I picked this book up because I am always here for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I loved the idea that this one had a timeloop element, and a heroine with a disability, and I was so happy I did. The romance between the heroine and the prince comes first to friendship and then a sort of mutual understanding born of fighting for their own people, which really flips a lot of instalove tropes on their heads. The worldbuilding opens up with Harper's awareness of the world she's found herself in, and Harper herself is smart and determined, always fighting for her family, and learning that she has a right to fight for what she wants for herself, as well as what her family needs.

The side characters were excellent - I loved Harper's brother and his matter-of-fact doctor boyfriend, and REALLY loved that we got to spend as much time as we did with these characters, and that we got to see them react to some of the same things as Harper did but in different ways. And Rhen's captain of the guard! The loyalty!

Brigid Kemmerer really built up a tension in the second half of the book between Harper and Emery's conflicting needs and the way they both wanted to help the other despite what it would mean for the people they cared about, but without being willing to jeopardise the safety of the people they were responsible for. I didn't expect this book to be as long as it was, going in, but I'm so glad it was -- the plot and the relationships had time to grow and breathe, and I really enjoyed getting to go along with it every step of the way..

A unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
I have found it a bit to slow at some points but it is definitely fresh air on the retelling front.
Two world collides. Good representation. Not a lot of clichè.
I like it.

This was an interesting one, and a twist on the Beauty and the Beast tale. It wove several common tropes into one, so I was interested to see where it led.

Harper/Feyre: the girl kidnapped and brought to a castle, where she’s at the mercy of the troubled prince and his grumpy-but-tameable captain. I liked that the author wove her cerebral palsy into the story, although it only seemed to crop up when Rhen described her walking abilities. Obviously, Harper becomes a figurehead in battle with little-explained ease.

Rhen: the love interest that Harper swore she wouldn’t like but obviously ended up liking, who was cursed to turn into a beast unless he found love. The fact that it was an endless cycle was a good twist though.

I felt that some of the characters fell a little flat at times; relationships happened to move the plot forward more than anything else, and certain events needed much more description and lead-up.

Grey, bless him, was such a pawn (although I’d be interested to see how his ending ties up). Noah was the best, and more needed to be made of his transition to Emberfell. Jake wasn’t that well fleshed out, but this was explained away by ‘not that close’ - I just didn’t feel much for him.

And Lilith. Oh, Lilith. Of course the evil lady villain had that name. She could have been much more interesting with her ‘woman scorned’ vendetta but again, she fell a little flat.

An easy read that I’m sure will appeal to Sarah Maas fans (although the latter’s world building is a lot more compelling). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

A curse so dark and lonely review

Thank you too Netgalley, Brigid Kemmerer and Bloomsbury for my arc of A Curse so Dark and Lonely.

This book was a serious page turner and had me hooked from page one.
I love retelling a so honestly this book was perfect for me.
I loved the main character Harper I think she was a really relatable and brave character.
I absolutely loved Grey he was one of my favourite characters I just wanted to give him a hug the whole way through the book.
Prince Rhen took a while to grow on me but I ended up loving him by the end of the book.
The enchantress was a really interesting character although I personally hated her for the pain she inflicted on the other characters.
I love the way two worlds meet in this book the contrast between the modern world an the magical one was amazing that was one of the main reasons I couldn’t put this book down.
Overall it was a seriously engaging and addictive book and a very unique take on the classic beauty and the beast tale.

This is possibly my favourite Beauty and the Beast retelling. I loved the mixture of the modern world and Emberfell, the magic kingdom set in medieval times. Kemmerer brings the world of Emberfall to life with her vivid descriptions, not just of places but of her characters. 

Harper is a fantastic heroine, described as having cerebral palsy, shes a character you cant help but bond with and aspire to be like. Having a character in a book with such a big disability is rare but to have her be the main character is even rarer and made for a fresh perspective. Rhen starts off as your typical stoic and entitled prince, with his trusted guard Grey , whom I love, they feel Harper is completely the wrong type of woman to break the curse, taken by accident and fighting them both at each turn. They couldn't be more wrong.

