A New York Times bestseller!”Has everything you’d want in a retelling of a classic fairy tale.” – Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A Spark of Light and Small Great Things“Absolutely spellbinding.” – Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval and LegendaryIn a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers … Legendary
In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.
Fall in love, break the curse.
It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.
more
Very good
OMG *insert many fangirling noises* I LOVED this book!
Finally, oh finally, a female MC that’s not daft! Harper is stubborn as hell and makes some bad choices but she’s smart, she knows how to improvise and she doesn’t allow her cerebral palsy to hold her back.
Harper has been forced to be strong before time, her father has abandoned the family. Her brother is doing illegal things to keep Harper and their ill mother safe. When Harper sees a man drugging a girl and dragging her in a dark alley she has to do something. She has no idea her brave decision will drag her to an entirely new world. A world where a Prince has been cursed by an evil sorceress.
I laughed a lot with Harper’s impulsiveness and reckless behavior. Girl knows how to swing a crowbar, and she does her best with a dagger.
Prince Rhen was interesting. The way he hides behind strategy and cold logic but finds himself off-balance by Harper is entertaining to watch. His relationship with Harper is complicated, to say the least, but I did appreciate his growth throughout the book.
However, Commander Grey stole my heart. I so have a thing for grumpy, sarcastic, apparently cold and unmovable warriors. I must admit I shipped Harper and Grey for most of the book.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely is an action-packed, fast-paced, character-centered rollercoaster. I can’t wait to read the sequel!
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/2019/02/review-curse-so-dark-and-lonely-by.html
I devoured this book in two days. LOVED it! Then I discovered the next book in the series didn’t come out for a week! What torture! It’s been a while since I’ve loved a book this much. Great characters, unpredictable moments, just enough magic to take you away from real life. One of my favorites.
4.5/5 Stars
There is so much to love about this book. This story is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that really stands on its own. It’s delightful!
This book really transports the reader into the story where they can live in it alongside the characters. It’s very atmospheric and has a totally real feel to it. I liked that it was high fantasy with bits of our world tucked into it. Though it didn’t explicitly state it, the reader is led to believe that they are parallel realities. Which really boasts so much originality in terms of the world-building. I really felt connected to this world while exploring the pages of this story.
When it comes down to the plot I was really impressed. I felt that it highlighted the best key elements that are prevalent to the Beauty and the Beast tale while still keeping everything else totally original and clever. All of the original concepts really made this retelling feel fresh and innovative. Everything just flowed so nicely and the story was so compelling that I was kept on the edge of my seat. I became so invested in the story and I enjoyed the twists that I didn’t see coming.
The characters grew on me early on in the story. I felt such an innate connection to the characters from the very start. Harper’s character was so memorable. I loved how feisty and fierce she was. She truly stood out to me in a big way. I loved her cerebral palsy representation and I applaud the author for it since I haven’t seen it before in young adult fantasy. It was very empowering. Rhen was a perfect little tortured hero. I really liked that the author didn’t intentionally paint him in a holier-than-thou light. He was a very flawed character that felt so very real. Grey’s character jumped out at me from the very start. He is a duty-bound character that is just too damn sexy. He was cool-headed and clever and you couldn’t help but love him. I actually think that he might be my favorite of the bunch. I also enjoyed the side characters. Especially Jake, Noah, and Zo. What’s amazing about this book is that all of the characters are so well-developed with distinct personalities that jump off the page.
I enjoyed the romance for the most part. It was a slow-burn affair and I really liked the way that the romance forms. It felt very natural and uncomplicated. I did feel like the romance kind of copped out at the end though. He is all but confessing his dying love for her and she is all “I don’t know” about it. I mean, come on! She totally knew! She risked her life to save him and she “doesn’t know”? I’m not buying that. I just needed her to reciprocate his love and she didn’t really do that in the end and it broke me a little.
Overall, this is probably the best retelling that I have read in a long time. There are so many retellings floating around and they can start to bleed together but this book really stands out from the rest in such a positive way. I am so eager to read the next installment of this series. I am so ready for more!
I really love this fresh take on the traditional fairytale Beauty and the Beast. I felt this retelling is more realistic than the other adaptations as there is a curse, but the beastly side is more focused on Rhen’s lack of self-esteem, guilt, and self-worth. Only the last quarter focuses on the “beastly” side. Harper is a perfect badass, as she doesn’t take any crap from anyone and rises to the challenge. I like the character of Grey, even though I personally liked Rhen better.
This book definitely met my expectations (considering there was sooo much hype), but it also took a turn I didn’t expect. I was expecting a story similar to many of the other Beauty and the Beast retellings where they are a monster 24/7 and there are cursed people that may or may not be objects (kind of like Beast: a Tale of Love and Revenge by Lisa Jensen). I was pleasantly surprised to see that was not the case. It definitely has its own original twist that makes it feel like I haven’t read this story before, even though I know the tale it is based off of. It was refreshing and I think I enjoyed it a lot more because of that. A Curse So Dark and Lonely is definitely the best retelling I have EVER read.
This story hooked me right from the start and it got straight to the point. It didn’t take forever describing anything and I really enjoyed that. The author did a great job at not information dumping and keeping everything neat and organized. I truly love the whole story and the plot.
WE HAVE REPRESENTATION! The main character has CP and I must say it made me very pleased to see she did not let this get in her way. She wasn’t ashamed of it or tried to hide it. She accepts that it is a part of her, but it is not who she is and she works around it. I love that she doesn’t let it hold her back, and I love how much she grows in this story. This is the first book I have read with some sort of disability/disorder representation. There is most definitely character development throughout the story with her. I could really see this change whenever she is in D.C. and surrounded by her family.
