"A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is a young adult fantasy novel written by Brigid Kemmerer. The story follows the main character, Harper, a teenage girl from modern-day Washington, D.C., who is transported to the magical world of Emberfall. In this world, a prince named Rhen has been cursed to relive the same season over and over again until he can find true love. Harper soon discovers that Rhen's curse is not the only obstacle they face.
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Cursebreakers #1
Published by Bloomsbury YA on January 29, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 484
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Fall in love, break the curse.
Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.
You thought I’d quit YA, huh? Me too. lol. I’ve struggled to identify with YA characters as I’ve gotten older and have kind of made the shift to adult romance, but then a group of friends pushed this on me and we read the series together and OH MY GOSH. I had always loved YA fantasy, but hadn’t found one in a very long time that held my attention long enough to even finish it, much less binge a series back to back to back. I’m about a third of the way through the second book, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, right now and it’s amazing. I’m #89 in line for A Vow so Bold and Deadly at my library so hopefully things hurry along. Anyway, I loved the world and the characters and the writing, and I’m so excited to continue my journey reading through these books! As always, my main points are bolded.
1. Harper had me worried at first. Well, the whole book did because it started off very sassy teen and I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for it, but then I grew to really love her! And I loved the disability rep. Harper has Cerebral Palsy and walks with a limp. The people in the magical alternate dimension don’t understand this kind of disability and find her to be weak or injured, but she has no problems sticking up for herself and proving that she can do anything. She’s sweet, caring, empathetic, and really turns the castle upside down. This girl definitely isn’t like all the other girls who have been kidnapped by the prince’s guard commander to try and break the curse.
2. Grey is my favorite character in this book. He’s the guard commander, and I LOVE him. He’s honorable and protective and such a great guy. He’s the romantic of the two male main characters, and he coaches the prince on how to not be a cold, unfeeling jerk. If we’re likening the characters to Beauty and the Beast, which this book is a retelling of, then Harper is Belle, Rhen is the Beast, and Grey is Lumiere. Also, was he named after the grey stuff? As in “try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!” I’m convinced of this. I need to write to the author. Ok, I just did. Anyway, he’s also pretty swoony sounding.
3. Prince Rhen? He’s fine. I actually really liked him, but he was a bit broody and intense and… pouty? for my liking. He’s the typical royal personality you find in fantasy, and I guess he’s a really good Beast because he’s got that “I hate everyone, now love me so I can be human again” attitude down. I hope I get to see more of his personality in the second book, because right now he’s pretty flat.
4. The supporting characters are great. Harper, Grey, and Rhen end up at a little inn and I love the characters they meet. And as they find people to join their army against a rival queen, they encounter some really interesting people with stories that I loved.
5. The romance is pretty minimal, but I didn’t even care.
6. Oh my gosh, this is a very overwhelming book to try and review.
7. I love the world! And I loved the spin Brigid put on Beauty and the Beast. Curse has the bones of Beauty and the Beast, but Brigid has added so many interesting and amazing details that make it so different. The enchantress is a recurring character in the story, there’s another kingdom threatening invasion, there’s… traveling between dimensions, the beast (or monster, as they refer to it in the book) surfaces every season and Rhen can’t control it (think of a werewolf and a full moon). It’s all so good and fresh and unique.
8. The writing! I love Brigid’s use of words and descriptions of scenery and feelings.
9. I finished and immediately needed more. This doesn’t happen to me often. Usually I need a break, but I am plowing on through and can’t read fast enough.
I’ve read a LOT of Beauty and the Beast retellings, and I thought for sure nothing would ever satisfy me to the point that Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses did. I still love ACOTAR more than anything, but I also really, really loved Curse. Like, I can’t pick just one and that makes me really happy. Maybe there is room in my life for more B&B retellings and maybe I do still love YA fantasy (it was heartbreaking to decide I didn’t anymore). Anyway, I’m not sure I’m making sense. Bottom line, A Curse so Dark and Lonely has made me realize that perhaps I gave up on a genre I once loved too soon because I thought there was nothing left for me there. So, now I’ll venture back and see what else there is for me. I highly recommend this book, and cannot wait to see what happens next!
What happened in A Curse So Dark and Lonely? (Cursebreakers #1)
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Read a full summary of A Curse So Dark and Lonely, book #1 in Brigid Kemmerer’s Cursebreakers series. This page is full of spoilers, so beware. If you are wondering what happened in A Curse so Dark and Lonely, then you are in the right place!
***** Everything below is a SPOILER *****
Harper soon discovers that Rhen's curse is not the only obstacle they face. There is also an evil sorceress named Lilith who threatens to destroy the kingdom of Emberfall. As Harper tries to figure out how to break the curse and save the kingdom, she must navigate the political tensions and dangers of this unfamiliar world.
What happened in A Curse so Dark and Lonely?
Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s pulled into a magical world.
Harper lives in Washington DC, where she plays lookout for her brother, Jake. On one of her “stakeouts” she sees Grey, Commander of Rhen’s army, as he attempts to abduct another woman. Harper steps in to stop him, but Grey takes her instead. He transports her to Emberfall (Rhen’s kingdom in another world). But Grey and Rhen quickly find that Harper is not as trusting as the many girls before her.
Lady Lilith, an enchantress, arrives and torments Grey and Prince Rhen. The curse was her doing. She decides that this will be Rhen’s last season. If Harper doesn’t fall in love with him, he will become a beast forever.
Rhen asks Grey to promise to kill him when, later in the season, he begins to change into the beast. Grey wants to refuse but doesn’t flat out say not to a direct order from the prince.
