Rhen come to terms with the things that he has done when the monster. If you are looking for a new fantasy book, then pick this one up. With fantastic world-building, character arcs and a plot that just keeps giving, then this is for you.

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I absolutely adore retellings, reading pretty much every one I can get my hands on, but even I have to admit my first thought on seeing this was not another Beauty and the Beast retelling. I must have read at least a dozen of them so it was difficult to see how Kemmerer was ever going to make this one stand out. Somehow however she does and I can say, hand on heart, that this is one of the best versions of this classic tale I’ve come across.

It may be based on a story we all know and love but the author has put her stamp on it and turned it into something a little bit different. There’s no beautiful but misunderstood young girl held captive by a hideous monster who turns out to be nice on the inside and they fall in love. Instead we have a contemporary heroine who accidentally manages to get herself kidnapped and transported to a new and magical world. There’s no beast either as the prince she meets is handsome and charming and maybe just a little too smooth. There is a curse placed upon him (it’s in the title) but this curse is that he’s doomed to repeat the same season over and over again until he manages to find someone to fall in love with him. At the end of the season, if he hasn’t found true love he is transformed into a terrifying beast who will kill everyone and everything in sight before time resets and he begins the season anew.

It really is a wonderful take on the story and I absolutely loved this notion of time repeating for Prince Rhen and also the sense of urgency his impending transformation brings to the story. I loved that the enchantment caused everything within the palace to repeat despite Rhen and captain of the Guard Grey being the only ones there. Food magically appears at certain times, rooms tidy themselves and musical instruments play the same music they did for Rhen’s first season (even without the musicians). There’s something wonderfully magical about it but it’s also a little bit sinister too.

What truly made this book for me however was main character Harper. I think she may possibly be one of my all time favourite characters. From the very start she has incredible strength and resilience and over the course of the book she develops into something even more, finding confidence and self assurance. Physically she’s not perfect, she has cerebral palsy which limits what she can do and means she struggles with a lot of things, but while it does slow her down at times it doesn’t curb her determination.

I truly admired how she coped with everything thrown at her. She’s magically transported to a new and more primitive world, is held captive in a cursed palace, becomes entangled with local politics and has the incredible pressure of being told she can save a kingdom on the brink of war. She has the odd wobble (fair enough I would too) but she doesn’t wait around for someone else to rescue her or fix things but instead steps up and does it for herself. Yes she does do some incredibly stupid things and doesn’t always listen but she acts which in my opinion makes her awesome.

Her relationship with Prince Rhen is also very well done. For a Beauty and the Beast inspired story it’s pretty light on the romance, there’s no insta love here or even an instant attraction. Harper isn’t naive and knowing about the curse pretty early on she never buys into his charm (and actually calls him on it). They bicker and they fight as neither wholly trusts the other and I have to admit I was never fully sure their relationship would turn romantic (and I wasn’t sure I wanted it to).

Rhen is an intriguing character but his guarded and thoughtful nature make it difficult to really become invested in him. He doesn’t show much of what he feels and to be honest he’s so dispirited and defeated at the start of the story that it’s not clear he feels much at all anyway. He does develop over the course of the book and by the end I did come to really care about him but I’m still not sure I ever really felt like he and Harper made the best match.

Captain of the Guards Grey however I almost instantly loved. From when he first accidentally kidnapped Harper for Rhen there was just something about him that made me happy. He’s incredibly loyal, brave and stoic but there’s a really soft and fun side to him that I thought made him a better match for Harper. Some of my favourite moments in this book were in fact between him and Harper which is probably not the way it should have been.

The writing is great and I thought the pace of the story was pretty much spot on. It’s a fast and easy read and there’s just enough intrigue and action to keep you hooked throughout. I loved the world building and while some of the secondary characters were a little stereotyped there was enough depth and complexity in the leads to make up for it. I will say I wasn’t wholly convinced by Harper’s back story and family and it felt a little bit forced to fit what the story needed but given how much I loved Harper I can let it slide.

Overall therefore, this is one of the best retellings I’ve come across and one I’d recommend all lovers of the genre pick up. The ending left things a little bit open so I can’t wait to find out what’s next for these characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. As always all views are very much my own.

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3.5 stars.

This was an interesting take on the classic Beauty and the Beast fairytale, with Harper being snatched from the modern day streets of Washington D.C. and taken to another world full of monsters and curses and magically enchanted castles.

There’s much to enjoy here, particularly if like me you’ve always wondered about the “prince” bit of the story. Usually the Beast’s curse is confined to the castle and his suffering is all internal and dramatic. This book opens that up to the kingdom Rhen should have been governing and the consequences of his neglect thanks to the curse, which I really appreciated.

I also really liked how difficult it was for both Rhen and Harper to fall in love. This is not an easy-breezy fairytale where a magic wand is waved and a HEA is automatically assured. There are doubts, there are difficulties and a touch of reality is injected into the fantasy that I liked. Of course this is a BatB retelling, so if you can’t get over the kidnapping aspect, you will struggle with this.

And then there’s Grey. I loved Grey. Harper can have Rhen, I’m keeping Grey.