May or may not have teared up twice! I love when authors can play with my emotions, and this is no different. I love how I was able to get giddy, heart broken, and be completely enthralled with this story. While I was able to feel certain emotions while reading, I believe I could have felt more. What I felt was on a low scale, and nothing compared to what I felt while reading the ending of Champion by Marie Lu.
I love each and every one of the characters, and I have to say that the ending has left me needing more! I recommend this book, and if you are debating on whether or not to buy it, you should definitely get it! It doesn’t hurt to try it, and it’s okay if you don’t like it, but I do believe there is a large possibility you will enjoy it and think “why was I on the fence with this book?”
I felt like I devoured this book–it was great!
It is an altered retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story. It has some contemporary elements, but still has a magical kingdom and somehow it just works. Harper is a kick-ass protagonist. Rhen is a redeemable beast and Grey (Rhen’s captain of the guard) is so compelling.
Rhen has been cursed by Lillith. He must find a woman to fall in love with him before the end of a season in which he turns into some kind of creature (it’s different each time) and wreaks havoc on his family and kingdom. If he fails, the season repeats. He has failed over 300 times.
Harper lives in DC. She works as a lookout for her brother, who has been forced to work as enforcement for the mob because of their father’s debts. Their father took off and their mother is dying, leaving the two to fend for themselves. One night, while keeping watch, she notices a man trying to kidnap an unconscious hooker. She decides to intervene, even though she isn’t the strongest due to her cerebral palsy. She attacks the man and before either one can gain an edge they are transported to Emberfall.
Harper doesn’t take well to being kidnapped and tries to find a way to escape the palace, Rhen and the kingdom. Her escapades lead Rhen into trying new things, reaching out to his people again and giving him hope.
If you’ve read Beauty and the Beast, you know how the story ends. However, the plotting and details written by Kemmerer kept me engaged to the end. There is a twist that leads to book 2 and Grey’s story. Can’t wait! (less)
I could not put this book down!!! Hauntingly beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast! I need the next book STATT!
A wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Definitely a page-turner for me. The writing was beautiful, the story compelling, the characters strong, bold and vulnerable. Loved every minute of it and can’t wait for the rest!
This was a wonderful retelling of beauty and the beast, the authors creativity blew my mind.
Rhen is a cursed prince that is running out of time in order the break the curse and save his people, he has a great and loyal warrior at his side, Grey, the problem is that they are two against the world… Or at least until Harper appears, she is a strong and fierce young woman that has a lot a problems and a dying mother, she’s definitely not seeking for adventure but in any case, once she is kidnapped in order to try to break the curse, she discovers many things and is compelled to help because she has a great heart.
If you enjoy fantasy then this is for you…
What a retelling. I could not stop reading.
It was different, interesting exciting.
Why he’s a beast. His handling of it. What’s happening in his kingdom because of it.
The main characters are complex. The secondary feel real, too. I wanted to stay with them longer.
A slow-burn romance, intriguing partnerships, and lots of room for their story to grow in future books made this one a big hit with me. I can’t wait to see where this series goes!
One of the best retellings I have read in forever. A must read
In YA fantasy A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY by Brigid Kemmerer, when Harper tries to stop a man from abducting another girl she is thrust into a new world with a cursed prince and kingdom. She may be its only hope.
Harper is a fierce, brave, strong-girl character who saves others and herself, and who also happens to have cerebral palsy. There’s also a gay brother. I was delighted to see this diversity. Brigid writes gripping books with good yet flawed characters that I root for and care about.
I both wanted to finish it immediately and didn’t want the book to end because I love it so much. Highly recommended!
This was a wonderful read! It was eloquent and gripping with terrifically flawed characters. I was so sorry when it ended – and it stayed with me for a long time after I finished reading it.
An interesting take on a timeless fairy tale but it does have some sadness with the story though there is a happy ending too.
BREAK THE CURSE. SAVE THE KINGDOM.
.
Typical Beauty and the Beast re-telling?? Ohhhhhh no my darlings not at all! A Curse so Dark and Lonely is not your typical fairy tale or fairy tale retelling. True there is a Prince. True there is a kingdom. BUT a princess, Harper is not. She is a transplant from present day Washington, D.C. with cerebral palsy. How you ask? MAGIC.
Kemmerer didn’t allow her character a moment of weakness regardless of the odd realm she dropped into, she made her strong in spirit and in her soul. Harper’s perseverance and heart, slowly healed the dark disposition of both Rhen and his trusted gaurd. She was their hope. Their last hope…
Rhen was cursed by a sorceress, abandoned his kingdom to save it and tried to fall in love with someone who could break the curse. I say it again. BREAK. THE. CURSE. SAVE. THE. KINGDOM.
“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”
This quote is the mantra for the whole book. It takes time to cultivate thought, world building and character development AND the one thing I took from this beautifully written tale is… No matter what the gods or goddesses bring down on you, you have to seek that light and bring it!
Brigid Kemmerer did just that! I would give this book 10 stars if I could as I adored it so much! 5 stars and a tip of my Nerd Girl hat.
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official book blog.
What a great twist on the Beauty and Beast tale! I couldn’t put it down until I finally reached the end. Looking forward to a possible sequel!
I want to read the next one!
Thoroughly enjoyed this read! Anxiously looking forward to sequel!!!