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aksmith92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was an entertaining Beauty and the Beast retelling with a bit of a twist that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The Setup: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is a contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast, blending fantasy, romance, and action. The story follows Harper, a modern-day teenager with cerebral palsy, who is unexpectedly transported from Washington, D.C., to the magical land of Emberfall. This modern twist adds a relatable element to the classic tale. Harper, with her unique qualities and determination, is a protagonist that will surely intrigue and captivate readers. There, she meets Prince Rhen, who is cursed to relive the same season over and over, transforming into a monstrous beast at the end of each cycle unless he can make a woman fall in love with him.
On top of the transformation into a scary beast, Rhen's kingdom is also on the brink of collapse, ravaged by his monstrous form and the curse placed on him by a vengeful enchantress. Despite her initial struggles and vulnerability in a new, dangerous world, Harper shows resilience and refuses to be the passive beauty Rhen expects. She quickly becomes involved in the plight of the people in Emberfall and is determined to help them, even if breaking the curse seems impossible.
As Harper and Rhen form a reluctant alliance, their growing connection is complicated by Rhen's self-loathing and the threat of the enchantress's curse. Harper's strong will and determination to protect those she cares about make her a unique protagonist, and the novel touches on themes of courage, strength in the face of adversity, and the transformative power of empathy.
What I Liked: This is likely my favorite Beauty and Beast retelling because Harper is a unique and determined protagonist. Despite her age (see below), I think Harper was relatable, and there weren't many times when you rolled your eyes because of something she did. She was intelligent and cunning and also quite thoughtful. I loved all the characters, who all seemed to have their own voice and personalities, and I enjoyed the world-building in Emberfall. Was it perfect world-building? No. Did it make a ton of sense? Also no. But it was a unique world with an interesting magic system that I truly enjoyed. Lastly, and very importantly, I enjoyed the romance and found it realistic. The slow and steady development of the romance, devoid of instant love, made it more emotionally engaging and relatable. It was as if friendship and respect were building in the process, and it oozed on the page to make the romance more enjoyable. Although I felt Rhen made some "eh" choices, particularly for Harper (and maybe vice versa), I felt for both of these characters and thoroughly loved their stories and experiences.
What Could Have Been Better: I'll get the obvious over with: the two main characters were supposed to be 17/18, and the side character, Grey, Rhen's commander, 20. Nope, nada, no thanks. That was the dumbest decision ever. These characters did not act their age, nor did I want them to. Making these characters older simply would have made more sense! The age-related inconsistencies were a disappointment, and I believe more realistic character development would have enhanced the story.
Additionally, there was a bit of toxic positivity throughout this - always fighting even when you're hurting, not giving up even though you should in this one instance. It wasn't horrible, but I noticed it at times. I can appreciate the author trying to make someone's illness or disability not define them, but this oozed on the page even outside of Harper's character. It was a little bit annoying at times.
Overall, this book had well-drawn characters, a very action-focused plot, and diverse representation. The stakes were high and had a satisfying blend of romance, adventure, and magic. I'll continue reading the series, even though I heard it falters a little.
The Setup: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is a contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast, blending fantasy, romance, and action. The story follows Harper, a modern-day teenager with cerebral palsy, who is unexpectedly transported from Washington, D.C., to the magical land of Emberfall. This modern twist adds a relatable element to the classic tale. Harper, with her unique qualities and determination, is a protagonist that will surely intrigue and captivate readers. There, she meets Prince Rhen, who is cursed to relive the same season over and over, transforming into a monstrous beast at the end of each cycle unless he can make a woman fall in love with him.
On top of the transformation into a scary beast, Rhen's kingdom is also on the brink of collapse, ravaged by his monstrous form and the curse placed on him by a vengeful enchantress. Despite her initial struggles and vulnerability in a new, dangerous world, Harper shows resilience and refuses to be the passive beauty Rhen expects. She quickly becomes involved in the plight of the people in Emberfall and is determined to help them, even if breaking the curse seems impossible.
As Harper and Rhen form a reluctant alliance, their growing connection is complicated by Rhen's self-loathing and the threat of the enchantress's curse. Harper's strong will and determination to protect those she cares about make her a unique protagonist, and the novel touches on themes of courage, strength in the face of adversity, and the transformative power of empathy.