Although, I was disappointed with how Grey’s story panned out and a few twists towards the end in general. Up until that point the book had done a really good job of avoiding the obvious clichés, but sadly they all popped up towards the end. I also felt a little let down by Harper. As someone who neither has nor knows anyone who does have cerebal palsy, I’m not going to comment on that aspect of Harper’s character, but she does slightly suffer from the Fairy Tale Princess gloss in that everyone she encounters (apart from the baddie, obviously) loves her and thinks she’s wonderful. She’s okay, I guess, but really, everyone? Meh. Rhen is a little underwhelming too. He’s nice enough and has clearly suffered, but I don’t know. Harper and he seemed well suited in their meh-ness.

The baddie, Lilith, could have been better too. She’s just bad and petty, and has no further depth than that. I felt like her name summed up the amount of effort put into her.

So it’s not perfect, but it’s still a good read. It was quick and easy and enjoyable, and most of the disappointment I felt was more about me and my personal expectations than the book itself. In all if you like YA fairy tale retellings, especially those with a darker (but not completely grim and joyless, thankfully) twist, then you will probably enjoy this. The romance is muted, but the magic remains. It also stands very well alone. I’ll have to see what the follow up is about before I decide whether or not I’ll want to read it.

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THE STORY:

A Curse so Dark and Lonely is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Some of the aspects of this story are pulled from that fairy tale, but they are done in a refreshing way that was a delight to read. Honestly I didn’t even know that this book was a Beauty and the Beast retelling until I started reading it, apparently I forgot that detail when I requested this book. Still, it was a very nice surprise. I tend to love retellings of that fairy tale.

The story of A Curse so Dark and Lonely was very interesting. It went ways I didn’t expect it to. There were quite a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, though a few things were predictable. Not that that is a bad thing, this is after all the retelling of a story, so some elements of it will already be familiar. Still, I was at the edge of my seat while reading this book, I couldn’t stop reading it. I needed to know what was going to happen next.

THE WORLD:

I have always enjoyed reading portal fantasy books. If you aren’t familiar with that term, portal fantasy is a story where characters from our world go to a fantasy one through some kind of doorway. (That probably started with my love for Narnia when I was little.) I just love seeing authors explore the clash between someone from our world and an entire new world. I don’t know if you can class A Curse so Dark and Lonely as a portal fantasy (I’m not an expert on that topic), but it follows Harper as she tries to navigate a fantasy world after getting to it from Washington.

I loved learning more about Emberfall throughout the story, about its history, political situation and many other things. The setting, combined with the curse, was fascinating to read about. I’m very exited that there is going to be a second book to this story, as I really want to know more about the world. There was just something magical about it that gripped me from the beginning.

THE CHARACTERS:

The characters were probably my favourite part of this entire book. Harper was an amazing character to read about. She is very stubborn and also very kind. I loved seeing her reaction to Emberfall and how she manages with that whole situation. Harper has cerebral palsy and I think that her disability was handled very well in the book. Though I’m saying that as an able-bodied person, so I might not be the best judge (so be aware of that). Anyway, Harper was amazing in many different ways and I loved seeing her grow throughout the book.

Rhee was a very interesting character as well. I loved the fact that we got to read from his point of view as well. That made me understand and sympathise with him even more. Rhee is a very layered character and I loved seeing his motivations and learning more about his past. I especially enjoyed the development that he got throughout the book. All of the main characters were very well developed. The relationship between Harper and Rhee was fascinating to read about. I loved seeing their relationship progress, from being hostile in the beginning to understanding each other later. Their dynamic and interactions were amazing to read and there were so many wonderful moments between them.

Another character that I was fascinated by was Grey. He was such a huge contrast to Rhee and I enjoyed learning more about him as the story progressed. I also found him to be one of the more mysterious characters in this book, as we don’t know too much about him. I loved reading about his relationship with Rhee, they have such a strong companionship. Side note: I hate the villain of this story so much! I really don’t want to go into any detail as to why, as that would spoil the story, but I just hate her so much! (I seriously needed to mention that.)

OVERALL:

I loved A Curse so Dark and Lonely. The characters, story and world of this book captured my interest from the beginning. The more I read from this story the more I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!

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This book is Beauty and the Beast retold from a fresh perspective, with the beast a tortured prince of a medieval-style fantasy realm and the beauty a modern US teenager with a mobile phone and a fiercely independent attitude.

I love the clash of these two worlds, and found Harper especially compelling and empathetic as she gradually finds her strength and sense of identity via an entirely unfamiliar role. The author avoids the trap of dwelling on the character’s Cerebral Palsy and instead makes it a natural part of her life and identity, the same as her hair colour or stature. It is always great to see representations of more varied and interesting characters in a hero/heroine and Harper’s fighting attitude is admirable.

Rhen was a more problematic character, but then, that is how the beast is supposed to be: if he wasn’t flawed on the inside then he would never have been cursed with the looks to match! It was really good to see that his curse had greater implications than the trite ‘judging a book by its cover’ moral, and that the real pain wasn’t found in how he looked but how he behaved. If only we had seen him with a bit more life still in him, even if his attitude then was awful. As it is his defeatism and introspection were a bit wearing, so it is lucky we had Grey and Harper there to cheer things up and kick the plot forward.