Though predictable, which you have to expect with it being a re-telling, the perspectives felt fresh and certainly kept me entertained and hooked until the end. Though it is classed as a stand-alone it ends on an almost cliffhanger which made me check whether there would be a sequel... which there will be, Phew! An easy 5/5 read for me, an easy read but a story that sticks with you after you've finished.

I ADORE THIS BOOK AND HONESTLY I JUST KEEP SCREAMING ABOUT IT FOR THE ENTIRE OF THE YEAR.

The writing, the characters, the everything!

I love Beauty and the Beast like for ever. As retellings are popular these days, many of them retells the story of Belle and the cursed prince. And I love exploring the different ways authors play with this storyline, so when I spotted A Curse So Dark and Lonely, I knew I had to read it. And it was great.

We're in Washington, DC, where Harper's father took loan from the bad guys and now their family has to pay. One night, when Harper spots a man trying to kidnap a woman, she tries to save her, but he takes her instead. So she appears in Emberfall, a cursed kingdom, where she meets Rhen. The curse lasts for one season. And she has to fall in love with him.
The story's told from two POVs - Harper's and Rhen's. Sometimes I was wondering if it's a good match since we knew all the secrets Rhen kept from Harper and so on, but in the end, I'm glad it was told this way. Both Harper and Rhen are unique characters and Brigid Kemmerer wrote their characters so good I was able to tell difference even though I got lost with the name at the beginning of the chapter.

It's hard to be original when you're retelling a well-known story, but this was absolutely fantastic. Harper is not that typical YA girl protagonist, she's able to fight for herself, and she was so fun I was laughing the whole time. This book, although it has many serious scenes, is full of funny scenes between Harper and men from Emberfall that I was laughing out loud. Rhen and Grey are fabulous characters. I loved them both.
I even love the way the story goes. You know, when you think about it, you can be sure about the plot in some way since it really goes with the original Beauty and the Beast. But still, there were many scenes where I was surprised, I didn't expect that, and I was glad. Author was able to make me astonished, to make me worried and almost made me cry. If that's not a sign of a good book, then I don't know what is.

The book si long, yes. But it has to be. I didn't even realize that while reading because there's so much to be told, so much what has to be told in this story that I was browsing through the pages just to know more.

And the end? I definitely want to know more.
I was wondering to give it 4* because I wasn't able to understand some scenes, but then I decided I love it anyway. The highest rating without any regret. Right now I'm looking forward to the time I read it again.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me an arc ebook for an honest review.

This story was fantastic! A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, which to be honest was just going to be a filler book to read while I am waiting for a book to be released on Monday..... but I was certainly mistaken as this has become one of my favourite books of the year. It was fast paced and exciting, the world building created a vivid picture for me of what Emberfell was like and the relationships between Harper, Rhen and Grey were filled with tension, friendship and a bit of swoon. The ending came too quickly and while I was left feeling satisfied, I am also now on edge wondering more there is to come.
Thanks to Bloomsbury for the copy via Netgalley.

A retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a real sting in the 'tale'. I am exceedingly grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ARC
provided to me in exchange for a review.

Prince Rhen's life is a living hell, and experiencing it with him is the stalwart Commander Grey; Grey is doing his best to help Rhen break the curse which has caused them both such unmitigated misery.
Harper meets first Grey and then Rhen, when she attempts to assist the young woman whom Grey is in the process of kidnapping... what makes her actions particularly courageous is that Harper has Cerebral Palsy.
Although initially Harper is convinced that Grey and Rhen must be 'bad guys' but begins to see that the reasons for their behaviour are complex, bitter and deadly dangerous.

I found this title to be well written, with engaging characters and a fantastic ending as the curse is proven to have a deadly sting. Even though it is a standalone novel I am just so pleased that a sequel is planned as I want more of these characters and their world.

Loved it :)

I always love a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I thought that this one was fresh and brought something new to the table.

