The "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series is a captivating young adult fantasy series written by Brigid Kemmerer. It consists of two books: "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" and "A Heart So Fierce and Broken." The series is a unique retelling of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. It introduces us to the protagonist, Harper Lacy, who is a teenage girl from present-day Washington, D.C. One fateful night, she is transported to Emberfall, a mystical kingdom cursed by an enchantress.
Raina Bloodgood has one desire: kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On Collecting Day, she means to exact murderous revenge, but a more sinister threat sets fire to her world. Rising from the ashes is the Collector, Alexus Thibault, the man she vowed to slay and the only person who can help save her sister.
Charissa Weaks creates stunning imagery, the word building so beautiful that traveling thru the magick enclosed woods felt like eons with the biting icy cold. The story doesn t end in a cliffhanger, the crux of the plot is cleared up but a major plot development about Alexus is kept in the dark, and therein lies my problem about waiting to grab the next one in the series.
One fateful night, she is transported to Emberfall, a mystical kingdom cursed by an enchantress. In this cursed land, every season the prince is transformed into a monstrous beast until a girl falls in love with him. In "A Curse So Dark and Lonely," we follow Harper as she navigates Emberfall, trying to find a way back home.
The Witch Collector (The Witch Walker Trilogy #1) by Charissa Weaks #BookReview #Fantasy #Romance #TheWitchCollector @VE_NetGalley @NetGalley
There was a reason why I had decided to wait for the entire series to be readily available before I begin reading it. Patience has never been my forte and after having struggled with waiting for Harry Potter books, I had made my decision and stuck to it, but lately, with Net Galley and the alluring cover images, my decision has gone for a toss and here I am in turmoil having begun another trilogy for which I cannot wait another single day for the next book.
Charissa Weaks’s The Witch Collector is a world beyond imagination. Having a protagonist unable to speak but whose magic is waiting to burst is sure to leave you enthralled. There are many characters in the fantasy tale each with their own background story that is waiting to be explored. But The Prince of the East is one of those antagonists that is gonna stay with you for a long time. His mere presence and the entire spectrum of evil shadows oozing out of him gave me goosebumps.
I was totally smitten by Alexus, his morally greyish shade adding an extra appeal to his gentle and caring love towards Raina. But Raina is a protagonist that I absolutely loved, the sign language that counter her muteness, her courage in dealing with the truths that open up in front of her eyes, the loyalty towards her sister and showing mettle every time a crisis looms forth and finding ways to escape the dangers without any help, each segment of the story was entirely captivating. The enemies to lovers romance is always a favorite trope of mine and this story had that in abundance. The mystery elements especially the past that unfolds about Alexus keep the reader glued to the pages.
Charissa Weaks creates stunning imagery, the word building so beautiful that traveling thru the magick enclosed woods felt like eons with the biting icy cold. In fact, the parts in the Winter road and Winterhold enclose the reader in a bubble of enchantment. The story doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, the crux of the plot is cleared up but a major plot development about Alexus is kept in the dark, and therein lies my problem about waiting to grab the next one in the series.
Many thanks to Net Galley, Victory NetGalley Co-Op and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
“If you like your fantasy with complex magic, an intriguing protagonist, a powerful romance, and a great cast of supporting characters, I highly recommend The Witch Collector. Charissa Weaks’s high-stakes storytelling will leave you waiting eagerly for the next installment.” — Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Warrior Bards series
Every harvest moon, the Witch Collector rides into our valley and leads one of us to the home of the immortal Frost King, to remain forever.
Today is that day—Collecting Day.
But he will not come for me. I, Raina Bloodgood, have lived in this village for twenty-four years, and for twenty-four years he has passed me by.
His mistake.
Raina Bloodgood has one desire: kill the Frost King and the Witch Collector who stole her sister. On Collecting Day, she means to exact murderous revenge, but a more sinister threat sets fire to her world. Rising from the ashes is the Collector, Alexus Thibault, the man she vowed to slay and the only person who can help save her sister.
Thrust into an age-old story of ice, fire, and ancient gods, Raina must abandon vengeance and aid the Witch Collector in saving the Frost King or let their empire—and her sister—fall into enemy hands. But the lines between good and evil blur, and Raina has more to lose than she imagined. What is she to do when the Witch Collector is no longer the villain who stole her sister, but the hero who’s stealing her heart?
The Witch Collector is book one in a thrilling romantic fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik, Sarah J. Maas, and Jennifer L. Armentrout.
“The Witch Collector is a magical, enchanting, fantasy romance whose pages are filled with threads of love, loss, and healing. Highly, highly recommended for anyone who loves fantasy romance, fantasy with strong female leads, unique magic systems, and beautiful writing.” ~ Alexia Chantel/AC Anderson, Goodreads Author of The Mars Strain
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I was totally smitten by Alexus, his morally greyish shade adding an extra appeal to his gentle and caring love towards Raina. But Raina is a protagonist that I absolutely loved, the sign language that counter her muteness, her courage in dealing with the truths that open up in front of her eyes, the loyalty towards her sister and showing mettle every time a crisis looms forth and finding ways to escape the dangers without any help, each segment of the story was entirely captivating. The enemies to lovers romance is always a favorite trope of mine and this story had that in abundance. The mystery elements especially the past that unfolds about Alexus keep the reader glued to the pages.
She quickly becomes entangled in the prince's life and the kingdom's politics. With her strength and determination, she becomes an unlikely heroine and brings hope to the cursed land. In the sequel, "A Heart So Fierce and Broken," we shift our focus to Commander Grey, a secondary character from the first book, and a new protagonist, Lia Mara. This book expands the world of Emberfall and introduces us to a neighboring kingdom, Syhl Shallow, and its own set of challenges. It delves deeper into the complexities of the curse and the struggles of the characters. The series explores themes of love, sacrifice, redemption, and the power of choice. It is filled with intriguing plot twists, political intrigue, and well-developed characters. Kemmerer's brilliant storytelling keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. Overall, the "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series is a must-read for fans of fantasy, fairy tales, and strong character development. It offers a unique twist on a beloved tale and leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next installment..
Reviews for "The Difference Between Good and Evil in A Curse So Dark and Lonely Series"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series. The first book started off promising, with an interesting take on the Beauty and the Beast story. However, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest in the characters and the plot. The world-building felt shallow and the romance was forced. I struggled to connect with the main characters and found their actions and decisions frustrating. Overall, I was hoping for a captivating fantasy series, but this one fell short for me.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I have to say, I was not a fan of the "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series. The concept of a retelling of Beauty and the Beast intrigued me, but the execution was lackluster. The writing style was average at best, and the pacing felt off. The characters lacked depth, and I couldn't bring myself to care about their struggles. The love triangle felt unnecessary and only added to my frustration. Unfortunately, this series didn't live up to the hype for me.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - While I didn't hate the "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series, I also didn't love it. The first book started off well, with an intriguing premise, but the plot became predictable and the twists lacked surprise. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to fully invest in their stories. The romantic aspect felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, it was an average fantasy series that didn't stand out from others in the genre.