The author avoids making the romantic aspect of the plot too central by making the character’s feelings far more believable than the source material. Rather than falling in Stockholm Syndrome over porridge gobbling and a ballroom dance the main characters develop strong bonds of mutual respect and understanding, but hearts and flowers are in shorter supply as they face some of the real challenges of managing a feudal kingdom. Whether it all leads to ‘true love’ or not by the climax… you’ll just have to read it yourself to find out!

I will confess to being slightly confused towards the ending, as I had been hooked following Rhen, Harper and Grey throughout their struggles to break the curse, save the kingdom and find themselves so the ambiguity regarding a lot of the big questions was a little disappointing. This was quickly explained when I read that there is a sequel on the way. I hope it doesn’t take many seasons to arrive, as I want to know what happens next!



A siren kicks up somewhere nearby, but it’ll be too late. I try to claw at his face again, but I catch his neck instead. Blood blossoms under my nails, and his eyes turn murderous. The sky lightens fractionally behind him, turning pink with streaks of orange.
His free hand lifts and I don’t know if he’s going to hit me or strangle me or break my neck. It doesn’t matter. This is it. My last sight will be a glorious sunrise.
I’m wrong. His hand never strikes.
Instead, the sky disappears altogether.

– Brigid Kemmerer, A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

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I liked this story. It was written really well, the characters were well built and the whole concept of the curse worked perfectly. The world building was fantastic. I’m praying there will be a second book.

I loved the fact that Harper had Cerebral Palsy, it didn’t make her any weaker or incapable. It made her stronger, more fierce, and more determined. I loved how feisty she was in the first half of the book. And then when she was ‘Princess’ she was determined for the people not to treat her any differently because of her ailments. She’s definitely one of my favourite characters of the year. I weirdly hoped that she wouldn’t go for the person that she’s supposed to. And I secretly think that she didn’t. I think she fell for the other man.

Rhen. I think that he was more well built out than Harper, with a whole country’s backstory behind him and the curse. But he still felt a little hollow. Maybe that was the way it was supposed to be though, as he had gone through the same thing for a while over and over again. But I still liked him.

My favourite character of the book is Grey. I felt more for him than Harper or Rhen. For the pure fact that it’s blatantly obvious that he is falling for Harper himself, but he is completely unable to act upon these feelings. It’s obvious to Rhen what is happening. We’ll see what happens there if there is book 2.

I loved the flow of the story, and the way the chapters switch between Harper and Rhen. And eventually the Monster. Even if they are a little on the short side. I liked the idea of there being a different universe that was accessible for only Grey. It made things a little more interesting on the magic side of the story. I really want there to be a follow up, I have so many questions still and I reckon a lot of people will have the same ones.

I think that this book is going to go one of two ways with readers. It’s either going to be massive, and really raved about. Or, it’ll go the other way. This book is far from perfect, but it is an excellent Beauty and The Beast retelling.

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My Opinion:

This book!

THIS BOOK!

This book was one of the best books Ive ever read (and those are a lot) - and it also was THE BEST Retelling I ever got my hands on!

It was exciting, scary, mesmerizing and enchanting from the first page on and I couldn't stop reading. The Kindle nearly fell in the bathtub because some of the twists and turn were so unexpected and absolutely terrifying. The story was a whole fairytale in its own right and the division into two POVs was just perfect to get to know what was happening all the time.

I really never fall for two male characters at the same time - but this book? Oh man I broke down in two pieces because all of Brigids Characters were absolutely perfect. Harper was fierce and scary and the perfect anti heroine we didn't know we needed. And then there was Scary Grey and the soft Rhen. Do you see me melting already? Everyone and everything was perfectly written, even the wicked characters and then there were all these secrets and you knew what would be coming. We always expect the worst as reader - well this books gives us worser than worst. Like worst worst outcome and you still can't stop reading and hope for the good things to happen. Harper was my absolute favorite and now that I know, that there will be a Sequel I cant wait to get it in my hands.

This retelling of the beauty and the beats is so much more than only a retelling. Its a mesmerizing and hypnotizing read that everyone should pick up, and I am angry with myself, that I didn't read this ARC earlier because it will now wander off onto my all time favorite list.

Read this book.

Thank you. Over and Out :)

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Trigger Warnings: This book features death due to cancer, loan sharks, threats of violence from loan sharks, kidnap, violent death, magical torture, violence, discussion of attempted suicide, threat of child murder and sexual abuse of a child, and a scene of blood, gore and viscera.

I am a huge fan of Brigid Kemmerer, and, as you know, a huge fan of retellings, so when I heard Kemmerer was writing a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I was immediately sold. But I didn't expect A Curse So Dark and Lonely to be as incredible as it was.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely has all the things you would expect from a Beauty and the Beast retelling: a girl held against her will, an enchanted castle, a prince who becomes a monstrous creature, a curse that can only be broken by a girl falling in love with the prince, a way for the girl to magically see her family, the girl returning to her family. But it also has so much more. What most retellings seem to forget is that the beast is a prince, and that princes have kingdoms. In A Curse so Dark and Lonely, we see that kingdom, the kingdom of Emberfall.

