Review: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
SYNOPSIS:
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 Lacy. 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.
REVIEW:
*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*
This book was pure magic, hands down one of my top reads for 2019. I feel like I have a spiritual connection to this story, it has been a long time since I’ve been so immersed and captivated by a YA fantasy. The lush imagery transports you to the kingdom of Emberfall and the enchanting twist on a classic fairy tale will have you hypnotized.
Brigid crafts a story that is not only a modern retelling, but her own wicked twist on Beauty & the Beast. But what I loved the most is the characters. Relatable, determined, and fierce, each character is lively and vivacious. Harper is inspiring as she battle cystic fibrosis but doesn’t let it hold her back. Her fiery-spirit and determination had me laughing out loud. I could feel her giddiness for learning to throw knives and shoot arrows as if she were standing next to me.
Grey and Rhen are all the swoon! Rhen was like an onion you had to peel back layer by layer to find who he truly was. He was shrouded in arrogant mystery, which just makes it all the more sweet when Harper sees his true colors shining through. Grey was full of fire, heart, and loyalty. I am dying to know more about Grey! Seriously crushing so hard on these two.
The tale is action packed from start to finish. There wasn’t a moment when these self-less characters weren’t making countless sacrifices for the kingdom and each other. This rag-tag team capture my heart and saved the day. I think if I had to make a complaint, it would be that I want more romance! But given the circumstances in which Harper arrived in Emberfall, I completely understand Brigid’s choice to pace the book in which she did. And it’s totally okay because there is a second book! Hurry up 2020!
LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