What I Liked: This is likely my favorite Beauty and Beast retelling because Harper is a unique and determined protagonist. Despite her age (see below), I think Harper was relatable, and there weren't many times when you rolled your eyes because of something she did. She was intelligent and cunning and also quite thoughtful. I loved all the characters, who all seemed to have their own voice and personalities, and I enjoyed the world-building in Emberfall. Was it perfect world-building? No. Did it make a ton of sense? Also no. But it was a unique world with an interesting magic system that I truly enjoyed. Lastly, and very importantly, I enjoyed the romance and found it realistic. The slow and steady development of the romance, devoid of instant love, made it more emotionally engaging and relatable. It was as if friendship and respect were building in the process, and it oozed on the page to make the romance more enjoyable. Although I felt Rhen made some "eh" choices, particularly for Harper (and maybe vice versa), I felt for both of these characters and thoroughly loved their stories and experiences.
What Could Have Been Better: I'll get the obvious over with: the two main characters were supposed to be 17/18, and the side character, Grey, Rhen's commander, 20. Nope, nada, no thanks. That was the dumbest decision ever. These characters did not act their age, nor did I want them to. Making these characters older simply would have made more sense! The age-related inconsistencies were a disappointment, and I believe more realistic character development would have enhanced the story.
Additionally, there was a bit of toxic positivity throughout this - always fighting even when you're hurting, not giving up even though you should in this one instance. It wasn't horrible, but I noticed it at times. I can appreciate the author trying to make someone's illness or disability not define them, but this oozed on the page even outside of Harper's character. It was a little bit annoying at times.
Overall, this book had well-drawn characters, a very action-focused plot, and diverse representation. The stakes were high and had a satisfying blend of romance, adventure, and magic. I'll continue reading the series, even though I heard it falters a little.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
stardisciple_08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is my first review so apologies if it’s formatted weirdly or a little unorganized😭 Anyways, here goes!
Plot: I thought the story premise was very unique, which made it quite enjoyable. There were some slow paced moments, though those moments were spent further developing the plot. I personally enjoy a lot of angst, so the healthy relationship development—while cute—didn’t suit my fancy. HOWEVER, the book still DELIVERS the angst, it just takes a little waiting.
Characters: I found the characters to be very realistic. Their actions—frustrating at times—made sense almost the entire time. I also loved how the characters relationships developed over a practical period of time. Nothing was instantaneous (meaning no “love at first sight despite everything he/she/they did” nonsense) and it accurately depicted the complexity of a relationship in those circumstances.
Writing: I love Love LOVED the writing🤭This story had me thoroughly immersed, I dare say to a fault! The vocabulary was nice as well, I was able to learn a few words and apply them.
Plot: I thought the story premise was very unique, which made it quite enjoyable. There were some slow paced moments, though those moments were spent further developing the plot. I personally enjoy a lot of angst, so the healthy relationship development—while cute—didn’t suit my fancy. HOWEVER, the book still DELIVERS the angst, it just takes a little waiting.
Characters: I found the characters to be very realistic. Their actions—frustrating at times—made sense almost the entire time. I also loved how the characters relationships developed over a practical period of time. Nothing was instantaneous (meaning no “love at first sight despite everything he/she/they did” nonsense) and it accurately depicted the complexity of a relationship in those circumstances.
Writing: I love Love LOVED the writing🤭This story had me thoroughly immersed, I dare say to a fault! The vocabulary was nice as well, I was able to learn a few words and apply them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Torture, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
aureolyn's review against another edition
dark
sad
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. A darker retelling of Beauty and the Beast which is my favorite Disney Princess movie. Back then, I didn’t really know how to explain to others why it was my favorite or why I liked it so much but now that I’m older, I understand it wasn’t Belle but the Beast that I was connecting and relating to. Growing up was rough and I didn’t really think anyone could learn to love me cause I don’t even love me. It’s been a long journey. Slowly I’m learning to love and to be loved. But I digress, some things I liked in this retelling were how it fills in some plot holes on the Beast’s background and family. I think it’s also an interesting concept of how he doesn’t immediately turn into a beast and when he does, he loses himself—only to wake up to the cruel reality of what he has done as the beast. It’s so dark and so lonely! I didn’t really like the reveal at the end though and I’m not sure if I want to start the next book. I also didn’t realize until the end that the mc was a literal child and I’m a little uncomfortable about it:/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Gun violence, Grief, and Abandonment
ameydireads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”
A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but in this story the prince is cursed to find his love before the end of the season and turns into a beast. If he doesn’t, the season starts again. An endless loop. The female main character is a girl from D.C. who tries to save a woman from getting kidnapped and gets kidnapped herself in the process. She’s described to have cerebral palsy and at first I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t know much about cerebral palsy but I was surprised to find out more about it. I didn’t realise that people with this condition still can do a lot.