Kemmerer, I think, has built a well thought out, intricate world that feels current yet nostalgic and the characters reflect this.
I thought the plot, characters and writing was well developed and I found this book engaging and exciting.

Supposedly a standalone but I think there's definitely enough left open that could possibly mean a sequel......please?

I really enjoyed this! Everyone should go and preorder now :p

My Rating 5 star

A refreshing and stunning take on the beloved ‘Tale As Old As Time’.

My Thoughts

I’ve been waiting for an incredible Beauty & The Beast retelling to come my way and It’s finally blessed me with its presence!

Retellings of stories can become stale real quick, with their reused plot lines and repetitive outcomes, they can really miss the mark. But this one felt very different to me, with a mix of modern-day times and the old-fashioned and primitive other world, it gave a refreshing take on a beloved ‘tale as old as time’.

Our main character Harper is certainly a unique one. She has cerebral palsy, which is something I have never come across in a book before. The authors inclusion of this disorder is a brave one and I applaud her courageous movement and hope that other authors take note and begin to write about these conditions too! – Although Harper has this impairment, she doesn’t let it hold her back and stubbornly refuses help throughout the book. She’s very spunky and it’s not to say she doesn’t have fear, but she charges ahead with confidence and tries to get the job done. She also has a kind heart and wants to do everything and anything in her power to help the people of Emberfall.

Rhen isn’t the usual ‘beast’ we have come accustomed to either. He only becomes a monster at the end of each season, after attempting to woo a girl into falling for him. Rhen would have once thought this to be easy, his good looks and charm would have saved him years ago – it’s safe to say that his ego was through the roof. But his hopes have long since dwindled and he’s a shadow of that man. Rhen broke my heart numerous times though the book, with his despondent mood and dispirited personality, it was truly sad to witness. Harper’s attitude and foolhardy persona makes Rhen think twice and hope blossoms once more – he begins to show signs of life within himself and he attempts to become the King he is worthy of.

Rhen’s right hand man Grey is probably my favourite character. He has stood alongside Rhen all these years – his loyalty is impeccable. Grey believes in what is right to do and follows through each time, even if he suffers in the process. He has a dark sense of humour that I just adore and his rare smirks give me life! He teaches Harper how to throw knives and builds a real friendship with her which was so lovely to see. I’m completely besotted by this commander and I can’t wait for his story to be told in the sequel!

I was on tender hooks for the entirety of the book and finished it within a day. It was SO addictive and utterly gripping from start to finish. When I thought it was all over and my heart was breaking into teeny tiny pieces, the author threw in one last twist and completely ruined me – I need the sequel like I need air!

If you love Beauty & The Beast and want to read an exhilarating take on the story, then please give this a go – though your heart will truly break!

Find The Book
The book is due for release on 29th January 2019 – you can preorder it now!

Goodreads
Amazon UK
Amazon
Book Depository

I want to thank Bloomsbury and Netgalley for sending the book my way in return for an honest review.

Hope you enjoyed! Until next time ❣

Sarah xo

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book!

Title: A Curse So Dark and Lonely
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance (retelling)
Released: 29th January 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Trigger/content warnings: Mentions of attempted suicide, some violence and gore

Loosely based on The Beauty and the Beast fairytale, this story follows Harper, a 17-year-old girl from our world, who at the beginning of the book is kidnapped and taken to the magical realm of Emberfall. Once there, she meets Rhen who is the crown prince of this world but suffers from a terrible curse, shut away in his castle with only his commander, Grey, for company, Rhen struggles to break the curse and Harper seems to be his last hope.

I loved our main female character, she was very strong and feisty and while she has cerebral palsy, that is the last thing that stops her and it definitely doesn't define her. However, at times I felt like Harper suffered from the "not like other girls" trope and there was a bit of girl shaming in the first half of the story that I didn't care for at all.

I had no love for Rhen in the beginning, he was arrogant and treated all women the same, as something to be "tamed". He viewed everyone as objects he could command until Harper comes along. He did grow on me as the book went on, but I am still unsure.