We have Prince Rhen, who has been cursed by an enchantress to relive the autumn of his 18th year over and over - and at some point during each season, he turns into a beast and loses all sense of self. He becomes a monster who wants nothing more to kill and destroy. His family are dead. The people who worked in the castle are dead, except for Grey, his Commander. When Rhen first realised what he becomes and the devastation he caused, he shut himself away in his castle, keeping away from his people, not wanting to hurt them. He shut the borders for more protection; with no-one to run the kingdom, there's no telling who might come in or out. He has been through hundreds of seasons, trying to charm women to fall in love with him, only for him to fail, or for him to kill them when he becomes the monster.

Harper is a girl from Washington, DC. Her mother is dying from cancer, father abandoned her family with his debt to violent loan sharks, and her older brother Jake is now working for the loan sharks in order to pay off some of the debt. Life is miserable for her family, living constantly in fear of having their debt called in, and of their mother dying. One night, Harper is keeping watch while Jake is terrorising a family for their debt, when she sees a man trying to lead away a woman who is so drunk she can barely stand. Harper can't just stand there and let this woman be hurt, despite the fact she has cerebral palsy, resulting in a limp that would be a disadvantage in such a situation. Nevertheless, she attacks this man to save the woman, and in doing so, is herself transported with Grey to Emberfall.

The fact that Harper is transported from our world into this high fantasy world is so interesting! She has no idea who Rhen and Grey are, no idea where she is, and she'll be damned if she's going to just sit about waiting for a rescue that isn't going to come. Yes, she's disabled, but that's not going to stop her from climbing out a window, climbing/falling down a trellis, stealing a horse - knowing to ride from physio after the multiple operations on her leg - and trying to get the hell out of here. And it's in trying to escape that she comes across a family whose house is being burned to the ground by soldiers who are intent on hurting them. Again, Harper can't just walk away and tries to help, with the weapons she stole when she stole the horse. Unfortunately, she doesn't know what she is doing, and is almost killed until Rhen and Grey find her and save them all. Now Rhen discovers what's happening in his Kingdom.

The people are poor and starving. With the borders closed, there is no trade. Rhen's people are suffering and they're dying - and now soldiers, claiming to be on orders from the King, are destroying people's homes and stealing the land. Karis Luran, Queen of Syhl Shallow is invading. Emberfall is on the brink of war, with no army to defend its people. This is when the fairy tale retelling becomes more like a high fantasy - quite possibly my favourite genre, and so pleased me no end - and we see Prince Rhen act like a prince and try to figure out, with his commander, how to save the kingdom. Inspired by Harper, who, when more soldiers appear at the inn where Rhen has taken the family who were attacked, on a whim, pretended to be a princess of another kingdom - DC, called Disi by everyone else - whose father is negotiating an alliance with Emberfall, and will help boost Emberfall's ranks with his own army. They take the lie Harper told, and run with it. But now Harper must always be Princess Harper of Disi in public in order to help, while also desperately wanting to get home to her mother and brother.

I absolutely loved Harper. She's no damsel in distress sitting around waiting to be rescued. She's tries to save herself, and more than once she tries to rescue others. She's resourceful, and thinks quick on her feet, and she's so kind and compassionate, brave and courageous. She's also pretty so assertive and will stand up to this prince who has kidnapped her, who sometimes treats her, she believes, like she's a stupid little girl who knows nothing. She is just awesome.

I don't have cerebral palsy, nor am I otherwise physically disabled, so I really recommend you read other reviews from people who are to hear about their thoughts on the representation, but there are few thoughts I'd have that I'd like to share. I think it's also really important to note just how awesome it is that "Beauty" in this retelling is a girl with a disability. I've heard from disabled people in the book community that they are almost invisible to non-disabled people; not seen at all, really. But in A Curse So Dark and Lonely, Harper is "Beauty". She is seen, and she's important - in more ways than just as a girl - one of many over the hundreds of seasons - who could possibly fall in love with Rhen and break the curse. The people of Emberfall are in awe of her, and inspired by her, not in a disabled inspiration porn way, but because of who she is. As far as they're concerned, they have been abandoned by the King, but now here is a girl - who they later believe is a princess - who is putting her own life in danger in order to save them, who stands up for them, who brings them food from the castle because they are starving. She's not a princess, that's a lie, but Harper already has an effect on them before there's any hint that she's a princess. It's her kindness and her bravery that inspire the people, and the fact that she will fight for them. It makes them want to fight right along with her. Harper isn't a "chosen one" character. She's just a girl who is frightened and unsure, but can't turn away from suffering, and agrees to continue the princess charade in order to help these people. She is not kind and brave despite her disability or because of it, but in addition to it, as Kemmerer says herself in her author's note. Her disability effects her in regards to her movement, but it's not who she is, and it's who she is that makes her so important. And Harper is just awesome, and I loved her.

