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A review by aksmith92
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
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