A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a young adult fantasy novel written by Brigid Kemmerer. The book follows the story of Harper, a young girl with cerebral palsy, who is transported to the magical world of Emberfall. In this world, she encounters Prince Rhen, who is cursed to repeat the same season over and over until he can find true love. As Harper gets to know Prince Rhen and the other characters, she finds herself forming a bond with them and becoming caught up in their quest to break the curse. When considering the age rating for A Curse So Dark and Lonely, it is important to keep in mind the themes and content of the book. The story deals with topics such as disability, identity, and love.
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There have been a number of Beauty and the Beast retellings, but author Brigid Kemmerer s dark and progressive take on the classic is unique and exhilarating. F eaturing a high-school senior with a bad leg from cerebral palsy and also a raft of family troubles, she finds herself snatched to the kingdom of Emberfall.
The story deals with topics such as disability, identity, and love. There are elements of romance and some violence, as the characters battle against the evil enchantress and her minions. However, the violence is not overly graphic or gratuitous.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely, by Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review
Harper knows a thing or two about hardship. Her mother is dying of cancer, her father ran off after making too many bad deals with gangsters, and she’s endured surgery and constant undermining due to her cerebral palsy. She’s always had to fight to survive and to keep her family safe as they must do unthinkable things to keep the money-hungry gangs off their backs.
One night when Harper, playing the lookout for her brother, sees a woman being attacked on the street, she doesn’t think twice before jumping the guy and laying in to him. But instead of running off, the man accidentally transports her to the fantastical Kingdom of Emberfall. Harper is horrified to find herself in a storybook land filled with curses and magical monsters, starving villagers and marauding invaders. Prince Rhen is the master of it all, with an empty cursed castle full of secrets. As Harper slowly begins to unravel the terrible truth of Rhen and why he and his castle have been cursed, she worries about her family. Is her mother still alive? Is her brother staying on the right side of the gangs?
Break the curse, save the kingdom. Prince Rhen, handsome and closed-off, won’t give enough details for Harper to understand why no woman has been able to fall in love with him and break the curse, thus saving his people and his Kingdom – and she certainly isn’t finding his swagger endearing. Can she find the answers before Prince Rhen’s clock runs out and all hope of the curse being broken is gone forever? Or will she find a way to escape Emberfall to help her family back home, thus leaving Prince Rhen and his people to their curse forever? And what happens when she learns the truth about Rhen – and begins to fall in love with him anyway?
There have been a number of Beauty and the Beast retellings, but author Brigid Kemmerer’s dark and progressive take on the classic is unique and exhilarating. Readers will instantly fall in love with feisty Harper, who is never defined by her cerebral palsy or her family’s terrible circumstances. For Harper, there is always hope, and she never tires of looking for the best answer for everyone. With a vivid, diverse cast of race, ability and LGBQT rep, this inclusive fairy tale is a delight. Kemmerer’s take on the beast’s curse is unique and sad, giving an extra layer of darkness to the tale, and Harper’s own background lends a gritty realness to the narrative. Harper has spunk and charisma oozing from her pores, and readers will gladly follow her through the planned series. Harper takes on the “flawed” hero and turns the idea on its head – what some perceive as her disability has made her stronger in so many ways. I can’t wait to read the next book! A Heart So Fierce and Broken will be released in January 2020.
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About the Author
Brigid Kemmerer is the New York Times bestselling author of More Than We Can Tell, Letters to the Lost, and the Elementals series. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska, though her parents quickly moved her all over the United States, from the desert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the lakeside in Cleveland, Ohio, and several stops in between, eventually settling near Annapolis, Maryland.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely, by Brigid Kemmerer , was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like A Curse So Dark and Lonely by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Adventure, Beauty And The Beast Books, Best YA, Brigid Kemmerer, Disabilities, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, and RomanceYoung.
*Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.
Overall, A Curse So Dark and Lonely is suitable for older teenagers and young adults. The book is written in a way that is accessible and engaging for those in this age range, while also presenting important themes and thought-provoking situations. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story itself is gripping and fast-paced. Parents and guardians may want to read the book themselves before allowing younger readers to explore it, as some of the themes and content may be more appropriate for older audiences. However, for mature young readers, A Curse So Dark and Lonely offers an exciting and captivating fantasy adventure with important messages about love, acceptance, and bravery..
Reviews for "The Age Rating of "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" and Its Impact on Reader Engagement"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the age rating of "A Curse So Dark and Lonely." I thought the book was marketed towards young adults, but there were many violent and dark scenes that I didn't think were suitable for that age group. The book tackles some heavy themes like war and disability in a way that may be too intense for younger readers. I would recommend parents to read the book before allowing their teenagers to dive into it.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I found the age rating of "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" to be completely inaccurate. As a parent, I trusted the rating and allowed my 13-year-old daughter to read it, but I was shocked by the explicit language and sexual content throughout the book. I don't think it's appropriate for the young adult genre, and I would strongly advise parents to approach with caution before letting their teenagers read this book.
3. Jennifer - 3/5 stars - While I enjoyed the story itself, I must admit that I was taken aback by the age rating of "A Curse So Dark and Lonely." Although it was marketed as a young adult book, I felt that some of the violence and intense scenes were better suited for older readers. I think the age rating should have been adjusted or made clearer so that parents and readers know what to expect before diving into the book.