Rhen was pretty awesome, too. He has suffered so much; he has to deal with the knowledge that he has killed his family, that he is a danger to his people. That the only way to break the curse is for a woman to fall in love with him. He has tried to break it by bringing about his own death multiple times, but he just wakes up again on the day of his 18th birthday. He is constantly tormented by Lilith, the enchantress who cursed him, a vicious and sadistic woman who delights in Rhen's physical - as she will cause him great pain, magically, just from a touch - and mental suffering. He no longer knows what to do. He has tried and tried, and he has failed, time and again. Why will Harper be any different. But she is different; she's not so easily charmed as the previous girls, and she stands up to him, and she's smart and kind and brave - not to mention beautiful. Emberfall and it's people are nothing to her - and she's made it quite clear that she wants to leave - and yet time and time again she does so much to help his people, at risk to herself, and he can't help be but admire and appreciate her for that. Rhen is tortured, and he's trying his best, but really, he doesn't see how it will make any difference in the long run. An army is coming, and he has no army to meet them. You can't help but feel sorry for Rhen.

Grey! Oh, how I loved Grey! We don't get the story from his perspective as we do with Harper and Rhen, but we see various sides of him through his relationships with them both. He is fiercely loyal, and will do whatever Rhen commands, but he will make it known through his silences when he thinks Rhen's being an idiot, and when Rhen gives him to say what he thinks, he will tell him so. He's kind and understanding with Harper, but he'll also chastise her when she puts herself in unnecessary danger. Because she isn't a princess, she can't see the consequences of her actions beyond right now and what they'll mean for the kingdom at large. But he is an important adviser to both Rhen and Harper, and he is just the best. He's funny and firm, but also sweet and kind, and I loved him.

The ending! Oh my god, the ending! I absolutely did not see it coming! There were a couple of moments in the space of a few pages where I thought the story was going to end completely differently, and I was practically screaming, "WHAT?! No!" with shock, but then it would twist again, and oooh, the actual ending! Mate. MATE! The sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, is going to be epic! When it comes to story, plot, and politics, at least. But it's also going to be completely heartbreaking when it comes to what the ending means for individual characters. So, so heartbreaking, and oh my god, I just want to give someone the biggest hug, because... why?! Why would Kemmerer do that?! Oh my god, it's going to be as awful as it is epic. And my fears are practically confirmed by the title of book two, and I am an excited but miserable bunny. I can't bear it, but I also absolutely cannot wait! 2020 can't come fast enough!

I adored A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and it is quite possibly my favourite Beauty and the Beast retelling. If you love retellings, or if you love high fantasy, or if you love Kemmerer's previous books, you absolutely cannot miss this!

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Like many others, I’m sure, I was immediately intrigued by this book because it’s labelled as a Beauty and The Beast retelling. I’ve watched some Beauty and The Beast retellings before, but I’ve never read any, so I didn’t really know what to expect going into this one, but I actually enjoyed it quite a lot. This was definitely one of those easier to get through and just enjoyable fantasy books, where you can indulge in the brilliancy of the fantasy genre, such as magic and different worlds, without having to be bogged down with over complicated world building and a plethora of characters, which was really nice. Sometimes you just want to read an engaging and entertaining fantasy book, without having to think too much, and this book was definitely that.

The plot was good in this, as I feel like the passing of time was done quite well, so when different feelings started to develop, they felt natural. I could clearly track the progress of the relationships and that’s something that I really value in a book, convince me of the relationships and you’ll immediately have me more invested in the book. I’m always slightly hesitant when it comes to Beauty and The Beast retellings in particular, because we all know that in order to break the curse, the Beauty has to fall in love with the Beast. This always makes me wary of insta-love and unbelievable relationships, but I think this aspect of the curse was handled really well. The characters feelings and actions actually made sense to me! The pacing was fantastic, it didn’t feel like I’d read nearly 500 pages at all. Although, I will say though, that I would have loved the ending to be a bit slower.

Another great thing about the plot, is that it looked at how the curse was affecting Emberfall as a kingdom and not just Rhen. I think that this was a wonderful thing to include as it added another pressing reason why the curse needed to be broken, I genuinely don’t think that this would have been as strong a novel without it. Outside of the whole ‘having to find true love by the end of the season’ thing, having a kingdom to try and repair, helped stabilise the plot a lot. It also gave Rhen and Harper a common goal, which in turn, allowed them to form any sort of relationship. To be honest, I never even considered how the curse could be affecting the Kingdom, but of course, with Rhen’s family all being dead, he is the only one left to rule. And he’s shut himself up in Ironrose castle, with his only companions being his personal guard, Grey, the enchantress, Lilith, who likes to torment him from time to time, and then the curse itself. Rhen’s also sealed off the town’s borders, as he wants to prevent as many people as possible from encountering the Beast. But when Harper makes an impromptu brake for it, he’s forced to leave his castle and see just how citizens live and is confronted with the fact that in the process of protecting them, he’s also abandoned and neglected them.

