"A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is a young adult fantasy novel that is primarily targeted towards teenagers. Written by Brigid Kemmerer, the book explores the story of Harper, a teenage girl from modern-day Washington D.C., who finds herself transported to a cursed kingdom called Emberfall. In Emberfall, she encounters Prince Rhen, who has been cursed to repeat the same season over and over again until a girl falls in love with him. The age group for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is primarily teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18.
Praise for Magic for Beginners
“A sorceress to be reckoned with.”—The New York Times Book Review
“[Kelly] Link’s stories . . . play in a place few writers go, a netherworld between literature and fantasy, Alice Munro and J. K. Rowling, and Link finds truths there that most authors wouldn’t dare touch.”—Lev Grossman, Time
“She is unique and should be declared a national treasure.”—Neil Gaiman
“Funny, scary, surprising and powerfully moving within the span of a single story or even a single sentence.”—Karen Russell, The Miami Herald
“This is what certain readers live for: fiction that makes the world instead of merely mimicking it.”—Audrey Niffenegger
“[These] exquisite stories mix the aggravations and epiphanies of everyday life with the stuff that legends, dreams and nightmares are made of.”—Laura Miller, Salon, Best Books of the Decade
“A major talent . . . Like George Saunders, [Link] can’t dismiss the hidden things that tap on our windows at night.”—The Boston Globe
“The most darkly playful voice in American fiction.”—Michael Chabon
“I think she is the most impressive writer of her generation.”—Peter Straub
“Link’s world is one to savor. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly
“Intricate, wildly imaginative and totally wonderful . . . will fill you with awe and joy.”—NPR
Audrey Niffenegger These exquisite stories mix the aggravations and epiphanies of everyday life with the stuff that legends, dreams and nightmares are made of. This proves just one of several benign but inexplicable phenomena that begin to pull apart the family newly moved into the house as surely as a more sinister supernatural influence might.
The age group for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is primarily teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18. This age group is the primary target audience for young adult novels, as they can relate to the coming-of-age themes and struggles faced by the characters. The book tackles important themes such as identity, self-acceptance, and the power of love.
Amazing Magic Tricks for Beginners: Impress Your Friends with Simple to Learn Magic that Anyone Can Do (New Shoe Press) (Paperback)
With a little practice and this beginner’s guide, you will quickly be amazing your friends and family with your new sleight-of-hand craft.
Being an accomplished magician definitely takes practice, but it starts with the right instruction. Amazing Magic Tricks for Beginners offers just the right level of foundational guidance in easy-to-follow, illustrated, step-by-step instruction . Whether it’s cards, coins, or magic boxes and hats, even the most inexperienced magic enthusiasts will be able to access the insider magic tips and performance advice taught in this book.
- A guide to all the tools you will need to do everything from a simple card trick to tricks that use multiple props to execute
- The practical elements for executing a wide array of tricks, starting with the basics and including fresh takes on traditional tricks
- Performance skills such as distraction, sleight of hand, storytelling, and pace, which are the key to executing a convincing magic trick
Always wanted to pull a coin out from behind an ear or pull the queen of hearts from a shuffled deck of 52 cards? This book will teach you what you need to know to be the magician you’ve always wanted to be !
About the Author
Bryan Miles is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed magician. His mind-blowing shows have taken him from London to New York. He has performed at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. He is featured on TV, radio, magazines, and newspapers regularly. Bryan has studied the mysteries of the human mind through illusion, mentalism, magic, and hypnosis. He is a Silver Medallion graduate of the College of Magic in Cape Town and is frequently invited to teach his skills to aspiring magicians. His YouTube channel BryanMilesTV showcases his latest clips in which he demonstrates the incredible power of the human mind. He is currently based in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Games & Activities / Magic
- Games & Activities / Card Games
- Games & Activities / Optical Illusions
Praise for Magic for Beginners
“A sorceress to be reckoned with.”—The New York Times Book Review
“[Kelly] Link’s stories . . . play in a place few writers go, a netherworld between literature and fantasy, Alice Munro and J. K. Rowling, and Link finds truths there that most authors wouldn’t dare touch.”—Lev Grossman, Time
“She is unique and should be declared a national treasure.”—Neil Gaiman
“Funny, scary, surprising and powerfully moving within the span of a single story or even a single sentence.”—Karen Russell, The Miami Herald
“This is what certain readers live for: fiction that makes the world instead of merely mimicking it.”—Audrey Niffenegger
“[These] exquisite stories mix the aggravations and epiphanies of everyday life with the stuff that legends, dreams and nightmares are made of.”—Laura Miller, Salon, Best Books of the Decade
“A major talent . . . Like George Saunders, [Link] can’t dismiss the hidden things that tap on our windows at night.”—The Boston Globe
“The most darkly playful voice in American fiction.”—Michael Chabon
“I think she is the most impressive writer of her generation.”—Peter Straub
“Link’s world is one to savor. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly
“Intricate, wildly imaginative and totally wonderful . . . will fill you with awe and joy.”—NPR
Teenagers in this age group often grapple with their own sense of self and navigate the complexities of love and relationships, making them more inclined to appreciate and connect with the story's central themes. Furthermore, within this age group, "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" resonates particularly well with young female readers. Harper, the female protagonist, is a strong and determined character who defies societal expectations and is unafraid to challenge the status quo. The novel's female readers can see themselves in Harper's shoes as she grapples with her own strengths and finds her place in a male-dominated world. Overall, "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" appeals to teenagers as it presents relatable characters and addresses relevant and universal themes. The book acts as an escape for readers, transporting them into a fantastical world while still addressing the struggles and emotions they may encounter in their own lives. This age group can find solace in the characters' journeys and perhaps draw inspiration from Harper's resilience and courage..
Reviews for "Empathy and Understanding in 'A Curse So Dark and Lonely"
1. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "A Curse So Dark and Lonely." I found the characters to be flat and uninteresting, and the plot seemed to drag on without any real direction. I also had a hard time connecting with the protagonist, as her actions and decisions often felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I felt like this book didn't live up to the hype and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" was a complete letdown for me. I couldn't get past the unrealistic world-building and the predictable plot. The characters lacked depth and their relationships felt forced. I expected more from this book, especially considering the positive reviews it has received, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. I would not recommend it.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I really wanted to enjoy "A Curse So Dark and Lonely," but I found it to be a cliché and predictable retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. I didn't find anything unique or thought-provoking in this book and it left me disappointed. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Andrew - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely," but it didn't deliver. The pacing was off, with too much time spent on relationships and not enough on world-building or action. The dialogue felt unnatural and the characters lacked depth. I also found the romance to be cheesy and unrealistic. I struggled to connect with the story and ultimately felt let down. I wouldn't recommend this book.