"A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is a young adult fantasy novel written by Brigid Kemmerer. The story revolves around Harper, a young girl from modern-day Washington D.C., who gets transported to the magical kingdom of Emberfall. **The maturity rating of "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" is suitable for young adult readers**. The book contains elements of romance, adventure, and magic, making it an engaging read for teenagers.
It’s an incredibly powerful song, and I find myself getting goosebumps every time I listen. No spoilers, but a trip to Hel happens in The Witch’s Heart, and this song makes me think of it. (You can find the English translation here!)
Helvegen, translates to the way to Hel Hel being both Angrboda and Loki s daughter, and the name of her realm of the dead , and that s literally what the song is about. Sarah Potter is a professional witch, Tarot Reader and practitioner of Color Magic, a means of using specific hues of the rainbow to conjure different energies and manifest personal transformation.
The book contains elements of romance, adventure, and magic, making it an engaging read for teenagers. However, it is important to note that there are some violent scenes and themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences. The main character, Harper, has cerebral palsy, which adds an element of diversity and representation in the story.
What’s in a song? Selections from The Witch’s Heart Playlist
Creating playlists is a pastime for many authors — myself included! While I prefer ambient music while I’m drafting new projects these days, I keep my playlists handy when I get stuck somewhere or have writer’s block. I’ll take them on a walk, or listen to them in the car, to get the creative juices flowing and keep me inspired.
With that said, I wrote the entirety of the first draft of The Witch’s Heart while listening to Florence + The Machine’s album Ceremonials on infinite loop (it had just been released at the time), but over the years I’ve amassed a lengthy playlist to remind me of the feelings that kept me editing and revising the book until it was the best I could make it.
Here are a few of my favorites from that list. (Which you can find on Spotify here!)
1. Drømte Mig en Drøm by the Danish String Quartet (:00 to 3:55)
A rendition of the oldest piece of secular music found in Scandinavia, the first cover I heard of this song was from an album called Viking Tones, which one of my friends in Sweden ordered me from the Danish National Museum. It’s an instrumental version performed by Erik A. Wessberg. Several other covers include vocals, including those by Valravn and Louise Fribo, among many awesome renditions you can find on YouTube.
When I recently rediscovered this song, I stumbled upon the arrangement by the Danish String Quartet, and absolutely fell in love. The way they’ve rendered it is so haunting and lovely, and immediately takes me to Ironwood.
2. I Will Never Die by Delta Rae
Hickory, oak, pine, and weed
Bury my heart underneath these trees
And when a southern wind comes to raise my soul
Spread my spirit like a flock of crows
’Cause I loved you for too long…
Oof, this song has such a powerful beat, and the words make it even more so. One of my best friends clued me into its existence as she worked on a portrait of Angrboda I’d commissioned in celebration of the US release of The Witch’s Heart. The lyrics you can bury my body but I’ll never die absolutely sound like a threat, and one highly appropriate for our old witch.
3. Helvegen by Wardruna
Listen: I could not very well write an entire book about Norse mythology and not include one song by Wardruna. “Helvegen,” translates to “the way to Hel” (Hel being both Angrboda and Loki’s daughter, and the name of her realm of the dead), and that’s literally what the song is about. It’s largely instrumental but so moving, and even ends with a spoken verse from Hávamál (or “The Sayings of the High One,” a poem of Odin’s in the Poetic Edda).
It’s an incredibly powerful song, and I find myself getting goosebumps every time I listen. No spoilers, but a trip to Hel happens in The Witch’s Heart, and this song makes me think of it. (You can find the English translation here!)
4. Wolf by First Aid Kit
I adore First Aid Kit, and have for years. And this song is the most fitting for The Witch’s Heart Song, hands down. When I first listened to it, I was absolutely stunned. It could have been made for this book. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the opening verse:
Wolf-mother, where you been?
You look so worn, so thin
You’re a taker, devils-maker
Let me hear you sing, hey-ya hey-ya
Wolf-father, at the door
You don’t smile anymore
You’re a drifter, shape-shifter
Let me see you run, hey-ya hey-ya
And it only escalates from there. It especially reminds me of the part of The Witch’s Heart where things are beginning to ramp up as we shuffle towards Ragnarok, the doom of the gods: a certain shapeshifter is on the run, and a certain witch comes home to find him waiting for her. It’s just so, so good.
I was also so hyped to learn that someone else had also made a playlist for The Witch’s Heart, which is such an honor and honestly a dream come true. If you come across a song that reminds you of the book when you read it, I’d love to hear from you.
I hope you enjoyed this brief trip into The Witch’s Heart playlist! Thank you so much to Culturefly for hosting me today. It’s been a pleasure, and I hope you enjoy the book if you pick it up!
The Witch’s Heart was published by Titan Books on 4 May 2021
Medium Devin Hunter highlights ancient wisdom through a modern lens, featuring interviews with magical pros and deep-dives into mysticism.
This allows readers to connect with Harper's struggles and triumphs while navigating the challenges of Emberfall alongside the prince, Rhen, and his loyal guard, Grey. The book explores themes of inner strength, love, and duty. It delves into the characters' personal growth as they confront their fears and learn from their mistakes. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers engaged and eager to discover what will happen next. **Overall, "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" offers an exciting and captivating story for young adult readers, blending fantasy elements with relatable characters and themes**. Its maturity rating ensures it is appropriate for its target audience, allowing them to enjoy the thrilling journey of Harper and the magical world of Emberfall..
Reviews for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely: The Importance of Maturity Ratings in a Diverse Society"
1) Jenna - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" because of all the hype surrounding it, but I have to say, it really let me down. The storyline felt incredibly predictable and the characters lacked depth and development. I also found the writing to be quite repetitive and dull at times. Overall, I just couldn't connect with this book and I don't understand the appeal it has for others.
2) Liam - 1/5 stars - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "A Curse So Dark and Lonely." The plot was all over the place and the pacing was incredibly slow. There were so many unnecessary details and scenes that added nothing to the story. The love triangle felt forced and unrealistic, and the main characters were annoying and lacked any real growth. I was honestly relieved when I finally finished this book and I won't be picking up the sequel.
3) Emma - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" as it promised a unique twist on the Beauty and the Beast story. However, I found the execution to be lacking. The world-building was weak, leaving me confused and unable to fully immerse myself in the story. The actions and decisions made by the characters often felt illogical and inconsistent. Additionally, the romance fell flat for me, lacking chemistry and depth. Overall, I was left disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it.