I have a lot of thoughts on Harper, but it was funny when she explains to the people of Emberfall that she’s from D.C. and the kingdom of Disi is born, lol. Other than that, Harper was exhausting and annoying, mainly because of her short-sightedness and impulsiveness.
“I don't know what's happening to my mother or my brother, but the unknown can't compete with what she's doing right in front of me.”
AND she doesn’t trust Rhen’s judgement on his OWN kingdom. Harper who had been there for one day already knows Emberfall and its people better than Rhen. And when he says that, he’s patronising her. Great. And the moment she slaps Rhen… not cool.
“She has been here one day and I am already exhausted.”
Same…. But I guess her impulsiveness, even though it was annoying, was what Emberfall needed.
My favourite character was definitely Rhen, surprise surprise! The curse has made him hopeless, but it also did a lot for his personal development. He became a better version of himself–merciful, understanding, and patient. He’s great!
“True love is not about romance. True love requires sacrifice. A willingness to place another's life above your own.”
AND GREY IS THE ACTUAL HEIR TO THE THRONE?! I hope this doesn’t turn into a tiresome love triangle, but it probably will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Death, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
onefineelephant's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
9/10. I really enjoyed this book. Not gonna lie, the beginning was pretty confusing and I was worried that it was gonna stay that way. However, after only like 3 (short) chapters, it got really good. I love the alternating POV. My only slight critique of this book was that there was A LOT going on. There were multiple complicated plot points and a lot of side characters but overall, I think the author did a nice job of having a lot going on but only enough that it advanced the story in an organic way. Also, the romance was nice, though I wish the characters were aged up just a couple years (not in a weird way, 16/17/18 just seems really young to be for the maturity levels of these characters). I am always a sucker for the "he fell first" and "he fell harder" tropes. Also, as a disabled person, I appreciated how the fmc's disability was incorporated and acknowledged. Definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror and Child death
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
qrschulte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyable book, but I didn’t love it as a whole. And I CALLED IT!
Things I loved:
- a protagonist with a disability who is affected by their disability but not defined by it. So refreshing that she was a fully realized person
- the Rhen narrator. Honestly, the book might have been better with just him narrating the whole thing.
- believable reasoning for why someone from our world could ride a fucking horse
Things I did not love:
- How whiny the Harper narrator made her sound sometimes. It made it a lot less believable it was the same character between the narrators.
- The monster narration (so fucking creepy/scary). Could have done without that.
- The parts where it was said Harper was “not like other girls” *cue vomiting*
Things I loved:
- a protagonist with a disability who is affected by their disability but not defined by it. So refreshing that she was a fully realized person
- the Rhen narrator. Honestly, the book might have been better with just him narrating the whole thing.
- believable reasoning for why someone from our world could ride a fucking horse
Things I did not love:
- How whiny the Harper narrator made her sound sometimes. It made it a lot less believable it was the same character between the narrators.
- The monster narration (so fucking creepy/scary). Could have done without that.
- The parts where it was said Harper was “not like other girls” *cue vomiting*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Self harm, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, and Infidelity
katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Ableism, Child death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Vomit, and Abandonment
annorabrady's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Ableism
jessreadreceipts's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
purplehulk713's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I thought the book had an ingenious spin on “Beauty and the Beast” and that Harper was an incredibly compelling protagonist. But I became disinterested at times when it became about war strategy and political affairs without a lot of heart into the social underpinnings of these issues. I disliked Rhen, not because he was poorly written, but because I dislike moody, noble male characters. I really wanted more Zo, who we only get to meet toward the end. Lilith is delicious. Her back-and-forth with Harper is great. The themes of choice and consequences are kind of didactic, but it’s written in a way that makes it seem natural for the characters to elucidate them. But honestly, I read the preview and I had higher hopes. I might be being too critical but I still quite enjoyed this book. Do you dare seek what lurks in Ironrose Castle?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail