The recommended age for the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series is generally targeted towards young adult readers. This fantasy series written by Brigid Kemmerer is filled with magical elements, adventure, romance, and complex characters. The story follows the journey of Harper, a young girl from present-day Washington, DC, who is transported to the magical world of Emberfall, a kingdom cursed by an enchantress. Harper must navigate the dangerous political landscape and learn to break free from the curse alongside the brooding prince Rhen and his loyal guard Grey. While the story may appeal to readers of various ages, the recommended age for this series is around 14 years and above due to some mature themes and content. The book explores topics such as war, violence, and romance, which may be better appreciated and understood by older readers.
“Slow burning, big hearted, magical fun! I loved every minute.” —New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins
Has everything you d want in a retelling of a classic fairy tale a finely-drawn fantasy world, a heroine rarely seen in fiction, and a tortured hero with a secret. Readers looking for a different sort of coming-of-age story or teen protagonists grappling with complex situations will fall in love with this romance-tinged novel.
The book explores topics such as war, violence, and romance, which may be better appreciated and understood by older readers. Additionally, the complexity of the characters and the intricacies of the plot may be more engaging for an older audience. However, younger readers who are mature and well-versed in the fantasy genre may also find enjoyment in this series.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely (The Cursebreaker Series) (Hardcover)
"Following a heroine with cerebral palsy as she falls into a cursed kingdom, Kemmerer retells Beauty and the Beast through this Y.A. fantasy romance. The reader has no choice but to fall in love with Harper and to wish the best for her and her Prince as they try to break the curse on his kingdom."
Description
A New York Times bestseller!
"Has everything you'd want in a retelling of a classic fairy tale." - Jodi Picoult
In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.
Fall in love, break the curse.
It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was 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 barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But 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.
About the Author
Brigid Kemmerer is the author of the New York Times bestseller Defy the Night, the New York Times bestselling Cursebreaker series, which includes A Curse So Dark and Lonely, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, and A Vow So Bold and Deadly, and Forging Silver into Stars. She has also written the contemporary young adult romances Call It What You Want, More Than We Can Tell, and Letters to the Lost, as well as paranormal young adult stories, including the Elemental series and Thicker Than Water. A full-time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family.
www.brigidkemmerer.com
@BrigidKemmerer
Praise For…
“Has everything you'd want in a retelling of a classic fairy tale: a finely-drawn fantasy world, a heroine rarely seen in fiction, and a tortured hero with a secret. I have only one complaint: I wish the sequel were already available!” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of A SPARK OF LIGHT and SMALL GREAT THINGS
“Absolutely spellbinding. A Curse So Dark and Lonely expands on all the beloved themes of 'Beauty and the Beast' to create an intensely original retelling: one full of fierce new characters, wicked magic, and wondrous amounts of heart. Brigid Kemmerer doesn't just tell a story, she builds an entire world that you will never want to leave.” —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of CARAVAL and LEGENDARY
“I couldn't get this creative, suspenseful take on 'Beauty and the Beast' out of my head.” —Sara Holland, New York Times bestselling author of EVERLESS
“Slow burning, big hearted, magical fun! I loved every minute.” —New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins
“Heartwarming, thoughtful, and romantic: Brigid Kemmerer took me on a magical journey with this dark fairy tale about growing up, falling in love, and making impossible choices. I can't wait to see where these characters go next.” —Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling co-author of MY LADY JANE and MY PLAIN JANE
“Beautifully dark, filled with wild adventure and a modern-day heroine every reader will find a bit of themselves in.” —Alexandra Christo, author of TO KILL A KINGDOM
“Harper is the undisputed hero . . . Avoiding disability inspiration tropes, she is a fallible, well-rounded character who fights for the vulnerable and resists being labeled as such herself despite how others perceive her. A fast-paced, richly detailed feminist epic.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“This enthralling modern fable champions altruism while illustrating intimacy's relationship with honesty, respect, trust, and consent.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Fans of Cassandra Clare, Marissa Meyer, or Alex Flinn, as well as any reader looking to sink into a top-notch story with great characters, will want to read this book.” —VOYA, starred review
“A complex, creative, and compelling reimagining of Beauty and the Beast.” —School Library Connection, highly recommended
“A fresh twist on an old story. . . . Fans of Sarah J. Maas will be eager for this one.” —Booklist
“Kemmerer knows how to blend a compelling story with a swoony romance, and the love triangle that inevitably develops . . . is organic and unforced because of strong characterization.” —BCCB
“A unique world filled with fantasy and menace . . . will leave readers anxious to see what happens next.” —School Library Journal
“Kemmerer merges modern sensibilities with an epic love story in this Beauty and the Beast retelling.” —Shelf Awareness
“Readers looking for a different sort of coming-of-age story or teen protagonists grappling with complex situations will fall in love with this romance-tinged novel.” —Starred review, Booklist on MORE THAN WE CAN TELL
“A must-have for any YA collection. Give to teens who enjoyed A Boy Called It by Dave Pelzer or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.” —Starred review, School Library Journal on MORE THAN WE CAN TELL
“This book is going to fly off the shelves to all teens, but it will hold special interest for those looking for a tear-jerking romance and serious readers of realistic fiction.” —VOYA on LETTERS TO THE LOST
“A great concept, delivered in a compulsively readable package . . . romance readers will stay up late to finish this very satisfying and heartfelt read.” —Booklist on LETTERS TO THE LOST
“Explores the ideas of carving identity out of pain and the way perception colors expectations.” —BCCB on LETTERS TO THE LOST
“Readers will find themselves rooting for the real Declan to win Juliet's heart the same way his online persona did. Consider this tale of modern star-crossed love as a first purchase for YA collections.” —School Library Journal on LETTERS TO THE LOST
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
- Young Adult Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations
- Young Adult Fiction / Romance
- Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
- Kobo eBook (January 28th, 2019): $10.39
- Paperback (January 7th, 2020): $12.99
It is ultimately up to the discretion of parents or guardians to determine if the content is suitable for their child. The A Curse So Dark and Lonely series offers a captivating and thrilling reading experience for young adult readers, blending fantasy and romance in an enchanting and immersive world..
Reviews for "The age cutoff: when should readers move on from the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series?"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I honestly did not enjoy the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series at all. The recommended age for this book is 13 and up, but I found the writing style and plot to be quite juvenile. The characters, especially the main protagonist, felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. Additionally, I found the romantic elements to be forced and unrealistic. Overall, this series did not live up to the hype for me and I would not recommend it.
2. Emily - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with A Curse So Dark and Lonely series. The recommended age for this book is 12 and up, but I found the writing to be incredibly simplistic and unengaging. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were also underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. I was unable to finish the series as I lost interest midway. I would not recommend this series to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.
3. Alex - 2 stars - I did not enjoy the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series as much as I anticipated. The recommended age for this book is 14 and up, but I found the story to be predictable and repetitive. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to stay invested in the plot. The main characters felt generic and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to form any emotional connection with them. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this series and would not recommend it to others.