The story was so engaging and hooking, before I knew it I was 50% of the way in! I was so engrossed I finished within a day. A very action-packed and gripping storyline.

I feel like with a story like this, romance should be one of the main focuses, but it was lacking in this book. The slow burn, enemies to lovers trope is a favourite of mine, but I just felt no connection between Harper and Rhen, at times I thought she had more connection to Grey and I feared that it would turn into a love triangle.

For some reason I thought this was a standalone, however, there is a lot left unanswered at the end so I am excited to see what happens next.

One thing that did confuse me was the time frames mentioned. It didn't seem to add up to me. Grey states that there have been hundreds of girls, 1 per season, but that they have only been frozen in time for 5 years. Maybe I have misunderstood but the whole magical system confused me a little.

Overall, this is definitely a book I recommend reading if it sounds like something you would enjoy and I will be picking up the next book!


I have linked my blog below where I have already posted my review.

I wanted to love it but it was so basic. I wasn't captured by the writing or the characterisation, it was so fast I couldn't get a grip on the atmosphere and it wasn't for me. I DNF'd at about 5%.

Beautifully written and a lovely remastering of beauty and the beast. Very original twists that make this book different to what’s out there at the moment. I love the fact that it sheds light on cerebral palsy and that despite so many challenges the main protagonist, Harper overcomes each and every one of them. Definitely will be recommending and I’m really hoping this turns into a series!!!

I was really looking forward to this book, BUT... it wasn't exactly, what I expected. And I'm disappointed, because this book seemed to be awesome!

First of all, I have to say, that I'm so in love with author's writing. Brigid Kemmerer can write so good, that I read this book at once and I enjoyed every single scene in it. Literally, from the beginning to the very end, I couldn't tear off my eyes from screen, while I read.

Even characters were amazing. Although Harper seemed to be a little bit like stereotypical YA character, I had to admire her braveness and strength (and I love that she's cheeky). Rhen has usual personality like a prince - he may be kind and clever, but beware - he's also confident and sometimes a little bit arrogant. And then, there is Grey - Rhen's guard, who is without doubt the most mysterious character in book.

Well, and here comes problem in this book. Plot. In annotation this book looks amazing. But, literally in 70% of plot, there's nothing hapenning. No plottwists, only one big cliffhanger in the end. And that's why I was so disappointed. I wanted more action, more complicated plot, but this was more like romance without plot. And I'm not even mentioning love triange, which I definitely didn't like.

So, this is my opinion on this book. Nevertheless I still want to read another part of this series and I hope that it will be better than this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for ebook ARC!

HDSJFDFKSDJFH, this book was absolutely amazing, I devoured this in just a matter of hours it was incredible. I promise you that it does live up to the hype that it gets and that you SHOULD PREORDER THIS NOW! Also look at that cover!!! If I saw this in a shop it would totally be a cover buy 

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Done from two points of view, our main character Harper is from Washington D.C, and she hasn't had an easy life, a sick mother who is dying, a dad who has run off leaving his family with all his debts and her brother doing his best to keep his family together. Harper has cerebral palsy and her brother, whose in with some bad people thanks to their dad, doesn't understand that she's not as weak as he thinks she is. While helping her brother she tries to save a young girl from getting seemingly kidnapped, Harper herself ends up being the one getting trapped into another world.

Our other main character is Rhen, a prince who is cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat each autumn of his eighteenth year until he finds true love, but at the end of each autumn he is cursed to turn into a beast to wreck havoc on his land. Because of the vicious beast he's lost his family, friends and destroyed his castle.

I've read quite a few Beauty and the Beast retellings and I can honestly say, I've not read one like this before! It's so different compared to them all and the MC has a disability?! I don't think I've read many fantasy books where the MC even has a disability if I'm being honest with you.

Rhen had lost all hope in saving his kingdom before Harper came along, she reignited his hope and by doing so for the first time in a long time, he is reconnecting with the people of his kingdom because of Harper. With Harper around he finds out that it's not just the beast to contend with, there are other powerful forces that are coming for his kingdom and he needs to find a way to save his kingdom from ruin.