My favourite thing about this book though, and what was without a doubt it’s strongest aspect, was the characters. I actually cared for all of the main characters and even some of the minor ones. Harper was a great protagonist and I had so much fun reading from her point of view, she was smart, sensible, hilarious, gutsy and brave, but also normal. Harper is unique though in the fact that she has Cerebral palsy. Her Cerebral palsy isn’t something that is just briefly mentioned and then forgotten, it is referred to a number of times throughout the book, with Harper noting the difficulties she faces and the different types of things that she has tried to help her. What I found most important about this being included, was that Harper didn’t consider herself at a disadvantage compared to anyone else, and would stick up for herself if she felt like someone was underestimating her. Harper is an extremely caring person by nature and she loves her family fiercely, her family are experiencing extreme problems, as her mum has cancer and they are in debt to loan sharks. Harper could of easily just relaxed in this new world she’s found herself in, as she’s essentially stress free there, but instead, she’s desperately trying to find her way back to her family, because she knows that they need her. Another thing that I just want to quickly mention is how Harper reacts to her brother being gay. When Harper finds out, the only thing that she has any real reaction to, is the fact that her brother didn’t tell her that he was seeing anyone at all, it’s a small thing, but I thought it was nice.

Rhen and Harper are very different in a number of ways, but some things that they have in common is the need to do the right thing and they are both extremely stubborn. Their relationship was so amusing to me as they were constantly in this push and pull battle, trying to get the upper hand on each other. Harper is very different to any of the girls that Grey has brought back for Rhen though, mainly because she is conscious, but also because she is strong-willed and spirited, she doesn’t fall for his usual charms and mocks the fact that he is a Prince. They butt heads many a time, but as they spend more time together they begin to understand each other. Harper sees that beneath all of his arrogance and royal airs, the Prince feels hopeless and helpless, where she initially thinks that he doesn’t care about the people in his kingdom, she realises that he’s just at a loss on how to help them. He’s also suffering from immense guilt, because it was his actions that led him to be cursed in the first place, but he’s not the only one who is having to live through the consequences. As is her way of trying to right wrongs, Haper is hell-bent on improving things for those in Emberfall and this eventually spurs Rhen into action to restore his kingdom, so even if Harper doesn’t fall in love with him, Harper has helped him in an immeasurable way.

Grey was Rhen’s commander and the only person left who is enduring the curse alongside him within the castle walls. Grey has been through everything with Rhen, he sees it as his duty to stay by Rhen’s side and he tries to assist him in any way that he can, like leading the monster away from populated areas when the prince transforms. Grey’s even the one who goes between worlds, from Emberfall to DC to get the girls that Rhen hopes will fall in love with him. It’s on one of these trips that Harper sees him essentially trying to kidnap a girl, she intervenes and is taken in her place instead, as Grey only has one hour to find someone before he has to go back. It’s safe to say that Grey and Harper don’t get off to the best start, as she’s tried to attack him and he’s kidnapped her. So it’s surprising to see that Harper starts to trust him before she does Rhen. Harper is amused by ‘scary Grey’ who isn’t that scary at all and Grey is equally amused by the force that is Harper. The two strike up an unlikely friendship, that doesn’t go unnoticed by Prince Rhen.

I can definitely see why this book has created such a buzz in the book community, as it truly is a great retelling of a childhood classic. It almost makes that fairytale story seem that much more personal, as it’s set in the modern world, with Harper’s character experiencing very relatable problems. It also offers up a generous helping of diversity as it has Cerebal palsy rep, a gay couple – who no one makes any remarks on and those of different races – again, which isn’t seen as a huge deal. The only minor issues I had with this, was that I felt like the ending was quite sudden and I really wanted to get to know Lilith more. Lilith was the enchantress that cursed Rhen and from what I saw of her, she was an interesting, menacing character, I just wish that the author would’ve done a bit more with her. Overall, this was brilliant and I highly recommend it!

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A Curse So Dark and Lonely was a book that I received from Netgalley and it was one of the books I was really looking forward to reading. Some of my favourite books are fairy tale retellings and this one has such a cool twist. I actually really loved the fact that there was a modern take on some of the story but that it didn’t overtake the story.

I think it might be best if before I start gushing about how great the book is I should talk about one of my biggest issues with the book and with Harper. This is just a small complaint but it was one that I noticed and it was one that stuck with me. She forgot her family! Like really forgot her family, and this wasn’t just any ordinary family they were in dire straits when she left. It really impacted the way I saw her and her interactions in A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I wanted to like her as a character but it was a huge obstacle and reason behind my disconnect with her.

Now I say I had a disconnect with her as a character but that for once didn’t seem to impact my reading and enjoyment of A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I love Rhen’s and Grey’s relationship. I love the flaws and the hardships that they face and how they deal with them. I definitely enjoyed the dynamics, because I think it’s important that the hierarchy seemingly hadn’t disintegrated between the two of them. Which I haven’t seen before in a relationship between a prince and his subordinate, they are usually best of friends and the lines are blurred.