On Harper’s first day, they resort to locking her in her room after a failed escape attempt. She climbs out the two-story window and takes off on horseback.
She finally comes across a farmhouse, but it is burning to the ground, and the occupant—a woman and her small children—are being held at sword point. The assailants say they are taking the house and land for the crown, and they agree to kill the children and take the woman. Harper runs her horse into the swordsman and eventually kills him. Rhen and Grey show up and take care of the other men.
Rhen puts the woman up in an inn where they learn that the people believe that the royals are either hiding or dead. They are angry that the king does not protect them from the monster. Rhen later admits to Harper that his father—and all his family—are dead at the monster’s hand. He has carried out orders to close the borders in his father’s name. The people have suffered for it.
Harper doesn’t know how to answer the innkeeper’s questions. She accidentally leads them to believe that she is a princess from another kingdom and that she and Rhen are to be married. Harper also learns that Grey has kidnapped hundreds of girls before her and that they are meant to break the curse on the kingdom, but Grey can’t say what Harper is meant to do. The girls spend one season (three months) here, and when the curse is not broken, they return home.
Lilith is making Rhen pay because Rhen’s grandfather killed her people, the other sorceresses. She is the only one left and has absorbed their power, making her very strong.
Back at the castle, Harper comes across a room coated in blood and guts, and Rhen admits that it is his blood and that often he dies before each season ends. He always comes back to life. Until now. If he dies this time, he will truly be dead.
Harper sees all of the food in the castle and decides to take some back to the inn. The people begin to put their hope in Harper.
While she Rhen and Grey are at the inn, another group shows up and demands that the innkeeper hand the building over in the crown’s name. They are working for Karis Luran, the Queen of Syhl Shallow. Harper tricks them into thinking that her kingdom in Disi (Washington DC) will send troops to squash out their plans. She, Rhen, and Grey stay the night to protect those in the inn.
Grey teaches Harper to throw knives, and Rhen is a bit jealous. Rhen asks Grey to put together a royal guard that at least “looks like” they know what they are doing.
Harper asks for Rhen to set up a meeting with Lilith because she wants to ask for passage home. Lilith denies the request after Harper throws a knife at her. Harper is livid that Lilith hurts Rhen. Lilith scars Harper’s face, and Harper finally understands who they are up against.
The group travels to a nearby town to give the people confidence that the crown is with them. They are attacked, but everything turns out well, and many swear loyalty to Rhen.
Rhen and Harper almost kiss, but Harper doesn’t yet know if she can decipher what is real and what is a show from Rhen.
Many people arrive at the castle and want to help. Grey fills out the royal guard, including a girl named Zo, who becomes friends with Harper.
Harper learns that Lilith comes to torture Rhen every night by showing him images of the people he has killed while in the beast form. Harper invites Rhen to stay in her room every night because Lilith has promised not to interfere with Harper. It works.
Harper receives more fighting lessons from others in the castle.
Lilith shows Harper that her mother is dying, and Lilith gives Grey the ability to travel to Harper’s world whenever he likes. Harper wants to leave, but Grey doesn’t want to take her. This is their last chance to save their kingdom. Rhen agrees to let her go and orders Grey to take her.
Rhen is growing scales and knows that the beast is near.
Grey takes Harper along with some jewels to get her family out of financial trouble. Harper tells him to come back the next day.
Harper’s mother dies, and Harper spends some time with her brother. Grey doesn’t return for her for days.
Karis Luran tells Rhen that she knows that his father is dead and that their army and alliance are a sham. She also says that Rhen’s father had another child with an enchantress. This child is the true heir to the throne.
Rhen tells Grey to get the people out of the castle as he feels himself changing into the beast. He tries to jump from the balcony to kill himself, but he is too late because this time, his beast can fly.
After days with no word from Grey, he finally arrives at Harper’s apartment covered in blood. Harper was in the middle of dinner with her brother, Jake, and his boyfriend, Noah. Noah, a doctor, stitches him up. At that moment, the men who Harper’s father owed money to arrive, and to escape, Grey transports himself, Harper, Noah, and Jake back to Emberfall.
Harper tells everyone that Jake is the crown prince of Disi, and Noah is a healer.
Throughout the novel, Harper develops a deep bond with Rhen and his loyal commander, Grey. She realizes that breaking the curse is not just about finding love, but about understanding and accepting oneself. As Harper struggles with her own personal challenges and insecurities, she learns the power of compassion, bravery, and sacrifice. "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" explores themes of destiny, loyalty, and the complexity of relationships. It combines elements of fairy tales with gritty, realistic characters and modern-day issues. The novel immerses readers in a world of magic and adventure, while also addressing important topics such as disability, war, and the power dynamics between men and women. Brigid Kemmerer's retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale offers a fresh and compelling narrative with well-rounded characters and a gripping plot. "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is an enchanting and thought-provoking read that will captivate fans of fantasy and romance alike..
Reviews for "The Heartwarming Story of 'A Curse So Dark and Lonely': A Summary"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" to be quite underwhelming. While the premise of a modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to truly connect with them. Additionally, the plot felt predictable and lacked originality. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with this book.
2. Mark - 1 star
I must admit that "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" was a complete letdown. The writing style felt choppy and forced, making it hard for me to become invested in the story. The pacing was off, with long periods of boredom followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. Moreover, the romantic aspect of the book seemed forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, I found it to be a tedious read that failed to live up to the hype.
3. Melissa - 3 stars
While "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" had its moments, I ultimately found it to be a mediocre read. The characters were average and didn't stand out, and the world-building felt lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow sections that dragged on and fast-paced moments that were underdeveloped. Furthermore, I found the ending to be rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, it was an okay book, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to others.