Brigid has mentioned that this story arc is complete so you could technically read this as just a standalone and that's it however there will be a sequel which I'm looking forwards to after how this ended!! But I'm sad because now I'll probably have to wait even longer for the sequel.. #worthit

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is quite a hefty book, it's just under 500 pages long but despite this, I found it to be a really quick read as I thought it was addicting and gripping. preorder this book. you won't regret it. 

I've not read any of Brigid's other books but I'm not sure if they're my type, if you've read her other works please let me know if I should give them a try!

This was amazing - at 477 pages it's by no means short, but it was just the right amount. It kept me satisfied but craving for more at the same time. The short chapters makes it easy for the reader to decide to keep reading, though the writing itself does enough of that on its own. I loved the characters - they all have their own story which weave into the story line beautifully. It's an original twist on an already beautiful tale. While an amazing story in its own right, it still retains the magic found in the Beauty and the Beast. A definite 5 stars that has kept me whining for a sequel that I hope there will be!

eARC provided by NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book, the story gets straight into it but still managed to give you a good understanding of the character bonds and what they’ve been through before the story starts, I felt easily immersed in the world and could easily picture it all.
A twist on the beauty and the beast storyline but it really stands alone as it’s own story. I loved the characters and their relationships, The loyalty and dedication between Rhen and Grey is clear and deep. Harper’s disability is important but doesn’t overpower the whole plot. It’s refreshing to have such an awesome heroine.

***
Grey sighs and gathers up the cards “You asked how I got her to play with me. As if there were some trick to it.” He wraps up the stack “My lord, I did nothing, I sat down and I asked”

I fell in love with Brigid Kemmerer’s stories this year after I read Letters to the Lost. The moment I saw this book was about to be published in a few months I asked for it and crossed my fingers.
I couldn’t than Bloomsbury Publishing enough for granting my wish!
But you know what they say when you have great expectations, they can be deceitful…
A Curse so Dark and Lonely certainly did not disappoint me in the least!
Brigid Kemmerer wrote a dark, uncompromising yet fantastic tale that reminds me of the series Once Upon a Time as we have two parallel universes. One having a medieval feel and another being our modern world.

I won't say much about the plot as I don't want to spoil your fun but when I read these opening lines ...I was all "Wow! That's terrifying and horrifying and not what I expected and....give me more of it!"
I was hooked from the beginning. Sold to this twisted story where a scary commander with an unreadable face kidnapped girls in the hope of breaking the curse befallen on his at that time arrogant, entitled and foolish prince. It had me fall head over heels in love with Harper, Rhen and Grey’s story!

The title of the book could not have been chosen better!
A Curse so Dark and Lonely is a modern/fantasy retelling of the Beauty and the Beast but is certainly not some rosy fairy tale!
Forget gentle beasts who has never killed.
It IS dark. You have gore, slaughter, eviscerating ...the beast is a beast. An angry monster ready to kill everyone strangers and friends alike.

Characters are also feeling lonely for a long time now. Not only the cursed prince of Emberfall, Rhen is feeling lonely and desperate but Commander Gray as well. They both lived this curse for 300 seasons now and live in an empty castle isolated from the rest of the Kingdom in its own seasons.
Rhen is crumpling under the weight of guilt, of what he’s done for countless times. Yet the evil enchantress ensured he could never escape this curse except in finding true love.

Harper was the girl neither prince Rhen neither Commander Grey expected! She did not meet any of their criteria.
Born with cerebral palsy she fought all her life to work around her handicap. Courageous, determined, fierce she refused to let it cripple her life and determine who she was! I loved that Brigid Kemmerer chose a “flawed” heroine, one born with bad cards yet who managed through sheer determination to raise above her handicap and accomplish extraordinary things.
Harper was not only brave but also extremely generous and wore her heart on her sleeve.
Life had been hard on more than one way on her and she learned not to trust easily and to call it rubbish when it was.
She was the least classic fairy tale princess from all the "chosen" girls yet she could not have been better suited for the role!