I have to say something about the setting and the way that the modern was used and switched between was really interesting. It was something A Curse So Dark and Lonely did really well. I think it took me by surprise if I’m honest, it’s not something that I have seen done well in other books. So it was nice to read a book that did it well.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely was definitely a book I really enjoyed and I completely recommend reading it! The characters are rich and the setting is well written. I also really loved the politics that were interwoven throughout the story and the plot line.

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Harper wants to help a young girl who is being kidnapped, she will be kidnapped in her place and will find herself in a parallel world, with a prince she will have to get to know.

Rhen is a prince but unfortunately following a spell he is led to relive the same season over and over again, transforming himself into a beast at the end and killing all his people if he does not find love.

Grey is Rhen’s bodyguard and he is the one who picks up the girls on land and takes them to Emberfall.

I liked this story, the fact that the prince is cursed and that he has to do everything to make a young girl fall in love with him before she discovers that he is changing. He is certainly arrogant, but deep down he has a good heart.

I love Grey, he’s a good friend and an excellent guard. He does everything he can to protect Rhen and then Harper.

Harper is a strong young girl, she will do everything she can to resist Grey and then Rhen, she will try to run away and eventually she will get to know the two people she lives with.

A curse so dark and lonely is catchy, there are funny moments, sad moments and Prince Rhen’s life has not been pink. Despite everything, he will try to save his people as best he can.

I can’t wait to read the second volume because the end scares me a little bit, there is no love triangle for the moment but I’m not necessarily confident on this point for the future.

Quick word: A book with fascinating characters not to be missed.

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For a long while, I thought the title of this book was A Curse so Dark and Lovely, which of course, no. But really the word ‘lovely’ brings a sort of truth to Rhen’s situation. If not for the curse, he would never have become the man he is by the time he meets Harper. The curse is terrible for the kingdom and even worse for Rhen’s family, but for Rhen himself, it saves him. There’s a sense of loveliness about that, but truly, it’s more lonely (than lovely) for Rhen—so actually A Curse so Dark and Lonely is the perfect title.

While this novel follows some of the features of Beauty and the Beast, in other ways it is updated and quite different. Rhen has cursed the whole kingdom, Emberfall, with his arrogant and privileged behaviour (not to mention reckless and thoughtless) and part of that involves turning into the monster, who without realising, kills and destroys without discrimination. The castle is enchanted, music plays, food always available, in which time moves differently. Outside the perimeter of the castle grounds, Emberfall is suffering, vulnerable to outside forces waiting and wanting to conquer it.

Rhen’s only companion is Grey, commander of the guard, sworn swordsman and accomplice in playing out the never ending cycle of the curse. This relationship is a very strong element of the story, with Grey forming a very crucial part of the triad. His sacrifices are many and his guilt strong.

Harper, our romantic lead, one half of the narrative, hero and saviour (of Rhen, Emberfall and Grey) is a thoroughly modern girl (I wanted to say ‘Millie’, but that dates me soo bad). She isn’t Grey’s choice to be the next attempt to break the curse. She fights Grey off his choice—an inebriated partly unconscious girl—and ends up in Emberfall by accident. Snarky, fierce and completely proactive, she disarms both boys in different ways, and the tussle for understanding and communication is a delightful component of the narrative. Harper’s background is grounded and authentic, and she’s possibly the only way forward for Emberfall. Watching her not only accept the role she has to play, but also developing respect and concern for both Rhen and Grey makes A Curse So Dark and Lonely a worthwhile and satisfying read. Knowing Kemmerer is already working on book two means the cliff-hanger is almost bearable.

Rhen is the heart of the story (Grey is the strength, Harper is the spark). He is tortured (quite literally as well) and damaged, unable to forgive himself, both as a royal prince and as the monster. His regrets are many, his accomplishments few. Harper forces him to confront the reality of his situation and demands he does something to help his people. One of his strengths, his ability to strategise, allows a plan to formulate, and with that comes hope, a very dangerous emotion.

There are several secondary characters, including Freya, Zo and Harper’s brother Jake, who round out a strong amazingly created cast. Their loyalty to Harper, and their own determination to save Emberfall means that ultimately the three main protagonists have others to help and support them. The climax is suspenseful and suitably dramatic, and the epilogue is, as mentioned before, appropriately open ended.

I haven’t mentioned Harper’s cerebral palsy. So beautifully integrated, Harper constantly stresses that it’s not a disability, it’s just part of her. When Grey teaches her to defend herself, she merely finds way to compensate, and the respect she garners shows how important self-confidence and strength of will can be. There are other inclusive additions, including a strong same sex relationship, which shows Kemmerer’s understanding of what current novels require.

I very much enjoyed immersing myself in this wonderful combination of fantasy land and contemporary storytelling. Kemmerer is one of the best young adult authors currently writing male leads—flawed, yet finding ways to be better, and romantic without being skeezy or fake. Her ability to present friendships between (straight) males promotes positive bonding and excellent role modelling. I would love to see this given to boys because while the cover might be off-putting, this is not an overly romantic, or girly story. Harper fights her attraction, there is very little kissing, and the action is strong and exciting.

