The second entry in the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series continues the enchanting tale of Harper, Rhen, and Grey as they navigate the treacherous realm of Emberfall. In A Heart So Fierce and Broken, author Brigid Kemmerer delves deeper into the characters' lives, their struggles, and the consequences of their choices. The story picks up shortly after the events of the first book, with Harper no longer in Emberfall. Instead, we are introduced to the perspective of Grey, the commander of Rhen's guard. Grey is burdened by guilt, torn between loyalty to his brother and his growing doubts about Rhen's ability to rule justly. As events unfold, Grey finds himself embarking on a dangerous mission that will test his loyalties and lead him to unexpected connections.

Thoughts on Magical Vacation Homes?

Has anybody booked a Windsor Hills condo through Magical Vacation Homes?

I have used Florida Sun a few times and VRBO a few times, but Magical Vacation condos look really nice and the price is decent. I'm looking for a little feedback before I book!

We love WH and have stayed many times. I'd be open to suggestions for other rental companies as well!

100AcreWood

DIS Veteran

My neighbor recently used vacationbythemouse and had a good experience. I have also looked at Magical Vacation Homes too. Curious to see what others say!

melliemelo

Mouseketeer

Jedimom

Mouseketeer

Cutting & Pasting my review of Magical Vacation Homes (February 2015):

I wish I had read the negative reviews before we booked. We're here now in condos at Windsor Hills and have had a few issues (and when I say "we" I mean me and my family in one unit and my sister and her family in another unit -- both rented through Magical Vacation Homes).

Overall my unit is nice. It's well decorated, has a good selection of kitchen utensils, everything I've used seems to work sufficiently. It doesn't have a bathtub which is a negative, and it doesn't have a deadbolt (eek! thank goodness it's a gated community, but still. ). But what gets me is the tv. Silly as it sounds, cable or satellite tv is a must-have for us when we vacation. We don't have it at home, so it's a nice luxury we look forward to. The listing for our unit boasted recently upgraded cable tv package and cable tv in all rooms. The only cable appears to be in the living room. Bedrooms have what I would call basic cable (which to me isn't really cable at all - it's just the normal over-the-air channels, a couple of public and local channels, a few religion channels, and a QVC). After a few (frustrating) rounds of discussions with Customer Service, including a work order request they say was fulfilled but which didn't change anything, frankly I've given up expecting any sort of resolution. The kids'll just continue to monopolize the living room TV and I'll turn Netflix on my tablet like I do at home. Chalk it up to experience.

My sister's unit? Not so nice. Very stark with minimal furnishings. Somebody went to IKEA. I think she must have known that from the photos; in any case she didn't seem terribly bothered by it. More concerning to her was the broken toaster, lack of a cooking pans, and broken washer. The toaster burns everything when set on it's lowest setting. The washer doesn't drain, a fact she learned 3 days into her vacation when she attempted to do laundry only to find housekeeping had left a rug in her washer, now mildew-y from sitting in water for at least 3 days. Witnessing the dealings I've had with Customer Service, she didn't even bother contacting them choosing instead to try to make the best of it.

The icing on the cake for us both, though, was a note attached to the our doors when we returned from the parks on Tuesday afternoon (we're in the same building). It's from the Windsor Hills Condo Association, and it reads: "Wednesday & Thursday TIME 10:00AM UNTIL 6:00PM Please be advised that the floors of the hallways are schedule for painting in this building. Weather permitting!! Please either remain indoors during this time or plan your day to leave or arrive before or after these times. This is for the safety of all guests and unit owners."

As a guest who has paid good money to rent the condo, who is ON VACATION, who has made PLANS which contradict this mandate, I WAS LIVID! I can't imagine that the homeowner/property management companies weren't made aware of this in advance. I don't feel they should have even rented the unit out to me (and my sister's family as well -- they got the same note and were the same LIVID!) if they knew these capital maintenance projects were going on. That's just wrong. I "get" that they'd be losing out on rental income, but hey, that's the cost of doing business.

At this point I'm just trying to salvage what's left of our vacation. I wouldn't book through MagicalVacation Homes again.

I thought it might, but time really hasn't given me a different perspective. It still makes me angry, and sad, that our vacation didn't go well. I'm not a "high standards" kind of gal at all. I don't sweat the small stuff. but it was just all too much. The whole "be gone from your unit" became a problem as the "mandate" extended an additional day without any warning. I know for many it might not be a big deal, but we aren't go - go - go type vacationers; we do a lot of down time and this put a serious crimp in things. having to be gone all day and not able to come back for lunch and a swim.

My sisters unit only became more wrought with broken items. By the time she left, she'd found more and more broken appliances, furniture, and lack of basic utensils. She was a die-hard Windsor Hills lover and is seriously reconsidering somewhere else for her next vacation.

Find your happy place and stay!

As events unfold, Grey finds himself embarking on a dangerous mission that will test his loyalties and lead him to unexpected connections. Meanwhile, Harper has her own set of challenges. While she yearns to return to Emberfall and be with Rhen, she grapples with the responsibility of her own world and the expectations placed upon her.

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As she encounters new allies and enemies, Harper must embrace her strengths and confront her fears. A Heart So Fierce and Broken adds new layers to the fantasy world of Emberfall, introducing new characters and new dangers. It explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the complexity of relationships. Kemmerer expertly weaves together multiple perspectives, giving readers a richer understanding of the story and its characters. One of the main strengths of this second entry is the development of Grey's character. From being a secondary character in the first book, Grey takes center stage in this installment. Readers witness his growth as he grapples with his own insecurities and tries to find his place in the world. His experiences shed light on the inner workings of Emberfall's politics and the challenges faced by those in power. The central theme of the series, the curse that plagues Emberfall, continues to loom over the characters' lives. As they search for a way to break the curse, they must confront their own demons and make difficult choices. The consequences of their actions affect not only themselves but also the fate of the kingdom. Overall, A Heart So Fierce and Broken builds upon the foundations established in A Curse So Dark and Lonely, taking readers on an emotional journey filled with twists and turns. Kemmerer's writing style draws readers in, making it difficult to put the book down. With its engaging characters, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes, this second entry in the series is a must-read for fans and newcomers alike..

Reviews for "The Significance of the Title in the Second Book of A Curse So Dark and Lonely"

1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really excited for the second entry in the "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series, but I found it to be extremely disappointing. The plot felt disjointed, with random subplots thrown in that didn't add much to the overall story. The pacing was also off, with the action sequences feeling rushed and the character development lacking depth. Additionally, I found the writing style to be lackluster and repetitive. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in continuing with the series.

2. John - 2.5 stars - I had high expectations for the second book in the "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" series, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The characters, who I loved in the first book, seemed flat and one-dimensional in this installment. The romance that was so captivating in the first book felt forced and melodramatic here. The plot tried to pack in too much, resulting in a lack of focus and a cluttered storyline. While there were moments of excitement, they were overshadowed by the overall disappointment I felt while reading this book.

3. Sarah - 3 stars - Although I enjoyed the first book in the series, the second entry failed to hold my attention. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked the intensity and urgency I was expecting. The characters, while familiar, didn't seem to experience much growth or development. Additionally, I found the writing to be overly descriptive, leading to a lack of action and suspense. While the book had its moments, overall, it didn't live up to the expectations set by its predecessor.

The Second Entry in A Curse So Dark and Lonely: A Review