When she meets commander Gray she fights! He may be a seasoned warrior and her an untrained handicapped girl she will be fierce and resourceful!
The same can be said with Rhen! He won't be the boss of her and the prince will be disconcerted with this daring girl!
“Am I supposed to call you Your Highness now?” “Only if you can do it without such contempt.”

Yet if she mistrusts Grey and Rhen *of course she does not trust them, they kidnapped her* she does not hesitate to brave danger and death to save innocent women and children. Earning Rhen and Grey's admiration and respect.

I loved everything in this book!

-the characters of course (see above);
-the way the characters developed and evolved. They became what they were meant to be, a better version of themselves. Rhen went from arrogant and distant to loving and ready to fight for his people. Because let’s face Rhen really was a jackass and spoiled pompous prince before Lilith cursed him!
I am not saying he deserved to be cursed but I wouldn’t have minded a good “beating some sense into him” and “learn your manners young boy!” if I had met her pre-curse. Honestly if he had stayed the same man he was before being cursed I would never have liked this story as much as I did. But he did learn some humility and kindness the hard way.
Harper also bloomed in this story. All her life she’s been seen as fragile and in need of being protected by her big brother Jack. Here she became so much more as she took the lead and acted to protect other’s lives. She learnt to be in charge and that she was strong and resourceful.
-the writing was excellent, flowed effortlessly. I also really loved Brigid Kemmerer’s choice to narrate a harsh story far from the conventional sugary tale. It made fro a much more realistic story as life is not a bed of roses indeed;
-the ending was so Brigid Kemmerer and I won’t say more about it.

Recommend it? Absolutely!

At first I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this book but boy am i glad to be proven wrong. It had a very slow start and it took me awhile to realise it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling but it didn't take long to pick up and i became invested in the characters and the story. This is the first book by Brigid Kemmerer that I’ve read and I enjoyed the way she writes, especially the different character perspectives. I enjoyed the diversity in our heroine, Harper, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. I loved that she doesn’t let that get in the way of how she wants to live. Harper comes from the modern era in Washington D.C. Our other main character Prince Rhen, comes from a completely different world called Emberfall where he and his guard commander, Grey, are cursed to relive Rhen’s 18th birthday over and over again until he finds true love to break the curse.

Rhen’s guard commander, Grey, is my favourite character in the book, I found myself wanting his survival and happy ending more than Rhen and Harper. Each season Grey is allowed one hour to go to the real world (our world) to find a girl to bring back to Emberfall to break the curse. This season while he is trying to abduct a girl in D.C, Harper intervenes and thus Grey brings her back instead.

Harper has a highly realistic, troubled life in D.C, her mother is dying of Cancer and her brother has had to become a gang enforcer to pay off their father’s bad debt so being taken unwillingly to a different world was not something she had planned and she is eager to return to her family. Once Harper finds out about the curse she is adamant she won’t fall in love with Prince Rhen. Harper is a strong, intelligent and resourceful female lead, I admire her very much.

Our lead villain, the Enchantress is quite active in the story and commits some unspeakable acts of cruelty that make you truly loathe her and hope for her demise. Part of the curse is that Prince Rhen is turned into a beast each season though he never knows what kind of beast he'll become. Over the last 300+ seasons Rhen as a beast has killed his whole family and nearly everyone in Emberfall, the guilt for which he feels immensely. 

The relationship between Harper and Grey is one of the best parts of the story in my opinion. He teaches her how to throw knives and sword fight, they play cards together and the loyalty they end up feeling for each other is inspiring. The slow-burning romance between Rhen and Harper creates a lot of intrigue and suspense which i found enjoyable. The ending leads me to believe there may be a second book coming which if that’s the case I am extremely eager to read it.

Overall I think readers will really enjoy this book and fans of Beauty and the Beast can rest easy knowing this retelling has done it justice.

You can find this review at www.bitsandbooks.org and on my Instagram @bitsandbooks92