Thanks to publishers, Bloomsbury and Netgalley for advanced copy. Highly recommended for readers who love early Sarah J Maas, series by Alwyn Hamilton and Sabaa Tahir, the Rephaim series by Paula Weston. Due out everywhere this coming week.

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I LOVED THIS BOOK, IT WAS INCREDIBLE! I loved everything about it, the characters were incredible and I know they will stay with me for a long time. I love the story of Beauty and The Beast so this was always going to be a good start but this book was so unique and added so much more to it. The plot was incredible and I was completely hooked, I really struggled to put it down and could not wait to pick it back up again. 

The characters were the most amazing part of this story. Harper is an incredible female lead, she is so strong and brave and even when she is scared, she is so selfless and willing to do whatever it takes to save those she loves. She also has Cerebral Palsy which I thought was amazing, she doesn't let her disability affect her and nobody expects less of her due to this. 

Rhen is also a really interesting character. He has a lot of development throughout the book and I love how he confides in people about his emotions. He is another strong character that only wants to do what is best and is incredible respectful of those around him. 

Grey came across as really horrible at the beginning but again he has a lot of development and he quickly becomes a favourite. I really enjoyed his character and his friendship with Harper as well as the complicated relationship between himself and Rhen. 

The world is really interesting, I would love to learn more about the way it works and why Emberfall is separate to Harpers earth. There must be more magic in the world and I am also interested in learning more about that as well as the past of all the characters. The plot was really interesting in this book and I was so hooked, it was so fast paced and there was always something interesting happening. 

I loved the relationship between Rhen and Harper, it was obviously based around the typical romance from Beauty and The Beast however it was different and really well done. I am really interested to see what happens in the next book. 

The ending was so interesting, I am so excited for book two and I am so ready to see what happens next to all these amazing characters. That ending was definitely a great way to leave it!

I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Beauty and the Beast, it would be perfect for fans of A court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas and Hunted by Meagan Spooner!


I will post this review to my blog and Goodreads on the 28th of January, on my instagram when I receive a physical copy and on Amazon when the book has been released.

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My new review policy for 2019 is that I won’t review every book I read.

This is because I was starting to find writing reviews a bit like doing homework and if you know you have to do ‘homework’ after each book it tends to suck the joy from the reading experience.

My ‘unofficial’ rule was to only review ARCS (otherwise what’s the point of requesting?) and any book that I had a strength of feeling about (either positive or negative). Anything ‘meh’ or ‘alright’ could be gently pushed aside.

But what happens if an ARC is an ‘alright?’ Well, I guess I have to review it.

I have rated A Curse So Dark and Lonely 3 stars out of 5. I enjoyed it. It was good. It had a fairly standard plot and followed a lot of typical YA conventions and tropes but it was an easy read with engaging characters.

It was – nothing special. There are a ton of Beauty and the Beast retelling’s and this can now be added to the pile. A Curse So Dark and Lonely seems to be very hyped at the moment as one of the more amazing versions but unfortunately for me it was average.

Our three main characters are Harper, Rhen and Grey with the story being told from the alternating POV’s of Harper and Rhen.

Harper is our ‘Beauty’ who has been unwittingly dragged from Washington D.C to Emberfall by Grey, loyal Commander of Prince Rhen, in the hopes that she will help remove the curse.

Rhen is our ‘Beast,’ cursed to live out season after season of turning into a different horrific beast until he can find a woman to fall in love with him.

The characters are engaging enough although at times Harper does fall victim to ‘not like other girls’ syndrome and despite all the talk about Rhen’s ‘arrogance’ the narrative portrays him more as desperate and self-loathing. I found it a bit laboured to read Harper’s constant complaining about his arrogance when I just felt I was being ‘told’ he was arrogant and not ‘shown.’

Although Grey is not a main character he is a very interesting secondary character (though as the sequel seems to be Grey focused that makes sense).

All three characters worked well together and I didn’t feel like the relationship between Harper and Rhen was the usual ‘insta-love’ which can easily occur within YA. The development of their relationship felt more organic and there may even be an additional complication with Grey and Harper’s possible feelings towards each other. This may play out in the second book but while I like the possibility of having some bumps in the road to love I was over love-triangles ten years ago.

Unfortunately I found the villain’s rather one-dimensional and rolled my eyes at the lack of substance behind their motivations. Revenge and power are the easiest ones to use but there needs to be reasons behind revenge and power other than the light ones provided here.

The world building was standard although I switched off from the explanations of Emberfall’s geography but then I found that I also switched off from the over explanations of strategy and war.

The plot had a tendency to meander and I found the first half of the book, where it was more about the build up of the characters relationships, more interesting than the second half. The second half became politics, action and Harper thinking a lot about her family.

Also, the end of the book is really not the time to introduce new characters – I had no emotional connection with them, despite being ‘told’ I should.

I’m not sold on the fact that this is part of a duology or possibly even a series because it really didn’t need to be and the twist felt like it was just something to serve as an entrance into the second book rather than make any meaningful perspective change towards the plot.

All in all, this was a solid YA book and I did enjoy reading it but for me it’s not a particularly standout or amazing book.

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