A review by 0ivy0
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can't believe it took me so long to read A Curse So Dark and Lonely. The fact that it's a beauty and the beast retelling put me off but I haven't been this excited to read a completed series since The Cruel Prince.
We follow Harper, a determined and commanding 18 y/o with cerebral palsy as she is transported to a cursed castle in the land of Emberfall. She is caught between her growing allegiance to it's people, and world that doesnt push her aside because of her disability, and her worry for her family and want to go home. I like that she is somewhat contradictory - she can be quick and sharp but other times frustratingly slow to understand or plan - that she isn't good at everything and that she grows throughout the book. She starts with a feeling of moral superiority but by the end of the book realises that she was wrong in making these judgments.
It's a fantasy with disability rep, friendship, politics and a strong female lead, a whole bunch of things I love.
Unfortunately I found Grey more compelling than Rhen and generally found Rhen to be frustrating. I also called the plot and plot twist early on but the other aspects of the book more than made up for it.
Even If it isn't the best book out there, the vibes really sealed it for me.
I borrowed this from the library but I will be buying the trilogy.
We follow Harper, a determined and commanding 18 y/o with cerebral palsy as she is transported to a cursed castle in the land of Emberfall. She is caught between her growing allegiance to it's people, and world that doesnt push her aside because of her disability, and her worry for her family and want to go home. I like that she is somewhat contradictory - she can be quick and sharp but other times frustratingly slow to understand or plan - that she isn't good at everything and that she grows throughout the book. She starts with a feeling of moral superiority but by the end of the book realises that she was wrong in making these judgments.
It's a fantasy with disability rep, friendship, politics and a strong female lead, a whole bunch of things I love.
Unfortunately I found Grey more compelling than Rhen and generally found Rhen to be frustrating. I also called the plot and plot twist early on but the other aspects of the book more than made up for it.
Even If it isn't the best book out there, the vibes really sealed it for me.
I borrowed this from the library but I will be buying the trilogy.